Pilot Testing (pilot + testing)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


A pilot study of research utilization practices and critical thinking dispositions of Alberta dental hygienists

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 3 2008
SJ Cobban
Abstract:, In order to test interventions for increasing uptake of research findings into dental hygiene practice, we must first identify factors that influence research use. There has been little work on this topic in dental hygiene, but much in other disciplines that can provide exemplars of how others have approached the study of this phenomenon. Objectives:, A pilot study was conducted to determine if protocols used to study research utilization (RU) behaviours and critical thinking dispositions (CTD) in nursing could also be applied to dental hygiene. Methods:, A cross-sectional survey design was used with a random sample of 640 practicing dental hygienists in Alberta, Canada. Three questionnaires were included: one to capture measures of RU including direct, indirect and symbolic RU; the California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory (CCTDI) and a demographics questionnaire. Results:, Mean responses for the three types of RU were highest for indirect at 3.52 (SD 0.720), followed by direct at 3.13 (SD 0.903) and symbolic 2.86 (SD 0.959). The majority (74.8%) scored between 280 and 350 on the CCTDI (maximum 420). Cronbach's alpha reliability for the RU measures and four of the seven sub-scales were over .7, indicating internal consistency reliability. Conclusions:, The instruments proved reliable for this population, but other challenges, including a low response rate, were identified during the process of using the RU questionnaire in the context of dental hygiene practice. Pilot testing identified the need for improvements to the presentation of scales to reduce cognitive load and improve the response rate. [source]


The attitudes to ageing questionnaire (AAQ): development and psychometric properties

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2007
K. Laidlaw
Abstract Objective This paper describes the development of the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ) which is a self-report measure with which older people themselves can express their attitudes to the process of ageing. Method The development of the AAQ followed a coherent, logical and empirical process taking full account of relevant gerontological knowledge and modern and classical psychometric analytical methods. Pilot testing with 1,356 participants from 15 centres worldwide refined the scale and provided the basis for a field test. A total of 5,566 participants from 20 centres worldwide contributed to the further development of this new scale with the derivation involving both classical and modern psychometric methods. Results The result is a 24-item cross-cultural attitudes to ageing questionnaire consisting of a three-factor model encompassing psychological growth, psychosocial loss, and physical change. The three-factor model suggests a way of conceptualizing and measuring successful ageing in individuals. Conclusions The AAQ provides researchers, clinicians and policy makers with a unique scale to measure the impact of successful ageing interventions. It also provides a vehicle for the measurement of how individuals age across cultures and under different economic, political and social circumstances. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


RECIRCULATING WELLS: GROUND WATER REMEDIATION AND PROTECTION OF SURFACE WATER RESOURCES,

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 1 2000
Keith W. Ryan
ABSTRACT: Several chlorinated solvent plumes threaten the sole-source aquifer underlying the Massachusetts Military Reservation at the western end of Cape Cod. Sensitive surface water features including ponds, cranberry bogs, and coastal wetlands are hydraulically connected to the aquifer. For one of the plumes (CS-10 the original remedy of 120 extraction and reinjection wells has the potential for significant disruption of surface water hydrology, through the localized drawdown and mounding of the water table. Recirculating wells with in-well air stripping offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional pump-and-treat technology that does not adversely affect the configuration of the water table. Pilot testing of a two well system, pumping 300 gpm, showed a capture radius of > 200 feet per well, in-well trichloroethylene (TCE) removal efficiencies of 92 to 98 percent per recirculation cycle, an average of three recirculation cycles within the capture zone, and no measurable effect on water table elevations at any point within the recirculation/treatment zone. During 120 days of operation, the mean concentration of TCE in the treatment zone was reduced by 83 percent, from 1,111 ,g/l to 184 ,g/l. Full-scale design projections indicate that 60 wells at an average spacing of 160 feet, having an aggregate recirculation 11 MGD, can contain the CS-b plume without ground water extraction or adverse hydraulic effects on surface water resources. The estimated capital costs for such a system are about $7 million, and annual operations-and-maintenance costs should be about $1.4 million, 40 percent of those associated with a pump and treat system over a 20-year period. [source]


