Anthropogenic activities including urbanization, rapid industrialization, deforestation and burning of fossil fuels are broadly agreed on as primary causes for ongoing climate change. Scientists agree that climate change over the next century will continue to impact water resources with serious implications including storm surge flooding and a sea level rise projected for North America. To date, the majority of climate change studies conducted across the globe have been for large-sized watersheds; more attention is required to assess the impact of climate change on smaller watersheds, which can help to better frame sustainable water management strategies. In the first of three studies described in this dissertation, trends in annual precipitation and air-temperature across the Commonwealth of Kentucky were evaluated using the non-parametric Mann-Kendall test considering meteorological time series data from 84 weather stations. Results indicated that while annual precipitation and mean annual temperature have been stable for most of Kentucky over the period 1950-2010, there is evidence of increases (averages of 4.1 mm/year increase in annual precipitation and 0.01 °C/year in mean annual temperature) along the borders of the Kentucky. Considered in its totality, available information indicates that climate change will occur – indeed, it is occurring – and while much of the state might not clearly indicate it at present, Kentucky will almost certainly not be exempt from its effects. Spatial analysis of the trend results indicated that eastern part of the state, which is characterized by relatively high elevations, has been experiencing decreasing trends in precipitation. In the second study, trends and variability of seven extreme precipitation indices (total precipitation on wet days, PRCPTOT; maximum length of dry and wet periods, CDD and CWD, respectively; number of days with precipitation depth ≥20 mm, R20mm; maximum five-day precipitation depth, RX5day; simple daily precipitation intensity, SDII; and standardized precipitation index, SPI were analyzed for the Kentucky River Basin for both baseline period of 1986-2015 and the late-century time frame of 2070-2099. For the baseline period, the majority of the indices demonstrated increasing trends; however, statistically significant trends were found for only ~11% of station-index combinations of the 16 weather stations considered. Projected magnitudes for PRCPTOT, CDD, CWD, RX5day and SPI, indices associated with the macroweather regime, demonstrated general consistency with trends previously identified and indicated modest increases in PRCPTOT and CWD, slight decreases in CDD, mixed results for RX5day, and increased non-drought years in the late century relative to the baseline period. The study’s findings indicate that future conditions might be characterized by more rainy days but fewer large rainfall events; this might lead to a scenario of increased average annual rainfall but, at the same time, increased water scarcity during times of maximum demand. In the third and final study, the potential impact of climate change on hydrologic processes and droughts over the Kentucky River basin was studied using the watershed model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The SWAT model was successfully calibrated and validated and then forced with forecasted precipitation and temperature outputs from a suite of CMIP5 global climate model (GCMs) corresponding to two different representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and 8.5) for two time periods: 2036-2065 and 2070-2099, referred to as mid-century and late-century, respectively. Climate projections indicate that there will be modest increases in average annual precipitation and temperature in the future compared to the baseline (1976-2005) period. Monthly variations of water yield and surface runoff demonstrated an increasing trend in spring and autumn, while winter months are projected as having decreasing trends. In general, maximum drought length is expected to increase, while drought intensity might decrease under future climatic conditions. Hydrological droughts (reflective of water availability), however, are predicted to be less intense but more persistent than meteorological droughts (which are more reflective of only meteorological variables). Results of this study could be helpful for preparing any climate change adaptation plan to ensure sustainable water resources in the Kentucky River Basin.

Der Übergang von Schule zu Hochschule verläuft unbefriedigend, wenn die Passung von Studieninteresse und Fähigkeiten der Studienanfänger_innen mit den Anforderungen des Studiums nicht optimal ist. An der Universität Jena werden ein Online Self-Assessment und ein lernbezogenes Beratungsangebot, aufbauend auf einer multimethodischen Bedarfsanalyse, entwickelt. Erste Ergebnisse zeigen den Zusammenhang von unrealistischen Erwartungen, geringer Studienzufriedenheit und erhöhter Abbruchneigung. Lernbezogene Präventionsstrategien hängen negativ mit erlebter Belastung durch Lernschwierigkeiten zusammen. Der Artikel stellt Ergebnisse der Bedarfsanalyse und die entstehenden Unterstützungsangebote vor.

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Caring relationships established between nurse managers and staff nurses promote positive work environments. However, research about staff nurses' perceptions of nurse manager caring behaviors is limited. A 94-item Caring Assessment Tool-Administration (CAT-adm©) was developed to measure staff nurses' perceptions of nurse managers' caring behaviors; however, it lacked robust psychometric testing. This study was undertaken to establish the CAT-adm© survey as a reliable and valid tool to measure staff nurses' perceptions of nurse managers' caring behaviors. The Quality-Caring Model® (QCM®) served as the theoretical framework. Specific aims were to 1) evaluate construct validity of the CAT-adm© survey by describing factors that account for variance in staff nurses' perceptions of nurse manager caring, 2) estimate internal consistency, and 3) conduct item reduction analysis. Four research questions were: 1) Will the factor structure of observed data fit an 8-factor solution? 2) What is the internal consistency reliability of the CAT- adm©? 3) What items can be reduced while maintaining an acceptable factor structure? and 4) What are staff nurses' perceptions of nurse manager caring behaviors? A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. A sample of 703 staff nurses from Midwestern, Midatlantic and Southern Regions of the U.S. completed the CAT-adm© survey electronically. Analysis included Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), univariate analysis, and descriptive statistics. CFA did not support an 8-factor solution. EFA supported a two-factor solution and demonstrated significant shared variance between the two factors. This shared variance supported a one-factor solution that could conceptually be labeled Caring Behaviors. Random selection reduced the scale to 25-items while maintaining a Cronbach's Alpha of .98. Using the new 25-item scale, the composite score mean of staff nurses' perceptions of nurse manager caring behaviors indicated a moderately high level of caring. Suggestions for nursing administration, nurse manager practice, leadership, education and for future research were given. The new 25-item CAT-adm© survey has acceptable reliability and validity. The 25-item CAT-adm© survey provides hospital administrators, nurse managers, and researchers with an instrument to collect valuable information about the caring behaviors used by nurse managers in relationship with staff nurses.

Svenska kraftnät is the transmission system operator in Sweden, their responsibilities include renewing and expanding the existing transmission system to keep up with the rising demand for electricity. The ongoing climate crisis demands the process of expanding the transmission system to be as sustainable as possible. One way to do this is to use CEEQUAL, a point based, third party sustainability assessment tool for construction projects. The aim of this project is to estimate what CEEQUAL score the projects of Svenska kraftnät could achieve based on their current sustainability work. The aim also includes to determine what actions needs to be taken to improve that score, together with a cost analysis and interviews of the experiences from other CEEQUAL users.  By studying the sustainability work of Svenska kraftnät and translating this to CEEQUALs credits, a calculation of the current level of sustainability was determined as 44 percent. This equals the CEEQUAL level Pass. Further investigation revealed that to improve to the level Good, there needs to be more clear goals for a project sustainability and a business model for a circular economy among other things. For a higher score, reaching the level Very Good, there needs to be a life cycle analysis for new construction projects and better CO2-emission calculations.  A cost analysis revealed that it is hard to determine the cost of using CEEQUAL beforehand due to unforeseeable costs. Interviewing external users of CEEQUAL shows that using CEEQUAL is beneficial to improve the sustainability of a project and creates a common goal for the team members. A downside to using CEEQUAL is the administrative work it demands as well as the bureaucracy.  All in all, using CEEQUAL in all Svenska kraftnäts construction project could not be seen as beneficial. It would be beneficial to create a decision report tool for projects that help teams make sustainable choices for the projects. This would preferably be done together with distribution system operators in Sweden and transmission system operators in neighboring countries for a tool adapted to their operations and aspirations.

No description available.

Le sens du nombre est un des piliers des apprentissages en arithmétique. Son acquisition permet, entre autres, de comprendre notre système de numération. Dans les années 1980, des chercheures se sont intéressées aux difficultés associées à l’apprentissage de la numération et ont énoncé une série de recommandations pour favoriser la compréhension de ce concept. Ces recherches sont encore aujourd’hui des recherches phares et plusieurs études s’en sont inspirées. Des études plus récentes montrent cependant que les difficultés liées à l’apprentissage de la numération demeurent les mêmes pour les élèves d’aujourd’hui. L’objectif général de la présente recherche est de mieux comprendre comment se développe le sens du nombre et de la numération, de la petite enfance jusqu’à l’âge de 7-8 ans et de faire ressortir les conditions qui favorisent ce développement. Des recherches montrent que le développement du sens du nombre s’appuie sur la construction de représentations mentales dynamiques et imagées. Pour favoriser cette construction, les élèves doivent avoir accès à des représentations concrètes et imagées aussi variées que fécondes. Des tâches de résolution de problèmes dans lesquelles les élèves s’engagent doivent aussi être prévues pour favoriser les apprentissages. Des recherches montrent enfin que le sens du nombre peut être décrit sous forme de continuum qui se développe du préscolaire à l’âge adulte. Or, aucune étude connue ne s’est intéressée à ce type de progression et n’a tenté d’identifier les conditions qui favorisent ce développement en tenant compte des éléments ci-haut mentionnés. Dans la présente recherche, une proposition de continuum du sens du nombre et de la numération de la petite enfance à 8 ans, s’appuyant sur ces recherches, a été établie. Ce continuum identifie les éléments clés du développement de la compréhension des élèves. Un outil d’évaluation a été construit. Il permet de situer l’élève sur ce continuum. Une séquence didactique a été mise en place. Elle donne l’occasion à l’élève de développer sa compréhension selon ce continuum. Ces instruments s’adressent aux élèves de la fin de la 2e année et du début de la 3e année, soit des enfants de 7-8 ans. La construction de ces instruments constitue un des objectifs spécifiques de cette recherche. Un deuxième objectif est de vérifier la viabilité en contexte de ces instruments auprès de professionnels de l’éducation. Les objectifs de l’étude ont été atteints : les instruments ont été créés, puis leur viabilité en contexte a été évaluée par des professionnels du milieu de l’éducation. Selon l’analyse qualitative des commentaires des participants, l’outil d’évaluation permettrait d’évaluer le niveau de développement du sens du nombre des élèves et de dépister ceux qui ont des difficultés à apprendre ces concepts. Il donnerait aussi l’occasion aux élèves de développer leur sens du nombre, selon leur niveau de compréhension, à travers une séquence d’activités. Une analyse fine des commentaires fait clairement ressortir que le sens du nombre, de même que les conditions à mettre en place pour favoriser son développement, n’occupent pas une assez grande place dans l’enseignement actuel de l’arithmétique au primaire ni dans le Programme de formation de l’école québécoise. Il demeure cependant un prédicteur important de réussite scolaire. C’est pour cette raison que d’autres travaux doivent porter sur les concepts ciblés dans la présente étude afin de mieux accompagner les élèves et leurs enseignants vers la réussite. / Number sense is one of the pillars of learning arithmetic. Its acquisition allows, among other things, to understand our decimal and positional numeral system. In the 1980s, researchers became interested in the difficulties associated with learning numeration by elementary school children. They proposed a framework and a series of recommendation to promote the understanding of this concept. Their research is still a reference today and several studies have been inspired by it. More recent studies, however, show that the difficulties associated with learning numeration remain the same for today’s students. The general objective of this research is to better understand how number sense develops from infancy up to the age of 7-8 years and to highlight the conditions that increase this development. Research shows that the development of number sense and the understanding of mathematical concepts is based on the construction of dynamic and image-based mental representations. To promote this construction, students must be given access to concrete and image-based representations that are as varied as they are fruitful. Problem-solving tasks in which students are called upon to engage must also be included in the planning of mathematical activities to promote student learning. Finally, research shows that number sense can be described as a continuum that develops from preschool to adult life. However, no known study has been focusing on in this type of progression leading to the understanding of numeration and has attempted to identify the conditions to promote the development of number sense by taking into account the above-mentioned elements. In the present study, a proposal for a number sense continuum, from infancy to age 8, has been established. This continuum identifies key elements in the development of student understanding. An evaluation tool has been built. It helps situate the student on this continuum. A didactic sequence has also been built. It gives students the opportunity to develop their understanding along this continuum. These tools were intended for students at the end of Grade 2 and the beginning of Grade 3, i.e. children aged 7-8. The construction of these tools was one of the specific objectives of this research. A second objective was to verify viability in context of these tools with education professionals. The objectives of the study were achieved: the device was created and then the viability in context was evaluated by professionals in the education community. According to the qualitative analysis of participants' comments, the device could make it possible to assess the level of development of the number sense of the students and to identify those who have difficulty in learning this concept. It also could give students the opportunity to develop their number sense, to their level of understanding, through a sequence of activities. A detailed analysis of the comments clearly shows that number sense, as well as the conditions that need to be put in place to promote its development, do not occupy a sufficiently large place in the current teaching of arithmetic at the elementary school level or in the Quebec Education Program. However, it remains an important predictor of academic success. For this reason, further work must be done on the concepts targeted in this study in order to better guide students and their teachers towards success.

[ES] El calentamiento global, y el cambio climático (CC) que produce, es una de las amenazas más globales y urgentes de las que es responsable la humanidad. El desafío de mitigar y adaptarse a la CC, entre otros, es una responsabilidad que ha alcanzado a todas las disciplinas, incluyendo el proceso de investigación e innovación. Durante más de 10 años, y como una forma de abordar estos grandes desafíos de nuestro tiempo, con la intención de fomentar la investigación responsable, la Comisión Europea ha estado promoviendo una temática transversal llamada: "Investigación e innovación responsable (RRI, en sus siglas en inglés)". El objetivo es sacar a la luz los problemas relacionados con la investigación y la innovación, anticipar sus consecuencias y hacer participar a la sociedad en el debate sobre la forma en que la ciencia y la tecnología pueden contribuir a crear el tipo de mundo y de sociedad que deseamos para las generaciones futuras. Esta tesis surge como un puente entre el gran desafío que representa el CC y la demanda por parte de la sociedad de investigación e innovación responsable, abordada en el contexto de la RRI. Los financiadores e impulsores de la investigación y la sociedad en su conjunto esperan que los equipos de investigación e innovación proporcionen resultados socialmente deseables, éticamente aceptables y sostenibles. Por lo tanto, la pregunta general que se responde en esta tesis es: ¿cómo sabe un equipo de investigación, sin ser especialista en evaluación ambiental, si su investigación es responsable de emisiones contribuyentes al cambio climático, y cómo puede incluir medidas para reducir o compensar esas emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI)? Para responder a esta pregunta, la presente tesis doctoral inicia con la descripción de los principales fundamentos que son centrales en ella: CC y RRI. En lo que respecta al primer concepto, explicamos la importancia y los medios para calcular la contribución al CC, principalmente el enfoque de la Huella de Carbono. En lo que respecta al segundo concepto, se explica la alineación de esta tesis el área clave de la sostenibilidad ambiental de la RRI, sus marcos sustantivos y sus dimensiones de anticipación y reflexividad. Una vez establecidos estos dos fundamentos, el cambio climático se aborda en el contexto de la RRI, revisando la literatura sobre los proyectos y propuestas de la RRI, incluyendo la sostenibilidad ambiental, y el CC en particular. Como resultado, surgieron dos avenidas de investigación, que se desarrollan en las siguientes secciones. Una avenida sobre cómo evaluar la influencia de las partes interesadas en un proyecto de investigación en el contexto de la RRI, desarrollada en el capítulo 3, y una avenida sobre la necesidad de nuevas herramientas basadas en bases de datos de acceso abierto para ayudar a los profesionales a integrar la prevención del CC en sus actividades de I + D. El capítulo 4, presenta el diseño de una novedosa herramienta con un algoritmo didáctico para la medición anticipada de la huella de carbono en los proyectos de investigación e innovación. Esta herramienta permite a los investigadores que no tienen formación en evaluación del impacto ambiental estimar las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero de sus proyectos de investigación e innovación en las primeras etapas, momento en el que la anticipación y la reflexividad son las dimensiones fundamentales de la RRI. / [CA] L'escalfament global, i el canvi climàtic (CC) que produeix, és una de les amenaces més globals i urgents de les que és responsable la humanitat. El desafiament de mitigar i adaptar-se a la CC, entre d'altres, és una responsabilitat que ha arribat a totes les disciplines, incloent el procés de recerca i innovació. Durant més de 10 anys, i com una forma d'abordar aquests grans desafiaments del nostre temps, amb la intenció de fomentar la investigació responsable, la Comissió Europea ha estat promovent una temàtica transversal anomenada: "Recerca i innovació responsable (RRI, en seves sigles en anglès)". L'objectiu és treure a la llum els problemes relacionats amb la investigació i la innovació, anticipar les seves conseqüències i fer participar la societat en el debat sobre la forma en què la ciència i la tecnologia poden contribuir a crear el tipus de món i de societat que desitgem per a les generacions futures. Aquesta tesi sorgeix com un pont entre el gran desafiament que representa el CC i la demanda per part de la societat d'investigació i innovació responsable, abordada en el context de la RRI. Els finançadors i impulsors de la investigació i la societat en el seu conjunt esperen que els equips de recerca i innovació proporcionin resultats socialment desitjables, èticament acceptables i sostenibles. Per tant, la pregunta general que respon a aquesta tesi és: com sap un equip d'investigació, sense ser especialista en avaluació ambiental, si la seva investigació és responsable d'emissions contribuents a el canvi climàtic, i com pot incloure mesures per reduir o compensar aquestes emissions de gasos d'efecte hivernacle (GEH)? Per respondre a aquesta pregunta, la present tesi doctoral s'inicia amb la descripció dels principals fonaments que són centrals en ella CC i RRI. Pel que fa a el primer concepte, expliquem la importància i els mitjans per calcular la contribució a l'CC, principalment l'enfocament de la Petjada de Carboni. Pel que fa a el segon concepte, s'explica l'alineació d'aquesta tesi l'àrea clau de la sostenibilitat ambiental de la RRI, els seus marcs substantius i les seves dimensions d'anticipació i reflexivitat. Un cop establerts aquests dos fonaments, el canvi climàtic s'aborda en el context de la RRI, revisant la literatura sobre els projectes i propostes de la RRI, incloent la sostenibilitat ambiental, i el CC en particular. Com a resultat, van sorgir dues avingudes de recerca, que es desenvolupen en les següents seccions. Una avinguda sobre com avaluar la influència de les parts interessades en un projecte d'investigació en el context de la RRI, desenvolupada en el capítol 3, i una avinguda sobre la necessitat de noves eines basades en bases de dades d'accés obert per ajudar els professionals a integrar la prevenció de CC en les seves activitats d'R + d. El capítol 4, presenta el disseny d'una nova eina amb un algoritme didàctic per al mesurament anticipada de la petjada de carboni en els projectes de recerca i innovació. Aquesta eina permet als investigadors que no tenen formació en avaluació de l'impacte ambiental estimar les emissions de gasos d'efecte hivernacle dels seus projectes de recerca i innovació en les primeres etapes, moment en el qual l'anticipació i la reflexivitat són les dimensions fonamentals de la RRI. / [EN] Global Warming, and the climate change (CC) it produces, is one of the most global and urgent threats humankinds is responsible for. The challenge of mitigating and adapting to CC, among others, is a responsibility that has reached all disciplines, including the research and innovation (R&I) process. For more than 10 years, and as a way to tackle these great challenges of our time, with the intention of fostering responsible research, the European Commission has been promoting a cross-cutting issue named: "Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)". The aim is to bring the problems (such as research integrity, non-inclusion of stakeholders, application of ethical or sustainability principles, etc.,.) related to R&I to light, to anticipate the possible consequences of R&I process and outcomes, and to engage society in the discussion of how science and technology can help create the kind of world and society we want for generations to come. This thesis emerges as a bridge between the great challenge represented by CC and the demand for responsibility from R&I process and outcomes, addressed in the context of RRI. Research funders and society as a whole claim that R&I teams must provide socially desirable, ethically acceptable, and sustainable outcomes. Hence, the general question to be answered in this thesis is: how does a research team, while not being specialists, know if its research is responsible for relevant contributions to CC, and how can they include measures to reduce or compensate such contributions (Greenhouse Gas emissions, GHG)? To respond to this question, the present dissertation begins with the main foundations that are central to it: CC and RRI. As regards the former concept, we explain the importance and means to calculate the contribution of GHG to CC, mainly the carbon footprint approach. In addition, regarding the latter, how this thesis aligns with the key RRIs' area of environmental sustainability, its substantive frameworks and its anticipation and reflexivity dimensions. Once these two foundations are established, CC is addressed in the context of RRI, reviewing the literature on RRI projects and proposals, which include environmental sustainability, and CC in particular. As a result, two avenues of research arise, which are developed in the following sections. An avenue about how to assess the stakeholders' influence in a research project within the context of RRI, which is developed in chapter 3, and an avenue about the need for new tools based on open-access databases to help practitioners to integrate CC prevention in their R&I activities. Chapter 4 presents the design of a novel tool with a didactic algorithm for anticipatory carbon footprint measuring in R&I projects. This tool allows researchers who are untrained in environmental impact assessment to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of their R&I projects at early stages, when anticipation and reflexivity are the core RRI dimensions. / Ligardo Herrera, IE. (2021). Addressing Climate Change in Research and Innovation Projects. A Tool for Anticipatory Carbon Footprint Calculation [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/165867

Die Arbeit mit Messunsicherheiten ist essentiell in Naturwissenschaften und Technik. Vor diesem Hintergrund befasst sich diese Arbeit in der ersten Forschungsfrage damit, wie die Inhalte eines validierten Sachstrukturmodells zum Thema Messunsicherheiten (Hellwig 2012) operationalisiert und gemessen werden können. Dazu wurden die Konzepte des Modells in Form von Kompetenzen beschrieben und zugehörige Multiple-Choice Testaufgaben formuliert. Anschließend wurden zufällig ausgewählte Testaufgaben einem Expertenrating unterzogen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen ein Fleiss Kappa, Congers Kappa und Lights Kappa von jeweils mindestens 0,86, was für eine sehr gute Passung der Testaufgaben zu den Kompetenzen spricht. Weiter wurden die Testaufgaben mit 1299 Studierenden erprobt und die 15 (bzw. 10) Testaufgaben zu jedem Konzept einzeln ausgewertet. Als Grundlage diente das eindimensionale dichotome Rasch-Modell. Zur Auswertung wurden u.a. Gütekriterien zur Modellkonformität, lokalen Unabhängigkeit und Subgruppeninvarianz betrachtet. Als Ergebnis wurden bei einer EAP-Reliabilität von 0,61 bis 0,81 zu jedem Konzept 7 - 12 Testaufgaben identifiziert, die zur Nutzung empfohlen werden können. Für einzelne Testaufgaben wurden außerdem Änderungsvorschläge herausgearbeitet. In einer zweiten Forschungsfrage wurde die Struktur der zu den Konzepten formulierten Testaufgaben mit einer konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalyse untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Konzepte innerhalb einer Dimension des Sachstrukturmodells als einzelne Faktoren aufgefasst werden können. In zwei Fällen können auch gemeinsame Faktoren für zwei der Konzepte einer Dimension empirisch und inhaltlich begründet werden. Insgesamt stellt diese Arbeit damit für den Bereich der Messunsicherheiten ein theoriegeleitetes, inhaltlich validiertes und empirisch geprüftes Testinstrument zur Verfügung, mit dem zielgerichtet und differenziert in großer Breite Kompetenzen im Umgang mit Messunsicherheiten von Lernenden erhoben werden können. / Working with measurement uncertainties is essential in science and engineering. On the basis of a validated model that structures the content in the field of measurement uncertainties (Hellwig 2012) this thesis looks in its first research question at how the concepts proposed by the model can be operationalized and measured. Therefore, the concepts given by the model are formulated by learning progressions and operationalized by multiple choice test items. A random sample of the items then was assessed by six experts in the field of teaching measurement uncertainties. The results show a Fleiss kappa, Congers kappa and Lights kappa of 0.86 or higher for the assignment of the items to the given learning progressions which indicates a very good matching. Furthermore, the items were evaluated in a survey with 1299 university students and each set of 15 (resp. 10) items per concept was analyzed by using the dichotomous one-dimensional Rasch model. Amoung others criteria concerning model conformity, local independence and subgroup invariance were tested. As a result, for each concept 7 to 12 items could be identified which suit the given criteria. The EAP-reliability came up from 0.61 to 0.81 (considering all items of the concepts). In a second research question, the empirical results were evaluated by a confirmatory factor analysis. The results show that the itemsets for the concepts of the model could be interpreted as individual factors. In two cases for two concepts (in one dimension proposed by the model) the assumption of one factor can also be empirically and content-related justified. Overall this thesis presents an empirically-validated assessment tool to probe students' understanding of measurement uncertainties according to the content structure model. The tool captures a broad spectrum in the field of measurement uncertainties in very detailed resolution and can therefore help to evaluate learning progressions and teaching instructions.

Problem statement Due to HIV and AIDS impacting on communities, devastating consequences have been predicted. The number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in need of care is escalating, causing social workers’ caseloads to become unmanageable. These OVC who lost their parents through death are suffering multiple losses due to being orphaned. The material, protection and affection needs have to be addressed in a holistic, eco-systematic, multidisciplinary team approach. In practice social workers tend to focus mainly on the material and protection needs of OVC due to high caseloads and staff turnover, neglecting their affection needs. Social workers need to work with foster parents and children in identifying potential risk factors that could lead to risk behaviour in foster children who have lost their parents through death. The researcher designed an assessment tool that could enable social workers in practice to do an effective risk assessment of OVC in foster care. Intervention could be planned accordingly by setting goals to address risk factors timeously in an attempt to prevent future problem behaviour in OVC placed in foster care. Aim To develop an assessment tool for social workers to identify risk behaviour in foster children who have experienced multiple losses such as the loss of one or both parents. Method A mixed methods design was used, specifically the sequential and explanatory design which involved collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data. These obtained data were then connected and integrated. Results It was proved that a Risk assessment tool helped social workers to identify risk factors in a team effort between social workers, foster parents and children. Meeting the psychosocial needs of OVC placed in foster care more effectively is important in order to prevent the development of negative behaviour. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015