Use Of Subjective Indicators Research Articles

ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN KHENCHELA CITY

This study aims at shedding light on the current state of the environmental dimension of the quality of life in the city of Khenchela by studying four variables : water, air, green spaces, and waste management. It focuses on the objective indicators of the four variables obtained from an international database and fieldwork, as well as on the use of subjective indicators of one variable through the distribution of an online questionnaire that included a random sample of 500 individuals. The findings of the study revealed that the environmental dimension of quality of life in the city of Khenchela is characterized by limited water sources with dilapidated distribution networks, good air quality despite the concentration of some pollutants exceeding the thresholds set by the World Health Organization, and lack of effective waste management in contrast to the availability of green spaces.

Subjective Well-Being in Italian Regions

This study presents a comparative analysis of subjective well-being in the Italian regions (NUTS2) by synthesizing several ordinal indicators. In recent decades, the use of subjective indicators, i.e. information collected at individual level, has become widespread in official statistics. This article refers, in particular, to those subjective indicators that detect perceptions, points of view and emotional states. The data source is the ad-hoc module on subjective well-being of the European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions, one of the harmonised European official statistical surveys. In synthesizing the information, the study applies the Partially Ordered Set methodology. The purpose is to safeguard the multidimensionality of the phenomenon and the ordinal nature of the items. The study synthesizes the dimension of subjective well-being at micro level, i.e. at individual level, and reports the individual condition of subjective well-being at regional level. In doing so, it explores the informative potential of the ad-hoc module on subjective well-being, which seems not yet fully exploited.

Impact of Entrepreneurial Education Programs on Total Entrepreneurial Activity: The Case of Spain

There is a need to evaluate entrepreneurial education programs (EEPs) to see the impact they have on a country’s development. Previous work has focused mostly on entrepreneurial intentions, mainly in a university context. Additionally, literature reviews on the impact of entrepreneurial education have not yet been conclusive, mainly due to the use of subjective indicators and a low consideration of objective indicators. The purpose of this article is to respond to some of these challenges. Specifically, this study used an objective indicator, Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA), in a non-university context. A database was created that included programs categorized by autonomous communities. The analysis showed that EEPs significantly influenced the entrepreneurial activity of autonomous communities. This implies that entrepreneurial education should be a prioritized objective in the educational policy of these communities. The recommendations derived from these results are, among others, to promote role models, continue supporting the financing of entrepreneurial initiatives through education and training, continue implementing government policies to support entrepreneurship, and carry out evaluations on the impact that these programs have on skills acquired in the short and medium terms, as well as their maintenance over time.

Measuring subjective well-being for policy purposes: The example of well-being indicators in the WHO "Health 2020" framework.

This article discusses the rationale for measuring national well-being, and examines the use of subjectively oriented well-being measures in the context of public policy. Recent years have witnessed growing attention towards the concept and measurement of well-being, both within academic disciplines, intergovernmental organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as in many governments across Europe, including the Nordic countries. Economic indicators have commonly been regarded as proxies of societal progress of nations, but indicators of well-being have increasingly been applied in order to complement or replace these measures. Well-being indicators of the WHO "Health 2020" framework are critically examined with particular attention given to the subjective aspects of well-being. Literature discussing the rationale for subjective indicators is reviewed. As a background, central theoretical and measurement perspectives on well-being are outlined, including hedonic, eudaimonic and objective list approaches. The WHO refers to well-being in definitions of health and mental health, but has primarily reported on disease. The "Health 2020" framework marked a shift in this concern. One of the main targets of "Health 2020" concerns well-being, involving six core indicators. Only one indicator refers to well-being as subjective experience. Literature supports more extensive use of subjective indicators in combination with objective measures. Although consensus on definitions and instruments is lacking, subjective and objective measures of national well-being may jointly contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of societal progress, as well as a broader conception of health. Further research is required, particularly with regard to eudaimonic indicators.

A Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Wellbeing in Australia

The Indigenous people of Australia are severely disadvantaged according to a range of objective indicators. Unfortunately, the use of subjective indicators has been largely absent from the Indigenous policy domain. This is problematic because many things that matter to Indigenous peoples cannot be measured objectively. This paper addresses this gap; specifically, we employ a range of econometric techniques and Australian household data to explore the subjective wellbeing of Indigenous Australians in relation to: (1) levels of life satisfaction; (2) inequality in life satisfaction; (3) the prevalence and severity of dissatisfaction; and (4) determinants of life satisfaction. Results indicate that Indigenous life satisfaction peaked in 2003 and has since declined, and inequality in life satisfaction is greater for Indigenous than non-Indigenous Australians. Further, while the determinants of life satisfaction for non-Indigenous Australians are consistent with existing evidence and a priori expectations, the results for Indigenous Australians differ in many respects.

