An associate degree in nursing is obtained in the community college setting and is designed to be completed in 2 years of full-time study. Approximately 70% of practicing registered nurses (RNs) are educated at the associate degree or diploma (vocational training) level with only 15% moving on to achieve a degree past the associate level. The purpose of this phenomenological research is to study the lived experiences of registered nurses who obtained an associate degree in nursing and, while working in a health care setting, returned to school to attain a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN). Data gathered during individual interviews will provide documentation of the benefits of attaining a BSN as well as identifying barriers that associate degree RNs must overcome to pursue a BSN education.

The individuals with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to hazards. However, there is very little research inquiry focused on evacuation environments and the behavior of individuals with disabilities. The most widely applied computational method used to study how effective the built environment facilities emergency evacuations in individuals-based modeling. Current pedestrian evacuation models rarely include individuals with disabilities in their simulated populations due to there being very few empirical studies of the evacuation behavior of individuals with disabilities. As a result, the models do not replicate accurate patterns of pedestrian or evacuation behavior of a heterogeneous population, which results in the evacuation needs of individuals with disabilities being generally overlooked. To begin addressing this limitation, our research group at Utah State University (USU) has performed empirical research to observe the microscopic evacuation behavior of individuals with disabilities in heterogeneous population contexts. The purpose of this research was to: (1) develop and analyze evacuation curves to understand and assess evacuation strategies for heterogeneous populations, and (2) analyze the microscopic behavior of evacuees at exit doors necessary for developing credible and valid pedestrian and evacuation models. Doing so will contribute to evacuation models which replicate accurate patterns of pedestrian and evacuation behavior of heterogeneous populations, leading to the consideration of the evacuation needs of individuals with disabilities.

During the past two decades, community-based hazard mitigation (CBHM) has been newly proposed and implemented as an alternative conceptual model for emergency management to deal with disasters comprehensively in order to curtail skyrocketing disaster losses. Local community members have been growingly required to share information and responsibilities for reducing community vulnerabilities to natural and technological hazards and building a safer community. Consequently they are encouraged to join local mitigation programs and volunteer for collective mitigation action, but their contributions vary. This research examined factors associated with Tulsa Project Impact partners?? contributions to collective mitigation action. In the literature review, self-interest and social norms were identified and briefly discussed as two determinants to guide partners?? behavior by reviewing game theoretic frameworks and individual decision-making models. Partners?? collective interest in building a safer community and feelings of obligation to participate in collective mitigation action were also considered for this study. Thus, the major factors considered are: (1) collective interests, (2) selective benefits, (3) participation costs, (4) norms of cooperation, and (5) internalized norms of participation. Research findings showed that selective benefits and internalized norms of participation were the two best predictors for partners?? contributions to collective mitigation action. However, collective interests, participation costs, and norms of cooperation did not significantly influence partners?? contributions.

<p>In this dissertation, I discuss two important factors in individuals' decision-making processes: subjective expectation bias and time-inconsistent preferences. In Chapter I, I look at how individuals' own subjective expectations about certain future events are different from what actually happens in the future, even after controlling for individuals' private information. This difference, which is defined as the expectation bias in this paper, is found to have important influence on individuals' choices. Specifically, I look into the relationship between US elderly's subjective longevity expectation biases and their smoking choices. I find that US elderly tend to over-emphasize the importance of their genetic makeup but underestimate the influence of their health-related choices, such as smoking, on their longevity. This finding can partially explain why even though US elderly are found to be more concerned with their health and more forward-looking than we would have concluded using a model which does not allow for subjective expectation bias, we still observe many smokers. The policy simulation further confirms that if certain public policies can be designed to correct individuals' expectation biases about the effects of their genes and health-related choices on their longevity, then the average smoking rate for the age group analyzed in this paper will go down by about 4%.</p><p>In Chapter II, my co-author, Hanming Fang, and I look at one possible explanation to the under-utilization of preventive health care in the United States: procrastination. Procrastination, the phenomenon that individuals postpone certain decisions which incur instantaneous costs but bring long-term benefits, is captured in economics by hyperbolic discount factors and the corresponding time-inconsistent preferences. This chapter extends the semi-parametric identification and estimation method for dynamic discrete choice models using Hotz and Miller's (1993) conditional choice probability approach to the setting where individuals may have hyperbolic discounting time preferences and may be naive about their time inconsistency. We implement the proposed estimation method to US adult women's decisions of undertaking mammography tests to evaluate the importance of present bias and naivety in the under-utilization of mammography, controlling for other potentially important explanatory factors such as age, race, household income, and marital status. Preliminary results show evidence for both present bias and naivety in adult women's decisions of undertaking mammography tests. Using the parameters estimated, we further conduct some policy simulations to quantify the effects of the present bias and naivety on the utilization of preventive health care in the US.</p> / Dissertation

During the past two decades, community-based hazard mitigation (CBHM) has been newly proposed and implemented as an alternative conceptual model for emergency management to deal with disasters comprehensively in order to curtail skyrocketing disaster losses. Local community members have been growingly required to share information and responsibilities for reducing community vulnerabilities to natural and technological hazards and building a safer community. Consequently they are encouraged to join local mitigation programs and volunteer for collective mitigation action, but their contributions vary. This research examined factors associated with Tulsa Project Impact partners?? contributions to collective mitigation action. In the literature review, self-interest and social norms were identified and briefly discussed as two determinants to guide partners?? behavior by reviewing game theoretic frameworks and individual decision-making models. Partners?? collective interest in building a safer community and feelings of obligation to participate in collective mitigation action were also considered for this study. Thus, the major factors considered are: (1) collective interests, (2) selective benefits, (3) participation costs, (4) norms of cooperation, and (5) internalized norms of participation. Research findings showed that selective benefits and internalized norms of participation were the two best predictors for partners?? contributions to collective mitigation action. However, collective interests, participation costs, and norms of cooperation did not significantly influence partners?? contributions.

Discrete choice models form a class of models widely used in econometrics for modelling the individual choice from a finite set of alternatives. The most widely used model is the multinomial logit model, implicitly assuming independence of irrelevant alternatives. A generalization is the nested multinomial logit model, relaxing this strong assurnp tion. Viewing both models as nonlinear regression models a set of diagnostics is derived. This includes a hat matrix, measures of leverage, influence and residuals and an approximation to the parameters for case deletion. In an example for the multinomid logit model a good performance of these diagnostics is observed and the parameter approximation by the proposed formula is better than a one step Newton-Raphson procedure. In an example for the nested logit model a constructed outlier with high influence is revealed by the measures of leverage and residual, but the parameter approximation is insufficient. (author's abstract) / Series: Forschungsberichte / Institut für Statistik

As pesquisas de origem e destino (Pesquisas O/D) são tradicionalmente realizadas a partir do relato dos participantes de todas as viagens ocorridas nos últimos dias. No entanto, uma série de estudos realizados recentemente aponta que existem equívocos nos relatos dos participantes nas pesquisas O/D tradicionais, principalmente em relação à distância e ao tempo dos percursos relatados. Esses estudos apontam a utilização da tecnologia GPS (Global Positioning System) como uma forma confiável para a obtenção de informações sobre cada etapa de viagem. A tecnologia GPS, apesar de suas limitações, está disponível popularmente nos últimos anos e apresenta resultados significativos de registros em tempo real, inclusive de viagens curtas. Dessa forma, foram levantadas as experiências internacionais de estudos de pesquisas O/D segmentadas por etapa de viagem, utilizando a tecnologia GPS. Com base nisso, foi aplicada uma pesquisa de origem e destino na Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre com GPS e com Entrevistas posteriores. Os estudos estrangeiros apontam que essa é a melhor forma para obtenção dos dados e minimização dos erros. Os dados coletados na pesquisa O/D foram tabulados em um banco de dados e as informações registradas foram tratadas em softwares gráficos gratuítos. Sendo assim, foi possível cruzar os dados relatados pelos participantes na entrevista com os dados registrados pelo aparelho GPS. As análises apontam que todos os indivíduos apresentaram discrepâncias no relato da duração e da distância, em comparação aos dados efetivamente registrados. Essas discrepâncias foram tanto positivas quanto negativas. As implicações dessas diferenças entre os dados relatados e registrados no GPS para fins de modelagem foram vistas nos modelos de escolha modal Logit Multinomial elaborados. O modelo elaborado a partir de dados registrados pelo GPS aponta ajustes apropriados e resultado significativo de variáveis. O modelo elaborado com base nos dados relatados não se comporta como o esperado, conforme as hipóteses previamente estabelecidas, e apresenta variáveis não significativas. / Origin and destination surveys are traditionally made from the participants' reports of all trips occurring in the last days, known as Diary Trip. However, a number of recent studies show that there are mistakes in the accounts of participants in traditional origin and destinations surveys, especially in relation to distance and time. These studies point the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) technology as a reliable way to obtain information about each trip leg. GPS technology, despite its limitations, is popularly available in recent years and presents significant results of real-time records, including short trips. Therefore, we surveyed the experiences of international origin and destination studies segmented by leg trip, using GPS technology. Based on this, a origin and destination survey was applied in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre with GPS and Diary Trip. Foreign studies indicate that this is the best way to obtain the data and minimizing errors. The data collected in the origin and destination survey were tabulated in a database and the information recorded was treated in free graphics software. Therefore, it was possible to cross the data reported by the participants in the Diary Trips with the data recorded by the GPS. The analyzes suggest that all subjects had discrepancies in reporting the duration and distance, compared to the data actually reported. These discrepancies have been both positive and negative. The implications of these differences, between reported and recorded on the GPS data, for modeling, can be seeing in the modal choice model Multinomial Logit elaborate. The model developed from data recorded by the GPS indicates appropriate adjustments and significant outcome variables. The model developed based on reported data does not behave as expected, as previously established hypotheses, and presents no significant variables.

