2,596 research outputs found
Evaluation of the organisation and delivery of patient-centred acute nursing care
In 2002, a team of researchers from the School of Nursing, University of Salford were commissioned by Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust to evaluate the delivery and organisation of patient-centred nursing care across the acute nursing wards within the Royal Bolton Hospital.
The key driver for the commissioning of this study arose from two serious untoward incidents that occurred in the year 2000. Following investigation of both these events the Director of Nursing in post at that time believed that poor organisation and delivery of care may have been a contributory factor. Senior nurses in the Trust had also expressed their concern that care may not be organised in a way that made best use of the skills available
The role of philosophical context in the development of theory: Towards methodological pluralism
The research strategy dictates the major direction of the research and constitutes one of the important decisions made by the researcher. However, researchers? understanding on theory at the outset of the research guides the design of the research. The paper presents an overview of the involvement of theory within different research philosophies, approaches and methods. The relationship between data and theory is an issue that has been long debated. Moving from data to theory is commonly discussed in social constructionism with inductive approach and ideographic methods. However, within positivism philosophy with deductive approach and nomothetic methods, moving from theory to data is common. However, the growing concept of philosophical pluralism and methodological pluralism challenges the polarised views on philosophies and approaches, which suggests that methodologies are best used in complementary way
Visible Light Communications towards 5G
5G networks have to offer extremely high capacity for novel streaming applications. One of the most promising approaches is to embed large numbers of co-operating small cells into the macro-cell coverage area. Alternatively, optical wireless based technologies can be adopted as an alternative physical layer offering higher data rates. Visible light communications (VLC) is an emerging technology for future high capacity communication links (it has been accepted to 5GPP) in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum (~370–780 nm) utilizing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) simultaneously provide data transmission and room illumination. A major challenge in VLC is the LED modulation bandwidths, which are limited to a few MHz. However, myriad gigabit speed transmission links have already been demonstrated. Non line-of-sight (NLOS) optical wireless is resistant to blocking by people and obstacles and is capable of adapting its’ throughput according to the current channel state information. Concurrently, organic polymer LEDs (PLEDs) have become the focus of enormous attention for solid-state lighting applications due to their advantages over conventional white LEDs such as ultra-low costs, low heating temperature, mechanical flexibility and large photoactive areas when produced with wet processing methods. This paper discusses development of such VLC links with a view to implementing ubiquitous broadcasting networks featuring advanced modulation formats such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or carrier-less amplitude and phase modulation (CAP) in conjunction with equalization techniques. Finally, this paper will also summarize the results of the European project ICT COST IC1101 OPTICWISE (Optical Wireless Communications - An Emerging Technology) dealing VLC and OLEDs towards 5G networks
The SMC X-ray transient XTE J0111.2-7317 : a Be/X-ray binary in a SNR?
We report observations which confirm the identity of the optical/IR
counterpart to the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer transient source XTE
J0111.2-7317. The counterpart is suggested to be a B0-B2 star (luminosity class
III--V) showing an IR excess and strong Balmer emission lines. The distance
derived from reddening and systemic velocity measurements puts the source in
the SMC. Unusually, the source exhibits an extended asymetric H alpha
structure.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figs, accepted by MNRA
Knowledge management research within the built environment: Research methodological perspectives
As built environment is of major importance to all societies and economies, it
is essential that the discipline advances as rapidly and rigorously as possible. Only by use of
appropriate methodologies and methods of research, the body of knowledge for construction
can be established and advanced with confidence. Research is always executed in context and
it is vital to give careful consideration to the research methodology at the outset of the
research. This paper discusses available research philosophies and methodologies, while
highlighting the main facets of the arguments on their relative characteristics. Issues that need
to be considered when selecting the most appropriate approach and research methods when
undertaking research in built environment context are outlined. In highlighting above, the
paper explains and justifies the selected research strategy for a performance oriented
knowledge management research in built environment context. Social constructionism stance
in terms of epistemological undertakings and idealistic approach under the ontological
assumptions with value laden purposes are suggested together with the deployment of
multiple exploratory case studies approach and triangulation techniques
Recognising the importance of "Tacit" skills of the construction worker in a knowledge environment
Construction knowledge workers and their tacit knowledge skills in particular are still considered to be relatively unexplored. Hence, proper understanding and management of this resource is of immense importance for better performance of the industry as a whole. The paper stresses the value of the knowledge worker and their tacit knowledge skills in construction and highlights the importance of skills, training and development of construction workers. Selecting right human resource policies and ensuring knowledge supportive culture are highlighted as two dimensions in construction knowledge worker development. This paper argues that this provides a valid basis to embrace the concept of knowledge worker and the importance of tacit knowledge skills at all levels within construction organisations
Managing the construction worker in a knowledge environment
Valuable human and knowledge resources will be wasted unless
organisations make better use of these prime resources. Construction knowledge
workers and their tacit knowledge in particular is still considered to be relatively
unexplored and proper understanding and management of this resource is of immense
importance for better organisational performance. The paper stresses the importance of
knowledge worker and tacit knowledge in construction and examines the contribution
towards the company performance. Two dimensions in construction knowledge worker
management are highlighted. This provides a valid basis to embrace the concept of
knowledge worker and a knowledge culture at all levels within construction
organisations
Managing construction workers and their tacit knowledge in a knowledge environment: A conceptual framework
Within the construction industry, it is increasingly being acknowledged that
knowledge management can bring about the much needed innovation and improved
performance the industry requires. Nevertheless, sufficient attention is still to be received for
the concept of the knowledge worker and their tacit knowledge within construction industry.
Yet, proper understanding and management of this resource is of immense importance for the
achievement of better organisational performance. Hence, this paper aims to devise a
theoretical framework for managing construction knowledge worker and their tacit knowledge
based on review and synthesis of literature. Paper stresses the importance of construction
knowledge worker and tacit knowledge through review of literature and highlights prevailing
gap due to lack of attention and recognition given to the tacit knowledge in the construction
industry. Based on identified gap research aim, objectives and hypotheses are devised. As the
specific research methodology, the social constructionism stance in terms of epistemological
undertakings and idealistic approach under the ontological assumptions with value laden
purposes are suggested. Further, it recommends the deployment of multiple exploratory case
studies approach with triangulation techniques
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