Hattiesburg American 11-25 - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Nov 25, 2004

Hattiesburg American 11-25

Date: Nov 25, 2004

Life insurance policies are legitimate and increasingly popular ways for healthy individuals in mid-life to make donations in support of "non-traditional, current leadership".

Date: Nov 25, 2004

Some other interesting quotes for this article:

"...The center moved from the Hattiesburg campus to the Gulf Park campus in June."

Does anyone here remember this?

"...When asked how the money would be donated - whether it would be cash or in stock - Malone said that was not for publication."

This is the interesting part. Apparently someone could set up a trust fund with $1,000 and stipulate that the thrust goes to USM when it reaches one million dollars. Then make the announcement for the PR benefit so the IHL Board will be impressed and extend a certain administrators contract. --- Or maybe not.

Date: Nov 25, 2004

Intriguing article. Kevin is still doin' that homework. Would love to see Mrs. Dr. Phillips' dissertation.

Date: Nov 25, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Chicken (Turkey today only) Soup Lady
"Intriguing article. Kevin is still doin' that homework. Would love to see Mrs. Dr. Phillips' dissertation."

Yes, Chicken...errr, Turkey Soup Lady. I believe that Kevin Walters may have become that investigative reporter that people were asking for on the old Fireshelby board.

Lately the Hattiesburg American has been doing a good job of asking informed questions. In the past the question as to whether the donation was in cash would not even have been reported, but today not receiving an answer to that question was reported.

Date: Nov 25, 2004

quote: T
Originally posted by: Commissions are good too!
"Life insurance policies are legitimate and increasingly popular ways for healthy individuals in mid-life to make donations . . . . . . . . . ."

Life insurance policies are indeed used for this purpose. I thought about that when I read this sentence above: "When asked how the money would be donated - whether it would be cash or in stock - Malone said that was not for publication." Maybe it was neither cash nor stock. The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, however, can usually be changed. Therefore, it is not necessarily a sure thing for the institution. I once named a school as beneficiary, but later changed it. I am now in the process of changing it yet a third time. (Insurance policies can be used as gifts by those other than "healthy individuals in mid-life" when one took out the policy at an earlier age, in good health, and at a relatively low premium). I don't know very much about how college development offices report gifts like that, and I wonder if they would or could include being named beneficiary of a $1.1 million life insurance policy among their assets? I personally don't think they should count it until they get "cash in hand." "Truth in packaging," you know. Or perhaps USM has become exempt from the "truth in packaging" philosophy.

Date: Nov 25, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Popcorn vendor
"Life insurance policies are indeed used for this purpose. I thought about that when I read this sentence above: "When asked how the money would be donated - whether it would be cash or in stock - Malone said that was not for publication." Maybe it was neither cash nor stock. The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, however, can usually be changed. Therefore, it is not necessarily a sure thing for the institution. I once named a school as beneficiary, but later changed it. I am now in the process of changing it yet a third time. (Insurance policies can be used as gifts by those other than "healthy individuals in mid-life" when one took out the policy at an earlier age, in good health, and at a relatively low premium). I don't know very much about how college development offices report gifts like that, and I wonder if they would or could include being named beneficiary of a $1.1 million life insurance policy among their assets? I personally don't think they should count it until they get "cash in hand." "Truth in packaging," you know. Or perhaps USM has become exempt from the "truth in packaging" philosophy."

Interesting post. I wish the general public could see this in a Letter to the Editor of the local paper. Then they would realize what it means when the PR department refuses to say if the "gift" was cash. People could then see if the university really has the assets available for use. If not, then the announcement of the “gift” was for PR purposes only.

Date: Nov 26, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Chicken (Turkey today only) Soup Lady
"Intriguing article. Kevin is still doin' that homework. Would love to see Mrs. Dr. Phillips' dissertation."

Training evaluation in the public sector
Phillips, Patricia Pulliam
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
2003
PAGES 215
ADVISER Gaudet, Cyndi

