Global competencies, with differences in terminology by various researchers, had been frequently investigated, primarily from an American-biased perspective. Little or no defining research existed that identified requisite, universally agreed upon global competencies, or identified what affective components were perceived to be important cross culturally. This research study answered the following questions: 1. What affective components are perceived to be important from a cross-cultural perspective? 2. Are there differences in these perceptions of affective components from a cross-cultural perspective? The purpose of the study was to explore the extent to which individuals in different GeoCultural regions view and identify affective components perceived to be important in today's global society. Affective components relate to emotions, values, and beliefs. The research entailed the development of two instruments for placing individuals within a primary region (the background information form) and for identifying and rating affective components perceived to be important in today's global society from a cross-cultural perspective (the affective component questionnaire). The study used four expert panels to perform content validation. Both instruments were developed by global experts from eight GeoCultural regions. As a result of the panel process, nine affective components were identified. Two instruments were administered, through intermediaries, to individuals in all the GeoCultural regions and subcategories. Of the responses, 423 were usable. Affective competence appears to be a complex construct that involves more than one component. Based on this study, there are at least nine different affective components perceived to be important in order to be a culturally competent individual in today's global society. All of the nine affective components were perceived to be important in all GeoCultural regions and subcategories. Repeated measures ANOVA and Dunn's pairwise comparisons tests were used to assess differences between the affective components and the GeoCultural regions/subcategories. There were differences found in three of the affective components indicating that there may be some differences between GeoCultural regions and subcategories. The Caribbean respondents did not value three affective components as highly as some of the other GeoCultural regions. Repeated measures ANOVAs were also used to determine if there were any significant differences between the subcategories of Asia and the subcategories of Oceania. Since no significant differences existed in either GeoCultural region, it lends support to the notion that the subcategories are not needed for research dealing with affective components.

The role of risk management in the construction industry is essential due to the complexityand dynamic environment of the projects. To enhance project success, it is important toembed risk management practices in every activity of the project.The research question is “What is the classification of risks of joint ventures projects indeveloping countries and especially in countries that are facing economic crisis?” Theobjective of this thesis work is to assess the risks by creating proper risk probability versusrisk impact matrices and proceed with further analysis and based on the criticality of themand furthermore to allocate the risks and possible bias of the Concession AgreementBased on literature review and the objective of this thesis work, the propositions are thefollowing: “1) All the examined risks have the possibility to exist. 2) Risks, which hugelyimpact joint venture projects, are financial risks. 3) The purpose of the ConstructionContract is to ensure a fair distribution of risks between the parties, determining the parties'rights, duties, responsibilities and obligations in advance. 4) Criticality is an independentvariable from impact and possibility.”Due to the nature of this research and the research objective, the scientific idealimplemented is critical realism. This research is conducted based on quantitative method ofprimary data analysis. A questionnaire was formed in order to be given to the Panel ofExperts from different organizations for the evaluation of the problem.Based on the empirical data and analysis, the author indentified and evaluated the risks ofthe joint venture construction projects in developing countries within the definedenvironment of the consortium, where the state has a specific regal role, based oncriticality, risk probability and risk impact. The analysis of the data was done with the RankReciprocal method (Carr & Zwick, 2007, p.70). In this thesis work, they are identified,individually and also aggregately, the specific risks with high criticality, high probabilityand high impact. The risks of joint venture projects classified with the higher criticality, thehigher probability and the higher impact, aggregately, are: Public Utilities Organizations(P.U.O.) permits delay (due to either Concessionaire's fault, or State's), State defaults (or anExtensive Force Majeure Event creates a State Event of Default), Events of Delay occurduring Design-Construction period affecting that period or the next one (the OperationPeriod), Critical path complications due to Archaeological Surveys revealing antiquities,Delays, inability of State in its obligation to go forth in expropriations. Risk managers canfocus on those risks and ensure the success of risk management and project control.

No description available.

