Thermography is one technology, which can be used to detect thermally significant defects in buildings and is traditionally performed using a walk-through methodology. Yet because of limitations such as transient climatic changes, there is a key performance gap between image capture and interpretation. There are however new methodologies currently available, which actively address some of these limitations. By better understanding alternative methodologies, the performance gap can be reduced. This thesis contrasts three thermography methodologies (Walk-through, time-lapse and pass-by) to learn how they deal with limitations and address specific building defects and thermal performance issues. For each approach, practical methodologies were developed and used on laboratory experiments (hot plate) and real dwelling case studies. For the real building studies, 133 dwellings located in Devon and Cornwall (South West England) were studied; this sample represents a broad spectrum of construction types and building ages. Experiments testing these three methodologies found individual strengths and weaknesses for each approach. Whilst traditional thermography can detect multiple defects, characterisation is not always easy to achieve due to the effects of transient changes, which are largely ignored under this methodology. Time-lapse thermography allows the observation of transient changes from which more accurate assessment of defect behaviour can be gained. This is due to improved differentiation between environmental conditions (such as cloud cover and clear sky reflections), actual material thermal behaviour and construction defects. However time-lapse thermography is slow, complex and normally only observes one view. Walk-past thermography is a much faster methodology, inspecting up to 50 dwellings per survey session. Yet this methodology misses many potential defects due to low spatial resolutions, single (external only) elevation inspection and ignoring transient climate and material changes. The implications of these results for building surveying practice clearly indicate that for an improved defect characterisation of difficult to interpret defects such as moisture ingress, thermographers should make use of time-lapse thermography. A review of methodology practicalities illustrates how the need for improved characterisation can be balanced against time and resources when deciding upon the most suitable approach. In order to help building managers and thermographers to decide on the most suitable thermography approach, two strategies have been developed. The first combines different thermography methodologies into a phased inspection program, where spatial and temporal resolution increase with each subsequent thermography inspection. The second provides a decision-making framework to help select the most appropriate thermography methodology for a given scenario or defect.

The thesis focuses on concrete application of the selected agile methodologies on the designed new software development methodology in the company Firma 2.0. The theoretical section briefly characterizes agile methodologies in general and then focuses on their representative sample, and thus Scrum, Kanban, SAFe and LeSS and the DevOps movement, which build a framework for the practical section. The selected components, which are used in the second part, are emphasized. Importantly, all of the methodologies are based on the agile manifesto and thanks to that are mutually combinable. The practical section introduces the company Firmy 2.0 together with its existing software development methodology, which is currently insufficient. The shortages are described as bottlenecks of the methodology itself as well as issues of process management of the company. The newly designed software methodology eliminates those drawbacks and integrates new elements and terminology in order to better correspond with the current processes in the company. The main contribution of the thesis is seen in the new design of software development methodology for a small company, which can also be potentially used outside of the company Firma 2.0, associated with a sound theoretical background.

Most contemporary organizations make use of computer-based information systems to support their management activities. There is considerable evidence that many of these systems experience problems during the development phases and a large proportion of these systems may, using specific criteria, be classed as failures. The reported high level of such failure in the development of computer-based information systems is not a new phenomenon for business, having been present almost from the inception of these systems. The frameworks that guide developers through the process can be labelled as information systems development methodologies, or ISDMs.For an educator involved with the teaching of some or all aspects of the development process this perceived high level of failure of systems development and implementation in practice raises some significant concerns. If there is a 'silver bullet' approach that students need to be equipped with to become successful systems developers we need to identify it and ensure that they are proficient with it. If there is no silver bullet we need to acknowledge this in our teaching and equip the students with the critical thinking skills to help them appreciate this in their later practice.This thesis takes as its central theme the view that there is currently no 'silver bullet' and one may never be found to fit all development projects and environments. Under such a constraint our students, as would-be practitioners, need to be helped to approach practice unfettered by a naïve belief that there is a single approach that offers guaranteed success in the development of information systems. Flexible, contingent and possibly creative approaches need to be fostered so that students can both work in the field and can contribute to both the overall understanding of that field and to their own personal development. The thesis considers the role of multiple perspectives, constructivism, language, communication and reflection as vehicles to allow the building and sharing of accessible understanding of information systems development methodologies in a tertiary education setting. The issues are explored through the design and development of a Masters course titled 'Information Systems Development Methodologies' that was designed and implemented at the University of South Australia in the period 1999 to 2008. The course was initially designed within an interpretivist paradigm and rather than following a traditional systems analysis and design path could be viewed more as a liberal arts course. However, as the course moved towards the end of its life it began to take on a more positivistic flavour.The story of the course emerged from a series of action learning cycles and is told from the perspective of the author who was both the researcher and the subject of the research.

