Participation Choice Research Articles

Species selection in unfamiliar terrain: participants’ preferences and practices around Mount Elgon, Uganda

Efforts to restore the world forests and trees are obviously significant and still increasing. Selection of tree species in this context is based on prevailing challenges impacting on livelihood needs. A study was conducted around Mount Elgon between January 2018 and July 2020. The objectives were to; i) document the socio-economic factors of participants in tree multiplication and planting, ii) identify the farmers practices and choice of species used under farming contexts iii) assess the relationship between the participants socio-economic factors, practices and choices of tree species. A multi-stage sampling approach was followed to select a total of 150 participants. The participants were engaged through semi-structured and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed in MINITAB 19. Results show that tree multiplication and planting activities were dominated (84%) by a vibrant group of males between the ages of 15 and 40 years old. Up to 60% of this group were illiterate or inexperienced in tree planting and multiplication. Exotic trees (containing Eucalyptus grandis, Grevillea robusta and Neolamarckia cadamba) were highly valued for firewood, timber and small stems used to support food crops including Musa spp., Phaseolus vulgaris and Solanum lycopersicum. The indigenous species (mainly Cordia africana, Maesopsis eminii, Albizia spp. and Ficus spp.) were on the other hand treasured for shade in the coffee-banana farming systems as well as serving social-cultural benefits, counting medicine and rituals. The participants gender significantly influenced the choice of tree species adopted (P<0.001). For example, the men were more interested in timber and carbon related tree species while the women and the youths were generally involved in apiculture and fruit tree growing. With all the anticipated benefits and publicity about the exotic trees in this region, the participants have no choice but to follow the advice from the various tree planting campaigns. We recommend co-operation of the stakeholders especially during tree germplasm selection in order to meet performance expectations. The expectations include developing individual species breeding protocols based on site conditions for tree seed collection, seedling multiplication and planting.

Determining the Criteria Related to the Preference of Contemporary Mosques by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method within the Context of User-centered Design

The concept of user-centered design has recently been accepted in contemporary design teachings and has created new perspectives in the design field. This article aims to evaluate the contemporary mosques built in Türkiye from a user-centered perspective. In this context, first of all, the concept of user-centered design was included and the necessity of a pluralistic environment in decision-making processes was emphasized in order to create an ideal publicity phenomenon. In the context of the conceptual framework created, contemporary mosque examples built in the 21st century were selected and presented to the preference of architect and non-architect participant groups. Decision criteria that are thought to affect the choice of participants are aesthetic value, material and workmanship, dimensions of the building, religious symbols in the building, and the brand value of the building. These factors, which may be effective in the choice of contemporary mosques, were evaluated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process method. Accordingly, it was observed that the main criteria constituting the contemporary mosque preferences of the architect group were aesthetics, the brand value of the building, material, and workmanship criteria. On the other hand, the main criterion constituting the contemporary mosque preferences of the non-architect group was the presence of religious symbols. Accordingly, it was observed that architectural profession ideologies affected and differentiated the reasons for preference. As a result, it was concluded that the ideology of the architectural profession is effective in the construction process of the contemporary built environment.

Does parental origin-country culture affect the gender gap in sport participation? A study of immigrant youth in Italy

ABSTRACT This research delves into the gender disparities observed in sport participation among immigrant groups, aiming to enhance our understanding of the underlying factors contributing to these gaps. Specifically, the study examines the impact of parental origin-country gender inequality and Muslim majority (‘cultural legacy’) and the adaptation to host country norms across immigrant generations (‘cultural dynamics’). Utilizing nationally representative survey data encompassing 28,000 first- and second-generation immigrant youth from 32 distinct origin groups in Italy, we uncover evidence regarding the influence of parental origin-country culture on sport participation. Notably, immigrant youth with parents hailing from more conservative countries exhibit wider gender gaps in sports involvement. Additionally, we observe heightened gender differences in sport participation among youth whose parents were born and raised in Muslim-majority nations. Furthermore, our findings underscore the presence of cultural dynamics, as second-generation immigrant boys and girls display a significantly greater likelihood of engaging in sports compared to their first-generation counterparts. Notably, girls experience the most substantial gains in sport activity across generations. The results suggest that second-generation immigrant youth, particularly those with mixed heritage, assimilate the cultural practices of their host society while diminishing the impact of the parental origin country on sport participation choices.

