<p>Chronic low back pain is the second most prevalent chronic condition in Canadian primary care settings. The treatment and diagnosis of chronic pain is challenging for primary care clinicians. Their main challenges are lack of knowledge and their approach toward assessing and treating pain. Evidence based guidelines have been developed for neuropathic pain and low back pain.</p> <p>CDSSs for chronic diseases are becoming popular in primary care settings as a mean to implement CPGs. A CDSS prototype for diagnosis and treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain in primary care was developed at McMaster University. It is evident that poor usability can hinder the uptake of health information technologies.</p> <p>The objective of this study was to test the usability of Pain Assistant using think aloud protocols with SUS scores in 2 iterations. In this study 13 primary care providers including family physicians, nurse practitioners and residents used Pain Assistant to complete 3 different patient case scenarios. Participants were asked to comment on both barriers and facilitators of usability of Pain Assistant. Additionally time to complete patient case scenarios was calculated for each participant. A comparison questionnaire gathered user preference between introducing CPGs in paper format and computerized decision support system.</p> <p>This study showed that iterative usability testing of the Pain Assistant with participation of real-end users has the potential to uncover usability issues of the Pain Assistant. Problems of user interface were the main usability barrier in first testing iteration following by problems of content. Changes were made to system design for second round based on the issues came up in the first iteration. However, because of time constrains not all the changes were implemented for second round of testing. Most of the refinements were to resolve user interface issues. In the second iteration, the problems with the content of Pain Assistant were the major barrier. The changes to the system design were successful in resolving user interface problems since the changed issues did not come up again in second round. Pain Assistant had an above the average usability score however no significant changes seen in SUS score. The time needed to complete tasks remained identical in both iterations. In addition, participants preferred to have CPGs in electronic formats than paper. Further study after implementing all the system changes needed to determine the effectiveness of system refinements.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

[EN] Software development projects are diverse in nature. For this reason, software companies are often forced to define their methods in-house. In order to define methods efficiently and effectively, software companies require systematic solutions that are built upon sound methodical foundations. Providing these solutions is the main goal of the Method Engineering discipline. Method Engineering is the discipline to design, construct, and adapt methods, techniques, and tools for the development of information systems. Over the last two decades, a lot of research work has been performed in this area. However, despite its potential benefits, Method Engineering is not widely used in industrial settings. Some of the causes of this reality are the high theoretical complexity of Method Engineering and the lack of adequate software support. In this thesis, we aim to mitigate some of the problems that affect Method Engineering by providing a novel methodological approach that is built upon Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) foundations. The use of MDE enables a rise in abstraction, automation, and reuse that allows us to alleviate the complexity of our Method Engineering approach. Furthermore, by leveraging MDE techniques (such as metamodeling, model transformations, and models at runtime), our approach supports three phases of the Method Engineering lifecycle: design, implementation, and execution. This is unlike traditional Method Engineering approaches, which, in general, only support one of these phases. In order to provide software support for our proposal, we developed a Computer-Aided Method Engineering (CAME) environment that is called MOSKitt4ME. To ensure that MOSKitt4ME offered the necessary functionality, we identified a set of functional requirements prior to developing the tool. Then, after these requirements were identified, we defined the architecture of our CAME environment, and, finally, we implemented the architecture in the context of Eclipse. The thesis work was evaluated by means of a study that involved the participation of end users. In this study, MOSKitt4ME was assessed by means of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Think Aloud method. While the TAM allowed us