Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 19, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 108-112).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [118]-129).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references.

The major end-points arising from cancer clinical trials are reviewed. These are: tumour response, treatment morbidity, survival with related data, and quality of life. A survey of tumour response data from 81 published clinical trials found the most common statistical test in use to be a Chi squared test of the total response rate, but a total of 21 different statistical methods were used. The various statistical tests available are reviewed, including the Mann-Whitney test and the Chi squared test for trend which make use of all the categories of response and their intrinsic order. The assumptions underlying the tests are described. Theoretical considerations support the Mann-Whitney test as the optimum choice for the analysis of tumour response data. Methods for comparing alternative statistical tests are summarised, and a new method is described which uses a number of typical sets of data to estimate the relative efficiency of two statistical tests by the median value of the square of the ratio of the z-values. Using this technique, and data from the 81 trials, the Mann-Whitney test is found to be around 40% more efficient than the Chi squared test of the total response rate (this increased efficiency is equivalent to increasing the recruitment to the trial by 40%).This practical result is confirmed by mathematical modelling of tumour response using the power relation of the Mann-Whitney test for ordered categorical data, which is derived. Clinical data is found to fit best a shift model which assumes homogeneity of treatment effect across the different grades of response. On the basis of this model, the Mann-Whitney test is found to be 30% to 110% more efficient than a Chi squared test of the total response rate. The similarities of acute morbidity data to tumour response data lead to similar general conclusions on the optimum method of statistical analysis. In a survey of 36 published clinical trials, the most common method of statistical analysis was again a Chi squared test of a dichotomy (such as no morbidity versus morbidity of any grade). Analysis of data from these trials shows the Mann-Whitney test to be more efficient by around 30%.A survey of 81 papers reporting tumour response in clinical trials found that few of them used methods of estimation of the difference between the treatments, or derived confidence intervals of the size of such a difference. Methods of estimation and calculation of confidence intervals were found even less often in a survey of methods of presentation of morbidity results. The possible reasons for this are discussed. It is concluded that the current methods of analysis of tumour response data and many sets of acute treatment morbidity data are not optimum, and a change should be made from the Chi squared test to the Mann-Whitney test. Such a change could be equivalent to an increase in recruitment into many cancer clinical trials of around 40%.

No / This paper examines previous approaches to the identification and measurement of strategic flexibility and concludes that the use of quantitative methods alone cannot capture the essence of such a complex and intangible subject. It is reasoned that a holistic approach to research design should be adopted when carrying out particular categories of production management research. A research design used to investigate the concept of strategic flexibility in manufacturing industry is briefly outlined as an illustration. The role of the case study within this and the contribution it was able to make to the investigation is described.

Yes / This article describes the work of the ‘Action on Living Well: Asking You’ group – an involvement group of people with dementia and carers attached to the IDEAL research study. The article describes the work of the group, the methods that have helped them to stay involved and people’s perspectives on their experiences of being involved and the impact it has had, for themselves and others. The article has been written following a reflective piece of work with the ‘Action on Living Well: Asking You’ group to review and remember the work of the past four years. An accompanying film brings to life the work and activities of the group, available at www.idealproject.org.uk/mclass/ / Economic and Social Research Council (UK) and the National Institute for Health Research (UK) through grant ES/L001853/2 ‘Improving the experience of dementia and enhancing active life: living well with dementia’

Between the researcher and the participant: Requirements on sociological research methods and techniques Abstract The dissertation thesis deals with the design of methods and techniques which mediate the commnunication between a researcher and a participant (in-depths, surveys, etc.). The aim of the paper is to comprehensively assess a research practice by a number of criteria and thought experiments. The paper discusses 24 requirements which could be set on the method. It is rooted in the revised moderated neopositivist paradigm specifically from Carnap's concept of observation and theoretical language. It is further enhanced with the concept of conceptual spaces and the social representations concept. The extended theoretical approach is called "achieving the explanation" and it emphasizes (1) the meaning of theoretical assumptions of the scientific model including methodological aspects. (2) The common knowledge is approached as a complex social representation not only an attitude. (3) It stresses the importance of so called fix points which enable the translation between common and scientific knowledge. The thesis is focused on the process of designing the research in all its stages, on the theoretical and conceptual principles and on specific aspects of cooperation with participants.

Substance abuse has been identified internationally and in South Africa as an escalating problem that has harmful effects on the substance user and on society. The cost of treating substance-related disorders places a strain on the allocation of financial resources to treat the problem. When relapse occurs in substance users who have already undergone rehabilitation, it increases the costs of treatment. Waiting lists at treatment centres are also negatively affected for first-time admissions when relapsed substance users are re-admitted. The study aimed to identify relapse indicators by post-discharge follow-up of adult substance users in a registered, non-profit, state-subsidised treatment facility in Cape Town. Marlatt’s Dynamic model of relapse was used to explore the individual and socio-cultural factors which were potentially associated with relapse. A quantitative research design using archival data and purposive sampling was used to identify possible relapse indicators. The participants were ex-patients who had undergone an inpatient treatment programme and who had been followed up post discharge. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of the Western Cape Higher Degrees Committee. Written permission was granted by the treatment centre who is the original data owner.The majority of participants were male. More than half of the sample reported polysubstance use and, for more than half of them, the age of onset of substance use was between 11 and 15 years. Severe depression was present for more than a third of the participants, whilst the majority of the sample was assessed as being substance dependent. A large proportion of patients had family members who also used substances. The majority of the sample was unemployed and more than half had received previous substance abuse treatment. Significant associations were not established between the identified variables within the groups of factors. Additional studies are required to explore the factors contributing to relapse in this patient population. / Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych)