This paper examines some recent techniques designed to draw inferences about the credibility of changes in macroeconomic policy regimes. An alternative two-step approach, based on the decomposition between permanent and transitory components of a "credibility variable" is proposed. The methodology is then used to test for the existence of a credibility effect in the Cruzado stabilization plan implemented in Brazil in 1986.
This book introduces readers to Web content credibility evaluation and evaluation support. It highlights empirical research and establishes a solid foundation for future research by presenting methods of supporting credibility evaluation of online content, together with publicly available datasets for reproducible experimentation, such as the Web Content Credibility Corpus. The book is divided into six chapters. After a general introduction in Chapter 1, including a brief survey of credibility evaluation in the social sciences, Chapter 2 presents definitions of credibility and related concepts of truth and trust. Next, Chapter 3 details methods, algorithms and user interfaces for systems supporting Web content credibility evaluation. In turn, Chapter 4 takes a closer look at the credibility of social media, exemplified in sections on Twitter, Q&A systems, and Wikipedia, as well as fake news detection. In closing, Chapter 5 presents mathematical and simulation models of credibility evaluation, before a final round-up of the book is provided in Chapter 6. Overall, the book reviews and synthesizes the current state of the art in Web content credibility evaluation support and fake news detection. It provides researchers in academia and industry with both an incentive and a basis for future research and development of Web content credibility evaluation support services.
This paper examines market liberalization policies in a reforming socialist economy. The aim of this paper is to develop a model of such a reforming socialist economy and to explore the consequences of market-oriented policies in the context of such an economy. A model of a socialist economy is presented, incorporating bargaining over wages and employment in the socialized sector and shortages that are reflected in the black market. The model is used to analyze the implications of liberalization policies, including trade liberalization, an administered price increase, and provisions allowing for increased direct foreign investment. The nonsocialized sector is perfectly competitive and produces an output that is different from that of the socialized sector. It has a neoclassical production function using a sector-specific input (say, capital) and labor. The results suggest that reforms may have different effects under different trade regimes and that small price reforms may have perverse effects.
This guidance document was originally published in 2012 and updated in 2018 to reflect new and updated OECD test guidelines, as well as reflect on scientific advances in the use of test methods and assessment of the endocrine activity of chemicals.
Psychological Foundations of Attitudes presents various approaches and theories about attitudes. The book opens with a chapter on the development of attitude theory from 1930 to 1950. This is followed by separate chapters on the principles of the attitude-reinforcer-discriminative system; a systematic test of a learning theory analysis of interpersonal attraction; a "spread of effect" in attitude formation; Hullian learning theory; and possible origins of learned attitudinal cognitions. Subsequent chapters deal with mechanisms through which attitudes can function as both independent and dependent variables in the attitude-behavior link; and the problem of how people go about applying a summary label to their attitudes and the reciprocal effects that rating has on the content of attitude. The final chapters discuss a commodity theory that relates selective social communication to value formation; the freedoms there are in regard to attitudes; attitude change occasioned by actions which are discrepant from one's previously existing attitudes or values; and the conflict-theory approach to attitude change.
Economic crises arising from exchange rate volatility and high inflation have affected countries around the world, particularly those with developing economies. The usual response of countries during times of crisis has been to design and implement stabilisation packages aimed at controlling the exchange rate, stabilising inflation, and restoring economic fundamentals. The stabilisation attempts pursued in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe since the 1970s have motivated an interesting literature debating which strategy to adopt in order to achieve stabilisation and evaluate the merits of institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB) and the International Development Bank (IDB) in assisting countries during these efforts. Provided that times of crisis and volatility will affect the traditional benchmarks used by economists, adjusting the basic economic framework to account for such structural changes is of paramount importance. This book makes an important contribution to this debate by providing a comprehensive review of the literature on stabilisation, and by extending analytical models to account for the shortcoming of crises, in an effort to test their relevance across developing countries. The essays in this volume will be of interest to policy makers, professional economists and students for their measurable implications and as a guide for further research in the literature.
Traditionally, industrial hygienists and environmental engineers have been responsible for conducting chemical exposure assessments, however, this task is now becoming a team effort taken on by scientists, businessmen, and policymakers. Assessment of Chemical Exposures: Calculation Methods for Environmental Professionals addresses the expanding scope of exposure assessments in both the workplace and environment. It discusses the basics of gathering data and assessing exposure, including how to estimate exposure to chemicals using fundamental chemical engineering concepts. The book opens with a brief discussion on the history of exposure assessments and provides terms and nomenclature needed for communications between various disciplines involved in exposure assessments. The potential impact of chemical exposures on humans, the environment, and communities is discussed in detail The book also addresses modeling source generation, pathway transport, and receptor impact. With the clear explanations presented in this text, even a novice will be able to practice the art of exposure assessment.
The difficulties in determining the quality of information on the Internet--in particular, the implications of wide access and questionable credibility for youth and learning. Today we have access to an almost inconceivably vast amount of information, from sources that are increasingly portable, accessible, and interactive. The Internet and the explosion of digital media content have made more information available from more sources to more people than at any other time in human history. This brings an infinite number of opportunities for learning, social connection, and entertainment. But at the same time, the origin of information, its quality, and its veracity are often difficult to assess. This volume addresses the issue of credibility--the objective and subjective components that make information believable--in the contemporary media environment. The contributors look particularly at youth audiences and experiences, considering the implications of wide access and the questionable credibility of information for youth and learning. They discuss such topics as the credibility of health information online, how to teach credibility assessment, and public policy solutions. Much research has been done on credibility and new media, but little of it focuses on users younger than college students. Digital Media, Youth, and Credibility fills this gap in the literature. Contributors Matthew S. Eastin, Gunther Eysenbach, Brian Hilligoss, Frances Jacobson Harris, R. David Lankes, Soo Young Rieh, S. Shyam Sundar, Fred W. Weingarten
"While there are many books out there on action research, few immerse the reader so effectively in the nitty-gritty realities of the method, while also pushing school practitioners to use inquiry to challenge an unacceptable status quo. This text should be read by all teachers and school leaders who care about empowering students and communities through action research." —Ruth Johnson, Professor of Educational Administration, California State University, Los Angeles Author, Using Data to Close the Achievement Gap "A highly accessible and informative book for K–12 educators and university graduate students. Provides very useful examples of what action research looks like when carried out in schools. This book has always been at the top of my recommended resources list." —Ken Zeichner, Hoefs-Bascom Professor of Teacher Education, University of Wisconsin, Madison Discover the most empowering pathway to improved practice in education! Since the publication of the first edition of Studying Your Own School, practitioner action research has become an established professional development practice in schools and teacher education programs. While the fundamentals of practitioner action research have not changed, the challenges of large scale reform have dramatically altered the context of teaching. This extensive revision of the best-selling book includes the latest investigative methods and reflects the current educational environment. New features of the second edition include A "Getting Started" chapter on initial issues and considerations More advice on crafting the research question and research design Up-to-date information on political and ethical considerations New examples of practitioner action research studies A focus on promoting equity and social justice Packed with updated examples to help orient the reader, this book is unique in providing the theoretical and historical underpinnings of practitioner action research and all the "how-to" information necessary for successful classroom application.
