Evaluating Family Group Conferencing: Towards a meaningful research methodology

There is discussion on the most appropriate research methodology to examine the efficacy of Family Group Conferencing (FGC). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), despite their pitfalls, are considered by many to be the ‘golden standard’, but the argument is not compelling. In this paper, the theory on programme evaluation is discussed which offers an alternative methodology to study FGC. It is argued that reaching a comprehensive image of truth in the social sciences is never within reach. A RCT is an abstraction of reality, it only provides a partial image of the complex reality of families and the impact that FGC has on safety issues and the quality of their lives. Moreover, the rigour of a study depends heavily on the researcher’s interpretative skills. In studying the efficacy of a complex intervention, such as FGC, it is a challenge to provide a valid and reliable picture of its impact. The context of such a conference, where the lifeworld of families constantly interacts with the system world of professionals, is characterised by multiplicity, polyvalence and interference. The methodology used to examine the efficacy of FGC should meet this ‘interplexitiy’.     

Homelessness in the child welfare system: A randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of housing subsidies on foster care placements and costs

Inadequate housing and homelessness among families represent a substantial challenge for child and adolescent well-being. Child welfare services confront housing that threatens placement into foster care with little resources and evidence to guide practice. The present study provides the first rigorous test of the Family Unification Program (FUP) – a federal program that offers housing subsidies for inadequately housed families under investigation for child maltreatment. A randomized controlled trial assesses program impact on foster care placement and costs.The experiment referred intact child welfare-involved families whose inadequate housing threatened foster placement in Chicago, IL to FUP plus housing advocacy (n = 89 families with 257 children) or housing advocacy alone (n = 89 families with 257 children). Families were referred from 2011 to 2013, and administrative data recorded dates and costs of foster placements over a 3-year follow-up. Intent-to-treat analyses suggested families randomly assigned for FUP exhibited slower increases in rates of foster placement following housing intervention compared with families referred for housing advocacy alone. The program generates average savings of nearly $500 per family per year to the foster care system. Housing subsidies provide the foster care system small but significant benefits for keeping homeless families together. Findings inform the design of a coordinated child welfare response to housing insecurity.     

建筑节能与管网水力平衡技术

解决采暖供热系统的水力平衡是提高供热品质的首要问题,目前可借助于平衡阀和专用智能仪表来实现.建筑物内部系统竖向失调则可通过设置带散热器温控阀的双管系统来解决.     

我国职业化足球异化问题浅析

根据"异化理论",对我国职业化足球的本身异化、对象异化、过程异化、关系异化进行了分析,从促进职业足球健康有序发展的角度,提出了控制职业足球异化现象的基本途径.     

网络试用模式下在线零售商的库存决策

以电商企业Warby Parker为例分析网络试用模式的运作特征,构建EOQ库存扩展模型,求得在线零售商的最优订货周期和最佳订购量的解析表达式,并分析了其最优订货周期和最佳订购量的性质。研究结果表明,网络试用模式下在线零售商应该在提升消费者实际购买率的同时合理控制产品的试用时间长度,并精简产品的库存种类,以提高销售量并降低库存成本。     

基于科学数据的合作网络研究——以ClinicalTrials.gov临床试验数据为例

[目的/意义]基于科学数据构建合作网络,并与传统出版物合作网络进行比较,从网络分析层面解读两个合作网络的差异,为科学数据管理工作提供借鉴。[方法/过程]以ClinicalTrials.gov网站的临床科学数据库为例,利用爬虫抓取该网站上传统论文题录信息以及临床试验信息的元数据并分别构建合作网络,通过复杂网络分析比较试验合作机构网络与论文合作机构网络之间的异同。[结果/结论]基于科学数据集和论文数据集的元数据构建的合作网络,与仅从论文数据集中提取元数据构建的网络相比,前者能够展现更丰富准确的合作信息,从而揭示科学数据管理和开放共享的重要性。     

船用短波发信天线输入阻抗远洋实船测试

本文通过概述海船发信天线输入阻抗远洋实船现场测试的研究方法和实船测试数据分析,确认提高海上远距离通信效果的途径之一是选择合适的天线程式。笔者还强调了海船天线的研究必须重视实船现场测试。     

男青少年自行车运动员1KM计时赛训练方法的探讨

作者通过对6名青少年自行车运动员2年的训练实践,根据1KM计时赛项目特点和青少年运动员的生长发育特点、围绕专项力量、速度耐力、柔韧协调能力和专项技术训练的方法进行探索,取得良好进展。青年运动员刘亚东经过2年训练获全国青年1公里冠军,成年比赛第3名,并打破200M俯冲全国纪录。     

艰难的司法现代化——20世纪20年代云南县司法公署开办考述

20世纪20年代,云南因财力、人才的匮乏,依照本土特点,改造了北京政府制定的县司法公署相关规定,用最少的投入构建独立的司法审判机构,以迎接法权考察团的考察.1925年,云南共计建立了12个县司法公署,大幅度增加了专业司法审判机构的数量,拓宽了基层审判管辖的覆盖面.尽管县司法公署简略组织状态并没能完全实施现代的诉讼程序,但其作为未来开办审判厅的基础,还是极大地推动了云南司法审判制度现代化的进程.     

明清公案小说案件审理的本土文化特征

明清公案小说对案件审理的描述,体现出鲜明的本土文化特征,符合通俗大众的审美需求,从其创作内容、价值观念和艺术品味等方面均有所反映。为后人探索传统意识与通俗小说审美接受的相互影响,提供了丰富的参考资料。