No / Student self-assessment is widely reported to offer numerous advantages to the learner. It is a popular practice for empowering students and the advantages are claimed to incorporate increased dialogue between students and teachers and the development of skills that encompass critical awareness and reflectivity. It is, potentially, a process that may enable health care practitioners to be lifelong learners, equipped with the skills for autonomy in learning and professional practice. As such it might be viewed as an essential element of the curriculum. This paper reports on a study designed to evaluate the implementation of self-assessment among student health care practitioners. The pilot study examined the impact of self-assessment on learning and how the process was perceived by students and staff. Findings indicated that a varied approach had been taken to its implementation, which had significant repercussions in the way in which it was perceived by students. Similarly, there was a varied approach taken by students to the process of self-assessment and this had significant repercussions for its overall value as a learning tool. The outcomes of this study provide a sound rational for maintaining and expanding the practice of student self-assessment and important lessons for the process of doing so.

College and career readiness is an essential element in the success of students post high school; predicting how successful a high school student will be in a post-secondary setting is the focus of substantial research. Many tools and methods exist for predicting a student's readiness for college and career; unfortunately, gaps persist between readiness rates of different groups of students. The purpose of this study is to examine diagnostic data generated by an innovative survey tool to determine the relationship between high school students in ninth and tenth grades and their self-assessments of five subscales measuring college readiness. Using extant data collected by the Educational Policy Improvement Center as part of the CampusReady tool, this study uses basic descriptive and inferential statistics to look for differences between groups. Results suggest significant differences in the way that students from certain populations (students whose parents have completed differing levels of education, economically disadvantaged students, and Hispanic students) self-evaluate key college readiness skills. Findings from this study will inform K-12 practitioners who plan/develop college and career readiness programs. The impact of student self-reporting of college and career readiness has implications for future studies that aim to integrate college and career readiness programs.

Aim: To explore how pregnant women experience fetal movements in late pregnancy. Specific aims were:  to study women’s experiences during the time prior to receiving news that their unborn baby had died in utero (I), to investigate women’s descriptions of fetal movements (II), investigate the association between the magnitude of fetal movements and level of prenatal attachment (III), and to study women’s experiences using two different self-assessment methods (IV). Methods: Interviews, questionnaires, and observations were used. Results: Premonition that something had happened to their unborn baby, based on a lack of fetal movements, was experienced by the participants. The overall theme “something is wrong” describes the women’s insight that the baby’s life was threatened (I). Fetal movements that were sorted into the domain “powerful movements” were perceived in late pregnancy by 96 % of the participants (II). Perceiving frequent fetal movements on at least three occasions per 24 hours was associated with higher scores of prenatal attachment in all the three subscales on PAI-R. The majority (55%) of the 456 participants reported average occasions of frequent fetal movements, 26% several occasions and 18% reported few occasions of frequent fetal movements, during the current gestational week.  (III). Only one of the 40 participants did not find at least one method for monitoring fetal movements suitable. Fifteen of the 39 participants reported a preference for the mindfetalness method and five for the count-to-ten method. The women described the observation of the movements as a safe and reassuring moment for communication with their unborn baby (IV). Conclusion:  In full-term and uncomplicated pregnancies, women usually perceive fetal movements as powerful. Furthermore, women in late pregnancy who reported frequent fetal movements on several occasions during a 24-hour period seem to have a high level of prenatal attachment. Women who used self-assessment methods for monitoring fetal movements felt calm and relaxed when observing the movements of their babies. They had a high compliance for both self-assessment methods. Women that had experienced a stillbirth in late pregnancy described that they had a premonition before they were told that their baby had died in utero.

