How does question design regarding non-substantive response options affect survey outcomes? This research question, and specifically the effect of using non-substantive response options – the Don’t... Show moreHow does question design regarding non-substantive response options affect survey outcomes? This research question, and specifically the effect of using non-substantive response options – the Don’t Know option, filter question and follow-up question – on item nonresponse and the substantive overall distribution of opinions was examined by conducting three experiments with three Dutch internet panels (the LISS panel, the EenVandaag Opiniepanel and Team Vier’s internet panel). The effect of offering a non-substantive response option is that item nonresponse changes, but not the resulting picture of public opinion in terms of majorities or pluralities. The effect of a non-substantive response option for substantively different issues was expected to vary per the relation to a major political dimension (resulting in less item nonresponse) or to foreign policy issues (resulting in more nonresponse). The results were mixed; more research is needed to differentiate between question content. The follow-up question, which differentiates between permissive and directive opinions, resulted in about two-third of the respondents expressing a directive opinion, which was more than expected. The main recommendation is to start including the most basic non-substantive response option, the explicit Don’t Know option, as a response category for opinion questions. Show less
Deen, M.; Martinelli, D.; Pijpers, J.; Diener, H.C.; Silberstein, S.; Ferrari, M.D.; ... ; Yuan, H. 2019
In this article, contributions from scholars working in the field of visual communication and/or online communication are gathered whose scholarly work falls into the BRICS countries realm. The... Show moreIn this article, contributions from scholars working in the field of visual communication and/or online communication are gathered whose scholarly work falls into the BRICS countries realm. The interviews are framed by a brief sketch of the relevance of BRICS countries research in communication and media studies and some prospective comments on this novel field. The contributing scholars in this issue focus on China and Brazil in particular and work across the globe in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, PR China, the UK and Brazil. They shared their ideas on the subject even though their scholarly roots lie in fields as diverse as regional studies, political studies, communication and media studies and educational studies. Their thoughts were collected through email interviews and they are presented here in form of a cross-disciplinary dialogue on the issue of visual online communication in BRICS countries and the De-Westernization discourse. Gratefulness goes out to all the ones who have contributed and hopefully this project will have a say in many future dialogues between scholars from across the world. Show less
Steinbock, E.A.; Kessel, L. van; Minnaard, E. 2018
SUMOylation is a reversible lysine post-translational modification critical for eukaryotic life, and involved in many diseases such as cancer. This thesis describes five years of research into... Show moreSUMOylation is a reversible lysine post-translational modification critical for eukaryotic life, and involved in many diseases such as cancer. This thesis describes five years of research into SUMOylation using cutting edge high-resolution mass spectrometry, at the system-wide level and in an unbiased manner. Various novel and highly efficient methods for purifying SUMOylation from complex samples are described, and validated through mass spectrometry. Overall, we report an unprecedented number of SUMOylation sites, shed light on the dynamic nature of SUMOylation in response to various cellular treatments and stress conditions, and provide an unsurpassed level of depth through extensive bio-informatics analysis. Show less
The scope of the work described in this thesis is to examine whether potential transfusion related and clinical risk factors modulate the risk of alloimmunization in a general, previously not... Show moreThe scope of the work described in this thesis is to examine whether potential transfusion related and clinical risk factors modulate the risk of alloimmunization in a general, previously not transfused, non alloimmunized population of transfusion recipients. In these studies we emphasize the methodological aspects of observational research in clinical transfusion medicine Show less
The thesis is about artistic research – what it is, or what it could be. And it is about the place that artistic research could have in academia, within the whole of academic research. It is also... Show moreThe thesis is about artistic research – what it is, or what it could be. And it is about the place that artistic research could have in academia, within the whole of academic research. It is also about the ways we speak about such issues, and about how the things we say (in this study and elsewhere) cause the practices involved to manifest themselves in specific ways, while also setting them into motion. In this sense, the thesis not only explores the phenomenon of artistic research in relation to academia, but it also engages with that relationship. This performative dimension of the thesis is interwoven with its constative and interpretive dimensions. If the thesis succeeds in its aims, it will not only advance knowledge and understanding of artistic research, but it will further the development of this emerging field. Show less
The content of this thesis is of two sorts: in one part, three topics about the early origins of adult disease are addressed, preceded by three related methodological studies which form the other... Show moreThe content of this thesis is of two sorts: in one part, three topics about the early origins of adult disease are addressed, preceded by three related methodological studies which form the other part. The thesis starts with a systematic review of the literature about the growth of infants born preterm. Next, three specific methodological issues related to early origins of adult disease studies are addressed. A: the most favorable regression model for analyzing and interpreting the effect of both prenatal and subsequent postnatal growth on adult health outcomes. B: the efficiency of reliability studies in the context of a multi-centre study. And C: the correct and clear assessment of reliability in case of log transformed outcomes. These methods are used ind the second part, in which three topics about the effects of prenatal and early postnatal growth on adult health outcomes are addressed, namely: A the association between birth weight and adult renal function in non-premature subjects. B: The association between birth weight and the adult metabolic syndrome, and its separate components in the same population. And finally, C: the association between early growth and adult body composition in subjects born very preterm. Show less
Designers of computer programs have opinions on psychological issues. Humans are so flexible that they finally are able to work with computers they design. This thesis compares common design... Show moreDesigners of computer programs have opinions on psychological issues. Humans are so flexible that they finally are able to work with computers they design. This thesis compares common design practice with psychology based designs. Several simple tasks of passengers are analysed in depth: • Finding a station in a list of stations; • Noticing that a ticket vending machine is out of order; • Inserting a card for payment; • Finding a train on a trains indicator; • Finding a train on a destinations indicator. Misunderstandings and errors that passengers make using conventional information were observed and explained. Presentations that do not induce misunderstandings and errors are suggested and tested. The suggested unconventional designs induce fewer errors, require less time to understand the provided information, are cheaper and reduce travel time substantially. The knowledge obtained can also be used for time tables on paper, drink vending machines, sign posting, presentation of computer directories, computer menu’s and presentations for professionals such as drivers of high speed trains. Show less
