Accommodation Preferences of Traveling Families with Young Children Staying in Tennessee Hotels and Motels

The purpose of this research was to survey hotel and motel accommodation preferences of families with children under three years. A survey of families traveling with young children in 36 randomly selected hotels and motels in four Tennessee cities was taken over a one month period. Data were obtained through the use of a questionnaire which was designed to show family income levels of $7,001-$15,000 and $15,001 and above as well as age differences of children under three. The age range of the children included one month to 36 months. Results showed that there were a few limited differences in the priority selection between the middle and upper income levels such as the highchair and wading pool. Age of children did show a difference of selection of preferences for items and/or services. Cribs and laundry were the highest priority items with families having children under two years of age. Families with children from two to three years of age ranked playground facilities, laundry and baby sitting service as highest priority items and/or services. Families of the middle and upper income levels and including all age groups of children indicated the highest preferences for laundry and crib facilities as well as baby sitting services

The frequency and perceptions of academic dishonesty among graduate students: a literature review and critical anaylsis [sic]

Includes bibliographical references

Involving Students in the Planning Process

This is the publisher's version, also found at http://sped.org

Report of the Evaluation of HealthOne Mount Druitt

Contains fulltext : 135829.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Companies operating in a fast-paced business climate must pay careful attention to non-financial performance indicators, which can be determined by both the Balanced Scorecard and Critical Success Factors. This paper analyses the relationship between the Balanced Scorecard and Critical Success Factors and devises a framework to bridge the two systems. The paper is based on a six-year research project of 15 companies in the Netherlands and some of the case studies illustrate how the integrated method can be employed across a variety of industries to provide a more adequate performance management system.21 p

Building the basis for evidence based library and information practice

[Introduction]: With a total of 111 million annual visits, libraries are fundamental to Australia's social fabric and increasingly to its success as a national economy. In the current volatile economic climate however, Australia's libraries are being called upon to do more with less. This paper will present the findings of a project funded by the Australian Research Council that aimed to help Australia’s libraries to make tough decisions in an environment where there is competition for limited resources. The project established an empirical basis for evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP). Simply stated, EBLIP is an approach to professional practice that is grounded in the use of research to gather evidence to inform the many decisions and problems that a practitioner must address. Methods: The project consisted of two sub-studies. The public library sub-study was conducted using ethnography. Over a 5-month period, a member of the research team travelled to a regional public library service on 15 occasions staying between 3 and 4 days on each visit. The researcher observed, interacted and became involved in the day-to-day activities of this library. These activities were recorded in a journal and added to the researcher’s insights and thoughts. Additionally, 12 face-to-face interviews with staff in positions ranging from the operational to the executive were conducted. The academic sub-study was conducted using Constructivist Grounded Theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted either in person or via Skype, with 13 librarians from Queensland universities. Interviewees were in a diverse array of roles, from liaison librarian to manager and library director. Results: The public library sub-study found that the following key aspects depicted the experience of EBLIP in a public library: leadership, culture, learning, context, collaboration and second nature. In the academic library sub-study six categories were constructed which describes librarians’ experiences of evidence-based practice as: empowering, intuiting, affirming, connecting, noticing and impacting. Conclusions: The project findings help extend the current but limited empirically derived understanding of EBLIP. This project has identified and articulated several key aspects that need attention if EBLIP is to be developed as an approach to professional practice. These key aspects will be of interest to LIS educators, professional associations, employers and practitioners

Evaluating an Educational Initiative for Postsurgical Vascular Patients

The educational medium GetWellNetWork (GWNW) in a large magnet teaching facility offered few educational videos specific to vascular patients with a focus on leg elevation after lower extremity bypass surgery. Supplying patient-specific education has the potential for providing cost-effective nursing care to vascular patients and improving hospital reimbursement. Guided by the interactive care model, a storyboard was developed using best-practice evidence for vascular postoperative patients that could lead to the development of a video to address the educational needs of vascular patients upon discharge. The practice focused question asked if a video addressing the importance of leg elevation would improve patients’ use of in-house educational videos and stakeholder satisfaction. A vascular physician (n = 1) and nursing staff (n = 9) provided feedback on the appropriateness of the evidence-based educational content for the storyboard by completing a 9-item, open-ended survey. Survey results supported development of the video and revealed positive feedback on storyboard content and that staff with 1–3 years’ experience or 15+ years’ experience had an increased understanding of the importance of evidence-based guidelines for leg elevation for vascular patients. The feedback will be used to develop a vascular-patient-specific educational video. Encouraging patients to view the video on leg elevation has the potential to improve cost effectiveness of patient care and hospital reimbursement, prevent hospital readmission that could lead to patient and caregiver hardships associated with readmission, and improve the health outcomes for postoperative vascular patients

Controlling Equine Influenza: Policy Networks and Decision-Making During the 2007 Australian Equine Influenza Outbreak.

Rapid, evidence-based decision-making is critical during a disease outbreak response however compliance by stakeholders is necessary to ensure that such decisions are effective – especially if the response depends on voluntary action. This mixed method study evaluated technical policy decision-making processes during the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in Australia by identifying and analysing the stakeholder network involved and the factors driving policy decision-making. The study started with a review of the outbreak literature and published policy documents. This identified six policy issues regarding policy modifications or differing interpretations by different state agencies. Data on factors influencing the decision-making process for these six issues and on stakeholder interaction were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 24 individuals representing 12 industry and government organisations. Quantitative data were analysed using social network analysis. Qualitative data were coded and patterns matched to test a pre-determined general theory using a method called theory-oriented process-tracing. Results revealed that technical policy decisions were framed by social, political, financial, strategic and operational considerations. Industry stakeholders had influence through formal pre-existing channels, yet specific gaps in stakeholder interaction were overcome by reactive alliances formed during the outbreak response but outside the established system. Overall, the crisis management system and response was seen as positive and 75100% of individuals interviewed were supportive of, had interest in and considered the outcome as good for the majority of policy decisions, yet only 4675% of those interviewed considered that they had influence on these decisions. Training to increase awareness and knowledge of emergency animal diseases and response systems will improve stakeholder participation in emergency disease management and preparedness for future emergency animal disease incursions. Key words: emergency animal disease outbreak, policy decision-making, equine influenza, risk management, preparednessfinancial support of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC