Traffic-related injuries represent a global public health problem, and contribute largely to mortality and years lived with disability worldwide. Over the course of the last decades, improvements to road traffic safety and injury surveillance systems have resulted in a shift in focus from the prevention of motor vehicle accidents to the control of injury events involving vulnerable road users (VRUs), such as cyclists and moped riders. There have been calls for improvements to the evaluation of safety interventions due to methodological problems associated with the most commonly used study designs. The purpose of this licentiate thesis was to assess the strengths and limitations of the interrupted time series (ITS) design, which has gained some attention for its ability to provide valid effect estimates. Two national road safety interventions involving VRUs were selected as cases: the Swedish bicycle helmet law for children under the age 15, and the tightening of licensing rules for Class 1 mopeds. The empirical results suggest that both interventions were effective in improving the safety of VRUs. Unless other concurrent events affect the treatment population at the exact time of intervention, the effect estimates should be internally valid. One of the main limitations of the study design is the inability to identify why the interventions were successful, especially if they are complex and multifaceted. A lack of reliable exposure data can also pose a further threat to studies of interventions involving VRUs if the intervention can affect the exposure itself. It may also be difficult to generalize the exact effect estimates to other regions and populations. Future studies should consider the use of the ITS design to enhance the internal validity of before-after measurements. / Traffic-related injuries represent a global public health problem, and contribute largely to mortality and years lived with disability. Over the course of the last decades, improvements to road traffic safety and injury surveillance systems have resulted in a shift in focus from motor vehicle accidents to injury events involving vulnerable road users (VRUs), such as cyclists and moped riders. There have been calls for improvements to the evaluation of safety interventions due to methodological problems associated with the most commonly used study designs. The purpose of this licentiate thesis was to assess the strengths and limitations of the interrupted time series (ITS) design, which has gained some attention for its ability to provide valid effect estimates while accounting for secular trends. Two national interventions involving VRUs were selected as cases: the Swedish bicycle helmet law for children under the age 15, and the tightening of licensing rules for Class 1 mopeds. The empirical results suggest that both interventions were effective. These results are discussed in the light of some methodological considerations regarding internal and external validity, data quality and the ability to fully understand key causal mechanisms behind complex interventions.

The purpose of this master thesis is to study the correlation and meaning of current ideas and practice at the public library of Gothenburg. This was done by comparing the visions and ideas expressed by the library through the library plan, with how the daily practice looks. For the theoretical framework organizational theory is used and research data was collected both from public documents and through observations. The public library of Gothenburg were chosen for the study because of it's newly renovated facilities. The idea is that these facilities make a suitable study object of the current ideas and priorities of the public Swedish library in general.The results show that the public library practice in Sweden still rests on the original public library ideas such as offering information for free and treating every user as equal. It also shows the importance of legitimizing new activities by relating them to more familiar ingredients. When developing the organization it's critical for the library to remain recognizable as a public library to avoid damaging the brand name. The new facilities of the public library of Gothenburg do well to correspond to the ideas and visions expressed in the library plan. Generous opening hours and accessible facilities seem to help in attracting many visitors. Some questions are raised regardning the lack of dedicated reading rooms, when it is stated by the library that the meeting between the user and the information still should be regarded as the central aspect of the library practice. Room for improvment is also seen regarding the ambition of offering more ways of communication and participation. On the whole the realization of the library plan is deemed to be well on it's way, which is seen as a positive example of the much debated usefulness of the library plans. However, it is also noted in the study how some of the wide ambitions sometimes risks conflicting with each other.

