Energy plays a significant role in a country’s development. Usage of an improved stove that produces biochar could help to reduce the pressure of deforestation, amend soil productivity, and provide cleaner technology for cooking. In Kwale, a county located on the south coast of Kenya, firewood is still used as the primary cooking fuel followed by charcoal. This research aims to investigate the improvements for a Top-litUpDraft (TLUD) biochar-producing gasifier stove, which the users aspired through co-designing. Transformative mixed methods were used as the research design to empower the users’ involvement in the biochar and smallholder farmers in Kenya – improved use efficiency of farm-level organic resources in relation to energy, crops and soil project. Triangulation was used to process the collected data through structured user observations, a focus group discussion, and a semi-structured interview. Between two stakeholders, TLUDgasifier stove users and the manufacturer, there was a difference of opinion for the main priority. Ease of use was the main concern for the users while the manufacturer put forward energy efficiency. Further, the users desired for an increase in the stove’s dimension as its capacity to produce biochar would increase.

Background: Nurse practitioners are increasingly conducting consultations with patients on the same basis as medical doctors. However little is known about communication within nurse practitioner consultations. Research on communication in nurse practitioner consultations has identified nurse practitioners communicate with patients in a hybrid style, combining biomedical information with the discussion of subjective information from everyday life. Research has not fully explained why this hybrid style occurs in nurse practitioner consultations, nor determined its links to consultation duration, patient expectations, satisfaction, and enablement. This study was developed to address these gaps in research of communication in nurse practitioner consultations. Aim: This study aims to advance understanding of the discrete nature of the communication processes and social interactions occurring in the nurse practitioner consultation, including explicating the reasons for the occurrence of the particular communication processes and interaction styles observed in those consultations. Methods: The study was conducted in a nurse-led primary care clinic providing general practice care. Within a case study research approach mixed methods were utilised, combining structured analysis of video recorded observations of nurse practitioner consultations, questionnaire-based measures of patient expectations, satisfaction, and enablement, and interviews with some of the participants of the consultations. The sample for video recording comprised three nurse practitioners employed at the clinic, and 30 patients registered at the clinic. Questionnaire responses were provided by 71 patients, including 26 whose consultations had been video recorded. All three nurse practitioners participated in post-consultation individual interviews, and 11 patient / carers participated in post-consultation individual interviews. The video recorded consultations were analysed with the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS), a method of quantified interactions frequency analysis. The questionnaire responses were analysed with descriptive statistics. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using computerised qualitative data analysis with NVivo. Findings: A significant majority of observed social interaction in the consultations used patient-centred communication styles (p=0.005), with neither nurse practitioners nor patients or carers being significantly more verbally dominant. Nurse ii practitioners guided the sequence of consultation interaction phases, but patients and carers participated through asking questions and involvement in negotiations for care planning. Patient / carers were highly satisfied with their consultations, and significantly higher general satisfaction was noted when participants expected the nurse practitioners to be able to diagnose their presenting problem (p=0.043). Patient / carers expressed significantly higher levels of enablement than have been seen in previous studies of enablement with other types of clinicians (p=0.003). The mean consultation time length of 10.97 minutes is comparable with studies of general practitioners. The participants’ perceptions of nurse practitioner consultation communication processes and social interactions were represented through six themes; Consulting style of nurse practitioners; Nurse practitioner – GP comparisons; Lifeworld content or lifeworld style issues; Nurse practitioner role ambiguity; Creating the impression of time; and Expectations for safety netting. Contribution to knowledge: This study reveals nurse practitioner consultations comprise collaborative openness to peoples’ agendas and questions, expressions of everyday lifeworld experiences, expanded impressions of time, clear explanations augmented by integrated clinical reasoning, and participatory negotiations. These communicative features arise from a combination of social, ideological, and epistemological factors, prompting nurse practitioners to privilege how they interact with patients and carers, and to adopt a hybrid patient-centred style combining the nursing ideology of holism and their knowledge of biomedicine. This form of communication has been characterised as a stylistic exemplar for good consultation communication practice, which potentially facilitates shared decision-making. This research has resulted in new knowledge of the communication processes and social interactions used in nurse practitioner consultations, which demonstrates the importance of clinicians giving precedence to how they communicate and interact with patients so as to optimise their therapeutic outcomes without compromising the duration of consultations.

abstract: Increasing public criticism of traditional teacher evaluation systems based largely on classroom observations has spurred an unprecedented shift in the debate surrounding educational accountability policies, specifically about the purposes for and measures used to evaluate teachers. In response to growing public demand and associated federal mandates, states have been prompted to design and implement teacher evaluation systems that use increasingly available, statistically complex models (i.e., value-added) intended to isolate and measure the effects of individual teachers on student academic growth over time. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of school administrators and teachers within one of the largest school districts in the state of Arizona with regards to the design and implementation of a federally-supported, state policy-directed teacher evaluation system based on professional practice and value-added measures. While much research has been conducted on teacher evaluation, few studies have examined teacher evaluation systems in context to better understand the standards of effectiveness used by school administrators and teachers to measure system effectiveness. The perceptions of school administrators and teachers, considering their lived experiences as the subjects of the nation's new and improved teacher evaluation systems in context, must be better understood if state and federal policymakers are to also better recognize and understand the consequences (intended and unintended) associated with the design and implementation of these systems in practice. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2014

O tratamento quimioterápico para o câncer de mama está relacionado a alterações do paladar, do hábito alimentar e ao ganho de peso, embora a relação entre estes três aspectos ainda não seja elucidada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e compreender como a alimentação é vivenciada e significada pelas mulheres em tratamento quimioterápico para o câncer de mama e avaliar as possíveis mudanças alimentares e como estas se relacionam à sensibilidade e preferência ao gosto doce, ao peso e a composição corporal. Utilizou-se metodologia mista, com emprego de abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa para coleta e análise dos dados. Foram avaliadas 31 mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama e indicação para quimioterapia em esquema contendo antraciclinas, em dois momentos: antes do início (T0) e após a quarta sessão de quimioterapia (T1). Em T0 e T1, foram avaliados dados antropométricos (peso, altura e composição corporal a partir de bioimpedância elétrica), consumo de alimentos e bebidas de gosto doce (divididos nas categorias: \"doces saudáveis\" para frutas e sucos naturais e \"doces não saudáveis\" para bolos, bolachas, balas, sorvetes, refrigerantes, sucos artificiais, doces caseiros e chocolate), sensibilidade à sacarose e concentração preferida de sacarose em suco de caju. Em T1 foi também aplicada uma entrevista a partir de roteiro semi estruturado. Os resultados da etapa quantitativa mostraram que entre os tempos avaliados as pacientes apresentaram ganho médio de peso de 2,1 Kg (p = 0,00) e aumento do IMC, que passou de 29,3 Kg/m2 em T0 para 30,1 Kg/m2 em T1 (p = 0,00), embora sem variações dos parâmetros referentes à composição corporal (p >= 0,05). A avaliação do consumo de alimentos e bebidas de gosto doce mostrou aumento do consumo de \"doces saudáveis\" (p = 0,00), diminuição do consumo de refrigerantes (p=0,04) e manutenção dos demais produtos avaliados (p >= 0,05), com correlação positiva entre a variação do consumo de \"doces saudáveis\" e variação de peso (r = 0,38; p = 0,04). A avaliação sensorial apontou para a manutenção da sensibilidade e da concentração de sacarose preferida, embora diminuição da sensibilidade entre T0 e T1 esteja associada a maior consumo \"doces não saudáveis\" em T1, enquanto aumento da concentração de sacarose preferida esteja associada ao maior consumo de \"doces saudáveis\" em T1. A partir da análise das entrevistas, emergiram os temas: doença e tratamento, ganho de peso, a relação com a alimentação e alimentação como o que foge ao alcance. Constata-se que o tratamento quimioterápico para o câncer de mama foi acompanhado de mudanças alimentares que estão relacionadas ao ganho de peso observado. As mudanças alimentares podem estar associadas à mudanças no paladar, mas são mais fortemente relacionadas às representações, crenças e expectativas construídas em torno do diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama. / Breast cancer chemotherapy can be related to taste disorders, food behavior and weight changes, although the relation between these aspects is not yet elucidated. The aim of this work was to identify and comprehend how food experience is meant by woman following breast cancer chemotherapy and to assess the extent between possible food behavior change, sweet taste sensibility and preference, body weight and body composition. It was used mixed method approach with quantitative and qualitative approach for data collecting and analysis. 