Measuring the integrated effectiveness of regional development : directions for regional government

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to identify the proper economic tools to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of a regional development policy. Design/Methodology/Approach: The proposed methodology consists of three stages. At the first stage, the indicators are analyzed, allowing pointing the level of particular development dimensions in the self government strategy. At the second stage, indicators characterizing the efficiency of Opolskie Regional Operating Programme (OROP) and Development Strategy of Opole Voivodeship are examined. The third final stage is the analysis of the integrated effectiveness of regional development policy. The research methodology is based on the use of the following methods: desk research, the method of grouping statistical data, and the method of effectiveness analysis. Findings: The proposed methodology let us to find the need of redefining the tool enabling the measure of the degree of imbalance as the result of leading the regional development policy, as well as the uneven development potentials. Practical Implications: The authors purpose a new approach to the regional development policy by defining the complementary tools for regional self government evaluation. Originality/Value: The authors propose the new approach to the regional development policy programming, especially by redefining regional needs included into regional strategies.peer-reviewe

Risk-based investigation of steel reinforcement corrosion using the AeCORR technique

The use of a non-destructive acoustic evaluation technique as a Risk Based Inspection tool to detect the corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete is presented in this paper. It offers the potential to save time and money for facilities owners and users. Recent research has demonstrated that AE has the ability to identify corrosion activity in concrete before conventional NDT methods, enabling faster intervention and increasing the repair options available. Monitoring a structure using the AeCORR technique, currently being researched and under development in the field, can create a digital map of part of a structure enabling an unbiased reference point for that structure for future maintenance tests as well as being able to distinguish areas of active corrosion. This paper reviews the principles and development of the new AeCORR technique for detecting and estimating the scale of corrosion induced damage and its ability as a tool to index test parts of structures

Evaluating Podcast Compositions: Assessing Credibility, Challenges, and Innovation

With digital technology becoming a common feature in the classroom and research, podcasts become a valuable reference for both. Whether used as primary source material, illustrating faculty development, or functioning as a multi-media resource in the classroom, assessment tools are needed to evaluate podcasts. Current evaluation tools tend to focus on the production; therefore, an analytical framework focusing the quality of information presented via podcasts for use in research or as a teaching tool in the classroom is warranted. The guideline discussed in this project is based on five factors, each of which has a number of indicators to help gauge its quality and worth. The proposed rubric is a helpful tool that aids in the building of digital ethos for potential audiences outside the academy enabling action based learning and or community impact.

On the systematic development of domain-specific mashup tools for end users

The recent emergence of mashup tools has refueled research on end user development, i.e., on enabling end-users without programming skills to compose their own applications. Yet, similar to what happened with analogous promises in web service composition and business process management, research has mostly focused on technology and, as a consequence, has failed its objective. In this paper, we propose a domain-specific approach to mashups that is aware of the terminology, concepts, rules, and conventions (the domain) the user is comfortable with. We show what developing a domain-specific mashup tool means, which role the mashup meta-model and the domain model play and how these can be merged into a domain-specific mashup meta-model. We exemplify the approach by implementing a mashup tool for a specific domain (research evaluation) and describe the respective user study. The results of the user study confirm that domain-specific mashup tools indeed lower the entry barrier to mashup development. © 2012 Springer-Verlag

Using Key Performance Indicators for multi-criteria traffic management strategic decisions

In recent research work (FP7 CONDUITS) a performance evaluation framework for traffic management and Intelligent Transport Systems was developed. The new framework consists of a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the strategic themes of traffic efficiency, safety, pollution reduction and social inclusion, and the last stages of the project saw its validation through its application to four case studies. Following up from this work, this paper presents the extension of the framework for use as a prediction tool enabling urban transport authorities to assess the impacts of relevant policies and technologies before implementing them. The first stage of the extension focused on pollution reduction, and a novel decision support tool (CONDUITS_DST) integrating the respective KPI with micro-simulation modelling was developed. Case studies executed in Brussels and Zurich demonstrated the usability and viability of the tool. This paper takes the development one step further and reports on the extension of the approach, which moves from single-criterion to a multi-criteria decision support tool through the inclusion of the KPI on traffic efficiency, again based onmicro-simulation modelling outputs

EvalMe:Exploring the value of new technologies for in situ evaluation of learning experiences

Tangible interfaces have much potential for engendering shared interaction and reflection, as well as for promoting playful experiences. How can their properties be capitalised on to enable students to reflect on their learning, both individually and together, throughout learning sessions? This Research through Design paper describes our development of EvalMe, a flexible, tangible tool aimed at being playful, enjoyable to use and enabling children to reflect on their learning, both in the moment and after a learning session has ended. We discuss the insights gained through the process of designing EvalMe, co-defining its functionality with two groups of collaborators and deploying it in two workshop settings. Through this process, we map key contextual considerations for the design of technologies for in situ evaluation of learning experiences. Finally, we discuss how tangible evaluation technologies deployed throughout a learning session, can positively contribute to students’ reflection about their learning