Augmented Reality is one of the hottest trends in mobile media, yet there is a substantial lack of user studies within this field of research. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the value of mobile augmented reality as a vehicle for information delivery on the basis of a usability and design analysis. Using a multi-­dimensional qualitative method, this study examines the impressions of users and designers regarding mobile augmented reality, along with a heuristic evaluation of select mobile applications. This analysis finds that (1) users believe mobile augmented reality offers great promise as a medium for visual communication, and (2) it’s current execution is limited by technical restraints, design flaws and a lack of compelling content. It is concluded that mobile augmented reality will one day revolutionize how consumers engage geographical and time-basedinformation. Yet, like all new technologies, mobile augmented reality needs time to mature in order to address these limitations. Finally, based on the findings of this study, this thesis offers suggested guidelines for future developments in this medium. / Department of Telecommunications

Mobile television ( TV ) is a relatively new and unknown field of communication. Thus, role players in this field of communication find themselves in a new context for relationship. This raises the question as to what the key challenges in the relationship between content providers and users in mobile TV involve. More specifically, the following questions should be answered. Does mobile TV display particular characteristics of new media? If so, then how could content providers meet the challenge of understanding the user profile in mobile TV as a new medium? Also, how could content providers meet the challenge of adapting content provision according to the user experience of mobile TV as a new medium? This research paper explores these questions through means of an explorative literature study of relevant sources. Firstly, it provides a conceptual framework of mobile TV as well as an understanding of mobile TV within the greater context of new media. Secondly, it presents a means to understand the user profile in mobile N as a new medium. Lastly, it presents practical aspects that need to be considered when providing content for mobile TV as a new medium. The findings of the study can be summarised as follows: (a) Mobile TV portrays particular new media characteristics, such as, digitalisation, interactivity, hypertext, dispersal and virtuality. (b) A market-led approach should be employed in order to understand the user profile. (c) Mobile N content production should be integrated into the production process with the requirement that it is of a high quality and meets the technical and feasible limitations of the medium. / Thesis (M.A. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

During services of the Reformed Churches of South Africa (RCSA), certain psalms and Biblical hymns are used frequently, while others are almost never used. The objective of this study is to determine how the Psalter of 2003 can be used optimally. The model of Zerfass is used for the investigation. The final results of the study are presented in the form of a model that can enrich the optimal use of the Psalter 2003 as means of communication in the liturgy of the RCSA. In Chapters 2 and 3, a basic-theoretical investigation is conducted, with reference to perspectives from Scripture and history. The investigation reveals that music and songs had already played an important role in the church of the Old Testament, and that the Psalms had had a significant influence on the liturgy and the faith. In the New Testament, new hymns are found that supplement those from the Old Testament. The form in which these hymns were composed, was closely connected to the context whence these songs arose. The communication that a hymn effects, is achieved jointly by word and music, in the church of the New Testament and subsequently. Since the Reformation, a degree of separation arose between the songs used in the church and outside, but mutual influences are observed. In Chapters 4 and 5, attention is paid to metatheoretical perspectives, first in communication science, then in hymnology. It is in their singing that the congregation participates in the worship of a church service. Such singing is indeed the basic form of participation, which promotes communication among members of the congregation. In judging a metrical version of a Psalm, attention should especially be paid to the content, style of the text and the melody. In the empirical investigation, qualitative and quantitative methods are used. The investigation proceeds in three phases. In the first phase, information is obtained about the hymns that were sung in a number of congregations in the course of a year. In the second phase, a questionnaire was set and sent to ministers, organists and members of congregations. In the final phase, interviews were conducted with ministers and organists from five congregations. The data show that the hymn occupies an important place in the liturgy. However, the investigation reveals that this point of departure is not fully realised in practice, and some shortcomings are identified. In particular, there is a need for extension of the hymnody, especially by hymns from the New Testament. In Chapter 7, an indication is given of the factors that constrain the optimal use of the Psalter 2003 as means of worship in the church service. The most important problems are: • the incomplete utilisation of the full collection of hymns in the Psalter, • the underuse of the 2001 metrical version, • the repeated use of a small subset of hymns, • problems with the melodies and liturgical usefulness, • limitations in the training of ministers and organists, • resistance to the 2001 metrical version, • a lack of proper programmes to practice the new hymns, and • inadequate support and encouragement by church councils in respect of improving the skills of organists. In view of these problems, a model is proposed, which identifies the relationships among the role players / elements necessary to promote worshipping through singing: • the users of the Psalter 2001, viz. Ministers, organists and members of the congregations, together with the role of the church council, • the Psalter 2003 as hymn book, and • the possible extension of the current corpus of hymns. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Liturgics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

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.

