Further education sector governors as ethnographers: five case studies

This paper considers how governors in the English Further Education and Skills (FE) sector examined their practice as ethnographers. The paper locates both FE governance and ethnography within the challenges of the performative and Panoptic environments facing English education. In doing so, the paper explores how the informants’ mobilisation of ethnographic methods revealed a novel lens on both governance and the role of ethnographer. Employing Grounded Theory, the paper considers how the participants negotiated philosophical questions regarding evidence, objectivity and truth. The paper suggests that despite the deep-seated complexities inherent in conducting ethnography in performative contexts, the participants generated data which painted a unique and revealing picture upon their practice as governor and researcher

BALL TRACKING IN FOOTBALL

This study outines the evaluation of VICON TRACKER software in tracking a ball in a large test area. A 22 camera VICON system and VICON Tracker software was used to track a soccer ball both indoor (22 m x 12 m) and outdoor (22 m x 28 m). Different ball marker setups were evaluated for accuracy and percentage data capture manipulating the number and type of reflective markers, as well as software settings, ands whether the system identified the centre of the ball. TRACKER achieved greater than 90% data capture percentage using the half dome markers or nine flat marker setups. Importantly a pre-test setup of the ball object and a 200 Hz (as opposed to 100 Hz) sample rate was needed. The ball centre was also captured by the software. Future work will examine if this system can perform in larger spaces and with multiple players in the area

A critical investigation of the organizational factors affecting the development of local agenda 21 by a local authority

This thesis uses action research to investigate the organizational factors which are affecting the implementation of local agenda 21, and the accompanying necessary internal changes, in a local authority. Following an examination of literature relating to sustainable development and local agenda 21, organizational culture and attempts to change it are identified as the important areas to be investigated. There is an examination of theory in those areas and a two-stage study is carried out. This allows for the first stage study to be assessed and any gaps, where the research questions are not being answered, to be identified and dealt with in the second stage study. It was found that in local authorities there are sub-cultures, and that the split is along departmental lines, which affect the facilitation of sustainable development to differing degrees. Socially based departments had sub-cultures which were less appropriate for sustainable development then environmentally based ones. The local authorities were making changes of a structural and strategic nature, but as regards human processes, it was found that although authorities were concentrating on trying to raise awareness, the strategies they were using for this were ineffective. Two case studies were also conducted, one of a local authority similar in many ways to the one in the main study and the other of a dissimilar one, to assess whether the findings from the main study might be more generally applicable. The findings from these case studies suggested that the findings were generally applicable.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Resolving taxonomic uncertainty in vulnerable elasmobranchs : are the Madeira skate (Raja maderensis) and the thornback ray (Raja clavata) distinct species?

Skates and rays constitute the most speciose group of chondrichthyan fishes, yet are characterised by remarkable levels of morphological and ecological conservatism. They can be challenging to identify, which makes monitoring species compositions for fisheries management purposes problematic. Owing to their slow growth and low fecundity, skates are vulnerable to exploitation and species exhibiting endemism or limited ranges are considered to be the most at risk. The Madeira skate Raja maderensis is endemic and classified as ‘Data Deficient’ by the IUCN, yet its taxonomic distinctiveness from the morphologically similar and more wide-ranging thornback ray Raja clavate is unresolved. This study evaluated the sequence divergence of both the variable control region and cytochrome oxidase I ‘DNA barcode’ gene of the mitochondrial genome to elucidate the genetic differentiation of specimens identified as R. maderensis and R. clavate collected across much of their geographic ranges. Genetic evidence was insufficient to support the different species designations. However regardless of putative species identification, individuals occupying waters around the Azores and North African Seamounts represent an evolutionarily significant unit worthy of special consideration for conservation management

An Ecological Study of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Part 1:Clinical Tests Do Not Correlate With Return-to-Sport Outcomes