Ridesourcing platforms thrive on socio-economic inequality

Limited available market share data seems to suggest that ridesourcing platforms benefit from, even thrive on, socio-economic inequality. We suspect that this is associated with high levels of socio-economic inequality allowing for cheap labour as well as increasing the share of travellers with a considerably above-average willingness to pay for travel time savings and comfort. We test the relation between inequality and system performance by means of an agent-based simulation model representing within-day and day-to-day supply-demand interaction in the ridesourcing market. The model captures travellers’ mode choice with a heterogeneous perception of relevant time components, as well as job seekers’ participation choice with heterogeneous reservation wage. Our experiments cover scenarios for the entire spectrum ranging from perfect equality to extreme inequality. For several of such scenarios, we explore alternative platform pricing strategies. Our analysis shows a strong, positive relationship between socio-economic inequality and ridesourcing market share. This is the outcome of the combination of cheap labour and time-sensitive ridesourcing users, reinforced by network effects inherent to ridesourcing markets. We find that driver earnings are minimal in urban areas with large socio-economic inequality. In such contexts, drivers are likely to face a high platform commission, and yet, fierce competition for passengers.

Methodological advances in patient-centered rare disease research: the UTHealth Houston Turner Syndrome Society of the United States research registry

BackgroundMany different clinical specialists provide care to patients with Turner syndrome (TS), who have highly variable clinical manifestations. Therefore, a national TS registry is essential to inform a cohesive approach to healthcare and research. In 2015, the Turner Syndrome Society of the United States (TSSUS) created the Turner Syndrome Research Registry (TSRR) to engage directly with community participants who voluntarily provide longitudinal data about their experiences with TS. TSRR projects are collaborative partnerships between people with TS, TSSUS, and researchers.ResultsTo ensure that registry workflows conform to the data privacy choices of participants, TSSUS collaborated with UTHealth Houston in 2021 to create a new version of the TSRR that completely separates participant health data (stored at UTHealth) and personal identifiers (maintained at TSSUS). We developed an innovative Visual Basic (VB) script that, when embedded into Microsoft Outlook, redirects REDCap surveys through TSSUS to participants by matching registry IDs to participant email addresses. Additionally, the utilization of REDCap allows for portability of data as it is an open source platform.ConclusionIn this report, we will highlight three recent changes that more closely align the TSRR with this mission: a unique and equal collaborative partnership between UTHealth and TSSUS, an open-source platform, REDCap, that ensures data portability and compatibility across institutions, and an innovative survey routing system that retains participant confidentiality without sacrificing REDCap survey distribution capabilities to connect researchers with thousands of participants.

Inter‐modality comparison of working alliance and client satisfaction in online counselling during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An exploratory study

AbstractPurposeMental health suffered during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown in Scotland. While there was limited availability for face‐to‐face counselling, online counselling was available via telephone, videoconference, email, one‐to‐one chat and group basis. Existing research has failed to examine inter‐modality comparisons of client experiences of online counselling during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsScottish participants (n = 94) who received online counselling during the COVID‐19 pandemic completed an online survey using quantitative methodology, which explored their experiences of one of five online counselling modalities measured by two reliable scales: the Working Alliance Inventory‐Short Revised and factor one of the Satisfaction with Therapy and Therapist Scale. Additional exploratory analysis investigated whether age, gender, choice of online counselling modality and pre‐COVID‐19 pandemic familiarity with online counselling affected these outcomes.ResultsWorking alliance and satisfaction outcomes were positively correlated. No significant differences between working alliance and satisfaction scores were found between the five modalities. Female participants, and those who received their preferred choice of counselling modality, had significantly greater working alliance than those who did not.ConclusionThese findings provide insights to clients and practitioners about the variety of synchronous and asynchronous online platforms that can facilitate good therapeutic outcomes. The importance of participant choice of counselling modality was reiterated. The broader implications of the findings and the future direction of a hybrid online and face‐to‐face counselling model were discussed.