During services of the Reformed Churches of South Africa (RCSA), certain psalms and Biblical hymns are used frequently, while others are almost never used. The objective of this study is to determine how the Psalter of 2003 can be used optimally. The model of Zerfass is used for the investigation. The final results of the study are presented in the form of a model that can enrich the optimal use of the Psalter 2003 as means of communication in the liturgy of the RCSA. In Chapters 2 and 3, a basic-theoretical investigation is conducted, with reference to perspectives from Scripture and history. The investigation reveals that music and songs had already played an important role in the church of the Old Testament, and that the Psalms had had a significant influence on the liturgy and the faith. In the New Testament, new hymns are found that supplement those from the Old Testament. The form in which these hymns were composed, was closely connected to the context whence these songs arose. The communication that a hymn effects, is achieved jointly by word and music, in the church of the New Testament and subsequently. Since the Reformation, a degree of separation arose between the songs used in the church and outside, but mutual influences are observed. In Chapters 4 and 5, attention is paid to metatheoretical perspectives, first in communication science, then in hymnology. It is in their singing that the congregation participates in the worship of a church service. Such singing is indeed the basic form of participation, which promotes communication among members of the congregation. In judging a metrical version of a Psalm, attention should especially be paid to the content, style of the text and the melody. In the empirical investigation, qualitative and quantitative methods are used. The investigation proceeds in three phases. In the first phase, information is obtained about the hymns that were sung in a number of congregations in the course of a year. In the second phase, a questionnaire was set and sent to ministers, organists and members of congregations. In the final phase, interviews were conducted with ministers and organists from five congregations. The data show that the hymn occupies an important place in the liturgy. However, the investigation reveals that this point of departure is not fully realised in practice, and some shortcomings are identified. In particular, there is a need for extension of the hymnody, especially by hymns from the New Testament. In Chapter 7, an indication is given of the factors that constrain the optimal use of the Psalter 2003 as means of worship in the church service. The most important problems are: • the incomplete utilisation of the full collection of hymns in the Psalter, • the underuse of the 2001 metrical version, • the repeated use of a small subset of hymns, • problems with the melodies and liturgical usefulness, • limitations in the training of ministers and organists, • resistance to the 2001 metrical version, • a lack of proper programmes to practice the new hymns, and • inadequate support and encouragement by church councils in respect of improving the skills of organists. In view of these problems, a model is proposed, which identifies the relationships among the role players / elements necessary to promote worshipping through singing: • the users of the Psalter 2001, viz. Ministers, organists and members of the congregations, together with the role of the church council, • the Psalter 2003 as hymn book, and • the possible extension of the current corpus of hymns. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Liturgics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

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.

