Description:
This paper describes the MODDE (Model of Decision support system Design and Evaluation) framework in some detail. The work is in progress and is being currently applied to the EMBRACE project being developed for the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) of Australia. Refugee law is the general legal area we are working in, while the specific domain under investigation is that of the decision makers at the RRT. EMBRACE is a decision support system being designed to assist the RRT in maintaining consistency of decisions, and preserve discretion of decision makers as well as making it easier to cope with high volumes of work in decreasing time frames. The use of the MODDE framework is intended to facilitate systematic attention to important features of decision making in our specific legal domain and to provide a sound basis upon which to evaluate a part of the system intrinsic to user acceptance. Copyright 2001 ACM.
Description:
Assessment, teaching and learning are intertwined concepts and are at the heart of quality teaching (Absolum, Flockton, Hattie, Hipkins and Reid, 2009 Ministry of Education (MoE), 2011). With its shifts in assessment-related content, the revision of Te Whariki (MoE, 2017), provides timely opportunity to explore early childhood teachers' understandings and practices related to assessment (McLachlan, 2018).
Description:
Assessment, teaching and learning are intertwined concepts and are at the heart of quality teaching (Absolum, Flockton, Hattie, Hipkins and Reid, 2009 Ministry of Education (MoE), 2011). With its shifts in assessment-related content, the revision of Te Whariki (MoE, 2017), provides timely opportunity to explore early childhood teachers' understandings and practices related to assessment (McLachlan, 2018).
Description:
This article examines and explains some of the curriculum and assessment practices that allow for VET in schools (VETiS) programs in the state of Victoria, to be recognised and incorporated into the senior secondary school certificates through the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). It draws on a selection of policy, curriculum, operational and research literature and statistical data on participation to discuss aspects of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Victorian secondary schools. After setting out the two curriculum frameworks, the article reviews the strategy and processes for the tandem usage of competency-based and scored assessment as they apply in the Victorian context. The purpose of the article is to show the complexities and open up the balancing act that is occurring at the operational and policy levels between equity and quality.
Description:
Extraction of individual pylons and wires is important for modelling of 3D objects in a power line corridor (PLC) map. However, the existing methods mostly classify points into distinct classes like pylons and wires, but hardly into individual pylons or wires. The proposed method extracts standalone pylons, vegetation and wires from LiDAR data. The extraction of individual objects is needed for a detailed PLC mapping. The proposed approach starts off with the separation of ground and non ground points. The non-ground points are then classified into vertical (e.g., pylons and vegetation) and non-vertical (e.g., wires) object points using the vertical profile feature (VPF) through the binary support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Individual pylons and vegetation are then separated using their shape and area properties. The locations of pylons are further used to extract the span points between two successive pylons. Finally, span points are voxelised and alignment properties of wires in the voxel grid is used to extract individual wires points. The results are evaluated on dataset which has multiple spans with bundled wires in each span. The evaluation results show that the proposed method and features are very effective for extraction of individual wires, pylons and vegetation with 99% correctness and 98% completeness.
Description:
Extraction of individual pylons and wires is important for modelling of 3D objects in a power line corridor (PLC) map. However, the existing methods mostly classify points into distinct classes like pylons and wires, but hardly into individual pylons or wires. The proposed method extracts standalone pylons, vegetation and wires from LiDAR data. The extraction of individual objects is needed for a detailed PLC mapping. The proposed approach starts off with the separation of ground and non ground points. The non-ground points are then classified into vertical (e.g., pylons and vegetation) and non-vertical (e.g., wires) object points using the vertical profile feature (VPF) through the binary support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Individual pylons and vegetation are then separated using their shape and area properties. The locations of pylons are further used to extract the span points between two successive pylons. Finally, span points are voxelised and alignment properties of wires in the voxel grid is used to extract individual wires points. The results are evaluated on dataset which has multiple spans with bundled wires in each span. The evaluation results show that the proposed method and features are very effective for extraction of individual wires, pylons and vegetation with 99% correctness and 98% completeness.
