The semi-automatic classification of an open-ended question on panel survey motivation and its application in attrition analysis.

In this study, we demonstrate how supervised learning can extract interpretable survey motivation measurements from a large number of responses to an open-ended question. We manually coded a subsample of 5,000 responses to an open-ended question on survey motivation from the GESIS Panel (25,000 responses in total); we utilized supervised machine learning to classify the remaining responses. We can demonstrate that the responses on survey motivation in the GESIS Panel are particularly well suited for automated classification, since they are mostly one-dimensional. The evaluation of the test set also indicates very good overall performance. We present the pre-processing steps and methods we used for our data, and by discussing other popular options that might be more suitable in other cases, we also generalize beyond our use case. We also discuss various minor problems, such as a necessary spelling correction. Finally, we can showcase the analytic potential of the resulting categorization of panelists' motivation through an event history analysis of panel dropout. The analytical results allow a close look at respondents' motivations: they span a wide range, from the urge to help to interest in questions or the incentive and the wish to influence those in power through their participation. We conclude our paper by discussing the re-usability of the hand-coded responses for other surveys, including similar open questions to the GESIS Panel question.

Attitudes towards refugees: Introducing a short three-dimensional scale.

Many researchers subscribe to the three-component conceptualization of attitudes, the idea that attitudes have cognitive, affective, and behavioural (intentional) components. Yet, these components are rarely considered simultaneously in scales, especially those measuring attitudes towards refugees. Moreover, it is debated how these components relate to one another. We present the development and validation of a six-item short-scale to measure attitudes towards refugees based on three surveys (Study 1: N = 330; Study 2a: N = 2,083; Study 2b: N = 2,174). We assessed the performance of this scale with respect to three rivalling attitude conceptualizations (one-factor, three-factor, and second-order factor model). We found that a three-factor or second-order factor conceptualization fitted best to the data. The scale had excellent psychometric properties. We hope that our work stimulates a wave of relevant research on attitudes towards refugees that applies this scale, and contributes to the debate on the conceptualization of attitudes in general.

Patient satisfaction with care in office-based oncology practices.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of patient surveys is to measure the quality of health care from the patient's point of view. They are recommended as a way to detect the strengths and weaknesses of patient care and to locate areas of potential improvement. METHODS: In the autumn of 2006, patients undergoing care in subspecialty oncology practices across Germany were given a questionnaire to be answered in writing. A total of 15 272 patients participated (response rate, 68.8%). The questionnaire addressed patient satisfaction with practice staff and organization as well as with the treating physicians themselves. RESULTS: The practices, their staffs, and the doctors were generally rated at least "good" in all aspects of patient care. Less highly rated aspects of practice organization, despite overall satisfaction, were waiting times and accessibility in emergencies. Appointment scheduling was considered good. Patients were particularly satisfied with the time their doctors devoted to them, but less satisfied with their advice about "alternative" treatments. The doctors involved them in the treatment process to differing extents and gave a variable degree of psychosocial care. CONCLUSION: The questionnaires documented high overall satisfaction with oncology practices with little variation among the individual items. There were a few specific areas that accounted for the differences between well and poorly rated practices and physicians; in these areas, there is a potential for improvement.