APPLYING CASE STUDY METHODOLOGY TO CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATIONS

The child custody evaluation (CCE) can play a critical role in the resolution of custody disputes in the Family Court. There have been a number of significant methodological advances made in this field by various researchers over the past 20 years. It is timely that a scientifically‐based, integrative, methodological framework be developed within which existing methods might be situated. In this paper, case study methodology is proposed as an appropriate methodological framework for CCEs. The application of this methodology to CCEs is explicated with particular attention being paid to the methodological tasks of data collection and data interpretation. An orienting model is proposed to guide the collection of data, and strategies are described for applying population level research findings to individual cases in the form of risk and resilience models. Finally, coherence, analogy, and making methodology explicit are proposed as evaluation criteria for the CCE process and reports, and suggestions are made about outcome research.     

Incidental findings and future testing methodologies: potential application of the ACMG 2013 recommendations

Reactions to the first clinical recommendations for the return of incidental findings (IFs) from genomic sequencing published by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) were polarized and resolute. Exploring the three main points of controversy: mandatory testing, testing children for adult conditions, and selection of conditions to be reported on, illuminates concerns for and conservation of bioethical principles—specifically, autonomy and non-directiveness. With the historical context of genetic testing in mind, this article studies the potential application of the ACMG recommendations to embryonic testing in the form of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Theoretical extension of the current recommendations assists in the identification of bioethical dilemmas and possible societal impacts. The recommendations make a statement on the importance of diagnosis and intervention for specific genetic conditions, setting a precedent for disease classification and patient autonomy. In the extreme, the clinical application of such recommendations prenatally may result in discarded embryos, and less societal tolerance of specific conditions. Skilled professionals, such as genetic counselors, researchers, and lawmakers must work together to maintain patient autonomy, providing care in the best interest of each patient.     

Governance Disclosure on the Internet: The Case of Australian State Government Departments

This paper examines corporate governance disclosures on the websites of Australian state government departments. The study focuses on the nature and extent of governance information and the ease of finding this information directly on department websites and also in annual reports which are downloadable from websites. Our sample comprises six departments from each of the six states in Australia, giving a sample size of 36 departments. Our findings indicate considerable variability in both the level of disclosure and the accessibility of the information disclosed. The study also highlights a lack of consensus regarding the meaning of governance and what governance comprises, together with the need for a more structured approach to communicating governance information to stakeholders.     

Arenas without Rules and the Policy Change Process: Outsider Groups and British Roads Policy

A key task of governments is to construct and manage systems of consultation whereby the vast array of interest groups seeking to influence public policy can be accommodated. Conventional wisdom holds that key insider groups secure for themselves special privileges, not least of which is an ability to prevent radical policy change. A concomitant view is that public policy emerges from relatively stable networks of actors who have some mutual resource dependencies. One reason why this paradigm is showing signs of intellectual fatigue is that it seems weak in explaining policy change. Yet, policy change does take place. Indeed, it is one of the characteristics of the 1980s and 1990s. This article examines an example of the traditional modalities of consultation failing to accommodate new interests, knowledge and ideas. This breakdown appears to have occurred by the use of alternative policy 'arenas without rules' by outsider groups, leading to a radical new 'framing' of transport policy. Moreover, government has failed to constrain the new policy issues in predictable and stable systems of consultation.