As pesquisas de origem e destino (Pesquisas O/D) são tradicionalmente realizadas a partir do relato dos participantes de todas as viagens ocorridas nos últimos dias. No entanto, uma série de estudos realizados recentemente aponta que existem equívocos nos relatos dos participantes nas pesquisas O/D tradicionais, principalmente em relação à distância e ao tempo dos percursos relatados. Esses estudos apontam a utilização da tecnologia GPS (Global Positioning System) como uma forma confiável para a obtenção de informações sobre cada etapa de viagem. A tecnologia GPS, apesar de suas limitações, está disponível popularmente nos últimos anos e apresenta resultados significativos de registros em tempo real, inclusive de viagens curtas. Dessa forma, foram levantadas as experiências internacionais de estudos de pesquisas O/D segmentadas por etapa de viagem, utilizando a tecnologia GPS. Com base nisso, foi aplicada uma pesquisa de origem e destino na Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre com GPS e com Entrevistas posteriores. Os estudos estrangeiros apontam que essa é a melhor forma para obtenção dos dados e minimização dos erros. Os dados coletados na pesquisa O/D foram tabulados em um banco de dados e as informações registradas foram tratadas em softwares gráficos gratuítos. Sendo assim, foi possível cruzar os dados relatados pelos participantes na entrevista com os dados registrados pelo aparelho GPS. As análises apontam que todos os indivíduos apresentaram discrepâncias no relato da duração e da distância, em comparação aos dados efetivamente registrados. Essas discrepâncias foram tanto positivas quanto negativas. As implicações dessas diferenças entre os dados relatados e registrados no GPS para fins de modelagem foram vistas nos modelos de escolha modal Logit Multinomial elaborados. O modelo elaborado a partir de dados registrados pelo GPS aponta ajustes apropriados e resultado significativo de variáveis. O modelo elaborado com base nos dados relatados não se comporta como o esperado, conforme as hipóteses previamente estabelecidas, e apresenta variáveis não significativas. / Origin and destination surveys are traditionally made from the participants' reports of all trips occurring in the last days, known as Diary Trip. However, a number of recent studies show that there are mistakes in the accounts of participants in traditional origin and destinations surveys, especially in relation to distance and time. These studies point the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) technology as a reliable way to obtain information about each trip leg. GPS technology, despite its limitations, is popularly available in recent years and presents significant results of real-time records, including short trips. Therefore, we surveyed the experiences of international origin and destination studies segmented by leg trip, using GPS technology. Based on this, a origin and destination survey was applied in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre with GPS and Diary Trip. Foreign studies indicate that this is the best way to obtain the data and minimizing errors. The data collected in the origin and destination survey were tabulated in a database and the information recorded was treated in free graphics software. Therefore, it was possible to cross the data reported by the participants in the Diary Trips with the data recorded by the GPS. The analyzes suggest that all subjects had discrepancies in reporting the duration and distance, compared to the data actually reported. These discrepancies have been both positive and negative. The implications of these differences, between reported and recorded on the GPS data, for modeling, can be seeing in the modal choice model Multinomial Logit elaborate. The model developed from data recorded by the GPS indicates appropriate adjustments and significant outcome variables. The model developed based on reported data does not behave as expected, as previously established hypotheses, and presents no significant variables.

