The impact of case characteristics on child abuse reporting decisions.

Drawing distinctions on the basis of at least some case characteristics in making reporting decisions makes considerable sense. Using data from a national survey of mandated reporters that included vignettes in which case and personal characteristics were systematically varied, this paper examines the impact of selected characteristics while controlling for others. The data reveal that respondents noticed and responded to case characteristics. Abuse-relevant judgments and reporting intentions varied, often substantially, as a function of case characteristics. Three case characteristics--previous abuse, severity of abuse, and recantation--were powerful predictors of vignette outcomes. A history of previous abuse led to judgments of greater seriousness, a more salutary impact of a report, and greater likelihood of reporting. More severe abuse was more likely to be labelled as abuse, and was more likely to be reported. When the alleged victim retracted her accusation upon questioning by an authority figure, respondents were significantly less likely to intend a report. Child age, perpetrator intent and family socioeconomic status also influenced abuse-relevant judgments and reporting intentions. Respondents were more likely to intend a report when younger children, lazy or angry perpetrators and children from poorer families were portrayed.     

Assessing the Utility of Item Response Models: Computerized Adaptive Testing

How has Item Response Theory helped solve problems in the development and use of computer-adaptive tests? Do we need to balance item content with computer-adaptive tests? Could we use IRT to evaluate unusual responses to computer-delivered tests?     

Henry Holt a-spinning in his grave: Literary agenting yesterday and today

The role of the literary agent and the reception granted agents by publishers have changed markedly over the course of the twentieth century. Henry Holt’s views of agents, written in the first decade of the century, help define the status and activities of agents at that time. These are compared with the role of agents today, using archival sources, the book trade literature, and interviews. Thomas L. Bonn, review editor of this journal, is a librarian, Library at State University College at Cortland. He is the author ofUnder Cover: An Illustrated History of American Mass Market Paperbacks andHeavy Traffic and High Culture: The New American Library as Literary Gatekeeper. He is working on a study of American literary agents.     

关于我国离婚法定条件的探讨——混合标准还是单一标准

关于离婚法定条件的探讨贯穿于我国婚姻法发展的整个过程。从1950年新中国第一部婚姻法到1980年婚姻法的重新制定,乃至2001年婚姻法的修订,都是一个探索的过程,但探索的结论并没有很大的突破,仍是将离婚法定条件定为感情或婚姻破裂的单一标准。出于完善我国婚姻立法中的法理基础的需要,笔者以为应在我国婚姻立法中确立混合标准的离婚法定条件。     

中国篮球竞技后备人才现状调查与培养对策

篮球后备人才梯队建设是我国竞技篮球赶超世界先进水平的捷径。在通过对我国篮球竞技后备人才的体能状况、基本技术等进行调查分析的基础上，在培养体制、体能训练及基本技术等方面提出我国篮球竞技后备人才培养的对策。