bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Advertising Affects Sales: Meta-Analysis of Econometric Results
Authors: Assmus Gert , Farley John U. , Lehmann Donald R.
Published: December 2018

The authors attempt to assess what has been learned from econometric models about the effect of advertising on sales. Short-term and long-term advertising response as well as model fit are analyzed for 128 econometric models involving the impact of advertising on sales. The approach, a form of meta-analysis called “replication analysis,” treats the studies as imperfect experimental replications and uses ANOVA to identify sources of systematic variation. For short-term advertising elasticities, systematic variability is found related to model specification, estimation, measurement, product type, and setting of study. For advertising carryover and model goodness of fit, the “quasi-experimental design” is so imperfect that a high degree of sharing of explained variance among explanatory factors makes it difficult to identify the impact of a particular factor. Because the studies mostly address mature products in the U.S., suggestions are made for research needs crucial to better understanding of how advertising affects sales.
Viewer Recall of Television Commercials: Prediction from the Propositional Structure of Commercial Scripts
Authors: Thorson Esther , Snyder Rita
Published: December 2018

The authors investigate a model for using what is said in a television commercial to predict what viewers recall of it. The psycholinguistically based ad language model (ALM) was applied to analysis of the propositional structure of 19 commercial scripts and 941 associated viewer recall protocols. The protocols came from either day-after telephone interviews by market research agencies or immediate free recall after forced exposure. Stepwise regressions with ALM script measures as predictors accounted for significant portions of the variance in ALM measures of how many ideas viewers would generate when recalling, how much information about execution and product characteristics they would recall, and their use of brand name and descriptive words. ALM script measures also predicted the day-after recall scores available for 16 of the commercials. Linking of the propositional structures of commercials with their recall leads to an improved foundation for use of recall in the evaluation of advertising messages.
Hybrid Models for Conjoint Analysis: An Expository Review
Authors: Green Paul E.
Published: December 2018

Over the past few years hybrid models for conjoint analysis have been developed to reduce data collection effort and time. Hybrid models combine features of self-explicated utility measurement with more traditional conjoint analysis. A classification of hybrid models is presented, followed by a review of their comparative performance in cross-validation tests. Though hybrid models represent an attempt to cope with an important practical problem in industry applications of conjoint techniques, these models entail a number of untested assumptions requiring further theoretical analysis and empirical research. Suggestions are offered on future studies that are essential before the role of hybrid models in conjoint methods can be evaluated properly.
Effects of Organizational Structure of Marketing Planning on Credibility and Utilization of Plan Output
Authors: John George , Martin John
Published: December 2018

The authors investigate the effects of the organizational structure used for marketing planning on the credibility and utilization of marketing plans. Data on 53 organizations were obtained from multiple respondents in the marketing areas of those organizations. The results indicate that a bureaucratized planning structure with formal rules and procedures and departmental specialization can enhance both plan credibility and utilization. However, high centralization of authority affected these variables negatively. The explanatory mechanisms suggested by these results are discussed and managerial implications presented.
Removing Perceptual Distortions in Product Space Analysis
Authors: Dillon William R. , Mulani Narendra , Frederick Donald G.
Published: December 2018

Removing distortion in perceptual judgments has been the subject of several recent research studies. The authors examine the issue of identifying and removing perceptual distortions in product space analysis. The purpose of the article is to show how a simple data transformation can purge the influence of the common general factor which typically surfaces when compositional approaches to building product spaces are employed. The method, which relies on a two-step double-centering transformation, eliminates irrelevant sources of variation. It is fundamentally different from the previously recommended practices in that it does not require the researcher either to (1) throw away the first principal component or (2) arbitrarily select attributes in order to define an affect index which then is used to replace the original simple correlations with partial correlations controlling for the influence of affect captured by the index.
Optimal Product Line Pricing: The Influence of Elasticities and Cross-Elasticities
Authors: Reibstein David J. , Gatignon Hubert
Published: December 2018

The authors focus on the determination of optimal prices for products in a product line. Most firms offer more than a single brand, and ultimately are concerned with the overall results of the entire line. The most common approach for addressing this concern has been to model the sales response function and optimize the profit function separately by brand. A model is presented which solves for the optimal product line prices simultaneously. The method requires a model which includes cross-elasticity terms and an estimation method which allows for correlated disturbances (seemingly unrelated regression). This approach is compared with results from a model not including the cross-elasticity terms, and an estimation without correlated disturbances. Inferences for optimal prices from the proposed model indicate different results and potential errors in using the more naive models. The authors provide a method for managers to use in evaluating the importance of critical parameters in their product line pricing decisions.
Situational Factors Affecting Forecast Accuracy
Authors: Schnaars Steven P.
Published: December 2018

Forecasts generated by five popular extrapolations are compared with each other and with a random-walk model over nearly 1500 situations. Relative to the random walk, forecasting with extrapolations is most successful on nondurable goods and series that historically have exhibited stable patterns. The amount of data available for forecasting and the product class/product form typology are not found to be important factors in the selection of an extrapolation model.
Comment on a Standard Definition of Response Rates
Authors: Wiseman Frederick , Billington Maryann
Published: December 2018

The lack of a standard definition of response rates in surveys has resulted in problems in the marketing research community, including ambiguity in pricing and evaluating research proposals and in assessing the quality of data used in industry reports and journal articles. This comment highlights the work of an industry task force which has considered the implications of different definitions and proposed an industry standard.
Analyzing Marketing Research Data with Association Models
Authors: Feick Lawrence F.
Published: December 2018

The author demonstrates the usefulness of some association models for ordered cross-classifications. The models are applied to problems common in marketing research, including analyzing the association in tables, determining criteria for collapsing categories in tables, assigning category scores to cross-classified ordered variables, and deriving correlation coefficient estimates for cross-classifications. These methods are shown to be particularly useful when the variables are partially ordered, for example in cases in which the variables contain “don't know” responses.
Response to Rating Scales: A Theoretical Model and Its Application to the Number of Categories Problem
Authors: Givon Moshe M. , Shapira Zur
Published: December 2018

A stochastic model of response to rating scales, using the beta distribution, is developed and tested against empirical data. The effect of number of items by number of points on the sampling error of a composite scale value estimator is investigated and quantitatively formulated. An application of this formulation to arrive at optimal combinations of number of points and number of items is described.
Reliability and Validity of Conjoint Analysis and Self-Explicated Weights: A Comparison
Authors: Leigh Thomas W. , MacKay David B. , Summers John O.
Published: December 2018

Though the use of conjoint analysis has increased substantially in recent years, relatively little empirical evidence has been published on how its reliability and validity compares with that of alternative methodological approaches. The authors report the results of a study designed to compare the test-retest reliability and predictive validity of several alternative conjoint analysis techniques with that of self-explicated weights under the condition of all attributes being dichotomous. The findings fail to demonstrate greater reliability and validity for the conjoint analysis techniques considered.
Estimating Willingness to Pay from Survey Data: An Alternative Pre-Test-Market Evaluation Procedure
Authors: Cameron Trudy A. , James Michelle D.
Published: December 2018

Closed-ended contingent valuation surveys are used to assess demands in hypothetical markets and recently have been applied widely to the valuation of (non-market) environmental resources. This interviewing strategy holds considerable promise for more general market research applications. The authors describe a new maximum likelihood estimation technique for use with these special data. Unlike previously used methods, the estimated models are as easy to interpret as ordinary least squares regression results and the results can be approximated accurately by packaged probit estimation routines.
Constrained Discrimination via MDI Estimation: The use of Additional Information in Segmentation Analysis
Authors: Kumar Ajith , Dillon William R.
Published: December 2018

The authors demonstrate a general, flexible constrained discrimination method for testing hypotheses about the segmentability of a target population using categorical descriptors when additional information is available. The method applies the principle of minimum discrimination information (MDI) to the estimation of multinomial probabilities under linear equality and inequality constraints.
Effects of Relationship Marketing on Satisfaction, Retention, and Prices in the Life Insurance Industry
Authors: Crosby Lawrence A. , Stephens Nancy
Published: December 2018

Complex, highly intangible services such as life insurance consist largely of credence properties. Insurance providers engage in relationship-building activities that emphasize buyer-seller interaction and communication. Economists contend consumers are prone to make quality generalizations based on the strength of these relationships, perhaps to the detriment of price competition. The authors report contrary results suggesting that, though relationship marketing adds value to the service package, it is not a substitute for having a strong, up-to-date core service.
“Don't Know” Item Nonresponse in a Telephone Survey: Effects of Question Form and Respondent Characteristics
Authors: Leigh James H. , Martin Claude R.
Published: December 2018

Effects of question form, question content, and respondent experience/involvement factors on indicators of “don't know” item nonresponse to attitude questions were investigated in a split-ballot experiment with 398 respondents. Results provide support for premises of the threshold model formulated by Schuman and Presser. Experienced/involved respondents and those with little experience/involement are found to differ in the degree to which item nonresponse varies with the number of scale points and question specificity. Implications and research directions are provided.
Some Further Remarks on Measurement-Structure Interaction and the Unidimensionality of Constructs
Authors: Kumar Ajith , Dillon William R.
Published: December 2018

The authors address the criticisms raised by Anderson, Gerbing, and Hunter. In this context they consider several conceptual issues involved in using covariance structure analysis.
LADI: A Latent Discriminant Model for Analyzing Marketing Research Data
Authors: Dillon William R. , Mulani Narendra
Published: December 2018

A general, flexible LAtent DIscriminant model is described. LADI is a model-based clustering procedure, derived from a specific conceptualization in which the discrimination problem is viewed in a latent mixture context. The basic model yields maximum likelihood (ML) estimates of mixing parameters and structural parameters that define the latent clusters in terms of the responses to a set of descriptor variables. Among other features, the model accommodates descriptor variables having different scale properties, allows for the investigation of group structure, provides a statistical test of the number of latent clusters to retain, and allows for constraints to be imposed on the solution.
Assessing the Role of Contingency Awareness in Attitudinal Conditioning with Implications for Advertising Research
Authors: Allen Chris T. , Janiszewski Chris A.
Published: December 2018

The authors investigate a basic mechanism for shaping attitudes that has largely been ignored by empirical researchers in the marketing discipline. Two experiments are reported in which traditional Pavlovian procedures are merged with a view of conditioning that encourages theorizing about attendant cognitive processes. The data indicate that contingency learning or awareness may be a requirement for successful attitudinal conditioning. Contingency awareness entails conscious recognition of the relational pattern between the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli used in a conditioning procedure. In experiment 1, the conditioning procedure affected the evaluative judgments of subjects who were classified ( post hoc) as contingency aware. In experiment 2, instructions that promoted contingency learning as part of the procedure again influenced participants’ attitude judgments. Implications are offered for theory development and for constructing advertisements to foster attitudinal conditioning. Specific suggestions for further research on how one might structure television commercials to foster contingency learning also are presented.
A Monté Carlo Comparison of Estimators for the Multinomial Logit Model
Authors: Bunch David S. , Batsell Richard R.
Published: December 2018

Marketing researchers use the multinomial logit (MNL) model to analyze discrete choice, and estimate parameters either by maximum likelihood (ML) or minimum logit chi square (MLCS). Some controversy persists, however, over which is better. Review articles in marketing recommend ML over MLCS, but the statistics literature suggests that MLCS should be preferred. No studies have directly compared the performance of ML and MLCS in a marketing context. The authors assess the relative performance of ML, MLCS, and three other candidate estimators for MNL marketing applications involving repeated-measures datasets collected by means of multiple-subset designs. In contrast to most previous findings in the statistics literature, the results strongly support the use of ML. ML is found to outperform the other estimators on a variety of point estimation, predictive accuracy, and statistical inference criteria and ML test statistics are found to have asymptotic behavior for datasets involving relatively few replications.
Judgments of Marketing Professionals about Ethical Issues in Marketing Research: A Replication and Extension
Authors: Akaah Ishmael P. , Riordan Edward A.
Published: December 2018

The authors examine, in the context of Crawford's 1970 study, changes in marketing professionals’ research ethics judgments and the influence of organizational factors on those judgments. The results indicate several significant changes in ethical judgments. In addition, they suggest that three organizational factors—extent of ethical problems within the organization, top management actions on ethics, and organizational role (researchers vs. executives)—underlie differences in ethical judgments.
Organizational Climate and Decision Framing An Integrated Approach to Analyzing Industrial Buying Decisions
Authors: Qualls William J. , Puto Christopher P.
Published: December 2018

The authors examine the ability of prospect theory to explain industrial buyer decision behavior and explore the benefits of using organizational climate as one of the factors affecting the decision-framing process of industrial buyers. They develop a conceptual model of the industrial buying decision process, hypothesizing that factors such as the organizational climate and the buyer's general orientation toward risk affect the decision frame and, subsequently, the buyer's choice. The model was tested empirically in a field experiment using a national sample of industrial buyers. The results for the experimentally manipulated factors support the hypotheses about the way industrial buyers form decision reference points, compare alternatives, and eventually make choices. The results for the organizational climate factors, which were measured rather than manipulated experimentally, are mixed.
Hispanic and Anglo Interviewer and Respondent Ethnicity and Gender: The Impact on Survey Response Quality
Authors: Webster Cynthia
Published: December 2018

The author applies a hierarchical regression model to analyze the simultaneous effects of Hispanic and Anglo interviewer and respondent ethnicity and gender on response quality in survey research. Although few significant main effects were found, response quality was affected significantly by interaction effects of respondent and interviewer ethnicity and gender. For the most part, ethnically homophilous and gender-heterophilous interviews generate the highest response quality. Both Hispanic and Anglo respondents deferred to an interviewer of a different ethnic background when queried about the interviewer's culture, but not when asked noncultural, albeit sensitive, questions.
Fax Surveys: Return Patterns and Comparison with Mail Surveys
Authors: Dickson John P. , MaClachlan Douglas L.
Published: December 2018

The authors investigate response patterns to fax surveys in comparison with mail surveys and explore the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two methods. The results of two studies show that the answers to questions sent by fax were comparable to those received by mail, but they were received more quickly and in greater numbers. For many types of surveys that otherwise would have used mail, using fax machines can yield higher returns at lower cost per returned questionnaire.
A Household-Level Television Advertising Exposure Model
Authors: Abe Makoto
Published: December 2018

The author proposes a household-level television advertising exposure model for media planning that is based on household exposure records. Consistent with the industry practice, managerial input of advertising for the model is gross rating points (GRP) for each “daypart” and week. Exposures of each household within each daypart during each week follow a Poisson process with a distinct rate, which is inferred from the household's past exposure history after accounting for the advertising intensity. Because exposure pattern is computed at the household-level, the model accounts for audience accumulation of dayparts combination, which has a considerable managerial importance in media planning. The model is shown to fit the observed exposure pattern well at both disaggregate and aggregate levels. Applications illustrate the effect of changing the level of GRP on reach and frequency and advertising efficacy of different day-parts. The author implements reallocation of the current level of GRP among dayparts using the “greedy algorithm” to improve reach.
Sustained Spending and Persistent Response: A New Look at Long-Term Marketing Profitability
Authors: Dekimpe Marnik G. , Hanssens Dominique M.
Published: December 2018

An intuitively appealing decision rule is to allocate a company's scarce marketing resources to where they have the greatest long-term benefit. This principle, however, is easier to accept than it is to execute, because long-run effects of marketing spending are difficult to estimate. The authors address this problem by examining the behavior of market response and marketing spending over time and identify four common strategic scenarios: business as usual, hysteresis in response, escalation, and evolving business practice. The authors explain and illustrate why each scenario can occur in practice and describe its positive and negative consequences for long-term profitability. The authors propose to use multivariate persistence measures to identify which of the four strategic scenarios is taking place and illustrate this approach in the pharmaceutical and packaged-food industries. The results substantiate the authors’ proposition that the strategic scenario is a major determinant of marketing effectiveness and long-term profitability. This conclusion sets up a substantial agenda for further research.
Buyer–Seller Relationships in Business Markets
Authors: Cannon Joseph P. , Perreault William D.
Published: December 2018

During the past decade, marketing managers and scholars have focused increased attention on buyer–seller relationships in business markets. This article contributes to the emerging body of knowledge in this important arena. Building from theories of relationships and empirical research across several disciplines, the authors specify six key underlying dimensions (connectors) that characterize the manner in which buyers and sellers relate and conduct relationships. Measures for these relationship connectors (information exchange, operational linkages, legal bonds, cooperation, and relationship-specific adaptations by buyers and sellers) are developed in a series of pretests. Then, on the basis of relationship profiles for more than 400 buyer–seller relationships sampled from a wide array of industries and market situations, the authors apply numerical taxonomy to develop an empirically based classification of different types of business relationships. Contrary to approaches used in much of the extant literature, taxonomic methods do not rely on an assumption that the connectors are highly intercorrelated or that they combine in some linear fashion to form a single underlying dimension. Furthermore, the research specifies antecedent market and purchase situations and shows that they affect when specific types of relationships are used. The research also shows how customer satisfaction and evaluations of supplier performance vary across different types of relationships. The results provide new insights about the nature of relationships in business markets.
Influence of Tourist Geographical Context on Customer-Based Destination Brand Equity: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Cano Guervos R. A. , Frías Jamilena D. M. , Polo Peña A. I. , Chica Olmo J.
Published: December 2018