Prometna marginaliziranost na primjeru srednjoškolaca Grada Zagreba

Mogućnost upravljanja automobilom smatra se važnim segmentom u životima ljudi. Osobe koje iz određenih razloga nemaju mogućnost upravljanja automobilom u znanstvenoj se literaturi vrlo često smatraju prometno marginaliziranim osobama. Prometna marginaliziranost može utjecati na pristupanje životnim prilikama i mogućnostima. Cilj ovoga rada je ispitati utjecaj prometne marginaliziranosti na svakodnevni život srednjoškolske populacije Grada Zagreba. Istraživanje se temelji na korištenju subjektivnih pokazatelja prometne marginaliziranosti i to putem korištenja metode vlastite procjene prometnih problema i fokus grupa. Podaci su dobiveni anketnim ispitivanjem 826 učenika srednjih škola Grada Zagreba te provođenjem osam fokus grupa. Učenici srednjih škola procjenjivali su utjecaj prometnih problema s aspekta važnosti i stupnja težine kojim ih rješavaju. Analizom podataka dobiveni su podaci koji pokazuju statistički značajne razlike između učenica i učenika što može upućivati na jaču prometnu marginaliziranost djevojaka (žena) u odnosu na mladiće (muškarce). Dobiveni podaci potkrijepljeni su navodima proizašlim iz uporabe metode fokus grupa.

Subjective Social Indicators: Benefits and Limitations for Policy Making—An Introduction to this Special Issue

Although the field of empirical ‘‘happiness research’’ or the ‘‘new science of happiness’’— as it was overzealously named by Richard Layard—has been prospering in recent years and attracting considerable interest by policy makers, the usefulness of happiness indicators—or more generally subjective social indicators—for policy making purposes continues to be controversial: There are numerous advocates of the notion that subjective indicators can and should be used to better inform policy makers, but also many critical voices pointing to the ambivalent nature of this sort of information and indicators as well as to the risks of making use of them in everyday political decision making. The currently flourishing debate is all but new however. Particularly Scandinavian researchers representing a resources based notion of welfare or well-being have in their majority always been critical toward the use of subjective indicators for policy making purposes. According to Robert Erikson—one of the most eminent proponents of the Swedish ‘‘level of living approach’’—‘‘people’s opinions and preferences should go into the democratic political process through their activities as citizens, but not through survey questions and opinion polls’’ (Erikson 1993: 78). Contrary to this position, happiness researchers have consistently underlined that policy makers need to take subjective indicators into account, at least in addition to objective indicators: ‘‘...subjective indicators are indispensable in social policy, both for assessing policy success and for selecting policy goals’’ (Veenhoven 2002: 40). Currently, those advocating the use of ‘‘happiness research’’—results and measures of subjective well-being in the policy making process seem to outbalance those raising doubts whether ‘‘the scientific basis of happiness research (is) sufficiently strong to base important public policy considerations on it’’ (Whittington 2007). In recent years, it has not only been proposed to make use of this sort of research and information in specific policy making fields, e.g. health, or the labour market, but even to establish national accounts of (subjective) well-being (Diener et al. 2009; Michaelson et al. 2009). On the other hand, policy

The use of subjective indicators to assess how natural and social capital support residents’ quality of life in a small volcanic island

Quality of life is a multi-dimensional concept and it is essentially subjective even if we can often find objectively measurable proxies for it. High levels of quality of life are the results of the interplay of social, economic and environmental aspects that together make people satisfied with their life. People living in small islands can enhance their quality of life through appropriate programs that guarantee the conservation of natural capital, provided by ecosystems, and networks and norms that facilitate good governance and social cohesion. In this paper an integration of natural and social capital subjectively evaluated by people living in Vulcano Island (Sicily Region, Italy) is proposed as a first approximation of the perception of quality of life. This paper explores whether there are differences in such perception between permanent and seasonal residents, who live there only for tourist economic reasons. Results show that the perception of natural capital is high in both communities, while social capital and the quality of life is less perceived by seasonal respect to permanent residents. The results of this research highlight that natural capital and social capital, taken into account independently, provide only a partial vision of quality of life that is strongly dependent on the combination of both. In this respect, a list of potential subjective social–environmental indicators useful to assess the quality of life is proposed.

