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Now that people on mobile devices can easily choose their mode of communication (e.g., voice, text, video), survey designers can potentially allow respondents to answer questions in whatever mode they find momentarily convenient given their circumstances or that they chronically prefer. We conducted an experiment to explore how mode choice affects response quality, participation, and satisfaction in smartphone interviews. A total of 1,260 iPhone users were contacted on their iPhones by either a human or an automated interviewer via voice or SMS text. This created four modes: Human Voice, Human Text, Automated Voice, and Automated Text. In half of the initial contacts, respondents were required to choose their interview mode (which could be the contact mode); in the remaining half, the mode was simply assigned. Respondents who chose their interview modes provided more conscientious (fewer rounded and non-differentiated) answers, and they reported greater satisfaction with the interview. Although fewer respondents started the interview when given a choice of mode, a higher percentage of Mode Choice respondents who started the interview completed it. For certain mode transitions (e.g., from automated interview modes), there was no reduction in participation. The results demonstrate clear benefits and relatively few drawbacks resulting from mode choice, at least among these modes and with this sample of iPhone users, suggesting that further exploration of mode choice and the logistics of its implementation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the reforms proposed to reduce litigation in the U.S. It presents evidence which establishes the existence of a litigation explosion in the country. It also examines the proposal of fee shifting, the merits and consequences of statutorily-imposed caps on damages, the proposal of stricter limitations on the methods whereby lawyers solicit clients, and the legal principles restricting the nature and scope of permissible lawyer advertising.

The article focuses on the higher level of litigation explosion which consumes the productivity, profits and general effectiveness of industries in the U.S. It explores the reforms proposed by lawmakers and business leaders to reduce litigation and summarizes the evidences which establish the existence of litigation explosion. It evaluates the proposal of stricter limitations on the methods of litigation and reviews allegations that frivolous lawsuits impose burden on the legal system.

The article examines perceptions of intermodal shippers towards equipment types. Six characteristics of equipment in use have been discussed: cubic capacity; gross weight capacity; case of loading and unloading; protection of lading; cleanliness; and flexibility. Rail intermodal transportation has been a true success story for the U.S. railroads. An even greater success is the tremendous growth of the containerized segment. The growth of domestic containerization has come from the use of international containers. Once railroads and steamship lines began acquiring equipment to move the international ocean container traffic, the incentive was there to convince shippers to try containerization for domestic moves. The equipment has to be re-positioned at the ports to meet arriving vessels. Since the perceptions of the shipper-users of intermodal equipment are important to the resource acquisition process of railroads, a survey was designed to gather the data. Shipper perception of present intermodal equipment is mixed, but some general impressions can be assessed. Currently there is no single type of equipment that predominates for shipper favor. Although each has strong and weak characteristic perceptions, it appears that containers are gaining momentum in acceptance.