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Saggi, Karan. "Evaluation of Approaches and Methods for Establishing a Good Safety Culture." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for industriell økonomi og teknologiledelse, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-16755.
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The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate different approaches and methods used in the oil industry, based on theory, research and industrial experience. An evaluation of three oil companies’ safety culture approaches were therefore conducted; BP Norway, Conoco Phillips Norway and Wintershall Norway, in order to suggest an approach suited for establishing a “good” safety culture according to the Norwegian Framework Regulation §15. The Norwegian petroleum safety authority, Industri Energi (ABClub at BP Norway) and Samarbeid for Sikkerhet were also used to crosscheck the different organizations for similarities and differences to their safety culture approaches and methods, bringing in several aspects of the Norwegian oil industry.The evaluation was mainly based on Hale’s (2000) eight elements, which were used as rationale for a “good” safety culture, according to the Norwegian Framework Regulation § 15. The evaluation was carried out by seven in-depth interviews from the six organizations, with employees in or close to management in order to target the views from the upper management.The results show that the oil companies have implemented many decent measures to establish a “good” safety culture, but still face some challenges to get the desired effect. The different safety culture approaches have managed to address many elements regarded as essential for establishing a “good” safety culture, however, to a various extent. For instance, the results confirm that the culture approach and the behavioural based safety (BBS) approach are better in some areas compared to others, each having their advantages. While the safety culture approach more easily create trust and a common starting point in the organization, the BBS approach is better with regards to involving their employees. Both approaches have, though, demonstrated that with several tools in place the creative mistrust is easily created, regardless of the path chosen. Finally, the results show that both approaches can give lasting changes to the safety culture, however, the culture approach has a better starting point as it provides a more extensive scope. Other research on safety culture has also confirmed this, and further highlights the importance of BBS elements, as it ultimately can pose an effect on the culture.Regarding the desired effect, the assignment also demonstrates that implementation of a safety culture approach alone is not enough to get a desired effect, as many additional success factors also creates challenges, e.g. that successful implementation needs strong commitment from management, as this will positively encourage the employees to follow. Moreover, the result also confirmed that only observing statistical aberrance on safety performance gave no guarantee of a safety culture change. The reason for this is because safety culture is by meaning hard to detect, and it is therefore important to work qualitatively, e.g. by management observation and communication with employees.To conclude, the thesis has shown that it is possible to establish a “good” safety culture using a safety culture approach with various methods, in order to create a lasting change. However, the fact that the companies see their approach as the most preferable creates challenges in the practical life, in relation to implementation of a common approach for the Norwegian oil industry.
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Oucif, Kadday. "Evaluation of web scraping methods : Different automation approaches regarding web scraping using desktop tools." Thesis, KTH, Data- och elektroteknik, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-188418.
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A lot of information can be found and extracted from the semantic web in different forms through web scraping, with many techniques emerging throughout time. This thesis is written with the objective to evaluate different web scraping methods in order to develop an automated, performance reliable, easy implemented and solid extraction process. A number of parameters are set to better evaluate and compare consisting techniques. A matrix of desktop tools are examined and two were chosen for evaluation. The evaluation also includes the learning of setting up the scraping process with so called agents. A number of links gets scraped by using the presented techniques with and without executing JavaScript from the web sources. Prototypes with the chosen techniques are presented with Content Grabber as a final solution. The result is a better understanding around the subject along with a cost-effective extraction process consisting of different techniques and methods, where a good understanding around the web sources structure facilitates the data collection. To sum it all up, the result is discussed and presented with regard to chosen parameters.En hel del information kan bli funnen och extraherad i olika format från den semantiska webben med hjälp av webbskrapning, med många tekniker som uppkommit med tiden. Den här rapporten är skriven med målet att utvärdera olika webbskrapnings metoder för att i sin tur utveckla en automatiserad, prestandasäker, enkelt implementerad och solid extraheringsprocess. Ett antal parametrar är definierade för att utvärdera och jämföra befintliga webbskrapningstekniker. En matris av skrivbords verktyg är utforskade och två är valda för utvärdering. Utvärderingen inkluderar också tillvägagångssättet till att lära sig sätta upp olika webbskrapnings processer med så kallade agenter. Ett nummer av länkar blir skrapade efter data med och utan exekvering av JavaScript från webbsidorna. Prototyper med de utvalda teknikerna testas och presenteras med webbskrapningsverktyget Content Grabber som slutlig lösning. Resultatet utav det hela är en bättre förståelse kring ämnet samt en prisvärd extraheringsprocess bestående utav blandade tekniker och metoder, där en god vetskap kring webbsidornas uppbyggnad underlättar datainsamlingen. Sammanfattningsvis presenteras och diskuteras resultatet med hänsyn till valda parametrar.
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Ramos, Perez Carlos. "Designing a behavioural additionality evaluation methodology for the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Scheme employing case-based methods and theory-based evaluation approaches." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/designing-a-behavioural-additionality-evaluation-methodology-for-the-knowledge-transfer-partnerships-scheme-employing-casebased-methods-and-theorybased-evaluation-approaches(fab6e37e-1ee7-42e4-9843-ec6908a80697).html.
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After 20 years of development, the concept of behavioural additionality (Buisseret, Cameron and Georghiou, 1995) has achieved important conceptual progress. However, when facing the task of identifying and evaluating the behavioural additionality effect produced by innovation and collaboration policies, three important issues remain: conceptual disagreement, the ‘black-box’ and project fallacy problems, and the need to select a unit of analysis compatible with a holistic perspective on innovation and which does not constrain the type of effects to pre-conditioned behaviours. Motivated by these challenges, this thesis proposes an alternative methodology for evaluating the behavioural additionality dimension of a government-supported policy instrument designed to stimulate and promote collaboration between firms and universities. Thus, in an attempt to close the gap, the thesis explores and merges two complementary frameworks or perspectives: the Case-Based Method (CBM) and the Theory-Based Evaluation (TBE) approach in addition to prior evidence within the evaluation practice of the behavioural additionality effect. The combination of these frameworks results in the proposed methodology, an iterative, three-step evaluation model, where CBM finds its utility as the tool to scope and select the programme focus of analysis, providing an in-depth exploration of the behavioural characteristics of the policy beneficiaries, and TBE helps to develop a programme theory which helps to map the logic of the intervention. In addition to the use of these approaches, another novelty of the approach lies in its incorporation of organisational routines as the unit of analysis (Gök, 2010) and contribution analysis (Mayne, 2012) to attribute policy effects. The methodology is then tested and validated by applying it to six companies (cases) who participated in the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Scheme, a government-supported policy instrument designed to stimulate and promote collaboration by pairing companies with Higher Education Institutions, which has an extensive track record in the UK. The programme was selected due to its potential for stimulating changes in behaviour. The findings of the case studies provide evidence of modifications in behaviours, either by changing the decision-making process that governs the innovation strategy, or by managing to develop new technological components. This research demonstrates the way in which the CBM and the TBE approaches can each be used as a potential research design for evaluating the behavioural additionality effect. Merging these perspectives produces a systematic approach for understanding organisational behavioural change, leading to an improved decision-making process in designing innovation and collaboration instruments that enact the desired influence upon organisational behaviours.
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Nyberg, Peter. "Evaluation of two Methods for Identifiability Testing." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Electrical Engineering, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-51293.
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This thesis concerns the identifiability issue; which, if any, parameters can be deduced from the input and output behavior of a model? The two types of identifiability concepts, a priori and practical, will be addressed and explained. Two methods for identifiability testing are evaluated and the result shows that the two methods work well if they are combined. The first method is for a priori identifiability analysis and it can determine the a priori identifiability of a system in polynomial time. The result from the method is probabilistic with a high probability of correct answer. The other method takes the simulation approach to determine whether the model is practically identifiable. Non-identifiable parameters manifest themselves as a functional relationship between the parameters and the method uses transformations of the parameter estimates to conclude if the parameters are linked. The two methods are verified on models with known identifiability properties and then tested on some examples from systems biology. Although the output from one of the methods is cumbersome to interpret, the results show that the number of parameters that can be determined in practice (practical identifiability) are far fewer than the ones that can be determined in theory (a priori identifiability). The reason for this is the lack of quality, noise and lack of excitation, of the measurements.
Fokus i denna rapport är på identifierbarhetsproblemet. Vilka parametrar kan unikt bestämmas från en modell? Det existerar två typer av identifierbarhetsbegrepp, a priori och praktisk identifierbarhet, som kommer att förklaras. Två metoder för identifierbarhetstestning är utvärderade och resultaten visar på att de två metoderna fungerar bra om de kombineras med varandra. Den första metoden är för a priori identifierbarhetsanalys och den kan avgöra identifierbarheten för ett system i polynomiell tid. Resultaten från metoden är slumpmässigt med hög sannolikhet för ett korrekt svar. Den andra metoden använder sig av simuleringar för att avgöra om modellen är praktiskt identifierbar. Icke-identifierbara parametrar yttrar sig som funktionella kopplingar mellan parametrar och metoden använder sig av transformationer av parameterskattningarna för att avgöra om parametrarna är kopplade. De två metoderna är verifierade på modeller där identifierbarheten är känd och är därefter testade på några exempel från systembiologi. Trots att resultaten från den ena metoden är besvärliga att tolka visar resultaten på att antalet parametrar som går att bestämma i verkligheten (praktiskt identifierbara) är betydligt färre än de parametrar som kan bestämmas i teorin (a priori identifierbara). Anledningen beror på brist på kvalitet, både brus och brist på excitation, i mätningarna.
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Chui, Wai-ngor, and 崔惠娥. "An evaluation of the effectiveness of the new teaching methods and learning approaches for "history of Chinese culture andarts"." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2000. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31961575.
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Khademhosseinieh, Banafsheh. "Towards an Approach for Efficiency Evaluation of Enterprise Modeling Methods." Licentiate thesis, Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för datavetenskap, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-89883.
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Nowadays, there is a belief that organizations should keep improving different aspects of theirenterprise to remain competitive in their business segment. For this purpose, it is required to understand the current state of the enterprise, analyze and evaluate it to be able to figure out suitable change measures. To perform such a process in a systematic and structured way, receiving support from powerful tools is inevitable. Enterprise Modeling is a field that can support improvement processes by developing models to show different aspects of an enterprise. An Enterprise Modeling Method is an important support for the Enterprise Modeling. A method is comprised of different conceptual parts: Perspective, Framework, Method Component (which itself contains Procedure, Notation and Concepts), and Cooperation Principles. In an ideal modeling process, both the process and the results are of high quality. One dimension of quality which is in focus in this thesis is efficiency. The issue of efficiency evaluation in Enterprise Modeling still seems to be a rather unexploited research area. The thesis investigates three aspects of Enterprise Modeling Methods: what is the meaning of efficiency in this context, how can efficiency be evaluated and in what phases of a modeling process could efficiency be evaluated. The contribution of the thesis is an approach for evaluation of efficiency in Enterprise Modeling Methods based also on several case studies. The evaluation approach is constituted by efficiency criteria that should be met by (different parts of) a method. While a subset of these criteria always need to be fulfilled in a congruent way, fulfillment of the rest of the criteria depends on the application case. To help the user in initial evaluation of a method, a structure of driving questions is presented.
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Morrow, April Louise. "Understanding implementation success: an in-depth, mixed-methods process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial testing approaches to improve detection of Lynch syndrome." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/25960.
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Implementing evidence-based practices within complex health systems is an ongoing challenge. In multisite implementation trials, success is often variable. Process evaluations are crucial in understanding factors affecting trial outcomes.
Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer predisposition conferring a high risk of colorectal and other cancers, and is underdiagnosed due to poor genetic referral practices. Implementation science methods may enhance efforts to improve Lynch syndrome referral, whilst producing knowledge transferrable to other contexts.
The Hide and Seek Project (HaSP) is a randomised controlled trial testing two approaches –distinguished only by the use of behaviour change theory – aimed at improving Lynch syndrome referral at seven Australian hospitals. A mixed-methods, theory-driven process evaluation was conducted to examine contextual moderators, identify mechanisms of action, assess implementation outcomes (including costs) and explore the role of theory. Data sources included interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and project logs. Results were analysed and triangulated, guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
A systematic review of the literature identified that genetic referral interventions are rarely informed by implementation science, nor accompanied by process evaluations. Findings from the HaSP process evaluation to date have demonstrated that explicit use of theory yielded a broader range of barriers and intervention strategies, enhanced behavioural specificity, and provided a useful structure to guide intervention design. CFIR-guided analysis highlighted contextual moderators likely to impact effectiveness (e.g., culture, implementation climate, tension for change). Logic models provided explicit representation of the conceptual relationships between multiple variables, and the causal mechanisms by which interventions produce their effects.
