Predicting attitude from desirability and likelihood ratings of rhetorical propositions

This report focuses on two antecedent variables, dogmatism and need for social approval of the receivers. The study tested whether either antecedent variable would affect the relationship between message strategy and resistance to persuasion.     

Evaluation of the speech dialect attitudinal scale

Listener groups employed the Speech Dialect Attitudinal Scale (SDAS) to rate speakers in a variety of situations. These involved: (A) foreign accent, (B) regional dialect, (C) speech pathology, (D) broadcast news reporting, and (E) use of obscene language. Reliability of ratings was consistently high, with a median of .98. Evidence of construct validity was provided by the factor structures of SDAS item scores. Except in the case of the speech pathology experiment, the factor analyses yielded a remarkably consistent three‐factor structure: Socio‐Intellectual Status, Aesthetic Quality, and Dynamism. In each case, analyses of variance and covariance of SDAS scores discriminated among speakers differentiated by linguistic variation, further supporting the validity of SDAS data.     

探析河南话分区及特点

河南话属于北方方言,它与普通话有很大的一致性,同时又有一定的差异,相同的一面,普通话的21个声母、39个韵母、4个调类,河南话都有;不同的一面,部分地区保留有入声,有5个调类,而有的县又无上声,只有3个调类,即便是相同的声母、韵母,所辖的字也不尽相同,相同的调类,其调值也不相同。河南境内,各地说话又有一定的差别,根据分不分潦团膏,zh组（zh、ch、sh声母之合称）和z组（z、c、s声母之合称）、f和h、n和l的相混与否,有无入声等条件,河南话可分为五个区,各区语音有各自的特点。     

The effects of social status and social dialect on listener responses

The findings of this experimental study indicate that the response to the dialect speech of another is not unidimensional and that dialect is more likely a determinant of speaker ethos for middle social status persons than for high or low social status persons.     

Modeling the psychometric properties of information manipulation ratings

This paper provides a reanalysis of two large data sets (Jacobs, Dawson & Brashers, 1996a; McCornack, Levine, Solowczuk, Torres, & Campbell, 1992) involved in a recent dispute over the validity of Information Manipulation Theory (IMT) (McCornack, 1992; McCornack et al., 1992). McCornack, Levine, Morrison and Lapinski's (1996) results were consistent with a second‐order factor model predicted by IMT while Jacobs, Brashers and Dawson (1996b) found that the same data were first order multidimensional with quality and honesty ratings loading on the same factor. Because the results of exploratory factor algorithms, especially when coupled with varimax rotations, are suspect when second‐order unidimensionality present, the Jacob et al. (1996b) results are dubious, and published errors may exist. The reanalyses reported here demonstrate that the second order model predicted by IMT provides an excellent fit to the data, while the first order model advanced by Jacobs et al. does not. The curren t results provide further evidence that the use of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with varimax rotations produce erroneous results in the context of second‐order unidimensionality.     

论戴震《方言疏证》的学术价值与地位

汉代扬雄的《方言》是第一部记录汉语俗语的语言学著作,然而历代沉寂无闻。到了清代,戴震对之特别推崇,其《方言疏证》在语言学研究领域多有开辟,如“经字互求”、“因声求义”与“义例归纳”等诸多方法,引起了乾嘉及其后学者的普遍关注,由此掀起了俗语言的研究热潮。戴氏启人智慧的深沉之思,足以沾溉后学,影响至今。     

The indices of scientific productivity and ratings of domestic universities

This paper discusses the different worldwide ratings of universities, viz., the British, Shanghai, Taiwanese, and Russian ratings. The indices of scientific productivity and citation of the teaching staff (teaching staff) of universities, reflected in the Web of Science, Essential Science Indicators, Journal Citation Reports, or SCOPUS DBs, are noted to be an important component of these ratings. It is emphasized that the structure of domestic science significantly differs from the structure of science in other countries of the world, where science is carried out predominately at universities. The increasing necessity for domestic universities to be found in global ratings imposes a number of new tasks on the librarian and scientific-information service of teaching staffs.     

Form and variations in negative political advertising

Using a sample of 99 political advertisements from 1990 statewide and federal elections, a content analysis was employed to test whether negative political advertisements exhibited a normative style. Results indicated that negative political advertisements were remarkably similar in substance and style, indicating a normative advertising form. The authors suggest that negative advertisements are used more to “blunt” an opponent's chance of winning the election than to promote the sponsoring candidate's own images or characteristics with their constituency.     

Attitude and credibility in the prediction of attitude change: A regression approach

This study attempted to determine the amount of variance in attitude intensity that could be expected to be accounted for by prior attitude and credibility. Prior attitude intensity, importance, and involvement along wth source competence, sociability, composure, extroversion, and character were used as ‐predictors. Multiple regression analysis revealed that between 61 and 66 per cent of the variance in attitude intensity can be accounted for by five of these variance in attitude intensity can be accounted for by five of these predictors (except prior attitude involvement, source composure, source character). Some of the predictors appear to account for variance through curvilinear relationships to attitude change.     

调整档案人弱势心态的破解之道

任何事业的发展,都离不开一大批富有进取心的人去奋斗。档案事业亦是如此。但正如不少学者认为的那样,我国的许多档案人在谈到自己的社会境遇和地位时,往往都会流露出弱势心态。正是在这种弱势心态的束缚下,许多档案     

Competition,conduct, and ratings in local television news: Applying the industrial organization model

This study explores how competition and competition intensity affect the amount of time devoted to local television news and the number of employees assigned to news activities. It also studies how the amount of time devoted to news and staff size affect newscast ratings. The author concludes that competition and its intensity did affect the amount of news presented locally and newscast ratings in the market examined.     

Effects of celebrity-organization congruence on audience attitudes,preferences, and credibility ratings for goodwill ambassadors

This study examined the effects of congruence between an organization and its goodwill ambassador in terms of audience attitudes and preferences regarding the organization and the ambassador's own perceived credibility. The analysis showed that audience attitudes and preferences toward the organization and goodwill ambassador's credibility ratings were, generally, more positive with higher levels of celebrity-organization congruence. Comparison of the ambassador's perceived credibility before and after exposure to the campaign showed a significant decline for low congruence, and either no statistical difference or a negative effect for high congruence. The results suggest a need for both the organization and the potential ambassador to take into account the level of congruence, the former when considering the effect with the public from using a celebrity as an ambassador, and the latter when considering his or her personal image management. Theoretical and managerial implications as well as directions for future research are discussed.     

Design variations and evaluation of loanable technology web pages in academic library websites

Loanable technology is an emerging specialized collection in academic libraries. An effective collection depends on several moving parts, including funding; space; a collection management strategy; and information systems, including web pages, to support access to the collection. The current study surveys websites from institutions carrying the Carnegie classification of “Doctoral University: Very High Research” to determine the existence and design variations of loanable technology websites. The paper notes tendencies and exceptions in the designs and develops a general design framework to guide future design decisions. The results offer design options and recommendations based on variations of affordances; the scope and variety of the items in collections; and the use of images, catalog records, and supporting documents. A structural analysis of design variations can thus enhance the coherence, completeness, and overall effectiveness of loanable technology websites.     

The impact of interaction expectancies on the relationship between attitude dissimilarity and interpersonal attraction

This study examined factors that were predicted to be related to the effect that attitude dissimilarity has on interpersonal attraction in the first few minutes of an initial interaction. In this study, 114 participants engaged in dyadic interactions with same‐sex partners that varied in attitude similarity. Prior to and after interacting with one another, participants rated their partner's personal character and whether they believed that a future interaction would be a positive one. These data revealed that the perceived quality of future interactions significantly improved over time and character attributions partially improved. The global predictions made in this study were framed and supported as an expectancy violation explanation.     

Investigating variations in the provision of digital services in public libraries using network-based GIS models

Public libraries have been seen to have an important role in providing digital services to potentially excluded groups in order to help meet government targets regarding the delivery of digital services. Geographical information systems (GIS) have been used to investigate library service areas, to aid initial location decisions, and to model the implications of the opening and closure of library services. Recent studies have promoted the use of GIS-based techniques to investigate spatial variations in accessibility to public and private services in relation to socio-economic characteristics of population groups. One such technique, based on floating catchment area (FCA) approaches, has been primarily used to investigate potential inequalities in health services, access to employment and leisure opportunities, as well as planning public transport. In this study, FCA techniques are used to research variations in accessibility to public library facilities using bespoke application tools developed within a commercial GIS package. Drawing on a preliminary analysis of variations in accessibility to library services in a local authority area in south Wales, UK, a case study is presented whereby GIS-based models can be used to investigate spatial variations in digital services provision. As a result, provision gaps of such services can be identified. This study's findings help guide national government delivery programs to promote digital inclusion.     

The effects of source credibility and message information quantity on the attitude change of apathetics

The paper develops and tests a theoretical rationale for treating the attitude change of apathetic receivers as a function of their capacities to process the quantities of information contained in a message within an environmental constraint established via source credibility inductions.