Stories Tagged ‘Educated Guesses’ 
Look for Bump in State’s GDP, Employment in 2013
Alabama’s gross domestic product, the market value of goods and services produced and often considered an indicator of the state’s standard of living, should grow by about 1.5 to 2.0 percent in 2013, predicts a University of Alabama economist.
Self-Driving Cars to Take Off
Once in the realm of science fiction, cars able to drive themselves will become more prevalent as the first versions are introduced to consumers during 2013, says a University of Alabama engineering professor who worked to develop the technology.
Sporting-Event Attendance to Drop in 2013
A combination of factors will result in sporting-event attendance dropping in 2013, says Dr. Andrew Billings, a University of Alabama sports communication researcher.
Bad Economy to be Good for Your Diet in 2013
The bad economy may be good for your health in 2013, a University of Alabama nutrition expert predicts.
Retailers to Keep Storefronts, Sharpen Online Services
Consumers in the coming year can look for competitive retailers to look for ways to adjust their expensive storefront footage while sharpening online services, says Dr. Kristy Reynolds, the Bruno Professor of Marketing at The University of Alabama.
No Decreases for Pell Grant Funding
Don’t expect Pell Grant funding to decrease in 2013, a University of Alabama professor predicts.
Healthcare Reform to Bring ‘Five Stages of Grief’
The upcoming year will bring significant changes in health care, according to Dr. Marilyn Whitman, assistant professor and coordinator of the undergraduate healthcare management program at The University of Alabama.
International Intervention in Syria Unlikely; Iran to Simmer
The civil war in Syria between the government of President Bashar al-Assad and anti-Baath Party rebels likely will continue throughout 2013 with the international community looking on, a University of Alabama political scientist predicts.
Some Rural Hospitals to Choose between Merging Services, Closure
In 2013 and beyond, rural hospitals in Alabama will need to combine and coordinate their services – or some will close, a University of Alabama expert in rural and family medicine says.
Revenue to Prompt More States to Legalize Marijuana
Following votes to decriminalize marijuana in Washington and Colorado, more states in 2013 will begin to look at legalizing the drug, a University of Alabama criminal justice expert says.
Fiscal Cliff Won’t be All Bad
Fasten your seat belt, says Dr. Paul Drnevich, an associate professor of strategic management at The University of Alabama,“because we will likely go over the ‘fiscal cliff’ in some capacity in early 2013.”
Cycling Scandal to Reverberate throughout Sports
The scandal that rocked the cycling world could well make its way into other American sports in 2013, causing advertisers to think twice about whom they support, says Dr. Lance Kinney, associate professor of advertising and public relations at The University of Alabama.
Educated Guesses 2013
For the 32nd consecutive year, The University of Alabama’s Office of Media Relations offers predictions from faculty experts for the coming year.
Educated Guesses 2012
For the 31st consecutive year, The University of Alabama’s Office of Media Relations offers predictions from faculty experts for the coming year. While these “educated guesses” don’t always come true, our track record over the years has been good.
Obama to Battle, Beat Late-Entry Republican
President Obama is likely to win re-election in 2012, but his Republican opponent will not be one of the current candidates battling one another in the early primaries, a University of Alabama political scientist predicts.
Cuba May be State’s Next Big Customer
The Alabama business community needs to practice its Spanish, and that suggestion has nothing to do with the state’s controversial immigration law.
Online Doomsday Groups to Spike
Warnings about apocalyptic cataclysms in 2012 potentially will serve as a catalyst for Internet hysteria, a University of Alabama psychology professor predicts.
New App to Displace Craigslist, Professor Predicts
Dr. Craig E. Armstrong, assistant professor of management at The University of Alabama, says he expects someone to create, within the next year, an "app" that performs "Craigslist" functions for the exchange of goods and services.
Social Media to Serve as New Opinion Polls
Dr. Kristen Heflin says social media will give the public more access to political candidates than ever before – and that access will include the good, the bad and the ugly.
Has the ‘Occupy’ Movement Faded? Don’t Bet on It
The Occupy Movement will be heard from again and re-emerge on the political and economic landscape more determined and forceful than ever, a University of Alabama professor predicts.
Female Running Mate May Determine Election
Whereas many eyes were on presidential candidates in the final days of 2011, one University of Alabama professor believes the vice presidential race is the one to watch.
Stressful 2011 Could Make for a Depressed 2012
2011 was a turbulent one for the people of Alabama, and a University of Alabama nursing professor thinks many will feel the effects mentally during 2012.
Year of Natural Disaster to Bring Changes in 2012
2011 often felt like the 'Year of the Disaster,' and we can expect municipalities around the nation to look next year for ways to mitigate losses caused by natural disasters.
One of Least Productive Years in Congressional History Ahead
The 2012 congressional elections will see Republicans hold onto the U.S. House of Representatives and Democrats hold onto the Senate, a University of Alabama political scientist predicts.
Tablets, Other Mobile Devices to Become More Evident in Hospitals
iPads aren’t just on little Bobby and Susie’s list – medical workers also have an iPad or other tablet device at the top of their holiday gift-wish list.