Adolescents' perceptions of a health survey using multimedia computer-assisted self-administered interview

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 6 2001
Peter D. Watson
Objective: To ascertain young people's perceptions of an adolescent health survey when administered by multimedia computer assisted self-administered Interview (M-CASI) through analysis of (1) questionnaire item responses and (2) focus group interviews. Methodology: Setting: Auckland, New Zealand, 1999. Study type: Pilot testing of a 488-item branching questionnaire delivered using a youth-oriented and user-friendly M-CASI interface in a variety of settings using both desktop and laptop computers. Post pilot focus groups of participants identifying their perceptions and experiences of the survey. Sample: 110 school students aged 12 to 18 years. Results: The mean number of questions answered by participants was 316 with the median time to completion being 48 minutes. On average 65% of the total number of questions were seen and of these 1.5% were deliberately not answered. A high level of acceptability and enjoyment of M-CASI was found in the analysis of focus group responses and agreed with the item responses relating to M-CASI within the questionnaire itself. Participants identified privacy and confidentiality as being particularly important for the honesty of their responses. The passive matrix screens of the computers were popular as they could only be viewed from in front. Conclusions: M-CASI is an acceptable instrument for the administration of a youth health survey. Laptop computers with passive matrix screens are able to enhance perceptions of privacy and confidentiality, which may improve honesty of responses. Implications: M-CASI is now feasible and offers advantages in health surveying. [source]


Trust in the Medical Profession: Conceptual and Measurement Issues

HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5 2002
Mark A Hall
Objective. To develop and test a multi-item measure for general trust in physicians, in contrast with trust in a specific physician. Data Sources. Random national telephone survey of 502 adult subjects with a regular physician and source of payment. Study Design. Based on a multidimensional conceptual model, a large pool of candidate items was generated, tested, and revised using focus groups, expert reviewers, and pilot testing. The scale was analyzed for its factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, and other psychometric properties. Principal Findings. The resulting 11-item scale measuring trust in physicians generally is consistent with most aspects of the conceptual model except that it does not include the dimension of confidentiality. This scale has a single-factor structure, good internal consistency (alpha=.89), and good response variability (range=11,54; mean=33.5; SD=6.9). This scale is related to satisfaction with care, trust in one's physician, following doctors' recommendations, having no prior disputes with physicians, not having sought second opinions, and not having changed doctors. No association was found with race/ethnicity. While general trust and interpersonal trust are qualitatively similar, they are only moderately correlated with each other and general trust is substantially lower. Conclusions. Emerging research on patients' trust has focused on interpersonal trust in a specific, known physician. Trust in physicians in general is also important and differs significantly from interpersonal physician trust. General physician trust potentially has a strong influence on important behaviors and attitudes, and on the formation of interpersonal physician trust. [source]


Questionnaire survey on the use of rotary nickel,titanium endodontic instruments by Australian dentists

INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 4 2004
P. Parashos
Abstract Aim, To ascertain the extent of the adoption and use of rotary nickel,titanium (NiTi) instruments and techniques in general dental practice and specialist endodontic practice in Australia in 2001. Methodology, A questionnaire survey comprising 43 questions was developed by first creating questions, then pilot testing with 10 postgraduate students in endodontics, followed by a final revision. The final series of questions covered demographics, patterns of rotary NiTi usage, issues associated with NiTi usage and training in NiTi use. The sampling frame was 908, comprising 64 endodontists and 844 general dentists. Results, The overall response rate was 87%. Rotary NiTi instruments were used by 22% of general dentists and 64% of endodontists. The two main reasons for not using rotary NiTi were ,no perceived advantage' and ,too fragile'. Instrument fracture had been experienced by 74% of respondents, and 72% of these had fractured one to five files for the two main perceived reasons of ,excessive pressure on the file' and ,over-usage'. The next two most common problems encountered were ,binding' (53%) and ,ledging' (45%). Very high proportions of positive experiences were noted. Most respondents (73%) had attended one or more continuing education courses, most of which were provided by dental supply companies (64%). Conclusions, The results indicate a sensible and responsible approach to the incorporation of rotary NiTi instruments and techniques into root canal treatment. Dentists were aware of the limitations of the new technology, but were taking steps to become familiar with the properties and behaviour of the instruments. Instrument fracture was common, but it was of low frequency and did not deter dentists from using the technology. [source]


Validation of a memory inventory for the assessment of awareness of memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease in Chinese elderly

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 10 2006
Victor Wing Cheong Lui
Abstract Background This paper describes the development and validation of the Memory Inventory for Chinese (MIC), for measuring the awareness of memory deficits in the Chinese population with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted. The MIC was developed with focus group discussion and pilot testing. It has a patient and a caregiver version. A consecutive series of 79 new out-patients with the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorder Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria of probable and possible AD and 20 non-demented elderly subjects were recruited. Results A high internal consistency was found, with Cronbach alpha of 0.89 for the patient version and 0.90 for the caregiver version of MIC. The inter-rater reliability was satisfactory. For validity assessment, the caregiver score of the MIC correlated significantly with cognitive score of the subject as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (rp,=,,0.37; p,<,0.01). The Memory Deficit Awareness Score, calculated by subtracting the patient score from the caregiver score, correlated significantly with clinician ratings of awareness of memory impairment (rs,=,,0.67; p,<,0.01). Conclusions The MIC appears to be a culturally appropriate and valid instrument for the measurement of awareness of memory deficits in Chinese patients with AD. Potential applications of the MIC should be further explored in other subtypes of dementia and in prospective studies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale: translation and reliability testing in a Swedish intensive care unit

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2010
M. ALMGREN
Background: Awareness about adequate sedation in mechanically ventilated patients has increased in recent years. The use of a sedation scale to continually evaluate the patient's response to sedation may promote earlier extubation and may subsequently have a positive effect on the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) provides 10 well-defined levels divided into two different segments, including criteria for levels of sedation and agitation. Previous studies of the RASS have shown it to have strong reliability and validity. The aim of this study was to translate the RASS into Swedish and to test the inter-rater reliability of the scale in a Swedish ICU. Methods: A translation of the RASS from English into Swedish was carried out, including back-translation, critical review and pilot testing. The inter-rater reliability testing was conducted in a general ICU at a university hospital in the south of Sweden, including 15 patients mechanically ventilated and sedated. Forty in-pair assessments using the Swedish version of the RASS were performed and the inter-rater reliability was tested using weighted , statistics (linear weighting). Result: The translation of the RASS was successful and the Swedish version was found to be satisfactory and applicable in the ICU. When tested for inter-rater reliability, the weighed , value was 0.86. Conclusion: This study indicates that the Swedish version of the RASS is applicable with good inter-rater reliability, suggesting that the RASS can be useful for sedation assessment of patients mechanically ventilated in Swedish general ICUs. [source]


Leading change through an international faculty development programme

JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 8 2009
LORA C. LACEY-HAUN PhD
Aims, The purpose of the study was to evaluate the modification of an American model of academic leadership training for utilization in an African university and to pilot test the efficacy of the resulting model. Background, Traditionally many educators have moved into administrative positions without adequate training. Current world standards require leadership preparation for a wide array of persons. However, this opportunity did not yet exist in the study setting. Method, University leaders from the University of the Western Cape and the University of Missouri collaborated on revising and pilot testing a successful American academic leadership programme for use among African faculty. Cross-cultural adaptations, participant satisfaction and subsequent outcomes were assessed during the 2-year ,train-the-trainer' leadership development programme. Results, African faculty successfully modified the American training model, participated in training activities, and after 2 years, began to offer the service to other institutions in the region, which has increased the number of nurses in Africa who have had, and who will continue to have, the opportunity to move up the career ladder. Conclusion, The impact of the project extended further than originally expected, as the original plan to utilize the training materials at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for the in-house faculty was expanded to allow UWC to utilize the modified materials to serve leadership development needs of faculty in other African universities. Implications for nursing management, Study findings will inform those interested in university policy and procedure on leadership training issues. The successful development of a self-sustaining leadership programme in which values of multiple cultures must be appropriately addressed has a significant impact for nursing administration. With the severe nursing shortage, health care institutions must develop cost effective yet quality development programmes to assure the succession of current staff into leadership positions. We no longer have the luxury of recruiting broadly and we must identify those talented nurses within our own institutions and prepare them for advanced leadership roles. This succession plan is especially important for the next generation of nurse leaders representing minority populations. In particular, nurse managers will find the overview of the literature for middle managers enlightening, and may find links to key resources that could be revised to be more culturally relevant for use in a wide array of settings. [source]


Flashpoint: An Innovative Media Literacy Intervention For High-Risk Adolescents

JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JOURNAL, Issue 2 2000
JANE MOORE MSW
ABSTRACT This paper describes the development and formative evaluation of a media literacy, media based intervention for high-risk adolescents. The program described, Flashpoint, was developed to (1) moderate the influence of media presentations of violence, substance abuse and prejudice on adolescents; and t (2) teach participants cognitive skills which would enable them to resist impulses to engage in behavior involving violence, substance abuse or prejudice. The evaluation described studied the pilot testing of the program with three groups of adolescents (N=33) involved in the juvenile justice system: adolescents in a diversion program (first time, nonviolent offenders); adolescents on probation; and adolescents in residential custody of the Department of Youth Services. Qualitative findings are reviewed in detail. [source]


Validity of the Spanish version of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) as a standard outcome for quality of life assessment,

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2006
Montserrat Ferrer
The Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) measures the impact on quality of life of chronic liver diseases, regardless of underlying etiology. The aim of this study was to develop a Spanish version of the CLDQ, and to assess its acceptability, reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change. The forward and back-translation method by bilingual translators, with expert panel and pilot testing on patients, was used for the adaptation. The final version was self-administered, together with the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), on 149 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease. Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores were evaluated by a physician. To assess reproducibility and responsiveness the CLDQ was readministered to a subsample of stable patients and to those who had received a liver transplant. Validity was evaluated via exploratory factor analysis, the CLDQ pattern across severity groups, and correlation coefficients with "itching" and SF-36 scores. Cronbach's alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for CLDQ global score were 0.93 and 0.90, respectively, demonstrating good reliability. Validity was supported by correlations of the CLDQ with SF-36 and "itching," and CLDQ severity gradient (global score means were 5.5, 5.2, 5.0, and 4.5 in patients with no cirrhosis, cirrhosis Child-Turcotte-Pugh A, B, and C, respectively; P = 0.012). Responsiveness was shown by a high CLDQ improvement in patients who had received liver transplant (mean change = ,1.4; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the Spanish CLDQ is reliable, valid, responsive, and equivalent to the original. These findings support its use as a standard outcome for patients with chronic liver diseases within the whole severity range, from "no cirrhosis" to transplant recipients, both in Spanish and international studies. Liver Transpl 12:95,104, 2006. © 2005 AASLD. [source]


