Developing the parameters of scholarship in postgraduate coursework studies

Scholarship parameters, in relation to postgraduate coursework studies, are developed against the expectations of the Boyer classifications of scholarship (Boyer, 1990) with particular emphasis on the role of minor thesis development. An example is presented in which postgraduate coursework students are required to undertake a three semester minor thesis sequence in which students engage in self directed, individual analysis and thesis preparation based on the findings of an investigative project, under the guidance of an academic supervisor. It is argued that the approach is a viable example of combined pedagogical and research oriented scholarship that addresses Boyer's tetradic framework of scholarship and provides an effective environment for developing both discipline focussed scholarship and practical experience in research activity

Managing conflict in organisational change

Organisational change and conflict are two essential topics that engineering managers need to understand and have confidence in acting on, if they are to succeed in todays changing and increasingly competitive environment. This paper examines and dissects the elements of organisational change that almost inevitably result in conflict. Conflicts that impact on organisational change can act as a retardant to progress, creativity, innovation and productivity, and potentially precipitate the demise of an organisation. One of the many difficulties relating to organisational conflict is to define the division between conflict and competition. This paper explores what is known about the various states of conflict and presents an approach to addressing this problem, through identifying and subsequently managing institutional elements influencing organisational change and conflict

Is Screening Cargo Containers for Smuggled Nuclear Threats Worthwhile?

In recent years, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has installed radiation sensors to screen cargo containers entering theUnited States. They are concerned that terrorists could use containers to smuggle radiological material into the country and carry out attacks with dirty bombs or a nuclear device. Recent studies have questioned the value of improving this screening system with new sensor technology. The cost of delays caused by frequent false alarms outweighs any reduction in the probability of an attack in an expected cost analysis. We extend existing methodology in three ways to demonstrate how additional factors affect the value of screening investments. We examine the effect that screening has in discouraging terrorists. We model multiple levels of screening. Finally, we consider additional objectives beyond cost. We find that the conclusion about screening depends on key inputs to the probability model (reflecting uncertainties) and to the value function (reflecting the stakeholders’ fundamental objectives)

Realising virtual reality: A reflection on the continuing evolution of new media

This paper addresses the continuing convergence and integration of digital electronic media, and in particular, virtual reality as an exemplar phenomenal media. The author explores and further develops the theme that each of such media entails a specific lexicon or language of use that continually evolves. For this media to be effective, however, it must be widely understood within its community of practice. In this paper, virtual reality is discussed as an exemplar new-media application as a means of virtual representation or reflection of events or behaviours in the real world from a socio-technical perspective

Virtual reality systems in the management of technology-based organizations

The introduction of virtual reality media into engineering or technology-based organizations is investigated and a taxonomy for identifying determinants for successful introduction of such media, is developed in the form of a taxonometric planning framework. The research addresses the continuing convergence and integration of digital electronic media, in particular, virtual reality technology and systems, as an exemplary application of new media. This is addressed as a strategic and potentially radical and disruptive innovation. The proposed taxonomy framework is intended as a means of aiding organizations to determine their preparedness or potential adaptability to meet, manage and use new media technology to optimal affect and to manage effectively the demands and impacts of potentially disruptive, technological change. The thesis itself explores and develops the theme that communicative media entail a specific lexicon or language of use that continually evolves, and to be effective, must be understood, at least within its community of practice. In turn, the cultural impact of using virtual reality technology and systems, and the use of virtual representation and virtual world modelling as reflecting events or behaviours and desired outcomes in the real world, is discussed throughout the thesis from a socio-technical perspective. Overall, the taxonomy represents a ‘new way of thinking’ about the introduction and implementation of new media and virtual reality based systems. An adaptation of Checkland & Scholes (1990) Soft-Systems Methodology (SSM) is the core research methodology implemented throughout the research program. Research activity has incorporated use of advanced visualization systems in the Virtual Reality Centre of RMIT University’s Interactive Information Institute (I3), development of a Virtual Reality Users Survey and associated analysis instrument, and a meta-analysis of secondary sources. Collectively, these form the core data collection strategies. The research is characterized by a strongly interdisciplinary approach, exploring the potentialities for and impact of new media and virtual reality systems on the management of technology-based organizations. The taxonomy is a step towards developing a theory of the dynamics of complex technology-based organizations and the various transformations that can occur with the introduction of new and potentially disruptive technology. It is asserted that effective alignment of strategic information and communications technologies with organizational strategic goals and a range of sociological factors, can lead to successful introduction of potentially disruptive technology (in this case: new media based virtual reality) in engineering and technology management environments. It is argued further that the transformative effect of introducing new media technology such as virtual reality, can be catalytic toward producing and driving paradigmatic transformation within an organization

Development of drive mechanisms for communicaton satellites

A distinguished pedigree is an important asset in the development of Aerospace mechanisms. Four drives recently developed for communication satellites are outgrowths of a previously-proven drive configuration. Pedigree by itself, however is not enough to generate success. Inevitably, design changes which are thought to be minor, are generally introduced to fine tune the pedigreed hardware to meet particular requirements of a specific new application. Such design changes are often viewed too casually and are not thoroughly tested in the early development stages of the program. Two areas of design change are described on the solar array drive applied to the Japanese Broadcast Satellite which led to subsequent problems during the development phase of the program. The methods applied to establish the cause and the solution of these problems are described as well as the testing approach adapted to prevent similar occurrences on the current Communication Satellite Program, The Defense System Communications Satellite III

Impact of Stochastic Convection on the Ensemble Transform

Abstract The impact of stochastic convection on ensembles produced using the ensemble transform (ET) initial perturbation scheme is examined. This note compares the behavior of ensemble forecasts based only on initial ET perturbations with the behavior of ensemble forecasts based on the ET initial perturbations and forecasts that include stochastic convection. It is illustrated that despite the fact that stochastic convection occurs only after the forecast integrations have started, it induces changes in the initial perturbations as well. This is because the ET is a "cycling" scheme, in which previous short-term forecasts are used to produce the initial perturbations for the current forecast. The stochastic convection scheme induces rapid perturbation growth in regions where convection is active, primarily in the tropics. When combined with the ET scheme, this results in larger initial perturbation variance in the tropics, and, because of a global constraint on total initial perturbation variance, smaller initial perturbation variance in the extratropics. Thus, the inclusion of stochastic convection helps to mitigate a problem found in the practical implementation of the ET, namely, that of too little initial variance in the tropics and too much in the extratropics. Various skill scores show that stochastic convection improves ensemble performance in the tropics, with little impact to modest improvement in the extratropics. Experiments performed using the initial perturbations from the control ensemble run but forecast integrations using the stochastic convection scheme indicate that the improved performance of the stochastic convection ensemble at early forecast times is due to both "indirect" changes in the initial perturbations and "direct" changes in the forecast. At later forecast times, it appears that most of the improvement can be gained through stochastic convection alone

Combined operations and the European theatre during the Nine Years' War, 1688-97

This is the author's PDF version of an article published in Historical research© 2005. The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com.This article discusses the strategic and operational purpose of England's combined army-navy operations within the European theatre during the Nine Years' War, 1688-97. Specifically, the historical consensus that these operations were simply a compromise product of the contemporary political discourse, and consistently suffered from poor preparation and implementation, is reassessed. In so doing, the article considers the combined service descents planned and executed against the northern French coastline between 1691 and 1694, including in particular the renowned operation at Brest in June 1694, and also those operations undertaken by Admiral Russell's Mediterranean fleet in 1695.This article was submitted to the RAE2008 for the University of Chester - History

Prevalence and causes of prescribing errors: the prescribing outcomes for trainee doctors engaged in clinical training (PROTECT) study

Objectives Study objectives were to investigate the prevalence and causes of prescribing errors amongst foundation doctors (i.e. junior doctors in their first (F1) or second (F2) year of post-graduate training), describe their knowledge and experience of prescribing errors, and explore their self-efficacy (i.e. confidence) in prescribing. Method A three-part mixed-methods design was used, comprising: prospective observational study; semi-structured interviews and cross-sectional survey. All doctors prescribing in eight purposively selected hospitals in Scotland participated. All foundation doctors throughout Scotland participated in the survey. The number of prescribing errors per patient, doctor, ward and hospital, perceived causes of errors and a measure of doctors' self-efficacy were established. Results 4710 patient charts and 44,726 prescribed medicines were reviewed. There were 3364 errors, affecting 1700 (36.1%) charts (overall error rate: 7.5%; F1:7.4%; F2:8.6%; consultants:6.3%). Higher error rates were associated with : teaching hospitals (p&#60;0.001), surgical (p = &#60;0.001) or mixed wards (0.008) rather thanmedical ward, higher patient turnover wards (p&#60;0.001), a greater number of prescribed medicines (p&#60;0.001) and the months December and June (p&#60;0.001). One hundred errors were discussed in 40 interviews. Error causation was multi-factorial; work environment and team factors were particularly noted. Of 548 completed questionnaires (national response rate of 35.4%), 508 (92.7% of respondents) reported errors, most of which (328 (64.6%) did not reach the patient. Pressure from other staff, workload and interruptions were cited as the main causes of errors. Foundation year 2 doctors reported greater confidence than year 1 doctors in deciding the most appropriate medication regimen. Conclusions Prescribing errors are frequent and of complex causation. Foundation doctors made more errors than other doctors, but undertook the majority of prescribing, making them a key target for intervention. Contributing causes included work environment, team, task, individual and patient factors. Further work is needed to develop and assess interventions that address these.</p