Contest and resource allocation: An experimental analysis of entitlement and self-selection effects

Leaders who decide the allocation of resources are often chosen through contests. Due to imperfect monitoring, they often decide to allocate resources to themselves at the expense of others. This paper investigates how being selected in a contest affects such allocation through two channels: entitlement and self-selection effects. In our experiment, two players compete for the right to allocate resources between themself and a third, uninvolved player. We identify the entitlement effect by comparing the choices of participants who participated in the contest with those who were chosen randomly. Self-selection effect is identified by comparing the choices of winners and losers between treatments via a difference-in-difference approach. We find a significant effect of entitlement; people participating in the contest transfer fewer resources to the third player compared to those who did not participate. Further, we find no evidence that the people with specific distributional preferences self-select into the leaders’ role. Our findings suggest that the primary reason leaders allocate resources to themselves is their involvement in the contest rather than being a result of self-selection.

Food for Active Outdoor Recreation: Convenience, Sustainability, and Gender Perspectives

Given increases in outdoor recreation participation observed in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic, recent increased public recreational initiatives, and a societal focus on the 17 sustainability goals of Agenda 2030, an exploratory study was initiated to consider the role of food in the outdoor recreation experience. Specifically, the question of how food may serve as a factor in sustainable outdoor recreation was explored. The study was designed to consider patterns in outdoor recreation participation and self-reported food choices/preferences among active outdoor participants. The survey methodology used questions about outdoor recreation participation and food choice preferences to investigate this intersection of food and outdoor recreation. For example, taste, activity function, ease of use, and sustainability were considered. Unsurprisingly, taste emerged as the strongest outdoor recreation food preference factor. Results show how highly active outdoor participants perceive food’s role in 1-day and multiday outdoor recreational experiences. For example, over 90% of all respondents indicated that food was a part of their enjoyment of the outdoor recreation experience. Increased interest in the nutritional value of food used in multiday outdoor recreation activities was also reported–with 99% of respondents indicating its importance. However, the most interesting results indicated a relationship between gender and food choice/preference factors. A review of the results opens the door to further inquiries into gender and persistent gender roles as a food/outdoor recreation factor. The discussion of the results also considers the breadth of potential sustainability factors, individual and collective, and the need for more definitional clarity regarding sustainability within the context of outdoor recreation food.

Regulating vulnerability: policy approaches for preventing violence and abuse of people with disability in Australian service provision settings

This article analyses policy frameworks designed to protect people with disability from harm in service provision settings and respond to their experiences of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, with a focus on the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The creation of a new disability services market has facilitated greater choice and empowerment for NDIS participants, but has also exposed them to new risks and vulnerabilities. Drawing on feminist vulnerability theory, a policy audit, and qualitative research with seventeen key stakeholders, the article reflects on the need to incorporate more nuanced understandings of vulnerability in safeguarding policy and respond to the situational and pathogenic vulnerability created by the way systems and structures operate. It identifies opportunities to enhance the personal autonomy of people with disability through accessible pathways for complaints and justice, and greater focus on natural and mainstream safeguarding systems in complementing disability-specific systems.

Reshaping consent so we might improve participant choice (III) – How is the research participant’s understanding currently checked and how might we improve this process?

Valid consent requires the potential research participant understands the information provided. We examined current practice in 50 proposed Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products to determine how this understanding is checked. The majority of the proposals ( n = 44) indicated confirmation of understanding would take place during an interactive conversation between the researcher and potential participant, containing questions to assess and establish understanding. Yet up until now, research design and review have not focussed upon this, concentrating more on written material. We propose ways this interactive conversation can be documented, and the process of checking understanding improved.

Impact of new media on the reform of physical education teaching in faculty

It is evident that mass media play a significant role in shaping and influencing physical education. Over the years, mass media platforms such as television, the internet, social media, and advertising have increasingly impacted the way individuals perceive and engage with physical activity. Firstly, mass media has the power to create awareness and promote the importance of physical education. Through various mediums, it can highlight the benefits of regular exercise, sports participation, and healthy lifestyle choices. By featuring athletes, fitness programs, and success stories, mass media inspires individuals to adopt an active and health-conscious approach to physical education. Secondly, mass media acts as a platform for disseminating knowledge and information related to physical education. It provides access to a wealth of resources, training tips, instructional videos, and expert advice, enabling individuals to enhance their understanding of different forms of physical activity. This wide availability of information encourages people to explore diverse disciplines, discover new activities, and make informed decisions about their physical education journey. This study was conducted qualitatively. A comprehensive literature review provides an overview of the existing studies on the topic, highlighting the gaps in knowledge and areas requiring further investigation. The research also examines the implications of new media on student motivation, participation, and skill acquisition within the context of physical education. It investigates how digital tools can facilitate active learning, foster collaboration among students, and encourage lifelong engagement in physical activities beyond the classroom setting.

The Patient Perspective on Colectomy for Recurrent Diverticulitis: A Qualitative Study.

Understand the patient's decision-making process regarding colectomy for recurrent diverticulitis. The decision to pursue elective colectomy for recurrent diverticulitis is highly preference-sensitive. Little is known about the patient's perspective in this decision-making process. We performed a qualitative study utilizing focus groups of patients with recurrent diverticulitis at 3 centers across the United States. Using an iterative inductive/deductive approach, we developed a conceptual framework to capture the major themes identified in the coded data. From March 2019 to July 2020, 39 patients were enrolled across 3 sites and participated in 6 focus groups. After coding the transcripts using a hierarchical coding system, a conceptual framework was developed. Major themes identified included participants' beliefs about surgery, such as normative beliefs (eg, subjective, value placed on surgery), control beliefs (eg, self-efficacy, stage of change), and anticipated outcomes (eg, expectations, anticipated regret); the role of behavioral management strategies (eg, fiber, eliminate bad habits); emotional experiences (eg, depression, embarrassment); current symptoms (eg, severity, timing); and quality of life (eg, cognitive load, psychosocial factors). Three sets of moderating factors influencing patient choice were identified: clinical history (eg, source of diagnosis, multiple surgeries), clinical protocols (eg, pre-op and post-op education), and provider-specific factors (eg, specialty, choice of surgeon). Patients view the decision to undergo colectomy through 3 major themes: their beliefs about surgery, their psychosocial context, and moderating factors that influence participant choice to undergo surgery. This knowledge is essential both for clinicians counseling patients who are considering colectomy and for researchers studying the process to optimize care for recurrent diverticulitis.

An Analysis of the Effect of Streaming on Civic Participation Through a Causal Hidden Markov Model

We examine the effect of streaming based on ability levels on individuals’ civic participation throughout their adult life. The hypothesis we test is that ability grouping influences individuals’ general self-concept and, consequently, their civic participation choices across the life course. We employ data from the British National Child Development Study, which follows all UK citizens born during a certain week in 1958. Six binary variables observed at 33, 42, and 51 years of age are considered to measure civic participation. Our approach defines causal estimands with multiple treatments referring to the evolution of civic engagement over time in terms of potential versions of a sequence of latent variables assumed to follow a Markov chain with initial and transition probabilities depending on posttreatment time-varying covariates. The model also addresses partially or entirely missing data on one or more indicators at a given time occasion and missing posttreatment covariate values using dummy indicators. The model is estimated by maximizing a weighted log-likelihood function with weights corresponding to the inverse probability of the received treatment obtained from a multinomial logit model based on pretreatment covariates. Our results show that ability grouping affects the civic participation of high-ability individuals when they are 33 years old with respect to participation in general elections.

Effects of informational nudges on preordered food choices of middle school National School Lunch Program participants

AbstractWe examine the effects of own order history, peer order history, and MyPlate nudges received by middle‐school National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participants while preordering on the selection of fruits and vegetables. Students receiving own order history nudges were significantly less likely to select a vegetable during the postintervention phase. Students who received peer order history nudges were significantly less likely to select a vegetable during the nudging and postintervention phases, suggesting that receiving information on peer selection negatively impacted the selection of vegetables. The MyPlate recommendations nudge may mitigate the negative effects of receiving peer selection information.

Layton's Marketing Systems at the Intersection of Provisioning Systems: Examining Failure

Drawing on the work of Layton and Duffy, and Williams, Davey and Johnstone, this paper examines the infant formula marketing system. Using a Systems of Provisioning approach, marketing system failure as a result of regulatory intervention at the intersection of two systems is conceptualized - the infant health system and the infant formula marketing system. Positive population-based outcomes for breast feeding rates and negative stigmatizing outcomes at an individual consumer level occur as the two provisioning systems respond to regulatory interventions. The mechanisms are identified whereby intervention restricts participant choice and coevolution of the marketing system contributing to the failure. Taking a Systems of Provisioning approach, we advance the understanding of marketing system failure, and we recommend co-design processes involving multiple stakeholders as a way forward to remedy such occurrences.

Double dissociation of dopamine and subthalamic nucleus stimulation on effortful cost/benefit decision making

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) and dopaminergic therapy (DA) are common interventions for Parkinson's disease (PD). Both treatments typically improve patient outcomes, and both can have adverse side effects on decision making (e.g., impulsivity).1,2 Nevertheless, they are thought to act via different mechanisms within basal ganglia circuits.3 Here, we developed and formally evaluated their dissociable predictions within a single cost/benefit effort-based decision-making task. In the same patients, we manipulated DA medication status and subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS status within and across sessions. Using a series of descriptive and computational modeling analyses of participant choices and their dynamics, we confirm a double dissociation: DA medication asymmetrically altered participants' sensitivities to benefits vs. effort costs of alternative choices (boosting the sensitivity to benefits while simultaneously lowering sensitivity to costs); whereas STN DBS lowered the decision threshold of such choices. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show, using a common modeling framework, a dissociation of DA and DBS within the same participants. As such, this work offers a comprehensive account for how different mechanisms impact decision making, and how impulsive behavior (present in DA-treated patients with PD and DBS patients) may emerge from separate physiological mechanisms.

Hierarchical Organization and Adjustment of Force Coordination in Response to Self-Triggered and External-Triggered Cues in Simulated Archery Performance.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hierarchical organization of digit force production and its effect on stability and performance during the simulated archery task. The simulated archery shooting task required the production of a prescribed level of force in virtual space with the left hand and an equivalent force with all 4 fingers of right hand. A single trial had 2 phases, including static force production as aiming in archery and quick force release to shoot the virtual arrow. The timing of the force release was determined by the participant's choice or response to the external cue. The coordination indices, that is, the synergy index, of force stabilization were quantified in 2 hierarchies by decomposing the variance components. The accuracy and precision of the hit position of the virtual arrow were calculated as performance-related indices. The results confirmed that the precision, that is, reproducibility, of the performance was greater when the force release time was determined by the self-selected time, suggesting the beneficial effect of the anticipatory mechanism. There was a distinct synergistic organization of digit forces for the stabilization of net forces in both bimanual and multifinger levels, which was especially correlated with the precision of performance.

Curriculum, Political Participation, and Career Choice

Curriculum, Political Participation, and Career Choice

PARTICIPANTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON RECEIVING RESULTS USING FOUND POETRY: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY

Abstract Few researchers share study results with participants, often citing a lack of knowledge regarding how to do so. This study explored the dissemination preferences of study participants receiving results in the form of found poetry, developed from dyadic interviews with sexual and gender minority (SGM) and non-SGM couples’ regarding their experiences with cancer. Participants (N=24) completed demographic and health questionnaires, a pre-posttraumatic growth-inventory-expanded (PTGI-X), and were randomized to receive the found poem as text, text and audio, audio, or video formats. Participants completed a post-PTGI-X, reported dissemination preferences, and emotions experienced. Open-ended responses demonstrated that using found poetry to disseminate results communicated that participant experiences were understood, fostered introspection, and renewed appreciation for their partner. Only SGM participants (n=3) reported preferring a format other than the one to which they were randomized. The text-only and combined text and audio formats evoked the greatest number of emotions (n=13 each) followed by video (n=4), and audio-only (n=3). Across randomization groups, interest (n=11) was most frequently reported, followed by sadness (n=8), and joy (n=6). Quantitatively, there were no significant changes in participants’ PTG—a small sample size may have reduced statistical power—which might be seen as a failure. However, the open-ended responses indicate that innovative approaches to dissemination are acceptable and multiple options may increase accessibility. Only SGM participants preferred an alternate format, potentially reflecting a natural inclination to question the status quo. Including minority perspectives (positive/negative) illuminates the need to offer study participants choices in how and when they receive findings.

Research and Analysis on Promotion Strategies for Retail E-commerce Platforms

Nowadays, under the background of new retail, online e-commerce platform shopping has become the main choice for market participants and consumers to purchase, and merchants use a variety of promotional tactics in an ingenious way. This paper researches and analyzes the retail e-commerce platform market, consumer demand and consumer satisfaction, as well as the Double Eleven promotional strategy and then provides effective suggestions for the development of live marketing for enterprises. During the period of investigation and research, the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic had a huge impact on the e-commerce industry. Therefore, this paper investigates and analyzes the development of e-commerce and the new models of promotion in response during the epidemic.