The purpose of this study was to develop and test an instrument, the Hope Indicator Questionnaire (HIQ), which was designed to measure the latent variable of hope; and to identify antecedent variables which impact upon hope. A nonexperimental study with four-week test-retest was designed to examine the psychometric properties of the HIQ. Reliability of the HIQ was tested by 4-week stability. Internal consistency reliability was also performed on the HIQA. Validity of the HIQ was examined by content validity, exploratory factor analysis, convergence, and predictive causal model testing. Data were collected and analyzed from 111 subjects who did not have life threatening health problems during their study participation. Sixty (54%) were female, 83 (75%) were religious believers. The majority (66%) were Caucasian. The age ranged from 18 to 79, with the mean age of 38.95 (S.D. = 16.12). Results showed that low stabilities were found in the HIQP and HIQB (.52 and .45). Stability coefficient and internal consistency for the HIQA were .71 and .92. Satisfactory content validity of the HIQA was demonstrated by a three-member panel. The exploratory factor analysis confirmed that a latent factor was extracted from the three scales in the HIQ. Convergent validity was established by satisfactory correlations with the Herth Hope Scale (HHS) (.58) and Beck's Hopelessness Scale (HS) (-.42). The proposed predictive model was partially supported by the study when perceived functional support was measured by a modified Shang's Perceived Functional Support measure. Antecedents for both HIQ and HHS hope were explored. Personal control and perceived functional support were direct antecedents for HIQ hope while HHS hope was directly affected by personal control and chance control. Other variables (i.e. support network, religion and demographics) were indirect antecedents to HIQ and HHS hope through those direct antecedents. Additional analysis was accomplished on comparisons of the HIQ and HHS, and a qualitative content analysis was done on the first five hopes identified by the subjects. In conclusion, the HIQ had low reliability. Possible resources contributing to this low reliability were discussed. Results related to the HIQ measure should be interpreted with caution although the convergence of the HIQ with the HHS and HS was supported.

Aim: To explore how pregnant women experience fetal movements in late pregnancy. Specific aims were:  to study women’s experiences during the time prior to receiving news that their unborn baby had died in utero (I), to investigate women’s descriptions of fetal movements (II), investigate the association between the magnitude of fetal movements and level of prenatal attachment (III), and to study women’s experiences using two different self-assessment methods (IV). Methods: Interviews, questionnaires, and observations were used. Results: Premonition that something had happened to their unborn baby, based on a lack of fetal movements, was experienced by the participants. The overall theme “something is wrong” describes the women’s insight that the baby’s life was threatened (I). Fetal movements that were sorted into the domain “powerful movements” were perceived in late pregnancy by 96 % of the participants (II). Perceiving frequent fetal movements on at least three occasions per 24 hours was associated with higher scores of prenatal attachment in all the three subscales on PAI-R. The majority (55%) of the 456 participants reported average occasions of frequent fetal movements, 26% several occasions and 18% reported few occasions of frequent fetal movements, during the current gestational week.  (III). Only one of the 40 participants did not find at least one method for monitoring fetal movements suitable. Fifteen of the 39 participants reported a preference for the mindfetalness method and five for the count-to-ten method. The women described the observation of the movements as a safe and reassuring moment for communication with their unborn baby (IV). Conclusion:  In full-term and uncomplicated pregnancies, women usually perceive fetal movements as powerful. Furthermore, women in late pregnancy who reported frequent fetal movements on several occasions during a 24-hour period seem to have a high level of prenatal attachment. Women who used self-assessment methods for monitoring fetal movements felt calm and relaxed when observing the movements of their babies. They had a high compliance for both self-assessment methods. Women that had experienced a stillbirth in late pregnancy described that they had a premonition before they were told that their baby had died in utero.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce, 1998 / Corporate Governance requires management to report to its stakeholders on Internal Control Systems. Corporate Governance is the system through which organisations are directed and controlled. To meet these requirements management needs a mechanism through which they can stay abreast of such control systems. The aim of this research is to evaluate whether such a mechanism can be provided for Information System Development (ISD) projects, through Control Self-Assessment questionnaire and / or workshop techniques. [Abbreviated abstract. Open document to view full version} / MT2017