The moral-IT deck:A tool for ethics by design

This paper presents the design process and empirical evaluation of a new tool for enabling ethics by design: The Moral-IT Cards. Better tools are needed to support the role of technologists in addressing ethical issues during system design. These physical cards support reflection by technologists on normative aspects of technology development, specifically on emerging risks, appropriate safeguards and challenges of implementing these in the system. We discuss how the cards were developed and tested within 5 workshops with 20 participants from both research and commercial settings. We consider the role of technologists in ethics from different EU/UK policymaking initiatives and disciplinary perspectives (i.e. Science and Technology Studies (STS), IT Law, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer/Engineering Ethics). We then examine existing ethics by design tools, and other cards based tools before arguing why cards can be a useful medium for addressing complex ethical issues. We present the development process for the Moral-IT cards, document key features of our card design, background on the content, the impact assessment board process for using them and how this was formulated. We discuss our study design and methodology before examining key findings which are clustered around three overarching themes. These are: the value of our cards as a tool, their impact on the technology design process and how they structure ethical reflection practices. We conclude with key lessons and concepts such as how they level the playing field for debate; enable ethical clustering, sorting and comparison; provide appropriate anchors for discussion and highlighted the intertwined nature of ethics.Comment: Governance and Regulation; Design Tools; Responsible Research and Innovation; Ethics by Design; Games; Human Computer Interaction, Card Based Tool

Exemplary Teachers\u27 Perspectives on Effective Teaching Elements in Danielson\u27s Framework for Teaching

Reforms in teacher evaluation are enacted to increase student achievement. Although there is research on teacher evaluation and teacher quality, there is little that addresses effective teaching as conceptualized in Danielson\u27s Framework for Teaching, a commonly used evaluation tool. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine which of the 4 domains and 76 elements of Danielson\u27s framework are viewed by award-winning teachers as having the greatest impact on effective teaching and learning. Constructivism formed the theoretical basis for this study. The research questions examined to what extent state and national teachers of the year perceive differences in the importance to effective teaching and learning across each of Danielson\u27s 4 domains and across the elements within those domains. A quantitative single-factor within-subject design was utilized. Framework for Teaching Survey importance ratings obtained from state teachers of the year for the past 6 years (N = 350) were compared using repeated measure one-way analysis of variances). Significant F values were followed by the Fisher Least Significant Difference Test to determine the domains or elements that significantly differ from one another. Significant differences in the importance ratings were obtained across each of the 4 domains. The instruction domain was rated most important followed by classroom environment, planning and preparation, and professional responsibilities. Findings may facilitate positive social change by enabling schools, districts, and states to more accurately evaluate teachers and devote limited professional development resources to domains and elements with the greatest potential for improving teacher quality

Analysis and evaluation of uncertainty for conducted and radiated emissions tests

Whenever an EMC measurement is made, there are numerous uncertainties in different parts of the measurement system and even in the EMC performance of the equipment under test (EUT) which is being measured. It is important to be able to estimate the overall uncertainty, in particular, the test setup and measurement equipment uncertainty. However, making repetitive measurements can reduce the measurement uncertainty, but often economics of time do not permit that. Therefore, a practical process, which is used to evaluate uncertainty in EMC measurement a, according to the principle of uncertainty and conditions in EMC measurement is presented. In this study, an efficient analysis of uncertainty for both radiated and conducted emissions tests is performed. The uncertainty of each contributor had been calculated and evaluating the reported expanded uncertainty of measurement is stated as the standard uncertainty of measurement. This standard uncertainty is multiplied by the coverage factor k=2, which for a normal distribution corresponds to a coverage probability of approximately 95%. The result of calculating the uncertainty for both conducted and radiated emission tests showed that the overall uncertainty of the system is high and it must be lowered by reducing the expanded uncertainty for the dominant contributors for both tests. In addition, the result of applying the concept of CISPR uncertainty for both conducted and radiated emission tests showed that non-compliance is deemed to occur for both EUT of both tests. This is due to the result that the measured disturbances increased by ( ), above the disturbance limit

FIRE (facilitating implementation of research evidence) : a study protocol

Research evidence underpins best practice, but is not always used in healthcare. The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework suggests that the nature of evidence, the context in which it is used, and whether those trying to use evidence are helped (or facilitated) affect the use of evidence. Urinary incontinence has a major effect on quality of life of older people, has a high prevalence, and is a key priority within European health and social care policy. Improving continence care has the potential to improve the quality of life for older people and reduce the costs associated with providing incontinence aids