to measure usefulness and ease of use in a subjective manner, the Think Aloud method allowed us to analyze these measures objectively. Overall, the results were favorable. MOSKitt4ME was highly rated in perceived usefulness and ease of use; we also obtained positive results with respect to the users' actual performance and the difficulty experienced. / [ES] Los proyectos de desarrollo de software son diversos por naturaleza. Por este motivo, las compañías de software se ven forzadas frecuentemente a definir sus métodos de manera interna. Para poder definir métodos de forma efectiva y eficiente, las compañías necesitan soluciones sistemáticas que estén definidas sobre unos fundamentos metodológicos sólidos. Proporcionar estas soluciones es el principal objetivo de la Ingeniería de Métodos. La Ingeniería de Métodos es la disciplina que aborda el diseño, la construcción y la adaptación de métodos, técnicas y herramientas para el desarrollo de sistemas de información. Durante las dos últimas décadas, se ha llevado a cabo mucho trabajo de investigación en esta área. Sin embargo, pese a sus potenciales beneficios, la Ingeniería de Métodos no se aplica ampliamente en contextos industriales. Algunas de las principales causas de esta situación son la alta complejidad teórica de la Ingeniería de Métodos y la falta de un apropiado soporte software. En esta tesis, pretendemos mitigar algunos de los problemas que afectan a la Ingeniería de Métodos proporcionando una propuesta metodológica innovadora que está basada en la Ingeniería Dirigida por Modelos (MDE). El uso de MDE permite elevar el nivel de abstracción, automatización y reuso, lo que posibilita una reducción de la complejidad de nuestra propuesta. Además, aprovechando técnicas de MDE (como por ejemplo el metamodelado, las transformaciones de modelos y los modelos en tiempo de ejecución), nuestra aproximación da soporte a tres fases del ciclo de vida de la Ingeniería de Métodos: diseño, implementación y ejecución. Esto es a diferencia de las propuestas existentes, las cuales, por lo general, sólo dan soporte a una de estas fases. Con el objetivo de proporcionar soporte software para nuestra propuesta, implementamos una herramienta CAME (Computer-Aided Method Engineering) llamada MOSKitt4ME. Para garantizar que MOSKitt4ME proporcionaba la funcionalidad necesaria, definimos un conjunto de requisitos funcionales como paso previo al desarrollo de la herramienta. Tras la definción de estos requisitos, definimos la arquitectura de la herramienta CAME y, finalmente, implementamos la arquitectura en el contexto de Eclipse. El trabajo desarrollado en esta tesis se evaluó por medio de un estudio donde participaron usuarios finales. En este estudio, MOSKitt4ME se evaluó por medio del Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) y del método Think Aloud. Mientras que el TAM permitió medir utilidad y facilidad de uso de forma subjetiva, el método Think Aloud permitió analizar estas medidas objetivamente. En general, los resultados obtenidos fueron favorables. MOSKitt4ME fue valorado de forma positiva en cuanto a utilidad y facilidad de uso percibida; además, obtuvimos resultados positivos en cuanto al rendimiento objetivo de los usuarios y la dificultad experimentada. / [CA] Els projectes de desenvolupament de programari són diversos per naturalesa. Per aquest motiu, les companyies es veuen forçades freqüenment a definir els seus mètodes de manera interna. Per poder definir mètodes de forma efectiva i eficient, les companyies necessiten solucions sistemàtiques que estiguin definides sobre uns fundaments metodològics sòlids. Proporcionar aquestes solucions és el principal objectiu de l'Enginyeria de Mètodes. L'Enginyeria de Mètodes és la disciplina que aborda el diseny, la construcció i l'adaptació de mètodes, tècniques i eines per al desenvolupament de sistemes d'informació. Durant les dues últimes dècades, s'ha dut a terme molt de treball de recerca en aquesta àrea. No obstant, malgrat els seus potencials beneficis, l'Enginyeria de Mètodes no s'aplica àmpliament en contextes industrials. Algunes de les principals causes d'aquesta situació són l'alta complexitat teòrica de l'Enginyeria de Mètodes i la falta d'un apropiat suport de programari. En aquesta tesi, pretenem mitigar alguns dels problemes que afecten a l'Enginyeria de Mètodes proporcionant una proposta metodològica innovadora que està basada en l'Enginyeria Dirigida per Models (MDE). L'ús de MDE ens permet elevar el nivell d'abstracció, automatització i reutilització, possibilitant una reducció de la complexitat de la nostra proposta. A més a més, aprofitant tècniques de MDE (com per exemple el metamodelat, les transformacions de models i els models en temps d'execució), la nostra aproximació suporta tres fases del cicle de vida de l'Enginyeria de Mètodes: diseny, implementació i