A study into the factors influencing the choice-making process of Indian students when selecting an international university for graduate studies using grounded theory

Paper presented at the conference in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, July 2007.Universities operate in an increasingly competitive market place facing new and complex socio-technical and economical challenges. For many universities international student recruitment is desirable and necessary for survival. Universities knowledge in this area is often an imperfect tool as the changing environment and diversity of cultures with which it must interact challenge previous assumptions and common wisdom. The overall goal of this study is to identify those factors responsible for influencing Indian students’ choice of international university for graduate studies. The results are based on a longitudinal study that was carried out using the Grounded Theory research method. This qualitative methodology provides a good framework for rigorous and relevant research of emerging phenomena in student mobility. Primary data consisted of unstructured interviews, focus groups and questionnaire surveys among participants of the sample population. The literature was used as a source of secondary data. A narrative style and thick description were used to report the research findings. Four major influencers emerged from the analysis, which are referred to as programme content, international reputation, funding and job prospects and quality. Drawing together these findings the study examines the implications for recruiting graduate students from India and reveals that there are a number of ways in which the university can influence the choice-making process. The results clearly provide a sound basis for future study

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and Breastfeeding Duration: Relating the Evidence to the Australian Context

Objective: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is an effort by UNICEF and WHO to improve health through promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. The key strategy in this Initiative is in transforming care of newborn infants in maternity hospitals. The recently published Australian Breastfeeding Leadership Plan (ABLP)1 strongly advocates, as part of its overall plan to increase breastfeeding rates in Australia, the use of public funding and support to implement the BFHI in Australian hospitals. The purpose of this review is to present evidence related to the BFHI's impact on breastfeeding duration, comment on the relevance of this evidence to the Australian context, and to discuss the value of BFHI in an environment where enhancement of breastfeeding duration appears to be the primary goal. Findings: Australia finds itself in the unique situation of being a high-income country with comparatively high initiation of exclusive breastfeeding and rapid deterioration in exclusive breastfeeding rates to six months. While the BFHI itself has been shown to increase the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, much of the evidence is derived from studies where exclusive breastfeeding initiation is low prior to implementation or there are major socioeconomic or cultural differences between study contexts and the context observed in Australia. Principal Conclusions: There is little evidence to suggest that BFHI implementation has a positive impact on breastfeeding duration in the Australian context. There is an urgent need for research in this area to inform stakeholders in breastfeeding. While implementation of BFHI principles might protect against the deterioration of breastfeeding initiation, limited resources might be better utilised by directing them toward initiatives outlined in the ABLP1 that are known to increase breastfeeding duration in the Australian context, like improving workplace conditions for breastfeeding and enhancing the knowledge of health professionals in the community, such as general practitioners, who are likely to provide breastfeeding support to mothers once they leave hospital

The Environmental Context and Function of Burnt-Mounds : New Studies of Irish Fulachtaí Fiadh

The authors acknowledge funding from The Leverhulme Trust (F/00144/AI) and assistance from a large number of individuals including; Margaret Gowen (access to sites and assistance throughout),A. Ames, H, Essex (pollen processing), S. Rouillard & R. Smith (illustrations), C. McDermott, S. Bergerbrandt, all the staff of Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd, TVAS Ireland and CRDS. Excavation works and some post-excavation analysis was paid for my Bord Gáis and the National Roads Authority (now Transport Infrastructure Ireland). Thanks also to David Smith for access to the Maureen Girling collection and assistance with identifications.Peer reviewedPostprintPostprin

From a Year-Long Delivery Pattern to a One Semester Delivery Pattern, the Impact on Student Performance in a UK University.

Increasingly UK universities are adopting a more US-based approach of teaching subject-matter in modules across semesters. This means that the teaching of a particular subject across a whole academic year is now changing to the same subject-matter being compressed into a single module taught in one semester (across twelve weeks). This study examines the effects of a transition over four years on 2,612 students at a UK university, changing teaching methods from a year-long (two semesters) method of teaching to a more compressed US-style of only one semester long module method. The main findings are that overall pass rates stay approximately the same but there is concern that the number of awards at a first class and upper second level has been diminished. This is potentially due to the students not having the time to assimilate the course-material, develop a deeper learning and understanding of the course materials

Interpreting the influence of tree root water uptake on the long term hydrology of a clay fill railway embankment

This paper uses a numerical model to investigate the influence of tree root water uptake on pore water pressures and the vertical displacement of a clay fill railway embankment. The simulated results of soil wetting and drying are compared with long term field measurements from an instrumented railway embankment subjected to a programme of tree removal. The simulations and field measurements show that trees cause significant seasonal variations in pore water pressure and water content near the soil surface, but can maintain persistent soil suctions at depth within the tree rooting zone. Demonstration of this result using a numerical model requires a root water uptake function to spatially separate water infiltration, evaporation and transpiration processes. When the depth of roots and water uptake are reduced through tree removal, the persistent soil suctions established by the trees are lost as water infiltrates from the soil surface. The model is used to show that trees left on the bottom third of the slope can maintain persistent suctions at the slope toe while potentially reducing seasonal ground movements at the crest that may influence railway track quality. A parametric study compares the influence of plant root water uptake depth on displacement of the embankment slope

Palliative care for Parkinson's disease: Patient and carer's perspectives explored through qualitative interview

Background: Palliative care is recommended for non-malignant illnesses, including Parkinson’s disease. However, past research with healthcare workers highlights unmet palliative needs in this population and referral rates to Specialist Palliative Care are low. Some healthcare workers perceive a ‘fear’ in their patients about introducing palliative care. However, less is known about the views of people with Parkinson’s disease and their carers about palliative care. Aim: (1) To explore the palliative care and related issues most affecting people with Parkinson’s disease and their families and (2) to examine perceptions about/understanding of palliative care. Design: This was a qualitative study; semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Setting/participants: A total of 31 people participated, both people with Parkinson’s disease (n = 19) and carers (n = 12), across three Movement Disorder Clinics in the Republic of Ireland. Results: People with Parkinson’s disease and their carers were unfamiliar with the term palliative care. When informed of the role of palliative care, most felt that they would benefit from this input. People with Parkinson’s disease and carers experienced a high illness burden and wanted extra support. Crises requiring Specialist Palliative Care involvement may occur at diagnosis and later, with advancing illness. Participants wanted more information about palliative care and especially further supports to address their psychosocial needs. Conclusion: A holistic palliative care approach could address the complex physical and psychosocial symptoms experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease and their carers, and people with Parkinson’s disease and their carers are open to palliative care. Further research needs to explore how palliative care can be introduced into the routine care for people with Parkinson’s disease

Operational research in low-income countries: what, why, and how?

Operational research is increasingly being discussed at institutional meetings, donor forums, and scientific conferences, but limited published information exists on its role from a disease-control and programme perspective. We suggest a definition of operational research, clarify its relevance to infectious-disease control programmes, and describe some of the enabling factors and challenges for its integration into programme settings. Particularly in areas where the disease burden is high and resources and time are limited, investment in operational research and promotion of a culture of inquiry are needed so that health care can become more efficient. Thus, research capacity needs to be developed, specific resources allocated, and different stakeholders (academic institutions, national programme managers, and non-governmental organisations) brought together in promoting operational research

The world economy [December 1992]

In the second quarter of 1992 GDP/GNP growth averaged 0.5% in the main four world economies. The position of the USA, Germany and France improved but growth slowed dramatically in Japan. This brief analysis sets out growth rates for each country and provides a provisional estimate for the major industrial economies during the second quarter