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Showing papers on "Credibility published in 1999"


Journal Article
TL;DR: This overview examines ways of enhancing the quality and credibility of qualitative analysis by dealing with three distinct but related inquiry concerns: rigorous techniques and methods for gathering and analyzing qualitative data; the credibility, competence, and perceived trustworthiness of the qualitative researcher; and the philosophical beliefs of evaluation users about such paradigm-based preferences.
Abstract: Varying philosophical and theoretical orientations to qualitative inquiry remind us that issues of quality and credibility intersect with audience and intended research purposes. This overview examines ways of enhancing the quality and credibility of qualitative analysis by dealing with three distinct but related inquiry concerns: rigorous techniques and methods for gathering and analyzing qualitative data, including attention to validity, reliability, and triangulation; the credibility, competence, and perceived trustworthiness of the qualitative researcher; and the philosophical beliefs of evaluation users about such paradigm-based preferences as objectivity versus subjectivity, truth versus perspective, and generalizations versus extrapolations. Although this overview examines some general approaches to issues of credibility and data quality in qualitative analysis, it is important to acknowledge that particular philosophical underpinnings, specific paradigms, and special purposes for qualitative inquiry will typically include additional or substitute criteria for assuring and judging quality, validity, and credibility. Moreover, the context for these considerations has evolved. In early literature on evaluation methods the debate between qualitative and quantitative methodologists was often strident. In recent years the debate has softened. A consensus has gradually emerged that the important challenge is to match appropriately the methods to empirical questions and issues, and not to universally advocate any single methodological approach for all problems.

3,691 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors show that stocks that underwriter analysts recommend perform more poorly than "buy" recommendations by unaffiliated brokers prior to, at the time of, and subsequent to the recommendation date.
Abstract: Brokerage analysts frequently comment on and sometimes recommend companies that their firms have recently taken public. We show that stocks that underwriter analysts recommend perform more poorly than “buy” recommendations by unaffiliated brokers prior to, at the time of, and subsequent to the recommendation date. We conclude that the recommendations by underwriter analysts show significant evidence of bias. We show also that the market does not recognize the full extent of this bias. The results suggest a potential conflict of interest inherent in the different functions that investment bankers perform.

1,678 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it is argued that this occurred as a result of errors made in the earlier empirical research and that goodwill can be measured, contrary to earlier claims, and should be restored to its former status in rhetorical communication theory.
Abstract: As a result of the controversy over the dimensionality of the ethos/source credibility construct and the associated plethora of empirical studies in the 1960s and 1970s, Aristotle's dimension of “goodwill” has been dismissed by many contemporary theorists and researchers. It is argued that this occurred as a result of errors made in the earlier empirical research and that “goodwill” can be measured, contrary to earlier claims, and should be restored to its former status in rhetorical communication theory. Empirical research is reported indicating the existence of the goodwill dimension as part of the structure of the ethos/source credibility construct and a measure of that dimension is provided with evidence for its reliability and validity.

934 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 May 1999
TL;DR: This work defines key terms relating to computer credibility, synthesize the literature in this domain, and proposes three new conceptual frameworks for better understanding the elements of computer credibility.
Abstract: Given the importance of credibility in computing products, the research on computer credibility is relatively small. To enhance knowledge about computers and credibility, we define key terms relating to computer credibility, synthesize the literature in this domain, and propose three new conceptual frameworks for better understanding the elements of computer credibility. To promote further research, we then offer two perspectives on what computer users evaluate when assessing credibility. We conclude by presenting a set of credibility-related terms that can serve in future research and evaluation endeavors.

790 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a 2 × 2 (high versus low corporate credibility and high versus low endorser credibility) between-subjects factorial design was used to assess the impact of credibility on attitude-toward-the-ad, attitude-to-thebrand, and purchase intentions.

