No abstract

The empirical effects of adherence to details of the Total Design Method approach to the design of mail surveys is discussed.

Senior secondary schools’ students in Botswana were studied to determine their awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities and their perceptions of consumer behaviour and consumer education. Recommendations will inform the refinement of consumer education teaching in Botswana as well as other secondary education programmes. A questionnaire suitable for this study was used to collect data. Responses from 3107 students were received. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to determine frequencies and central tendencies. Chi‐square tests were computed to examine relationships among variables by gender, class level, and school location. Two‐thirds of the students correctly identified consumer rights and responsibilities. Female students were more likely to identify consumer rights and responsibilities than males. Students agreed that they were informed on consumer issues and females were more likely to be informed than males. Topics identified to be taught in consumer education included consumer rights and responsibilities, purchasing decisions, advertising and others. The delivery methods identified were classes in school, workshops, radio and television programmes, and consumer youth clubs. Consumer education programmes were found to have an impact on adolescents because most of them were aware of consumer rights and responsibilities and acted as informed consumers on most consumer issues.

Group potency is one key determinant shown to positively influence the effectiveness and performance of groups and teams. This article presents research on potency of work groups in higher education and perceived organizational support as an antecedent. A total of 192 working professionals who were either holding or earning advanced degrees in human resource development, education, or consumer and family sciences completed questionnaires to determine the association of these two variables. The data were analyzed at the individual and group levels, and findings reveal there is a significant positive relationship between group potency and perceived organizational support.

Consumer rights are used as a framework comparing the patients’ rights of selected countries. Patients’ right documents of geographically dispersed countries, regional coalitions and international organizations were selected for analysis and comparison reflecting health and consumer policy. The content of patients’ rights policies, including populations addressed, basic consumer rights, dignity and privacy or confidentiality were analysed. The inclusion of consumer responsibilities and enforcement of patients’ rights was evaluated. Countries used comprehensive laws and charters to address patients’ rights. The consumer rights most often noted in the patients’ rights analysed were the rights to information, choice and redress. Five countries lacked inclusion of consumer responsibilities and the responsibility for enforcement. Suggestions for action on the part of family and consumer educators and scientists were offered.