O desenvolvimento e validação de métodos analíticos é um procedimento necessário quando um método não normalizado é utilizado por um laboratório de ensaios. A validação de métodos também é um requisito específico da norma ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025, que determina os requisitos gerais para a competência dos laboratórios de ensaio e calibração. O objetivo da validação é demonstrar que o método analítico, nas condições em que é executado, produz resultados com a exatidão requerida. O Laboratório de Corrosão, Proteção e Reciclagem de Materiais (LACOR), da UFRGS, tem o ensaio de determinação de metais por fluorescência de raios X, acreditado pelo CGCRE/INMETRO, conforme ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025. O ensaio é feito usando o método de espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de energia (EDXRF). Este método, contudo, não é normalizado e, portanto, o mesmo foi validado, neste trabalho de pesquisa, para atender a este requisito. A validação foi feita com base no documento orientativo DOQ-CGCRE-08 e no guia EURACHEM. Os parâmetros de validação, para o ensaio quantitativo por EDXRF, que foram calculados neste trabalho são: seletividade; limite de detecção (LD) e limite de quantificação (LQ); linearidade e faixa de trabalho; veracidade de medição (tendência, erro normalizado, Z-score e comparação com método de referência) e precisão (repetibilidade, precisão intermediária e reprodutibilidade). Além disso, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia de cálculo de incerteza de medição para o ensaio por EDXRF Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstram que o método EDXRF, usado na determinação de metais em aços, é um método não normalizado validado e compatível com os resultados obtidos com os métodos de referência: espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de comprimento de onda (WDXRF), fotométricos e espectrometria de absorção atômica (AAS). Inclusive, o WDXRF é um método de referência usado em muitas normas internacionais, que descrevem métodos de análise de aços por fluorescência de raios X, como ASTM E572 ou ASTM E1085. O estudo desenvolvido nesta dissertação permitiu que o LACOR mantivesse sua acreditação no ensaio de determinação de metais por fluorescência de raios X, na avaliação do CGCRE/INMETRO, no presente ano. Outros frutos deste trabalho foram a confecção das curvas de calibração do espectrômetro NITON XL3t GOLDD+ e a revisão do procedimento de ensaio, onde esses novos conhecimentos sobre a técnica EDXRF foram aplicados. Futuramente, este trabalho pode ser usado por outros pesquisadores para desenvolver estudos em outras matrizes metálicas, como cobre, alumínio, titânio ou níquel, e, também, em outras áreas de aplicação como jóias, reciclagem de materiais metálicos ou, até mesmo, para análise elementar de resíduos retidos em membranas de troca iônica. / The development and validation of analytical methods is a required procedure when a non-standard method is used by a testing laboratory. Method validation is also a specific requirement of the ABNT NBR ISO / IEC 17025, which determines the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The purpose of validation is to demonstrate that the analytical method, under the conditions in which it is performed, produces results with the required accuracy. The Corrosion, Protection and Recycling Materials Laboratory (LACOR), at UFRGS, has the X-ray fluorescence metal analysis, accredited by CGCRE / INMETRO, according to ABNT NBR ISO / IEC 17025. The test is performed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry, EDXRF method. This method, however, is not standardized; therefore, it was validated in this research to meet this requirement. The validation was based on the DOQ-CGCRE-08 document and the EURACHEM guide. The method performance calculated in this study for quantitative testing by EDXRF are: selectivity; limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ); linearity and working range; trueness (bias, normalized error, Z-score and comparison with reference method) and precision (repeatability, intermediate precision and reproducibility). In addition, a measurement uncertainty calculation methodology was developed for the EDXRF testing The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the EDXRF method, used in the determination in the chemical analysis of steels, is a validated non-standard method and compatible with the results obtained with the reference methods: Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry (WDXRF), photometric and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In addition, WDXRF is a reference method used in many international standards, which describes analysis of steels by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry such ASTM E572 or ASTM E1085. The study developed in this dissertation allowed LACOR to maintain its accreditation in the test of metal by X-ray fluorescence analysis, in the CGCRE / INMETRO audit, this year. Other fruits of this work were the preparation of calibration curves of NITON XL3t GOLDD + spectrometer and complete revision of testing procedure, where this new knowledge about the EDXRF technique was applied. In the future, this work can be used by other researchers to develop studies in other base metals such as copper, aluminum, titanium or nickel, and also in other areas of application such as jewelry, recycling of metallic materials or even for analysis elemental residues retained in ion exchange membranes.