31 woman with breast cancer diagnosis and anthracyclines chemotherapy scheme indication were evaluated at two time points: before the first (T0) and after the fourth (T1) chemotherapy session. At T0 and T1 it was evaluated: anthropometry (body weight, height and composition by electric bioimpedance), sweet taste food and beverage consumption (spread in two groups: \"healthy sweets\" for fruits and natural juices, and \"unhealthy sweets\" for cakes, cookies, candies, ice cream, soft drinks, artificial juices, homemade sweets and chocolate), sucrose sensibility and preferred sucrose concentration in cashew juice. At T1, it was also applied a semi-structured script interview. Quantitative results show that between assessed time points, patients gained 2,1 Kg average (p = 0,00). Increased body weight led to BMI increase, from 29,3 Kg/m2 at T0 to 30,1 Kg/m2 at T1 (p = 0,00), although without body composition parameters change (p >= 0,05). The assessment of sweet taste food and beverages consumption show increase of \"healthy sweets\" consumption (p = 0,00), decrease of soft drinks consumption (p = 0,04) and maintenance of others evaluated products (p>=0,05), with positive correlation between \"healthy sweets\" consumption variation and body weight change (r = 0,38; p = 0,04). Sensorial evaluation shows maintenance of sweet taste sensibility and preferred sucrose concentration, though decreased sensibility between T0 and T1 is associated to higher \"unhealthy sweets\" consumption at T1, while decreased of preferred sucrose concentration between T0 and T1 is associated to higher \"healthy sweets\" consumption at T1. The following themes emerged from interview analysis: sickness and treatment, weight gain, the relationship with food and food consumption as what is out of touch. It is noted, that breast cancer chemotherapy brings food behavior changes related to observed body weight gain. Food behavior change can be associated to taste disorders, but it is more strongly related to representations, beliefs and expectations about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Submitted by Olga Lyda Anglas Rosales Tarumoto (olgaanglas@gmail.com) on 2018-05-07T02:08:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_corrigida_olga_final_060518.pdf: 4214550 bytes, checksum: f9d6356cd75d02d66f84ef6254472de8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Claudia Adriana Spindola null (claudia@fct.unesp.br) on 2018-05-07T12:00:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 tarumoto_olar_dr_prud.pdf: 4214550 bytes, checksum: f9d6356cd75d02d66f84ef6254472de8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-07T12:00:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tarumoto_olar_dr_prud.pdf: 4214550 bytes, checksum: f9d6356cd75d02d66f84ef6254472de8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-11 / Os cursos no formato de Educação a Distância (EaD) como forma de aquisição de conhecimento está em ampla expansão nos últimos 15 anos, tanto em nível nacional como mundial. No Brasil, esta expansão foi visível principalmente após a atualização da regulamentação feita pelo Ministério da Educação (MEC) em 2005 para os cursos nesta modalidade em nível superior, tanto de graduação como de pós-graduação. Com o crescimento, surge a preocupação com a forma e qualidade em que os cursos estão sendo oferecidos. Após as versões preliminares de 1997 e 2003, os Referenciais de Qualidade em Educação Superior a Distância foram divulgados pelo Ministério da Educação (MEC) em 2007. Ao se falar em qualidade, deve se pensar na forma de mensuração, e que naturalmente nos remete a avaliação. Por outro lado, principalmente dentro do contexto educacional, a avaliação é sempre um processo complexo, tendo em vista que a preocupação principal está em o que avaliar e por que avaliar. Nesta tese, definiu-se que o objetivo é avaliar um Curso Superior na modalidade a distância tendo como base o ponto de vista dos cursistas. Foram aplicados questionários estruturados, com a utilização de técnicas de amostragem estatística para que eles pudessem opinar a respeito do curso que estavam frequentando. Neste questionário, foram consideradas perguntas discursivas (abertas) e com alternativas de respostas (perguntas fechadas). Nesta situação, as perguntas fechadas foram analisadas de forma quantitativa, utilizando-se de técnicas estatísticas, como por exemplo a análise de conglomerados, no entanto, para a questão aberta, em que os dados se constituem de textos não estruturados, foi necessário recorrer a outros métodos. Foi realizada então a análise textual com a utilização do software IRAMUTEQ. Por meio destas duas análises, foi possível verificar a convergência entre elas, observando se estas técnicas eram complementares para a análise (abordagem de métodos mistos). Para o curso avaliado, Especialização em Educação Especial na Perspectiva da Educação Inclusiva do programa Rede São Paulo de Formação Docente (REDEFOR), de forma geral, nas primeiras disciplinas o grau de satisfação em relação ao Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA) e a atuação dos Tutores Presencias, tiveram o menor grau de satisfação. Na análise qualitativa, umas das maiores críticas foram com relação a quantidade de atividades que realizaram e o prazo de entrega das mesmas, o que foi coerente com a análise quantitativa, considerando que dentro da dimensão II – “Material Didático”, as questões com menor grau de satisfação, foram as relacionadas com a quantidade de materiais trabalhados e os prazos de entrega. As análises mostraram ainda que o curso teve alto índice de satisfação (superior a 90%) e que as análises qualitativas foram capazes de captar os pontos fortes e algumas fragilidades que podem ser melhoradas nas próximas ações desta natureza. / Distance Learning courses as a way of acquiring knowledge have been expanding in the last 15 years, both nationally and globally. At the national level, this increase was noticed after regulations in this teaching modality by the Ministry of Education (MEC), at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. With this increase, a concern arises with the form and quality in which the courses are presented. After the preliminary versions of 1997 and 2003, the Quality Referential in Distance Higher Education was published by MEC in 2007. When talking about quality, develop in the form of measurement, and that naturally remind us of evaluation. On the other hand, within the educational context, evaluation is always a complex process, given that the main concern is in question. In this situation, it was defined that the objective is to evaluate Distance Learning modality based on the student point of view. We applied structured questionnaires, using statistical sampling techniques so that the students could give their opinions about the course. In this questionnaire, we considered discursive questions (open questions) and questions with alternatives (closed questions). In this situation, closed questions can be analyzed quantitatively, using statistical techniques, such as a cluster analysis, however, for an open question, where the data are composed of unstructured texts, it was necessary to look for other methods. A textual analysis was then performed using IRAMUTEQ software. By these two analyses, it was possible to see the convergences between them, being able to see as complementary analytical techniques (approach of mixed methods). For the analyzed course, Specialization in Special Education in the Inclusive Education Perspective of the Rede São Paulo Program of Teacher Training (REDEFOR), the analyzes presented the success of high satisfaction (satisfaction index of more than 90%) and as Qualitative analyzes are able to capture strengths and some deficiencies that can be corrected.

abstract: The theory of learning centered academic advising states that the purpose of advising is to teach undergraduate students about the logic and purpose of their education. Previous scholarship on learning centered advising has focused on the theoretical or on implementation by faculty at small colleges and universities. Methods for supporting learning centered advising in other contexts are lacking. This mixed methods, action research study investigates the efficacy of FaculTea, a professional development program designed to promote learning centered advising practices among professional academic advisors at a large state university. The study also measured frequency of learning centered advising and student perceptions of learning centered advising. Participants were 57 academic advisors in a liberal arts and sciences college at a large state university, who reported on their advising practices. In addition, the investigator interviewed four advisors, and observed them during 15 advising appointments. Also, six students were interviewed to determine their response to learning centered academic advising. Results showed the FaculTea program model was effective in promoting learning centered advising. In addition, advisors used learning centered advising to a moderate extent, depending upon the context of the appointment, the developmental level of the student, and experience level of the advisor. Student responses varied. These findings suggest learning centered advising can be incorporated into various academic advising contexts and structures and that FaculTea is an excellent model for learning centered academic advisor professional development. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ed.D. Leadership and Innovation 2013

abstract: Concerted efforts have been made within teacher preparation programs to integrate teaching with technology into the curriculum. Unfortunately, these efforts continue to fall short as teachers' application of educational technology is unsophisticated and not well integrated. The most prevalent approaches to integrating technology tend to ignore pedagogy and content and assume that the technology integration knowledge for all contexts is the same. One theoretical framework that does acknowledge content, pedagogy, and context in conjunction with technology is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and was the lens through which teacher development was measured and interpreted in this study. The purpose of this study was to investigate graduate teacher education students' knowledge and practice of teaching with technology as well as how that knowledge and practice changes after participation in an educational technology course. This study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design in which both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from 82 participants. TPACK pre- and postcourse surveys were administered to a treatment group enrolled in an educational technology course and to a nonequivalent control group enrolled in a learning theories course. Additionally, pre- and postcourse lesson plans were collected from the treatment group. Select treatment group participants also participated in phone interviews. Analyses compared pre- and post-course survey response differences within and between the treatment and control groups. Pre- and postlesson plan rubric score differences were compared within the treatment group. Quantitative text analyses were performed on the collected lesson plans. Open and axial coding procedures were followed to analyze interview transcripts. The results of the study revealed five significant findings: 1) graduate students entering an educational technology course reported lower ability in constructs related to teaching with technology than in constructs related to teaching in a traditional setting; 2) TPACK was malleable and TPACK instruments were sensitive to that malleability; 3) significant gains in reported and demonstrated TPACK constructs were found after participating in an educational technology course; 4) TPACK construct ability levels vary significantly by participant characteristics; and 5) influences on teaching knowledge and practice range from internet resources, to mentor teachers, and to standardized curriculum packages. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Educational Technology 2013

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a transferência da política do Tratamento Diretamente Observado (TDO) da tuberculose, em sua fase de manutenção e expansão, nas unidades de Atenção Primária à Saúde em municípios prioritários para o controle da tuberculose no estado do Amazonas. Trata-se de um estudo de métodos mistos, do tipo convergente, com a combinação das vertentes quantitativa e qualitativa, realizado em cinco municípios: Itacoatiara, Manacapuru, Parintins, Tabatinga e Tefé. Na etapa quantitativa participaram 138 profissionais de saúde e na etapa qualitativa sete enfermeiros e quatro Agentes Comunitários de Saúde. O estudo quantitativo foi caracterizado como um estudo tipo inquérito epidemiológico, sendo aplicado o instrumento \"Avaliação da Transferência de Políticas - Inovação, Informação e Conhecimento em Tuberculose - ATP-IINFOC-TB\" agrupado em sete domínios de análise. Para a etapa qualitativa foi utilizado um roteiro para entrevista, previamente testado, composto por questões semiestruturadas relacionados às informações gerais do TDO. A coleta dos dados foi realizada no período de janeiro a abril de 2016. A análise dos dados quantitativos foi realizada por meio de técnicas de estatística descritiva e multivariada, utilizando o software Statistica 12, da Statsoft.Inc e programa R versão 3.2.3. Para a organização dos dados qualitativos utilizou-se o software Atlas.ti 7.0., e a análise dos dados foi realizada por meio do referencial teórico metodológico da Análise de Discurso, em três etapas: Passagem da superfície linguística para o objeto discursivo; Passagem do objeto discursivo para o processo discursivo; Delineamento da formação discursiva e sua relação com a ideologia. Os resultados apontaram que, dos sete domínios avaliados, cinco (ações da gestão, ações da equipe de saúde, recursos para o desenvolvimento do TDO, prática do TDO e percepção sobre estratégias para melhorar o TDO) apresentaram diferença estatística significante para média, apresentando os menores valores na avaliação dos profissionais de saúde. Na análise exploratória dos domínios com menores valores e mediante as sequências discursivas analisadas identificou-se uma infraestrutura deficitária; escassez de recursos humanos; necessidade e dificuldade de adaptação do TDO à realidade local; necessidade de potencializar o processo de discussão entre a equipe; dificuldades que permeiam o processo de tratamento da pessoa com TB; a falta de treinamentos e a necessidade do uso de estratégias de sensibilização para melhorar a prática do TDO. Conclui-se que, para avançar na transferência da política do TDO, os municípios necessitam investir em infraestrutura adequada; disponibilização de materiais educativos; recursos humanos suficientes e qualificados e estratégias que atendam aos indivíduos na sua singularidade, como orientações individuais, acolhimento, uso de figuras, roda de conversa e projetos terapêuticos singulares, considerando as características de cada população e os determinantes sociais de saúde / This study aimed to analyze the transfer of the policy of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) for tuberculosis, in its phase of maintenance and expansion in the Primary Healthcare Units in priority municipalities for tuberculosis control in the state of Amazonas. This was a mixed methods, convergent study, with a combination of quantitative and qualitative aspects, carried out in five municipalities: Itacoatiara, Manacapuru, Parintins, Tabatinga and Tefé. A total of 138 health professionals participated in the quantitative stage and seven nurses and four community health agents in the qualitative stage. The quantitative study was characterized as a epidemiological, inquiry study, with the application of the instrument \"Policy Transfer Evaluation - Innovation, Information and Knowledge in Tuberculosis - ATP-IINFOC-TB\" covering seven analysis domains. For the qualitative step, a pre-tested script, consisting of semi-structured questions related to general information about DOT, was used for the interviews. Data collection was carried out from January to April 2016. The analysis of the quantitative data was performed through descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques, using the Statistica 12 software, Statsoft. Inc, and R version 3.2.3 program. For the organization of the qualitative data the Atlas.ti 7.0 software was used, and data analysis was performed using the methodological theoretical framework of Discourse Analysis in three stages: Passage from the linguistic surface to the discursive object; Passage from the discursive object to the discursive process; Design of the discursive formation and its relation with the ideology. The results showed that, of the seven domains assessed, five (management actions, health team actions, resources for the development of DOT, practice of DOT and perception of strategies to improve DOT) presented statistically significant differences for the mean, presenting the lowest values in the assessment of the health professionals. In the exploratory analysis of the domains with lower values and through the discursive sequences analyzed, the following factors were identified: a deficient infrastructure; shortage of human resources; need and difficulty to adapt DOT to the local reality; need to enhance the process of discussion among the team; difficulties that permeate the treatment process of the person with TB; lack of training; and need to use awareness strategies to improve the practice of DOT. It was conclude that, to advance in the transfer of the DOT policy, the municipalities need to invest in adequate infrastructure; provision of educational materials; sufficient and qualified human resources; and strategies that contemplate individuals in their uniqueness. such as individual guidance, acceptance, use of figures, wheel of conversation and individual therapeutic projects, considering the characteristics of each population and the social determinants of health

Background. Stepped care is widely implemented as a means to organise depression treatment. However, it is unclear how this system and the system it was designed to replace – long-term intensive psychotherapy for all – compare. Aim. To further the development and evaluation of stepped care. Specifically, assess the clinical effectiveness of stepped care and prepare for a fully-powered evaluation of stepped care vs. high-intensity psychotherapy alone for depressed adults. Design. A systematic review and mixed methods feasibility study encompassing a pilot randomised controlled trial and semi-structured interviews. Results of the systematic review. Fourteen randomised controlled trials involving 4580 participants were included. Relative to controls, there was significantly greater improvement in depression for adults treated with stepped care (d=0.34 at six months; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.48). The quality of included studies was good and there was little evidence of publication bias. All comparisons were with usual care. Results of the feasibility study. 66 patients were recruited to the pilot trial. The recruitment rate was 2.9% and follow-up data was obtained from 90.9% of participants. A third of stepped care patients stepped up to high-intensity therapy. Patients improved in both groups: the mean reduction in depressive symptoms was 13.4 in the stepped care group and 13.6 in the high-intensity therapy alone group. Recruitment methods were appropriate to patients and therapists but only somewhat appropriate to IAPT staff. Although the stepped care intervention was broadly acceptable to therapists, patient experience varied and some patients who demonstrated a low level of self-efficacy declined any therapy or dropped out of treatment. Conclusions. The effectiveness of stepped care compared with long-term intensive psychological therapy for all has not yet been established. A fully-powered trial of stepped care vs. high-intensity therapy alone is feasible although pilot trial methods and procedures should be modified to improve recruitment and acceptability.

Electrochromic (EC) glazing has emerged as an alternative to traditional forms of glazing. It has the potential to enable occupants to control daylight ingress without the use of blinds, giving users more access to daylight with all its inherent benefits. Research efforts to date have been mainly focussed on the potential of EC glazing as an energy saving technology through the reduction of electric lighting and air conditioning energy loads, using scale models, computer simulations and full scale test rooms. Few studies have considered the user experience of the technology, and none of the studies that have included data from human participants have been carried out in a real-world research setting over a long-term period. Thus, there is a general lack of understanding regarding the performance and suitability of EC glazing in real-world working environments. To address this gap in research, a new study of EC glazing was undertaken, looking at the experience of occupants working in an office that had been retrofitted with EC-glazed windows. The retrofit was the first of its kind in the UK, and provided an opportunity to study the user experience of EC glazing in a real-world setting over a longitudinal period. The aims of the study were to gain new insights into the experience of users of EC glazing, and to learn about the practicalities of installing it. A number of research questions were defined, leading to a mixed methods data collection programme, carried out over a period of almost 18 months. The data collection encompassed data from the occupants as well as from the physical environment, and was designed in response to the constraints of the site and occupants, as well as the aims of the research enquiry. The resulting data set includes a valuable record of occupant experiences and behaviour, as well as detailed information about environmental conditions at key times. A number of contextual factors influencing the effectiveness of EC glazing were identified. The outcomes of this research provide a new understanding of the user experience of EC glazing, and thus can inform further technological development and benefit future installations.