Michael Zimmer and Sarah Logan
Existing algorithms for predicting suicide risk rely solely on data from electronic health records, but such models could be improved through the incorporation of publicly…
Abstract
Purpose
Existing algorithms for predicting suicide risk rely solely on data from electronic health records, but such models could be improved through the incorporation of publicly available socioeconomic data – such as financial, legal, life event and sociodemographic data. The purpose of this study is to understand the complex ethical and privacy implications of incorporating sociodemographic data within the health context. This paper presents results from a survey exploring what the general public’s knowledge and concerns are about such publicly available data and the appropriateness of using it in suicide risk prediction algorithms.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was developed to measure public opinion about privacy concerns with using socioeconomic data across different contexts. This paper presented respondents with multiple vignettes that described scenarios situated in medical, private business and social media contexts, and asked participants to rate their level of concern over the context and what factor contributed most to their level of concern. Specific to suicide prediction, this paper presented respondents with various data attributes that could potentially be used in the context of a suicide risk algorithm and asked participants to rate how concerned they would be if each attribute was used for this purpose.
Findings
The authors found considerable concern across the various contexts represented in their vignettes, with greatest concern in vignettes that focused on the use of personal information within the medical context. Specific to the question of incorporating socioeconomic data within suicide risk prediction models, the results of this study show a clear concern from all participants in data attributes related to income, crime and court records, and assets. Data about one’s household were also particularly concerns for the respondents, suggesting that even if one might be comfortable with their own being used for risk modeling, data about other household members is more problematic.
Originality/value
Previous studies on the privacy concerns that arise when integrating data pertaining to various contexts of people’s lives into algorithmic and related computational models have approached these questions from individual contexts. This study differs in that it captured the variation in privacy concerns across multiple contexts. Also, this study specifically assessed the ethical concerns related to a suicide prediction model and determining people’s awareness of the publicness of select data attributes, as well as which of these data attributes generated the most concern in such a context. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to pursue this question.
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Michael Zimmer and Nicholas John Proferes
The purpose of this paper is to engage in a systematic analysis of academic research that relies on the collection and use of Twitter data, creating topology of Twitter research…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to engage in a systematic analysis of academic research that relies on the collection and use of Twitter data, creating topology of Twitter research that details the disciplines and methods of analysis, amount of tweets and users under analysis, the methods used to collect Twitter data, and accounts of ethical considerations related to these projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis of 382 academic publications from 2006 to 2012 that used Twitter as their primary platform for data collection and analysis.
Findings
The analysis of over 380 scholarly publications utilizing Twitter data reveals noteworthy trends related to the growth of Twitter-based research overall, the disciplines engaged in such research, the methods of acquiring Twitter data for analysis, and emerging ethical considerations of such research.
Research limitations/implications
The findings provide a benchmark analysis that must be updated with the continued growth of Twitter-based research.
Originality/value
The research is the first full-text systematic analysis of Twitter-based research projects, focussing on the growth in discipline and methods as well as its ethical implications. It is of value for the broader research community currently engaged in social media-based research, and will prompt reflexive evaluation of what research is occurring, how it is occurring, what is being done with Twitter data, and how researchers are addressing the ethics of Twitter-based research.
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Purpose — The purpose of this chapter is to give an overview of the context of Web search and search engine related research, as well as to introduce the reader to the sections…
Abstract
Purpose — The purpose of this chapter is to give an overview of the context of Web search and search engine related research, as well as to introduce the reader to the sections and chapters of the book.
Methodology/approach — We review literature dealing with various aspects of search engines, with special emphasis on emerging areas of Web searching, search engine evaluation going beyond traditional methods and new perspectives on Web searching.
Findings — The approaches to studying Web search engines are manifold. Given the importance of Web search engines for knowledge acquisition, research from different perspectives needs to be integrated into a more cohesive perspective.
Research limitations/implications — The chapter suggests a basis for research in the field and also introduces further research directions.
Originality/value of paper — The chapter gives a concise overview of the topics dealt within the book and also shows directions for researchers interested in Web search engines.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the SEC's Proposed Release 33‐8861 of November 21, 2007, “Enhanced disclosure and new prospectus delivery option for registered open‐end…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the SEC's Proposed Release 33‐8861 of November 21, 2007, “Enhanced disclosure and new prospectus delivery option for registered open‐end management investment companies.”
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides an overview of the proposed rule. It then discusses its impact on the industry, investors, and the environment; and how the summary prospectus could impact retirement plans. The paper answers some frequently asked questions; and provides an implementation timeline.
Findings
The paper finds that the SEC has proposed a rule for a shorter, simpler, standardized prospectus that would tell investors what they need to know within three to four pages and provide web access to more detailed information if desired. The stated goal is provide the average investor with clear, succinct information and also to standardize information to facilitate fund‐to‐fund comparisons. The summary prospectus also offers a significant opportunity to reduce publishing and mailing costs and may provide the mutual fund industry with the impetus to migrate from paper‐based to electronic disclosure.
Originality/value
The paper provides insight from a financial disclosure systems provider.
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Focuses on a simple question: should Zimmer develop a gender-specific artificial knee? The decision is complicated because while the idea seems to make sense, there is little…
Abstract
Focuses on a simple question: should Zimmer develop a gender-specific artificial knee? The decision is complicated because while the idea seems to make sense, there is little clinical evidence that a gender-specific knee produces superior patient outcomes, and orthopedic surgeons are likely to be skeptical of the innovation.
To teach new product strategy and growth strategy, and introduce students to the medical device industry.
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Helen Bishop, Michael Bradbury and Tony van Zijl
We assess the impact of NZ IAS 32 on the financial reporting of convertible financial instruments by retrospective application of the standard to a sample of New Zealand companies…
Abstract
We assess the impact of NZ IAS 32 on the financial reporting of convertible financial instruments by retrospective application of the standard to a sample of New Zealand companies over the period 1988 ‐ 2003. NZ IAS 32 has a broader definition of liabilities than does the corresponding current standard (FRS‐31) and it does not permit convertibles to be reported under headings that are intermediate to debt and equity. The results of the study indicate that in comparison with the reported financial position and performance, the reporting of convertibles in accordance with NZ IAS 32 would result in higher amounts for liabilities and higher interest. Thus, analysts using financial statement information to assess risk of financial distress will need to revise the critical values of commonly used measures of risk and performance when companies report under NZ IAS
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Sarah D. Lent and Lydia Gandy-Fastovich
The COVID-19 global health pandemic brought much of qualitative research to a halt causing researchers to pivot from initial research plans and reimagine the possibilities of…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 global health pandemic brought much of qualitative research to a halt causing researchers to pivot from initial research plans and reimagine the possibilities of their scholarship. Accordingly, we sought to understand how the abrupt pivot to virtual methodologies could influence qualitative research in this context and future contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
To explore how two concurrent studies were impacted, we conducted a Collaborative Retrospective Analysis (CRA). We share results from a secondary analysis of two individual studies conducted concurrently by the authors.
Findings
The paper puts forth lessons learned concerning redesigning qualitative studies, engagement with vulnerable populations and application for ethical considerations.
Originality/value
We advance qualitative research methods by conducting a CRA of two concurrent, but separate studies. We put forth implications for designing qualitative studies in a re-envisioned and increasingly hybrid world and we share collaborative practices gleaned throughout the research process.