近年來，我國對於田口式品質工程方法的運用，已漸漸普及於各個生產事 業。然而，在以往田口方法的應用實例中大多只使用一種數據分析法，即 傳統實驗設計的變異數分析法，或田口方法的信號雜音比( S/N ratio )，對於二者之間的比較及異同處，則較少提及﹔且絕大部分是只探討單 一品質特性最佳化的問題，對於同一製程中同時具有多個品質特性需最佳 化的問題，亦較少觸及。本研究首先分別引用二種數據分析法進行提昇自 動光學檢驗(AOI)偵測能力」}的數據解析、比較二種分析法在理論上及應 用上的差別，並依保守原則，初步決定各品質特性(本研究有三個品質特 性)的最佳因子水準組合。其次，針對各品質特性間因子水準互相矛盾的 情形，本文將引用下述3種分析方法於研究案例，並綜合各種方法的優缺 點及適用狀況，藉以找出多品質特性同時最佳化的因子水準組合。此三種 分析方法為: (1) 畫出各因子對個別品質特性之影響效果總調查表，再經 由人為的比較判斷後選取最佳的條件組合 (2) 以個別品質特性之信號雜 音比的加權和作分析 (3) 使用品質特性值標準化的方法做分析由分析結 果，吾人可知現有各種方法均有其優缺點，唯有熟悉各種方法並配合豐富 經驗與專業知識，視實驗狀況而選擇性的加以應用，方能獲致良好實驗效 果。

This thesis aimed to investigate generational differences in the frequency and importance of meaningful work in employees based on the 7 facets of the Map of Meaning. Hypotheses were tested through Analysis of Variance of secondary data. 395 participants self-reported levels of meaningful work on the Comprehensive Meaningful Work Scale. Results indicated that Generation Y had significantly lower levels of meaningful work. Generation Y had significantly lower levels of Unity (importance), Serving (frequency and importance), Expressing full potential (frequency), Reality (frequency and importance) and Inspiration (frequency). Significant differences occurred mainly between Generation Y and Baby boomers, with some significant differences between Generation Y and Generation X and no significant differences between Generation X and Baby boomers. Results showed that overall frequency and importance levels were significantly lower for Generation Y. Overall frequency levels were lower than overall importance levels, which suggests that employees’ desire for meaningful work may not be satisfied. In light of this evidence, it is suggested that to improve organisational outcomes such as engagement, retention and performance, managers should provide opportunities for employees to engage in meaningful work with particular focus on Generation Y. Employees themselves should take responsibility to find meaning in their own work and life because engagement in meaningful activities can lead to satisfaction, belonging, fulfilment and a better understanding of one’s purpose in life.

O desenvolvimento e validação de métodos analíticos é um procedimento necessário quando um método não normalizado é utilizado por um laboratório de ensaios. A validação de métodos também é um requisito específico da norma ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025, que determina os requisitos gerais para a competência dos laboratórios de ensaio e calibração. O objetivo da validação é demonstrar que o método analítico, nas condições em que é executado, produz resultados com a exatidão requerida. O Laboratório de Corrosão, Proteção e Reciclagem de Materiais (LACOR), da UFRGS, tem o ensaio de determinação de metais por fluorescência de raios X, acreditado pelo CGCRE/INMETRO, conforme ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025. O ensaio é feito usando o método de espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de energia (EDXRF). Este método, contudo, não é normalizado e, portanto, o mesmo foi validado, neste trabalho de pesquisa, para atender a este requisito. A validação foi feita com base no documento orientativo DOQ-CGCRE-08 e no guia EURACHEM. Os parâmetros de validação, para o ensaio quantitativo por EDXRF, que foram calculados neste trabalho são: seletividade; limite de detecção (LD) e limite de quantificação (LQ); linearidade e faixa de trabalho; veracidade de medição (tendência, erro normalizado, Z-score e comparação com método de referência) e precisão (repetibilidade, precisão intermediária e reprodutibilidade). Além disso, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia de cálculo de incerteza de medição para o ensaio por EDXRF Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstram que o método EDXRF, usado na determinação de metais