672 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Key terms are defined, key terms are summarized, knowledge on computer credibility is summarized, and frameworks for understanding issues in this domain are suggested.
Abstract: But like many aspects of our human society, computers seem to be facing a credibility crisis. Due in part to the popularization of the Internet, the cultural myth of the highly credible computer may soon be history. Although healthy skepticism about computers can be a good thing, if the pendulum swings too far in this direction, computers—especially with respect to Web-based content—could be viewed as among the least credible information sources, rivaling TV infomercials and supermarket tabloids for such dubious distinction. What is credibility? What makes computers credible? And what can we, as computer professionals, do to enhance the credibility of the products we design, build, and promote? We don’t fully answer these questions here, but we define key terms, summarize knowledge on computer credibility, and suggest frameworks for understanding issues in this domain.

548 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper explores the issues relating to the representativeness or credibility of qualitative research findings and critiques the existing distinct philosophical and methodological positions concerning the trustworthiness of qualitativeResearch findings.
Abstract: Qualitative research is increasingly recognized and valued and its unique place in nursing research is highlighted by many. Despite this, some nurse researchers continue to raise epistemological issues about the problems of objectivity and the validity of qualitative research findings. This paper explores the issues relating to the representativeness or credibility of qualitative research findings. It therefore critiques the existing distinct philosophical and methodological positions concerning the trustworthiness of qualitative research findings, which are described as follows: quantitative studies should be judged using the same criteria and terminology as quantitative studies; it is impossible, in a meaningful way, for any criteria to be used to judge qualitative studies; qualitative studies should be judged using criteria that are developed for and fit the qualitative paradigm; and the credibility of qualitative research findings could be established by testing out the emerging theory by means of conducting a deductive quantitative study. The authors conclude by providing some guidelines for establishing the credibility of qualitative research findings.

408 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors address innovative approaches to make the ongoing in-training evaluation (ITEv) of trainees during their clinical experiences more reliable and valid, such as the development of a standard vocabulary for describing the progress of trainee from "reporter" to "interpreter", to "manager" and "educator", and closer consideration of the unit of clinical evaluation (the case, the rotation, or the year).
Abstract: Progress in improving the credibility of teachers' descriptive evaluations of students and residents has not kept pace with the progress made in improving the credibility of more quantified methods, such as multiple-choice examinations and standardized patient examinations of clinical skills. This article addresses innovative approaches to making the ongoing in-training evaluation (ITEv) of trainees during their clinical experiences more reliable and valid. The innovations include the development of a standard vocabulary for describing the progress of trainees from "reporter" to "interpreter" to "manager" and "educator" (RIME), the use of formal evaluation sessions, and closer consideration of the unit of clinical evaluation (the case, the rotation, or the year). The author also discusses initial results of studies assessing the reliability and validity of descriptive methods, as well as the use of quantified methods to complement descriptive methods. Applying basic principles--the use of a taxonomy of professional development and statistical principles of reliability and validity--may foster research into more credible descriptive evaluation of clinical skills.

263 citations


Proceedings Article
31 Jul 1999
TL;DR: A new transductive learning algorithm using Support Vector Machines is described, which provides confidence values for its predicted classifications of new examples and a measure of "credibility" which serves as an indicator of the reliability of the data upon which it makes its prediction.
Abstract: In this paper we follow the same general ideology as in [Gammerman et al., 1998], and describe a new transductive learning algorithm using Support Vector Machines. The algorithm presented provides confidence values for its predicted classifications of new examples. We also obtain a measure of "credibility" which serves as an indicator of the reliability of the data upon which we make our prediction. Experiments compare the new algorithm to a standard Support Vector Machine and other transductive methods which use Support Vector Machines, such as Vapnik's margin transduction. Empirical results show that the new algorithm not only produces confidence and credibility measures, but is comparable to, and sometimes exceeds the performance of the other algorithms.

176 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the evaluation of product alternatives in Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a critical step on the basis of results as related to their impact category data, since decisions involving several environmental issues are hardly ever straightforward, since one alternative only seldom clearly dominates the others in all aspects.
Abstract: The evaluation of product alternatives in Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a critical step on the basis of results as related to their impact category data. Decisions involving several environmental issues are hardly ever straightforward, since one alternative only seldom clearly dominates the others in all aspects. More often, one alternative scores better on some environmental issues and worse on others. A combination of impact data and preferences is then required for evaluation. This can be done using evaluation methods based on fixed societal preferences. However, by applying different evaluation methods to the same data, different “best” alternatives may be chosen. This reduces the credibility of LCA results.

175 citations


Posted Content
TL;DR: The authors show that the stocks that underwriters recommend perform poorly (compared to "buy" recommendations by unaffiliated underwriters) prior to, at the time of, and subsequent to the recommendation date, and demonstrate that these conflicts bias their views and recommendations of the firms they take public.
Abstract: Brokerage analysts frequently comment on and sometimes recommend companies that their firms have recently taken public. These "booster shots," as they are called in the financial press, may constitute a conflict of interest between an investment bank's fiduciary responsibility to its investing clients (to make accurate recommendations) and its incentive to market the stocks it underwrites. Indeed, we show that the stocks that underwriters recommend perform poorly (compared to "buy" recommendations by unaffiliated underwriters) prior to, at the time of, and subsequent to the recommendation date. Our results are evidence of the substantial conflicts of interest inherent in the different functions investment bankers perform, and demonstrate that these conflicts bias their views and recommendations of the firms they take public. We show that the market does not recognize the full extent of this bias.

Journal ArticleDOI
25 Oct 1999-Entropy
TL;DR: A Bayesian measure of evidence for precise hypotheses is presented to give a Bayesian alternative to significance tests or, equivalently, to p-values.
Abstract: A Bayesian measure of evidence for precise hypotheses is presented. The inte n- tion is to give a Bayesian alternative to significance tests or, equivalently, to p-values. In fact, a set is defined in the parameter space and the posterior probability, its credibility, is evaluated. This set is the "Highest Posterior Density Region" that is "tangent" to the set that defines the null hypothesis. Our measure of evidence is the complement of the credibility of the "tangent" region.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the connection between lay understandings of risk and the contexts of their development and application with regard to one industrial hazard site in northeast England, and conclude with a discussion of the relationship between knowledge, understanding, and context.
Abstract: Building upon a detailed empirical analysis of the local understanding of hazards in one geographical area, in this paper we offer a critique of both the psychometric and 'risk society' approaches to the relationship between lay and scientific groups. Specifically, we explore the connection between lay understandings of risk and the contexts of their development and application with regard to one industrial hazard site in northeast England. Rather than presenting local knowledges as fixed or separable from cultural practices and social worldviews, we examine the relational and active construction of environmental understandings -- noting the significance of such factors as local memory, observation and evidence, definitions of expertise, risk and credibility, and moral discourses. The paper concludes with a discussion of the relationship between knowledge, understanding, and context. We also consider the wider significance of this case study both for environmental policy and for more theoretical treatments of science and its publics.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors conducted a meta-analytic review of the effects of one-sided and two-sided persuasive messages and identified two key moderator variables: whether the two-side message is refutational or non-refutational and whether the message is consumer advertising or nonadvertising.
Abstract: A random-effects meta-analytic review of the effects of one-sided and two-sided persuasive messages identifies two key moderator variables: whether the two-sided message is refutational or nonrefutational and whether the message is consumer advertising or nonadvertising. Compared with one-sided messages, refutational two-sided messages on nonadvertising topics enjoy significantly greater credibility and persuasiveness, nonrefutational two-sided messages on nonadvertising topics are not significantly different in credibility and are significantly less persuasive, refutational two-sided messages on advertising topics do not differ significantly on either credibility or persuasiveness (though few relevant studies exist), and nonrefutational two-sided messages on advertising topics enjoy significantly greater credibility but do not differ in persuasiveness. Often-mentioned moderators (such as audience initial position and education) appear not to have substantial influence on sidedness effects. Explanations o...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present guidelines and criteria for environmental verification services for public accounting firms to offer existing and potential clients, as well as an appropriate application of accounting firms' attestation skills and their desire to expand the client relationship.
Abstract: Many companies are becoming more responsive to investors' concerns about the environment by voluntarily compiling and issuing periodic environmental reports that are essentially independent of the annual financial reports. Because of an absence of environmental reporting standards, however, these reports differ significantly thereby confounding comparability. Additionally, the credibility of these reports is being questioned, as they are typically not verified by independent third parties. As many public accounting firms are currently attempting to develop additional assurance services to offer existing and potential clients, verification of environmental reports may be an appropriate application of accounting firms' attestation skills and their desire to expand the client relationship. Such verification engagements may also be beneficial for corporations, investors, regulators and, ultimately, the environment. Guidance and criteria for environmental verification services are scant, however, and the accou...

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a set of guidelines and criteria for environmental verification services in the public accounting profession, which can benefit from expeditious development of such standards so that public accountants are empowered to offer a needed assurance service and compete effectively with other consulting firms.
Abstract: Many companies are becoming more responsive to investors? concerns about the environment by voluntarily compiling and issuing periodic environmental reports that are essentially independent of the annual financial reports. Because of an absence of environmental reporting standards, however, these reports differ significantly thereby confounding comparability. Additionally, the credibility of these reports is being questioned, as they are typically not verified by independent third parties. As many public accounting firms are currently attempting to develop additional assurance services to offer existing and potential clients, verification of environmental reports may be an appropriate application of accounting firms? attestation skills and their desire to expand the client relationship. Such verification engagements may also be beneficial for corporations, investors, regulators and ultimately, the environment. Guidance and criteria for environmental verification services are scant, however, and the accounting profession may benefit from expeditious development of such standards so that public accountants are empowered to offer a needed assurance service and compete effectively with other consulting firms.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article developed and tested several new hypotheses about the anti-inflationary effect of central bank independence and exchange rate pegs in the context of different institutions and different degrees of citizen information about government policies.
Abstract: The authors develop and test several new hypotheses about the anti-inflationary effect of central bank independence and exchange rate pegs in the context of different institutions and different degrees of citizen information about government policies. Theory provides strong reason to believe that while central bank independence will prove more effective as a commitment mechanism in countries where multiple players in government have veto power (checks and balances), the number of veto players will have no effect on the credibility of exchange rate pegs. Conversely, the authors argue that central bank independence does not solve the problems of commitment that arise when citizens are imperfectly informed about the contribution of government policy to inflation. Exchange rate pegs, however, mitigate these problems. The authors present extensive evidence from cross-country tests using newly developed data that provide strong support for their propositions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that most educational research approaches that are in vogue today are incapable of yielding empirical evidence that is convincing from either a scientific or a prescriptive standpoint.

Book
01 Sep 1999
TL;DR: In this paper, Kingstone argues that the success of political efforts to create a more open economy in Brazil over the past decade has depended crucially on support from the industrial sector, which long enjoyed the benefits of protection by the state from economic competition.
Abstract: The success of political efforts to create a more open economy in Brazil over the past decade has depended crucially on support from the industrial sector, which long enjoyed the benefits of protection by the state from economic competition. Why businesses previously so sheltered would back neoliberal reform, and why opposition arose at times from sectors least threatened by free trade, are the puzzles this book seeks to answer. Drawing on more than one hundred interviews with industrialists and business association representatives, as well as a wide range of other sources, Peter Kingstone argues that the key to understanding the behavior of industrialists lies in the impact of four factors on their preferences for reform: the effect of economic crisis on industrialists' perception of the viability of the earlier development model; the sectoral location of their firms in the economy and the advantages historically accruing therefrom; the adjustment options available to them given their position in the market; and the credibility of the government's promises about reform and its tactical choices for getting them implemented through the political system. The mix of these four factors, Kingstone shows, left business preferences relatively malleable and thus available for support of reform, even in the face of potentially high costs. Whether such support was forthcoming depended on industrialists' perceptions of the ability of government leaders to deliver on their promises. Widespread resistance to reform occurred when leaders lost their credibility. Under Fernando Collor's leadership, that credibility was never recovered; under Fernando Henrique Cardoso's, it was recovered through increasing concessions to industrialists on the character of the reform program.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The primary contribution to actuarial science is to demonstrate that many additive credibility models can be expressed as special cases of the longitudinal data model, which unify the many existing credibility models with this framework.
Abstract: In this paper, we develop links between credibility theory in actuarial science and longitudinal data models in statistics. Our primary contribution to actuarial science is to demonstrate that many additive credibility models can be expressed as special cases of the longitudinal data model. We, thereby, unify the many existing credibility models with this framework. In addition, a longitudinal data interpretation suggests additional models and techniques that actuaries can use in credibility ratemaking. We also apply standard statistical software, which has been developed to analyze longitudinal data models, to the private passenger automobile data of Hachemeister [Hachemeister, C.A., 1975. Credibility for regression models with applications to trend. In: Kahn, P.M. (Ed.), Credibility: Theory and Applications. Academic Press, New York, pp. 129–163].

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined how need for cognition, source credibility, and communication strength influence perceptions of a print-media communication and found that low-need-for-cognition participants who read the weak communication rated the article more positively when it was attributed to the high credibility source than to the low credibility source.
Abstract: This study examines how need for cognition, source credibility, and communication strength influence perceptions of a print-media communication. Participants read a strong or weak communication about an evolutionary theory, presented as an article from the Washington Post (high credibility) or the National Enquirer (low credibility). Results revealed a significant Need for Cognition × Source × Communication Strength interaction. Low-need-for-cognition participants who read the weak communication rated the article more positively when it was attributed to the high-credibility source than to the low-credibility source. Source credibility did not affect impressions of the article and theory among participants high in need for cognition or reading the strong communication. However, articles from the Washington Post were rated as more believable, factual, accurate, and true than those from the National Enquirer.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of experiments were conducted to determine the willingness of children to lie in a realistic setting, compare judgments of credibility from both lay evaluations and Criterion-Based Content Analysis (CBCA), and examine the effects of expert testimony regarding statement validity assessment on mock jurors who were asked to make evaluations of the children's statements.
Abstract: A series of 4 experiments were conducted to (a) determine the willingness of children to lie in a realistic setting, (b) compare judgments of credibility from both lay evaluations and Criterion-Based Content Analysis (CBCA), and (c) examine the effects of expert testimony regarding Statement Validity Assessment on mock jurors who were asked to make evaluations of the children's statements. In Experiment 1, 81% of children who witnessed a research assistant steal a textbook made accusations against the thief (truthful), 69% of children who did not witness the theft accused the research assistant of the theft following prompting by significant others, and 56% of the children who witnessed a significant other steal the textbook incorrectly accused the research assistant following a request from their significant other. Using the statements obtained from the children in Experiment 1, Experiments 2 and 3 found that classification accuracy of lay evaluators was significantly poorer than expert application of CB...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the concepts of value and information in terms of management are examined and the consequences of customers' needs, as related to corporate and product credibility, are considered within this context.
Abstract: Examines the concepts of value and information in terms of management. Although changes in information technology are the major themes, changes in the marketplace and the challenges facing marketing are also discussed. Examines value‐based marketing and its usefulness to customers, as well as the consequences of customers’ needs, as related to corporate and product credibility. Organizational structure, and its relation to strategic direction, is considered within this context. Concludes that both the concept of the virtual corporation, and the switch in emphasis from marketplace to marketspace, have been advanced.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that some qualitative researchers may risk the credibility of nursing research by utilizing concepts from the margins of science, and students and researchers should be cautious in the uncritical acceptance of theories and 'research' which approach the boundaries of pseudoscience on the one hand, and 'hard' science on the other.
Abstract: In this paper I will examine the boundaries between positivism, interpretivism and pseudoscience, arguing that some qualitative researchers may risk the credibility of nursing research by utilizing concepts from the margins of science. There are two major threats to the perceived rigour and credibility of qualitative research in its many forms. First is a trend in some work towards a mystical view of both the methods and the content of the qualitative enterprise. This can be detected, I will argue, in the work of Rosemary Parse in particular. The second potentially damaging trend is almost its epistemological opposite, towards excessive reliance on precise procedures, strict definitions and verification exemplified by Juliet Corbin and others. I will suggest that this is nothing to fear, but something to be clear about. This is not social constructionism or interpretivism but a 'qualitative' version of positivism. The paper concludes that students and researchers should be cautious in the uncritical acceptance of theories and 'research' which approach the boundaries of pseudoscience on the one hand, and 'hard' science on the other.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the attitudes of 217 Chinese students to extended pairwork (same pair over a term) and peer assessment in eleven task-based ESP classes in a Hong Kong university were discussed in terms of the cultural values of Chinese learners.
Abstract: ESP classes in subjects such as business are popular in Asia, especially at the tertiary level. Collaborative groupwork and pairwork in these classes is used, not only to practice presented language, but also to facilitate peer feedback (which may include peer assessment) and critical thinking skills. However, many teachers believe that active participation and accurate, appropriate and meaningful feedback in Asian cultures is constrained by fear of mistakes, politeness norms, and the belief that peer feedback lacks credibility. This paper describes the attitudes of 217 Chinese students to extended pairwork (same pair over a term) and peer assessment in eleven task-based ESP business classes in a Hong Kong university. The patterns and perceived usefulness of peer interaction, feedback and peer evaluation are discussed in terms of the cultural values of Chinese learners. The findings suggest that peer feedback was generally perceived as useful and occurred often although about five percent of students did ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined how the impact of negative political advertising persists and even increases over time, using a true experimental design with attack and defensive message treatments, adult subjects were asked to report their vote and its certainty immediately after message exposure and in a delayed telephone callback.
Abstract: The sleeper effect phenomenon is examined to explain how the impact of negative political advertising persists —and even increases —over time. Using a true experimental design with attack and defensive message treatments, adult subjects were asked to report their vote and its certainty immediately after message exposure and in a delayed telephone callback. Results indicate that a defensive advertisement following the attack is initially effective; however, over the next few weeks, the impact of the attack ad increases substantially. Similarly, an initial perception that the assailant has low credibility has only a temporary suppressive impact on the effectiveness of the attack ad. Our documentation of both an order-driven and a credibility-driven sleeper effect poses strategic challenges for those candidates who are attacked. Further, these results offer theoretical insights into the determinants and the pervasiveness of the sleeper effect in political campaigns.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that the rank-and-file is generally more concerned with the ideological content of the platform than the leadership, who is motivated by the benefits from electoral office.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors found that the presence of a signal word and adding specific source information (telling who is giving the message) was found to increase credibility judgments and compliance intentions for alcohol, cigarette, and iron supplement warnings.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the conditions in which such strategies might be effective by reference to the Australian trade practices regime are examined. But, they argue that regulators will only use compliance strategies effectively when a community of compliance professionals with both professional integrity and commercial credibility exists to make compliance come alive in everyday corporate activities.
Abstract: Contemporary state governance relies increasingly on regulatory strategies encouraging self-regulation and compliance for corporate regulation. This paper examines the conditions in which such strategies might be effective by reference to the Australian trade practices regime. The paper argues that regulators will only use compliance strategies effectively when (i) a community of compliance professionals with both professional integrity and commercial ‘street’ credibility exists to make compliance come alive in everyday corporate activities, and (ii) regulators invest in meta-evaluation of compliance professionals’ activities.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that if it is suspected that temporary protection will be removed early should innovation occur before its terminal date, the protected firm invests less in R&D than it does under free trade.
Abstract: In recent trade policy debates it is often argued that temporary protection stimulates innovation. This paper shows that the validity of the argument depends on the perceived credibility of protection policy. If it is suspected that temporary protection will be removed early should innovation occur before its terminal date, the protected firm invests less in R&D than it does under free trade. If it is expected that protection will be extended should no innovation have occurred by its terminal date, investment falls below the free-trade level, and eventually to zero, as the terminal date is approached.