There has been a notable increase in the prevalence rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) over the last decade. Currently, the American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in every 68 children is diagnosed with ASD. The average age of diagnosis ranges from 3.1 to 5.7 years. However, the literature indicates that low socio-economic-status (SES) countries, such as South Africa could have higher prevalence rates and a later average age of diagnosis. This is due to the limited and strained resources on social and governmental levels. This is of great concern as research indicates that early diagnosis and intervention of learners with ASD leads to improved overall functioning. South Africa is not equipped to deal with services required to effectively screen and diagnose learners for ASD. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is available in South Africa as a low cost and easy to administer screening tool for ASD. Unfortunately, it can only screen for ASD in learners up to the age of 5. No other similar low cost screening tool is available for use in South Africa which will be able to screen older learners. With the reality of a later age of diagnosis in South Africa, it is therefore pivotal to develop such a screening tool. This study set out to develop and pilot test the Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening Questionnaire (ASDSQ). The ASDSQ is a screening questionnaire that can be filled out by the parents or guardians of learners aged 6 to 9. It is low in cost and easy to administer, score and understand. It will assist in identifying learners that are at risk for an ASD diagnosis. This will ensure that learners who are identified as at risk for an ASD diagnosis can be referred to the correct professionals for ASD diagnostic tests. The current version of the ASDSQ (version three) is a 38 item, yes-no, questionnaire. In this pilot study the ASDSQ was able to successfully distinguish between learners with an ASD diagnosis and learners without an ASD diagnosis. Findings furthermore indicated that the ASDSQ was able to differentiate between the control and experimental group when compared to the results of the M-CHAT on the same sample. The ASDSQ shows great promise as a screening tool for ASD in South Africa. With further development, the ASDSQ could become an established level one screening questionnaire for ASD in South Africa. Future research on the ASDSQ should focus on validating, norming, and standardizing the questionnaire for use in the South African context. / Mini Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Psychology / MA / Unrestricted

Although guidelines and minimal standards for the care and documentation of wounds in home health care settings in the United States are available, there is a lack of compliance among many home health care agencies (HHAs) with regard to the accuracy of wound documentation and care of wounds. Failure to follow guidelines for wound care according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Home Health Outcome and Assessment Information System standards could result in loss of revenue for HHAs, improper treatment of wounds, and legal ramifications. The purpose of this doctoral project was to develop and validate a staff educational module on wounds and wound documentation for an HHA. Benner's from-novice-to-expert model was the conceptual framework for understanding nurses' matriculation. The practice-focused question focused on whether a wound staff educational module increased the home health care nurse's knowledge about wounds and wound documentation. A 5-level Likert scale was used by an expert panel to validate the staff educational module. Descriptive analysis was used to evaluate the data. The results of the survey supported implementing the educational module with recommendations (overall percentage 93% [4.4]). The findings of this project contribute to social change by increasing nurses' knowledge of wound care, improving the quality of wound care, increasing reimbursement and revenue, and decreasing the cost of care for wounds.

This paper highlights some ofthe methodological challenges which have arisen in collecting data for an international study on positive action measures. It will describe strategies employed to encourage participation in the study from as wide a range of organisations and individuals using a mixed method approach. The paper will also discuss the methodological and sensitive issues related to this type of research in organisations and strategies adopted by the research team to ameliorate any problems that have arisen whilst maintaining trustworthiness and rigour in the study.

A risk-based decision methodology is presented to support United States Coast Guard regulators' determinations of the most appropriate fire safety areas for allocating research and development resources. The methodology consists of risk-based analysis of previous shipboard fire and explosion incidents to establish historical problem areas and trends. The analysis results were then presented to a panel of experts in shipboard fire safety regulations. An analytical hierarchical process was used to encode these experts' opinions on subjective attributes of the decision. Nineteen attributes were selected by the panel and used to rate eighteen potential research and development alternatives. The series of eighteen alternative areas for possible research and development efforts were ranked using a scoring model. A sensitivity analysis was performed on the top five alternatives to assess the relative influence the attributes have on the decision. Information from two marine casualty databases were analyzed to establish the historical problem areas and trends. Fire and explosion incidents were taken from the United States Coast Guard's Marine Safety Information System (MSIS) database and Lloyd's Maritime Information Service Ltd.'s Casualty System (CASMAN). Following the methodology presented, the top five areas for possible allocation of research and development resources are: egress of passengers and crew, development of international design & approval standards for fire protection systems, hazard analysis review of fire safety regulations, development of alternative design assessment methodology, and investigation of lagging requirements for fire protection.

