Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: There has been much debate about the efficacy of online research methodologies, especially those that use recruited panels of respondents. Some studies have examined how results gathered from traditional RDD methods compare to those gathered from online panels. Others have compared the demographics of the online versus offline population. As Internet penetration has risen, those demographic differences have narrowed, although there are still substantial differences in educational status and income (Couper, 2000).

Even given the potential pitfalls with these non-probability samples, Internet research has been embraced by the business community because the web offers savings in time and money while also giving flexibility in language, video and graphics. There are dozens of online panels to choose from, and many offer omnibus options.

This paper will present the results from two identical surveys that were fielded on two different online omnibus surveys: one that used a more traditional omnibus schedule of a Friday-Monday field period and one that fielded overnight (from 5 p.m. to midnight) on a Wednesday.

This paper compares the results from the two surveys in terms of demographic and substantive (content) questions. The results from the overnight omnibus were expected to differ demographically from those from the omnibus with the longer field period. However, of the 11 demographic questions, only gender and age showed significant differences. More importantly, on the content questions no significant differences were found across the 15 measures, meaning that the business decisions or conclusions from each study were consistent. In addition, the data from the two surveys is compared with similar questions fielded by RDD methods from Gallup, CBS News and NBC News/Wall Street Journal. Again, differences between the Internet panel samples and the phone samples were small.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In March 2004, seven new states joined NATO. But what, exactly, did these new members sign up for? What kind of club have they joined? The old NATO of the Cold War found unity in the face of a common threat-Soviet Communist expansion and the military capability of the Warsaw Pact. After the Cold War, NATO identified a new threat-instability in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe-and set out to socialize this area into the Western-led security regime through a number of operations and programs, culminating in 1999 with Kosovo and NATO expansion. But this model depends on all actors in the community having an interest in keeping up the appearance of commitment to the shared value of peace and stability in a unified Europe. It relies on a shared language of threat. What happens when members start to adopt different languages of threat? Do they loose the common language that allowed the alliance to maintain its strength for over 50 years? This paper will look at how a security regime copes with a divergence in the language of threat among its members by examining the divisions within NATO between the US and its European Allies over the Iraq war. After articulating a theoretical approach to a security regime based on language, it investigates NATO's shift in identity and the corresponding shift in threat to the alliance.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: An analysis of data from dozens of developing countries previously not investigated reveals that regime type is a greater determinant of weekly hours worked than median income or inequality, the two causes touted most by work hours scholars.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the classical and unique relationship tensions marital partners of nonresidential stepfamilies experience. Grounded in relational dialectical theory, transcripts from interviews of five nonresidential stepfamily couples were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to search for and identify Autonomy-Connection and Openness-Closedness dialectical tensions experienced and coping strategies utilized by the participants. Relational dialectical tensions were illustrated in every interview. Tensions were present not only between the relationship partners, but also in regard to the nonresidential children. Participants utilized a variety of coping strategies to deal with the relationship tensions experienced in their marriage within a nonresidential stepfamily setting.