The Cancer Pain Inventory: preliminary development and validation

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 7 2010
Teresa L. Deshields
Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a Cancer Pain Inventory (CPI) that measures cancer patients' beliefs and concerns about pain. This paper describes development and pilot testing of a preliminary version of the CPI and describes its psychometric properties including its reliability and validity relative to established pain measures. Methods: Subjects were recruited from inpatient and outpatient oncology services of an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Participants completed the 50 potential CPI items and these standard measures,Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test, Survey of Pain Attitudes, Brief Pain Inventory, Pain Disability Index, and Center for Epidemiological Studies,Depression Scale. The magnitude and significance of associations between the CPI and the other measures were examined. Results: Of 366 patients who were eligible and agreed to participate in the study, 262 completed the questionnaires. Principal components analyses were used to select items most appropriate for retention in the preliminary version of the CPI and to describe its factor structure. Based on the content of items that loaded on each factor, the five factors were labeled as Catastrophizing, Interference with Functioning, Stoicism, Social Aspects, and Concerns about Pain Medication. Correlations between the CPI and other measures supported construct validity of the five CPI factors. Conclusions: The results supported the validity of the CPI as a measure of five constructs relevant to the experience of pain in the cancer setting. The results also underscored the presence of unique features of cancer-related pain that clearly differ from commonly recognized dimensions of chronic, non-cancer-related pain. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Enhanced aerobic bioremediation of a gasohol release in a fractured bedrock aquifer

REMEDIATION, Issue 2 2010
Mark S. Heaston
In January 2005, a gasoline tanker carrying approximately 8,500 gallons of gasohol (gasoline containing 10 percent ethanol) overturned and caught fire in the front yard of a residence. Emergency response crews responded to the accident, extinguished the fire, and recovered residual gasoline on the ground surface. Soil impacted by the release was then removed and disposed of off-site and free-phase gasohol was recovered using a combination of vacuum recovery, pumping, and bailing to the extent practicable. Following free product recovery efforts, a feasibility evaluation was completed to select a technology to address the remaining dissolved-phase contaminants that resulted in biosparging pilot testing and, ultimately, the installation of a full-scale biosparging system. The full-scale system has been operating for approximately 21 months, and contaminant concentrations within the heart of the plume have decreased dramatically over a short period of time,in most cases, to below applicable cleanup standards. Despite the complex hydrogeologic conditions and significant initial concentrations, biosparging has proven to be an effective technology to remediate this gasohol release, and it is anticipated that drinking-water standards can be achieved following two to three years of biosparging (i.e., an additional 3 to 15 months of operations). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Methodological considerations when conducting direct observation in an outdoor environment: our experience in local parks

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2 2001
Susanne Engelhard
Objective: This paper discusses some of the inherent methodological limitations of gathering data via direct observation using local parks as a case study. Methods: Direct observation was carried out in five parks on seven non-consecutive days in 1998 and on matched days in 1999. Information recorded for each person included the time of park entry and exit, gender, age group, and activity/ies undertaken while in the park. Methodological considerations: The location of the observation point, observer reliability, recording and accuracy of data, and specific issues related to outdoor observation areas should all be considered when designing a study incorporating direct observation as a data collection method. Conclusions: Direct observation can provide valuable information. However, pilot testing is essential for minimising potential problems associated with this method and optimising data quality. Implications: The issues discussed in this paper provide a useful guide for other researchers undertaking direct observation in outdoor environments. [source]


Development of a client-generated health outcome measure for community nursing

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 5 2000
Rhonda Griffiths
Objective:To develop a client-generated outcome measure for use in community nursing. Method:Participants for the study were identified from the case load of community health nurses, from a nursing home service and from residents of a retirement village. All participants had a diagnosis of venous leg ulcer (VLU) and/or type 2 diabetes. Preliminary development of the measure involved focus groups of community clients and health professionals, and pilot testing of an existing quality of life (QoL) measure, the Patient-Generated Index. The resulting Client-Generated Index was tested for reliability and validity. Results:The Pearson's correlation coefficient between administration of the CGI at T1 and T2 was 0.526 (n=51; p=0.0001). The CGI correlated significantly with four of eight dimensions of the SF-36, and with pain as a clinical marker for VLU r=0.54 (p=0.001). Overall, participants with VLU reported a lower QoL (mean CGI score 2.8) compared to those with diabetes (mean CGI score 4.1). Conclusions:The CGI was developed to measure outcomes in community health settings. Some measures of its reliability and validity are demonstrated and further research is needed to validate the instrument using other client groups. Implications:If routine assessment and evaluation is to contribute to measures of outcome, the instruments need to be concise and acceptable to health care providers. The CGI has all these properties. [source]


Building a Simulation-based Crisis Resource Management Course for Emergency Medicine, Phase 1: Results from an Interdisciplinary Needs Assessment Survey

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2008
Christopher M. Hicks BSc
Abstract Introduction:, Emergency department (ED) resuscitation requires the coordinated efforts of an interdisciplinary team. Human errors are common and have a negative impact on patient safety. Although crisis resource management (CRM) skills are utilized in other clinical domains, most emergency medicine (EM) caregivers currently receive no formal CRM training. Objectives:, The objectives were to compile and compare attitudes toward CRM training among EM staff physicians, nurses, and residents at two Canadian academic teaching hospitals. Methods:, Emergency physicians (EPs), residents, and nurses were asked to complete a Web survey that included Likert scales and short answer questions. Focus groups and pilot testing were used to inform survey development. Thematic content analysis was performed on the qualitative data set and compared to quantitative results. Results:, The response rate was 75.7% (N = 84). There was strong consensus regarding the importance of core CRM principles (i.e., effective communication, team leadership, resource utilization, problem-solving, situational awareness) in ED resuscitation. Problems with coordinating team actions (58.8%), communication (69.6%), and establishing priorities (41.3%) were among factors implicated in adverse events. Interdisciplinary collaboration (95.1%), efficiency of patient care (83.9%), and decreased medical error (82.6%) were proposed benefits of CRM training. Communication between disciplines is a barrier to effective ED resuscitation for 94.4% of nurses and 59.7% of EPs (p = 0.008). Residents reported a lack of exposure to (64.3%), yet had interest in (96.4%) formal CRM education using human patient simulation. Conclusions:, Nurses rate communication as a barrier to teamwork more frequently than physicians. EM residents are keen to learn CRM skills. An opportunity exists to create a novel interdisciplinary CRM curriculum to improve EM team performance and mitigate human error. [source]


Productivity and Career Paths of Previous Recipients of Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Research Grant Awards

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2008
Kelly D. Young MD
Abstract Objectives:, The objective was to assess productivity of previous recipients of Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) grant awards. Methods:, All previous recipients of SAEM Research Training Grants, Neuroscience Research Awards, Scholarly Sabbatical Awards, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Research Fellowship awards funded through 2004 were identified through SAEM's records and surveyed. Award categories assessed were those still offered by SAEM at the time of the survey and therefore excluded the Geriatric Research Award. The 2005,2006 SAEM Grants Committee developed a survey using previous publications assessing productivity of training grants and fellowship awards and refined it through consensus review and limited pilot testing. We assessed measures of academic productivity (numbers of publications and additional grants awarded), commitment to an academic career, satisfaction with the SAEM award, and basic demographic information. Results:, Overall response rate was 70%; usable data were returned by all seven Research Training Grant awardees, both Neuroscience awardees, four of five Scholarly Sabbatical awardees, and six of 14 EMS Research Fellowship awardees. Of those who gave demographic information, 78% (14/18) were male and 94% (16/17) were non-Hispanic white. All the respondents remained in academics, and 14 of 19 felt that they will definitely be in academics 5 years from the time of the survey. They have a median of 1.8 original research publications per year since the end of their grant period, and 74% (14/19) have received subsequent federal funding. All found the SAEM award to be helpful or very helpful to their careers. Conclusions:, Previous recipients of the SAEM grant awards show evidence of academic productivity in the form of subsequent grant funding and research publications, and the majority remain committed to and satisfied with their academic research careers. [source]