execució. Açò és a diferència de les propostes existents, les quals, en general, només suporten una d'aquestes fases. Amb l'objectiu de proporcionar suport de programari per a la nostra proposta, implementàrem una eina CAME (Computer-Aided Method Engineering) anomenada MOSKitt4ME. Per garantir que MOSKitt4ME oferia la funcionalitat necessària, definírem un conjunt de requisits funcionals com a pas previ al desenvolupament de l'eina. Després de la definició d'aquests requisits, definírem la arquitectura de l'eina CAME i, finalment, implementàrem l'arquitectura en el contexte d'Eclipse. El treball desenvolupat en aquesta tesi es va avaluar per mitjà d'un estudi on van participar usuaris finals. En aquest estudi, MOSKitt4ME es va avaluar per mitjà del Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) i el mètode Think Aloud. Mentre que el TAM va permetre mesurar utilitat i facilitat d'ús de manera subjectiva, el mètode Think Aloud va permetre analitzar aquestes mesures objectivament. En general, els resultats obtinguts van ser favorables. MOSKitt4ME va ser valorat de forma positiva pel que fa a utilitat i facilitat d'ús percebuda; a més a més, vam obtenir resultats positius pel que fa al rendiment objectiu dels usuaris i a la dificultat experimentada. / Cervera Úbeda, M. (2015). A Model-Driven Approach for the Design, Implementation, and Execution of Software Development Methods [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/53931

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Cette thèse doctorale porte sur l’apprentissage du raisonnement clinique infirmier (RCI) par une stratégie éducative numérique qui s’appuie sur la notion de la concordance de scripts. Elle repose sur un devis de recherche multiméthode visant le développement, la mise à l’essai et l’évaluation de la stratégie éducative auprès d’étudiants au premier cycle de formation universitaire en sciences infirmières à l’Université de Montréal. La thèse, qui comporte cinq chapitres, est rédigée selon le mode de présentation par articles. L’étude a été orientée par un cadre de référence incluant la théorie des scripts relevant des sciences cognitives de l’apprentissage et l’approche pédagogique de compagnonnage cognitif. Un devis de recherche multiméthode intégrant un devis de recherche-développement, une étude descriptive qualitative et une étude de cas multiples a été privilégié. Des experts collaborateurs (n = 5), des experts-panélistes (n = 12) et des étudiants (n = 45) ont participé à l’étude. Les résultats montrent que l’approche de recherche-développement a contribué à bonifier l’élaboration de la stratégie éducative numérique basée sur la concordance de scripts (SENBCS) et à assurer sa validation. Globalement, les étudiants ont apprécié la SENBCS, notamment la rétroaction variée et formative d’experts et l’opportunité d’apprendre la priorisation des hypothèses infirmières. L’intégration d’un devis descriptif a soutenu l’identification des stratégies d’apprentissage chez les étudiants lors de l’utilisation de la SENBCS. Les résultats montrent que les étudiants ont sollicité certaines stratégies d’apprentissage cognitives de traitement et d’exécution des données ainsi que des stratégies métacognitives d’autorégulation. Les résultats de l’étude de cas multiples montrent que les étudiants mettent en évidence certains processus cognitifs du RCI, à l’aide des vignettes du test de concordance de scripts (TCS) et de la pensée à voix haute, notamment : la représentation précoce d’une situation clinique, la transformation sémantique des données et la confrontation d’hypothèses. La SENBCS améliore la visibilité des savoirs d’experts, lesquels sont absents dans une classe traditionnelle ou même en stage clinique. Cela constitue une avancée certaine que de considérer l’apport des stratégies éducatives numériques dans les programmes de formation universitaire en sciences infirmières ou dans d’autres programmes pour soutenir le développement du raisonnement clinique. L’étude a permis de mettre à profit une riche documentation scientifique entourant l’élaboration de la SENBCS. Les résultats informent au regard de son utilisation efficiente afin qu’elle soit complémentaire à d’autres stratégies éducatives pour soutenir plus globalement la complexité de l’apprentissage du RCI. Des retombées pour les cinq domaines de la pratique infirmière sont générées par cette étude, elles offrent certaines pistes qui pourraient favoriser l’apprentissage du RCI. L’une d’elles vise à favoriser l’articulation des connaissances et de solliciter fréquemment des microjugements pour confronter et différencier des hypothèses relevant de l’incertitude de la pratique clinique, sous-entendant des apprentissages par couches successives. / This doctoral thesis focuses on learning clinical reasoning in nursing using a digital educational strategy based