Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Persons engaged in primary research on sensitive topics are often required to obtain informed consent for these interviews. In some cases, IRB’s require written consent before a respondent may participate in a survey. Since most surveys are now conducted by telephone, the requirement for written consent poses significant problems for research.

The argument against written consent is threefold. First, the elements of informed consent can be incorporated into an oral consent, with respondent understanding and agreement documented by an interviewer. Second, the absence of written consent may not imply unwillingness to participate in a telephone survey. Third, any correlation between non-return of written consent forms and survey end points (e.g., morbidity and mortality, literacy, mobility, and salience of the topic) may produce serious bias in the written consenter sample. Unfortunately, there is very little quantitative data on the effects of written consent on participation and bias in telephone surveys. This paper draws upon the experience of two large-scale surveys on sensitive topics conducted among normal populations to address these issues.

The Survey of Sexual Assault on Active Duty U.S. Air Force Women involved a long telephone survey on sensitive topics (physical and sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other traumatic events) among a large sample (n=2018) of active duty women. A second telephone survey of “Subjects Experimentally Exposed to Anticholinestrase Agents” also involved a long, potentially sensitive interview among male veterans. Both surveys required advance mailing of informed consent statements. The first study did not permit contact if a signed consent form was not returned, except for a sub-sample to test for bias. The second study permitted contact efforts among non-returns, who did not refuse. The findings of the two study demonstrate that non-return does not imply refusal to participate, while it does introduce serious bias into the survey results.

Publication Type: Session Presentation
Abstract: Setting additional level distinctions in performance tests can be beneficial but may jeopardize reliability. This presentation provides a detailed description of the Standard Speaking Test (SST), developed by ACTFL and launched in Japan, which distinguishes five Intermediate sub-levels. A quantitative analysis and reliability study of SST are also offered.

Publication Type: Roundtable
Abstract: This roundtable will focus upon developing a course specifically designed for oral communication in criminal justice. For the most part, we rightfully stress written communication skills in our courses, while often neglecting the oral communication component. Discussion will include the vast opportunities available to professors who wish to incorporate oral communication into their classroom, including mock trials, occupational and investigative interview techniques, proper use of Power Point presentations, group and individual presentations, dealing with the media, to name a few. We hope to solicit your topic and evaluation suggestions.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Even after several decades of research on adolescent sexual activity, researchers and health professionals cannot specify the prevalence of different non-coital activities in the adolescent population or identify the factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of teens’ involvement in these activities. We use data from Cycle 6 of the National Survey of Family Growth to estimate the prevalence and identify the correlates of oral-genital contact among unmarried teens and young adults (15 to 21 year olds). We will use logistic regression to estimate sex-specific models of cunnilingus and fellatio. Predictors include virginity status, age, race/ethnicity, religion and religious adherence, and socio-economic characteristics. Our analyses include tests for statistical interactions in order to ascertain whether the observed associations are conditional on virginity status or race/ethnicity.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper contributes to research efforts exploring the impact of varied civic education approaches on students. A one-credit oral discourse course, designed as the intervention in a pre-experimental design, underscored the importance of collective political participation and attempted to strengthen the skills needed to engage in populist democratic politics. These included the communication skills of negotiation, compromise and persuasion. Findings from pre and post semester questionnaires indicate the course had limited effects on traditional measures of students’ internal and external political efficacy. Yet they also reveal improvements in assessments of social trust, the perceived effectiveness of collective political acts and the projected likelihood of participating in political activities.