Computational Persuasion using Chatbots based on Crowdsourced Argument Graphs & Concerns

As computing becomes involved in every sphere of life, so too is persuasion a target for applying computer-based solutions. Conversational agents, also known as chatbots, are versatile tools that have the potential of being used as agents in dialogical argumentation systems where the chatbot acts as the persuader and the human agent as the persuadee and thereby offer a costeffective and scalable alternative to in-person consultations To allow the user to type his or her argument in free-text input (as opposed to selecting arguments from a menu) the chatbot needs to be able to (1) “understand” the user’s concern he or she is raising in their argument and (2) give an appropriate counterargument that addresses the user’s concern. In this thesis I describe how to (1) acquire arguments for the construction of the chatbot’s knowledge base with the help of crowdsourcing, (2) how to automatically identify the concerns that arguments address, and (3) how to construct the chatbot’s knowledge base in the form of an argument graph that can be used during persuasive dialogues with users. I evaluated my methods in four case studies that covered several domains (physical activity, meat consumption, UK University Fees and COVID-19 vaccination). In each case study I implemented a chatbot that engaged in argumentative dialogues with participants and measured the participants’ change of stance before and after engaging in a chat with the bot. In all four case studies the chatbot showed statistically significant success persuading people to either consider changing their behaviour or to change their stance

Servant Leadership and Its Effect on Employee Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intent

Experts expect a shortage of more than 900,000 nurses by 2022, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections. Turnover in nursing contributes significantly to the shortage and often results from poor leadership of nurse managers. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate how servant leadership behaviors affected the psychological state and behavioral response of staff nurses as reflected by job satisfaction and turnover intention. Specifically, the research question addressed whether servant leadership positively contributes to the psychological states and the behaviors of staff nurses leading to greater job satisfaction. The study design was correlational, nonexperimental, and cross-sectional. Use of a questions from existing surveys combined into a single survey, from 284 staff nurses at a Pennsylvania hospital, provided the data for the research. Correlation analysis determined the strength and direction of servant leadership constructs and the dependent variables of turnover intention and job satisfaction. Multiple linear regression analysis predicted the influence of job satisfaction and turnover intention, demonstrating a strong, positive correlation linking servant leadership behaviors, the psychological state of engagement and job satisfaction. The study contributed to filling the gap in health care management by providing a picture of how servant leadership behaviors influenced job satisfaction and retention of nursing staff. Implications for positive social change may lead hospital administrators to encourage the adoption of servant leadership behaviors, by nurse managers, resulting in greater staff nurse job satisfaction, improved patient quality outcomes, sustainable organizational financial success, and expanded community health

Building Trust, Increasing Safety: Assuring Mutual Understanding and Trust Between Community Members and Police Officers

The community conversations on community-police relationships that took place in March and April, 2015, wereabout building constructive, respectful relationships, mutual understanding, and identifying proactive stepsbetween everyday citizens and representatives of the law enforcement community. What is happening now withpolicing in your community? What actions would create the best possible relationship between residents, police,and public officials? These were the kinds of questions at the heart of the conversations. New Hampshire Listensworked with community leaders and law enforcement leadership from the Dover, Rochester, Durham, andUniversity of New Hampshire police departments to support facilitated discussions in each of the threecommunities. Our mutual goals were to:* Create constructive, respectful, inclusive conversations between community residents andrepresentatives of law enforcement* Increase mutual understanding about the goals of community policing, public perceptions of policeofficers, and the challenges and tensions that can develop on both sides* Identify specific, proactive steps that community residents, police, and public officials can take toassure strong, trusting relationships between the public and police department

Preventive Counterterrorism Policing: The Impact of Community Engagement on Public Cooperation

The ongoing and evolving threat from Islamist and far-right extremism, as well as the challenges associated with returnee foreign fighters, means that reporting of radicalisation and extremism is a counterterrorism priority. Surprisingly, the research on incentives and obstacles for reporting is limited — i.e. focused on communication campaigns such as ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’, and the threshold for reporting in targeted communities. Thus, this research aims to contribute distinctively to the literature. This interdisciplinary comparative case study examines the role and limitations of counterterrorism community engagement (CTCE) in the reporting of radicalisation and extremism in West Yorkshire (UK) and East Jutland (Denmark). Specifically, this thesis explores (1) delivery of CTCE in these regions; (2) the effect of CTCE on reporting behaviour; (3) the motivations of and barriers to reporting for professionals and families; and (4) the extent to which data from this study and theories in the fields of criminology, political science, behavioural science and psychology collectively explain the relationship between CTCE and reporting. Semi-structured interviews and secondary data were collected between 2017 and 2019 to understand if and how the formal reporting of radicalisation and extremism could be encouraged and improved through CTCE. Consequently, the thesis uses, develops and contributes to the existing Transformative Research Design model and Yin’s notion of case studies, which are discussed in detail. Comparative assessment of practice and experience of this cross-national study are presented. CTCE was delivered through a multi-agency approach in a multi-layered fashion, at times, targeted, focusing on different audiences. The prominent difference was that East Jutland worked closely with families, which was vital to prevention. The results suggest CTCE can positively affect reporting, especially from families and close associates (East Jutland saw 63% average annual increase); and once limited there appeared to be a negative relationship. The thesis argues the positive relationship is due to practitioners connecting with those engaged on a personal level, as well as the support available to reporters. There were similarities and differences in motivation and barriers to reporting between professionals and families, notably trigger points. The data from professional reporters revealed factors that influenced the quality of reports. Mid- to long-term recommendations are proposed. Integrated models of reporting behaviour and CTCE are introduced. The implications and limitations of the study, as well as the future research, are discussed

A Study of the Impact of a Quality Circle on a Public Secondary School in Southern California

The goal of this research was to establish a quality circle at a Southern California public high school and to determine what effect the quality circle process would have on problem resolution and communication at that specific institution. The circle was composed of eight faculty members who volunteered plus an administrator who served as the facilitator. The circle met weekly for one school year. The objectives of this study were twofold. The first was to utilize the quality circle as a process to identify, analyze, and solve specific school concerns selected by quality circle members. The second objective was to employ the quality circle as a means to increase communication among the members of the circle and between the members and the facilitator. The methodology used for this research followed the ethnographic model. The results of this study validated the use of the quality circle process at a public secondary school. The quality circle analyzed long term problems that had diminished teacher morale. The circle formulated solutions that were acceptable to both teachers and the administrators. Some selected concerns were tangible ones such as parking lot congestion and some were intangible such as staff morale. As members cooperated to search for solutions, communication was enhanced. A more thorough understanding developed through communication between the administrators and circle members as they combined skills, experiences, and knowledge to improve the quality of life at the school. Trust and camaraderie evolved and the circle was able to perform its functions effectively and with enthusiasm. All participants were willing to participate again if the opportunity presented itself in the future

Assessment Technologies Institute Test Results and Blended Experiences for Senior Community Health Nursing Students

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between senior community health nursing students’ ATI test scores and their clinical community health nursing experiences, either in-country or out-of-country. The ATI test results are a reliable predictor of whether the student will pass their nursing board exams (NCLEX-RN). The study also examined whether the two groups of students reported any similarities and differences in their sense of confidence or transcultural self-efficacy and conceptual knowledge and their clinical experiences. ATI test scores were reviewed for the two groups. Focus groups were held to discuss any similarities or differences in the students’ community health nursing experiences. Cultural competency was evaluated using Jeffreys’ (2016) Transcultural Self- Efficacy Tool

The Nature and Perceived Influence of Lifestyle Discussions with Older Adults in Primary Care

The Nature and Perceived Influence of Lifestyle Discussions with Older Adults in Primary Care Rationale: A healthy diet and physical activity help with disease prevention and disease management and can promote quality of life regardless of the age at which an individual begins engaging in these behaviors. Despite the value of these health behaviors, many older adults do not follow lifestyle recommendations. Given that older adults frequently interact with the healthcare system, primary care providers are well situated to counsel older adults to improve their health behaviors. Unfortunately, we do not know how to most effectively engage in this counseling. The purpose of this dissertation is to better understand whether and how providers discuss diet and physical activity with their older patients and how patients perceive their providers’ communication regarding diet and physical activity. Method: One hundred and four older adults, ranging in age from 65 to 95, consented to have their routine primary care visits recorded and immediately following their visits engaged in semi-structured interviews regarding current health behaviors and perceptions of their providers’ diet and physical activity recommendations. Clinical visits were selectively transcribed and analyzed using qualitative description. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed through a process of constant comparison. Findings: Discussions of diet and physical activity occurred in over two thirds of visits; recommendations for diet and physical activity occurred in less than half of these discussions. The majority of patients correctly recalled whether or not discussions of diet or physical activity had taken place. Patients reported that the likelihood of engaging in healthy diet and physical activity related to personal motivation and perceived confidence in the ability to make effective changes, both of which could be influenced by providers’ recommendations. When providers did not discuss diet or physical activity, or mentioned these topics only briefly, patients often perceived the message that they should continue with their current behaviors. Implications: These findings support an integrated theoretical framework, highlighting the role of autonomy and confidence, for understanding how providers can promote patients’ health behaviors. Implications for providers’ training and the healthcare system are discussed