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Research Used (research + used)
Selected AbstractsUsing feedforward neural networks and forward selection of input variables for an ergonomics data classification problemHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 1 2004Chuen-Lung Chen A method was developed to accurately predict the risk of injuries in industrial jobs based on datasets not meeting the assumptions of parametric statistical tools, or being incomplete. Previous research used a backward-elimination process for feedforward neural network (FNN) input variable selection. Simulated annealing (SA) was used as a local search method in conjunction with a conjugate-gradient algorithm to develop an FNN. This article presents an incremental step in the use of FNNs for ergonomics analyses, specifically the use of forward selection of input variables. Advantages to this approach include enhancing the effectiveness of the use of neural networks when observations are missing from ergonomics datasets, and preventing overspecification or overfitting of an FNN to training data. Classification performance across two methods involving the use of SA combined with either forward selection or backward elimination of input variables was comparable for complete datasets, and the forward-selection approach produced results superior to previously used methods of FNN development, including the error back-propagation algorithm, when dealing with incomplete data. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 14: 31,49, 2004. [source] Overlooked and underutilized: People with disabilities are an untapped human resourceHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2008Mark L. Lengnick-Hall The retirement of baby boomers along with a smaller cohort group of young people replacing them poses a challenge for employers in the future,where will they find the workers they need? One largely untapped source of human resources is people with disabilities (PWDs). Why have employers mostly ignored this large labor pool? This research used a semistructured interview approach with 38 executives across a broad array of industries and geographic regions to examine why employers don't hire PWDs and what they believe can be done to change this situation. Results show that most employers are not very proactive in hiring PWDs and that most employers hold stereotypical beliefs not supported by research evidence. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Interaction Effects in the Theory of Planned Behavior: The Interplay of Self-Identity and Past BehaviorJOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 11 2007Joanne R. Smith This research used a revised theory of planned behavior (TPB) model, which incorporated self-identity and past behavior,and the interaction between these constructs,in order to improve the model's predictive power in relation to consumer behavior (purchasing one's preferred beer). At Time 1, respondents (N = 108) completed measures of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, self-identity, past behavior, and intentions. Behavior was assessed 1 week later. All predictors were positively related to intentions. Self-identity and past behavior interacted to influence intentions: Self-identity had a stronger influence on intentions at low, rather than high, levels of past behavior. Intentions and past behavior were predictive of Time 2 behavior. These findings emphasize the need to consider identity issues in the TPB. [source] Customer perceptions of justice in service transactions: the effects of strong and weak tiesJOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Issue 7 2001Robert L. Holbrook Jr This research used a justice perspective to investigate the effects of outcome favorability, opportunity for voice, and interpersonal treatment in a service context. Results suggest that all three variables influenced customer reactions to bank loan decisions. Weak-tie customers were more sensitive to outcome favorability than strong-tie customers. Strong-tie customers were more sensitive to opportunity for voice than weak-tie customers. Implications for improving customer reactions to service transactions are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Young children learning about living things: A case study of conceptual change from ontological and social perspectivesJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 5 2004Grady VenvilleArticle first published online: 16 APR 200 Although research from a developmental/psychological perspective indicates that many children do not have a scientific understanding of living things, even by the age of 10 years, little research has been conducted about how students learn this science topic in the classroom. This exploratory research used a case-study design and qualitative data-collection methods to investigate the process of conceptual change from ontological and social perspectives when Year 1 (5- and 6-year-old) students were learning about living things. Most students were found to think about living things with either stable, nonscientific or stable, scientific framework theories. Transitional phases of understanding also were identified. Patterns of conceptual change observed over the 5-week period of instruction included theory change and belief revision as well as reversals in beliefs. The predominant pattern of learning, however, was the assimilation of facts and information into the students' preferred framework theory. The social milieu of the classroom context exposed students' scientific and nonscientific beliefs that influenced other individuals in a piecemeal fashion. Children with nonscientific theories of living things were identified as being least able to benefit from socially constructed, scientific knowledge; hence, recommendations are made for teaching that focuses on conceptual change strategies rather than knowledge enrichment. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 41: 449,480, 2004 [source] What do Swedish physiotherapists feel about research?PHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2002A survey of perceptions, attitudes, engagement, intentions Abstract Background and Purpose Although the past decades have witnessed an increase in physiotherapy research, there remains a concern about the translation of research into clinical practice, a problem that to date has attracted relatively limited interest. The aim of the present study was to investigate perceptions and attitudes toward research, intentions to perform as well as actual engagement in research-related activities in a sample of Swedish physiotherapists. Method A cross-sectional design was used, and 343 Swedish physiotherapists responded to a postal questionnaire (representing a response rate of 61.7%). Questions about research-related activities were measured on a Likert-type scale, whereas questions referring to attitudes toward research used a semantic differential scale. Results The physiotherapists considered research as an important part of their professional role. Reading research literature was perceived as the most important research activity, and all mean attitude ratings were on the positive side of the scale. High workload and lack of time were the most commonly mentioned barriers to participation in research-related activities. Although Swedish physiotherapists read a large variety of journals, they most frequently read in their own language. Conclusions The physiotherapists in this study were generally positive about research, which offers hope for an increased use of evidence-based practice in the future. In order to facilitate this development, easily accessible summaries could be provided. A cultural change within the profession, allowing more time for reading and discussing research reports should be encouraged. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] The Extent and Determinants of the Utilization of University Research in Government AgenciesPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW, Issue 2 2003Réjean Landry This article addresses three questions: To what extent is university research used in government agencies? Are there differences between the policy domains in regard to the extent of use? What determines the use of university research in government agencies? The data analysis is based on a survey of 833 government officials from Canadian government agencies. Comparisons of the magnitude of uptake of university research show large and significant differences across policy domains. The results of the multivariate regression analyses show that the characteristics of research and the focus on the advancement of scholarly knowledge or on users' needs do not explain the uptake of research. Users' adaptation of research, users' acquisition efforts, links between researchers and users, and users' organizational contexts are good predictors of the uptake of research by government officials. [source] Teachers: Recognising Excellence in Medical Education: a student-led award schemeTHE CLINICAL TEACHER, Issue 3 2010Nicola Louise Wheeler Summary Background:, The standard of clinical teaching is acknowledged by undergraduate medical students and their clinical teachers as being variable.1 Furthermore, there is very little recognition by medical schools of the teaching expertise and efforts of clinical teachers.2 Innovation:, In response to these issues, a group of medical students at the University of Birmingham's Medical School have established an awards scheme called Recognising Excellence in Medical Education (REME). This is a student-led award scheme that is supported by the Dean and other senior medical school staff, and by the students' medical society. Method:, This research used two focus groups, one comprising REME award winners and one comprising students who voted in the scheme, to discuss opinions regarding the awards, reasons why the students voted, and how clinical teachers feel about receiving the awards. Discussion:, The focus groups revealed that both students and their clinical teachers were very positive about the award scheme and the impact it has had, both personally and within the hospitals or Trusts of the award winners. The REME awards were viewed as motivating and encouraging for clinical teachers, and were particularly prized as teachers were nominated by their students. [source] | |||||||||||||