Description:
In recent years, the drive for the Healthcare Monitoring Application (HMA) aims to provide continuous remote monitoring of a patient's health. For this to happen, the sensors in the monitoring component of the Body Area Wireless Sensor Networks (BAWSN) need to continuously send data to a Healthcare Application. We show that to provide continuous health data, the BAWSN depends on the collective data delivered by all the sensor nodes and not on a single sensor because medical diagnosis is rarely performed from a single data point. In addition, the arrival time of data should occur within the expected time to be indicative of the actual health of the patient. In this paper, we characterize the HMA as a time-critical application because the BAWSN has stringent timing requirements concerning the arrival of data from the sensor nodes within the defined critical time. Thereby, we formulate the critical time parameters to evaluate the BAWSN operations.
Description:
This article presents the first comparative study of the middle class in Africa and China, drawing on published research from both regions, furnished with analysis of popular culture and ethnographic insights from research on South Africa's new black middle class. This study explores four topics of theoretical and empirical significance. Firstly, definitional debates about the qualitative and quantitative classification of the middle class, including the appropriateness of the term in (South) Africa and China. Secondly, the appropriation of the Chinese concept of xiaokang (moderate prosperity) for the study of Africa. Thirdly, anxiety over social and economic status, related in particular to distinctions between strata within the middle class, building on a distinction between middle-class moderate prosperity and middle-class affluence. Fourthly, anxiety over contradictions between emerging individual desires and traditional familial commitments, impacting South Africa's moderately prosperous in particular, with broader cultural implications for emerging African and Chinese modernities.
Description:
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the NSW Restraint Fitting Station Network in preventing incorrect use of rearward facing and forward facing child restraints. The way children used restraints was observed randomly as they arrived at observation sites during a cross-sectional ecological study across New South Wales, Australia. Trained researchers examined restraint system installation once the child left the vehicle. A structured interview was also conducted with the driver. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between parental report of ever having the restraint checked at a Restraint Fitting Station and whether or not the restraint was used correctly, while controlling for potential confounders and accounting for the complex sample design. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The results demonstrated that children of respondents who did not use Restraint Fitting Stations were 1.8 times more likely to be incorrectly using their restraints (95% CI 1.1–2.8) than children of Restraint Fitting Station users. Regardless of whether or not a Restraint Fitting Station had been used, there was a trend towards a greater likelihood of incorrect restraint use as the length of restraint ownership increased (OR 1.3 95% CI 1.0–1.7). These results are important for developing strategies aimed at reducing child occupant casualties by reducing the rate of incorrect restraint use, and support programs encouraging the use of Restraint Fitting Stations and similar services as a countermeasure to incorrect use.
Description:
Over 2007-2008, a pedagogy subject in a pre-service teacher education degree was (re)designed to help students develop their understandings and skills and a wider, more critical appreciation of the work of teachers and approaches to curriculum. The rationale for designing and including the online modules in the subject was to develop information and communication technology (ICT) skills, and to deliver a blended learning approach, argued by some to be more effective, that is, have more advantages than traditional approaches. In this paper, the face-to-face teaching alongside the eLearning that occurred in the blended learning approach is analysed using Tom Reeves and John Hedberg's model (2003) for evaluating interactive learning systems. Arguably, this evaluation model can be usefully applied to higher education teaching that is not fully online, and can help to comprise an integral part of an action research approach. This paper is a 'proof of concept' piece, demonstrating the applicability of the model to a blended learning course. Demonstrating the application of Reeves and Hedberg's model fills a knowledge void on the literature surrounding blended learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Description:
The field of Internet interventions is growing rapidly. New programs are continually being developed to facilitate health and mental health promotion, disease and emotional distress prevention, risk factor management, treatment, and relapse prevention. However, a clear definition of Internet interventions, guidelines for research, and evidence of effectiveness have been slower to follow. This article focuses on the quality standardization of research on Internet-delivered psychological and behavioural interventions. Although the science underpinning Internet interventions is just starting to be established, across research studies there are often conceptual and methodological difficulties. The authors argue that this situation is due to the lack of universally accepted operational guidelines and evaluation methods. Following a critical appraisal of existing codes of conduct and guidelines for Internet-assisted psychological and health interventions, the authors developed a framework of guidelines for Internet intervention research utilizing aspects of facet theory (Guttman & Greenbaum, 1998). The framework of facets, elements, and guidelines of best practice in reporting Internet intervention research was then sent to several leading researchers in the field for their comment and input, so that a consensus framework could be agreed on. The authors outline 12 key facets to be considered when evaluating and reporting Internet intervention studies. Each facet consists of a range of recommended elements, designed as the minimum features for reporting Internet intervention studies. The authors propose that this framework be utilized when designing and reporting Internet intervention research, so results across studies can be replicated, extended, compared, and contrasted with greater ease and clarity.
Description:
Intersectoral partnerships in health have a central role in current policy and programs. Partnerships are seen to be an effective strategy for maximising health outcomes. However, theoretical models of health partnerships are underdeveloped. Moreover, the research literature contains inconsistent findings about their effectiveness, and there has been very little evaluative research on health partnerships in this country. This paper reports on a case study of an intersectoral consortium using a health promotion approach to cardiovascular disease. A model of partnership formation and development is presented. From this, a research strategy was devised and carried out. Results indicate that the health consortium was formed inresponse to a critical health issue, and as a separate legal entity without recurrent funding, it has been sustained through the commitment of individual members. Project funding has, in large part, dictated its operations. The case study reveals the strengths, vulnnerabilities and achievements of this consortium over five years. To produce sustainable health outcomes, the researchers conclude, partnerships require strategic management to capitalise on individual endeavours, organisational alignments, and government or funder priorities. Ideological zeal for intersectoral health partnerships must be balanced by rigorous evaluation; together with more sophisticated indicators for measuring success in partnerships in health promotion. Theoretical development of models of health partnerships will also contribute to their enhanced effectiveness.
Description:
Intersectoral partnerships in health have a central role in current policy and programs. Partnerships are seen to be an effective strategy for maximising health outcomes. However, theoretical models of health partnerships are underdeveloped. Moreover, the research literature contains inconsistent findings about their effectiveness, and there has been very little evaluative research on health partnerships in this country. This paper reports on a case study of an intersectoral consortium using a health promotion approach to cardiovascular disease. A model of partnership formation and development is presented. From this, a research strategy was devised and carried out. Results indicate that the health consortium was formed inresponse to a critical health issue, and as a separate legal entity without recurrent funding, it has been sustained through the commitment of individual members. Project funding has, in large part, dictated its operations. The case study reveals the strengths, vulnnerabilities and achievements of this consortium over five years. To produce sustainable health outcomes, the researchers conclude, partnerships require strategic management to capitalise on individual endeavours, organisational alignments, and government or funder priorities. Ideological zeal for intersectoral health partnerships must be balanced by rigorous evaluation; together with more sophisticated indicators for measuring success in partnerships in health promotion. Theoretical development of models of health partnerships will also contribute to their enhanced effectiveness.
Description:
This article considers how the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) has responded to the recommendations made by accredited mental health social workers in the first national study on continuing professional development needs in 2010. The aim of the study was to ascertain the responsiveness of the AASW to the recommendations made so that members knew if their concerns had been listened to. A five-year timeframe was considered timely for such a review. An evaluative approach was used in August 2015 sourcing data from both public and private domains from 2010 to 2015 to identify, and not appraise or critique, how the AASW had responded to the recommendations in the 2010 review. This is in acknowledgment that there may be other reasons influencing changes made and that these may not be a direct response to the 2010 survey recommendations. The study found that all recommendations made in the 2010 review were responded to by the AASW. [Author abstract]
Description:
This article considers how the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) has responded to the recommendations made by accredited mental health social workers in the first national study on continuing professional development needs in 2010. The aim of the study was to ascertain the responsiveness of the AASW to the recommendations made so that members knew if their concerns had been listened to. A five-year timeframe was considered timely for such a review. An evaluative approach was used in August 2015 sourcing data from both public and private domains from 2010 to 2015 to identify, and not appraise or critique, how the AASW had responded to the recommendations in the 2010 review. This is in acknowledgment that there may be other reasons influencing changes made and that these may not be a direct response to the 2010 survey recommendations. The study found that all recommendations made in the 2010 review were responded to by the AASW. [Author abstract]
Description:
A clinical placement evaluation form for undergraduate nursing students was developed to address the need for evaluating success in clinical teaching support and provide a feedback loop to the University, clinical educators and clinical venues. A 21-item, with five domains, (orientation, clinical educator/teacher, ward staff and environment, clinical hurdles, and university) Clinical Evaluation Form (CEF) was developed. The form was live tested with 178 year 1 and 2 undergraduate nursing students. The CEF scale was reliable (alpha = 0.90) and has good face and content validity approved by an expert panel. Further research is recommended to validate the CEF for use multi-professionally and across all year levels.