em aços, é um método não normalizado validado e compatível com os resultados obtidos com os métodos de referência: espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de comprimento de onda (WDXRF), fotométricos e espectrometria de absorção atômica (AAS). Inclusive, o WDXRF é um método de referência usado em muitas normas internacionais, que descrevem métodos de análise de aços por fluorescência de raios X, como ASTM E572 ou ASTM E1085. O estudo desenvolvido nesta dissertação permitiu que o LACOR mantivesse sua acreditação no ensaio de determinação de metais por fluorescência de raios X, na avaliação do CGCRE/INMETRO, no presente ano. Outros frutos deste trabalho foram a confecção das curvas de calibração do espectrômetro NITON XL3t GOLDD+ e a revisão do procedimento de ensaio, onde esses novos conhecimentos sobre a técnica EDXRF foram aplicados. Futuramente, este trabalho pode ser usado por outros pesquisadores para desenvolver estudos em outras matrizes metálicas, como cobre, alumínio, titânio ou níquel, e, também, em outras áreas de aplicação como jóias, reciclagem de materiais metálicos ou, até mesmo, para análise elementar de resíduos retidos em membranas de troca iônica. / The development and validation of analytical methods is a required procedure when a non-standard method is used by a testing laboratory. Method validation is also a specific requirement of the ABNT NBR ISO / IEC 17025, which determines the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The purpose of validation is to demonstrate that the analytical method, under the conditions in which it is performed, produces results with the required accuracy. The Corrosion, Protection and Recycling Materials Laboratory (LACOR), at UFRGS, has the X-ray fluorescence metal analysis, accredited by CGCRE / INMETRO, according to ABNT NBR ISO / IEC 17025. The test is performed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry, EDXRF method. This method, however, is not standardized; therefore, it was validated in this research to meet this requirement. The validation was based on the DOQ-CGCRE-08 document and the EURACHEM guide. The method performance calculated in this study for quantitative testing by EDXRF are: selectivity; limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ); linearity and working range; trueness (bias, normalized error, Z-score and comparison with reference method) and precision (repeatability, intermediate precision and reproducibility). In addition, a measurement uncertainty calculation methodology was developed for the EDXRF testing The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the EDXRF method, used in the determination in the chemical analysis of steels, is a validated non-standard method and compatible with the results obtained with the reference methods: Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry (WDXRF), photometric and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In addition, WDXRF is a reference method used in many international standards, which describes analysis of steels by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry such ASTM E572 or ASTM E1085. The study developed in this dissertation allowed LACOR to maintain its accreditation in the test of metal by X-ray fluorescence analysis, in the CGCRE / INMETRO audit, this year. Other fruits of this work were the preparation of calibration curves of NITON XL3t GOLDD + spectrometer and complete revision of testing procedure, where this new knowledge about the EDXRF technique was applied. In the future, this work can be used by other researchers to develop studies in other base metals such as copper, aluminum, titanium or nickel, and also in other areas of application such as jewelry, recycling of metallic materials or even for analysis elemental residues retained in ion exchange membranes.

