An ebd-enabled design knowledge acquisition framework

Having enough knowledge and keeping it up to date enables designers to execute the design assignment effectively and gives them a competitive advantage in the design profession. Knowledge elicitation or acquisition is a crucial component of system design, particularly for tasks requiring transdisciplinary or multidisciplinary cooperation. In system design, extracting domain-specific information is exceedingly tricky for designers. This thesis presents three works that attempt to bridge the gap between designers and domain expertise. First, a systematic literature review on data-driven demand elicitation is given using the Environment-based Design (EBD) approach. This review address two research objectives: (i) to investigate the present state of computer-aided requirement knowledge elicitation in the domains of engineering; (ii) to integrate EBD methodology into the conventional literature review framework by providing a well-structured research question generation methodology. The second study describes a data-driven interview transcript analysis strategy that employs EBD environment analysis, unsupervised machine learning, and a range of natural language processing (NLP) approaches to assist designers and qualitative researchers in extracting needs when domain expertise is lacking. The second research proposes a transfer-learning method-based qualitative text analysis framework that aids researchers in extracting valuable knowledge from interview data for healthcare promotion decision-making. The third work is an EBD-enabled design lexical knowledge acquisition framework that automatically constructs a semantic network -- RomNet from an extensive collection of abstracts from engineering publications. Applying RomNet can improve the design information retrieval quality and communication between each party involved in a design project. To conclude, this thesis integrates artificial intelligence techniques, such as Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods, Machine Learning techniques, and rule-based systems to build a knowledge acquisition framework that supports manual, semi-automatic, and automatic extraction of design knowledge from different types of the textual data source

A taxonomic proposal for multiliteracies and their competences

The aim of this study is to analyze information and communication competences and their alphabets, both of which are necessary for effective knowledge-based content management. The evolution of the associated specialties or techniques, i.e., literacies, which have emerged to address this task more effectively are considered. The hypothesis that a taxonomic model can be used to order and coordinate literacies, in combination with an application metamodel within the framework of the Voremetur research project, was investigated. The methodology used to complete this analysis adopts an evolutionary approach comprising: (1) a first divergent phase describing the era of literacies and multiple literacies, in which field-specific competences and tools prevail; (2) a second convergent phase of information and digital literacy, whose associated competences become the targets of knowledge; and (3) a third divergent phase, based on multiliteracies, as a consequence of Big Data and its effects, to address which data literacy, together with "digital competences" emerged as new and complex ways of processing web content. Based on this premise, the classifications introduced by Bawden, Stordy, Secker & Coonan, and Mackey & Jacobson are proposed as a taxonomic model, using the metamodel definition from the Voremetur project. This results in the proposal of a multiliteracy including implementations that range from visual literacy and new media literacy, strategies for the selection of keywords as taxonomic labels, semantic control to define taxonomic categories, to a metamodel definition based on the categories obtained in the taxonomy. The development of the metamodel is presented through a program oriented at higher education within the framework of academic literacy, as a means for incorporation into curricula, including a definition of its paradigmatic and conceptual framework, the factors relevant to its programming and instructional design, educommunication as a didactic methodology approach, and digital educational objects as didactic materials, followed by an appropriate evaluation.This article is a result of the project "Vocabularies for a Network of Media Art Archives and Collections and its effects: Metaliteracy and Knowledge Tourism" (HAR2016-75949-C2-1-R) funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain

Assessing Nurse Manager Competencies in a Military Hospital

Military health care organizations need competent frontline managers with knowledge and skills to manage health care complexity and ensure evidence-based practice. With systematic, planned turn over of military managers, more civilian managers are needed to fill permanent positions in military hospitals. The purpose of this project was to provide a better understanding of the competencies perceived by nurse managers at a military medical center and whether they differed by military or civilian status. The American Organization of Nurse Executives competency model and framework provided the theoretical framework for the project. The design was nonexperimental, with an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional approach. The Chase Nurse Manager Competency Instrument was used to collect data from 53 military and civilian nurse managers who ranked the top 10 competencies needed for effective leadership. The top competencies chosen by the managers were the knowledge and ability to use effective communication, decision making, problem solving, nursing practice standards, time management, and effective staffing strategies. Using t test statistics, only minimal differences were identified between military and civilian nurse managers\u27 perceptions of the top competencies, which allows the medical center to create one integrated leadership curriculum to assist in the development of a competent, unified leadership team of civilian and military managers. Social change to improve patient outcomes can occur within military health care organizations by assessing and developing leadership competencies in all nurse managers to ensure reliable cultures of safety, quality, and value-based productivity within their military hospital environments

Overlapping dialogues: the role of interpretation design in communicating Australia’s natural and cultural heritage

This research investigates the development of interpretation design in Australia during the period 1980 – 2006, and its role in presenting natural and cultural heritage to audiences in visitor settings. It establishes Australian interpretation design at the intersection of two professional fields, interpretation and design. Where heritage interpretation originates from a background of spoken language, through narrative and storytelling, graphic and communication design have origins in visual language, communicated through images and text. This research positions interpretation design as a new field within design and traces its emergence as a hybrid of spoken and visual traditions of communication.The study gives visibility to this previously undocumented and un-theorised hybrid field of design and creates a thematic conceptual framework within which to locate its historical, conceptual and practical origins. In substantiating interpretation design as a new field, three avenues of enquiry were considered; documentation and analysis of the visual artefacts of interpretation design, locating interpretation design in a wider conceptual and professional context through literature reviews, and consultation with designers in order to understand the challenges and problems in this new mode of design. Further, to facilitate designers to continue to work effectively in highly collaborative, complex and cross-disciplinary professional environments a conceptual collaborative tool was developed for use by interpretation design project teams. The conceptual tool integrates the theoretical and practical findings from this research and is based on a pattern language approach first developed by Christopher Alexander et al (1977).The research is conducted from a design perspective, and integrates theoretical and professional knowledge from related fields into interpretation design practice. Through a progressively widening interrogation of the literature, professional contexts, and designed artefacts of interpretation design, this new area of design is examined from a number of perspectives, building up a multi-faceted framework for understanding its historical, conceptual and practical dimensions. A Grounded Theory methodology was adapted to develop the theoretical framework of this study and to gather a wide range of relevant data. The practical outcome of the research was developed using a Pattern Language methodology originating from a problem-based design approach in architecture (Alexander et al 1977) and underpinned the interpretation of data.Conclusions of the research found that despite invisibility within the discourse of Australian design, designers working in this specialised field of practice have, since the early 1980s, contributed to projects which shape ideas, attitudes and visual representations of natural and cultural heritage in Australia’s most widely visited and valued sites. Designer’s practice is identified as part of an ongoing process of both contributing to Australian cultural narrative and being influenced by the legacy of culture. Contemporary interpretation design is highly cross-disciplinary and collaborative, characterised by a differentiated professional practice with dispersed networks of stakeholders. While interpretation design is located within a larger framework of the professional practice of interpretation, there exists many opportunities to enrich and better inform designers by integrating wider pools of knowledge that intersect the activities of interpretation, including education, tourism, visitor studies and psychology

Interventions to Improve Service Delivery in Rural Mpumalanga Hospitals of South Africa

Purpose:  This study investigated the effects of healthcare service quality dimensions on service delivery improvement and patient satisfaction in the South African public healthcare sector.   Theoretical framework: The quality of service delivery in the healthcare sector and its influence on patient satisfaction have gained attention globally, including in South Africa. Factors that affect service delivery, such as empathy, efficiency, tangibility, safety, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, communication, and discipline, have attracted the attention of both academics and healthcare practitioners, particularly in public healthcare facilities.   Design/methodology/approach:  A quantitative research design was followed. A data set of 500 was collected from Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, and a structural equation modelling approach was used to test ten hypotheses using Smart PLS statistical software.   Findings: The research findings supported all the proposed hypotheses, with four hypotheses being insignificant. The study contributes to the literature on the effects of health service quality dimensions on service delivery improvement and patient satisfaction in an often-neglected context, namely Africa.   Research, Practical & Social implications:  The study provides recommendations for healthcare policies and strategies to improve service delivery in the public healthcare sector based on the research findings.   Originality/value: The results indicate that the Healthcare sector needs to focus on quality service to be provided to the public. It also contributed to the body of knowledge on this topic in South Africa

