2,782 research outputs found
Ethical Issues in Empirical Studies of Software Engineering
The popularity of empirical methods in software engineering research is on the rise. Surveys,
experiments, metrics, case studies, and field studies are examples of empirical methods used to
investigate both software engineering processes and products. The increased application of
empirical methods has also brought about an increase in discussions about adapting these
methods to the peculiarities of software engineering. In contrast, the ethical issues raised by
empirical methods have received little, if any, attention in the software engineering literature. This
article is intended to introduce the ethical issues raised by empirical research to the software
engineering research community, and to stimulate discussion of how best to deal with these ethical
issues. Through a review of the ethical codes of several fields that commonly employ humans and
artifacts as research subjects, we have identified major ethical issues relevant to empirical studies
of software engineering. These issues are illustrated with real empirical studies of software
engineering
The Effect of DynaCleft® on Cleft Width in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients
Objective: The specific aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess the efficacy of DynaCleft® as a method of presurgical orthopedics with infants with a unilateral cleft lip and cleft palate who used an oral obturator. Study design: Data was collected from 25 infants all of comparable age diagnosed with a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. Eight patients used DynaCleft ® and an obturator (Group Alpha) and seventeen patients only had an obturator (Group Beta). Maxillary impression casts were obtained from each patient at the initial clinic visit and at the time of cleft lip repair. Differences in alveolar cleft width were compared between the two groups. Casts were measured twice by one observer using a digital caliper.
Results: Group Alpha began treatment on an average age of 24.25 days and Group Beta an average of 15.35 days of age. The average cleft width of Group Alpha was 8.13 mm and after treatment it was 4.59 mm. The average cleft width of Group Beta was 8.09 mm and 6.92 mm after treatment. Results of paired t-tests and two-sample t-test showed that cleft width changes between the two groups were significant (P = .03). Conclusions: DynaCleft ® significantly decreased the size of the alveolar cleft width compared to infants who did not use it. Providers should consider using DynaCleft® for patients who may not have access to infant maxillary orthopedics
Supporting the Everyday Work of Scientists: Automating Scientific Workflows
This paper describes an action research project that we undertook with National Research Council Canada (NRC) scientists. Based on discussions about their \ud
difficulties in using software to collect data and manage processes, we identified three requirements for increasing research productivity: ease of use for end- \ud
users; managing scientific workflows; and facilitating software interoperability. Based on these requirements, we developed a software framework, Sweet, to \ud
assist in the automation of scientific workflows. \ud
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Throughout the iterative development process, and through a series of structured interviews, we evaluated how the framework was used in practice, and identified \ud
increases in productivity and effectiveness and their causes. While the framework provides resources for writing application wrappers, it was easier to code the applications’ functionality directly into the framework using OSS components. Ease of use for the end-user and flexible and fully parameterized workflow representations were key elements of the framework’s success. \u
Vygotsky and Sports Coaching: Non-linear Practice in Youth and Adult Settings
Over the past 20 years, a significant amount of research has located sports coaching principally as an educational endeavour. In particular, non-linear educative approaches have attracted much attention yet few studies have explored in any real depth the theoretical underpinnings of such practices. Where conceptual analyses have been conducted, the work of Vygotsky has emerged as a useful framework. The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which Vygotskian principles of learning and development might be evident within non-linear sports coaching practices and to examine whether embracing these principles might enhance coaching practice both in youth and adult settings. Drawing on qualitative empirical data, this paper explores how six coaches perceived their everyday practice as non-linear. Resultant findings uncover the nuances of both coach and athlete experience in line with three of Vygotsky’s key theoretical assertions, namely: Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), scaffolding and mediation. The paper concludes by suggesting that the application of theoretical ideas has the potential to inform and enhance non-linear pedagogical approaches, yet coaches must remain cognisant of the bespoke nature of the coaching context
Seeking consensus regarding the characteristics of expertise and development requirements across five domains of netball coaching in the United Kingdom
The aim of this study was to develop consensus of opinion from expert netball coaches by exploring prime defining characteristics of, and prime development requirements for, coaching expertise. Forty-eight expert female netball coaches representing five domains were recruited. A four-round Delphi Poll technique was utilised to generate consensus of prime characteristics of expertise and prime development requirements. Distinct characteristics of expertise were identified in each domain. The domain-specific characteristics of expertise dispute the appropriateness of a one-size-fits-all coach development approach such as coaching courses which are not bespoke. Concerning development requirements, the findings demonstrated support for individualised, predominantly informal approaches
Christian sports coaches and servant leadership
The world of competitive sport can present a challenging environment for Christian athletes and coaches. The culture of competitive sport, and particularly the attitude to winning, can cause athletes and coaches to question how their Christian faith should shape participation and/or whether they should participate at all. Few empirical studies have explored how Christian coaches frame their practice to align with their faith and reconcile the potential contradictions and challenges of coaching within competitive sporting environments. That said, there has been a recent increase in the number of studies exploring the potential relationship between sports coaching and the concept of servant leadership – a framework which is commensurate with a Christian world view. The aim of this paper is to contribute to these debates by presenting empirical evidence to explore the philosophies, intended practices and sociocultural factors influencing how Christian coaches sought to lead in competitive sporting environments. One hundred and ten coaches (female = 24, male = 86) completed an online qualitative questionnaire which explored their beliefs about leadership and coaching practice. This paper considers the ways in which Christian coaches’ might seek to frame their leadership behaviours within the context of competitive sport and how their approaches might align, or otherwise, with the theoretical tenets of servant leadership
Evaluation Factors for Multi-Stakeholder Broadband Visual Communication Projects
This paper presents a summary of multifaceted
evaluation factors that we have
identified through our research with
Broadband Visual Communication (BVC)
projects involving multiple stakeholders. The
main benefit of these evaluation factors is
that they provide a general evaluation
framework for multiple stakeholder projects.
The factors are social infrastructure,
technical infrastructure, physical space,
interaction style and content
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