Moving on From Representativeness: Testing the Utility of the Global Drug Survey

Monica J Barratt, Jason A Ferris, Renee Zahnow, Joseph J Palamar, Larissa J Maier, Adam R Winstock.

Published on 30 Jun 2017.

A decline in response rates in traditional household surveys, combined with increased internet coverage and decreased research budgets, has resulted in increased attractiveness of web survey research designs based on purposive and voluntary opt-in sampling strategies. In the study of hidden or stigmatised behaviours, such as cannabis use, web survey methods are increasingly common. However, opt-in web surveys are often heavily criticised due to their lack of sampling frame and unknown representativeness. In this article, we outline the current state of the debate about the relevance of pursuing representativeness, the state of probability sampling methods, and the utility of non-probability, web survey methods especially for accessing hidden or minority populations. Our article has two aims: (1) to present a comprehensive description of the methodology we use at Global Drug Survey (GDS), an annual cross-sectional web survey and (2) to compare the age and sex distributions of cannabis users who voluntarily completed (a) a household survey or (b) a large web-based purposive survey (GDS), across three countries: Australia, the United States, and Switzerland. We find that within each set of country comparisons, the demographic distributions among recent cannabis users are broadly similar, demonstrating that the age and sex distributions of those who volunteer to be surveyed are not vastly different between these non-probability and probability methods. We conclude that opt-in web surveys of hard-to-reach populations are an efficient way of gaining in-depth understanding of stigmatised behaviours and are appropriate, as long as they are not used to estimate drug use prevalence of the general population.

Source: http://insights.sagepub.com/moving-on-from-representativeness-testing-the-utility-of-the-global-dr-article-a6438

Definition of TOEFL

The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL, is a test which measures people’s English language skills to see if they are good enough to take a course at university or graduate school in English-speaking countries. It is for people whose native language is not English. It measures how well a person uses listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks. This test is accepted by more than 7,500 colleges, universities, and agencies in more than 130 countries; which means it is the most widely recognized English test in the world.

The format of the TOEFL test has been changed three times. The first was the PBT (paper-based TOEFL test). It tests listening, reading and grammar skills with a perfect score being 677. Some centers where computers are not available still offer this format. The second format is the CBT (computer-based TOEFL test). People are each provided with a computer to take the test. A writing section was added as well as the three sections. The level of listening and grammar skills are automatically changed depending on a person’s English level. The third change is the iBT (Internet-based test) that is being brought in around the world which measures listening, speaking, reading and writing.

There are three procedures that people are following to take the test. First it is decided where and when you are going to take the test because the format of the test could be either iBT or CBT depending on location. People need to register 2–3 months in advance to get a place. Second is registration in person, online, by phone, or through email. Online registration is most common and payment will be required to complete the registration. The cost changes depending on what kind of exam is taken.

As more universities and colleges want a TOEFL more people are wanting to do the test. In Korea in 2010, nearly 115,000 people took the test to demonstrate their ability in English. This was 20% of the total for people doing the test. It is considered as one of the ways for middle or high school students to apply for the high ranked domestic universities. By studying at such an advanced level, it could help to improve their English skills to get high scores in other English exams.

Sumber: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOEFL

EXCERCISE III

I. Highlight and punctuate the appositives in the following sentences. Not all require punctuation.

6. Sweetbriar, a company known throughout the South, is considering a nationwide advertising campaign.

    Reason: This sentence has one appositive that comes after the subject and it is describing the subject

II. Highlight and punctuate the appositives in the following sentences. Not all require punctuation.

7. Six hundred people died in the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906, one of the nation’s worst disasters.

     Reason: This sentence has one appositive that comes after the subject and it is describing the subject

III. Write the best answer!

  5. The football players run five miles every day.

      Reason:  the reason why the answer is “run” not “runs” its because the subject in the sentence above is in a plural form. In the present tense, nouns and verbs form plurals in opposite ways: nouns add an s to the singular form; verbs remove the s from the singular form.

  10. The center on the basketball team bounces the ball too high.

      Reason: the reason why the answer is “bounces” not “bounce” its because the subject in the sentence above is in a singular form. In the present tense, nouns and verbs form plurals in opposite ways: nouns add an s to the singular form; verbs remove the s from the singular form.

EXCERCISES

EXCERCISES A
6. In the past a career in politics was not considered acceptable in some circles. ( C )
                           O                                    S                       P  
EXCERCISES B
1. Valentine's day, february 14, is a special holiday for sweethearts. ( C )
              S                      APP                  V