BACKGROUND: Additional high-quality prospective studies are needed to better define the objective criteria used in relation to return-to-sport decisions after synthetic (ligament advanced reinforcement system [LARS]) and autograft (hamstring tendon [2ST/2GR]) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in active populations. PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate and describe the recovery of objective clinical outcomes after autograft (2ST/2GR) and synthetic (LARS) ACL reconstructions, as well as to investigate the relationship between these clinimetric test outcomes and return-to-sport activity (Tegner activity scale [TAS] score) at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A total of 64 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction (32 LARS, 32 2ST/2GR autograft) and 32 healthy reference participants were assessed for joint laxity (KT-1000 arthrometer), clinical outcome (2000 International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] knee examination), and activity (TAS score) preoperatively and at 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks and 12 and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation observed between clinical results using the 2000 IKDC knee examination and TAS score at 24 months (r (s) = 0.188, P = .137), nor were results for side-to-side difference (r (s) = 0.030, P = .814) or absolute KT-1000 arthrometer laxity of the surgical leg at 24 months postoperatively (r (s) = 0.076, P = .553) correlated with return-to-sport activity. Nonetheless, return-to-sport rates within the surgical cohort were 81% at 12 months and 83% at 24 months, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between physiological laxity of the uninjured knee within the surgical group compared with healthy knees within the reference group (P = .522). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that although relatively high levels of return-to-sport outcomes were achieved at 24 months compared with those previously reported in the literature, correlations between objective clinical tests and return-to-sport outcomes may not occur. Clinical outcome measures may provide suitable baseline information; however, the results of this study suggest that clinicians may need to place greater emphasis on other outcome measures when seeking to objectively promote safe return to sport

The study of the audit expectations gap in the public sector of Malaysia

The audit expectations gap is a prominent issue in the private sector. However, in the public sector, the audit expectations gap is an emerging issue that has received little attention by reseachers. To date, only a limited number of studies on the audit expectations gap in the public sector are available, either in the context of a financial audit or a performance audit. This study focused on the audit expectations gap in the context of the latter. The importance of the performance audit function in the Malaysian public sector, combined with recent developments related to this type of audit in the country (such as increasing expectations among the users and associated problems in practice) were the reasons for conducting the study in this area. Thus, the study aims to identify the existence of the audit expectations gap in the Malaysian public sector. In achieving this objective, it explores the perceptions of auditors and Public Account Committee (PAC) members, auditees and ‘other users’ (consisting of journalists, politicians and academics). The conceptual framework in this study was developed based on Chowdhury’s (1996) and Porter’s (1993) approaches. Utilising the accountability-based framework as suggested by Chowdhury, six audit concepts (auditor independence, auditor competence, audit scope, auditor ethics, audit reporting and auditing standards) were examined. Porter’s model was subsequently utilised to identify the nature and the components of the gap. This study employed two types of research methods: interviews and audit report analysis. Interviews were conducted with 37 participants comprising of auditors, PAC members, auditees and ‘other users’. The second research method involved the examination of four performance audit reports. The findings of this study indicated that the audit expectations gap exists in the Malaysian public sector in the context of performance auditing. The analysis of interviews and audit reports clearly suggest that the audit expectations gap exists over a number of auditing issues. These comprise fraud detection exercises, the influence of management, executive and other parties on auditors, outsourcing the audit to private audit firms, content and format of the audit report and extending the audit mandate to cover the question of merits of policy.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Towards safe nurse staffing in England's National Health Service:Progress and pitfalls of policy evolution

In 2013, a national inquiry into care failings at a large public hospital in England resulted in major healthcare reforms that included targeting policy aimed at ensuring the adequacy of nurse staffing levels on hospital wards within NHS England. This paper uses a review of publicly available documents to provide a contextual account of the evolution of nurse staffing policy development prior to and following the inquiry. We found that securing safe staffing policy has been impacted by caveats and competing policy, evidence gaps, lack of coordination, and the absence of readily implementable solutions. Consequently, five years on, safe staffing policy for NHS England is described in aspirational terms that ascribes accountability to providers, but fails to adequately address barriers to delivery. Kingdon's ‘policy windows’ model is used to explain why policy, even when driven by strong public concern and with high inter-sector support, may struggle to gain traction when the conditions necessary for success are not present, and in the face of practical or political constraints. The progress and pitfalls encountered are not unique and the experience of safe staffing policy in England may have lessons for other countries grappling with policy development or implementation in this area

Opportunities for utilising DNA-based technologies to enhance traceability and profitability in the Australian Red Meat Industry

The potential role of genomics to further improve traceability levels in the red meat industry was investigated, as DNA-based technologies offer unambiguous identification with a range of auxiliary benefits. Modelling indicated that genotyping the entire national beef herd for traceability is unlikely to compensate for the additional costs involved. However, potential additional benefits (faster genetic gain and better management decisions) make several implementation models appear to be highly attractive. Genotyping the national sheep flock is impractical, but the cost of using DNA judiciously to augment NLIS could be quite cost effective.Perceptions, concerns and experiences around traceability, DNA technologies, costs and willingness to pay were explored through industry consultations. Application of genomic technology for traceability alone was not generally seen as attractive, but the ancillary benefits that accompany lifetime traceability would make the value proposition more attractive.There are instances of DNA already being used to augment traceability and there is a strong argument for taking a proactive approach to coordinating its wider use. The longer the delay, the greater the costs and difficulties arising from fragmentation. A program of work with a series of stop/go decision points is proposed, to be coordinated and overseen by an appropriately-qualified steering group

BHPR research: qualitative1. Complex reasoning determines patients' perception of outcome following foot surgery in rheumatoid arhtritis

Background: Foot surgery is common in patients with RA but research into surgical outcomes is limited and conceptually flawed as current outcome measures lack face validity: to date no one has asked patients what is important to them. This study aimed to determine which factors are important to patients when evaluating the success of foot surgery in RA Methods: Semi structured interviews of RA patients who had undergone foot surgery were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted to explore issues that were important to patients. Results: 11 RA patients (9 ♂, mean age 59, dis dur = 22yrs, mean of 3 yrs post op) with mixed experiences of foot surgery were interviewed. Patients interpreted outcome in respect to a multitude of factors, frequently positive change in one aspect contrasted with negative opinions about another. Overall, four major themes emerged. Function: Functional ability & participation in valued activities were very important to patients. Walking ability was a key concern but patients interpreted levels of activity in light of other aspects of their disease, reflecting on change in functional ability more than overall level. Positive feelings of improved mobility were often moderated by negative self perception ("I mean, I still walk like a waddling duck”). Appearance: Appearance was important to almost all patients but perhaps the most complex theme of all. Physical appearance, foot shape, and footwear were closely interlinked, yet patients saw these as distinct separate concepts. Patients need to legitimize these feelings was clear and they frequently entered into a defensive repertoire ("it's not cosmetic surgery; it's something that's more important than that, you know?”). Clinician opinion: Surgeons' post operative evaluation of the procedure was very influential. The impact of this appraisal continued to affect patients' lasting impression irrespective of how the outcome compared to their initial goals ("when he'd done it ... he said that hasn't worked as good as he'd wanted to ... but the pain has gone”). Pain: Whilst pain was important to almost all patients, it appeared to be less important than the other themes. Pain was predominately raised when it influenced other themes, such as function; many still felt the need to legitimize their foot pain in order for health professionals to take it seriously ("in the end I went to my GP because it had happened a few times and I went to an orthopaedic surgeon who was quite dismissive of it, it was like what are you complaining about”). Conclusions: Patients interpret the outcome of foot surgery using a multitude of interrelated factors, particularly functional ability, appearance and surgeons' appraisal of the procedure. While pain was often noted, this appeared less important than other factors in the overall outcome of the surgery. Future research into foot surgery should incorporate the complexity of how patients determine their outcome Disclosure statement: All authors have declared no conflicts of interes