Whilst clinical outcomes are yet to be assessed, potential precursors for implementation success have been identified at a number of sites. Overall, findings highlight the value of process evaluations in understanding causal pathways and conditions necessary for success.
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GIUDICE, ELENA. "La valutazione dei family group decision making models: metavalutazione e sintesi degli approcci. Verso un metodo di valutazione appropriato." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10281/35021.
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Il soggetto di questo lavoro è l’appropriatezza degli approcci e dei metodi di valutazione per lo studio di un evaluando specifico, ossia i Family Group Decision Making Models utilizzati principalmente nell’ambito del lavoro sociale con le famiglie e i minorenni (Hudson et al., 1996; Marsh & Crow, 1998; Lupton & Nixon, 1999).
Al fine di raggiungere questa finalità, la ricerca combina due strumenti realizzati ‘su misura’ per questo studio, la metavalutazione delle ricerche internazionali e la sintesi degli approcci.
Lo studio prende infatti spunto dall’invito di Smith (2010, p.5) a ‘considerare i risultati di tutte le ricerche non solo di quelle sperimentali’ e quindi non si limita a prendere in considerazione valutazioni di stampo positivista, ma è ‘inclusiva’ nel senso che accoglie le diverse visioni ontologiche presenti nel panorama valutativo internazionale.
L’analisi metavalutativa (Scriven, 1969; Stafflebeam, 2001) si concentra sulla disamina trasversale, approfondita e critica dei disegni di valutazione delle ricerche internazionali utilizzate per studiare i modelli FGDM; mentre la sintesi degli approcci si focalizza su cosa gli approcci, appunto sanno dire in merito all'oggetto di valutazione e alle dimensioni valutative dell’implementazione, del processo e dell’efficacia.
La sintesi risponde quindi alla domanda: cosa sono in grado di mettere in luce e cosa lasciano in ombra i diversi approcci alla valutazione (Stame, 2001) rispetto alla comprensione dei modelli FGDM?
Il punto di partenza di questo lavoro è, infatti, il fermo rifiuto del paradigma dell’approccio e del metodo ‘migliore in assoluto’ – the Best - per valutare qualsiasi oggetto di ricerca (Bezzi, 2001; Palumbo, 2001; Pawson, 2006).
Altrettanto, ulteriore punto di avvio è la propensione a riflettere in termini di coerenza concettuale e operativa tra evaluando, contesto di implementazone – culturale, organizzativo, professionale – e disegno di valutazione, soprattutto nella primaria scelta dell’approccio o degli approcci di valutazione (Stame, 2001; Ciucci, 2008).
La ricerca è, quindi, uno studio induttivo che parte dalla situazione particolare dei modelli di presa di decisioni famigliari per effettuare generalizzazioni e suggerire raccomandazioni (Scriven, 2004; 1997) sul tema della loro valutazione ed implementazione – anche di oggetti di valutazione simili -nonchè di fornire strumenti di ricerca utilizzabili anche in altri contesti – metavalutazione e sintesi degli approcci.
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Leung, Yu-Fai. "Assessing and Evaluating Recreation Resource Impacts: Spatial Analytical Approaches." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/30469.
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It is generally recognized that the magnitude of recreation resource impacts should be judged by their severity and spatial qualities, including extent, distribution, and association. Previous investigations, however, have primarily focused on assessing the severity of impacts, with limited examination of spatial qualities. The goal of this dissertation was to expand our understanding of the spatial dimension of recreation resource impacts and their assessment and evaluation. Two empirical data sets collected from a comprehensive recreation impact assessment and monitoring project in Great Smoky Mountains National Park provided the basis for the analyses. Three spatial issues were examined and presented as three papers, designed for journal submission.
The purpose of the first paper was to improve our understanding of the dimensional structure and spatial patterns of camping impacts by means of multivariate analyses and mapping. Factor analysis of 195 established campsites on eight impact indicator variables revealed three dimensions of campsite impact: land disturbance, soil and groundcover damage, and tree-related damage. Cluster analysis yielded three distinctive campsite types that characterize both the intensity and areal extent of camping impacts. Spatial patterns and site attributes of these three campsite types and an additional group of primitive campsites were illustrated and discussed.
The purpose of the second paper was to examine the influence of sampling interval on the accuracy of selected trail impact indicator estimates for the widely applied systematic point sampling method. A resampling-simulation method was developed and applied. Simulation results indicated that using systematic point sampling for estimating lineal extent of trail impact problems can achieve an excellent level of accuracy at sampling intervals of less than 100 m, and a reasonably good level of accuracy at intervals between 100 and 500 m. The magnitude of accuracy loss could be higher when the directions of loss are not considered. The responses of accuracy loss on frequency of occurrence estimates to increasing sampling intervals were consistent across impact types, approximating an inverse asymptotic curve. These findings suggest that systematic point sampling using an interval of less than 500 m can be an appropriate method for estimating the lineal extent, but not for estimating occurrence of trail impacts. Further investigations are called for to examine the generalizability of these results to other areas.
The purpose of the third paper was to expand the scope of indices used for evaluating recreation resource impacts. Two specific objectives were to synthesize the recreation ecology and recreation resource management literature on the use of spatial indicators and indices, and to propose and apply selected spatial indices that are mostly lacking in the literature. Three spatial indices primarily adapted from the geography and ecology literature were proposed for application in recreation impact evaluation. Application results demonstrated that the Lorenz curve and associated Gini coefficient, and the linear nearest-neighbor analysis and associated LR ratio were effective in quantifying the spatial distribution patterns of trail impacts at landscape and trail scales, respectively. Application results of the third index, the impact association index, were less promising and require further refinements.
Management implications and future directions of research were discussed in light of the findings of this dissertation. As the field of recreation ecology is emerging, this dissertation has demonstrated: (1) the value of recreation impact assessment and monitoring programs in providing data for examining the spatial dimension of impacts, and (2) the utility of spatial analytical approaches in understanding recreation impact assessment and evaluation.Ph. D.
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Lloyd, F. "An evaluation of pharmacist prescribing in Northern Ireland using a mixed methods approach." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2010. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.517099.
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Wadongo, Billy Indeche. "Performance management and evaluation in non-profit organisations : an embedded mixed methods approach." Thesis, University of Bedfordshire, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10547/333444.
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Performance management research in the private and public sector has received much attention in management accounting research; however, empirical studies on performance management in the non-profit sector remain scarce. This study proposes and validates a model that explains the relationships between contingency variables, performance management practices, and organisational effectiveness in the non-profit sector. The study employed a mixed methods research approach, which entailed a field study and a cross-sectional survey in the Kenyan non-profit sector. The field study was undertaken to understand the perceptions of NPO leaders on non-profit sector characteristics, organisational effectiveness, determinants, challenges, and benefits of implementation of performance management systems in the Kenyan non-profit sector. Thereafter, a cross-sectional survey (using mailed questionnaires and an online survey) was used to collect quantitative primary data. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the quantitative data. The structural equation modelling approach was adopted to test the hypothesised relationships among the contingency factors, performance management practices and organisational effectiveness. The findings indicate that performance management in NPOs can be categorised into three groups: performance planning, performance measurement and performance context. The NPOs emphasise mission statements and core values within the formal PM system. Although a number of private sector measurement frameworks are utilised, the NPOs mostly use logical framework, with emphasis on output and financial measures and team based targets with no clear rewards. The PM systems are resource intensive and they lead to goal displacement and narrow definition and measurement of organisational effectiveness. The results further reveal that among the contingency variables, strategic orientation significantly predicted performance management practices and organisational effectiveness in non-profits. Among the performance management variables, performance planning, performance targets, and performance rewards significantly predict organisational effectiveness domains. Furthermore, performance management practices mediate the relationship between strategic orientations, technology, information technology, leadership and external environment and organisational effectiveness domains. However, organisational size was not significantly related to performance management practices or organisational effectiveness. To successfully implement and benefit from the PM system, non-profit organisations need to address the fit between contextual factors and the performance management system. By employing a pragmatic, embedded, mixed methods approach this study provides empirical evidence of performance management practices that influence organisational effectiveness beyond the rhetoric of performance management theory. At the practice level, the findings will benefit Kenya government, non-profit organisations, donor agencies and performance evaluation practitioners.
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Alenezi, Hanadi. "Evaluating Dental Students’ Preferences of the Current Assessment Methods Used in Dental Education and their Impact on Learning Approaches." Scholarly Commons, 2018. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3106.
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Assessment is a critical component of the educational experience. The purpose of this study was to examine dental students’ assessment preferences and their relation to students’ approaches to learning. The study also investigates the impact of gender, age, GPA and class level on dental students’ assessment preferences. Two hundred sixteen dental students at University of the Pacific Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry have completed a self-reported 67-item questionnaire. Open-ended questions requiring long answers were the least preferred assessment method as perceived by the dental students, while multiple-choice questions are the most preferred assessment method. Deep approach to learning was significantly and positively correlated with oral test, alternative test, concept map, open-ended questions and questions that require higher order thinking. Surface approach to learning, however, was not significantly correlated with any assessment type. Age, gender, GPA and class level all have significant impact on dental students’ assessments preferences.
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Dryden, Ruth Ann. "A realistic evaluation approach to understanding the uptake of cardiovascular health checks." Thesis, University of Dundee, 2012. https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/58439c39-4ef4-447c-83b0-5c0f89fb12ba.
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BackgroundIndividuals from low socio-economic backgrounds have higher rates of morbidity and premature mortality from cardiovascular risk factors compared to those from more affluent backgrounds.Hearty Lives Dundee is a complex intervention which aims to address this health inequality. The intervention targets cardiovascular health checks at population groups who are likely to be at high risk, but tend not to engage with traditional services. Practitioners have tried to increase engagement with the target groups through a number of strategies. These included community and workplace-based assessments, and General Practice-run health checks supported by an outreach facility. The aim of this thesis was to explore what works at increasing patient uptake of cardiovascular health checks, for what groups, in what circumstances, and why?MethodsA Realistic Evaluation was undertaken using a mixed methods approach. Routine data was extracted from the Hearty Lives database and descriptive statistics reported on patients attending the community-based opportunistic service and the GP-based service. A total of thirty semi-structured interviews and one focus group (n=5) were conducted with patient attenders and non-attenders of community and General Practice-based health checks. Seven staff from the Hearty Lives programme were also interviewed. Thematic analysis was undertaken using Ritchie and Spencer’s Framework approach.ResultsAttenders at health checks were more likely to be female and older, regardless of the setting. Uptake varied by the number and type of invitation method. Cardiovascular risk was greater in the target population presenting opportunistically but was confounded by the older age of this group.Patient engagement relied on the interaction of a number of factors which varied according to setting; accessibility, invitation method, personal circumstances, cues to action and barriers. A continuum existed from barriers to motivators to attendance depending on the presence or absence of a cue to action, e.g. family history or symptoms. The concept of preventive health checks for cardiovascular disease was not well understood as some patients did not perceive a need to attend without symptoms. Additionally, the health check was viewed as optional by many and not treated with the same seriousness as perceived ‘compulsory’ cancer screenings.DiscussionThe complex lives of the intended target population merit a range of accessible services to reduce barriers to preventive health care. The Realistic Evaluation approach provided transferable knowledge of how to effectively engage with people from different backgrounds and care utilisation preferences, which could easily inform similar NHS services.
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Elimian, Osezele Kelly. "Evaluation of early diagnostic approaches for malaria and pneumonia in children under-five presenting at the primary healthcare level in Benin City, Nigeria : a mixed methods study." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48409/.
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Background Malaria and pneumonia are the leading causes of under-five mortality in sub-Saharan Africa especially in Nigeria. The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines were developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO)/United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as a strategy to reduce the burden of these and other preventable childhood diseases. However, there appears to be a paucity of evidence on the diagnostic performance of the revised IMCI guidelines and whether they offer an advantage over lay diagnosis (caregiver) for malaria and pneumonia management in Nigeria. Aim and specific objectives This study evaluates early diagnostic approaches (IMCI guidelines and lay diagnosis) for malaria and pneumonia in children under-five at the primary healthcare level. To address the overarching aim of the study, the following four specific objectives were studied: I. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the IMCI guidelines and lay diagnosis (caregiver) for malaria and pneumonia in comparison to reference diagnostic approaches (microscopy and chest X-ray for malaria and pneumonia respectively). The extent of agreement between caregivers’ and health workers’ diagnosis of malaria and pneumonia is also assessed. II. To estimate the burden of malaria and pneumonia among children under-five presenting to study primary healthcare centres (PHCs) according to various diagnostic approaches. III. To determine the clinical outcomes in children diagnosed with malaria and pneumonia according to the IMCI guidelines and risk factors for severe outcomes. IV. To qualitatively explore caregivers’ and health professionals’ perspectives on lay diagnosis and IMCI guidelines as diagnostic approaches for childhood malaria and pneumonia. Methods A mixed methods approach was used for this study. The quantitative component used a consecutive sampling approach to recruit 903 children aged 2–59 months who met study eligibility criteria for malaria and pneumonia assessment according to the IMCI guidelines at presentation to five study PHCs in Benin City, Nigeria. Caregivers of these children were also asked what they thought the diagnosis was (lay diagnosis). Diagnostic accuracy was assessed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves (AUROC) values and 95% Confidence Intervals (C.I). The extent of agreement was assessed in terms of Cohen’s kappa statistic (k) and 95% CI. The estimated burden of malaria and pneumonia during the study period was assessed using proportions and 95% C.I. Clinical outcomes in children diagnosed with malaria and pneumonia by the IMCI guidelines were described in terms of frequency and percentages, while the potential risk factors associated with clinical outcomes were assessed using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% C.I. For the qualitative component, health stakeholders (17 health professionals and 13 caregivers) who met the study eligibility criteria were purposively recruited and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. An inductive approach to thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results Compared to microscopy, the diagnosis of malaria by health workers using the IMCI guidelines was poorly accurate with an AUROC value of 0.57 (with sensitivity and specificity of 51.8% and 61.3% respectively). Similarly, caregivers’ diagnosis of malaria was poor with an AUROC value of 0.55 (with sensitivity and specificity of 31.1% and 79.5% respectively) as compared to microscopy. Using the IMCI guidelines as the reference diagnostic test, caregivers’ diagnosis of malaria was more accurate (AUROC 0.60) in comparison to that of pneumonia (AUROC 0.54). There was a slight or minimal level of agreement (k=0.14; 95% CI: 0.09-0.19) between caregivers and health workers in the diagnosis of malaria and pneumonia. The estimated burden of malaria and pneumonia was relatively low, varying by the study local government areas, PHCs and seasonality, irrespective of the diagnostic approach. Where follow-up data were available, approximately 57% (172/304) and 78% (81/104) of the children diagnosed with malaria and pneumonia, respectively, recovered without complications within 30 days. Self-medication prior to presenting to study PHCs and use of preventive measures against malaria were independently and significantly associated with improved clinical outcomes. In contrast, exposure to solid fuels increased the odds of severe illness following malaria or pneumonia diagnosis. The qualitative component of the study found that caregivers rely on lay diagnosis despite the awareness of its limitations. The perceptions of malaria and pneumonia appeared to influence caregivers’ home management practices and health seeking behaviours. Caregivers showed willingness to be trained in the IMCI guidelines for improved home-based management of malaria and pneumonia. Health professionals believed that the IMCI guidelines were useful for managing both malaria and pneumonia. However, there are some recurring challenges to the wide-scale and sustainable implementation of the IMCI strategy in Nigeria. These include inaccurate diagnosis of malaria and inadequate funding. Conclusion The IMCI guidelines are crucial in the effective management (diagnosis and treatment) of malaria and pneumonia at the primary healthcare level in Nigeria. Although not perfect, lay diagnosis has an important contribution in the early detection and management of malaria and pneumonia at the community level in Nigeria. However, there is need for further investment in the training of both health professionals and caregivers in the IMCI guidelines for better health outcomes in under-five population. The training of caregivers in the IMCI guidelines and potential for a scale-up will benefit from careful design, piloting, implementation, and monitoring.
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Watanabe, S., K. Gagnon, D. K. Hamlin, M. K. Chyan, E. Balkin, and D. S. Wilbur. "Evaluation of Column Separation Methods for Simplification of the Wet Chemistry Approach to Isolation of 211At." Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, 2015. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:d120-qucosa-164241.
Full textAbstract:
Difficulties with reproducibility of isolation yields when distilling 211At from irradiated bismuth targets led us to use a “wet chemistry” approach for that process1. The wet chemistry approach has provided 211At isolation yields of ~ 78 % after decay and Bi attenuation corrections2. However, the use of diisopropyl ether (DIPE) in the separation process has made it difficult to reach our goal of automating the 211At isolation. Therefore, we have investigated the use of column materials to simplify the isolation of 211At and remove DIPE from the process. In this investigation we evaluated the use of a strong anion exchange resin (AG1×8), a strong cation exchange resin (AG MP-50) and a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated resin for separation of 211At from the bismuth target material.
Anion and cation resins AG1×8 and AG MP-50 were obtained from commercial sources. A PEG-coated resin was prepared by reaction of the Merrifield resin with mPEG-OH 2000 in the pres-ence of tBuOK at 80 °C for 3 days, followed by drying under vacuum. Prior to use of the PEG resin, it was soaked in H2O. Resins (400–800 mg) were loaded into polypropylene columns (Applied Separations, Inc.). Column elution studies were conducted with and without reductants (0.75M FeSO4/1M H2SO4 or Na2S2O5) to determine their effect on capture of 211At. After target dissolution in HNO3 (and in most cases subse-quent removal of HNO3 by distillation and redis-solution of solid in 8M HCl), 211At solution was loaded onto the column, then the column was washed with 2M HCl or H2O to separate the Bi, and finally was eluted with strong base to remove the 211At.
Initial studies were conducted with stable iodine to determine if reductants were effective in the presence of large amounts of bismuth ions. Studies with AG1×8 used 125I to determine if that radiohalogen could be captured and recovered from the column when eluting with boric acid buffers at pH 5.3, 8.0 or 10, or H2O at pH 7. Capture and recovery of 211At was evaluated under the same conditions. Further studies with AG1×8 involved eluting with 4M H2SO4. A limited study with AG MP-50 resin used 1M HCl as eluant. Studies with PEG-coated columns used 2M HCl, 4M HCl, 8M HCl, 16 M HNO3 and 8M HNO3 as initial (capture) eluants. Strong base (0.2, 1 or 12.5 M NaOH; 15M NH4OH) and 3 or 500 mM tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) were evaluated for removal of 211At from the columns tested.
The efficiency for capture of 211At on the AG1×8 column was high (99%) when loading with strong acid, but decreased when using 0.1–0.2M boric acid (69–91 %) buffer. Low 211At capture efficiencies were obtained with AG MP-50 col-umns (15–29%). High 211At capture efficiencies (96–100%) were obtained with PEG-coated resins when loading with 8M HCl or 8M HNO3, irre-spective of whether reductant was in the acid solution.
Four column washings (2 mL of 2M HCl each) were required to remove all Bi prior to elution of 211At. No bismuth was detected in solution from the 4th washing in any of the elutions studied.
Low (< 6%) recovery of 211At from the AG1×8 columns was obtained using the conditions studied. Good (60–79%) recovery of 211At was obtained from PEG-coated resin using 15M NH4OH.
Isolation of the 211At from NH4OH solution was accomplished by distillation. In an initial study 211At distilled before obtaining a dry residue. However, later studies demonstrated that addi-tion of NaOH prior to distillation kept the 211At in the distilling flask.
These studies demonstrated that PEG-coated columns could be used to isolate 211At from HNO3-dissolved bismuth targets with good non-optimized (~60%) overall recovery yields. The studies are continuing with optimization of elu-tion conditions and automation of the process.
16
Castrillo, Marta R. "Evaluating the effects of context in the use of two downtown Tucson urban plazas using qualitative and quantitative approaches." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/278754.
Full textAbstract:
Urban plazas, together with streets, and parks, constitute the remaining public realm of our cities. Their function, as facilitators of social interaction, is most evident in areas where urban structure still prevails in relation to pedestrian use. Since pedestrians represent the majority of potential users, use of these spaces is intimately related to surrounding population and activities, and may be affected by how the immediate context is configured. This study examined two urban plazas in downtown Tucson, with their context, to develop methods of analysis and evaluation of potential effects of contextual elements in their use. Overall, this study found that combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was useful in the generation of data, as well as analytical tools. Although this study's results are limited to the spaces analyzed, potential relationships are suggested between aspects of plaza use and specific elements of the human and physical context.
17
Wright, Adam. "THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF AN EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY WORKSHOP FOR PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINERS: A MIXED-METHODS APPROACH." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2015. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/329086.
Full textAbstract:
KinesiologyPh.D.
The field of personal fitness training is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. Historically, scholars, undergraduate institutions, and national certifying organizations that focused on the education of personal fitness trainers have given instructional priority to biological and exercise science content. However, more recent research has underscored the value of psychological and interpersonal skills in driving clients' health and fitness goal attainment. Consequently, the goal of the present study was to determine the impact of a five-hour exercise psychology experiential workshop on levels of perceived importance, confidence in knowledge, and content knowledge of key exercise psychology concepts and skills in a non-randomized sample of personal fitness trainers and students (n = 41). Through a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design, participants were assessed quantitatively pre-intervention and post-intervention. A qualitative follow-up assessment was conducted one-month post-intervention with a sub-set of participants (n = 17). The workshop produced significant improvements in self-reported measures of confidence in knowledge and perceptions of importance of key exercise psychology concepts and skills as well as content knowledge of the exercise psychology concepts covered in the workshop. Further quantitative analyses revealed that certain demographics, namely gender, age, and academic coursework had distinct associations with each of the outcome variables. Follow-up qualitative analyses suggested that participants rated the workshop highly and described their experience in predominately positive terms. Suggestions were provided on how to improve the workshop, particularly focusing on elements of its content and overall structure. Results from the current study highlight the need for increased exposure of personal fitness trainers to instruction in exercise psychology. Given the benefits of developing exercise psychology knowledge, skills, and abilities, the results of this research indicate that preparation for the personal fitness training profession can be enhanced through increased attention to exercise psychology. Limitations of the current study and future directions for outcome research and practice are discussed.
Temple University--Theses
18
Bernroider, Edward, Stefan Koch, and Volker Stix. "A Comprehensive Framework Approach using Content, Context, Process Views to Combine Methods from Operations Research for IT Assessments." Taylor and Francis, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10580530.2013.739896.
Full textAbstract:
Motivated by IT evaluation problems identified in a large public sector organization, we propose how
evaluation requirements can be supported by a framework combining different models and methods
from IS evaluation theory. The article extends the content, context, process (CCP) perspectives of
organizational change with operations research techniques and demonstrates the approach in practice
for an Enterprise Resource Planning evaluation.
19
Kadiyala, Akhil. "Development and Evaluation of an Integrated Approach to Study In-Bus Exposure Using Data Mining and Artificial Intelligence Methods." University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1341257080.
Full text
20
Goldblatt, Noah. "Examining The Impact Of Undergraduate Study Abroad On Early Career Outcomes: A Mixed Methods Approach." ScholarWorks @ UVM, 2019. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1024.
Full textAbstract:
This study examines impact of study abroad on early career outcomes at a professionally-focused northeastern private college. A mixed-methods sequential research design provides a thorough inquiry into the influence of study abroad on early career outcomes at this institution. In the first, quantitative phase of the study, The National Organization of College and Employer’s (NACE) First-Destination Survey data is analyzed to assess whether a study abroad experience has an impact on career outcomes. The quantitative results compare career outcomes for 2014, 2015, and 2016 graduates who have studied abroad (n = 523) and those who did not study abroad (n = 661). The quantitative survey contains 1184 participants and represents a response rate of approximately 90% of the total graduates at the college. The second qualitative phase examines the quantitative results in order to help explain and provide insights into the outcomes. A theoretical lens of appreciative inquiry is applied as a framework for interpreting the results and informs the qualitative line of questioning.
In this project, studying abroad did not prove to significantly impact early career outcomes. Based on the NACE First Destination Survey, the higher education industry standard for capturing career placement information, graduates from this college got no quantifiable positive early career impact from studying abroad. In fact, some trends in the data even show an early negative effect from having studied abroad especially for female graduates. Further trends in the results contradict assumptions about study abroad that are held by students and international educators. However, meaningful impacts of studying abroad on graduate’s vocational clarity along with personal and professional development are revealed in the qualitative phase of the study that simply cannot be captured in the NACE survey.
21
Coşkun, Rebekah, and Rebekah Coşkun. "A Novel Mixed-Methods Approach to Examine the Complexities of Reproductive Genetics Decision-Making from the Perspectives of Women and Genetic Counselors." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/625612.