Description:
Despite high rates of breastfeeding initiation in Australia, there is a significant drop in breastfeeding rates in the early postpartum period, and Australian government breastfeeding targets are not being met. The Supporting breastfeeding In Local Communities (SILC) trial was a three-arm cluster randomised trial implemented in 10 Victorian local government areas (LGAs). It aimed to determine whether early home-based breastfeeding support by a maternal and child health nurse (MCH nurse) with or without access to a community-based breastfeeding drop-in centre increased the proportion of infants receiving 'any' breast milk at four months. Focus groups, a written questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore the interventions from the perspective of the SILC-MCH nurses (n=13) and coordinators (n=6), who established and implemented the interventions. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes, then findings further examined using Diffusion of Innovations Theory as a framework. SILC-MCH nurses and coordinators reported high levels of satisfaction, valuing the opportunity to improve breastfeeding in our community and having 'focused breastfeeding time with women in their own homes'. They felt the SILC interventions offered 'benefits to women, nurses and the MCH service'. Implementing new interventions into existing, complex community health services presented unforeseen 'challenges', which were different in each LGA and were in part due to the complexity of the individual LGAs and not the interventions themselves. These findings will help inform the planning and development of future programs aimed at improving breastfeeding and other interventions in MCH.
Description:
Sustainable manufacturing assessment is meant to ensure that products are manufactured such that negative environmental impacts are reduced by conserving energy and managing the use of natural resources as well as ensuring economical soundness for the process. The main objective of this work is to introduce sustainable development methodology/models for manufacturing processes. For this purpose, the paper utilizes background data, develops a computer model and presents detailed case studies. This paper will identify and adopt key performance indicators (KPIs) and utilize these to assess the sustainability of extrusion process and their designs. Different manufacturing parameters such as material types, product specifications and manufacturing tools are considered in the process of measuring sustainability. The proposed computer model is verified with data obtain from actual aluminium extrusion plants.
Description:
Sustainable manufacturing assessment is meant to ensure that products are manufactured such that negative environmental impacts are reduced by conserving energy and managing the use of natural resources as well as ensuring economical soundness for the process. The main objective of this work is to introduce sustainable development methodology/models for manufacturing processes. For this purpose, the paper utilizes background data, develops a computer model and presents detailed case studies. This paper will identify and adopt key performance indicators (KPIs) and utilize these to assess the sustainability of extrusion process and their designs. Different manufacturing parameters such as material types, product specifications and manufacturing tools are considered in the process of measuring sustainability. The proposed computer model is verified with data obtain from actual aluminium extrusion plants.
Description:
Objective To examine the appropriateness of different statistical models in analysing falls count data. Methods Six count models (Poisson, negative binomial (NB), zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), zero-inflated NB (ZINB), hurdle Poisson (HP) and hurdle NB (HNB)) were used to analyse falls count data. Empirical evaluation of the competing models was performed using model selection criteria and goodness-of-fit through simulation. Data used were from a prospective cohort study of women aged 40-80 years. Results Of the 465 women analysed, 330 (71%) did not fall at all. The analyses identified strong evidence of overdispersion in the falls data. The NB-based regression models (HNB, ZINB, NB) were better performed than the Poisson-based regression models (Poisson, ZIP, HP). Vuong tests favoured the HNB model over the NB and ZINB models and the NB model over the ZINB model. Model accuracy measures and Monte Carlo simulation of goodness-of-fit confirmed the lack of fit of the Poissonbased regression models and demonstrated the best fit for the HNB model with comparable good fit for the ZINB and NB models. Conclusions Falls count data consisting of a considerable number of zeros can be appropriately modelled by the NBbased regression models, with the HNB model offering he best fit. The evaluation procedure presented in this aper provides a defensible guideline to appropriately odel falls or similar count data with excess zeros.