O desenvolvimento e validação de métodos analíticos é um procedimento necessário quando um método não normalizado é utilizado por um laboratório de ensaios. A validação de métodos também é um requisito específico da norma ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025, que determina os requisitos gerais para a competência dos laboratórios de ensaio e calibração. O objetivo da validação é demonstrar que o método analítico, nas condições em que é executado, produz resultados com a exatidão requerida. O Laboratório de Corrosão, Proteção e Reciclagem de Materiais (LACOR), da UFRGS, tem o ensaio de determinação de metais por fluorescência de raios X, acreditado pelo CGCRE/INMETRO, conforme ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025. O ensaio é feito usando o método de espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de energia (EDXRF). Este método, contudo, não é normalizado e, portanto, o mesmo foi validado, neste trabalho de pesquisa, para atender a este requisito. A validação foi feita com base no documento orientativo DOQ-CGCRE-08 e no guia EURACHEM. Os parâmetros de validação, para o ensaio quantitativo por EDXRF, que foram calculados neste trabalho são: seletividade; limite de detecção (LD) e limite de quantificação (LQ); linearidade e faixa de trabalho; veracidade de medição (tendência, erro normalizado, Z-score e comparação com método de referência) e precisão (repetibilidade, precisão intermediária e reprodutibilidade). Além disso, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia de cálculo de incerteza de medição para o ensaio por EDXRF Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstram que o método EDXRF, usado na determinação de metais em aços, é um método não normalizado validado e compatível com os resultados obtidos com os métodos de referência: espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de comprimento de onda (WDXRF), fotométricos e espectrometria de absorção atômica (AAS). Inclusive, o WDXRF é um método de referência usado em muitas normas internacionais, que descrevem métodos de análise de aços por fluorescência de raios X, como ASTM E572 ou ASTM E1085. O estudo desenvolvido nesta dissertação permitiu que o LACOR mantivesse sua acreditação no ensaio de determinação de metais por fluorescência de raios X, na avaliação do CGCRE/INMETRO, no presente ano. Outros frutos deste trabalho foram a confecção das curvas de calibração do espectrômetro NITON XL3t GOLDD+ e a revisão do procedimento de ensaio, onde esses novos conhecimentos sobre a técnica EDXRF foram aplicados. Futuramente, este trabalho pode ser usado por outros pesquisadores para desenvolver estudos em outras matrizes metálicas, como cobre, alumínio, titânio ou níquel, e, também, em outras áreas de aplicação como jóias, reciclagem de materiais metálicos ou, até mesmo, para análise elementar de resíduos retidos em membranas de troca iônica. / The development and validation of analytical methods is a required procedure when a non-standard method is used by a testing laboratory. Method validation is also a specific requirement of the ABNT NBR ISO / IEC 17025, which determines the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The purpose of validation is to demonstrate that the analytical method, under the conditions in which it is performed, produces results with the required accuracy. The Corrosion, Protection and Recycling Materials Laboratory (LACOR), at UFRGS, has the X-ray fluorescence metal analysis, accredited by CGCRE / INMETRO, according to ABNT NBR ISO / IEC 17025. The test is performed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry, EDXRF method. This method, however, is not standardized; therefore, it was validated in this research to meet this requirement. The validation was based on the DOQ-CGCRE-08 document and the EURACHEM guide. The method performance calculated in this study for quantitative testing by EDXRF are: selectivity; limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ); linearity and working range; trueness (bias, normalized error, Z-score and comparison with reference method) and precision (repeatability, intermediate precision and reproducibility). In addition, a measurement uncertainty calculation methodology was developed for the EDXRF testing The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the EDXRF method, used in the determination in the chemical analysis of steels, is a validated non-standard method and compatible with the results obtained with the reference methods: Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry (WDXRF), photometric and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In addition, WDXRF is a reference method used in many international standards, which describes analysis of steels by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry such ASTM E572 or ASTM E1085. The study developed in this dissertation allowed LACOR to maintain its accreditation in the test of metal by X-ray fluorescence analysis, in the CGCRE / INMETRO audit, this year. Other fruits of this work were the preparation of calibration curves of NITON XL3t GOLDD + spectrometer and complete revision of testing procedure, where this new knowledge about the EDXRF technique was applied. In the future, this work can be used by other researchers to develop studies in other base metals such as copper, aluminum, titanium or nickel, and also in other areas of application such as jewelry, recycling of metallic materials or even for analysis elemental residues retained in ion exchange membranes.