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of technological literacy for high school graduates. A panel of experts in technological literacy was used to formulate the list of characteristics and make judgments on each. The design of the study was the Delphi Method, using the Q-Sort Technique, with the Thurstone and Chave Method of Equal Appearing Intervals. Using the Method of Equal Appearing Intervals, median scores and Q-Values were calculated for each characteristic. The 80th percentile was used to determine when a characteristic reached consensus. A panel of experts was chosen from among seven groups: (a) philosophers of education, (b) technology educators, (c) engineering educators, (d) scientists, (e) science educators, (f) classroom teachers, and (g) business and education support. The results of the study provide a clearer focus on what is meant by technological literacy. This study identified a list of 24 consensus items to be used as minimum characteristics of technological literacy for high school graduates. / Ed. D.

No description available.

A comercialização de produtos florestais não madeireiros (PFNMs) popularizou-se como atividade promotora do desenvolvimento socioeconômico de comunidades florestais com baixo impacto ambiental. Há evidências, contudo, de que a exploração possa produzir efeitos ecológicos e socioeconômicos negativos, sugerindo que é necessário monitorar tais iniciativas. A comercialização frequentemente ocorre em áreas remotas e em contextos de pobreza, como é o caso de muitas daquelas da Amazônia brasileira. Desta forma, é necessário que o monitoramento restrinja-se a avaliar os efeitos evidenciados como mais comuns em estudos anteriores. Este estudo revisa e sintetiza as evidências científicas dos efeitos da exploração de PFNMs sobre parâmetros ecológicos e socioeconômicos e, a partir daí, indica aqueles mais relevantes ao monitoramento. O estudo também levanta até que ponto o monitoramento é implementado no contexto da Amazônia brasileira e avalia quais os parâmetros importantes e viáveis de monitoramento neste caso específico. Para isso, foram realizadas revisões sistemáticas da literatura e a consulta a profissionais da área através do método Delphi. Os resultados indicam que efeitos ecológicos negativos são frequentes, principalmente quando se coletam folhas ou cascas. Alterações em órgãos ou processos fisiológicos e a taxa de sobrevivência dos espécimes explorados são parâmetros que devem ser monitorados, em particular quando se coletam frutos e partes vegetativas. Para todos os tipos de PFNMs, o tamanho e a estrutura populacional são parâmetros prioritários ao monitoramento. A riqueza de espécies da comunidade explorada merece atenção, principalmente quando se coletam frutos. Para os aspectos socioeconômicos, efeitos positivos foram mais frequentes que negativos. A contribuição da renda monetária obtida com o comércio na renda total, a regularidade de ingresso desta renda e o papel dos PFNMs como recursos de salvaguarda são parâmetros do capital financeiro prioritários ao monitoramento. Para o capital social, o empoderamento feminino, a coesão de grupo e o acesso aos benefícios gerados pela comercialização devem ser monitorados. Na Amazônia brasileira são poucas as iniciativas de implementação do monitoramento da comercialização de PFNMs. Embora este seja considerado importante, existem dificuldades que derivam principalmente da falta de apoio institucional, políticas de incentivo e de recursos financeiros. Os profissionais participantes do Delphi consideram que os parâmetros ecológicos mais importantes a monitorar neste contexto são o tamanho e a estrutura populacional do recurso explorado, o aumento da taxa de mortalidade, a quantidade total de recurso extraída e a técnica de coleta utilizada. Para os parâmetros econômicos, aspectos do mercado, como o preço pago ao coletor, a demanda e a qualidade do produto, bem como a renda monetária obtida pelos indivíduos são os parâmetros considerados mais importantes. Por fim, para os aspectos sociais, os efeitos na cultura, na qualidade de vida e na organização interna da comunidade foram priorizados. Os profissionais indicam que é viável estabelecer o monitoramento dos parâmetros levantados. / Amazon, non-timber forest products, ecological effects, socioeconomic effects, monitoring.