112,855 research outputs found

    Modeling selecting and ranking alternatives characterized by multiple attributes to satisfy multiple objectives

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    A number of decision making problems consist in selecting and ranking alternatives (projects, candidates, policies, etc.) that are characterized by multiple attributes in order to satisfy multiple objectives. Furthermore, this process generally necessitate coping with many stakeholders opinion regarding the importance to assign to each attribute and/or each objective. Given an objective, there will be attributes that act in the sens of realization of this objective (supporting attributes), those working against the achievement of this objective (rejecting attributes) and finally some attributes may be neutral regarding the achievement of this objective. Building on such distinction of attributes, we propose in this paper an approach, based on satisficing game theory, that firstly determine satisficing alternatives, those alternatives for which the selectability measure (determined based on supporting attributes and stakeholders preferences) exeeds the rejectability mesaure (computed from rejecting attributes and stakeholders preferences) and secondly assign priorities to those satisficing alternatives so that an overall selectability exeeds an overall rejectability. An interesting thing to be noticed about this approach compared to existing ones is that it allows non homogeneity of attributes (all the alternatives do not need be characterized by the same attributes)

    Unsupervised Learning for Understanding Student Achievement in a Distance Learning Setting

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    Many factors could affect the achievement of students in distance learning settings. Internal factors such as age, gender, previous education level and engagement in online learning activities can play an important role in obtaining successful learning outcomes, as well as external factors such as regions where they come from and the learning environment that they can access. Identifying the relationships between student characteristics and distance learning outcomes is a central issue in learning analytics. This paper presents a study that applies unsupervised learning for identifying how demographic characteristics of students and their engagement in online learning activities can affect their learning achievement. We utilise the K-Prototypes clustering method to identify groups of students based on demographic characteristics and interactions with online learning environments, and also investigate the learning achievement of each group. Knowing these groups of students who have successful or poor learning outcomes can aid faculty for designing online courses that adapt to different students' needs. It can also assist students in selecting online courses that are appropriate to them

    Development of a self-report measure of capability wellbeing for adults: the ICECAP-A

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    Purpose The benefits of health and social care are not confined to patient health alone and therefore broader measures of wellbeing may be useful for economic evaluation.\ud This paper reports the development of a simple measure of capability wellbeing for adults (ICECAP-A).\ud Methods In-depth, informant-led, interviews to identify the attributes of capability wellbeing were conducted with 36 adults in the UK. Eighteen semi-structured, repeat interviews were carried out to develop a capability-based descriptive system for the measure. Informants were purposively selected to ensure variation in socio-economic status, age, sex, ethnicity and health. Data analysis was carried out inductively and iteratively alongside interviews, and findings were used to shape the questions in later interviews.\ud Results Five over-arching attributes of capability wellbeing were identified for the measure: ‘‘stability’’,‘‘attachment’’, ‘‘achievement’’, ‘‘autonomy’’ and ‘‘enjoyment’’. One item, with four response categories, was developed for each attribute for the ICECAP-A descriptive system.\ud Conclusions The ICECAP-A capability measure represents a departure from traditional health economics outcome measures, by treating health status as an influence over broader attributes of capability wellbeing. Further work is required to value and validate the attributes and test the sensitivity of the ICECAP-A to healthcare interventions

    Rethinking utility analysis: a strategic focus

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    Utility analysis is a technique which allows for the estimation of the financial impact of human resource (HR) interventions. While utility analysis methods have been available for decades, their application is still not widespread. Some argue that this is because managers do not understand the techniques and suggest that allowing managers to participate in the analysis would increase understanding and, as a results, use and acceptance of utility analysis. The current work posits that translating the value of HR interventions into financial terms may not be necessary. It may be more useful to determine the direct impact of HR programs on employee behaviors and attitudes. The impact of these changes on the bottom line may then be determined. Building upon the recently proposed multi-attribute utility analysis and the strategic perspective offered by the Balanced Scorecard, this paper presents a strategic utility analysis method. Strategic utility analysis requires that multiple outcomes, not only financial, be considered in order to determine the utility of a given HR intervention. It further stipulates that these outcomes should come directly from the company's business strategy. The strategy should imply certain organizational capabilities and strategic utility analysis should measure the contribution of HR interventions towards building these specific capabilities

    Through the Eye of the Beholder: Multiple Perspectives on Quality in Women\u27s Health Care

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    Quality is an illusive concept with different meanings to different people. Providers often define quality in terms of patient outcomes, professional standards of practice, predetermined criteria used to measure quality, and even subjective opinion. Patients describe quality in terms of the interpersonal aspects of care, how well they were treated, and the responsiveness of the provider to their needs. This qualitative study using a semi-structured interview defined quality from the perspectives of patients, physicians, nurses, and payers associated with a hospital-based women\u27s service line, and how the attributes of quality varied among the multiple groups. The study also described how stakeholders become aware of quality and how they determined a hospital\u27s quality. From the findings of the study, a conceptual framework of quality in women\u27s health was developed

    Structured approach to measure performance in construction research and development: performance measurement system development

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    Purpose of this paper: This study explore Performance Measurement applications within construction research and development (R\&D) to develop a structured approach to measure the performance of collaborative construction R\&D projects during its lifecycle from initiation, conceptualising, development and launch stages and at the project management. Design/methodology/approach: During the exploratory phase of the study, semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey were carried out to develop the performance measurement system (PMS). During the explanatory phase, the developed PMS was refined with a series of semi-structured interviews. The data was gathered from principal investigators, researchers and industrial partners involved in collaborative construction R\&D work. Findings: Main finding is the developed PMS to measure the performance of construction R\&D that consists of critical success factors, performance indicators and performance measures during the lifecycle of a R\&D project. Practical implications: The PMS developed through the study provides critical success factors, performance indicators and measures that need to be considered during the construction R\&D projects to measure the performance. Thus, through the implementation of the PMS, this study contributes to practice by assisting the performance improvement within construction R\&D projects. What is original / value of paper?: The developed PMS to measure the performance of construction R\&D project will provide value for those who are engaged in R\&D work (Principle investigators, researcher and industrial partners) to ensure the success of their projects
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