Abstract:
There is growing pressure on public sector organizations to show results of programs and processes including employer-sponsored training. Yet, there is only limited research describing the use of training evaluation models in public sector organizations. This research describes current training evaluation practices in US public sector organizations including federal, state, and local agencies. It offers a framework for training evaluation in public sector organizations and prescribes a set of solutions to overcome barriers currently preventing the implementation of comprehensive evaluation including return on investment (ROI). Survey research was employed to gather data on the use of training evaluation. The sample population was drawn from membership lists of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) and the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR). Data from the survey show that training evaluation in public sector organizations occurs primarily at Level 1 (reaction) and Level 2 (learning) using the Phillips five-level framework. However, progress is being made at Level 3 (application), Level 4 (impact), and Level 5 (ROI). Criteria for selecting programs to evaluate at Level 5 include the program's importance to strategic objectives, the linkage to operational goals and issues, and program cost. Criteria for selecting an ROI methodology require that the process be credible, simple, and appropriate for a variety of programs, as well as economical. Research findings are consistent with previous research conducted in healthcare and business and industry. They show there is slightly lower use of all levels of evaluation in the public sector than that in the private sector. Barriers to training evaluation include evaluation costs, lack of training or experience, and the organizational perspective that evaluation is not required. Recommendations for practice include incorporating utility measures into Level 1 evaluation, developing an evaluation policy, taking cost-savings approaches, participating in learning forums, building competencies in ROI, and using evaluation data. Recommendations for future research include a study on stakeholder perspective of training evaluation, drivers for ROI in the federal government, and replication of the public sector study in non-profit and academic sector as well as in the international realm.

Date: Nov 26, 2004

I'm not competent to comment on this abstract, but at least this wasn't one of those 60-page wonders I've heard about.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"I'm not competent to comment on this abstract, but at least this wasn't one of those 60-page wonders I've heard about."

There's also nothing "international" about it.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Popcorn vendor
"Life insurance policies are indeed used for this purpose. . . . The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, however, can usually be changed. . . . I don't know very much about how college development offices report gifts like that, and I wonder if they would or could include being named beneficiary of a $1.1 million life insurance policy among their assets? I personally don't think they should count it until they get "cash in hand." . . . "

If you were able to change the beneficiary on your policy, then you remained the owner; you had not made a completed gift. Only the owner has the right to change the beneficiary. The owner of the policy and the insured may or may not be the same person.

Perhaps the couple in question made the USM Foundation both beneficiary and owner of a paid up policy of life insurance with a 1.1 million dollar death benefit payable upon the death of the second to die of the husband and wife. Such a policy might have cost them well under $100,000, depending on the age and health of the two insured persons.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Curmudgeon
"There's also nothing "international" about it."

Survey research -- the most over-used methodology known to the social sciences. It is also usually the weakest. The easiest stats to work known to humankind.

Just a fat MHO, but survey research should really be regarded as a preliminary to designing a full-blown study.

I'll give ya'll an example of an expansion from the abstract cited above: Since there appears to be a "slightly lower" use of evaluation of training in the public section, how significant is that difference? Is the difference correlated with significant differences in other measures of organizational effectiveness? For that matter, what was the "truth level" among private sector respondents?

I'm just throwing this out for the academics on this board. How many "nothing but a survey" dissertations have you signed? How significant did you think the work was?

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Skepter of Capitalism
" Survey research -- the most over-used methodology known to the social sciences. It is also usually the weakest. The easiest stats to work known to humankind. Just a fat MHO, but survey research should really be regarded as a preliminary to designing a full-blown study. I'll give ya'll an example of an expansion from the abstract cited above: Since there appears to be a "slightly lower" use of evaluation of training in the public section, how significant is that difference? Is the difference correlated with significant differences in other measures of organizational effectiveness? For that matter, what was the "truth level" among private sector respondents? I'm just throwing this out for the academics on this board. How many "nothing but a survey" dissertations have you signed? How significant did you think the work was? "

For the most part you are right, Skepter of Capitalism. Experimental research is preferred to survey research when the research question lends itself to the experimental manipulation of relevant variables. Its really about the only way one can answer "cause-effect" questions. I have always been reluctant to direct a disseration using survey methodology exclusively. But remember: there are some legitimate disciplines where manipulation is not always practical - astronomy, for instance. About all they can do is measure and describe. Moreover, survey research normally occurs very early in the development of a discipline; experimental research normally occurs late in the development of a discipline. Perhaps the discipline of economic development has not reached the point where experimental research is feasible. LVN commented on the "number of pages" dimension. My observations (in my field at least) is that the quality and the length of a dissertation are inversely related: the stonger dissertations are generally the shorter ones (with exceptions, of course).

Date: Nov 27, 2004

Skepter of Capitalism, you do sound like the type of faculty member I would want to have on any dissertation I was directing! And you sound like the type of faculty member a weak student would want to keep off of their committee!

Date: Nov 27, 2004

I'm just throwing this out for the academics on this board. How many "nothing but a survey" dissertations have you signed? How significant did you think the work was?

In my field it happens but the survey methodology is a very weak route to take. Actually, I think I've refused to sign off on 4 of them in my career. They added nothing to the existing body of research. Didn't make a few people happy - might have created an enemy or two. Oh well.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: educator
"I'm just throwing this out for the academics on this board. How many "nothing but a survey" dissertations have you signed? How significant did you think the work was? In my field it happens but the survey methodology is a very weak route to take. Actually, I think I've refused to sign off on 4 of them in my career. They added nothing to the existing body of research. Didn't make a few people happy - might have created an enemy or two. Oh well."

educator, then you can serve as the "outside" member of my student's dissertation committee anyday! (Speaking of "outside" members, I've never quite understood why USM doesn't require that dissertation committees include a member from another department. The universities with which I am familiar do require that. It keeps the "in-house" committee on its toes).

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Commentary
"educator, then you can serve as the "outside" member of my student's dissertation committee anyday! (Speaking of "outside" members, I've never quite understood why USM doesn't require that dissertation committees include a member from another department. The universities with which I am familiar do require that. It keeps the "in-house" committee on its toes). "

My department (now defunct) required outside committee members. It was a good thing for me, too, because it meant that I had to present things in a slightly different fashion that had I just been "preaching to the choir."

And oh yeah, I had a survey in my dissertation, but one member of my committee was very adamant that the survey could only be an ancillary to the main methodology & that the project had to have a formal experimental design. In my case, it was a quasi-experimental design, which meant that I had to use an ungodly number of covariates. Again, it was a good thing: twenty years later, I am still proud of my dissertation research.

Someone commented that economic development might be "preparadigmatic" with respect to experimental research. I suspect that's true, but there are plenty of questions that a survey could spin-off. For that matter, a discipline that is preparadigmatic is hurting for methodology. That means there's plenty of room for dissertations that explore metrics, the dynamics of the field, etc.

This might be why so many here are so skeptical of economic development as a distinct discipline. If economic developmentationists succeed in carving out their own theoretical & methodological paradigm, then a lot of that skepticism will disappear. Until then, plenty of folks will wonder whether economic development is a legit discipline for a free-standing doctorate.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

Please correct me if I am wrong but the University of Southern Mississippi does not offer a doctorate in economic development. Rather, it offers a PhD in International Development.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Stickler for Details
"Please correct me if I am wrong but the University of Southern Mississippi does not offer a doctorate in economic development. Rather, it offers a PhD in International Development."

You are correct. My last set of comments stand correction. Just substitute "International Development" for "Economic Development" & everything I said about the discipline being preparadigmatic would still be valid, methinks.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Commentary
"For the most part you are right, Skepter of Capitalism. Experimental research is preferred to survey research when the research question lends itself to the experimental manipulation of relevant variables. Its really about the only way one can answer "cause-effect" questions. I have always been reluctant to direct a disseration using survey methodology exclusively. But remember: there are some legitimate disciplines where manipulation is not always practical - astronomy, for instance. About all they can do is measure and describe. Moreover, survey research normally occurs very early in the development of a discipline; experimental research normally occurs late in the development of a discipline. Perhaps the discipline of economic development has not reached the point where experimental research is feasible. LVN commented on the "number of pages" dimension. My observations (in my field at least) is that the quality and the length of a dissertation are inversely related: the stonger dissertations are generally the shorter ones (with exceptions, of course)."

Great comments. I have used experimental designs in most of my work (probably 80%), but some of my favorite pubs used non-experimental designs (paper and pencil measures-I prefer this term over survey research, which is often misapplied to paper-and-pencil studies using samples of convenience). Even in fields where manipulation can be done (such as mine), I don't see this as an either or issue. There are internal/external validity tradeoffs, questions about ecological validity and experimental realism and so forth (these are just fancy two-bit terms, actually). The bottom line is that lab (e.g., experimental) and field or naturalistic (non-experimental usually) studies provide (hopefully) complementary data to better understand a phenomenon. One study does not a valid conclusion make.

Also, folks often confuse statistical procedures (ANOVA v GLM) with design issues (actually, ANOVA is a specific case of GLM). In fact, it is possible to use experimental manipulation with what people think of as "survey data." For example, in the Phillips diss cited above, I could have altered expectancy set for two or more groups by the instructions included in the "survey." My final comment is that causality involves a much more complex series of events than temporal order and manipulation of an independent variable. Some of my colleagues would argue that evidence supporting causality can in some cases be derived from a well-designed non-experimental study examined with analysis of covariance structures statistical approaches.