Full textAbstract:
Background: This mixed-methods dissertation is multi-layered and exploratory in nature. It provides methodological contributions to the fields of evaluation and research methods by demonstrating how the root cause analysis (RCA) method can be utilized to evaluate program improvement and assist in the development of research questions and hypotheses. Additionally, it adds to the literature on reproductive genetics decision-making by contributing to the knowledge of this complex process. Research Aims: This dissertation includes the following three aims: 1) to illustrate how the RCA interview method can be a useful tool to improve programs that have not been implemented with fidelity; 2) to demonstrate how the RCA interview method can be adapted for research by elucidating research questions and hypothesis development processes; and 3) to glean information pertaining to reproductive genetics decision-making knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among genetic counselors and women who were pregnant and had reproductive genetic counseling. Methods: Mixed-methods research took place over a 13-month period in Arizona and across the U.S. between June 2015 and August 2016 among two separate groups. The qualitative research includes semi-structured, in-depth interviews with genetic counselors (n=22), and RCA interviews (n=9) with genetic counselors sampled from 12 southwestern and western states. The quantitative research comprised of piloting two survey instruments. Survey #1 for genetic counselors (n=22) and Survey #2 for women who had genetic counseling and were pregnant between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015 (n=104). Results: The results by manuscript are: 1) RCA is a useful evaluation tool for evaluating program improvement when programs have not been implemented with fidelity; 2) RCA is a beneficial methodological approach for researchers for focusing areas of inquiry, generating research questions, and developing research hypotheses; and 3) Women with a master's degree or higher are more likely to have reproductive genetic testing than women with a bachelor’s degree or under. Women who received reproductive genetic testing had significantly higher genetic testing knowledge scores than women who did not have genetic testing. Women who held a master's degree or higher had significantly higher genetic testing knowledge scores than women with a bachelor’s degree or under. Conclusions: RCA is a flexible and adaptive tool that works well for evaluation and research purposes. Reproductive genetic testing is a complex field that is rapidly changing, and there are significant differences in knowledge among women facing testing decisions calling for tailored interventions around genetic testing literacy. Recommendations: Evaluators and researchers alike should be aware of RCA as a useful methodological tool that they can use to help evaluate program improvement as well as facilitate the process of developing research questions and hypotheses. Genetic literacy interventions and decision-making resources must take into consideration the role education has on genetic testing decisions as well as its part in understanding the appropriateness, benefits, and limitations of specific genetic tests. This research further advocates for women to have access to certified genetic counselors to tailor the information to meet the individuals' needs in order to promote informed, autonomous genetics decision-making.
22
Kaynak, Mehmet. "Non-destructive Testing Of Columns Under Axial Compression Using Tranverse Vibration Technique, And Ultrasonic Approaches." Master's thesis, METU, 2004. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/1260465/index.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The level of axial compressive load on an existing column is one of the most
important parameters to be known. This thesis aims to investigate current
state of the art of NDT techniques, their application, and investigate
alternative ways of using current technology to estimate the axial
compressive load on columns. For this purpose, transverse vibration
technique, ultrasonic pulse velocity method, and waveform and frequency
content evaluation of ultrasound are investigated and implemented.
Analytical and experimental studies on column transverse vibration frequency
and axial load relationship are conducted and presented. The measured
experimental lateral vibration frequency of the first bending mode decreased
under increased axial compressive load as expected from analytical studies.
Relationships between axial load and vibration frequency are derived and
defined for different boundary conditions. Relationship charts are prepared
for complicated solution sets. Numerical calculations, laboratory and field
tests revealed that natural frequencies of slender columns are more sensitive
to axial load changes.
The available ultrasonic methods are investigated and described. Stress
wave propagation in anisotropic solids is studied. Previous works have
shown that the propogation velocity of stress waves depends on the density,
Poisson&rsquos ratio, modulus of elasticity of the medium, and the state of stress. The orientation of the loading direction to the wave propogation direction, the couplant (ultrasonic transmission gel) uniformity, variability in the pressure applied to hold the transducers, alignment of the transmitting and recieving transducers, accuracy and modelling of Poisson&rsquo
s ratio make the ultrasonic testing more complicated.
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DE, BORTOLI DAVIDE. "INNOVATIVE BIOSTATISTICAL AND BIOINFORMATIC APPROACHES IN THE ANALYSIS OF BREAST CANCER: COMPETING RISK SURVIVAL ANALYSIS THROUGH PSEUDO-VALUES AND COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF METHODS FOR THE TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT DISSECTION AVAILABLE AT THE PRESENT DAY." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2434/699672.
Full textAbstract:
Since my personal original background was quite distant from the statistical bioinformatic approaches for data analysis, having a master degree in Sanitary Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, my PhD fellowship was spent in building my skills in this field while studying and trying to contribute to the development of biostatistical and bioinformatic approaches to be applied in clinic, with a special focus on oncology, in the optic to contribute to the field of personalized medicine. Personalized medicine is indeed the ultimate goal for life sciences, particularly for oncology, and, in my opinion, a key aspect of the future wellness of humanity. Personalized medicine is the idea of developing the ability to identify the best therapeutic strategy for each unique person and its efficacy relies on having accurate diagnostic tests that identify patients who can benefit from targeted therapies. A striking example consists in the determination of the overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) in the routinely diagnosis of Breast Cancer (BC). HER2 is indeed associated with a worse prognosis but also predicts a better response to the medication trastuzumab; a test for HER2 was approved along with the drug (as a “companion diagnostic”) so that clinicians can better target patients' treatment. My thesis is composed by the description of the two projects that have mainly characterized my fellowship. Both projects rely on breast cancer (BC) and the objective of understanding the effects of chronic low inflammation, which has been studied in my projects as the leucocyte infiltration and the body mass index. The focus on BC derives from a practical aspect and an epidemiological aspect. The practical aspect consists on the fact that my group is part of a European research group, led by Christine Desmedt from Belgium, which allowed me to obtain unique data and to interact with experts of BC and bioinformatics from different countries. The epidemiological aspect is represented by the fact that breast cancer is actually a hot topic, being the second most common cancer worldwide and the first among women, but still open to investigations, since the complexity and variability of BC, reflected both at histopathological and molecular level, have proven challenging to classify and therefore to effectively treat to the present day. The first project presented, the tumor microenvironment (TME) dissection project, occupied the first part of my fellowship and was focused on the managing of an enormous quantity of data in order to compare different tools and approaches used to analyze breast cancer. This project consisted in a big European collaboration which tried to establish the reliability of bioinformatic tools in retrieving the TME composition by analyzing bulk transcriptome and methylome and comparing the obtained results to standard approaches, as the pathologist evaluation, and emerging methods, as digital image analysis. This project led to the preparation of a paper, which is currently under submission, under the supervision of Christine Desmedt, the leader of this breast cancer research group, and Elia Biganzoli, my supervisor and member of the cited group. The second project presented, the competing risk analysis through pseudo-values project, which characterized the third year of my PhD, is more focused on the statistical aspects of clinical data analysis and represent the arrival point of my studies of statistical methodology. The project consisted in the exploration of a forefront approach to the analysis of survival data based on pseudo-values, which has the desirable feature to generate measures with a clear and direct interpretation at a clinical level, becoming an invaluable tool for clinical decision making. This project represents a first step in a longer-term project that will led to the preparation of several papers in the future.
24
Pergola, Lorenzo. "Valuing culture : a mixed-methods approach to the comparative investigation of the roles and importance of cultural resources in Edinburgh and Dundee." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/9446.
Full textAbstract:
In Scotland, as the UK and internationally, publicly funded cultural organisations face a precarious future, characterised by funding cuts and a growing need to justify investments. This practical need to understand and articulate the importance of cultural resources has underpinned an intense debate in the field of cultural studies, about the nature of cultural value and the best methodological tools to explore it. The appropriateness of relying upon cultural strategies to pursue urban development and regeneration has also been subject to extensive discussions in the field of urban studies. This study approaches these problems through mixed-methods, comparative case studies set in Edinburgh and Dundee. This research employs Contingent Valuation (CV) in combination with focus groups. It provides a contextualised understanding of the diverging notions of culture emerging in the two cities. A higher valuation for culture was registered in Edinburgh, with stronger preference for museums and performing arts. In Dundee, higher importance was placed on community-based activities. These patterns are linked to the mix of demographic and socio-economic backgrounds characterising each city. Therefore, this study highlights a need for a tailored approach to cultural valuation and cultural policy, in contrast with the tendency for these to be implemented on a one-size-fit-all basis. The study also concludes that greater consideration is needed for the intangible and non-use related elements of cultural value, reinforcing a dominant critique in the literature. In addition, it highlights potential for negative sides to the impacts of cultural activities. Examples include issues of gentrification and displacement. Their inclusion is shown to be neglected in the typologies of value predominantly associated with culture, pointing at the need for their amendment. Finally, this study shows the use of CV alongside qualitative methods to be particularly advantageous in overcoming the dichotomous approach characterising this debate. The study avoided the single monetary valuation strongly rejected within the cultural sector, while still managing to yield grounded insight that is potentially valuable for policy-makers.
25
Zhang, Yancheng. "Numerical simulation approaches and methodologies for multi-physic comprehensions of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) CUTTING." Phd thesis, INSA de Lyon, 2011. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00708761.
Full textAbstract:
The objective of this study is to model material removal with cutting tool in the case of the machining of Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) and to bring a multi-physic comprehension of chip formation and the tool/workpiece interaction by adopting finite element approaches and methodologies. For that, the present contribution begins by a macroscopic modeling of the orthogonal cutting process. The cut material behavior considered is supposed based on JC law. Moreover, in order to simulate properly the chip genesis, the material fracture energy concept is adopted for controlling the material damage evolution. This allows capturing the shear strain localization and consequently the chip segmentation for a given set of cutting parameters. The frictional contact model considers the influence of temperature on the limiting shear stress at the tool/chip interface. As a result, this reliable model has the capability to simulate the cutting process even with high coefficient of friction and with large cutting edge radius. The parametric study carried out by referring to this model shows a very interesting corroboration with experimental results. In a second step, the present research work presents a material microstructure-level cutting model (MML cutting model) for cutting simulation. The crystal plasticity theory is adopted for modeling the cutting of the Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V in orthogonal case. In this model, the grains of the studied material are explicitly considered, and their orientation angles and slip system strength anisotropy are considered as the main source of the microstructure heterogeneity in the cutting material. To simulate the material degradation process, the continuum intra-granular damage and discrete cohesive zone inter-granular damage models are developed, wherein the zero thickness cohesive elements are implemented to simulate the bond between grain interfaces. The material model is validated by a comparison of compression tests from literature. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the possibility to capture the influence of the microstructure on the material removal in terms of chip formation. It is demonstrated that the grain orientation angle plays an important role for the chip segmentation and its periodicity during the cutting process. This certainly can affect the evolution of the cutting force. Additionally, the surface integrity is discussed based on the MML cutting model for different cutting speeds and feed rates. Indeed, a parametric study shows that the surface integrity is seriously affected by the machining parameters, and the affected region is limited within three layer grains for the present MML cutting model.
26
Stevenson, Colin. "An evaluation of the available methods of selecting a contractor, in order to satisfy the client's objectives, with a view to offering a systematic approach to which method should be adopted." Bachelor's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/28247.
Full textAbstract:
Although the client's objectives of balancing cost, time and performance have not changed, the complexity of the design and construction of modern buildings today requires a thorough understanding of the factors affecting these objectives if they are to be accomplished. This study therefore begins by analysing the client's objectives to establish the factors affecting each objective and to determine the inter-relationship and possible conflict between these factors. The principal types of contracts and methods of selecting a contractor are then identified. The methods of selecting a contractor are then evaluated according to these factors and their effects on the client's objectives are established. This evaluation is then used as the basis for recommending a procedure to choose which method should be used to select a contractor, in order to accomplish the client's objectives, under differing circumstances.
27
Palagi, Emilie. "Évaluation des moteurs de recherche exploratoire : élaboration d'un corps de méthodes centrées utilisateurs, basées sur une modélisation du processus de recherche exploratoire." Thesis, Université Côte d'Azur (ComUE), 2018. http://www.theses.fr/2018AZUR4116/document.
