Number Of Site Visits Research Articles

Combating Hateful Attitudes and Online Browsing Behavior: The Case of Antisemitism

Abstract This study adds to the analogic perspective-taking literature by examining whether an online perspective-taking intervention affects both antisemitic attitudes and behaviors – in particular, engagement with antisemitic websites. Subjects who were randomly assigned to the treatment viewed a 90-s video of a college student describing an experience with antisemitism and reflected on its similarity to their own experiences. In a survey, treated subjects reported greater feelings of sympathy (+29 p.p.), more positive feelings toward Jews, a greater sense that Jews are discriminated against, and more support for policy solutions (+2–4 p.p.). However, these effects did not persist after 14 days. Examining our subjects’ web browsing data, we find a 5% reduction in time spent viewing antisemitic content during the posttreatment period and some limited, suggestive evidence of effects on the number of site visits. These findings provide the first evidence that perspective-taking interventions may affect online browsing behavior.

EVALUATING THE SECOND WORKSHOP TO BUILD A SAUDI ARABIA-UNITED STATES PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Taibah University (TaibahU) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) signed a partnership agreement in April 2015 with George Washington University (GWU) in the United States (US) to develop a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Educational Administration Leadership. The agreement stipulated that the first workshop would be held in KSA, which subsequently took place in December 2015. This article focuses on the structure and outcomes of the second workshop, which took place between 24 October and 03 November 2016. The workshop revealed that many of the goals of the partnership agreement established in the first workshop had been achieved. In addition, the team discussed the differences between KSA and USA students, in particular in relation to firstly, language and culture, secondly, approaches to public K-12 and higher education and thirdly, methods of identifying and overcoming any barriers resulting from these differences. In addition, there was a discussion of the potential challenges in introducing blended learning, using Blackboard and synchronous online teaching and the type of support required by students in this environment. There was also a consideration of instructor evaluation and ensuring high-quality research from students in both countries. These discussions, along with a number of site visits, led to the drawing up of plans to overcome the issues identified, as outlined in the current article.

Service Delivery in Local Government through Socio-Economic Programmes: Successes and Failures of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP)

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the successes and failures confronting the Greater Giyani Municipality in terms of service delivery through the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) implemented in Muyexe community, Limpopo Province (South Africa). The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) defines service delivery as the provision of sustainable services by the municipality to communities. Post-apartheid South African municipalities are still confronted with service delivery backlogs, 20 years in to the democratic dispensation. The recipients of municipal services continue to be frustrated by the poor quality and the frequency in which services are delivered to them by the municipality. This provision of goods and services denotes that particular functions must be performed by the municipality. CRDP has emerged from the first two pilot engagements in Riemvasmaak in the Northern Cape, and Muyexe in Giyani in Limpopo Province as part of presidential designated projects. This paper is an empirical study that followed both the qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The data collection instruments used for this study are open-ended questionnaires, unstructured interviews and a number of site visits. The paper argues that the CRDP has inadequately satisfied the intended objectives in the Muyexe Pilot Project. Intended beneficiaries of the programme from the Muyexe community exposed many of the failures of the programme by frustrations about the programme implemented in their community. In concluding this article provide recommendations on how future similar programmes implemented elsewhere at South African municipalities can satisfy the objectives they are originally intended for. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p132

Using Detection Dogs to Conduct Simultaneous Surveys of Northern Spotted (Strix occidentalis caurina) and Barred Owls (Strix varia)

State and federal actions to conserve northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) habitat are largely initiated by establishing habitat occupancy. Northern spotted owl occupancy is typically assessed by eliciting their response to simulated conspecific vocalizations. However, proximity of barred owls (Strix varia)–a significant threat to northern spotted owls–can suppress northern spotted owl responsiveness to vocalization surveys and hence their probability of detection. We developed a survey method to simultaneously detect both species that does not require vocalization. Detection dogs (Canis familiaris) located owl pellets accumulated under roost sites, within search areas selected using habitat association maps. We compared success of detection dog surveys to vocalization surveys slightly modified from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Draft 2010 Survey Protocol. Seventeen 2 km ×2 km polygons were each surveyed multiple times in an area where northern spotted owls were known to nest prior to 1997 and barred owl density was thought to be low. Mitochondrial DNA was used to confirm species from pellets detected by dogs. Spotted owl and barred owl detection probabilities were significantly higher for dog than vocalization surveys. For spotted owls, this difference increased with number of site visits. Cumulative detection probabilities of northern spotted owls were 29% after session 1, 62% after session 2, and 87% after session 3 for dog surveys, compared to 25% after session 1, increasing to 59% by session 6 for vocalization surveys. Mean detection probability for barred owls was 20.1% for dog surveys and 7.3% for vocal surveys. Results suggest that detection dog surveys can complement vocalization surveys by providing a reliable method for establishing occupancy of both northern spotted and barred owl without requiring owl vocalization. This helps meet objectives of Recovery Actions 24 and 25 of the Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl.

Social Services and CAMHS: A National Survey.

Links between Social Service Departments (SSDs) and CAMHS are explored and described through a national survey and a number of site visits. Data were collected via (1) a national questionnaire survey yielding a response rate of 75%, and (2) pre-selected site visits to seven SSDs. Additional to existing CAMHS assessment and treatment provision to SSDs, there is increasing outreach consultation and support, some provided through primary mental health workers and dedicated clinical psychology sessions. Some SSDs have developed innovative in-house provision for Tier 2 type referrals. Outreach and core CAMHS provision to SSDs need equal investment and development.