The Causal Relationship between Individual’S Choice Behavior and Self-Reported Satisfaction: The Case of Residential Mobility in the EU

One of the most persistent and lasting debates in economic research refers to whether the answers to subjective questions can be used to explain individuals’ economic behavior. Using panel data for twelve EU countries, in the present study we analyze the causal relationship between self-reported housing satisfaction and residential mobility. Our results indicate that: i) households unsatisfied with their current housing situation are more likely to move; ii) housing satisfaction raises after a move, and; iii) housing satisfaction increases with the transition from being a renter to becoming a homeowner. Some interesting cross-country differences are observed. Our findings provide evidence in favor of use of subjective indicators of satisfaction with certain life domains in the analysis of individuals’ economic conduct.

An Index of Economic and Social Rights Fulfillment: Concept and Methodology

In response to an increasing demand for rigorous monitoring of states in meeting their human rights obligations, a growing literature has emerged on measuring human rights fulfillment. Data are increasingly used in human rights assessment and advocacy but with an ad hoc approach, with three common limitations: frequent use of subjective indicators; focus on the right bearer enjoyment of right without taking account of duty bearer conduct; and event or country specific analysis that does not allow comparisons over time or space. This paper explores a methodology for measuring economic and social rights fulfillment that is reliable and authoritative. It proposes a composite index that: uses available survey-based objective, rather than subjective, data; focuses on state obligations rather than solely on individual enjoyment of rights; and captures progressive realization of human rights subject to maximum available resources. Two calculation methods are proposed: the ratio approach and the achievement possibilities frontier approach. The paper identifies key conceptual and data constraints. Recognizing the complex methodological challenges, the aim of this paper is not to resolve all the difficulties, but rather to contribute to the process of building rigorous approaches to human rights measurement. The proposed index provides important new information compared with other measures of economic and social rights fulfillment; although it still does not fully capture some desired features such as the right to nondiscrimination and equality, and the right to social security. The paper also outlines an agenda for longer term research and data collection that would make more complete measurement possible.

Saúde bucal e o desempenho diário de adultos em Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brasil

The use of subjective indicators in dentistry has been increasing. This was a population-based cross-sectional study in the city of Chapecó, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, analyzing the relationship between oral health conditions and quality of life in 35-44-year-old adults (n = 622). A further objective was to observe the influence of habits, dental visits, self-evaluation of health status, and socio-demographic characteristics in this process. The sample was selected using a multiple-stage approach. Trained professionals collected the data. A multiple non-conditional, hierarchical logistic regression model was used to analyze the determinants of low (Oral Impact on Daily Performance - OIDP <or= 3) and high (OIDP >or= 10) interference of oral health in daily routine. The response rate was 81%. Oral health status was found to interfere in the daily routine of 20.7% of participants and was more severe for 11.4%. Household crowding, low-income neighborhoods, female gender, and orofacial pain in the previous six months were associated with higher interference in quality of life. The use of subjective indicators in public health services planning and definition of priority groups for delivery of oral health services is highly recommended.

Consistency in subjective evaluations of community attributes

Subjective indicators of life quality are used frequently in the planning and decision making process. The limitations inherent in the use of subjective indicators often go unnoticed among those most likely to use such data in the context of planned change. We direct attention to a potential source of error in subjective evaluations of community services and facilities. Specifically, we utilize repeated measures to test for response bias that results from placing items in alternative sections of the same survey instrument. Evidence concerning the hypothesized presence of systematic bias was mixed. When overall service evaluation items were embedded within a section devoted exclusively to that service, considerable systematic bias was observed. The findings indicate that the choice of question format depends upon the ultimate use to which the data will be put.

SUBJECTIVE INDICATORS AND DISTRIBUTIONAL RESEARCH ON PUBLIC SERVICES

ABSTRACTThis article uses data from 15 U.S. cities to explore the ways in which the use of subjective measures of service satisfaction can redirect distributional research from the question of who gets how much to the more policy‐relevant question of who gets how much of what is needed. It suggests a useful approach to the use of subjective indicators to provide more valid and meaningful measures in distributional research.