Supporting the Quality Assurance of a Scientific Framework

The quality assurance of scientific software has to deal with special challenges of this type of software, including missing test oracles, the need for high performance computing, and the high priority of non-functional requirements. A scientific framework consists of common code, which provides solutions for several similar mathematical problems. The various possible uses of a scientific framework lead to a large variability in the framework. In addition to the challenges of scientific software, the quality assurance of a scientific framework needs to find a way of dealing with the large variability. In software product line engineering (SPLE), the idea is to develop a software platform and then use mass customization for the creation of a group of similar applications. In this thesis, we show how SPLE, in particular variability modeling, can be applied to support the quality assurance of scientific frameworks. One of the main contributions of this thesis is a process for the creation of reengineering variability models for a scientific framework based on its mathematical requirements. Reengineering means the adjustment of a software system to improve the software quality, mostly without changing the software’s functionality. In our research, the variability models are created for existing software and therefore we call them reengineering variability models. The created variability models are used for a systematic development of system test applications for the framework. Additionally, we developed a model-based method for test case derivation for the system test applications based on the variability models. Furthermore, we contribute a software product line test strategy for scientific frameworks. A test strategy strongly influences the test activities performed. Another main contribution of this thesis is the design of a quality assurance process for scientific frameworks, which combines the test activities of the test strategy with other quality assurance activities. We introduce a list of special characteristics for scientific software, which we use as rationale for the design of this process. We report on a case study, analyzing the feasibility and acceptance by developers for two parts of the design of the quality assurance process: variability model creation and desk-checking, a kind of lightweight review. Using FeatureIDE, an environment for feature-oriented software development as well as an automated test environment, we prototypically demonstrate the applicability of our approach

Evaluating the Effect of Quality Assurance Measures on the Performance of the Faculty Members at Applied Science University / kingdom of Bahrain

Higher education is one of the most important pillars for developing societies due to the position it occupies in preparing the frames (human and other resources) required to achieve the sustainable growth in addition to its role in making and disseminating knowledge. The adoption of the quality system in Higher Education is just a response to the requirements for continuous improvement, competition, and stimulation of human creativity. This research concentrates on tracking the effect that the Quality measures leave on the performance of the faculty members; who are the tools with which universities manage to improve their effectiveness, agility, and competitiveness position in all aspects of their work. The aim of this paper is to measure the effect of applying quality measures according to the framework developed by the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education and Training (NAQQAET)/ Kingdom of Bahrain, on the performance of the faculty members of Applied Science University / Kingdom of Bahrain and determine the points of strength and weakness related to this effect. A survey with five dimensions representing the most important indicators in relation to quality of education has been designed. Proper statistical means have also been used to analyze the results obtained by the research sample. The research reached several conclusions, the most important ones are: the sample agreed on the effect of these measures on supporting the planning of aims achievements, and the fair assessments of the students work. However, it appeared that there was not enough awareness for the quality structure in relation to the depth of knowledge level especially at the advanced levels of the curriculum, in addition to consuming much of the time of the faculty members’ time, contributed to weakening the scientific research. Keywords: Quality Assurance, Performance, Faculty Members

Harmonised Principles for Public Participation in Quality Assurance of Integrated Water Resources Modelling

The main purpose of public participation in integrated water resources modelling is to improve decision-making by ensuring that decisions are soundly based on shared knowledge, experience and scientific evidence. The present paper describes stakeholder involvement in the modelling process. The point of departure is the guidelines for quality assurance for `scientific` water resources modelling developed under the EU research project HarmoniQuA, which has developed a computer based Modelling Support Tool (MoST) to provide a user-friendly guidance and a quality assurance framework that aim for enhancing the credibility of river basin modelling. MoST prescribes interaction, which is a form of participation above consultation but below engagement of stakeholders and the public in the early phases of the modelling cycle and under review tasks throughout the process. MoST is a flexible tool which supports different types of users and facilitates interaction between modeller, manager and stakeholders. The perspective of using MoST for engagement of stakeholders e.g. higher level participation throughout the modelling process as part of integrated water resource management is evaluate

Accredited qualifications for capacity development in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation

Increasingly practitioners and policy makers working across the globe are recognising the importance of bringing together disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. From studies across 15 Pacific island nations, a key barrier to improving national resilience to disaster risks and climate change impacts has been identified as a lack of capacity and expertise resulting from the absence of sustainable accredited and quality assured formal training programmes in the disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation sectors. In the 2016 UNISDR Science and Technology Conference on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, it was raised that most of the training material available are not reviewed either through a peer-to-peer mechanism or by the scientific community and are, thus, not following quality assurance standards. In response to these identified barriers, this paper focuses on a call for accredited formal qualifications for capacity development identified in the 2015 United Nations landmark agreements in DRR and CCA and uses the Pacific Islands Region of where this is now being implemented with the launch of the Pacific Regional Federation of Resilience Professionals, for DRR and CCA. A key issue is providing an accreditation and quality assurance mechanism that is shared across boundaries. This paper argues that by using the United Nations landmark agreements of 2015, support for a regionally accredited capacity development that ensures all countries can produce, access and effectively use scientific information for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The newly launched Pacific Regional Federation of Resilience Professionals who work in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation may offer a model that can be used more widely

Trust-based quality culture conceptual model for higher education institutions

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a crucial role in societies as they enhance the sustainable development of nations. In a context of increasing competition and financial difficulties in higher education institutions, the loyalty of students, faculty and administration staff as well as institutional reputation are key factors for survival and success. They are built upon trust and high quality of services rendered by HEIs. The intentional development of trust serves the purpose of enhancing the quality culture in higher education. The concept of quality culture has become a natural successor of quality management and quality assurance in universities presenting a new perspective for viewing quality at HEIs - as a combination of structural and managerial with cultural and psychological components. This paper provides an elaboration of a novel Trust-Based Quality Culture Conceptual Model for Higher Education Institutions which presents the perceived interconnections between trust and quality culture at HEIs. It can form a source for an inquiry process at HEIs, thus contributing to better contextual diagnosis of the stage where HEI is in the process of building the quality culture based on trust. The findings of this study are important in better understanding the quality culture development in HEIs that is based on trust, loyalty and reputation. It may have an impact on the decision-making processes concerning HEIs’ management. The proposed model contributes to the need for greater clarity, ordering and systematization of the role of trust in the processes of quality culture development

Policy Standardization Implementation Guarantying at the Private University in Semarang City

The purpose of this research is designed to describe and analyze the implementation of the quality assurance policy at a private college in the city of Semarang and the identification of those aspects that support and hinder the implementation of a quality assurance policy at a private University in the city of Semarang. As for specific targets to be achieved in the research is to formulate quality assurance policy implementation model for effective education (proposed model) and corresponding needs in supporting improved quality of education at Private Colleges in the city of Semarang. The study was designed with a qualitative research approach and use descriptive analysis. The analysis of the data collected is done after through interviews and observations directly in the field. Because it uses a qualitative approach then the data analysis processes in inductive data collection method in dept Interview, observation, documentation, and test the validity of library studies with data using two methods, namely the technique of triangulation and peer debriefing. The activity of this data analysis consists of, i.e., data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification. To test the design quality assurance policy implementation model at a private college in the city of Semarang using consultation with experts guarantee quality (peer debriefing) for evaluation and improvement be alternative models. The next stage of the evaluation with Focus Group Discussion (FGD) by presenting a quality assurance team of experts from several universities to discuss alternative models these models are proposed so that/later can be implemented at private colleges. The location of the research done at Private Colleges include: Dian Nuswantoro University Semarang (UDINUS), Republic Indonesia Semarang Teachers Union University (UPGRIS), a high school computer (STEKOM), Indonesia Cruise Academy (AKPELNI), the maritime high school (STIMART) and site Quality Assurance Agency on research at the private University

The economics of accreditation

This paper is a report on a research project on the economics of accreditation in the UK. The main motivation and objective for the study is to have available a detailed analysis of how the accreditation system impinges on important aspects of economic life, such as innovation and business and economic performance. It aims to improve the general understanding of the benefits of using accredited conformity assessment and to help businesses make informed decisions when procuring conformity assessment and related services. It is also intended to be helpful to government by supporting evidence-based policy making in relation to accreditation and conformity assessmen