Studien har gjorts mot bakgrund av den pågående diskussionen gällande införandet av sprutbytesverksamhet i Jönköpings län och vill till den diskussionen tillföra de skilda erfarenheterna som finns i fyra olika existerande sprutbytesprogrammen i Sverige, att jämföra likheter och skillnader i praxis och att relatera dessa erfarenheter till deras mål och resurser. Trots att lagen om sprutbyte trädde i kraft år 2006 är sprutbyte fortfarande ett kontroversiellt ämne i Sverige. I denna omtvistade form av preventiv verksamhet finns det dock en viktig del som gör ämnet mer relevant och det är de goda, sociala bieffekter som programmen medför. Dessa omnämns i studien som paramedicinsk vård. Metoden som ligger till grund för studien är kvalitativa, semistrukturerade intervjuer. Materialet har sedan analyserats för betydelsen av sitt innehåll och genom organisationsteori. Utgångspunkten är avhandlingar, vetenskapliga artiklar och litteratur i ämnet sprutbyte. Vid sprutbytesprogrammen i Sverige skiljer sig uppfattningarna åt gällande behovet och implementeringen av den paramedicinska vården i verksamheten. Likaså går åsikterna isär mellan de forskare, politiker och professionellt verksamma som intervjuats. En gemensam nämnare är dock synen på paramedicin i stort som något betydelsefullt för personer i aktivt missbruk, oavsett om det är landstinget eller socialtjänsten som bedriver den. Studiens konklusion blir således att denna form av verksamhet kräver ett holistiskt perspektiv av den vård som ska bedrivas. Samarbete utanför landstingens och kommunens gränser verkar gynnande. Landstinget har större inflytande än kommunen men kommunen har å andra sidan större resurser när det gäller paramedicinska vårdinsatser. I de landsting där eventuella sprutbytesverksamheter diskuteras kan studien ge exempel på goda respektive mindre goda paramedicinska insatser vid de program som idag är verksamma. / In light of the ongoing discussion regarding the possible introduction of needle exchange programs in Jönköping county, this study aims to compare similarities and differences in practice at four different needle exchange programs in Sweden and to relate these experiences to their objectives and resources. Despite the fact that the law of needle exchange entered into force 2006, needle exchange programs are still a controversial subject of discussion in Sweden. In this contested form of infection care there is an important part though which makes the subject more legitimate. That is the positive social side effects which come as a result of the programs. These effects are mentioned in the study as paramedic care. The method underlying the study is qualitative, semi structured interviews. The material has been analyzed for the relevance of its content and also through organization theory. The starting point is theses, scientific articles and literature on the subject of needle exchange. At the needle exchange programs in Sweden the perceptions regarding the need for and the implementation of paramedical care differs as well as the views of researchers, politicians and professionally active that we interviewed on the subject. A common denominator, however, is the perception of paramedical care at large as something significant for people in active addiction, whether it is the country council or the social services that engaged in it. The conclusion of the study is thus that this form of activities requires a holistic perspective of the care that should be conducted. Cooperation outside the county and municipal boundaries seems favorable. The county councils have more influence than the municipalities but the municipalities on the other hand have greater resources in terms of paramedical care efforts. In the county councils where any needle exchange activities are up for discussion this study could give examples on favorable and less favorable paramedical activities at programs that are currently active.

Information technology (IT) has become pervasive in the healthcare industry. Many view the Internet as a strategic healthcare tool. The Medical Records Institute suggests that Internet-based health applications (IHA), for example, electronic health records, e-prescribing, and mobile health are the goals of most healthcare organizations (2002). The use of the Internet for electronic medical records, e-billing and patient scheduling can enable the health care industry to reduce its inefficiencies and errors in care delivery (HlMSS/IBM Leadership Survey, 2000). While the use of IT in healthcare has increased tremendously, key players, specifically physicians still have not fully embraced the valuable resource of the Internet. Despite the purported advantages of lT investments in healthcare many doctors do not widely use Internet-based health applications in their clinical practices. Physicians often misunderstand the functions and full potential of the Internet (Wang & Song, 1997). Health & Health Care 20 I0 report that less than 5% of physicians use computers to record all clinical information for an average patient. The present study examined physicians' intentions to adopt Internet-based health applications for use in their clinical practices. This research reports on the test-retest reliability of the extended Technology Acceptance Model-TAM2 (Venkatesh & Davis, 2000). Data were collected from a survey of pediatricians to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the model in the medical environment. Results from the study indicate that TAM2 is appropriate but not completely applicable to the unique characteristic of physicians. The test-retest indicated reliable results with the exception of the result demonstrability construct. The results of multiple regression analyses indicated that perceived ease of use was not significant in predicting physicians' behavioral intentions in this study. As theorized the primary predictor variable perceived usefulness was a strong determinant of intention to use. Results indicate that physicians tend to be pragmatic in their IT acceptance decisions. Physicians focus more on the technology's usefulness rather than its ease of use. This dissertation discusses the implications, limitations and presents possible explanations for the inconsistencies within the extended technology acceptance model when it is applied to a professional group not commonly examined in IS research. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 168-180). / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xv, 180 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm