Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Evaluation Strategies (evaluation + strategy)
Selected AbstractsA review of the Behavioral Evaluation Strategy and Taxonomy (BEST®) software applicationBEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS, Issue 4 2004Tina M. Sidener Recent computer technology has led to the development of a number of software applications that have been specifically designed for collecting and analyzing observational data in real time. Behavioral Evaluation Strategy and Taxonomy (BEST®) is an innovative software program that provides users with an effective way to collect, store, and analyze real-time observational data. The program is comprised of two distinct applications: BEST Collection® and BEST Analysis®. The purpose of the current article was to provide a critical review of BEST Version 4.1.6 for the Windows® (95/98/NT) operating system. The basis of this review was our use of BEST to collect and analyze data for several studies over a 2 year period. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The evaluation of health and social care partnerships: an analysis of approaches and synthesis for the futureHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 5 2006Helen Dickinson MA BAArticle first published online: 17 AUG 200 Abstract At a time when health and social care partnerships are continuing to occupy a central role within the UK government's policy strategy, researchers are increasingly being required to evaluate such organisational entities. This paper looks at a wide range of approaches which have been utilised to evaluate health and social care partnerships, and suggests that theory-led strategies are better able to address the complexities associated with such forms of evaluation. In particular, the author suggests that a combination of theories of change and realistic evaluation seems to be the most fruitful in tackling the evaluation difficulties associated with partnerships. Despite both being theory-led evaluation strategies, they fulfil quite different and complementary roles. However, both these approaches have been found to have some limitations in practice. Therefore, this paper suggests that interpreting these approaches through a framework of critical realism may overcome a number of these difficulties. [source] Employee perceptions and their influence on training effectivenessHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2003Amalia Santos Studies of the benefits of human resource development (HRD) for organisations have assumed a direct connection between training strategy and a hierarchy of performance outcomes: learning, behavioural change and performance improvement. The influence of workplace practices and employees' experiences on training effectiveness has received little attention. This study investigates evaluation strategies designed to elicit greater training effectiveness, and explores the influence of trainees' perceptions and work environment factors on this. Drawing on detailed case study findings, the authors highlight the importance of management practices, trainees' perceptions of the work environment and systems of reward in explaining behaviour change after training. [source] Quality of Life: Its Application to Persons With Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families,Introduction and OverviewJOURNAL OF POLICY AND PRACTICE IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 1 2009Roy I. Brown Abstract The authors provide an overview of quality of life (QoL) conceptualization in the field of intellectual disabilities (ID), provide background information, and set an organizing framework for presenting concepts and concrete ideas for applying QoL. This framework is useful for three broad categories of application in the field of ID that form the application of QoL to individuals, groups of individuals, and to families. QoL thus can be used as a sensitizing notion that gives a sense of reference and guidance from the individual's perspective, focusing on the person and the individual's environment and provides a framework for conceptualizing, measuring, and applying the QoL construct. The applications also frame evaluation strategies for QoL research. The authors conclude that there is a need to identify relevant QoL evidence from the literature in a proactive way, and to ensure that it is methodologically sound, provides both quantitative and qualitative data, represents inter- and intra-individual variability, and illustrates changes over both the lifespan and across cultural settings. [source] Representations of nature of science in high school chemistry textbooks over the past four decadesJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 7 2008Fouad Abd-El-Khalick Abstract This study assessed the representations of nature of science (NOS) in high school chemistry textbooks and the extent to which these representations have changed during the past four decades. Analyses focused on the empirical, tentative, inferential, creative, theory-driven, and social NOS, in addition to the myth of "The Scientific Method," the nature of scientific theories and laws, and the social and cultural embeddedness of science. A total of 14 textbooks, including five "series" spanning one to four decades, were analyzed. The textbooks commanded significant market shares in the United States and were widely used in some of the most populace states. Relevant textbook sections were scored on each of the target NOS aspects on a scale ranging from ,3 to +3, which reflected the accuracy, completeness, and manner (explicit versus implicit) in which these aspects were addressed. The textbooks fared poorly in their representations of NOS. Additionally, with a few exceptions, textbook scores either did not change or decreased over the past four decades. These trends are incommensurate with the discourse in national and international science education reform documents, which has witnessed an increasing emphasis on the centrality of NOS to scientific literacy and pre-college science education during the same time period. Assessment and evaluation strategies, and policies need to be targeted if substantial and desired changes in the ways NOS is addressed in science textbooks are to be effected. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 835,855, 2008 [source] Getting Older, Getting Wiser?POLITICS & POLICY, Issue 3 2003The Impact of Aging on Candidate Evaluation Domain-specific measures, such as political ideology and sophistication, have been used in models of how citizens evaluate candidates for political office. Non-domain-specific factors, such as age, may have additional explanatory power in models of evaluations and affect the type of information processing strategies employed by citizens. Specifically, the use of person- and issue-based information in evaluation strategies may be affected by the cognitive structure of aging, including the acquisition of person impression skills and resources. We test this hypothesis using the Pooled Senate Election Study (1988,92) and the 1974 American National Election Study. The analysis reveals that younger citizens base their evaluations mostly on issue-based criteria, but as citizens age they add person-based criteria to their evaluations. Implications for decision-making models are discussed. [source] Predictors of Candidate Maturation Among Potential Living DonorsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2005Elizabeth C. Verna The shortage of deceased donor allografts and improved outcomes in partial organ transplantation have led to widespread application of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation. Donor selection limits overall utilization of this technique and predictors of candidate maturation have been inadequately studied to date. We therefore collected data on 237 consecutive potential donors including their age, sex, ethnicity, relationship to the recipient, education, employment and religious beliefs and practices. Of these 237 candidates, 91 (38%) were excluded for medical and psychosocial reasons, 53 (22%) withdrew from the process predonation and 93 (39%) underwent partial liver donation. In multivariate analyses, the relationship between the donor and the recipient was highly predictive of successful donation. For pediatric recipients, no parents voluntarily withdrew from the evaluation process. For adult recipients, spouses are the most likely to donate, followed by parents, children and siblings. Additional predictors for donation included self-description as religious but not regularly practicing, part-time employment and higher education. Race, ethnicity, gender and age did not predict donation in multivariate analysis. Further understanding of the complex decision to donate may improve donation rates as well as permit more efficient and cost-effective donor evaluation strategies. [source] A feed is only as good as its ingredients , a review of ingredient evaluation strategies for aquaculture feedsAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 1 2007B.D. GLENCROSS Abstract The evaluation of feed ingredients is crucial to nutritional research and feed development for aquaculture species. In evaluating ingredients for use in aquaculture feeds, there are several important knowledge components that should be understood to enable the judicious use of a particular ingredient in feed formulation. This includes information on (1) ingredient digestibilities, (2) ingredient palatability and (3) nutrient utilization and interference. Diet design, feeding strategy, faecal collection method and method of calculation all have important implications on the determination of the digestible value of nutrients from any ingredient. There are several ways in which palatability of ingredients can be assessed, usually based on variable inclusion levels of the ingredient in question in a reference diet and feeding of those diets under an apparent satietal or self-regulating feeding regimes. However, the design of the diets, the parameters of assessment and the feeding regime can all be subject to variation depending on subtleties of the experimental design. Clearly, issues relating to feed intake are the key performance criteria in palatability assessments, and it is important that such experiments maintain sufficient stringency to allow some self-discrimination of the test feeds by the fish. The ability of fish to use nutrients from the test ingredient, or defining factors that interfere with that process, is perhaps the most complex and variable part of the ingredient evaluation process. It is crucial to discriminate effects on feed intake from effects on utilization of nutrients from ingredients (for growth and other metabolic processes). To allow an increased focus on nutrient utilization by the animals, there are several experimental strategies that can be adopted, which are based on variations in diet design and feeding regime used. Other issues such as ingredient functionality, influence on immune status and effects on organoleptic qualities are also important consideration in determining the value of ingredients in aquaculture feed formulations. A key aspect to note is the need to design all experiments with sufficient experimental capacity to detect significant effects. [source] Geoarchaeology of the Milfield Basin, northern England; towards an integrated archaeological prospection, research and management frameworkARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION, Issue 2 2002David G. Passmore Abstract This paper presents the results of geoarchaeological investigations undertaken on the valley floor of the Milfield Basin in Northumberland, northern England. The area has a regionally and nationally important archaeological record, including a series of major neolithic and Anglian settlements, but has hitherto lacked archaeological assessment and management guidelines appropriate to the wide range of late-glacial and post-glacial environmental settings in the basin. This project has used geomorphological techniques to delimit and classify a total of nine valley floor landform elements in terms of their geomorphology and their known and potential archaeological and palaeoenvironmental associations. Terraced glaciodeltaic and glaciofluvial sand and gravel landforms comprise the oldest landform elements described here and have formed the primary regional focus for prehistoric and early historic settlement and associated subsistence and ritual activity. These landforms have experienced little post-glacial geomorphological activity, but their multiperiod archaeological landscapes lie beneath a shallow soil cover and are vulnerable to land-use activities that disturb terrace soils and underlying sediments. A second group of landform elements are of Holocene age and include localized surface peats, alluvial fans, colluvial deposits and extensive deposits of terraced alluvium. Archaeological landscapes in these environments may lie buried intact and unrecorded beneath protective covers of sediment although locally they may have been subject to erosion and reworking by fluvial and slope processes. Holocene alluviation may account, at least in part, for the paucity of recorded archaeology in these parts of the basin. However, peat and organic-rich sedimentary sequences identified here (including four 14C dated peat sequences) offer an opportunity to elucidate the environmental context and land-use histories of local prehistoric and early historic communities in the basin, and hence also should be regarded as an archaeological resource. Discussion of landform elements and their archaeological associations is followed by a brief outline of evaluation criteria developed with the aim of ensuring effective long-term management of archaeological and palaeoenvironmental resources. It is concluded that geoarchaeological analysis of landform elements may be considered central to development of frameworks intended to underpin future programmes of archaeological research and the development of cultural resource management and evaluation strategies. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Critical analysis on the use of poster display as an alternative evaluation method in basic biochemistryBIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 4 2005Patricia M. B. Fernandes Abstract This article describes the use of poster preparation and display as an assessment tool and includes feedback from the students and academics concerned. This alternative approach has been used for four years since 2000 for biological science students studying biochemistry. The object of this approach was to get away from traditional teaching evaluation strategies, which promote passive learning and superficial memorization. Creating and presenting posters based on published manuscripts require students to understand, critically analyze, and disseminate the data, thereby promoting the understanding and retention of the material presented. [source] Participatory evaluation (I) , sharing lessons from fieldwork in AsiaCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2007B. Crishna Abstract Background There is a need to study methodologies for evaluating social development projects. Traditional methods of evaluation are often not able to capture or measure the ,spirit of change' in people, which is the very essence of human development. Using participatory methodologies is a positive way to ensure that evaluations encourage an understanding of the value of critical analysis among service providers and other stakeholders. Participatory evaluation provides a systematic process of learning through experiences. Methods Practical experiences of conducting a number of evaluation studies in social development projects have led the author to develop four basic principles of participatory evaluation strategies. This has been further conceptualized through an extensive literature search. The article develops and shares these principles through descriptions of field experiences in Asia. Results The article illustrates that the role of any evaluation remains a learning process, one which promotes a climate of reflection and self-assessment. It shows how using participatory methods can create this environment of learning. However, one needs to keep in mind that participatory evaluation takes time, and that the role and calibre of the facilitator are crucial. Conclusion Participatory evaluation methods have been recommended for social development projects to ensure that stakeholders remain in control of their own lives and decisions. [source] Assessing and managing contaminated sediments: Part I, developing an effective investigation and risk evaluation strategyINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2005Sabine E. Apitz Abstract This is the first of a two-part review of the current state-of-the-science pertaining to the assessment and management of contaminated sediments. The goal of this review is to introduce some of the major technical and policy issues stemming from the assessment and management of contaminated sediments, highlight a number of aspects of contaminated sediment assessment and management found to be successful, and, when appropriate, address the barriers that still exist for improving contaminated sediment management. In this paper, Part I, the many key elements of an effective investigation and risk evaluation strategy are reviewed, beginning with the development of a conceptual site model (CSM) and including a discussion of some of the key factors influencing the design of sediment investigations and ecological risk assessment of sediment-bound chemicals on aquatic biota. In Part II of this paper (Apitz et al. 2005), various approaches are reviewed for evaluating sediment risk and monitoring sediment remedy effectiveness. While many of the technical and policy issues described in this review are relevant to dredged material management, the focus of this paper is on sediment assessment for environmental management. [source] The definition, source, manifestation and assessment of unintended effects in genetically modified plantsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 14 2008Ping-Jian Deng Abstract At present, there is consensus among many relevant international agencies that unintended effects should be paid particular attention in the process of edible safety assessment of genetically modified plants (GMPs) and their products, especially in regard to some long-term and potential food safety issues. However, with respect to the current risk assessment of GMPs, serious dissension on the apprehension of unintended effects exists. The present paper interprets and systematically analyses this dissension in order to review development on the definition, source and manifestation of unintended effects in GMPs. First, differences in the various concepts of unintended effect are discussed and compared. Then the mechanisms whereby unintended effects may arise during GMP breeding are analysed and the main unexpected variation manifestations in GMPs are presented. With regard to the safety assessment of unintended effects in GMPs, the current evaluation strategy, detection methods and several assessment cases are expounded. In addition, the unique assessment standard for unintended effects in GMPs in China is outlined. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] | |||||||||||||||||||