Bottom line--don't judge a horse by the type of method used to lead it to water. I look at its mane and teeth and hooves before deciding to be on a committee. I've seen good and bad experimental and non-experimental studies, and both approaches can be equally good at providing meaningless information.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

All research is subjective. Everything can be manipulated. Some just can't be as easily manipulated as others. With my doctoral students, I want to see them engaged in their research - I want to see some enthusiasm for their area of research (that doesn't have to be mirrored reflection of mine btw). I have been on committees before where the committee members have completely changed the focus of the candidate's research to pay homage to their own. Aren't we looking for gaps, rather than merely replicating what's already been done with no new twists? Also, unless I have greatly contributed to the research in a capacity other than being the chair of the committee, I do not force my students to include my name on publications resulting from their dissertations. Am I opening up a can of worms?????

In my former dept. at USM - I'd certainly be doing that.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: educator
"Everything can be manipulated.

But with some types of research involving human participants, the desired manipulation - even when possible -might be unethical (thus precluding manipulation). In these instances one would have to rely on survey (descriptive) rather than manipulative (experimental) methods.

I do not force my students to include my name on publications resulting from their dissertations.

I suppose authorship practices vary by discipline, but in our discipline the student should always be 1st author on a publication resulting from the dissertation. Whether or not anyone else is on the paper as co-author depends on the extent of the co-authors' contributions to the research. In all instances, however, it is the student who is lst author of a resulting publication. No exceptions, largely because of the premise that a doctoral dissertation is a piece of independent research.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

I totally agree with you Commentary. Yes, manipulation can be bad - we see it coming out of USM's PR office on an almost daily basis. The data is/are severely manipulated on most occasions. I'm happy to see one HA reporter appear to be unfazed by the torrential spin whirling out of the PR Dept.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

In my former dept., it was encouraged that we get our names put on any research our students did as a result of their research conducted as a requisite for our classes, or their dissertations. Before everyone cries FOUL with me, please remember that I am not a troll nor am I trying to stir up trouble. I'm merely stating what I could prove in a court of law.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

Educator has a valid point. It is happening on campus.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: educator
"In my former dept., it was encouraged that we get our names put on any research our students did as a result of their research conducted as a requisite for our classes, or their dissertations. Before everyone cries FOUL with me, please remember that I am not a troll . . ."

No, you are not a troll, educator, has been evident from your numerous previous postings. I view the practice you describe (above) as outrageous and an abomination to the academy. Jumping Fast suggests that its happening on campus now. If that's true, USM has a problem even larger than the IHL.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Commentary
"No, you are not a troll, educator, has been evident from your numerous previous postings. I view the practice you describe (above) as outrageous and an abomination to the academy. Jumping Fast suggests that its happening on campus now. If that's true, USM has a problem even larger than the IHL."

Your take on publication authorship indicates that you are familair with APA ethcis code. I have heard of one person who seemingly wants her/his name on pubs without making a substantial contribution (e.g., a minor class project), but people who do this are few and far between (it is not an epidemic at USM). This has been a topic on a long ago thread. My promise was that if evidence of this crossed my desk, I would whip them appropriately. Still haven't seen it (though I don't doubt there is a sleaze or two doing this).

Date: Nov 27, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Clinical Science Experimenter
"Still haven't seen it (though I don't doubt there is a sleaze or two doing this)."

I never witnessed it either. I trust that anyone demonstratively found to be padding their resume like that would have been sent packing when tenure/promotion time came around.

Date: Nov 27, 2004

I will get the muzzle soon. Padding has happened and continues to happen at this university as well as other universities who haven't found a way to ethically combat it. There will be a day in court where all of this discussion will be put into focus. Frankly, if the attorneys representing USM choose to jump on this particular topic - I'll let them have it -- since it will expose them once again. Eavesdrop as much as you want - my army will be greater than yours on the day of judgement.

educator

Date: Nov 27, 2004

A colleague I know has SFT’s name on a publication (or two) along with a graduate student. When this colleague was asked if he collaborated with SFT on the research, the answer was that he collaborated with SFT's graduate student. Apparently, since the student worked in SFT’s lab, all pubs of the student’s work must carry his name. When the colleague was asked if SFT wrote any of the paper, they didn’t answer, but body language indicated that he wrote none it.

In defense of SFT, I must point out that I have heard of this occurring in large engineering groups. A researcher obtains a large grant, has many projects working under the grant and, in return, gets their name on all publications resulting from the research.

From discussions on this thread, I wonder, is the above considered ethically questionable?