M. J. Norušis

Bio: M. J. Norušis is an academic researcher. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 1631 citations.

SPSS for Windows: base system user's guide release 6.0

Abstract: SPSS for Windows: base system user's guide release 6.0 , SPSS for Windows: base system user's guide release 6.0 , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی

How to conduct your own survey

Abstract: Practical Surveys. Cornerstones of a Quality Survey. Deciding What Information You Need. Choosing a Survey Method. When and How to Select a Sample. Writing Good Questions. Questionnaire Design. Setting Your Survey in Motion and Getting It Done. From Questionnaires to Survey Results. Reporting Survey Results. Advice, Resources, and Maintaining Perspective. References. Index.

Agency Relationships in Family Firms: Theory and Evidence

Abstract: Does owner management necessarily eliminate the agency costs of ownership? Drawing on agency literature and on the economic theory of the household, we argue that private ownership and owner management expose privately held, owner-managed firms to agency threats ignored by Jensen's and Meckling's (1976) agency model. Private ownership and owner management not only reduce the effectiveness of external control mechanisms, they also expose firms to a "self-control" problem created by incentives that cause owners to take actions which "harm themselves as well as those around them" (Jensen 1994, p. 43). Thus, shareholders have incentive to invest resources in curbing both managerialand owner opportunism. We extend this thesis to the domain of the family firm. After developing hypotheses which describe how family dynamics and, specifically, altruism, exacerbate agency problems experienced by these privately held, owner-managed firms, we use data obtained from a large-scale survey of family businesses to field test our hypotheses and find evidence which suggests support for our proposed theory. Finally, we discuss the implications of our theory for research on family and other types of privately held, owner-managed firms.

Toward Tense as a Clinical Marker of Specific Language Impairment in English-Speaking Children

Abstract: A critical clinical issue is the identification of a clinical marker, a linguistic form or principle that can be shown to be characteristic of children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI). In t...

Sit-to-Stand Performance Depends on Sensation, Speed, Balance, and Psychological Status in Addition to Strength in Older People

Abstract: Background Sit-to-stand (STS) performance is often used as a measure of lower-limb strength in older people and those with significant weakness. However, the findings of recent studies suggest that performance in this test is also influenced by factors associated with balance and mobility. We conducted a study to determine whether sensorimotor, balance, and psychological factors in addition to lower-limb strength predict sit-to-stand performance in older people. Methods Six hundred and sixty nine community-dwelling men and women aged 75-93 years (mean age 78.9, SD = 4.1) underwent quantitative tests of strength, vision, peripheral sensation, reaction time, balance, health status, and sit-to-stand performance. Results Many physiological and psychological factors were significantly associated with sit-to-stand times in univariate analyses. Multiple regression analysis revealed that visual contrast sensitivity, lower limb proprioception, peripheral tactile sensitivity, reaction time involving a foot-press response, sway with eyes open on a foam rubber mat, body weight, and scores on the Short-Form 12 Health Status Questionnaire pain, anxiety, and vitality scales in addition to knee extension, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion strength were significant and independent predictors of STS performance. Of these measures, quadriceps strength had the highest beta weight, indicating it was the most important variable in explaining the variance in STS times. However, the remaining measures accounted for more than half the explained variance in STS times. The final regression model explained 34.9% of the variance in STS times (multiple R =.59). Conclusions The findings indicate that, in community-dwelling older people, STS performance is influenced by multiple physiological and psychological processes and represents a particular transfer skill, rather than a proxy measure of lower limb strength.

Visual risk factors for falls in older people.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To determine the tests most predictive of falls in community-dwelling older people from a range of visual screening tests (high and low contrast visual acuity, edge contrast sensitivity, depth perception, and visual field size). To determine whether one or more of these visual measures, in association with measures of sensation, strength, reaction time, and balance, can accurately predict falls in this group. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of 12 months duration. SETTING: Falls and Balance Laboratory, Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute. PARTICIPANTS: 156 community-dwelling men and women age 63 to 90 (mean age 76.5, standard deviation = 5.1). MEASUREMENTS: Screening tests of vision, sensation, strength, reaction time and balance, falls. RESULTS: Of the 148 subjects available at follow-up, 64 (43.2%) reported falling, with 32 (21.7%) reporting multiple falls. Multiple fallers had decreased vision, as indicated by all visual tests, with impaired depth perception, contrast sensitivity, and low-contrast visual acuity being the strongest risk factors. Subjects with good vision in both eyes had the lowest rate of falls, whereas those with good vision in one eye and only moderate or poor vision in the other eye had elevated falling rates-equivalent to those with moderate or poor vision in both eyes. Discriminant analysis revealed that impaired depth perception, slow reaction time, and increased body sway on a compliant surface were significantly and independently associated with falls. These variables correctly classified 76% of the cases, with similar sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that impaired vision is an important and independent risk factor for falls. Adequate depth perception and distant-edge-contrast sensitivity, in particular, appear to be important for maintaining balance and detecting and avoiding hazards in the environment.