Integration of e-business strategy for multi-lifecycle production systems

Internet use has grown exponentially on the last few years becoming a global communication and business resource. Internet-based business, or e-Business will truly affect every sector of the economy in ways that today we can only imagine. The manufacturing sector will be at the forefront of this change. This doctoral dissertation provides a scientific framework and a set of novel decision support tools for evaluating, modeling, and optimizing the overall performance of e-Business integrated multi-lifecycle production systems. The characteristics of this framework include environmental lifecycle study, environmental performance metrics, hyper-network model of integrated e-supply chain networks, fuzzy multi-objective optimization method, discrete-event simulation approach, and scalable enterprise environmental management system design. The dissertation research reveals that integration of e-Business strategy into production systems can alter current industry practices along a pathway towards sustainability, enhancing resource productivity, improving cost efficiencies and reducing lifecycle environmental impacts. The following research challenges and scholarly accomplishments have been addressed in this dissertation: Identification and analysis of environmental impacts of e-Business. A pioneering environmental lifecycle study on the impact of e-Business is conducted, and fuzzy decision theory is further applied to evaluate e-Business scenarios in order to overcome data uncertainty and information gaps; Understanding, evaluation, and development of environmental performance metrics. Major environmental performance metrics are compared and evaluated. A universal target-based performance metric, developed jointly with a team of industry and university researchers, is evaluated, implemented, and utilized in the methodology framework; Generic framework of integrated e-supply chain network. The framework is based on the most recent research on large complex supply chain network model, but extended to integrate demanufacturers, recyclers, and resellers as supply chain partners. Moreover, The e-Business information network is modeled as a overlaid hypernetwork layer for the supply chain; Fuzzy multi-objective optimization theory and discrete-event simulation methods. The solution methods deal with overall system parameter trade-offs, partner selections, and sustainable decision-making; Architecture design for scalable enterprise environmental management system. This novel system is designed and deployed using knowledge-based ontology theory, and XML techniques within an agent-based structure. The implementation model and system prototype are also provided. The new methodology and framework have the potential of being widely used in system analysis, design and implementation of e-Business enabled engineering systems

A flipped classroom to inform the design of a geometrical optics course in physics

The performance of learners in the science subjects, remain low and a challenge to the Department of Basic Education. Therefore, the education system calls for science teachers to be equipped with effective teaching approaches in physical sciences in order to meet the technological needs of the country. The aim of this study was to design and implement an intervention based on flipped classroom framework, for teaching a geometrical optics course. Geometrical optics is a topic that has many technological developments, such as optical fibres, that are driving economic developments in the communication industry of any country. Flipped classroom approach is a pedagogical approach in which direct instruction is left to the individual student out of the classroom space, and the classroom space is reserved for interactive discussions under the guidance of the instructor. It is an instructional approach that is gaining attention because of its potential to improve the way science content is taught in educational institutions, by incorporating technological tools in the instructional approach. The main focus of this study was on instructional design in the following key areas: (1) the components needed to design a teaching intervention based on a flipped classroom approach framework, (ii) how these components may be used to inform the design of a geometrical optics course, and (iii) how the design intervention would impact students’ performance. A Design Based Research methodological framework was used to collect quantitative data, supported by qualitative data, from five student cohorts, in a period of five years. All students were in their third-year level, registered for a Bachelor of Education degree programme. Data were collected in the first semester of each year when the course was being offered. The study findings revealed ten components of a flipped classroom instructional approach, which were derived from the analysis of data obtained during the implementation of the intervention on the five groups of student cohorts. It was also found that the intervention had a significant positive influence on students’ performance in geometrical optics. What these findings implied then, is that there exist alternative possibilities of how educators may teach the science subjects in the South African context, with higher possibilities of improving performance of learners. By redesigning new instructional methods based on the flipped classroom framework, using these components as principles of designing instruction, more learners may end up performing better in the science subjects. The contribution made by the study is to theory, about instructional design knowledge, for use by other researchers in the topic of geometrical optics.Science and Technology EducationPh. D. (Mathematics, Science & Technology Education

Application of the COM-B model to barriers and facilitators to chlamydia testing in general practice for young people and primary care practitioners: a systematic review

Background Chlamydia is a major public health concern, with high economic and social costs. In 2016, there were over 200,000 chlamydia diagnoses made in England. The highest prevalence rates are found among young people. Although annual testing for sexually active young people is recommended, many do not receive testing. General practice is one ideal setting for testing, yet attempts to increase testing in this setting have been disappointing. The Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Model of Behaviour (COM-B model) may help improve understanding of the underpinnings of chlamydia testing. The aim of this systematic review was to (1) identify barriers and facilitators to chlamydia testing for young people and primary care practitioners in general practice and (2) map facilitators and barriers onto the COM-B model. Methods Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies published after 2000 were included. Seven databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications which examined barriers and facilitators to chlamydia testing in general practice. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Data (i.e., participant quotations, theme descriptions, and survey results) regarding study design and key findings were extracted. The data was first analysed using thematic analysis, following this, the resultant factors were mapped onto the COM-B model components. All findings are reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results Four hundred eleven papers were identified; 39 met the inclusion criteria. Barriers and facilitators were identified at the patient (e.g., knowledge), provider (e.g., time constraints), and service level (e.g., practice nurses). Factors were categorised into the subcomponents of the model: physical capability (e.g., practice nurse involvement), psychological capability (e.g.: lack of knowledge), reflective motivation (e.g., beliefs regarding perceived risk), automatic motivation (e.g., embarrassment and shame), physical opportunity (e.g., time constraints), social opportunity (e.g., stigma). Conclusions This systematic review provides a synthesis of the literature which acknowledges factors across multiple levels and components. The COM-B model provided the framework for understanding the complexity of chlamydia testing behaviour. While we cannot at this juncture state which component represents the most salient influence on chlamydia testing, across all three levels, multiple barriers and facilitators were identified relating psychological capability and physical and social opportunity. Implementation should focus on (1) normalisation, (2) communication, (3) infection-specific information, and (4) mode of testing. In order to increase chlamydia testing in general practice, a multifaceted theory- and evidence-based approach is needed

Stakeholder Engagement and Performance of Community Based Conservation Projects: A Case of Laikipia Conservation Region Conservancies

This study examined the influence of stakeholder engagement on the performance of Community Based Conservation (CBC) projects in Kenya. Guided by theory of change, participatory development and stakeholder theories, the philosophical underpinning employed was pragmatism where cross sectional study design that adopted convergent mixed methods approach composed of quantitative and qualitative strands was utilized. Questionnaires, focused group discussions and document analysis were used to collect data from seven community conservancies dotting Laikipia Ecosystem. The quantitative strand was composed of a survey that targeted 911 conservancy members involved in alternative livelihood projects from whom a sample of 270 was selected. The qualitative strand was made of eight conservancy officials in the focused group discussion and 11 documents. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics to test the nature and strength of the relationship between the variables and to predict performance of CBC projects based on the stakeholder engagement. Qualitative data was analyzed using framework analysis anchored on aprioristic set of categories viewpoint based on the indicators of the variables under study in order to triangulate the quantitative results. The results showed that stakeholder engagement positively and significantly influenced the performance of CBC projects since r=.641, R2=.410, F (1,237) =164.169 at p=.001<.05. Moreover, Welch's t-test showed that the level stakeholder engagement in CBC project design differed in the sampled community conservancies as F= 17.491 df (6,231), p = .001), t = 19.944 df (6,75.765) at p = .001<.05. It is recommended that external expertise should only be used as a compliment to the local one, therefore, local stakeholders should be engaged for their customary and the traditional knowledge. Innovations and practices of local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity ought to be encouraged. Given the importance attached to local knowledge in CBC projects, there is need to have effective communication and outreach to and with local stakeholders, particularly the local cultural institutions who retain traditional ecological knowledge. Keywords: Conservation, Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Empowerment, Acceptance of Conservation, Sustainable Resource Use, Biodiversity Regeneration DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-4-07 Publication date: February 28th 202