on the notion of script concordance. The thesis is based on a multi-method research design aimed at developing, testing and evaluating an educational strategy for undergraduate students in nursing at the University of Montreal. The thesis, which has five chapters, is written according to the mode of presentation by journal articles. This study was guided by a framework based on script theory, from cognitive science, and the pedagogical approach of cognitive companionship. A multi-method research design integrating a research-development approach, a descriptive qualitative study and a multiple case study was used. Collaborative experts (n=5), expert panellists (n=12) and students (n=45) participated in the study. The results show that the research-development approach enriched the development of a digital education strategy based on script concordance (DESBCS) while ensuring its validation. Overall, students appreciated the DESBCS, especially the varied and formative feedback received from experts while learning how to prioritize nursing hypotheses. A descriptive qualitative study design facilitated the identification of student learning strategies. Results demonstrate that when using a DESBCS, students used certain cognitive apprenticeship strategies for data processing and execution as well as for metacognitive self-monitoring. The results from the multiple case study show that students practised certain cognitive processes of clinical reasoning in nursing, using the vignettes from the script concordance test (SCT) and a think aloud approach, in particular: the early representation of a clinical situation, the semantic transformation of data and the confrontation of hypotheses. The DESBCS improves the visibility of expert knowledge usually absent in a traditional class or even in clinical training. It is a definite advancement to consider the contribution of digital educational strategies in university nursing education programs, or in other programs, to support the development of clinical reasoning. This study highlights the use of a wealth of scientific documentation surrounding the development of DESBCS. Study results inform instructors about effective DESBSC use to make it complementary to other educational strategies by supporting the complexities of learning clinical reasoning in nursing. Implications for the five domains of nursing practice emerge from this study and offer avenues to promote learning and development of clinical reasoning in nursing. One of these aims to promote knowledge articulation and the frequent solicitation of microjudgments to confront and differentiate hypotheses that arise from the uncertainty of clinical practice, implying learning in successive layers.

(English) The dissertation presents the findings of a mixed method research project aimed at analysing the process of reading in Modern Standard Arabic. Think aloud method represents the main instrument for collecting qualitative data in the form of verbal reports that the students produce while taking a test of reading comprehension. The test is used as an instrument for distinguishing good and poor readers whose reading strategies are analysed using protocol analyses. The resulting codes of reading strategies are then categorized and their specificities are discussed at length. Key words: Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic as a second language, construct of reading, reading comprehension, proficiency testing, reading aloud, reading strategies, think aloud, verbal protocols, validity.

This diploma thesis discusses a modern concept of information retrieval and search engines for libraries and other academic institutions. The concept named "web scale discovery" comprises of search engines, whose main characteristics lie in simplicity and user friendliness for the end users while maintaining all functional qualities of traditional research databases. Users can search in a wide variety of international research databases, and also in local sources of an institution that are combined within a large central index. The theoretical section presents definitions of web scale discovery, which conceptually set the new method of information retrieval within the field of information and library science. A graphic scheme of the basic functionality of a web scale discovery system is presented. Also discussed are requirements for a modern discovery system, an overview of the current situation in the Czech Republic, and a short characteristic of commercially available discovery systems. The theoretical part concludes with a literature review of selected foreign research, studying user satisfaction with the new solution, the impact on electronic and print resources in libraries, and usability testing. The practical part presents an original research study - usability testing of EBSCO Discovery...