Mudanças aceleradas tanto na sociedade quanto na esfera contábil compelem uma necessidade de novas abordagens para a educação dos futuros profissionais da contabilidade. Desse modo, órgãos como o International Accounting Standards Board com o objetivo de promover maior qualidade à educação dos futuros profissionais desenvolveu padrões estabelecendo melhores práticas para a educação na área. Estudos apontam deficiências em relação às competências apresentadas pelos profissionais graduados por meio do ensino tradicional e as metodologias ativas de ensino se enquadram adequadamente como uma estratégia para auxiliar na solução do problema. Para isso, o trabalho buscou analisar a aplicação de metodologias ativas de ensino que trabalhassem o desenvolvimento de competências no curso de Ciências Contábeis. Por meio de uma amostra de 30 estudantes em um curso de graduação de uma universidade pública brasileira foram utilizadas a avaliação por pares e a autoavaliação em um ambiente virtual onde foram aplicados três ciclos de atividades. Ao final dos ciclos os estudantes participaram de um grupo focal com o propósito de fornecer evidências sobre as competências trabalhadas. Os resultados apontaram certa melhora no desempenho dos estudantes ao longo dos ciclos, assim como uma maior correlação entre as notas no terceiro ciclo. A percepção dos estudantes foi que tais métodos promovem o comportamento colaborativo principalmente por meio dos feedbacks, no entanto mostraram-se apreensivos quanto ao comportamento ético de seus colegas ao realizar as avaliações. Esses fatores indicam a utilidade dos métodos ao promover o desenvolvimento de competências exigidas do profissional do futuro / Accelerated changes in both, society and the accounting sphere, compel a need for new approaches to the education of future accounting professionals. In this way entities such as International Accounting Standards Board, with the objective of promoting higher quality education, have developed standards establishing best pratices for education in accounting. Studies indicate that the competences promoted by traditional learning methods do not supply market needs and active learning fit adequately as a possible solution to the problem. Therefore this paper analyzed the application of a strategy to develop competences in accountancy graduation course. The active learning methods used were peer and self assessment, for data analysis three cycles activities were applied enabling up to 90 observations. At the end of the cycles the students participated in a focus group with the purpose of providing evidence on the competences worked with the methods. The results showed an improvement in students\' performance along the activities, as well as a higher correlation between the grades in the third activity. The students\' perception was that such methods promote collaborative behavior mainly through feedback, but they were apprehensive about the ethical behavior of their colleagues when performing the evaluations. These factors indicate the usefulness of the methods in promoting the work of new competences and show the necessity of their application with greater continuity

Mudanças aceleradas tanto na sociedade quanto na esfera contábil compelem uma necessidade de novas abordagens para a educação dos futuros profissionais da contabilidade. Desse modo, órgãos como o International Accounting Standards Board com o objetivo de promover maior qualidade à educação dos futuros profissionais desenvolveu padrões estabelecendo melhores práticas para a educação na área. Estudos apontam deficiências em relação às competências apresentadas pelos profissionais graduados por meio do ensino tradicional e as metodologias ativas de ensino se enquadram adequadamente como uma estratégia para auxiliar na solução do problema. Para isso, o trabalho buscou analisar a aplicação de metodologias ativas de ensino que trabalhassem o desenvolvimento de competências no curso de Ciências Contábeis. Por meio de uma amostra de 30 estudantes em um curso de graduação de uma universidade pública brasileira foram utilizadas a avaliação por pares e a autoavaliação em um ambiente virtual onde foram aplicados três ciclos de atividades. Ao final dos ciclos os estudantes participaram de um grupo focal com o propósito de fornecer evidências sobre as competências trabalhadas. Os resultados apontaram certa melhora no desempenho dos estudantes ao longo dos ciclos, assim como uma maior correlação entre as notas no terceiro ciclo. A percepção dos estudantes foi que tais métodos promovem o comportamento colaborativo principalmente por meio dos feedbacks, no entanto mostraram-se apreensivos quanto ao comportamento ético de seus colegas ao realizar as avaliações. Esses fatores indicam a utilidade dos métodos ao promover o desenvolvimento de competências exigidas do profissional do futuro / Accelerated changes in both, society and the accounting sphere, compel a need for new approaches to the education of future accounting professionals. In this way entities such as International Accounting Standards Board, with the objective of promoting higher quality education, have developed standards establishing best pratices for education in accounting. Studies indicate that the competences promoted by traditional learning methods do not supply market needs and active learning fit adequately as a possible solution to the problem. Therefore this paper analyzed the application of a strategy to develop competences in accountancy graduation course. The active learning methods used were peer and self assessment, for data analysis three cycles activities were applied enabling up to 90 observations. At the end of the cycles the students participated in a focus group with the purpose of providing evidence on the competences worked with the methods. The results showed an improvement in students\' performance along the activities, as well as a higher correlation between the grades in the third activity. The students\' perception was that such methods promote collaborative behavior mainly through feedback, but they were apprehensive about the ethical behavior of their colleagues when performing the evaluations. These factors indicate the usefulness of the methods in promoting the work of new competences and show the necessity of their application with greater continuity

