A methodology for small scale rural land use mapping in semi-arid developing countries using orbital imagery. Part 6: A low-cost method for land use mapping using simple visual techniques of interpretation

The author has identified the following significant results. It was found that color composite transparencies and monocular magnification provided the best base for land use interpretation. New methods for determining optimum sample sizes and analyzing interpretation accuracy levels were developed. All stages of the methodology were assessed, in the operational sense, during the production of a 1:250,000 rural land use map of Murcia Province, Southeast Spain

A methodology for small scale rural land use mapping in semi-arid developing countries using orbital imagery. Part 5: Experimental and operational techniques of mapping land use

The author has identified the following significant results. Scope of the preprocessing techniques was restricted to standard material from the EROS Data Center accompanied by some enlarging procedures and the use of the diazo process. Investigation has shown that the most appropriate sampling strategy for this study is the stratified random technique. A viable sampling procedure, together with a method for determining minimum number of sample points in order to test results of any interpretation are presented

A methodology for small scale rural land use mapping in semi-arid developing countries using orbital imagery. Part 4: Review of land use surveys using orbital imagery outside of the USA

The author has identified the following significant results. Outside the U.S., various attempts were made to investigate the feasibility of utilizing orbital MSS imagery in the production of small scale land use maps. Overall, these studies are not as elaborate or extensive in their scope as the U.S. ones, and generally the non-U.S. investigators have employed nonsophisticated and less expensive techniques. A representative range of studies is presented to demonstrate the approaches and trends dealing with reprocessing, interpretation, classification, sampling, and ground truth procedures

A methodology for small scale rural land use mapping in semi-arid developing countries using orbital imagery. Part 3: Review of land use surveys using orbital imagery in the USA

The author has identified the following significant results. Techniques of preprocessing, interpretation, classification, and ground truth sampling were studied. It has shown the need for a low cost, low level technology, viable, operational methodology to replace the emphasis given in the U.S. to machine processing, which many developing countries cannot afford, understand, nor implement

A methodology for small scale rural land use mapping in semi-arid developing countries using orbital imagery. 1: Introduction

The author has identified the following significant results. This research program has developed a viable methodology for producing small scale rural land use maps in semi-arid developing countries using imagery obtained from orbital multispectral scanners

A methodology for small scale rural land use mapping in semi-arid developing countries using orbital imagery. Part 7: Bibliography

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

A methodology for small scale rural land use mapping in semi-arid developing countries using orbital imagery. 2: Capabilities of remote sensing techniques for land use surveys

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Factors that contribute to midwives staying in midwifery: A study in one area health service in New South Wales, Australia

Objective: the Australian health workforce is experiencing workforce shortages like many other countries. Managing retention is one important element of workforce planning. Determining the drivers of retention in midwifery can assist workforce planning. The objective of this study was to determine the factors that contribute to the retention of midwives, that is, why do midwives stay? Design: a descriptive design was undertaken in two phases. Phase one used focus groups to adapt a questionnaire used in the 'Why Midwives Stay' study in England for the Australian context. Phase two used the questionnaire to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Setting: one area health service in New South Wales, Australia. Participants: 392 midwives employed in the area health service either full-time, part-time or on a casual basis were invited to participate and 209 (53%) responded. Findings: the majority of respondents were women aged 23-69 years (mean age 42 years). Just over half had received their midwifery qualification through the hospital-based system which was usual prior to 1994 reflecting the age of the cohort. The top three reasons for staying in midwifery were 'I enjoy my job', 'I am proud to be a midwife' and 'I get job satisfaction'. Job satisfaction was received when midwives felt that they made a difference to women, had positive interactions with women in their care and saw women happy. The motivation to keep going was achieved through having a positive outlook; having job satisfaction, and, having work colleagues with a sense of belonging. Implications for practice: the findings have implications for the organisation of care, models of care, and management systems. Health services and departments of health need to consider these issues especially in an environment of workforce shortages. Addressing the way care is arranged and how staff are supported may lead to higher retention rates, thus reducing costs. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd