Economics - Journal Articles
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Item Funding lotteries for research grant allocation: An extended taxonomy and evaluation of their fairness(Oxford University Press, 2024-08-17) Feliciani, Thomas; Luo, Junwen; Shankar, Kalpana; Science Foundation IrelandSome research funding organizations (funders) are experimenting with random allocation of funding (funding lotteries), whereby funding is awarded to a random subset of eligible applicants evaluated positively by review panels. There is no consensus on which allocation rule is fairer—traditional peer review or funding lotteries—partly because there exist different ways of implementing funding lotteries, and partly because different selection procedures satisfy different ideas of fairness (desiderata). Here we focus on two desiderata: that funding be allocated by ‘merit’ (epistemic correctness) versus following ethical considerations, for example without perpetuating biases (unbiased fairness) and without concentrating resources in the hands of a few (distributive fairness). We contribute to the debate first by differentiating among different existing lottery types in an extended taxonomy of selection procedures; and second, by evaluating (via Monte Carlo simulations) how these different selection procedures meet the different desiderata under different conditions. The extended taxonomy distinguishes “Types” of selection procedures by the role of randomness in guiding funding decisions, from null (traditional peer review), to minimal and extensive (various types of funding lotteries). Simulations show that low-randomness Types (e.g. ‘tie-breaking’ lotteries) do not differ meaningfully from traditional peer review in the way they prioritize epistemic correctness at the cost of lower unbiased and distributive fairness. Probably unbeknownst to funders, another common lottery Type (lotteries where some favorably-evaluated proposals bypass the lottery) displays marked variation in epistemic correctness and fairness depending on the specific bypass implementation. We discuss implications for funders who run funding lotteries or are considering doing so.Item Hurling referees as judges(The Irish Judicial Studies Journal, 2024) Considine, John; Eakins, JohnThere is a history of contrasting judges to sporting officials in legal jurisprudential writings. In drawing similarities between the roles during his confirmation hearings, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court John Roberts brought the comparison centre-stage when he used the analogy, ‘judges are like umpires’. The suitability of Roberts’s comparison was questioned by Richard Posner, who reversed the analogy and used it to distinguish between his categories of judicial decision-making. Posner employed empirical evidence from American legal, rather than sporting, arenas to classify American judges. This article seeks to add empirical evidence from the sporting side of the analogy. Using data from the sport of hurling, the article suggests that hurling referees are similar to Posner’s constrained pragmatists and that line officials in hurling might be closer to what Roberts had in mind.Item Do social resources moderate the negative association between financial hardship and life satisfaction in Ireland?(Economic and Social Review, 2024-03-25) Walsh, EdelFinancial hardship represents a significant stressor that can have detrimental consequences for individual well-being. Using a large sample from the European Social Survey (n=13,597), this study aims to confirm the negative association between financial hardship and life satisfaction for Ireland, and to test whether a set of personal social resources (social meetings, personal religiosity and political trust) moderate that negative association. The results confirm that financial hardship is negatively associated with life satisfaction. Social resources are directly associated with higher levels of life satisfaction. Meeting socially with others represents the largest effect on individual well-being and is significant in moderating the harmful effects of financial hardship for some individuals. Religiosity and political trust also have significant, positive associations with life satisfaction and are found to buffer against the harmful impact of financial hardship for some individuals. This study has important implications for understanding the correlates of subjective well-being in Ireland.Item Cork City, Ireland: A blueprint for transformation in second-tier urban centres(Elsevier Ltd., 2024-07-25) Ryan, Marie; Noonan, Lisa; Doyle, Eleanor; Linehan, DenisThis paper analyses Cork's trajectory towards a sustainable, innovative, and globally connected urban centre. On Ireland's south coast, Cork serves as an exemplar of how second-tier cities can undergo transformation and structural change, emerging as an exemplar of economic success. The paper explores the synergies between policymaking, labour markets, and transportation improvements, specifically in the pharmaceutical and IT sectors, noting their clustering and success in international markets. It explores challenges and opportunities presented by demographic shifts alongside an analysis of Cork's transport system, its port capabilities, and connectivity. The paper links to the UN SDGs and suggests strategies to promote sustainable growth and boost innovation. These enhance Cork's technological capacities, educational attainment, sustainable urban planning, and transport systems. It offers insights into urban development, focusing on place-based, future-oriented solutions and strategic directions for Cork. This study extends beyond Cork, offering a roadmap for other second-tier cities grappling with similar challenges and opportunities. It emphasises the need for comprehensive unified approaches to urban planning, aligning with global sustainability objectives, innovative standards, and best practices in city management. Cork not only pioneers its path towards resilience and innovation but also serves as a model for global second-tier cities, showcasing the growth and transformation potential of urban centres.Item Monitoring of atrial fibrillation in primary care patients prescribed direct oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention(Springer, 2020-01-03) Murphy, Aileen; Kirby, Ann; Bradley, ColinBackground: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely marketed as medicines that do not require routine laboratory monitoring. However, they do have complex pharmacological properties and side effects; hence prescribing and monitoring guidelines, such as the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) guidelines, have emerged. These advocate monitoring for renal and hepatic impairment; bleeding episodes; liver function; co-medication; circulation, and occurrence of side effects. Though 3 to 6 month follow-up is advocated, this is currently not routine, and its implementation creates a potential obligation for general practitioners (GPs) managing atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in the community. Aims: This study investigates the frequency, the type of follow-up, and the factors that influenced follow-up among Irish GPs, who prescribed DOACs to patients with AF, to prevent strokes in 2015. Methods: The frequency and type of follow-up care is estimated, and a count model regression analysis is applied to determine the GP and practice characteristics that are associated with the implementation of follow-up. Results: The EHRA guidelines most frequently followed were those pertaining to renal function (82%), bleeding episodes (71%), liver function (69%), circulation (54%), and side effects (55%). The regression analysis revealed that female GPs (P = 0.05) and GPs who follow all seven guidelines (P = 0.06) practice more frequent follow-up while those in training practices (P = 0.09) provide less frequent follow-up. Conclusions: Results show that there was incomplete adherence to the 2013 EHRA prescribing guidelines with only 24% adhering to all seven guidelines, and patient follow-up was less frequent than has been suggested.