Try again. Fail again. Fail better. Analysis of the contribution of 65 evaluations to the modernisation of public action in France

Evaluation ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Delahais ◽  
Clément Lacouette-Fougère
Keyword(s):  
State Level ◽  
Process Tracing ◽  
Public Action ◽  
Impact Pathways ◽  
Cost Cutting ◽  
Empirical Tests ◽  
Main Instrument ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Very High

« Modernisation of Public Action » (MAP) was an initiative to make evaluation the main instrument of reform for public policies at State level in France: 80 evaluations were launched between 2012 and 2017. MAP is the late child of both « evaluation à la française » (a 1990s attempt to make evaluation a way to reinvent democracy) and RGPP (a policy review aimed at cost-cutting under President Sarkozy). We explain how this strange combination set the expectations for the MAP. We undertook a metaevaluation to assess the quality of the evaluations, which put a very high emphasis on use, but were initially lacking some basic features such as evaluation questions or an intervention logic. However they improved over time. Finally, using contribution analysis and Process Tracing, we subject 8 evaluation processes to 10 empirical tests to assess their use. We show the diversity of impact pathways leading to reform (or lack thereof), some of which are unexpected, stressing the importance of context and attitude of stakeholders in the impacts that can be expected.

scholarly journals Democracy and Social Policy in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Process Tracing Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 221
Author(s):  
Fadillah Putra ◽  
Muhammad Faishal Aminuddin
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
State Level ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Process Tracing ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Political Forces ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between democracy and social policy in Southeast Asia is a critical topic that has received insufficient attention. In general, trends in improving social policy as part of the government’s responsibility for citizens do not follow the trend of democratization. Even in autocratic countries, improving the quality of social policy is always a priority. This study answers the following question: what can the trend of improvement in social policy explain in relation to democratization at the state level? Through the comparative process tracing analysis method, this study demonstrated a discriminatory treatment factor in providing access to public services to certain groups related to the political forces that had been controlling the government. In addition, this study reveals several factors that have not been widely explained from the periodization of social policy changes in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Practical Issues of Translated Texts Editing

2019 ◽  
Vol 25242644 ◽  
pp. 38-41
Author(s):  
Maryna Aleksandrovych
Keyword(s):  
Word Order ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Original Text ◽  
Copy Editor ◽  
Proper Nouns ◽  
Units Of Measurement ◽  
Work Shifts ◽  
Basic Features

This article contains a summary of some practical issues of translated texts editing with clear examples. Copy editing of translated texts is different from copy editing of texts written in the native language, because the focus of the work shifts from how to deliver an author’s message in the most appropriate way to how to deliver author’s text, written in the native language, in another language (Ukrainian) in the most appropriate way. The first question is the versatility: does the copy editor need to know the language of the original text in order to do effective copy editing. And she/he should at least understand the basic features of the language of the original text such as phonetics, grammar and syntax. Also a copy editor should pay particular attention to such aspects as: at the lexical level – false friends, transliteration of proper nouns, excess of possessive pronouns, translation or adaptation of lexical gaps; at the syntactic level – copulative verb, word order in a sentence, contrastive stress in a phrase, address words, syntax simplification. A necessary aspect is the unification of certain elements in the translated text: address words, units of measurement (length, weight, area, time, volume, etc.), transliterated proper and common nouns. Described in this article principles of transliteration, unification, adaptation, lexical and syntactic aspects of copy editing of translated texts will help to improve the quality of translated books into Ukrainian.

Ground water quality of selected areas of Punjab and Sind Provinces, Pakistan: Chemical and microbiological aspects

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chem Int
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Concentration ◽  
Chloride Ions ◽  
Potassium Ions ◽  
Ammonium Ions ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Phosphate Ions ◽  
Sodium Magnesium ◽  
Very High ◽  
Microbiological Aspects

The assessment of groundwater is essential for the estimation of suitability of water for safe use. An attempt has been made to study the groundwater of selected areas of Punjab (Sheikhupura & Sahiwal) and Sindh (Sindh, Jawar Dharki and Dharki), Pakistan. The results indicate that pH, color and odor were all within limits of WHO that is pH ranges 6.5–8.5, colorless and odorless, respectively. The high values of suspended solids were observed in the Sindh-1 and Dharki samples. Microbiologically only Sahiwal and Jawar Dharki were found fit for drinking purpose. Trace metals analysis of Sheikhupura-1 and Sindh-1 showed that values do not fall within limits of WHO for Iron. The ionic concentration analysis showed that high bicarbonate (HCO3-), ions are present in the samples of Sahiwal and Dharki; Sindh-1 and Jawar Dharki samples showed very high concentration for chloride ions, all samples were satisfactory level for sulphate (SO42-), sodium, magnesium and phosphate ions except samples of Sindh-1 and Jawar Dharki. High concentration of calcium and potassium ions was observed in samples of Sindh-1, while all other samples were found fit for drinking purposes in respect of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium ions. The high concentration of Fluoride was found only in Sheikhupura-2 samples.

Quality-of-Life Measurement in Advanced Cancer: Assessing the Individual

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3603-3611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dympna Waldron ◽  
Ciaran A. O'Boyle ◽  
Michael Kearney ◽  
Michael Moriarty ◽  
Desmond Carney
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Incurable Cancer ◽  
Life Measurement ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Very High

PURPOSE: Despite the increasing importance of assessing quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer, relatively little is known about individual patient's perceptions of the issues contributing to their QoL. The Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL) and the shorter SEIQoL–Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW) assess individualized QoL using a semistructured interview technique. Here we report findings from the first administration of the SEIQoL and SEIQoL-DW to patients with advanced incurable cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: QoL was assessed on a single occasion using the SEIQoL and SEIQoL-DW in 80 patients with advanced incurable cancer. RESULTS: All patients were able to complete the SEIQoL-DW, and 78% completed the SEIQoL. Of a possible score of 100, the median QoL global score was as follows: SEIQoL, 61 (range, 24 to 94); SEIQoL-DW, 60.5 (range, 6 to 95). Psychometric data for SEIQoL indicated very high levels of internal consistency (median r = .90) and internal validity (median R2 = 0.88). Patients' judgments of their QoL were unique to the individual. Family concerns were almost universally rated as more important than health, the difference being significant when measured using the SEIQoL-DW (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced incurable cancer were very good judges of their QoL, and many patients rated their QoL as good. Judgments were highly individual, with very high levels of consistency and validity. The primacy given to health in many QoL questionnaires may be questioned in this population. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to clinical assessment and advance directives.

scholarly journals Galileo L10 Satellites: Orbit, Clock and Signal-in-Space Performance Analysis

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1695
Author(s):  
Constantin-Octavian Andrei ◽  
Sonja Lahtinen ◽  
Markku Poutanen ◽  
Hannu Koivula ◽  
Jan Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Orbital Inclination ◽  
Navigation Data ◽  
Periodic Signals ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite ◽  
Minor Correction ◽  
Very High

The tenth launch (L10) of the European Global Navigation Satellite System Galileo filled in all orbital slots in the constellation. The launch carried four Galileo satellites and took place in July 2018. The satellites were declared operational in February 2019. In this study, we report on the performance of the Galileo L10 satellites in terms of orbital inclination and repeat period parameters, broadcast satellite clocks and signal in space (SiS) performance indicators. We used all available broadcast navigation data from the IGS consolidated navigation files. These satellites have not been reported in the previous studies. First, the orbital inclination (56.7±0.15°) and repeat period (50680.7±0.22 s) for all four satellites are within the nominal values. The data analysis reveals also 13.5-, 27-, 177- and 354-days periodic signals. Second, the broadcast satellite clocks show different correction magnitude due to different trends in the bias component. One clock switch and several other minor correction jumps have occurred since the satellites were declared operational. Short-term discontinuities are within ±1 ps/s, whereas clock accuracy values are constantly below 0.20 m (root-mean-square—rms). Finally, the SiS performance has been very high in terms of availability and accuracy. Monthly SiS availability has been constantly above the target value of 87% and much higher in 2020 as compared to 2019. Monthly SiS accuracy has been below 0.20 m (95th percentile) and below 0.40 m (99th percentile). The performance figures depend on the content and quality of the consolidated navigation files as well as the precise reference products. Nevertheless, these levels of accuracy are well below the 7 m threshold (95th percentile) specified in the Galileo service definition document.

Quality Assessment of Ethics in Health Care: The Accountability Revolution

1994 ◽  
Vol 20 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 105-128
Author(s):  
Susan M. Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
World War Ii ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Central Place ◽  
World War ◽  
New Era ◽  
The Third ◽  
Cost Cutting ◽  
Global Budgeting

Writing in 1988, Arnold Relman heralded the dawning of the “third revolution“ in medical care. The first revolution, at the end of World War II, had inaugurated an Era of Expansion, with an explosion of hospitals, physicians, and research. Medicare and Medicaid were passed, and medicine experienced a golden age of growth. Inevitably, according to Relman, this yielded to an Era of Cost Containment starting in the 1970s. The federal government and private employers revolted against soaring costs, brandishing the weapons of prospective payment, managed care, and global budgeting. Yet these blunt instruments of cost-cutting eventually produced concern over how to evaluate the quality of health care, to promote the good while trimming the bad. Thus Relman announced the arrival of the Era of Assessment and Accountability.This chronology helps explain the current importance of quality. Quality assessment and more recently, quality improvement techniques, occupy a central place in this new era.

scholarly journals Clinical profiles and quality of care of subjects with type 2 diabetes according to their cardiovascular risk: an observational, retrospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Basilio Pintaudi ◽  
Alessia Scatena ◽  
Gabriella Piscitelli ◽  
Vera Frison ◽  
Salvatore Corrao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
High Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Very High

Abstract Background The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recently defined cardiovascular risk classes for subjects with diabetes. Aim of this study was to explore the distribution of subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) by cardiovascular risk groups according to the ESC classification and to describe the quality indicators of care, with particular regard to cardiovascular risk factors. Methods The study is based on data extracted from electronic medical records of patients treated at the 258 Italian diabetes centers participating in the AMD Annals initiative. Patients with T2D were stratified by cardiovascular risk. General descriptive indicators, measures of intermediate outcomes, intensity/appropriateness of pharmacological treatment for diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, presence of other complications and overall quality of care were evaluated. Results Overall, 473,740 subjects with type 2 diabetes (78.5% at very high cardiovascular risk, 20.9% at high risk and 0.6% at moderate risk) were evaluated. Among people with T2D at very high risk: 26.4% had retinopathy, 39.5% had albuminuria, 18.7% had a previous major cardiovascular event, 39.0% had organ damage, 89.1% had three or more risk factors. The use of DPP4-i markedly increased as cardiovascular risk increased. The prescription of secretagogues also increased and that of GLP1-RAs tended to increase. The use of SGLT2-i was still limited, and only slightly higher in subjects with very high cardiovascular risk. The overall quality of care, as summarized by the Q score, tended to be lower as the level of cardiovascular risk increased. Conclusions A large proportion of subjects with T2D is at high or very high risk. Glucose-lowering drug therapies seem not to be adequately used with respect to their potential advantages in terms of cardiovascular risk reduction. Several actions are necessary to improve the quality of care.

scholarly journals Spiny-Cheek Crayfish, Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817), as an Alternative Food Source

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Natalia Śmietana ◽  
Remigiusz Panicz ◽  
Małgorzata Sobczak ◽  
Przemysław Śmietana ◽  
Arkadiusz Nędzarek
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Chemical Score ◽  
Very High ◽  
Acid Index

The aim of the study was to present a comprehensive characterisation of crayfish meat, which is crucial to assess its potential usefulness in the food industry. To this end, we assessed the yield, basic chemical composition (protein, fat, minerals), nutritional value (amino acid and fatty acid profiles, essential amino acid index (EAAI), chemical score of essential amino acids (CS), hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic ratio (h/H), atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenicity (TI) indices), as well as culinary value (lab colour, texture, sensory characteristics, structure) of the meat of spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus) (n = 226) from Lake Sominko (Poland) harvested in May–September 2017. Crayfish meat, especially that from the abdomen, was shown to have high nutritional parameters. It is lean (0.26% of fat), with a favourable fatty acid profile and a very high quality of fat (PUFA (sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids):SFA (sum of saturated fatty acids), n-6/n-3, h/H, AI, TI) and protein (high CS and EAAI). It is also a better source of Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, and Cu than meat from slaughter animals. Hence, crayfish meat can be an alternative to livestock meat in the human diet. Owing to its culinary value (delicateness, weak game flavour, and odour), it meets the requirements of the most demanding consumers, i.e., children and older people.

scholarly journals Improving Accuracy in Studying the Interactions of Seismic Waves with Bottom Sediments

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
Georgy Mitrofanov ◽  
Nikita Goreyavchev ◽  
Roman Kushnarev
Keyword(s):  
Bottom Sediments ◽  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Wide Frequency Range ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Relative Characteristic ◽  
Seabed Evolution ◽  
Marine Seismic ◽  
Very High

The emerging tasks of determining the features of bottom sediments, including the evolution of the seabed, require a significant improvement in the quality of data and methods for their processing. Marine seismic data has traditionally been perceived to be of high quality compared to land data. However, high quality is always a relative characteristic and is determined by the problem being solved. In a detailed study of complex processes, the interaction of waves with bottom sediments, as well as the processes of seabed evolution over short time intervals (not millions of years), we need very high accuracy of observations. If we also need significant volumes of research covering large areas, then a significant revision of questions about the quality of observations and methods of processing is required to improve the quality of data. The article provides an example of data obtained during high-precision marine surveys and containing a wide frequency range from hundreds of hertz to kilohertz. It is shown that these data, visually having a very high quality, have variations in wavelets at all analyzed frequencies. The corresponding variations reach tens of percent. The use of the method of factor decomposition in the spectral domain made it possible to significantly improve the quality of the data, reducing the variability of wavelets by several times.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document