Research essentials: An introduction to qualitative research for the novice children’s nurse

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH is ‘a form of social inquiry that focuses on the way people make sense of their experiences and the world in which they live’ (Holloway 2013). Qualitative methods can explore complex issues where little is known, gaining new insights and a deep understanding of the individual perspective, and are invaluable when exploring the complexities of nursing and care delivery. Read More: http://journals.rcni.com/doi/abs/10.7748/ncyp.27.2.14.s1

Breeding and quality analysis of rapeseed

This study is an ex-post, economic assessment of two projects supported by ACIAR and concerned with the breeding and quality analysis of rapeseed in Australia and China. These projects were carried out sequentially with the first one commencing on 1 July 1986. The second one was completed on 30 June 1991. The projects were essentially an exchange of knowledge and germplasm of rape (Brassica napus) between plant breeders in Australia and China. The projects resulted in the release of varieties of rape that yielded improved seed in Australia, China and other developed and developing countries. An economic evaluation of these projects was made in 1991 and the results published in Chudleigh (1991). Assumptions made in the 1991 analysis have now been updated. Despite the increased information available about the projects and their outcomes, it was still necessary to make various assumptions, particularly with regard to the valuation of benefits and their attribution to the ACIAR projects. The benefits accruing to both Australia and China are now estimated to be a little less than those estimated in 1991. Among the reasons for this were difficulties experienced in hybrid seed production in Australia and the reduced benefits in China because improved rapeseed is not always segregated at crushing plants. Nevertheless, the 1999 analysis demonstrates that the projects have provided significant benefits, especially to China. It is concluded that the projects have provided a rate of economic return of at least 28% on the funds invested in both Australia and China. It is likely that as time passes the returns will be considerably higher than estimated here because the areas planted to new, open-pollinated and hybrid varieties of rape will expand in China in the future. Further, there are likely to have been significant benefits to the rest of the world, though these are not estimated here.China, Australia, rapeseed, canola, ex-post economic assessment, breeding, quality analysis, economic evaluation, benefits, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, International Development, Production Economics,

An economic evaluation of tick line deregulation in Queensland

Rhipicephalus microplus, the cattle tick, is widely distributed across many tropical and subtropical regions of the world and has been identified as the most economically important species of tick across a number of countries. Quarantine boundaries currently limit the spread of the cattle tick into northern New South Wales, parts of South East Queensland, the central parts of the Northern Territory and northern parts of Western Australia. The Queensland tick line (or quarantine boundary) largely follows the 500mm rainfall isohyet until it reaches southern Queensland. As the cattle tick is unlikely to become endemic to regions receiving median rainfall less than 500mm per annum, the region most likely to be effected by a deregulation of the tick line is located in the south east corner of the State “inside” the 500mm isohyet but “outside” of the tick line. There are a number of strategies available to beef producers running susceptible cattle within the region impacted by a deregulation of the tick line. For example, they could: o choose to apply acaricides into the foreseeable future, o choose to breed tick resistance into their livestock and apply acaricides during the conversion period, o replace their susceptible breeding herds with tick resistant stock from within the tick endemic region, or o continue with susceptible livestock and implement sufficient quarantine and pest management strategies to reduce the risk of tick infestation to a negligible level The economic evaluation of these strategies indicates that the total costs of deregulation depend upon the type of response made by industry and the level of that response.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Titles as identity: applying self-determination theory to increase sponsorships by experienced private refugee sponsors in Canada

Private refugee sponsorship is a desirable behaviour – it leads to positive outcomes for sponsors, refugees, the Canadian government and the general public. The most commonly reported motivations to sponsor are related to identity, including moral and national identity. Self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that identity is a strong intrinsic motivator; individuals who identify more strongly as a sponsor may be more intrinsically motivated to take on additional sponsorships. This proposed behavioural policy uses the components of SDT to design a certificate programme that bestows an official title on sponsors after completing a sponsorship. The certificate design reflects the three components of SDT (autonomy, competence and relatedness) and encourages moral and national incentives. Official titles are shown to increase identity with a role – titles act themselves as mechanisms of identity-building, which can lead to identity-motivated behaviours. The proposed certificate programme aligns with existing practices and resources already used by the Canadian government. It suggests that official titles could be a cost-effective mechanism for encouraging subsequent sponsorships

Breedcow and Dynama software redevelopment

The project renewed the Breedcow and Dynama software making it compatible with modern computer operating systems and platforms. Enhancements were also made to the linkages between the individual programs and their operation. The suite of programs is a critical component of the skill set required to make soundly based plans and production choices in the north Australian beef industry

Benefit Cost Analysis of RD&E in Action

Since 2004, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has embarked on a rigorous evaluation of its R&D Programs, with Benefit Cost Analysis being a cornerstone of this work. The analyses conducted to date have proved to be powerful tools in internal resource re-allocation. However, the process used has been time consuming, partly because there needs to be adequate time allowed for consultation both with scientists and with senior staff. Experience has highlighted the need for strong organisational support to the analysts carrying out the work.Benefit Cost Analysis, management, research and development, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Meat sheep, meat goats and wool sheep in Queensland - Overview and prospects

This report provides production and economic data for the wool sheep, meat sheep and meat goat (collectively, the small ruminant) industries of Queensland. It also considers the prospects for a rebuilding of the Queensland sheep flock

Information provision reduces parental anxiety

Parents find the delivery of positive newborn screening results distressing, in large part due to information provision at time of screening and when the results are communicated to them ( Buchbinder and Timmermans 2012 , Salm et al 2012 , Chudleigh et al 2016 )

Processing newborn bloodspot screening results for CF

Every newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) result for cystic fibrosis (CF) consists of two parts: a screening part in the laboratory and a clinical part in a CF centre. When introducing an NBS programme, more attention is usually paid to the laboratory part, especially which algorithm is most suitable for the region or the country. However, the clinical part, how a positive screening result is processed, is often underestimated and can have great consequences for the affected child and their parents. A clear algorithm for the diagnostic part in CF centres is also important and influences the performance of a CF NBS programme. The processing of a positive screening result includes the initial information given to the parents, the invitation to the sweat test, what to do if a sweat test fails, information about the results of the sweat test, the inconclusive diagnosis and the carrier status, which is handled differently from country to country. The time until the definitive diagnosis and adequate information is given, is considered by the parents and the CF team as the most important factor. The communication of a positive NBS result is crucial. It is not a singular event but rather a process that includes ensuring the appropriate clinicians are aware of the result and that families are informed in the most efficient and effective manner to facilitate consistent and timely follow-up