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / A good oral health self-perception can contribute to improved knowledge of oral health self-care and practice as well as increase the proper use of dental care services. This study evaluated how adolescents from urban and peri-urban Maputo City assess their oral health status, behaviour and oral health risk factors. This is an analytic cross-sectional study, conducted in the urban and peri-urban schools of Maputo City involving adolescents in the age groups of 12 and 15-19 years old. The study was carried out in five schools, three Complete Primary schools and two Secondary schools from urban and peri-urban areas in Maputo City selected by convenience due to their geographic location. The size of the sample was 500 comprising 236 twelve year olds and 264 15-19 year olds. Data was collected using a self-completion questionnaire designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and translated into Portuguese. The questionnaire included variables such as socio-demographic data (age, gender, location and parent or guardian level of education), self-assessment of oral health status and quality of life; self reported oral health behaviour and lifestyles, oral health risk factor knowledge (alcohol, tobacco and dietary), dental visits and daily impact of oral health. Chi-square for associations and a Spearman correlation tests were used to determine relationships between categorical data. All tests were assumed statistically significant at p≤0.05. The results showed that most of the adolescents classified their teeth (49.7%) and gum (38.2%) health as normal. There was no statistical difference between adolescents from urban and peri-urban schools (Spearman rs (399) = 0,114, p =0,02). The majority (n=322; 65.2%) of the adolescents clean their teeth twice a day. There was no difference between school level (primary and secondary school) and frequency of teeth cleaning. Most of the adolescents use a toothbrush (97.8%) and toothpaste (93.5%) to clean their teeth and only 11.9% also use dental floss but 52.1% didn´t know if their toothpaste was fluoridated or not. Smoking was reported by less than 1% of the adolescents. The main reason for dental service utilization, (reported by 67.5%) was pain or problems with teeth, gums or mouth. There was an association between oral health status and problems experienced in daily life because of their teeth and mouth. There was no significant difference for oral health assessment, risk factors and behaviours, between adolescents from urban and peri-urban schools. Although some satisfactory results were found, the need to strengthen oral health promotion in schools is high, especially considering the causes for dental service utilization were mostly pain and trouble with teeth in this group.

Background: Self-assessment is widely used across the health professions for a variety of purposes, including appraisal, CPD and revalidation. Despite numerous reported short-comings, the use of self-assessment is increasing, frequently on the requirements of regulatory bodies. Traditionally it has been a paper exercise, but in recent years self-assessment has appeared in electronic portfolios – a medium often used to collate assessments and other educational requirements. This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of self-assessment, in particular delivered via an e-portfolio, to determine if it: ? Improves the accuracy of perception of learning needs ? Promotes appropriate change in learner activity ? Improves clinical practice Methods: This thesis is comprised of two systematic reviews and a case study. The first of two systematic reviews examines the evidence for effectiveness of self-assessment in the three research questions. The second evaluates the effectiveness of portfolios as a medium for postgraduate healthcare education. Both reviews are notable in that they employ systematic review methodology on non-clinical questions and amalgamate quantitative and qualitative data. The final research component is an exploratory case study that tests the questions against a large data set (an entire training year of Scottish Foundation doctors) collated by the NHS ePortfolio. The case study provided the opportunity to separate groups of self-assessors identified by the literature, and compare the groups’ self-scores against those of their supervisors and peers in the first and final post rotations; additionally, the groups’ behaviour was matched against the literature for related educational activities recorded by the ePortfolio such as personal development planning. The case study also allowed the medium of e-portfolios to be itself evaluated in practice as an educational infrastructure. Through the comprehensive and iterative examination of the large dataset it became apparent that quantitative analysis was of limited value and qualitative analysis of elicited the richness on the data in context. Results: With both reviews, the original research questions were unable to be fully answered due to the paucity of evidence of sufficient quality; however, both did discover relevant related evidence. The self-assessment review found competent practitioners are the best able to self-assess whilst the least competent are the least able to self-assess. Peer assessment was found to be more accurate than self and better aligns with faculty/supervisor assessment. Feedback and benchmarking can improve self-assessment accuracy, especially for the most competent, and video can be seen to enhance this. There is no conclusive evidence that gender or culture effect self-assessment ability. Practical skills are better self-assessed than knowledge-based or “soft” skills. The portfolio review found summative assessment reliability improved with multiple raters and discussion between the raters. Evidence on whether portfolio use aided reflection was mixed, possibly because it was dependent on individual conditions. The engagement and support of supervisors is key to portfolios being used properly, and there is some evidence portfolio learners are less passive then non-users. The time required to effectively use a portfolio is rarely considered. Although many of the literature’s findings were born out by the case study, the data also revealed (often by omission) many flaws in the use of self-assessment and related activities, many of which can be ascribed to the training year examined Much of the qualitative examination of text corresponded with the wider literature with low self-raters being over-critical of their often superior skills and high self-raters being over confident. However, there was some dissonance with the literature in the final component in that supervisor scoring conflicted with expectations whilst there text comments continued to match the literature. Conclusions: Assessment in post-graduate health care is high stakes and resource-intensive. Self-assessment, and its use within an electronic portfolio, is demonstrated to have enormous potential if properly implemented.