This article explores the potential of using a simple self-rating question to measure respondents’ perceived level of workplace stress in standard cross-sectional surveys. This aim is based on practical experience: while there is a range of theoretical-empirical approaches to measuring workplace stress, the design and size of the research instruments derived from them often exceed the limits for being included in a typical cross-sectional survey questionnaire. The potential of using a simple self-rating scale is evaluated in terms of the scale‘s statistical relationships with (a) subjective quality of working life measured with a standard work satisfaction question, (b) Subjective Quality of Working Life Index, and (c) a discrepancy index. The research results reveal some problems concerning context, validity and reliability in using simple self-rating scales for measuring complex phenomena such as workplace stress. Notwithstanding these limits, this study shows that a short subjective stress measure does yield satisfactory results and offers an interpretative potential.
The purpose of this article is to introduce multi-agent modelling as an area of research that has developed rapidly in sociology over the last fifteen years. This article starts by outlining some characteristics of multi-agent modelling and then covers the history of sociological component of complexity science. In the following part, the fundamental concepts used in multi-agent modelling such as model, agent, environment and emergence are defined. Thereafter, the article focuses on the application of multi-agent modelling in sociology and identifies specific areas where it might be used productively. An illustrative example of a multi-agent model called ‘Slumulation’ that explores how slums emerge in the city is described. Finally, the advantages and limits of this approach are summarized.
Giardiasis is a common gastrointestinal infection of humans and animals with a worldwide distribution. Eight genetic groups (known as assemblages A to H) are currently recognised within the species complex of Giardia duodenalis (Lambl, 1859), of which assemblages A and B are responsible for infection of humans and other mammalian hosts. Genotyping data on giardiasis are not available from Slovenia. In this work, we have characterised isolates of G. duodenalis from 85 human symptomatic cases collected during 2002-2013. Genomic DNAs were first tested by a real-time (rt) PCR assay and then by conventional PCR at three loci (beta-giardin, bg; triose phosphate isomerase, tpi; and glutamate dehydrogenase, gdh). We found that the threshold cycle (Ct) values in rt-PCR testing were higher for samples collected during 2002-2005 and that this was paralleled by a low amplification rate in conventional PCR (6 of 32, i.e. 19%). In contrast, lower Ct values and higher amplification rate (45 of 53; 85%) were observed for samples collected during 2006-2013, suggesting an adverse effect of prolonged freezing of stools. Assemblages A and B were found with an almost identical frequency in the 51 genotyped samples. In agreement with previous studies, sequences from assemblage B isolates were characterised by larger genetic variability and by the presence of heterogeneous positions, which made assignment to specific genotypes difficult. Less variability was observed in sequences from assemblage A isolates, which belonged to the human-specific subassemblage AII. These data showed that the genotypes of G. duodenalis that circulate in humans in Slovenia are similar to those previously identified in Europe., Barbara Šoba, Sabina Islamović, Miha Skvarč, Simone M. Cacciò., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This article focuses on narrative sources for the town histories which are part of the Manuscript collection of the National Museum in Prague. It refers to Early Modern Times historiographic works coming from the following towns: České Budějovice, Horní Blatná, Cheb, Jáchymov, Klatovy, Plzeň, Prachatice, Sedlčany, Vysoké Mýto, and Trutnov.
This article focuses on narrative sources for the town histories which are part of the Manuscript collection of the National Museum in Prague. It refers to Early Modern Times historiographic works coming from the following towns: České Budějovice, Horní Blatná, Cheb, Jáchymov, Klatovy, Plzeň, Prachatice, Sedlčany, Vysoké Mýto, and Trutnov.
Based on ISSP 2012 Family and Health, this paper focuses on informal caregiving for elderly, sick or disabled family members in the Czech Republic. Specifically, it investigates the socio-demographic characteristics of family caregivers. The findings show that the carers are more likely to be female of a productive age; and thus they often have to combine childcare, care for other family member and employment. Findings from this study also demonstrate that in case of women partnership status also influences care involvement. However, socioeconomic status measured by education does not have an effect on the provision of informal care because the institutional context in which private formal care is not widespread.
The use of significance tests in social sciences is widespread mainly due to simple computation via statistical packages. Unfortunately the more social scientists use statistical significance estimates for making causal inferences the less they appear to understand about this influential concept. Statistical modelling results are usually presented in terms of their statistical significance and little other information is provided. The goal of this article is to show the limits of using statistical significance as a sole means of making inferences; and to present alternative statistical fit indicators readily available within frequentist approach to statistics: confidence intervals, minimum sample size and power analysis. Multiple working hypotheses are also explored together with two well known information criteria – AIC and BIC. This article provides practical information on how to undertake valid and reliable statistical analyses of social science data.