Background: The need for structured practice has in recent years appeared in connection with the request for a more evidence-based nursing. In psychiatric care with its complex disabilities, it is important to have methods to identify these. Research has demonstrated the importance of patient participation in nursing that has been shown to affect their mental health. It is essential to get to know how patients with mental illness are capable of involvement in their life situation. The ICF emerged as a useful theoretical framework for development of questionnaires of patient participation. Aim: The aim of the present pilotstudy was to develop and test a questionnaire for participation, based on ICF. Method: This pilotstudy had a quantitative approach and was based on a draft for the purpose described. For the development process two expertgroups were used, one consisted of nurses with experience of ICF and one by former patients recruited from psychiatric patient organizations to discuss participation and item selection. The final questionnaire was answered by 29 nurses, who also could comment on the content in three open questions used for face validity. Cronbach´s alpha was used to calculate internal consistency. The final goal is to develop a concept of two questionnaires for participation. One that will be answered by nurses and another part based on patients self-assessment. During this pilotstudy, the nurse`s part was focused. Result: The result indicated good internal consistency both in the whole Assessment of Participation in Psychiatric care (APP) (0.900) and for each item (0.892-0.904). We also found indication for good face validity.  The result of this pilot study can be useful for further research and development.

The aim of this study was to conduct an instrument test of the Canadian questionnaire Alberta Context Tool (ACT) version Long-Term care for Swedish conditions. ACT is designed in order to measure the context in the care environment and different behaviours related to the changes in clinical practice. In total, 159 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) within municipality care of the elderly were included in the survey. The test included the instrument's reliability and face validity.The reliability test was implemented through calculation of Cronbach´s Alpha, and showed internal consistency for five of the scales of the ACT-instrument with Cronbach´s Alpha values ranging between 0,728 and 0,873. However, three dimensions got lower values (0,558 - 0,683).The analysis was carried out with content analysis and carried out for LPNs and RNs in separate groups. The majority of LPNs expressed that it was easy to respond to the questions (56%), while nine percent considered it as difficult. Eleven comments were given about questions that were perceived to be unclear, complicated or contained difficult words. In the RN group only 30 percent considered that the questions were easy to respond to. One third of the RNs considered that part of the questions were unclear, and six RNs expressed also which questions they experienced as unclear. In general, the questions in the ACT were perceived as relevant. The instrument's relevance as a tool to measure contextual factors that influence the implementation of evidence based nursing can also be considered to be determined. By modifying the content in the questionnaire in accordance with what appeared in this survey and to implement yet another test, the instrument should be considered to be relevant for use within Swedish municipality care of the elderly. ACT can be used both as a tool in the work on improvement of clinical practice and as a tool for further research about implementation of evidence based nursing.

Over the past months, newspapers and news bulletins are riddled by service delivery protests – to the extent that the President of the country acknowledges these protests. Many reasons were offered for the protests, but the main reason is cited as dissatisfaction with the level of basic services delivered by the municipalities. Questions were asked to obtain possible solutions to the problem. These challenges motivated the researcher to undertake a study to investigate the possible cause of poor delivery of service by municipalities to the communities. A possibility was to study and recommend a possible solution that would ensure that service is delivered on time, at the right price, at the right location and that quantity and quality meet the needs of the community. The system suitable to address this concern is demand management, the first element of the supply chain management system. The purpose of demand management is to ensure that the resources required to fulfil the needs identified during the strategic plan of the municipality, are delivered at the correct time, price and place, and that quantity and quality will satisfy the needs of the users. The research was conducted by means of a literature study and an empirical study. The literature study entails a literature discussion on three variables identified as crucial in achieving the objectives of the study, namely sustainability, demand management and change management. These variables form the basis of the evaluation of the factors which ensure that effectively used demand management results in sustainable service delivery. Delivering sustainable service will ensure that the service is delivered on time, at the right price, at the right location, and quality that meets the needs of the users. These variables were empirically tested in practise by means of a measurement instrument and subsequently evaluated. Based on the evaluation of the empirical study, the demographical data were analysed and concluded on. The reliability and internal consistence of the measurement instrument were determined by means of Cronbach Alpha coefficient. The results of the reliability test revealed that only change management’s Cronbach Alpha coefficient was less than the cut–off value of 0.7. Despite the results of change management’s Cronbach Alpha coefficient, the reliability of the other latent variables was found to be reliable and internally consistent. The variables were analysed and concluded upon by means of a descriptive statistical analysis, using frequency on the questionnaire responds. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation per construct was also calculated, using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The relationship between the variables was also evaluated through determining the effect size and correlation of coefficient being calculated. Practical recommendations were suggested to address the weaknesses found during the evaluation of the questionnaires, in order to improve future continuity of both municipalities used as unit of measure. Recommendations of future research needed, were also made. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Over the past months, newspapers and news bulletins are riddled by service delivery protests – to the extent that the President of the country acknowledges these protests. Many reasons were offered for the protests, but the main reason is cited as dissatisfaction with the level of basic services delivered by the municipalities. Questions were asked to obtain possible solutions to the problem. These challenges motivated the researcher to undertake a study to investigate the possible cause of poor delivery of service by municipalities to the communities. A possibility was to study and recommend a possible solution that would ensure that service is delivered on time, at the right price, at the right location and that quantity and quality meet the needs of the community. The system suitable to address this concern is demand management, the first element of the supply chain management system. The purpose of demand management is to ensure that the resources required to fulfil the needs identified during the strategic plan of the municipality, are delivered at the correct time, price and place, and that quantity and quality will satisfy the needs of the users. The research was conducted by means of a literature study and an empirical study. The literature study entails a literature discussion on three variables identified as crucial in achieving the objectives of the study, namely sustainability, demand management and change management. These variables form the basis of the evaluation of the factors which ensure that effectively used demand management results in sustainable service delivery. Delivering sustainable service will ensure that the service is delivered on time, at the right price, at the right location, and quality that meets the needs of the users. These variables were empirically tested in practise by means of a measurement instrument and subsequently evaluated. Based on the evaluation of the empirical study, the demographical data were analysed and concluded on. The reliability and internal consistence of the measurement instrument were determined by means of Cronbach Alpha coefficient. The results of the reliability test revealed that only change management’s Cronbach Alpha coefficient was less than the cut–off value of 0.7. Despite the results of change management’s Cronbach Alpha coefficient, the reliability of the other latent variables was found to be reliable and internally consistent. The variables were analysed and concluded upon by means of a descriptive statistical analysis, using frequency on the questionnaire responds. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation per construct was also calculated, using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The relationship between the variables was also evaluated through determining the effect size and correlation of coefficient being calculated. Practical recommendations were suggested to address the weaknesses found during the evaluation of the questionnaires, in order to improve future continuity of both municipalities used as unit of measure. Recommendations of future research needed, were also made. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-03-23T18:33:04Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Roseane da Silva Sant'Ana - 2014.pdf: 2904477 bytes, checksum: e8dfa3c095347e68aa14af66d30f4636 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-03-23T18:34:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Roseane da Silva Sant'Ana - 2014.pdf: 2904477 bytes, checksum: e8dfa3c095347e68aa14af66d30f4636 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-23T18:34:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Roseane da Silva Sant'Ana - 2014.pdf: 2904477 bytes, checksum: e8dfa3c095347e68aa14af66d30f4636 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-04 / The coordinator of the undergraduate program has a strategic importance for the achievement of the goals of higher education institutions. There are, however, related to the gap behaviors, competencies and duties to exercise due scientific knowledge, as there is a lack of planned actions for the development of faculty for management. Theobjective of this research is to develop a flexible and valid for measuring the managerial skills of engineers from undergraduate institutions of higher learning tool. Within ten (10) steps, this research proposes to investigate the variables of competence necessary to perform the function of coordinator course, by conducting an extensive literature search as well as list the essential skills through expert analysis, dividing them into dimensions. Data collection was developed with course coordinators of undergraduate acting in federal institutions of higher learning in the state of Goiás, UFG IF Goiás and IFG. To perform the analysis of the reliability of the results we used the "Cronbach Alpha" method, which measures the internal consistency of the construct. To check the construct validity of the cluster analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software, aimed at grouping similar items, yielding clusters of competencies. The "Cronbach Alpha" testing showed evidence of the reliability of information, in most dimensions, with ratios above 0.7. The cluster analysis showed 20 (twenty) groups, however, most of the items that make up clusters are inserted into the same dimensional reality proposed in the literature, confirming that the dimensions of the theoretical framework presented may be used. The procedures for application of the instrument have shown that it can be flexible and applicable, taking into account the specifications and requirements of each institution. course coordinator; competencies; management in teaching; Cronbach's alpha. / O coordenador de curso de graduação possui importância estratégica para a consecução dos objetivos das instituições de ensino superior. Há, contudo, lacuna de conhecimentos científicos relacionados aos comportamentos, competências e atribuições para o exercício da função, assim como há a ausência de ações planejadas para o desenvolvimento de docentes para a gestão. O objetivo desta pesquisa é desenvolver um instrumento flexível e válido para mensurar as competências gerenciais de coordenadores de curso de graduação de instituições de ensino superior. Em 10 (dez) etapas, esta pesquisa propõe a investigação das variáveis de competência necessárias ao desempenho da função de coordenador de curso, por meio da realização de uma ampla pesquisa bibliográfica, bem como elencar as competências essenciais, por meio da análise de especialistas, dividindo-as em dimensões. A coleta de dados foi desenvolvida com coordenadores de curso de graduação atuantes nas instituições federais de ensino superior do Estado de Goiás: UFG, IF Goiano e IFG. Para realizar a análise da confiabilidade dos resultados foi aplicado o método “Alfa de Cronbach”, que mede a consistência interna do constructo. Para verificar a validade do instrumento foi realizada a Análise de Clusters, utilizando o software estatístico SPSS, visando o agrupamento dos itens similares, originando agrupamentos de competências. O teste “Alfa de Cronbach” demonstrou indício da confiabilidade das informações, na maioria das dimensões, com índices acima de 0,7. A Análise de Clusters apresentou 20 (vinte) agrupamentos, contudo, a maior parte dos itens que compõem os agrupamentos está inserida em uma mesma realidade dimensional proposta pela literatura, confirmando que as dimensões apresentadas pelo arcabouço teórico podem ser utilizadas. Os procedimentos para aplicação do instrumento demonstraram que o mesmo pode ser flexível e aplicável, levando-se em consideração as especificações e necessidades de cada instituição.

I denna rapport kommer det jämföras tre modeller inom tre olika metoder som är “Klassisk test teori”, “Item respons theory” och “Forward selection” för att undersöka ifall det är möjligt att minska antalet frågor ner till cirka fyra frågor och ändå kunna prediktera de utfall som erhåller ingen risk i en enkät om spelproblematik med god säkerhet. För varje metod så kommer det presenteras en modell med två frågor, en modell med fyra frågor och slutligen en modell med sex frågor samt dess precision på hur väl de kan prediktera de med ingen risk korrekt. Samtlig modellframtagning använder sig utav en träningsmängd utav datamaterialet och valideringen sker på en testmängd, detta för att undvika överanpassning utav modeller. För att dessa metoder skall kunna prestera så bra som möjligt har en del databearbetning utförts så som att hantera bortfall, extremvärden samt avgränsningar för att samtliga metoder skall fungera. Flera utav modellerna kan prediktera korrekt med över 90% säkerhet och slutgiltligen erhålls en modell inom forward selection metoden som med enbart fyra utav femton frågor kan prediktera 93,5% korrekt.