nÃo hà / The paper develops a tool for modeling the bank credit risk and applies this to banking market of Fortaleza. Using data from a large commercial bank of the city for 290 customers with active accounts and minimum income of six hundred reais, were selected 23 control variables and was estimated the probability of default on the modalities check and other credit restrictions. The results showed that: i) females are less likely to face restrictions, although this is not a determinant of emissions of bad checks; ii) people who have insurance contracted with the bank showed themselves more likely to default and iii) the extent of the bank rating proposal was effective in measuring the chance of credit risk. / O trabalho desenvolve uma ferramenta para modelar o risco de crÃdito bancÃrio e aplica ao mercado bancÃrio de Fortaleza. A partir de dados de um grande banco comercial da cidade para 290 clientes com contas ativas e renda mÃnima de seiscentos reais, foram selecionadas 23 variÃveis de controle e estimou-se a probabilidade de inadimplÃncia nas modalidades cheque e demais restriÃÃes de crÃdito. Os resultados demonstram que: i) indivÃduos do sexo feminino possuem menos chance de enfrentar restriÃÃes, muito embora este nÃo seja um determinante das emissÃes de cheques sem fundos; ii) os indivÃduos que possuem seguro contratado junto ao banco apresentaram maior chance de inadimplÃncia e iii) a medida de rating proposta pelo banco se mostrou eficaz em mensurar a chance de risco de crÃdito.

As pesquisas de origem e destino (Pesquisas O/D) são tradicionalmente realizadas a partir do relato dos participantes de todas as viagens ocorridas nos últimos dias. No entanto, uma série de estudos realizados recentemente aponta que existem equívocos nos relatos dos participantes nas pesquisas O/D tradicionais, principalmente em relação à distância e ao tempo dos percursos relatados. Esses estudos apontam a utilização da tecnologia GPS (Global Positioning System) como uma forma confiável para a obtenção de informações sobre cada etapa de viagem. A tecnologia GPS, apesar de suas limitações, está disponível popularmente nos últimos anos e apresenta resultados significativos de registros em tempo real, inclusive de viagens curtas. Dessa forma, foram levantadas as experiências internacionais de estudos de pesquisas O/D segmentadas por etapa de viagem, utilizando a tecnologia GPS. Com base nisso, foi aplicada uma pesquisa de origem e destino na Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre com GPS e com Entrevistas posteriores. Os estudos estrangeiros apontam que essa é a melhor forma para obtenção dos dados e minimização dos erros. Os dados coletados na pesquisa O/D foram tabulados em um banco de dados e as informações registradas foram tratadas em softwares gráficos gratuítos. Sendo assim, foi possível cruzar os dados relatados pelos participantes na entrevista com os dados registrados pelo aparelho GPS. As análises apontam que todos os indivíduos apresentaram discrepâncias no relato da duração e da distância, em comparação aos dados efetivamente registrados. Essas discrepâncias foram tanto positivas quanto negativas. As implicações dessas diferenças entre os dados relatados e registrados no GPS para fins de modelagem foram vistas nos modelos de escolha modal Logit Multinomial elaborados. O modelo elaborado a partir de dados registrados pelo GPS aponta ajustes apropriados e resultado significativo de variáveis. O modelo elaborado com base nos dados relatados não se comporta como o esperado, conforme as hipóteses previamente estabelecidas, e apresenta variáveis não significativas. / Origin and destination surveys are traditionally made from the participants' reports of all trips occurring in the last days, known as Diary Trip. However, a number of recent studies show that there are mistakes in the accounts of participants in traditional origin and destinations surveys, especially in relation to distance and time. These studies point the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) technology as a reliable way to obtain information about each trip leg. GPS technology, despite its limitations, is popularly available in recent years and presents significant results of real-time records, including short trips. Therefore, we surveyed the experiences of international origin and destination studies segmented by leg trip, using GPS technology. Based on this, a origin and destination survey was applied in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre with GPS and Diary Trip. Foreign studies indicate that this is the best way to obtain the data and minimizing errors. The data collected in the origin and destination survey were tabulated in a database and the information recorded was treated in free graphics software. Therefore, it was possible to cross the data reported by the participants in the Diary Trips with the data recorded by the GPS. The analyzes suggest that all subjects had discrepancies in reporting the duration and distance, compared to the data actually reported. These discrepancies have been both positive and negative. The implications of these differences, between reported and recorded on the GPS data, for modeling, can be seeing in the modal choice model Multinomial Logit elaborate. The model developed from data recorded by the GPS indicates appropriate adjustments and significant outcome variables. The model developed based on reported data does not behave as expected, as previously established hypotheses, and presents no significant variables.