The study investigated the feasibility of the Ottawa decision support tool to assist HIV positive mothers' infant feeding choice. The aim was to explore and describe the feasibility of the Ottawa Decision Support Tool (ODST) in counselling HIV infected pregnant women on decision-making regarding the choice of safe infant feeding. The finding of this study will assist and support HIV positive mothers to be independent decision makers in choosing an infant feeding option for their babies. A descriptive qualitative research approach guided the researcher to explore and describe the feasibility of the ODST to assist HIV positive mothers' infant feeding choice. This study is based on the Ottawa decision support framework (ODSF). Three focus group that comprised midwives as participants were conducted. The first focus group was conducted in January 2013 and the two subsequent ones in August 2013. Data was analysed using a framework approach. The following themes emerged from data-analysis: • Appropriateness • Receptiveness of intervention • Effectiveness Conclusions were drawn based on the attained objectives of the study. The overall conclusion was that the ODST is feasible to assist HIV positive mothers' infant feeding choice. Limitations of the study were identified and recommendations were made for nursing practice, nursing education and further research. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The study investigated the feasibility of the Ottawa decision support tool to assist HIV positive mothers' infant feeding choice. The aim was to explore and describe the feasibility of the Ottawa Decision Support Tool (ODST) in counselling HIV infected pregnant women on decision-making regarding the choice of safe infant feeding. The finding of this study will assist and support HIV positive mothers to be independent decision makers in choosing an infant feeding option for their babies. A descriptive qualitative research approach guided the researcher to explore and describe the feasibility of the ODST to assist HIV positive mothers' infant feeding choice. This study is based on the Ottawa decision support framework (ODSF). Three focus group that comprised midwives as participants were conducted. The first focus group was conducted in January 2013 and the two subsequent ones in August 2013. Data was analysed using a framework approach. The following themes emerged from data-analysis: • Appropriateness • Receptiveness of intervention • Effectiveness Conclusions were drawn based on the attained objectives of the study. The overall conclusion was that the ODST is feasible to assist HIV positive mothers' infant feeding choice. Limitations of the study were identified and recommendations were made for nursing practice, nursing education and further research. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The objectives of this research are threefold: (i) to develop a conceptual framework and a prototype in order to extend the application capability of a category of multiple objective decision support systems (MODSS) techniques; (ii) to explore the combined functionalities of knowledge-based expert systems (ES) and MODSS through embedding an intelligent front-end, and (iii) to develop a new system and process of dealing with multiple objective decision making (MODM) models in a group decision support system (GDSS) framework. Ultimately, a system that integrates MODSS, ES and GDSS is generated, which is then evaluated in a laboratory experimental setup. This integrated system contains a sufficient number of MODM methods to solve MODM problems, provides an ES-based guide to select and use the most suitable MODM method, and has the capability to aggregate individual decision makers' preferences to produce a compromise solution of an MODM problem in different forms and styles of group meetings. The system is supported by a set of group decision making (GDM) methods which combine the preferences of the individual group members and thus increases the confidence of each group member in the compromise solution.The research is conducted using a multiple-methodologies approach using the system development methodology as the backbone. The conceptual framework of the integrated system is elaborated to integrate multiple system elements into one facility at the application system level based on functional and resource integration. A prototype implements this conceptual framework as an intelligence-based and graphical user interface (GUI)-based MODSS that works in an individual/group environment. Both the conceptual framework and the prototype are called Intelligent Multiple Objectives Group Decision Support Systems (IMOGDSS).Initial evaluation of the IMOGDSS is encouraging, which ++ / is conducted in the form of testing a number of hypotheses in an experimental setup. This research thus makes contributions in both theoretical and application domains. Five major contributions are listed below:It develops a unique conceptual framework of integrating MODSS, ES and GDSS effectively to deal with MODM problem in individual/group decision making under a knowledge-based intelligent architecture.It provides a new application of ES, that is, utilising knowledge-based ES to select the most efficient MODM method for each particular decision maker (or decision group) in a particular decision problem.The complete method management function of the MODM methodology base guides the decision makers to use the most suitable method to solve their decision making problems, allows them to use multiple methods to resolve complex problems, that could not otherwise be solved with a single MODM, and also allows the group members to get solutions from different methods.This study produces an opportunity to select and apply the 'best' aggregation model to aggregate the individual solutions of an MODM problem through integrating various GDM methods in a methodology base.This study implements a two-stage configuration of group decision support software that provides a GUI-based hierarchical procedure for solving MODM problems with intelligent guidance in a decision group. The two-stage group decision making procedure is able to help the decision makers to analyse, understand and interact cooperatively in the group decision making process to reach a compromise solution.

Complex decision-making is a prominent aspect of requirements engineering (RE) and the need for improved decision support for RE decision-makers has been identified by a number of authors in the research literature. The fundamental viewpoint that permeates this thesis is that RE decision-making can be substantially improved by RE decision support systems (REDSS) based on the actual needs of RE decision-makers as well as the actual generic human decision-making activities that take place in the RE decision processes. Thus, a first step toward better decision support in requirements engineering is to understand complex decision situations of decision-makers. In order to gain a holistic view of the decision situation from a decision-maker’s perspective, a decision situation framework has been created. The framework evolved through an analysis of decision support systems literature and decision-making theories. The decision situation of RE decision-makers has been studied at a systems engineering company and is depicted in this thesis. These situations are described in terms of, for example, RE decision matters, RE decision-making activities, and RE decision processes. Factors that affect RE decision-makers are also identified. Each factor consists of problems and difficulties. Based on the empirical findings, a number of desirable characteristics of a visionary REDSS are suggested. Examples of characteristics are to reduce the cognitive load, to support creativity and idea generation, and to support decision communication. One or more guiding principles are proposed for each characteristic and available techniques are described. The purpose of the principles and techniques is to direct further efforts concerning how to find a solution that can fulfil the characteristic. Our contributions are intended to serve as a road map that can direct the efforts of researchers addressing RE decision-making and RE decision support problems. Our intention is to widen the scope and provide new lines of thought about how decision-making in RE can be supported and improved.

Thesis (doctoral)--Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-230).

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1975.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1975.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The goal of this study is to provide a single source of data that enables the selection of an appropriate voice recognition (VR) application for a decision support system (DSS) as well as for other computer applications. A brief background of both voice recognition systems and decision supports systems is provided with special emphasis given to the dialog component of DSS. The categories of voice recognition discussed are human factors, environmental factors, situational factors, quantitative factors, training factors, host computer factors, and experiments and research. Each of these areas of voice recognition is individually analyzed, and specific references to applicable literature are included. This study also includes appendices that contain: a glossary (including definitions) of phrases specific to both decision support system and voice recognition systems, keywords applicable to this study, an annotated bibliography (alphabetically and by specific topics) of current VR systems literature containing over 200 references, an index of publishers, a complete listing of current commercially available VR systems. / http://archive.org/details/applicationofvoi00drak / Lieutenant, United States Navy

The paradigm of Decision Support Systems (DSS) is to support decision-making, while an Expert System’s (ES) major objective is to provide expert advice in specialised situations. Knowledge-Based DSS (KB-DSS), also called Intelligent Decision Support Systems (IDSS), integrate traditional DSS with the advances of ES. A KB-DSS’ knowledge base usually contains knowledge expressed by an expert and captured by a knowledge engineer. The indirect transfer between the domain expert and the knowledge base through a knowledge engineer may lead to a long and inefficient knowledge acquisition process. This thesis compares 11 DSS packages in search of a (KB-) DSS generator where domain experts can specify and maintain a Specific Decision Support System (SDSS) to assist users in making decisions. The proposed (KB-) DSS-generator is tested with a university and study-program prototype. Since course and study plan programs change intermittently, the (KB-) DSS’ knowledge base enables domain experts to set and maintain their course and study plan rules without the assistance of a knowledge engineer. Criteria are set to govern the (KB-) DSS generator search process. Example knowledge base rules are inspected to determine if domain experts will be able to maintain a set of production rules used in a student registration advice system. By developing a prototype and inspecting knowledge base rules, it was found that domain experts would be able to maintain their knowledge in the decentralised knowledge base, on condition that the objects and attributes used in the rule base were first specified by a builder/programmer. / Dissertation (MSc Computer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Computer Science / unrestricted

Telenursing is a highly specialized area of nursing practice that has evolved in response to the advent of new technologies within the delivery of health care. Telenursing has been defined as “the use of communications and information technology [ICT’s] to deliver health and health care services and information over large and small distances (CRNBC, 2016). Telenurses use health information systems (HIS) in the form of a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) to assist callers with their health related concerns on a 24/7 basis. As decision making is an integral part of telenurse practice, particularly because they are using a CDSS while assessing the caller over the phone, it was important to understand the factors that influence the decision making process so as to better support telenurse practice in terms of education as well as other supports. This thesis identified those factors and used Rasmussen’s Decision Ladder as a model in order to provide a framework for telenursing. It was found that there were several factors identified that influenced how telenurses made decisions while using a CDSS. Additionally, the decision ladder was validated as a framework to describe telenurse practice. / Graduate