The present work seeks to address significant research gaps relating to brand equity and Service-Dominant Logic, specifically examining the influence of tourist geographical context on Consumer-based Destination Brand Equity (CBDBE). The purpose of the study is to identify an explanatory model for CBDBE, considering the indirect effects that tourists from a nearby geographical location may exert on CBDBE, because of their proximity and shared context. Self-congruity, tourist motivations, and value-creation are found to be antecedent variables of CBDBE. A spatial econometric model was used that took into account the spatial spillover-effect of geographical proximity on the variable CBDBE, and the direct and indirect effects of the antecedent variables. The results of the study make a contribution to the specialized literature on brand destination and Service-Dominant Logic, and offer interesting implications for the professional domain, with clear implications for the identification of market development patterns and trends.
Institutions as a Philosophical Problem: A Critical Rationalist Perspective on Guala’s “Understanding Institutions” and His Critics
Authors: Agassi Joseph , Jarvie Ian
Published: December 2018

The symposium on Francesco Guala’s Understanding Institutions was thought provoking. Five critical papers took issue with Guala’s reconciliation of the game-theoretical view of institutions and the rule-governed view. We offer some critical commentary that adopts a different perspective. We agree that institutions are central to social life and, thus, also to the social sciences; they are also prior to and more fundamental than individuals. We add some historical points on the ways previous philosophers thought about institutions, and we come at this from a philosophical viewpoint that is not that of analytic philosophy but rather that of Popper’s critical rationalism. In that framework, we espouse an idea of the relation between philosophy and the philosophy of science that is different from that of Guala and his commentators, and we recommend a reformist philosophy of institutions that is neither radical nor traditionalist and that makes better sense of the institution of the scholarly symposium than do games or rules.
Perceptions of Organizational Justice Among State Government Employees: The Effect of Years of Public Service
Authors: Butitova Darima
Published: December 2018

Over the past several decades, researchers across public and private organizations accumulated evidence that perceptions of organizational justice influence work attitudes and performance. Building on previous research, the present study examines the determinants of perceived organizational justice, including the effect of years of public service. By focusing on years of public service, the study explores how perceived organizational justice changes depending on time spent working in public organizations. Based on the regression analysis of the survey data of 522 state government employees, the study concludes that state government employees who report more years of public service are less likely to perceive their workplace as fair. The findings of the study are discussed in terms of their practical implications for improving a quality of workplace experiences among government employees, as one of the essential factors for maintaining high-performing public organizations.
Sliding mode synchronization of a delayed complex dynamical network in the presence of uncertainties and external disturbances
Authors: Kazemy Ali , Gyurkovics Éva
Published: December 2018

This paper is concerned with the problem of robust sliding mode [Formula: see text] control of a delayed complex dynamical network subject to parametric uncertainties and external disturbances. In this regard, synchronization error dynamics between the nodes of the complex dynamical network and an individual node are derived. Based on Lyapunov–Krasovskii stability theory, sliding mode [Formula: see text] control laws are designed to force the state trajectories of the error dynamics to sliding manifolds and are maintained thereafter. Moreover, an [Formula: see text] control law is designed to compare its results with the proposed method. By simulating a numerical Chua’s circuit, it is shown that the proposed method is effective at attenuating the effect of the external disturbances and parametric uncertainties.
Quality, Importance, and Instruction: The Perspectives of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments on Graphics Use by Students
Authors: Zebehazy Kim T. , Wilton Adam P.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

This study investigated the perceptions and practices of teachers of students with visual impairments in Canada and the United States regarding graphics (both tactile and print) that are used by students with visual impairments. Questions focused on quality, importance, and instruction in the use of graphics.

Methods

An electronic survey was disseminated. Results were summarized by percentage, based on the number of respondents who answered each question. Parallel questions that compared responses for tactile versus print graphics were statistically compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and effect sizes were computed.

Results

In general, teachers valued the use of graphics and the need to provide instruction. Significant differences were found in how teachers answered tactile and print graphic questions. Fewer than 50% of the respondents felt that graphics were appropriately adapted on large-scale assessments, that there was sufficient instruction in the use of graphics in mainstream classrooms, or that there was an adequate amount of instructional time to teach the use of graphics.

Discussion

Findings highlighted a need to gain insight into effective teaching strategies that help students gather information from both tactile and print graphics. Attention to students with low vision using print graphics needs to be part of future investigations.

Implications for practitioners

Advocacy for sufficient instruction time for graphics and continued monitoring of the quality and effectiveness of graphics in educational materials are important. Providing feedback to material producers can help to support quality. Increasing student independence and exposure to graphics could support the effective use of graphics on assessments.
Longitudinal Analysis of Factors Associated with Successful Outcomes for Transition-Age Youths with Visual Impairments
Authors: Connors Elyse , Curtis Amy , Emerson Robert Wall , Dormitorio Benedict
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Transition-age youths with visual impairments have higher rates of unemployment than their peers without impairment, and factors associated with success after graduation have been examined; however, it is unknown whether these factors remain influential across the first decade after exiting high school.

Methods

Five waves of the 10-year National Longitudinal Transition Study–2 data were used for this analysis. The following factors—number of years since leaving high school, specific year exiting high school, paid work experience during high school, and high school completion— were examined for their longitudinal relationship with successful outcomes using generalized estimating equations.

Results

Specific year exiting high school, paid work experience during high school, and high school completion were shown to be predictive of successful outcomes (as measured by post–high school employment or enrollment in post-secondary school or both). Youths with visual impairments who left high school in 2000–2002 were 2.2 times more likely to be successful when compared to those who left in 2006–2008 ( p < 0.05). Youths who worked for pay during high school were 3.6 times more likely to be successful compared to those who did not work for pay ( p < 0.01), while those who completed high school were 3.3 times more likely to be successful when compared to those who aged out or dropped out of high school ( p < 0.001). The amount of time spent away from high school was not significantly associated with post–high school success.

Discussion

Completion of high school and paid work experience during high school are critical to long-term success for up to eight years post–high school. Taking into account specific years can be important in longitudinal studies. In this research, the recession appears to have significantly lowered success across all post–high school groups.

Implications for practitioners

Professionals and families should encourage and support students with visual impairments to complete high school and to seek paid employment opportunities during high school.
Tactile Sensitivity and Braille Reading in People with Early Blindness and Late Blindness
Authors: Oshima Kensuke , Arai Tetsuya , Ichihara Shigeru , Nakano Yasushi
Published: December 2018

Introduction

The inability to read quickly can be a disadvantage throughout life. This study focused on the associations of braille reading fluency and individual factors, such as the age at onset of blindness and number of years reading braille, and the tactile sensitivity of people with early and late blindness. The relationship between reading speed and these other factors was examined to identify factors that influence reading speed.

Methods

Nine people with early blindness and 10 people with late blindness participated in this study, which included the measurement of accuracy of word recognition, braille reading speed, and tactile sensitivity.

Results

We found a significant partial correlation between reading speed and the age at onset of blindness, controlling for number of years reading braille ( r = −0.68, p < .005), and no significant partial correlation between tactile sensitivity and reading speed after controlling for the age at onset of blindness ( r = −0.08, ns).

Discussion

A direct relationship between reading speed and tactile sensitivity was not confirmed, and the age at onset of blindness appears not only to mediate the relationship between reading speed and tactile sensitivity but also may be a crucial factor influencing braille reading fluency.

Implications for practitioners

Our results suggested that a crucial factor that influences braille reading fluency was the age at onset of blindness, and that individuals should begin learning braille as early as possible.
A Comparison of Social Support among Adolescents with and without Visual Impairments in Jordan: A Case Study from the Arab Region
Authors: Hadidi Muna S. , Khateeb Jamal M. Al
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Research to date on social support for adolescents with visual impairments (that is, blindness or low vision) has been primarily carried out in developed countries, and very little is known about the social support systems that are available for such adolescents in developing countries such as those in the Arab world. In the present study, social support among adolescents with and without visual impairments was investigated in Jordan, which is considered a developing country.

Methods

Study participants included 86 adolescents with visual impairments and 73 sighted adolescents. The instrument used to collect information in this study was an Arabic version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).

Results

The level of social support reported by adolescents with visual impairments was higher than that reported by sighted adolescents. In all three domains of the MSPSS (family, friends, and significant others), students with visual impairments reported receiving more social support than those without impairments. However, there was no statistically significant effect for gender.

Discussion

The results of the study are not consistent with findings of previous studies, all of which were conducted in Western countries. The disparities in experiences of adolescents with visual impairments in developed and developing countries may be attributed to differences in cultural values as well as to the conceptualization of support by those involved.

Implications for practitioners

Special education teachers need to be aware of the cultural backgrounds of their students and to develop and implement culturally appropriate programs for them.
The Recreation and Leisure Pursuits of Employed Adults with Visual Impairments in Nigeria: Part 1
Authors: Kelly Stacy M. , Ajuwon Paul M. , Wolffe Karen E.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

This qualitative study explored the recreation and leisure activities of employed Nigerians with visual impairments.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed that examined the work, recreation, and leisure activities of adults with visual impairments. The sample included 172 adults with visual impairments living and working in Nigeria. Participant responses to the open-ended survey questions about recreation and leisure activities are presented in this article.

Results

Although most participants (89%) reported engagement in some sort of recreation or leisure activity on a regular basis, the vast majority of recreation and leisure activities reported were sedentary (69%) or solitary in nature such as listening to the radio, watching television, reading, or cooking. Participants identified the lack of personal funds or time, facilities, and adapted equipment as challenges to their recreation and leisure participation. Transportation issues and environmental barriers, discrimination, and inadequate assistance or training of human supports were also included in the challenges reported.

Discussion

Choices for recreation and leisure involvement were severely limited for participants. Active and community-based recreation and leisure offerings were virtually nonexistent. Although the respondents were employed, their economic status as workers was not adequate to support their engagement in a variety of recreation and leisure activities. The underlying turmoil of social, political, and economic issues described by participants was a highly restrictive obstacle.

Implications for practitioners

Practitioners and other stakeholders in developing countries are encouraged to intervene in the remediation of extrinsic and intrinsic barriers to recreation and leisure participation on behalf of their students and clients. Public awareness efforts, professional development courses, and disability-specific skill training programs are essential components in the improvement of the overall life satisfaction of people with visual impairments.
An Overview of Video Description: History, Benefits, and Guidelines
Authors: Packer Jaclyn , Vizenor Katie , Miele Joshua A.
Published: December 2018

This article provides an overview of the historical context in which video description services have evolved in the United States, a summary of research demonstrating benefits to people with vision loss, an overview of current video description guidelines, and information about current software programs that are available to produce video description.
Orientation and Mobility Skills and Outcome Expectations as Predictors of Employment for Young Adults with Visual Impairments
Authors: Cmar Jennifer L.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Youths with visual impairments attend post-secondary school at high rates, yet these individuals have low rates of employment. In this study, factors associated with post-school employment were investigated in a nationally representative sample of youths with visual impairments.

Methods

In a secondary analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study–2, multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate employment outcomes for youths with visual impairments based on orientation and mobility skills and outcome expectations.

Results

Youths with high community travel scores were significantly more likely to be employed in Wave 4 (up to six years post–high school; B = .25, p = .003) and those with high outcome expectations were significantly more likely to be employed in Wave 5 (up to eight years post–high school; B = .33, p = .04).

Discussion

Results suggest that independently traveling to places outside the home, using public transportation, and arranging airplane or train trips predict post-school employment for youths with visual impairments. Positive self-beliefs about work for pay, financial self-support, and independent living were also associated with employment.

Implications for practitioners

Professionals can support students in gaining these vital skills by providing community experiences, positive role models, and verbal encouragement. Research-based predictors of employment should be considered when planning transition services for adolescents with visual impairments.
Psychological Stress in People with Dual Sensory Impairment through Usher Syndrome Type II
Authors: Högner Nadja
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Due to their dual, sensory impairment, people with Usher syndrome are assumed to have a high risk of stress. The purpose of this study was to assess stress in people with Usher syndrome type II (USH2) and the influence of personal variables such as age, gender, and employment on stress.

Methods

Two questionnaires were used: A self-developed questionnaire (SQ) to investigate the frequency and intensity of stress by external stressors within six life domains and the German standardized stress questionnaire Trierer Inventory of Chronic Stress (TICS) to compare frequency of stress between the USH2 sample group and a reference group ( n = 604). The questionnaires were filled in by an ad hoc sample of 262 persons with USH2 (response rate: 93%), mainly recruited from self-help groups (ages 17–79, mean age = 51; 53% female; 32% employed). Differences were determined by using methods of classical test theory.

Results

The evaluated SQ shows good indices in terms of item and factor analysis. The greatest stress was seen in the factor “Orientation and Mobility”; in TICS it was in the scale “Chronic Worry.” In TICS the USH2 sample showed significantly higher stress on scales that indicate a lack of social-emotional need fulfillment and less stress in those with high expectations ( p = .05). In both questionnaires, stress was dependent on personal variables.

Discussion

The results indicate the need for rehabilitation arrangements to reduce stress in people with USH2, especially in the areas of orientation and mobility, chronic worry, and social isolation. In intervention, particular attention should be paid to older, female, and unemployed people.

Implications for practitioners

Internal and external resources for people with dual sensory impairment need to be strengthened and systematic programs for learning how to cope with stress need to be established in order to provide clients with successful problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies.
Retinal Disorders and Sleep Disorders: Are They Genetically Related?
Authors: Murphy Caitlin , Duponsel Nathalie , Huang Xi Sheila , Wittich Walter , Koenekoop Robert K. , Overbury Olga
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Sleep is important for optimal physical health and vitality. Recent studies have shown that individuals with visual impairments may be at risk for sleep problems. This research examines the prevalence of sleep problems among those with retinal disorders and the possibility of a genetic link.

Methods

Subjects with retinitis pigmentosa ( n = 33), Stargardt's disease ( n = 31) and age-related macular degeneration ( n = 43) were recruited from the ophthalmology department of Montreal Children's Hospital. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Genetic testing was conducted by the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Retinal genes were identified as having retina only or pineal and retinal expression.

Results

The expression patterns of genes causing retinal disorders did not predict sleep quality. The PSQI indicated poor sleep quality in 56% of participants with retinitis pigmentosa, 48% of those with Stargardt's disease, and 53% of those with age-related macular degeneration. The ESS showed that daytime sleepiness was experienced by 20% of individuals with retinitis pigmentosa or Stargardt's disease, and by only one individual with age-related macular degeneration.

Discussion

Approximately 50% of people with retinal disease have sleep problems. This number compares with up to one-third of the general population. Gene expression did not correlate with sleep quality, and the explanation for such a large percentage of sleep disorders needs further investigation.

Implications for practitioners

Eye care and rehabilitation specialists need to be aware of the high prevalence of poor sleep quality in individuals with retinal disorders, since this situation may have an important impact on memory and learning, both of which are vital in successful rehabilitation.
Learning What Works in Sensory Disabilities: Establishing Causal Inference
Authors: Cooney John B. , Young John , Luckner John L. , Ferrell Kay Alicyn
Published: December 2018

This article is intended to assist teachers and researchers in designing studies that examine the efficacy of a particular intervention or strategy with students with sensory disabilities. Ten research designs that can establish causal inference (the ability to attribute any effects to the intervention) with and without randomization are discussed.
The Accessibility of Multifunction Printers: An Updated Usability Study of Accessible Multifunction Printers and a Survey of Multifunction Printer Users with Vision Loss
Authors: Packer Jaclyn , Reuschel William
Published: December 2018

Introduction

This article investigates the use of multifunction printers by individuals with vision loss, and explores current accessibility solutions to determine the extent of accessibility and usability for those who are visually impaired, with suggestions for improvement.

Methods

A usability study conducted in early 2014 recruited 10 volunteers with varied degrees of vision loss and user experience. Each performed four tasks on the Lexmark, Canon, and Ricoh multifunction printer accessibility solutions. An online survey conducted between October 2011 and April 2012 used a volunteer sample recruited through advertising and distribution in private organizations. The sample consisted of 26 individuals who were blind and 34 who had low vision; all participants had experience using multifunction printers. The sample was comprised of 58% women, 83% white, and 78% college graduates. The median age range was 45 to 54 years old.

Results

The usability study respondents had a high success rate in performing tasks, averaging a rating of 4.5 out of 5, and scores increased over the four tasks. Participants preferred the Lexmark machine due to its familiar QWERTY keyboard interface. Most survey respondents (80%) use a multifunction printer at home for personal use; 67% use multifunction printers in the workplace. Fifty-eight percent used assistive technology with their multifunction printers. The most important multifunction printer function was printing, followed by scanning and copying. Faxing was least important. Those with low vision were more likely to use the multifunction printer's copy function than those who were blind ( p < .002). To improve accessibility, respondents suggested higher contrast, larger characters, speech output, and tactile controls.

Discussion

People with vision loss use multifunction printers at work and home. Current accessibility solutions for multifunction printers work well for individuals with vision loss, but there is much room for improvement. Manufacturers should be urged to implement suggestions from research participants to increase the accessibility of their products.