Natural forests are characterised by great vegetation diversity and create habitats for a major part of Earth’s terrestrial organisms. Plantation forests, which are mainly composed of a few genera of fast-growing trees, constitute an increasing fraction of global forests, but they only partly compensate for loss of area, habitat and ecological functions in natural forests. Plantation forests established near natural forests can be expected to serve as buffers, but they seem to be relatively poor in invertebrate species and it is not clear why. This bachelor’s degree project aimed at establishing the ecological and edaphic factors that correlate with soil invertebrate diversity in dry upland forests and surrounding plantation forests in eastern Africa. Some aspects of the above-ground vegetation heterogeneity were investigated since this was assumed to influence the heterogeneity of the soil environment, which is considered as critical for soil biodiversity. The obtained knowledge may be valuable in conservation activities in East African forests, which are threatened by destruction, fragmentation and exotic species. The study area was Karura Forest, a dry upland forest in Nairobi, Kenya. Three different sites were investigated; a natural forest site characterized by the indigenous tree species Brachylaena huillensis and Croton megalocarpus, and two different plantation forest sites, characterized by the exotic species Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus paniculata, respectively. For each forest type, six plots were visited. Soil invertebrates were extracted from collected soil and litter samples by sieving and Berlese-Tullgren funnels. The invertebrates were identified, and the taxonomic diversity calculated at the order level. The ecological and edaphic factors, measured or calculated for each plot, were tree species diversity, ratio of exotic tree species, vertical structure of trees, vegetation cover, vegetation density, litter quality, soil pH, soil temperature and soil moisture. One-way ANOVA was used to compare soil invertebrate diversity and other variables between different forest types. Akaike’s Information Criterion and Multiple Linear Regression were used to establish linear models with variables that could explain measured variations of the diversity. There was some evidence for higher soil invertebrate diversity in natural forests than in surrounding plantation forests. The abundance of soil invertebrates was also clearly higher in natural forests, which indicates that natural forests are more important than plantation forests for conservation of soil invertebrate populations. Soil invertebrate diversity (in terms of number of orders present) was found to be influenced by forest type and litter quality. The diversity was higher at places with high amounts of coarse litter, which here is considered as more heterogenous than fine litter. The dependence on forest type was partly a consequence of differences in soil pH since Eucalyptus trees lower soil pH and thereby also soil biodiversity. No relation to heterogeneity of above-ground vegetation was found. For future conservation activities in Karura Forest Reserve it is recommended to continue removing exotic plant species and replanting indigenous trees, to prioritize the removal of Eucalyptus trees before Cypress trees, to only remove a few trees at a time and to establish ground vegetation when doing so.

Les TIC sont un facteur clé de performance dans les pays développés. Cette thèse s’intéresse à l’adoption des TIC et leur impact sur la performance des PME manufacturières d’un pays en développement. A la suite d’une première partie qui présente le cadre théorique et conceptuel, le reste de la thèse est organisé en trois études empiriques. La première étude propose une modélisation Probit afin d’identifier les déterminants d’adoption des TIC. Le capital humain est la variable explicative la plus significative. Se basant sur la régression linéaire à variables muettes, la causalité de Granger, le test de Kruskal-Wallis et le test de l’ANOVA de Welch, suivis des tests post-hoc correspondants, la deuxième étude met en évidence l’existence d’un fort lien statistique significatif entre le niveau d’adoption des TIC et la rentabilité. Dans une troisième étude, plusieurs modélisations Probit (simple, ordonné et multivarié) ont été testées sur différentes mesures de performance. Nous montrons, premièrement, que les TIC ont un impact positif sur la productivité, la rentabilité et la compétitivité. Deuxièmement, les TIC, le capital humain et la formation sont les déterminants de la performance globale. Enfin, la contribution des TIC à la performance globale est forte lorsqu’elles sont combinées au capital humain qualifié. En définitive, nos résultats empiriques ont montré un effet positif des TIC, du capital humain et du changement organisationnel sur la performance des PME. / ICT is a key performance factor in developed countries. This PhD thesis focuses on the adoption of ICTs and their impact on the performance of manufacturing SMEs in a developing country. Following a first part covering the theoretical and conceptual framework, the rest of the thesis is organized in three empirical studies. The first study uses a Probit model in order to identify the determinants of ICT adoption. Human capital seems to be the most significant explanatory variable. Based on linear regression of dummy variables, Granger causality, Kruskal-Wallis test, ANOVA test of Welch, followed by corresponding post-hoc tests, the second study highlights the existence of a strong statistically significant relationship between the level of ICT adoption and profitability. In a third study, many Probit models (simple, ordered and multivariate) were tested on different measures of performance. Firstly, we show that ICT have a positive impact on productivity, profitability and competitiveness of SMEs. Secondly, ICT, human capital and training are determinants of firm overall performance. Thirdly, when combined together, ICT and highly skilled human resources have an important contribution to the global performance. In conclusion, our empirical results demonstrate a positive impact of ICT, human capital and organizational change on firm performance.

Industrial manufacturing companies are working in a greater extent than before to optimize processes as well as reduce variation to build in quality in their products. SCA Munksund produces kraftliners with high variability for the strength measurements bursting strength and SCT-CD, together called strength potential. Variability in these strength measurements leads to either higher quality than requested by customers or to products being scrapped due to substandard quality. The variation in the strength measurements leads to unnecessary production costs according to SCA Munksund. To investigate the variation in strength measurements of a specific grammage of a kraftliner (170 g/m2), the problem-solving methodology DMAIC in Six Sigma was used. DMAIC can be used to translate a complex production problem into a more manageable statistical problem. Design of Experiments (DoE) can be used together with DMAIC to identify casual relationships and can also be applied to increase process knowledge. DoE is a powerful tool when studying how effects of multiple process parameters affect quality parameters in a process. In this master thesis, DMAIC was applied as a method to illustrate how a complex production problem can be tackled. The purpose of this master thesis work was to exemplify how statistical tools and methods can be applied in a manufacturing industry to achieve increased process knowledge. The purpose was applied practically at SCA Munksund kraftliner production site to create increased understanding of the subprocesses where the strength measurements bursting strength and SCT-CD can be affected. DMAIC was initially used to define the problem and DoE was used to generate models that could explain the strength potential. To help answer the thesis question, historical data were analysed to identify potential experimental factors. Appropriate experimental levels were checked in a test before the experiments. Then the experimental factors for bursting strength were determined to A: Läppläge vertikal topplåda, B: Alun bas and C: Koncentration inloppslåda bas and the factors for SCT-CD to A: Läppläge vertikal topplåda, B: Utloppsdifferens top and C: Utloppsdifferens bas. The experiments used a 23 factorial design with three center points. Alun bas and Utloppsdifferens top could on a 10 percent significance level be identified as significant effects. Regression models were developed to describe which factors and factor interactions that affect the strength potential in a kraftliner. The case study results thus illustrates how statistical tools and methods can be applied in a manufacturing industry to increase process knowledge. The result show that the bursting strength and SCT-CD increased with 2,4 % and 1,3 % respectively compared to normal levels during the experiment at the same time as lower operating costs can be achieved. SCA Munksund can save 143 700 SEK per year if the recommended level of Alun bas is followed. / Industriellt tillverkande företag arbetar i större utsträckning än tidigare med optimering av processer samt för minskad variation kring uppsatta toleransgränser i syfte att bygga in rätt kvalitet i sina produkter. SCA Munksund producerar kraftliner med hög variation för styrkemåtten sprängstyrka och SCT-CD. Variationen leder till att kraftlinerrullar antingen kan säljs med bättre kvalitet än efterfrågat eller så kasseras de på grund av bristande kvalitet. I båda avseendena anser SCA Munksund att variationen för styrkemåtten leder till onödiga kostnader vid produktionen. För att utreda variationen i styrkemåtten hos en specifik ytvikt av kraftliner, 170 g/m2, användes Sex Sigmas problemlösningsmetodik DMAIC som förkortat står för Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve och Control. DMAIC används för att översätta ett komplext produktionsproblem till ett mer hanterligt statistiskt problem. Inom problemlösningsmetodiken kan försöksplanering användas för att identifiera kausala samband och kan tillämpas för ökad processkunskap. Försöksplanering är ett kraftfullt verktyg för att kunna studera hur effekterna av flera processparametrar påverkar kvalitetsparametrar i en process. Vid examensarbetet användes DMAIC för att angripa ett komplext problem. Syftet med examensarbetet var att exemplifiera hur statistiska verktyg och metoder kan tillämpas inom en tillverkande industri för att nå ökad processkännedom. Syftet applicerades praktiskt vid SCA Munksunds kraftlinertillverkning för att skapa ökad förståelse inom de delprocesser där styrkepotentialen kan påverkas. DMAIC användes för att initialt kunna definiera problemet och försöksplanering användes för att skapa regressionsmodeller som kan förklara styrkepotentialen. För att uppnå syftet analyserades historisk data för att identifiera potentiella försöksfaktorer. Lämpliga försöksnivåer kontrollerades vid ett test innan experimenten. Därefter kunde försöksfaktorerna fastställas för sprängstyrkan till A: Läppläge vertikal topplåda, B: Alun bas och C: Koncentration inloppslåda bas och faktorerna för SCT-CD till A: Läppläge vertikal topplåda, B: Utloppsdifferens topp och C: Utloppsdifferens bas. Experimentet genomfördes enligt en 23 försöksplan med tre centrumpunkter. Alun bas och Utloppsdifferens toppkunde med 10 % signifikansnivå identifieras som signifikanta effekter. Anpassade regressionsmodeller skapades i syfte att beskriva vilka faktorer och samspel mellan faktorer som påverkar styrkepotentialen i kraftlinern. Fallstudien illustrerar därmed hur statistiska verktyg och metoder kan tillämpas inom en tillverkande industri för att nå ökad processkännedom. Jämfört mot normala nivåer visar resultaten från de experiment som genomfördes i fallstudien att sprängstyrkan ökade med 2,4 % och SCT-CD med 1,3 % samtidigt som lägre driftskostnader kan uppnås. Efterföljs den rekommenderade nivån för alun i kraftlinerns basskikt leder det till en besparing på 143 700 SEK per år. Besparingen av alun är endast beräknad på den studerade kraftlinern med ytvikt 170 g/m2, vilket innebär att ytterligare besparingar bör vara möjliga för resterande 18 ytvikter.

