This study, conducted in the spring of 2005, was designed to assess the contribution of computer experience on primacy effect and satisficing in online survey formats. Although regression analysis found that survey format can predict primacy effect, computer experience did not add to the explanation of the variance in primacy effect. Similarly, survey format was found to be a predictor for satisficing, however, computer experience did not add to the explanation of the variance in satisficing. In addition, there was not a significant correlation between computer experience and the number of words used to answer open-ended questions. Lack of variability of computer experience among respondents was a limitation in this study. Six survey formats (answer choices listed visible vertical, visible horizontal, pull-down menu, or check-all-that-apply with two surveys for each formats; answer choices listed in forward order and answer choices listed in reverse) were used to test for primacy effect. Initial linear regressions revealed that 6 of the 85 questions resulted in a positive and significant beta indicating primacy effect. Further regression analysis compared horizontally listed answer choices and pull-down menu survey formats individually against the vertical and visible answer choice survey format to determine if survey format explained a significant proportion of the variance in primacy effect. The interaction between survey format and answer order did not produce a significant positive correlation with primacy effect, therefore further investigation of the contribution of computer experience on primacy effect in those two survey formats was not necessary. Linear regression showed that the check-all-that-apply answer format does significantly explain the variance in primacy effect, however further analysis showed that computer experience did not significantly explain additional variance in primacy effect. Regression analysis showed that satisficing was more evident in the matrix survey format when compared with the visible vertical survey format, however computer experience did not significantly explain the variance in satisficing in these two survey formats. Finally, regression analysis failed to show that computer experience had an effect on the number of words used to answer open-ended questions (an indication of satisficing). / Ph. D.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This thesis gathered survey data to investigate American willingness to participate in short-time compensation programs and what attributes found in other countries’ programs they find palatable. Because multiple workers in similar states were surveyed online, the data show what various workers need from a short-time compensation program.

Governments at all levels are faced with the challenge of transformation and the need to reinvent government systems in order to deliver efficient and cost effective services, information, and knowledge through information and communication technologies. Electronic government, or e-government, is defined as a way for governments to use the most innovative information and communication technologies, particularly web-based Internet applications, to provide citizens and businesses with more convenient access to government information and services, to improve the quality of the services, and to provide greater opportunities to participate in democratic institutions and processes. E-government presents a tremendous impetus to move forward in the 21st century with higher quality, cost-effective, government services, and a better relationship between citizens and government. Notwithstanding the tremendous potential of e-government applications to deliver public sector services more efficiently and effectively, the citizenry must adopt and continually leverage these virtual offerings, such as renewing a driver’s license, for measurable value to be gained. In the process of designing and developing Web-based services which offer citizens both appropriate information and worthwhile services that are more convenient than traditional government transactions, public sector agencies must thoroughly recognize the elements that impact citizen adoption of and satisfaction with e-government. This research considers theoretical foundations from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Web Trust Model (WTM), and SERVQUAL to form a parsimonious model of citizen adoption and satisfaction for e-government services. This theory-oriented framework unites three research areas by asserting that an amalgamation of factors – technology adoption, trust, and service quality – influence an individual’s adoption propensity and service quality perception. Significant findings suggest usefulness, or end-user convenience, to be the principal determinant of e-government adoption and satisfaction, unaffected even when controlling demographic variables such as race, income, and education are introduced. Additionally, future implications of this research are discussed.

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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Evidence based practice (EBP) is essential to the practice of nursing for purposes of promoting optimal patient outcomes. Research suggests that the implementation of EBP by staff nurses is problematic and influenced by beliefs, nursing leadership and the work environment. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine variables that describe the relationship among beliefs about EBP, the work environment and nursing leadership on the EBP implementation activities of the staff nurse. The variables of interest were 1) individual staff nurse characteristics, 2) beliefs about EBP, 3) the EBP work environment and 4) nursing leadership for EBP. A descriptive, quantitative method was used. A sample of 422 Registered Nurses from two urban hospitals (one Magnet and one non-Magnet) completed an online 58 item survey that included questions related to individual belief’s about EBP, the EBP work environment and nursing leadership for EBP as well as EBP implementation activities. Education, tenure and Magnet status were not significantly related to EBP implementation activities in either the univariate or multivariate analysis. EBP beliefs had a significantly positive relationship with EBP implementation activities in both the univariate and multivariate analyses. Work environment and nursing leadership support for EBP had significant positive relationships with self-reported implementation activities in only the univariate analysis. The most surprising finding was that there were no differences between Magnet and non-Magnet work environments for EBP implementation scores, yet the Magnet hospitals reported higher means on the EBP Beliefs Scale than the non-Magnet hospital. The results of this have implications for identifying and testing strategies to influence EBP implementation activities through development of nursing leadership skills for EBP and creating a more EBP friendly work environment.