Full textAbstract:
Les moteurs de recherche exploratoire (MRE) sont des logiciels aidant les utilisateurs à explorer un domaine d’intérêt pour y faire des découvertes. Ces moteurs se distinguent en cela des moteurs de recherche classiques tels que Google, Bing ou Yahoo!, lesquels supportent plutôt des recherches ciblées ou recherches de consultation (lookup). Si l’on admet que l’évaluation des MRE vise à vérifier si ces derniers aident effectivement les utilisateurs à réaliser leur tâche d’exploration, on constate que les méthodes existantes d’évaluation de ces systèmes ne permettent pas réellement cette vérification. L’une des raisons à cela est que ces méthodes ne reposent pas sur un modèle approprié de la recherche exploratoire (RE) ou qu’elles restent accrochées à un modèle de la recherche de consultation. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de proposer aux concepteurs de ces MRE des méthodes d’évaluation centrées utilisateurs reposant sur un modèle du processus de RE. Ainsi, après avoir modélisé le processus de RE, nous proposons deux méthodes d’évaluation qui peuvent être utilisées tout au long du processus de conception. La première méthode, une méthode d’inspection sans utilisateurs, peut être utilisée dès les premières maquettes, et repose sur des heuristiques de RE. Nous avons également proposé des outils facilitant l’utilisation de ces heuristiques : un formulaire en ligne ainsi qu’une extension Google Chrome appelée CheXplore. La seconde méthode, avec utilisateurs, peut être utilisée dès la première version d’un prototype fonctionnel. Cette méthode se présente comme une procédure de test utilisateur personnalisable. Dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons plus particulièrement à deux éléments de cette procédure : un protocole d’élaboration de tâches de RE et une grille d’analyse d’enregistrements vidéo de session de RE. La pertinence du modèle ainsi que les méthodes qui en découlent ont été évaluées à l’occasion de tests utilisateurs. Le modèle, les heuristiques et le protocole d’élaboration des tâches de RE ont été validés. Les premières évaluations de la grille d’analyse d’enregistrements vidéos ont révélé des points à améliorerExploratory search systems are search engines that help users to explore a topic of interest. A shortcoming of current evaluation methods is that they cannot be used to determine if an exploratory search system can effectively help the user in performing exploratory search tasks. Indeed, the assessment cannot be the same between classic search systems (such as Google, Bing, Yahoo!...) and exploratory search systems. The complexity and the difficulty to have a consensus definition of the exploratory search concept and process are reflected in the difficulties to evaluate such systems. Indeed, they combine several specifics features and behaviors forming an alchemy difficult to evaluate. The main objective of this thesis is to propose for the designers of these systems (i.e. computer scientists) user-centered evaluation methods of exploratory search systems. These methods are based on a model of exploratory search process in order to help the evaluators to verify if a given system supports effectively the exploratory search process. Thus, after elaborating a model of exploratory search process, we propose two model-based methods, with and without users, which can be used all along the design process. The first method, without users, can be used from the first sketch of the system, consists of a set of heuristics of exploratory search and a procedure for using them. We also propose two tools facilitating their use: an online form format and an Google Chrome plugin, CheXplore. The second method involves real end-users of exploratory search systems who test a functional prototype or version of an exploratory search system. In this thesis, we mainly focus on two model-based elements of a customizable user testing procedure: a protocol for the elaboration of exploratory search tasks and a video analysis grid for the evaluation of recorded exploratory search sessions
28
Lyon, Gail. "Case Studies of the Structure, Dynamics, and Outcomes of Interdisciplinary Team Organization in Oregon Middle Schools." PDXScholar, 1994. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1183.
Full textAbstract:
Middle school literature advocates interdisciplinary team organization as a structure that enhances student learning and teacher satisfaction. In an interdisciplinary team, teachers responsible for different content areas collaboratively plan the instructional program for a shared group of students. Yet, fewer than fifty percent of the nation's middle schools use an interdisciplinary team structure, and research indicates that teams are fragile and temporary. Few studies were found that described interdisciplinary team organization at the team or individual teacher level.
The purpose of this case study is to describe the structure, dynamics, and outcomes of interdisciplinary teams of teachers in middle schools. The collection, analysis, and evaluation of data focused on four areas: (a) team structure including goals, roles, and leadership; (b) team dynamics ("teamness"), including collaboration, cohesion, and communication; (C) teacher affective outcomes of satisfaction, efficacy, and stress; and (d) teacher behavioral outcomes of curriculum and instruction and counseling and discipline.
The researcher collected data from five sources of evidence including documents, structured interviews, key informant interviews, direct observation, and questionnaires. Two middle schools that were implementing interdisciplinary team organization for the first year were selected for the study. Their differences in demographics, teaming structure, and district/school history allowed for a basis of comparison and contrast. The data were organized and presented in four case studies of interdisciplinary teams and two cross-case analyses, providing a descriptive account of the experiences of teachers involved in an interdisciplinary team structure. The results of the study indicated that: Structural variables affected team planning. The level of teacher collaboration on teams was a developmental process. Teachers derived professional benefits and personal satisfaction from teaming and experienced a reduction of stress. Barriers of time and training impeded team effectiveness in the area of developing and implementing interdisciplinary curriculum.
Further research on effective team practices is warranted, particularly on the effects of group process training and the developmental nature of team collaboration. In addition, further research is recommended on the effects of an interdisciplinary team structure on student learning outcomes and on teachers' day-to-day instructional practices in the classroom.
29
Staedelin, Marie. "Methodological approaches for the benefit-risk assessment of medicinal products in European regulatory decision-making : a special emphasis on the MultiCriteria Decision Analysis "MCDA” Method a quantitative approach." Thesis, Strasbourg, 2014. http://www.theses.fr/2014STRAJ013.
Full textAbstract:
L'évaluation des bénéfices et des risques des médicaments joue un rôle central dans la protection de la santé publique. Cependant, et de l’avis général, il apparaît que cette évaluation nécessite d’être revisitée. En 2010, aucun examen n’avait encore été effectué pour déterminer si les méthodes disponibles pouvaient être appliquées à l’évaluation de la balance bénéfice-risque des médicaments dans le cadre réglementaire, et si oui à quel point elles seraient applicable. L’objectif de cette thèse a donc été d’identifier la ou les méthodes pouvant être théoriquement utilisées pour ce type d’évaluation, puis de les confronter à des cas concrets afin d’en déterminer leur applicabilité. Les résultats de l’évaluation des méthodes ont montrés que les méthodes les plus appropriées sont la méthode d’aide à la décision multicritère (MCDA) ainsi que ses variantes. Les résultats de l'application pratique de la méthode MCDA ont indiqué que cette méthode peut être utilisé dans les scénarios communs d'enregistrement en Europe. Cependant il convient de noter que cette méthode ne fournit ni une recette « prête à l'emploi » pour exécuter cette évaluation ni une réponse directeThe benefit-risk evaluation of new medicines plays a central role in safeguarding public health. Nevertheless, it seems that the benefit-risk evaluation calls for further improvement. In 2010, no review had been performed of how available benefit-risk assessment methods could be applied for a regulatory benefit-risk assessment and how feasible that would be when facing real-life cases. The objective of this thesis has thus been to identify method(s) that could be theoretically used for such an assessment, and then to confront it/them to real-life cases, in order to determine their applicability. The results of the methods evaluation showed that the most suitable methods for a regulatory benefit-risk assessment of medicinal products are the MCDA method and the MCDA based methods. The results of the practical application of the MCDA indicated that the method could be used for medicinal products registered through a common registration scenario in Europe. However it should be noted that this method provides neither a “ready-made” recipe to perform an assessment nor a direct answer
30
Chui, Wai-ngor. "An evaluation of the effectiveness of the new teaching methods and learning approaches for "history of Chinese culture and arts" Zhongguo wen hua yi shu shi ke xin jiao xue fa ji xue xi jin lu de cheng xiao ping gu /." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2000. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B31961575.
Full text
31
Guerrero, Ludueña Richard E. "Data Driven Approach to Enhancing Efficiency and Value in Healthcare." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Barcelona, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/456670.
Full textAbstract:
Healthcare is changing, and the era of data-driven healthcare organisations is increasingly popular. Data-Driven approaches (e.g., Machine Learning, Metaheuristics, Modelling and Simulation, Data Analytics, and Data Visualisation) can be used to increase efficiency and value in health services.
Despite extensive research and technological development, the evidence impact of those methodologies in the healthcare sector is limited. In this Thesis we argue that an approach without borders in terms of academic societies and field of study could help to tackle this lack of impact to enhance efficiency and value in healthcare. This Thesis is based on solving practical problems in healthcare, with the research drawing upon both theoretical and empirical analysis.
The research is organised in four stages. In the first, a variety of techniques from Modelling and Simulation were studied and used to analyse current performance and to model improved and more efficient future states of healthcare systems. The focus was the analysis of capacity, demand, activity, and queues both at hospital and population levels. In the second part, a Genetic Algorithm was used to solve a Routing Home Healthcare problem. In the third part, Social Network Analysis was used to visualise and analyse email networks. In the final part, a new healthcare system performance metric is proposed and implemented using a case study. New frameworks to implement these methodologies in the context of real-world problems are presented throughout the Thesis.
In collaboration with University of Southampton, Wessex Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), and NHS England, several projects were developed and implemented for healthcare improvement in the UK. The work aims to increase early detection of cancer and thereby reduce premature mortality. The research was conducted working closely with NHS organisations across the Wessex region in England to produce bespoke endoscopy service modelling, as well as population level models. At a regional level, a Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme model was developed. An analysis of endoscopy activity, capacity and demand across the region was conducted. Future demand for endoscopy services in five years' time was estimated, and we found that the system has enough capacity to attend the expected future activity. A new healthcare system performance metric is presented as a tool to improve healthcare services.
Genetic Algorithm metaheuristic was applied in a variant of the Home Health Care Problem (HHCP), focusing on the route planning of clinical homecare.
Working with the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute of Barcelona and the Agency of Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia a study was developed to estimate future utilisation scenarios of knee arthroplasty (KA) revision in the Spanish National Health System in the short-term (2015) and long-term (2030) and their impact on primary KA utilisation. One of the findings was that the variation in the number of revisions depended on both the primary utilisation rate and the survival function applied. Future activity and resources needed was estimated.
A Social Network Analysis (SNA) project was developed in collaboration with the Wessex AHSN to analyse and extract insight from an organisational email, using SNA and Data Mining.
A new healthcare system performance metric - based on the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) measure - is proposed and evaluated using real data from and Endoscopy Unit from a UK based hospital.
To summarise, this work identifies four key techniques to use in the investigation of health data - Machine Learning Algorithms, Metaheuristic, Discrete Event Simulation and Data Analytics & Visualisations. Following a review of the different subjects and associated issues, those four techniques were evaluated and used with an applied-focus to solve healthcare problems. Key learning points from all different studies, as well as challenges and opportunities for the application of data-driven methodologies are discussed in the final chapter of the Thesis.La asistencia sanitaria está cambiando y la era de las organizaciones sanitarias basadas en datos es cada vez más popular. Los enfoques basados en datos (por ejemplo, Aprendizaje Automático; Meta-heurísticas; Modelamiento y Simulación; y Análisis y Visualización de datos) pueden utilizarse para aumentar la eficiencia y el valor en los servicios sanitarios. A pesar de la amplia investigación y el desarrollo tecnológico, la evidencia sobre el impacto de estas metodologías en el sector sanitario es limitada. En esta tesis argumentamos que un enfoque sin fronteras en términos de sociedades académicas y campo de estudio podría ayudar a abordar esta falta de impacto para aumentar la eficiencia y el valor en la asistencia sanitaria. Esta tesis se basa en la resolución de problemas prácticos en el sector sanitario, con un enfoque tanto teórico como práctico. La investigación se organizó en cuatro etapas. En la primera, una variedad de técnicas de modelamiento y simulación fueron estudiadas y aplicadas en el análisis y simulación de mejores y más eficientes configuraciones de sistemas sanitarios. El objetivo fue un análisis de capacidad, demanda, actividad y listas de esperas a nivel hospitalario y poblacional. En la segunda parte, un Algoritmo Genético fue implementado para resolver un problema de ruteo de personal sanitario encargado de atención de salud en el hogar. En la tercera parte, Análisis de Redes Sociales fue utilizado para visualizar y analizar una red de usuarios de correos electrónicos. En la etapa final, se propone una nueva métrica para evaluar el rendimiento de sistemas sanitarios, la cual fue implementada a través de un caso de estudio. Diferentes marcos de referencia para la implementación de estas metodologías en problemas reales se presentan a lo largo de la tesis.
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Davies, Matthew. "A mixed-methods approach to the development and evaluation of trauma systems, with particular reference to the regionalisation of trauma care in England : 'matching system to situation'." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2018. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/a-mixedmethods-approach-to-the-development-and-evaluation-of-trauma-systems-with-particular-reference-to-the-regionalisation-of-trauma-care-in-england-a-amatching-system-to-situationa(6f971f0d-e315-4c09-b48b-8416a83c6a83).html.
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Background: Trauma is a significant public health problem both in the UK and beyond. It can have a devastating impact on individuals, their family and society. The care of injured patients has long been thought to be sub-standard in the UK and patient outcomes were noted to be worse than other developed countries. Between 2010-12 regional trauma systems were introduced in England, with the aim of improving survival and long-term outcomes of injured patients. The aim of this study was to critically assess the implementation of these trauma systems on processes and outcomes of care in two regions of England. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken to identify studies evaluating the association between an inclusive trauma system and patient outcome. A mixed-methods approach was used for the study. Data on trauma deaths were obtained from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS). The Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database was interrogated to provide data on all patients who presented to hospital within two years before and two years after trauma system implementation. A time-series analysis and a before and after study, using a comparator region to control for temporal trends, was undertaken for each region. Twenty semi-structured interviews with Emergency Department (ED) staff were conducted to gain a broader understanding of the effect of this change. Data were then merged and areas of convergence and discrepancy highlighted. Results: The systematic review identified eight observational studies that all demonstrated a significant fall in the odds of death when patients presenting with traumatic injuries were treated within such a system. However, they were deemed to represent a very low-quality body of evidence. ONS data demonstrated that whilst trauma mortality rates were stable, between 30- 50% die outside of hospital. Analysis of TARN data demonstrated that, following system implementation, a greater proportion of injured patients were seen at Major Trauma Centres (MTCs), quality of care indices such as time to CT scan improved and mortality fell. Analysis of the interviews revealed seven main themes and whilst all staff welcomed the commitment to improve trauma care, some, especially outside of the MTCs, expressed concerns about disengagement and being unable to provide the level of care expected. Conclusions: This study adds to the body of evidence supporting the role of inclusive trauma systems in improving quality of care indices and patient outcomes. Contrary to some other studies, this study has shown improvements within two years, particularly at MTCs. Whilst most ED staff interviewed corroborated this view, some barriers to delivering high quality trauma care were felt to remain. Whilst trauma was once seen as a disease of young men and motor vehicle collisions, it is now dominated by falls in the elderly population and trauma systems must be able to meet their needs. Further research is warranted to learn more about the large population of trauma patients that do not survive to reach hospital. Perhaps some of the greatest future improvements of trauma systems are to be found here.
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Fiedler, Kathryn. "Integrated Approach to Understanding Tomato Sour Rot and Improving Disease Management on the Eastern Shore of Virginia." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/49117.
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Sour rot of tomatoes, caused by Geotrichum candidum, occurs in the field and postharvest settings regularly, although postharvest losses are severe only in some years on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESV) and other tomato production regions. Fungicide products and cultural control methods are tested for efficacy utilizing a traditional wounding technique that does not properly reflect natural sour rot infections. A new inoculation technique was optimized for G. candidum using negative pressure to infiltrate the tomato stem scar with pathogenic spores. This new method creates consistently high rates of infection and more successfully creates infections in mature green and breaker fruit. The population of G. candidum on the Eastern Shore of VA (ESV) was characterized using multilocus sequencing technique. The resulting phylogenetic tree defines four distinct groups, including two with uncommon loci that distinguish them from the majority of the population. Thirty-seven G. candidum isolates were inoculated to media amended with ten fungicides and antimicrobial compounds commonly used in tomato production and postharvest treatments. Propiconazole and tebuconazole completely inhibited growth of all colonies. Cultivar trials were conducted to determine if resistance or tolerance to G. candidum occurs. Ten commonly grown round and Roma cultivars on the ESV were similarly susceptible to G. candidum, even at low inoculum levels. Field and postharvest surveys of sour rot on tomato fruit attempted to correlate disease incidence with weather conditions in order to better understand the cause of sporadic infection. Few patterns were seen consistently throughout harvest periods and years. Rainfall was positively correlated with disease 2-3 days before surveys and temperature was negatively correlated with disease 5-7 days before surveys. No in-field weather conditions were correlated with postharvest disease incidence. Greenhouse trials were conducted to assess the influence of water congested tomato fruit on susceptibility to sour rot. Tomato plants were exposed to water inundation to mimic rainfall and varying levels of irrigation, both in order to congest tomato fruit. Though water congestion was achieved, tomato fruit were equally susceptible to sour rot infections.Ph. D.
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Almari, Hassan. "Software Patterns and Architecture Under Examination Hammer: An Approach to the Consolidation of Interdisciplinary Knowledge." Phd thesis, Canberra, ACT : The Australian National University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/154722.
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Software engineering is normally perceived, and even defined, based upon applicability of scientific and technical knowledge, in order to provide solutions to different challenges. The bright side of engineering concepts in general, is the continuous process of acquiring knowledge and skills needed to develop and make adjustments to various systems, in respect to helping humankind. An important phase of this process is ”Architecting”, which is the big picture of any intended systems. While good architecture leads to successful systems, bad architecture can result in misfortune. In this thesis, my proposition is to investigate, in depth, both theoretical (academic) and industry domains, regarding the way in which they treat Software Pattern (SP), Software Architecture (SA), and Software Architecture Evaluation (SAE) techniques. I argue that the process of creating, evaluating, and documenting SPs and SA with no common guidelines, standards, and frameworks, will result in unused and conflicted information within their areas, which finally will impact the software engineering field. While the employment of interdisciplinary knowledge (such as SPs, modelling techniques, description languages, evaluation methods, standards, and frameworks), could elevate SA development and validation methodologies, and increase its utilisation within the software engineering community. The goal here is to help build better systems, which could be improved by developing suitable SA, and evaluate its qualities by proper methods and tools, before further development, which should save time as well as money. Therefore, after a long process of analysing the current-state-of-the-art, I have introduced in this thesis novel findings concerning descriptions, relationships, documentation, and utilisation in relation to SA, SAE, and SPs, through employing several investigatory techniques, including comparisons between reliable references, questionnaires, field study, and case study. The investigation of SPs resulted in creating a database as a partial solution, in order to minimise their confusion within the literature, concerning their definitions, categorisations, and relationships with different quality attributes Quality Attribute (QA)s; also, to introduce the information in a proper fashion for users, which includes the required data that supports comparisons between pattern references, and to facilitate their selection processes. The issues, gaps, limitations, inconsistencies, and conflicts within current SA, QAs, and SPs discovered by this study, such as their poor description and the ignorance of them by developers during software development, has led to important recommendations, as well as suggestions for future research. The required information from different sectors (government, academia and industry) regarding SPs, SA, SAE, and modelling languages, has been gathered, and analysed through two surveys and a field study. The strong relationships and influences between the aforementioned areas were introduced and proven by a case study analysis for the Real-time Control System Real-time Control System (RCS) reference architecture, followed by introducing a conceptual paradigm that aimed to improve and generalise the Moreno et al. [2008] performance model. The outcomes from this thesis provide the basis for future work. Also, the information from different interdisciplinary knowledge merged to form new concepts for SA evaluation, which are recommended for future study.
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VALE, Tassio Ferreira. "Using a Multi-Method Approach for Evaluating Service Identification Methods in Service-Oriented Product Lines." reponame:Repositório Institucional da UFPE, 2012. https://repositorio.ufpe.br/handle/123456789/11360.
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A combinação de Linhas de Produto de Software (LPS) e Computação Orientada a Serviços (COS) tem recebido atenção de pesquisadores e praticantes, já que uma área é capaz de solucionar determinados problemas da outra. A junção dessas duas áreas é chamada de Linha de Produto Orientada a Serviços (LPOS), e tem se mostrado uma área de pesquisa emergente nos últimos anos. No contexto da Computação Orientada a Serviços, identificação de serviços é uma das primeiras atividades para modelagem de uma solução COS, e consiste na determinação de serviços candidatos. Essa não é uma tarefa trivial, e os erros adquiridos durante a identificação de um serviço pode propagar-se para as atividades subsequentes do processo de desenvolvimento orientado a serviços. Existem diversas propostas para identificação de serviços. Apesar da diversidade, não existe um método de identificação de serviços capaz de adequar-se a diversos contextos e necessidades. Considerando a heterogeneidade desses métodos, esta dissertação tem o objetivo de verificar quais métodos podem ser aplicados em linhas de produto de software, bem como as vantagens, desvantages e desafios existentes neste campo. Esta pesquisa utilizou uma abordagem multi-métodos, que combina estudos primários e secundários a fim de incrementar o corpo de conhecimento em determinada área baseada nos achados de tal investigação. Desta forma, este trabalho utilizou um método secundário (revisão sistemática) e dois métodos primários com o intuito de aumentar a confiabilidade dessa pesquisa. Além disso, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura a fim de coletar as abordagens de identificação de serviços existentes, visando propor uma recomendação dos métodos mais adequados considerando três cenários de LPS: top-down, bottom-up e hybrid. Esta recomendação foi avaliada através de um estudo de caso com uma linha de produto de sistemas médicos, usando dois metodos classificados no cenário o qual os sistemas médicos encontram-se, top-down. A principal contribuição dessa pesquisa é prover um instrumento que auxilie os interessados em identificar serviços a escolher um método apropriado, levando em consideração o cenário SPL a ser aplicado. Os resultados do estudo de caso mostram que as abordagens de identificação de serviços podem ser aplicadas num contexto de LPS. Além disso, este métodos facilitam a realização da atividade de identificação.
The combination of Software Product Line (SPL) and Service-Oriented Computing (SOC) have started to receive attention by researchers and practitioners, since they can address issues of each other. Putting these two areas together is called Service-Oriented Product Lines Enginering (SOPLE), presenting itself as an emerging area in the last years. In the Service-Oriented Computing, service identification is one of the first activities in the modeling of a SOC solution, that consists of determining candidate services. This is not a trivial task, and the errors made during the identification can propagate mistakes to the next activities of the service-oriented development process. There are several proposals addressing service identification for several contexts. However, an unified method for identifying services has not yet been reached. Regarding the heterogeneity of these methods, this dissertation aims to verify which methods can be applied in the SPL context, the advantages, disadvantages and the existing challenges of this field. This research used a multi-method approach that combines primary and secondary studies in order to increase the availability of empirical knowledge based on the findings of the investigation. Thus, this work used one secondary method (systematic review) and two primary methods (survey and case study) to address it. Furthermore, it was performed a literature review in order to collect all existing approaches of service identification, aiming to propose a set of decision models that recommend the most suitable methods according to three SPL scenarios: bottom-up, topdown and hybrid, onde decision model for each scenario. One of the decision models was evaluated through a case study in a medical applications domain, using two approaches classified in the decision model of the top-down scenario. The main contribution of this research is to provide an instrument that can help the service identification stakeholders to choose a suitable method, taking consideration of their SPL scenarios. In addition, these systematic methods facilitate the application of the identification activity. The case study results evaluated some service identification approaches and presented evidence that the methods can be applied in SPL.
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Савко, О. Я. "Формування фінансової стратегії газорозподільних підприємств на засадах оцінювання ефективності їх діяльності." Thesis, Івано-Франківський національний технічний університет нафти і газу, 2014. http://elar.nung.edu.ua/handle/123456789/4688.
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Дисертаційну роботу присвячено дослідженню теоретико-методичних положень та розробці практичних рекомендацій щодо формування фінансової стратегії газорозподільних підприємств на засадах оцінювання ефективності їх діяльності. На підставі теоретичних досліджень та узагальнень наукових джерел удосконалено визначення поняття «фінансова стратегія», виділено завдання, функції, етапи та фактори її формування, удосконалено класифікацію фінансових стратегій. Досліджено тенденції розвитку підприємств газорозподільної системи, проведено комплексний фінансово-економічний аналіз їх діяльності, здійснено оцінку ефективності податкової політики підприємств на основі розрахунку показника рівня податкового навантаження за доданою вартістю. Для обґрунтування вибору видів фінансової стратегії газорозподільних підприємств запропоновано методичний підхід до оцінки їх позиціювання в системі координат «прибутковість - суперефективність» на основі використання сучасної методології DEA (аналізу оболонки даних). Виділено види фінансової стратегії газорозподільних підприємств на основі оцінювання ефективності їх функціонування. Наведено рекомендації щодо діяльності підприємств при кожному варіанті стратегії. Удосконалено інструментарій до оцінки ефективності використання ресурсів на основі параметричних методів аналізу виробничої функції. Обґрунтовано доцільність впровадження інструментів стимулюючого регулювання цін (тарифів) на послуги газорозподільних підприємств, що дозволить мотивувати суб’єкти господарювання до підвищення ефективності використання ними ресурсів.Диссертационная работа направлена на исследование теоретикометодических положений и разработку практических рекомендаций по формированию финансовой стратегии газораспределительных предприятий на основе оценки эффективности их деятельности. На основании теоретических исследований и обобщений научных источников усовершенствовано определение понятия «финансовая стратегия»; выделены задачи, функции, этапы и факторы ее формирования; усовершенствована классификация финансовых стратегий. Обосновано, что финансовая стратегия является частью корпоративной стратегии, которая направлена на формирование и использование финансовых ресурсов предприятия в условиях адаптации к изменениям внешней и внутренней среды. Проведенный комплексный финансово-экономический анализ деятельности газораспределительных предприятий по основным направлениям позволил оценить существующую политику управления текущими активами и обязательствами, а также сформировать видение ее возможного усовершенствования. На основе дискриминантных моделей выполнен расчет показателей вероятности банкротства предприятий. С помощью программного продукта Statistica 6.0 построена корреляционная матрица между указанными показателями вероятности банкротства. Установлено, что существует значительная связь, подтверждающая выводы, которые сделаны на основе сравнительного финансово-экономического анализа. Осуществлена оценка эффективности налоговой политики предприятий на основе расчета показателя уровня налоговой нагрузки по добавочной стоимости. Такая методика оценки показателя налоговой нагрузки позволяет элиминироваться от воздействия факторов материалоемкости, зарплатоемкости и фондоемкости производства, что было протестировано с помощью моделей дисперсионного анализа ANOVA по данным газораспределительных предприятий.
The research thesis deals with investigation of theoretical and methodological approaches, development of practical recommendations regarding gas distributing enterprises’ financial strategy formation based on the evaluation of their performances. Based on theoretical studies and summaries of scholarly sources, the definition of «financial strategy» has been improved: tasks, functions, stages and factors of its formation have been outlined; the classification of financial strategies has been improved. We have studied the approaches of gas distributing enterprises development; complex financial and economical analyses of enterprises’ performances have been conducted; the evaluation of enterprises’ taxation policy based on VAT index has been highlighted. To justify the financial strategy choice for gas distributing enterprises we have proposed methodological approach to assess their positioning in a coordinate system «profitability - superefficiency» through the use of modem methodology of DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis). We have suggested recommendations for enterprises’ performances pursuant to proposed strategy. Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of resources usage based on parametric methods of production function analysis have been improved. We have argument the necessity of introducing the instruments of gas distributing companies’ prices (tariffs) regulation for services provided that will motivate businesses to improve resources efficiency usage.
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Matschewsky, Johannes. "What’s in it for the Provider? : A Lifecycle-Focused Approach towards Designing for Value in Product-Service Systems." Licentiate thesis, Linköpings universitet, Industriell miljöteknik, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-130977.
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Combining products and services into Product-Service Systems (PSS), which are often owned and even operated by the company offering them, is seen as an important element of conducting more sustainable business. The prospective environmental benefits of PSS lie mainly in the improved resource- and operational efficiency. This is achieved by way of a critical shift in incentive structure: If an industrial company assumes responsibility for an offering throughout the lifecycle, the terms on which that company operates are changed substantially in comparison to traditional product sales. Instead of benefiting from a short lifetime through additional sales opportunities or making profit through the sale of spare parts, in highly integrated PSS, each parts exchange, each technicians’ visit and each day the lifetime of the offering is reduced directly affects the bottom line of the provider. Due to that, solely as a result of economic rationality, a provider of these offerings has an incentive to design in such a way that the life of this offering is prolonged, need for spare parts is reduced, service activities are facilitated and simplified, and that the conditions are in place to allow for a second or third life of the offering through remanufacturing. Regardless of this compelling logic, at times, industrial companies fail to establish the preconditions to capturing these benefits as they continue to rely on product and sales-centric design processes even though they provide PSS. This thesis aims to examine this unexploited opportunity from two vantage points. On the one hand, methods conceived in academia to support industry in implementing and executing joint, lifecycle-focused design of products and services, and the use of these methods in practice, are examined. Here, the focus firstly lies on understanding how PSS are designed today, and secondly, on what should change about PSS design methods to improve their implementability and usability in industrial practice, so that they can fulfill their supposed role as facilitators of efficient PSS design and operation. On the other hand, the possible benefits of providing specifically designed and lifecycle-focused PSS as an industrial company are in focus. To this end, the value attained by providers throughout the use phase of PSS is investigated, to then identify possible approaches towards enhancing this value. Eventually, both focus-areas are joined in an effort to examine the interaction between method-supported, lifecycle-oriented PSS design and the value attained by providers of such offerings. As a result of the research, a lacking adaptation of design processes to PSS is identified in the case companies. Further, shortcomings of PSS design methods conceived in academia, e.g. excessive complexity, lacking clarity and rigidity, are found in both literature as well as in a study with an industrial company. To take a first step towards rectifying this issue, six characteristics intended to enhance implementability and usability of PSS design methods, are presented. The value attained by PSS providers has been found to be a complex but important subject. In a case study, value determinants of high relevance to the use phase of the lifecycle have been identified and assessed for their utility as indicators in the evaluation and enhancement of PSS offerings in the design phase. The practitioners involved were supportive of the applicability of the systematic approach presented to capture more value through offering PSS. In joining both the value- and method-oriented approach, the mutual dependency of both aspects is discussed. In order to provide PSS in an economically and environmentally efficient fashion, adapting the existing design processes is imperative. The value attained by the provider can, complementary to existing customer-centric approaches, serve as an important goal for the adaptation of design processes. Ultimately, through understanding the change in incentive structure at the core of PSS, and through implementing a value-driven design process supported by efficient and effective methods aimed at providing both customer value and capturing provider benefits throughout the lifecycle, there is a genuine potential of conducting more sustainable business.
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Pantelidi, Irene C. "The evaluation of a cognitive behavioural treatment protocol on perfectionism & low self-esteem amongst clients with mood and anxiety disorders : an interpretative phenomenological approach." Thesis, University of Derby, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10545/337575.
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Perfectionism can be constructed as a trans diagnostic concept that co exists and probably contributes to the onset development and maintenance of a number of Axis 1 disorders. There is also a significant relationship between perfectionism and low self- esteem. There is considerable theoretical debate in the literature concerning whether perfectionism is uni or multi-dimensional with most therapies being based upon uni dimensional conceptualisations and thus overlooking interpersonal factors. This is also reflected in the relative absence of qualitative studies that explore perfectionism from a lived experience perspective. Aims: This study aims to explore the experiences of perfectionism and low self-esteem in different life domains. It also aims to evaluate the client’s experiences and efficacy of a proposed treatment protocol that targets perfectionism from a multidimensional perspective. Method: The study is divided into three phases. A Multiple baseline design is used to evaluate the treatment protocol including cognitive and behavioural interventions, compassionate mind training and assertiveness training to target perfectionism and low self-esteem. Two clinical groups experiencing Axis 1 disorders and high perfectionism are divided amongst the different phases of this study, 13 and 8 participants respectively. Mixed methods are administered to analyse the data with greater emphasis on the qualitative ones. Measures administered include the Beck Depression & Anxiety Inventories; the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale; the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale; the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale by Frost and the Perfectionistic Self Presentation Scale. 8 semi-structured interviews are analysed utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA). Results: from the analysis of data it is evident that perfectionism is a multidimensional construct with strong interpersonal features that affect several different life domains. The proposed treatment protocol appears significantly effective in reducing perfectionism and Axis 1 disorder symptomatology. Additionally, there is a significant increase in self- esteem. Interventions that appear most helpful are behavioural experiments, assertiveness training, compassionate mind training, continuum and positive logging.
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Božiková, Kateřina. "Možnosti metodického přístupu při oceňování stavebního podniku v období hospodářských výkyvů." Master's thesis, Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta stavební, 2012. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-225399.
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The aim of the master’s thesis is to analyze potential of methodical approach during construction company evaluation in the period of economical fluctuation. Building industry is the activity that is very sensitive towards market and economy swings. Their impacts significantly influence the attitude towards evaluation and prize in the building industry. Construction companies are affected by economy swings. Therefore, in my master’s thesis, I analyze different approaches towards their evaluation and also methods of the prize determination.
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Rollo, Megan Elizabeth. "An innovative approach to the assessment of nutrient intake in adults with type 2 diabetes : the development, trial and evaluation of a mobile phone photo/voice dietary record." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2012. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/50998/1/Megan_Rollo_Thesis.pdf.
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Nutrition interventions in the form of both self-management education and individualised diet therapy are considered essential for the long-term management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The measurement of diet is essential to inform, support and evaluate nutrition interventions in the management of T2DM. Barriers inherent within health care settings and systems limit ongoing access to personnel and resources, while traditional prospective methods of assessing diet are burdensome for the individual and often result in changes in typical intake to facilitate recording. This thesis investigated the inclusion of information and communication technologies (ICT) to overcome limitations to current approaches in the nutritional management of T2DM, in particular the development, trial and evaluation of the Nutricam dietary assessment method (NuDAM) consisting of a mobile phone photo/voice application to assess nutrient intake in a free-living environment with older adults with T2DM.
Study 1: Effectiveness of an automated telephone system in promoting change in dietary intake among adults with T2DM The effectiveness of an automated telephone system, Telephone-Linked Care (TLC) Diabetes, designed to deliver self-management education was evaluated in terms of promoting dietary change in adults with T2DM and sub-optimal glycaemic control. In this secondary data analysis independent of the larger randomised controlled trial, complete data was available for 95 adults (59 male; mean age(±SD)=56.8±8.1 years; mean(±SD)BMI=34.2±7.0kg/m2). The treatment effect showed a reduction in total fat of 1.4% and saturated fat of 0.9% energy intake, body weight of 0.7 kg and waist circumference of 2.0 cm. In addition, a significant increase in the nutrition self-efficacy score of 1.3 (p<0.05) was observed in the TLC group compared to the control group. The modest trends observed in this study indicate that the TLC Diabetes system does support the adoption of positive nutrition behaviours as a result of diabetes self-management education, however caution must be applied in the interpretation of results due to the inherent limitations of the dietary assessment method used. The decision to use a close-list FFQ with known bias may have influenced the accuracy of reporting dietary intake in this instance. This study provided an example of the methodological challenges experienced with measuring changes in absolute diet using a FFQ, and reaffirmed the need for novel prospective assessment methods capable of capturing natural variance in usual intakes.
Study 2: The development and trial of NuDAM recording protocol The feasibility of the Nutricam mobile phone photo/voice dietary record was evaluated in 10 adults with T2DM (6 Male; age=64.7±3.8 years; BMI=33.9±7.0 kg/m2). Intake was recorded over a 3-day period using both Nutricam and a written estimated food record (EFR). Compared to the EFR, the Nutricam device was found to be acceptable among subjects, however, energy intake was under-recorded using Nutricam (-0.6±0.8 MJ/day; p<0.05). Beverages and snacks were the items most frequently not recorded using Nutricam; however forgotten meals contributed to the greatest difference in energy intake between records. In addition, the quality of dietary data recorded using Nutricam was unacceptable for just under one-third of entries. It was concluded that an additional mechanism was necessary to complement dietary information collected via Nutricam. Modifications to the method were made to allow for clarification of Nutricam entries and probing forgotten foods during a brief phone call to the subject the following morning. The revised recording protocol was evaluated in Study 4.
Study 3: The development and trial of the NuDAM analysis protocol Part A explored the effect of the type of portion size estimation aid (PSEA) on the error associated with quantifying four portions of 15 single foods items contained in photographs. Seventeen dietetic students (1 male; age=24.7±9.1 years; BMI=21.1±1.9 kg/m2) estimated all food portions on two occasions: without aids and with aids (food models or reference food photographs). Overall, the use of a PSEA significantly reduced mean (±SD) group error between estimates compared to no aid (-2.5±11.5% vs. 19.0±28.8%; p<0.05). The type of PSEA (i.e. food models vs. reference food photograph) did not have a notable effect on the group estimation error (-6.7±14.9% vs. 1.4±5.9%, respectively; p=0.321). This exploratory study provided evidence that the use of aids in general, rather than the type, was more effective in reducing estimation error. Findings guided the development of the Dietary Estimation and Assessment Tool (DEAT) for use in the analysis of the Nutricam dietary record.
Part B evaluated the effect of the DEAT on the error associated with the quantification of two 3-day Nutricam dietary records in a sample of 29 dietetic students (2 males; age=23.3±5.1 years; BMI=20.6±1.9 kg/m2). Subjects were randomised into two groups: Group A and Group B. For Record 1, the use of the DEAT (Group A) resulted in a smaller error compared to estimations made without the tool (Group B) (17.7±15.8%/day vs. 34.0±22.6%/day, p=0.331; respectively). In comparison, all subjects used the DEAT to estimate Record 2, with resultant error similar between Group A and B (21.2±19.2%/day vs. 25.8±13.6%/day; p=0.377 respectively). In general, the moderate estimation error associated with quantifying food items did not translate into clinically significant differences in the nutrient profile of the Nutricam dietary records, only amorphous foods were notably over-estimated in energy content without the use of the DEAT (57kJ/day vs. 274kJ/day; p<0.001). A large proportion (89.6%) of the group found the DEAT helpful when quantifying food items contained in the Nutricam dietary records. The use of the DEAT reduced quantification error, minimising any potential effect on the estimation of energy and macronutrient intake.
Study 4: Evaluation of the NuDAM The accuracy and inter-rater reliability of the NuDAM to assess energy and macronutrient intake was evaluated in a sample of 10 adults (6 males; age=61.2±6.9 years; BMI=31.0±4.5 kg/m2). Intake recorded using both the NuDAM and a weighed food record (WFR) was coded by three dietitians and compared with an objective measure of total energy expenditure (TEE) obtained using the doubly labelled water technique. At the group level, energy intake (EI) was under-reported to a similar extent using both methods, with the ratio of EI:TEE was 0.76±0.20 for the NuDAM and 0.76±0.17 for the WFR. At the individual level, four subjects reported implausible levels of energy intake using the WFR method, compared to three using the NuDAM. Overall, moderate to high correlation coefficients (r=0.57-0.85) were found across energy and macronutrients except fat (r=0.24) between the two dietary measures. High agreement was observed between dietitians for estimates of energy and macronutrient derived for both the NuDAM (ICC=0.77-0.99; p<0.001) and WFR (ICC=0.82-0.99; p<0.001). All subjects preferred using the NuDAM over the WFR to record intake and were willing to use the novel method again over longer recording periods.
This research program explored two novel approaches which utilised distinct technologies to aid in the nutritional management of adults with T2DM. In particular, this thesis makes a significant contribution to the evidence base surrounding the use of PhRs through the development, trial and evaluation of a novel mobile phone photo/voice dietary record. The NuDAM is an extremely promising advancement in the nutritional management of individuals with diabetes and other chronic conditions. Future applications lie in integrating the NuDAM with other technologies to facilitate practice across the remaining stages of the nutrition care process.
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Lakew, Teshome Hailelul. "Evaluation of Network Comparison Approaches." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för datavetenskap, fysik och matematik, DFM, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-27628.
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Network visualizations have been used for quit long time. Different disciplines use this visualization to compare a given dataset. Identifying better comparison approach that is used for information visualization is indispensable both for the people who are using it and for developers who are looking for a better way of visualizing huge data. In this thesis a task based approach has been used to analyze two different network comparison approaches namely Juxtaposition (showing different objects compared in separate space or time) and Superposition (overlaying objects in the same space). Thirty students at Linnaeus University have participated in the questionnaire to evaluate the usability of the two approaches. SPSS tool is used to analyze the data collected from the participants and the result explicitly indicates that there is no significant variation between Juxtaposition and Superposition comparison approaches. The result can be used as a recommendation for domain specific professionals and developers in their quest for better network comparison for their audience.
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Schwarz, Gretchen E. (Gretchen Ellen). "Philosophical approaches to teacher evaluation." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1991. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc332540/.
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The problem of this study is to educe and examine philosophical ideas embedded in major models of teacher evaluation. This study is qualitative, involving the presentation and analysis of ideas which affect educational practice.
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Hall, Katherine C. "Didactic Evaluation Methods." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2019. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/8290.
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Maesano, Maria Grazia. "Silsesquioxanes : alternative approaches and methods of synthesis." Thesis, Open University, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.437783.
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Tamanini, Isabelle. "Hybrid approaches of verbal decision analysis methods." Universidade de Fortaleza, 2015. http://dspace.unifor.br/handle/tede/95458.
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Made available in DSpace on 2019-03-29T23:49:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0
Previous issue date: 2015-06-30Decision support methods aim at assisting at the decision-making process in order tosimplify the analysis of a problem's alternatives characteristics and to justify the choice of a particular potential action. The decision process using verbal methods makes theanalysis of the decision maker's preferences more reliable. The basis for decision-makingis the exposure of the pros and cons and the analysis of them as a whole. This analysis ofpros and cons from different points of view is called "Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis"(MCDA). The Verbal Decision Analysis (VDA) is a methodological approach of MCDA thatsupports the problems resolution in a verbal way. When applying VDA methods, oneis not required to assign numeric degrees of preferences to a criteria value in relation toanother. This way, the procedure that it applies to determine the preferences of a decisionmaker on a given context is psychologically valid. Also, procedures that acquire verbalpreferences of a decision maker are more stable and consistent. On the other hand, the amount of criteria and of criteria values that these approachessupport is limited, since they are responsible for increasing the elicitation of preferences complexity. This process is costly and requires a considerable time from the decision makerto answer the questions. Also, there is nowadays a constant need for applying thesemethodologies to real world problems, since they are clearer and more understandablefrom the decision maker's point of view. This leads us to the necessity of creating more robust procedures to be applied tolarge scale problems, reducing the notable impact on the methods' complexity caused bythe consideration of a great amount of aspects of a determined problem.Recent researches in the area have shown that the hybridization of methods is ableto overcome the limitation presented by the methods when they are applied separately.This way, this research presents hybrid methodologies structured on VDA, which allow theresolution of large scale problems in Computer Sciences, Engineering and Health Sciences. The idea is that the classification of alternatives before submitting them to an ordering methodology would be an effective way of filtering the alternatives set that will besubmitted to the ordering method. With this pre-selection, the alternatives presentingthe most relevant values of aspects will be selected, and the ones presenting unacceptableaspects from the decision maker's point of view will be eliminated and, thus, not submittedto the rank ordering methodology. Keywords: Verbal Decision Analysis, Hybrid Methodologies, Classification Methods,Ordering Methods, Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis.
Métodos de apoio à decisão objetivam auxiliar no processo de tomada de decisão de forma a simplificar a análise das características das alternativas de um problema, e justificar a escolha de uma ação potencial em particular. O processo de decisão por meio de métodos verbais torna a análise das preferências do decisor mais confiável. A base paraa tomada de decisão é a exposição dos prós e contras e análise deles sob diferentes pontosde vista. Essa análise é chamada de "Análise de Decisão Multicritério" (ADM). A Análise Verbal de Decisão (AVD) é uma abordagem metodológica de ADM queapoia a resolução de problemas de forma verbal. Ao aplicar os métodos de AVD, não é necessário atribuir graus numéricos de preferências para um valor critérios em relação aoutro. Desta forma, o procedimento aplicado para obter as preferências de um decisor a cerca de um dado contexto é psicologicamente válido. Além disso, procedimentos quetrabalham com medidas de preferências verbais são mais estáveis e consistentes. Por outro lado, a quantidade de critérios e de valores de critérios com que essasabordagens conseguem trabalhar é limitada, uma vez que esses são responsáveis peloaumento da complexidade durante a elicitação de preferências. Este processo é custoso edemandaumtempo considerável do decisor para responder aos questionamentos necessários.Além disso, existe hoje uma necessidade constante da utilização dessas metodologias emproblemas do mundo real, uma vez que essas tendem a ser mais claras e compreensíveisdo ponto de vista do decisor. Essa limitação acarreta na necessidade de se ter procedimentos mais robustos paraserem aplicados a problemas de grande porte, reduzindo o impacto notável na complexidadedos métodos causada pela consideração de uma grande quantidade de aspectos de umdeterminado problema.Pesquisas recentes na área têm mostrado que a hibridação de métodos é capaz desuperar a limitação apresentada pelos mesmos métodos quando esses são aplicados separadamente.Assim sendo, essa pesquisa apresenta metodologias híbridas estruturados emmétodos da AVD, que permitem a resolução de problemas de grande porte em Ciênciasda Computação, Engenharias e Ciências da Saúde. A ideia principal é que a classificação das alternativas antes de submetê-las a umametodologia de ordenação seria uma forma eficaz de filtrar o conjunto de alternativasa ser submetido ao método de ordenação. Com esta pré-seleção, as alternativas queapresentam os valores de aspectos mais relevantes serão selecionados, e as que apresentamaspectos inaceitáveis do ponto de vista do decisor serão eliminadas e, portanto, não serãosubmetidas à metodologia de ordenação. Palavras-chave: Análise Verbal de Decisão, Metodologias Híbridas, Métodos de Classificação, Métodos de Ordenação, Análise de Decisão Multicritério.
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Zare, mahmoudabadi Mohsen. "Shared representation of work-related musculoskeletal risk factors and comparison of assessment methods : an experimental study in the truck manufacturing industry Evaluation of Ergonomic Approach and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Two Different Organizations in a Truck Assembly Plant A comparison of neck bending and flexion measurement methods for assessment of risk." Thesis, Angers, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015ANGE0075.
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Les facteurs de risque de troubles musculo-squelettiques(TMS) tels que les facteurs physiques, organisationnels et psychosociaux sont un défi commun pour les industries de l'assemblage automobile qui entrainent des effets indésirables sur le système et les humains. L’ergonomie a déjà été intégrée dans les systèmes de production de ces industries pour la prise en charge de la prévention des TMS. La question est de savoir si l'approche ergonomique actuelle des industries automobiles, sur la base de normes à l'entreprise et des méthodes d'observation, peut fournir une connaissance partagée des facteurs ergonomiques pour les divers intervenants et pour faciliter l'amélioration des conditions de travail. Cette étude aborde la problématique du positionnement des différents méthodes d'évaluation (utilisées par les différents intervenants) et compare les résultats et apports de chaque méthode d'évaluation. Cette thèse propose que la procédure actuelle d'évaluation des risques de TMS ne favorise pas une connaissance partagée entre les intervenants dans les industries automobiles. On constate que les évaluations par auto-questionnaire (opérateurs) sont significativement différentes de celles issues des méthodes d'observation (ergonome) et des mesures directes (analyse biomécanique). Cependant, les opinions et jugements des opérateurs concernant les facteurs ergonomiques sont importants pour faciliter la réussite d'une approche ergonomique. Un entretien structuré et systématisé, basé sur des données objectives (Video-observations ou de mesure directe) liées aux activités et stratégies des opérateurs, pourrait être une procédure appropriée pour faire progresser l'ergonomie des situations de travail. Enfin, la connaissance tirée de cette thèse souligne que la variabilité des tâches dans l’industrie automobile nécessite une approche ergonomique qui partage les connaissances des risques entre les intervenants. Dans cette approche, les attitudes et les comportements des opérateurs sont pris en compte dans les projets d’amélioration continue. De plus, la participation des intervenants devrait être intégrée afin d'améliorer la prise en compte de l'ergonomie dans la production. Une synthèse de cette thèse en Français a été fournie dans l’annexe premièreMusculoskeletal risk factors such as physical, organizational and psychosocial factors are a common challenge for the automotive assembly industries and result in adverse human and system effects. Ergonomics has already been integrated inthe production systems of such factories to eliminate work related musculoskeletal disorders (WR-MSDs). The issue is whether the current ergonomic approach of car industries, based on corporate standards and observational methods, can provide a shared knowledge of ergonomic factors for various stakeholders and facilitate ergonomic improvement. This study focuses on the positioning of the different assessment methods (used by various stakeholders), agreement between their results in evaluation of physical risk factors and the influence of intervention and improvement following ergonomic assessment. This thesis proposes that the current procedure of risk factor assessment can not provide ashared knowledge and representation of risks between stakeholders in manufacturing industries. It was found that the operators’ assessments of risk factors (self-reported questionnaire) were significantly different from those assessed by observational methods (ergonomist) and direct measurement. However, the operators’ opinions and judgments of ergonomic factors of a job are of particular importance to the success of an ergonomic approach. A structured interview based on objective data (video-observation or direct measurement) linked the activities and strategies of atrisk operators might be an appropriate procedure to advance ergonomics.The knowledge gained from this study emphasizes that the variable nature of tasks in manufacturing industries needs an ergonomic approach which shares knowledge and representation of risks between stakeholders. In such an approach, attitudes and behaviors of operators are taken into consideration in developing new intervention processes, organizational and technical remedies. Moreover, involvement of stakeholders should be integrated and this should result in improving production ergonomics
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Dangleis, Karilyn. "Implementing the teaching strategy: "Identifying Similarities and Differences"." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2004. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2548.
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In order to enhance academic achievement it is necessary to implement a teaching strategy which provides students with tools needed to improve classroom performance. This study will produce data showing whether the implementation of "Indentifying Similarities and Differences" is an effective teaching strategy.
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Kannaiyan, Lenin. "Evaluation of approaches for rice transformation." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2004. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.401549.
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Eagle, Simon. "Approaches to globalisation : a critical evaluation." Thesis, University of Southampton, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.245735.
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Nilsson, Simon. "Application modernization: Approaches, problems and evaluation." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för datavetenskap, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-112058.
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Applications have a life cycle that after a while can prove more difficult to maintain than redo. Remember when web pages were static and developed to a specific size? Accessing them today with a phone or a tablet forces users to scroll all over the page to view the full content. Modernization is when a legacy system gets redone and put into a more modern application space. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each modernization technique is paramount to select the correct solution and the overall success of a modernization e↵ort. This thesis describes what to take into consideration when planning a modernization. Why should organizations consider modernization? What are the costs? What can be done to achieve better and efficient modernization for the next generation and how do they decide the correct time to modernize? To answer these questions a practical study was done using a legacy system written in Java and modernizing it to the ASP .NET framework. An interview with the client ordering the modernization was conducted to understand the reasoning an organization has regarding modernization. Results showed that modernizing can and will often be a great way to expand business capabilities but the major limitation is the finance. Here lies a problem due to the challenging nature of knowing the return of investment regarding modernization and calculating risk vs. reward scenarios. However, the planning stage is of major importance and it can reduce the modernization cost significantly.