As artes sequenciais (AS) ou narrativas gráficas (NG) são uma modalidade de expressão híbrida (multimodal) composta de texto imagem e texto palavra. Ao longo de toda sua história, as NG têm enfrentado diversos desafios na academia e no mercado, e, mesmo sendo um assunto de complexa multidisciplinaridade, é objeto de poucas pesquisas no design visual, que possui amplo conhecimento em metodologias projetuais e características intrinsecamente multidisciplinares, além de expertise técnica em comunicação visual. Esta pesquisa busca analisar os princípios metodológicos de projeto visual e o processo de produção das narrativas gráficas partir de pesquisa bibliográfica, fazendo uma análise etapa a etapa de metodologias selecionadas nas áreas de Design Generalista (MUNARI, 2008; BAXTER, 1995), Design Visual (FUENTES, 2006; DENARDI E GERALDES, 2016; MAYA, FRANCESCHI E NEROSKY, 2016; HALUCH, 2013), Narrativas (BEREITER E SCARDAMALIA, 1987; INGERMAN, 2014) e Narrativas Gráficas (LARSON, 2014; SALERNO, 2011; MOORE, 2003; BYRNE, 1999; MATEU-MESTRE, 2010). Utilizando bibliografia sobre projeto visual, imagem, linguagem visual, narrativas e narrativas gráficas como base para a construção de conhecimento teórico, as etapas são segmentadas em fases, utilizando como base as metodologias projetuais generalistas, mostrando que existem benefícios para os profissionais produtores de NG em utilizar as metodologias projetuais do Design Visual como linha projetual para a produção de HQ. / The sequential arts (AS) or graphic narratives (NG) are a modality of hybrid modality (multimodal) composed of image and word. Throughout its history, NG has faced several challenges in academia and in the market, and although it is a subject of complex multidisciplinarity, it has little research in the visual design field, that has ample knowledge in design methodologies and characteristics intrinsically multidisciplinary, as well as technical expertise in visual communication. This research seeks to analyze the methodological principles of visual design and the process of production of graphic narratives, making a step by step analysis of selected methodologies in the areas of General Design (MUNARI, 2008; BAXTER, 1995), Visual Design (FUENTES, 2006; DENARDI E GERALDES, 2016; MAYA, FRANCESCHI E NEROSKY, 2016; HALUCH, 2013), Narratives (BEREITER E SCARDAMALIA, 1987; INGERMAN, 2014) and Graphic Narratives (LARSON, 2014; SALERNO, 2011; MOORE, 2003; BYRNE, 1999; MATEU-MESTRE, 2010). Using bibliographic research on visual design, image, visual language, narratives and graphic narratives as the basis for the construction of theoretical knowledge, the steps are segmented in phases, using as base the generalist design methodologies, showing that there are benefits for the professional producers of NG to use the Visual Design methodologies as the design backbone for NG production.

Using two independent samples of parents with a shared minor child but not currently in a relationship, this study explores the development and validation of a new 12-item short form for the Multidimensional Co-Parenting Scale for Dissolved Relationships (MCS-DR12). Confirmatory factor analysis will be used to assess the four-factor structure of the MCS-DR12 and then internal reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity will be assessed. The development of this short form provides a 12-item assessment of four impactful areas of co-parenting which is invaluable, especially for those working with court-mandated parenting programs who are in need of brief instruments to assess program efficacy.

Agile software development methodologies are very popular for their efficiency and flexibility. This thesis focuses on agile software development methodology called Scrum. Basic description and comparison of traditional and agile methodologies is mentioned at first. Attention is paid to methodology Scrum which is shown on an example of usage by a specific company. It is convenient to use some software tool for organization of Scrum methodology. Therefore, an overview of the most common tools and basic comparison of software tools for organizing this methodology is presented. Conclusion of this thesis is recommendation for improvements for the investigated team, based on issues which were identified.

Climate change education is globally recognised as a key approach through which to enhance the knowledge and understanding of climate change among learners and teachers. This study thus sought to investigate the understanding and teaching of climate change in the Secondary Education Geography Curriculum in Swaziland. The major goal of this study was to establish the understanding and teaching of climate change in the secondary education Geography curriculum of the country. To investigate the understanding and teaching of climate, the study employed an exploratory design comprising methods like questionnaire, focus group interviews as well as document analysis in the form of secondary records. The data was collected from 16 principals, 32 Geography teachers from 16 high schools; four from each region of Swaziland, one Senior Environmental Education Officer, one senior inspector of Geography and one senior Geography curriculum designer. Numerous gaps and misconceptions were found to exist in learners and teachers understanding of climate change education. The findings reflected that the teachers were not comfortable with the integration of climate change education into all the secondary education Geography curriculum lessons. However, they claimed to be unknowingly practising its integration to a limited extent. Although the teachers generally supported the integration of climate change education into the geography curriculum, they cited challenges like lack of proper training on climate change education, a shortage of teaching resources on CCE and the already overcrowded geography curriculum which then made it impossible for CCE integration. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education and Training need to train teachers on CCE both at in-service and pre-service level and providing the resources required for CCE, for instance, the internet and good libraries for research, since CCE requires perpetual learning. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Humanities Education / PhD / Unrestricted

This study set out to explore the feasibility of using international based literature theory to formulate emerging market strategies for South African companies looking to expand into Africa’s emerging markets. The level of confidence with which South African companies can base their African emerging market strategies on the literature and studies done on international emerging market strategies is what will be explored in this study. The scope of this study includes methods of identifying emerging markets, optimal strategy choices for emerging markets, effective distribution channel selection methodologies and appropriate diversification options. To ensure the studies relevance across the broader spectrum of both South African companies as well as Africa’s emerging markets, the companies studied were selected for their collective representation. The research design employed for this study was qualitative and exploratory in nature. The findings based on the eight South African companies studied over the period point to the conclusion that the international theory contained in the literature is indeed relevant to both South African companies as well as Africa’s emerging markets and that it can be used effectively and confidently to formulate efficient and sustainable expansion strategies for these markets. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

El principal problema que enfrenta un fabricante de tableros eléctricos es la alta tasa de demora en entrega de pedidos. El factor predominante que han dado lugar al retraso de la entrega de pedidos es el cuello de botella que se genera en el proceso productivo. Para resolver este problema, se desarrolló una propuesta innovadora utilizando la metodología DMAIC (Definir, Medir, Analizar, Mejorar y Controlar), la cual esta orientada a la mejora de procesos utilizada por Six Sigma [1] [2]. Para respaldar este análisis, se realizará una simulación, buscando una reducción considerable del cuello de botella y, por consecuencia, el aumento de productividad, mejorando el tiempo de entrega de pedidos. Al implementar la metodología DMAIC Six Sigma, se mejorará el tiempo de entrega de pedidos a 96%, mejorando así la calidad del proceso de producción y generando beneficios económicos. / The main problem faced by a manufacturer of electrical panels is the high rate of late delivery of orders. The predominant factor that has led to the delay in order delivery is the bottleneck generated in the production process. To solve this problem, an innovative proposal was developed using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) methodology, which is oriented to the process improvement used by Six Sigma [1] [2]. To support this analysis, a simulation will be carried out, looking for a considerable reduction of the bottleneck and, consequently, the increase of productivity, improving the time of delivery of orders. By implementing the DMAIC Six Sigma methodology, the order delivery time will be improved to 96%, thus improving the quality of the production process and generating economic benefits. / Trabajo de investigación

Sharing and reusing data can help researchers answer new questions and approach data from different analytical perspectives. The extant literature on data sharing has focused almost exclusively on qualitative data specifically, such as interviews and focus groups. Observational and video data capturing family interactions are a common data collection method in family science research. While quantitative analytic approaches are common, observational and video data can lend itself well to qualitative analysis. This paper introduces a secondary data analysis approach, referred to as methodological expansion, which involves the process of qualitatively analyzing pre-existing data that were collected for quantitative research purposes.