scholarly journals Time for a Change? A Research Update and Pilot Study Results on Academic Time-Based Decision-Making

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Rupar ◽  
David S. Strong
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Survey Instrument ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
Study Results ◽  
New Instrument

Engineering students in Canada and around the world are facing numerous challenges with their time, including absenteeism from class, surface approach to learning, and high stress levels.  A research study to understand the time management habits of engineering students is ongoing and a pilot study has been completed.  This paper contains an overview of the relevant background theories, the application of these theories to a new survey instrument, and the pilot study used to test and improve this instrument. The new survey instrument on time management and decision making was required as existing instruments published in the literature were considered to be flawed and inadequate for this study.  The new instrument incorporates a decision-making dimension following the think-plan-do models of self-regulated learning theories.  Analysis of this instrument will assume clusters, rather than factors, of time management behaviours to be the basis for grouping individuals. The pilot study was conducted on a number of self-selected graduate engineering students in November 2019.  Participants filled out an online survey and then some volunteered for a think-aloud interview.  Changes resultant from the pilot study analysis included question modifications, Likert scale modifications, and user experience improvements.  The pilot study resulted in an overall improvement to the validity, reliability, and completeness of the survey instrument. The full study is currently being administered to undergraduate engineering students.  The results will be published to help inform the manner in which time management is taught and used by engineering students. 

HOW STUDENTS DEFINE THEIR SUCCESS: A RESEARCH STUDY

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Ullrich ◽  
David S. Strong
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Survey Instrument ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Full Study ◽  
Definition Of Success ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Diverse Groups

How undergraduate engineering students define their success and plan for their future differs notably amongst students. With a push for greater diversity and inclusion in engineering schools, it is valuable to also better understand the differences in these areas among different students to allow institutions to better serve the needs of these diverse groups.  The purpose of this research study is to explore students’ definition of success both in the present and projecting forward 5 to 10 years, as well as to understand to what level students reflect on, and plan for, the future. The proposed survey instrument for the pilot stage of this research includes 56 closed-ended questions and 3 open-ended questions. Evidence for the validity of the research instrument is established through a mixed-method pilot study. This paper will discuss the survey instrument, the pilot study, and outline plans for the full study.

scholarly journals The HDR CARE Scale, Inpatient Version: A validated survey instrument to measure environmental affordance for nursing tasks in inpatient healthcare settings

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258815
Author(s):  
Renae K. Rich ◽  
Francesqca E. Jimenez ◽  
Cheryl Bohacek ◽  
Alexandra Moore ◽  
Abigail J. Heithoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Survey Instrument ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Response Distribution ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Healthcare Design ◽  
Study Results

Rigorous healthcare design research is critical to inform design decisions that improve human experience. Current limitations in the field include a lack of consistent and valid measures that provide feedback about the role of the built environment in producing desirable outcomes. Research findings about nurses’ efficiency, quality of care, and satisfaction related to inpatient unit designs have been mixed, and there was previously no validated instrument available to quantitatively measure nurses’ ability to work efficiently and effectively in their environment. The objective of this study was to develop, refine, and validate a survey instrument to measure affordance of the care environment to nurse practice, based on various aspects of their work in inpatient units. The HDR Clinical Activities Related to the Environment (CARE) Scale Inpatient Version was developed using item design, refinement, and reliability and validity testing. Psychometric methods from classical test theory and item response theory, along with statistical analyses involving correlations and factor analysis, and thematic summaries of qualitative data were conducted. The four-phase process included (1) an initial pilot study, (2) a content validation survey, (3) cognitive interviews, and (4) a final pilot study. Results from the first three phases of analysis were combined to inform survey scale revisions before the second pilot survey, such as a reduction in the number and rewording of response options, and refinement of scale items. The updated 9-item scale showed excellent internal consistency and improved response distribution and discrimination. The factor analysis revealed a unidimensional measure of nurse practice, as well as potential subscales related to integration, efficiency, and patient care. Within the healthcare design industry, this scale is much needed to generate quantitative and standardized data and will facilitate greater understanding about the aspects of an inpatient healthcare facility that best support nurses’ ability to provide quality patient care.

Factors Impacting Self-Perceived Readiness for Residency Training

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie T. Truong ◽  
Mitchell J. Barnett ◽  
Terrill T-L. Tang ◽  
Eric J. Ip ◽  
Janet L. Teeters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Residency Training ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Bachelors Degree ◽  
American Society ◽  
Resident Selection

Objective: To examine the factors impacting postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residents’ self-perceived readiness for residency. Methods: A total of 1801 residents who matched in American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited PGY1 programs were e-mailed individualized invitations to take an online survey. The survey collected self-ratings of readiness for residency training competencies including time management and organization, foundational knowledge, clinical practice, project management, and communication. Key Findings: Data from 556 completed surveys were analyzed. Residents agreed they were ready to perform activities requiring time management and organization (median = 4, mean = 4.08), foundational knowledge (median = 4, mean = 3.83), clinical practice (median = 4, mean = 3.67), and communication (median = 4, mean = 4.05). Residents who completed at least 1 academic advance pharmacy practice experience (APPE), 5 clinical APPEs, or held a bachelors degree felt more confident than their counterparts in regard to project management ( P < .001, <.001, and .01, respectively). Conclusion: PGY1 residents generally felt prepared for time management and organization, foundational knowledge, and communication residency training competencies. This was significant for those who completed 1 or more academic APPEs, 5 or more clinical rotations, or a bachelors degree. Study results may assist pharmacy schools in preparing students for residency training, prospective resident applicants in becoming more competitive candidates for residency programs, and residency program directors in resident selection.

