10,617 research outputs found
Assessing Student Learning in Middle-Division Classical Mechanics/Math Methods
Reliable and validated assessments of introductory physics have been
instrumental in driving curricular and pedagogical reforms that lead to
improved student learning. As part of an effort to systematically improve our
sophomore-level Classical Mechanics and Math Methods course (CM 1) at CU
Boulder, we are developing a tool to assess student learning of CM 1 concepts
in the upper-division. The Colorado Classical Mechanics/Math Methods Instrument
(CCMI) builds on faculty-consensus learning goals and systematic observations
of student difficulties. The result is a 9-question open-ended post-test that
probes student learning in the first half of a two-semester classical mechanics
/ math methods sequence. In this paper, we describe the design and development
of this instrument, its validation, and measurements made in classes at CU
Boulder.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 table; submitted to 2013 Proceedings of the
Physics Education Research Conferenc
Response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill:Centre for International Public Health Policy, University of Edinburgh
High-performance thermionic converter Quarterly progress report, 13 Aug. - 13 Nov. 1965
Fabrication and testing of cesium loaded thermionic converter test vehicl
Water Security at United States Air Force Installations
Global water security is a growing concern that poses unique challenges that stem from geopolitical arrangement, regional location, and local climate conditions. United States national defense relies on an uninterrupted water supply to sustain operations to carry out its readiness mission. Accurate water security assessments are necessary for adapting to climate factors and to provide essential information to meet the changing needs of human water demand. This research presents how different water metrics are applied at various United States Air Force locations to measure water scarcity. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software is used to conduct spatial correlation across the United States to identify ranges between the metrics. Reported water condition data from 34 United States Air Force installation development plans was assessed for correlation with the selected water scarcity metrics, though no evidence suggesting a relationship between the developed water scarcity index and the installation development plan data was identified. The development of an index to accurately relay water scarcity conditions will improve the ability to overcome water planning and regional water management challenges and combat factors that contribute to water scarcity. Such measures are needed to ensure water security as United States water resources face challenges from climatic variation and the threat of cyber-attacks on water systems
Selecting and implementing overview methods: implications from five exemplar overviews
This is the final version of the article. Available from BioMed Central via the DOI in this record.Background
Overviews of systematic reviews are an increasingly popular method of evidence synthesis; there is a lack of clear guidance for completing overviews and a number of methodological challenges. At the UK Cochrane Symposium 2016, methodological challenges of five overviews were explored. Using data from these five overviews, practical implications to support methodological decision making of authors writing protocols for future overviews are proposed.
Methods
Methods, and their justification, from the five exemplar overviews were tabulated and compared with areas of debate identified within current literature. Key methodological challenges and implications for development of overview protocols were generated and synthesised into a list, discussed and refined until there was consensus.
Results
Methodological features of three Cochrane overviews, one overview of diagnostic test accuracy and one mixed methods overview have been summarised. Methods of selection of reviews and data extraction were similar. Either the AMSTAR or ROBIS tool was used to assess quality of included reviews. The GRADE approach was most commonly used to assess quality of evidence within the reviews.
Eight key methodological challenges were identified from the exemplar overviews. There was good agreement between our findings and emerging areas of debate within a recent published synthesis. Implications for development of protocols for future overviews were identified.
Conclusions
Overviews are a relatively new methodological innovation, and there are currently substantial variations in the methodological approaches used within different overviews. There are considerable methodological challenges for which optimal solutions are not necessarily yet known. Lessons learnt from five exemplar overviews highlight a number of methodological decisions which may be beneficial to consider during the development of an overview protocol.The overview conducted by Pollock [19] was supported by a project grant from the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government. The overview conducted by McClurg [21] was supported by a project grant by the Physiotherapy Research Foundation. The overview by Hunt [22] was supported as part of doctoral programme funding by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC). The overview conducted by Estcourt [20] was supported by an NIHR Cochrane Programme Grant for the Safe and Appropriate Use of Blood Components. The overview conducted by Brunton [23] was commissioned by the Department of Health as part of an ongoing programme of work on health policy research synthesis.
Alex Pollock is employed by the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) Research Unit, which is supported by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government. Pauline Campbell is supported by the Chief Nurses Office of the Scottish Government
High-performance thermionic converter Quarterly progress report, 13 Nov. 1965 - 13 Feb. 1966
Stability and optimization parameters of cesium vapor thermionic converters studied in high performance long life equipment fabrication projec
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