This dissertation is an exploratory study aimed at empirically identifying and examining manifestations of communication barriers in the South African National Defence Force. A convergence model of communication is presented, describing the stages involved when individuals share the same information. The convergence model of communication delineates the relationship among the physical, psychological, and social aspects of communication. Two complementary theorems deduced by Kincaid (1988) from the convergence principle and the basic cybernetic process involved in information processing are applied in the analyses. The theorems specify the conditions under which intercultural communication will lead to convergence between members of different cultures involved. An empirically testable model was developed to collect information about possible communication barriers. The barriers are an indication of the restrictions on communication in the system and therefore indicate the possibility of restricting cultural convergence. / Communication / M.A. (Communication)

This dissertation is an exploratory study aimed at empirically identifying and examining manifestations of communication barriers in the South African National Defence Force. A convergence model of communication is presented, describing the stages involved when individuals share the same information. The convergence model of communication delineates the relationship among the physical, psychological, and social aspects of communication. Two complementary theorems deduced by Kincaid (1988) from the convergence principle and the basic cybernetic process involved in information processing are applied in the analyses. The theorems specify the conditions under which intercultural communication will lead to convergence between members of different cultures involved. An empirically testable model was developed to collect information about possible communication barriers. The barriers are an indication of the restrictions on communication in the system and therefore indicate the possibility of restricting cultural convergence. / Communication / M.A. (Communication)

Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS) / The present study investigated the relationship between the Sense Of Coherence and Satisfaction With Life amongst the unemployed. The study attempted to test the following hypotheses. 1. People with a high Sense Of Coherence tend to be satisfied with their lives in general. 2. Demographic variables such as age, gender, race and level of education have an influence on the subjects' scores on the Sense Of Coherence and Satisfaction With Life scales. 3. Length of unemployment has an impact on the subjects' Sense Of Coherence and Satisfaction With Life. In this study, subjects were drawn from the Department of Manpower in the Western Cape region. The data were obtained from a sample of 100 participants. Of this 100, 52 were males. Subjects were asked to complete the Sense Of Coherence and the Satisfaction With Life scales. Statistical procedures that were used are Multiple Linear Regression analysis, Product Moment Correlational Co-efficients, Analysis of Variance test (ANOVA) and the Cronbach Alphas of the various scales. It was found that Sense Of Coherence correlated significantly with Satisfaction With Life, thus supporting the first hypothesis. This led to the conclusion that a person with a strong Sense Of Coherence tends to be more satisfied with his/her life. However, a person with a weaker Sense Of Coherence finds it difficult to make sense out of his/her life. It was also found that most of the demographic variables did not reach any statistical significance. The general trend in this sample was that younger people had higher education and had been unemployed for fewer years. In comparison, older people were found to have less education and had been unemployed for more years. It was concluded that formal and informal education system will be necessary to develop and equip both young and older people with the experience and skills to use at work. This study was concluded by the discussion of the implications of the findings and suggestions for future research.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / The objective of this research is to assess the psychometric properties of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in order to contribute to the literature identifying validated resilience measures in low-resource settings where individuals face significant adversity. This cross-sectional study included 789 adolescent mothers who delivered at a maternity hospital in Lima, Peru. The Spanish version of the 10-item CD-RISC was used to measure resilience. Internal consistency and construct validity were assessed by evaluating individual item characteristics as well as the association of CD-RISC score with symptoms of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to test the factorial structure of the CD-RISC. The CD-RISC was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.85). CD-RISC scores were positively associated with school attendance, financial hardship, and history of childhood abuse; scores were negatively associated with household dysfunction, depression, anxiety and poor sleep quality. The results of the EFA showed that the CD-RISC contained a two-factor solution, which accounted for 46% of the variance. Overall, these findings suggest that the Spanish-language version of the CD-RISC-10 is an adequate measure of resilience in this population. Further research is needed to incorporate culturally-specific constructs into resilience measures. / National Institutes of Health / Revisión por pares