scholarly journals What to do? A Review of the Academic Time-Based Decision-Making Literature

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Rupar ◽  
David S. Strong
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Academic Time ◽  
Class Scheduling ◽  
Learning Factors ◽  
Management Capabilities ◽  
Academic Decisions

Time-based activities at Universities are shifting toward a more transactional approach, yet there is little understanding of the time management capabilities of students in adapting to a more flexible structure. Although many studies report on efforts to address engineering students being stressed, surfacelearning oriented, and prone to missing class, few studies address how these relate to students’ time management.  In an effort to explore how students value, prioritize, and spend their time, this paper proposes a new term, “Academic Time-Based Decision-Making” (ATBDM), which lies at the crossroads of time management, selfefficacy, and self-regulated learning.  Factors influencing ATBDM are currently mostly speculative, although class scheduling, social norms, and the internet and social media are frequent causal suggestions.  It is also unknown as to how ATBDM is conducted across the breadth of students, which skills or “tools” are employed, and whether the process or influencing factors change over the course of time.  A research study to explore why and how engineering students make academic decisions is proposed. By providing deeper insights into the factors influencing ATBDM, it may be possible to develop more effective support or intervention to assist students in making balanced and positive choices.  

Tourists’ intention to use location-based services (LBS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 3097-3115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Meng ◽  
Kyuhwan Choi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Location Based Services ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Step Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results

Purpose This study aims to investigate the tourists’ intentions to use LBS within a tourism sector by integrating the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) into the framework of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Design/methodology/approach This study is conducted by an online survey and a snowball sampling method with 353 respondents. The present study used a two-step method suggested by Anderson and Gerbing’s (1988). Findings Study results from structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that the new model has a better predictive ability. Additionally, study results from SEM demonstrated the causal relationships in the proposed model and identified a mediating role of attitude. Further, the moderating effects of involvement across the different relationships in ELM were also verified. Originality/value This study is the first to explain individuals’ decision-making process by using the TPB framework with the integration of meaningful constructs rooted in ELM. Therefore, the study results help the tourist application developers to use better marketing and service strategies through effective management of tourists’ central routes, peripheral routes, normatives and non-volitional processes of tourism LBS decision-making.

Evaluation of Validity and Reliability of the High-Stress Inventory in a College Population: A Pilot Study

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linsey R. High ◽  
Nicholas K. Lim ◽  
Ruth S. O'Brien ◽  
Chelsea V. Mitchell ◽  
Samantha J. T. Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
College Population ◽  
Stress Inventory

Would you Make the Right Decision? – Decision Making Biases in Economy - Related Dilemmas

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna Gödör ◽  
Georgina Szabó
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Framing Effect ◽  
Economic Knowledge ◽  
Bank Account ◽  
Financial Decisions ◽  
Hungarian Population ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Right ◽  
Decision Making Biases

Abstract As they say, money can’t buy happiness. However, the lack of it can make people’s lives much harder. From the moment we open our first bank account, we have to make lots of financial decisions in our life. Should I save some money or should I spend it? Is it a good idea to ask for a loan? How to invest my money? When we make such decisions, unfortunately we sometimes make mistakes, too. In this study, we selected seven common decision making biases - anchoring and adjustment, overconfidence, high optimism, the law of small numbers, framing effect, disposition effect and gambler’s fallacy – and tested them on the Hungarian population via an online survey. In the focus of our study was the question whether the presence of economic knowledge helps people make better decisions? The decision making biases found in literature mostly appeared in the sample as well. It proves that people do apply them when making decisions and in certain cases this could result in serious and costly errors. That’s why it would be absolutely important for people to learn about them, thus increasing their awareness and attention when making decisions. Furthermore, in our research we did find some connection between decisions and the knowledge of economics, people with some knowledge of economics opted for the better solution in bigger proportion

Biotower Pilot Study Results for a Photographic and Specialty Paper Manufacturer

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (9-11) ◽  
pp. 2109-2112
Author(s):  
J. G. Cleary ◽  
T. J. Boehm ◽  
R. J. Geary
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
New York State ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Treatment System ◽  
Salmon River ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Comparable Performance ◽  
Pollutant Discharge

Schoeller Technical Papers, Inc. (Schoeller), which manufactures photographic and other specialty papers, is located in Pulaski, New York. The wastewater treatment system consists of a primary clarifier and two settling lagoons. Secondary treatment using a biotower was proposed to meet the new New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) discharge limits for BOD and TSS. The effluent from each basin is discharged directly to the Salmon River, at an approximate average flow of 1.6 million gallons/day (mgd). A biotower pilot study was performed to evaluate the suitability of a biotower treatment process for treating the total effluent from Schoeller's facility. The pilot study was used to select the media for the full-scale biotower and to confirm the design loading for the full-scale biotower, which proceeded in parallel with the pilot study due to the schedule constraints. Two pilot systems were operated to compare a conventional cross-flow and vertical media. Test data were collected to evaluate the performance of each pilot treatment system at a range of loading conditions and to develop the design loading information for the full-scale plant. The pilot units were operated for a period of 10 months. BOD concentrations to the pilot units averaged 58 mg/l with a peak of 210 mg/l. Approximately 80% of the BOD was soluble. BOD loadings averaged 21 lb BOD/day/1,000 cubic feet with a peak of 77 lb BOD/day/1,000 cubic feet. Both pilot units achieved excellent BOD removals exceeding 75%, with average effluent soluble BOD concentration less than 10 mg/l and average effluent TSS concentrations of 12 mg/l. The two media achieved comparable performance throughout most of the pilot study.

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