The gap that exists between English language learners and English speaking students’ achievement in mathematics continues to grow. Moreover, students are now required to show evidence of their mathematics knowledge through writing in standardized assessments and class assignments. The purpose of this study was to analyze students’ writing in mathematics and the metacognitive behaviors they portrayed through their writing as they solved mathematics problems. The instruments included a pretest, two biweekly tests, and a posttest. The writing instruction encompassed students learning to solve problems by using Polya’s four phases of problem solving which was completed in 12 sessions over a period of 6 weeks. Garofalo and Lester’s framework which renamed Polya’s phases into orientation, organization, execution, and verification, was used to look at the metacognitive behaviors students used. The participants included 67 students enrolled in four third grade classes, who were English language learners and English speakers. This research followed a quasi-experimental design, with a treatment group and a control group. A one-way repeated ANOVA was used to analyze the data. The findings showed no significant difference between the mathematics achievement scores of treatment and control. However, growth trends in achievement scores revealed that the treatment group scores were increasing faster than the control group scores across the four tests during the 6-week study. Moreover, significant differences were found between the treatment and the control groups when the problem solving with metacognitive behaviors scores were analyzed. Descriptive statistics showed the frequency of occurrence of each of the problem solving phases increased steadily across the four tests for the students in the treatment group. During the posttest, 100% of treatment group students wrote about metacognitive behaviors they used during the orientation and organization phases, 91.4% wrote about their metacognition for executing the solution, and 80% wrote about the verification process they followed. These findings are useful to education professionals who are interested in creating programs for teaching mathematics at the elementary level that include effective problem solving practices. This evidence-based method may be adopted in school districts with large populations of ELLs in order to assist these students when solving problems in mathematics.

Klasická lineární regrese a z ní odvozené testy hypotéz jsou založeny na předpokladu normálního rozdělení a shodnosti rozptylu závislých proměnných. V případě že jsou předpoklady normality porušeny, obvykle se užívá transformací závisle proměnných. První část této práce se zabývá transformacemi stabilizujícími rozptyl. Značná pozornost je udělena náhodným veličinám s Poissonovým a negativně binomickým rozdělením, pro které jsou studovány zobecněné transformace stabilizující rozptyl obsahující parametry v argumentu navíc. Pro tyto parametry jsou stanoveny jejich optimální hodnoty. Cílem druhé části práce je provést srovnání transformací uvedených v první části a dalších často užívaných transformací. Srovnání je provedeno v rámci analýzy rozptylu testováním hypotézy shodnosti středních hodnot p nezávislých náhodných výběrů s pomocí F testu. V této části jsou nejprve studovány vlastnosti F testu za předpokladu shodných a neshodných rozptylů napříč výběry. Následně je provedeno srovnání silofunkcí F testu aplikovaného pro p výběrů z Poissonova rozdělení transformovanými odmocninovou, logaritmickou a Yeo Johnsnovou transformací a z negativně binomického rozdělení transformovaného argumentem hyperbolického sinu, logaritmickou a Yeo-Johnsnovou transformací.