In South Africa, Science and Technology Education faces many problems. Insufficient numbers of Science and Technology teachers, inadequate in–service training, large classes, instruction with the aim of narrowly orienting students towards examination passes an insufficient integration of technology in the curriculum, and insufficient physical infrastructure dominates the list. The Department of Education envisages the use of ICT as a tool for learning and teaching. ICT has the potential to improve the quality of education and training. If adequate resources are available, and teachers have confidence in the usefulness of ICTs, then the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science. A review of the literature indicated that the deployment of ICT resources alone will not bring about desirable pedagogical practices in the classroom. There exists a need for interventions that will enhance ICT pedagogical practices in South Africa. The following main research questions were formulated: What are the ICT pedagogic practices used by grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers in South African classrooms? How do the barriers that grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers encounter, as well as the support they receive, influence their pedagogical practices? What is the Principal’s role in promoting the emerging pedagogic practices using ICT in South African classrooms? This research comprises a secondary data analysis of the SITES 2006 South African data base. The population and sample for this study was based on the South African grade 8 Mathematics and Natural science teachers. In SITES 2006, the samples comprised more than 504 schools. Due to the fact that ICT is only significantly implemented in two out of nine provinces in South Africa, 25 strata were created to secure fair representation of the population with 666 Mathematics teachers and 622 Natural Science teachers. Bromfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Engeström’s Activity Theory was used to investigate Natural Science and Mathematics teachers’ progress in their ICT pedagogical practices through the time–frame 2004 to 2013, as stipulated in the South Africa’s White paper on e–Education policy. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to address the research and sub–questions. The study found that South African Mathematics and Natural Science teachers’ level of ICT use is small; when they do use ICT, it is enhanced 21st century pedagogic practices. This is in accordance with findings from the international literature study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

In South Africa, Science and Technology Education faces many problems. Insufficient numbers of Science and Technology teachers, inadequate in–service training, large classes, instruction with the aim of narrowly orienting students towards examination passes an insufficient integration of technology in the curriculum, and insufficient physical infrastructure dominates the list. The Department of Education envisages the use of ICT as a tool for learning and teaching. ICT has the potential to improve the quality of education and training. If adequate resources are available, and teachers have confidence in the usefulness of ICTs, then the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science. A review of the literature indicated that the deployment of ICT resources alone will not bring about desirable pedagogical practices in the classroom. There exists a need for interventions that will enhance ICT pedagogical practices in South Africa. The following main research questions were formulated: What are the ICT pedagogic practices used by grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers in South African classrooms? How do the barriers that grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers encounter, as well as the support they receive, influence their pedagogical practices? What is the Principal’s role in promoting the emerging pedagogic practices using ICT in South African classrooms? This research comprises a secondary data analysis of the SITES 2006 South African data base. The population and sample for this study was based on the South African grade 8 Mathematics and Natural science teachers. In SITES 2006, the samples comprised more than 504 schools. Due to the fact that ICT is only significantly implemented in two out of nine provinces in South Africa, 25 strata were created to secure fair representation of the population with 666 Mathematics teachers and 622 Natural Science teachers. Bromfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Engeström’s Activity Theory was used to investigate Natural Science and Mathematics teachers’ progress in their ICT pedagogical practices through the time–frame 2004 to 2013, as stipulated in the South Africa’s White paper on e–Education policy. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to address the research and sub–questions. The study found that South African Mathematics and Natural Science teachers’ level of ICT use is small; when they do use ICT, it is enhanced 21st century pedagogic practices. This is in accordance with findings from the international literature study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

【目的與理論】 探討「統治現象」的方法有二：一是透過制度研究的方式，第二則是進行統治菁英的研究。本文即是以「人」的角度出發，探討國民黨、民進黨政府執政菁英的生態與差異。並以代表理論延伸至「代表性中央執政菁英」的觀點，以兩千年台灣社會人口統計作為檢視這兩個政權的執政團隊是否具有社會代表性的標準。預期透過這樣的研究，去理解一個統治台灣長達五十年的國民黨，以及成立於一九八六年的新興民進黨，這兩個背景迥然不同的政黨，執政團隊的結構究竟有什麼樣的差異，而其趨勢為何…等，進行初始性的探索與研究。 【研究方法】 本文為國內首起有關中央政府執政菁英組成之比較性研究，必須透過蒐集國史館網站、行政院暨所屬各機關人事名錄、中華民國名人錄…等次級資料，來進行本研究資料庫的建立。預期透過比較兩政府執政菁英的黨籍、性別、省籍、區域、世代及前職等個人變項，去理解這兩個政權是否因為政黨間特色的差異，所以形成了不同的執政菁英生態，並以代表理論作為呼應。 【研究結論】 分析新、舊政權執政菁英的組成生態後，發現落實兩性共治理念的限制、世代的交替、外省族群勢力的全面性撤退、雲嘉南政治菁英的崛起及民進黨政府取才管道的多樣化等。透過比較由遠至近的時間點，印證了執政菁英的組成生態（例如性別、世代、族群及區域等變項）在符合台灣社會人口的代表性上，不是政權交替之後才急遽地產生變化，而是逐漸改變的，雖然其在改變的幅度上有所差異。再者，民進黨政府於取得執政權後逐漸於政務層級中置入實際的政治權力，全民政府的理念僅是首次組閣的政治性宣傳。最後，民進黨執政團隊於可替代性較高的部門及政務層級中，社會人口的代表性較易達成。 / This thesis is an exploratory study of the composition of governing elites on Taiwan. Secondary data analysis is the primary method used in this research. The data of elite profiles are mainly collected from the following sources: (1) a website database on historical figures from the Academia Historica; (2) the official address-book on superintendents of the Executive Yuan and its departments; (3) Who's Who of the Republic of China. This research compared personal variables of governing elites of two regimes, such as party membership, gender, ethnic group, area, generation, and pervious profession. In this way, this study tries to answer whether the characteristic differences between KMT and DPP governments will lead to the different characteristics of the governing elites as depicts in the theory of representative bureaucracy. After analyzing the composition of governing elites of the two regimes, we have following five findings. First, there is a long way to go to gender equality in governing elites regardless a little progress has been made by the DPP. Second, governing elites of DPP government are younger than KMT government. Third, much less elites of mainland Chinese origin are appointed by the DPP than the KMT. Forth, DPP appointed much more southern Taiwanese elites than the KMT does. Lastly, governing elites in DPP government are coming from a more diverse prior professions than those in the KMT government.

The diploma thesis deals with the optimization of marketing communication strategy of the hospital institution SurGal Clinic s.r.o. The goal of this thesis is to formulate more effective marketing communication strategy with hospital`s clients on the basis of obtained results from both conducted analyses of inner and outer environment and own marketing research. The suggested solutions were processed according to project management principals.

Master’s thesis is focused on marketing research. The goal of this research is to know and describe the prospects and their perception of the product. Beside this goal the thesis demonstrates possible use of general statistical induction in the field of marketing research. The object of the research are social units carrying business in agriculture, forestry, timbering and building industry.

Data quality has become an area of increasing concern in marketing research. Methods of collecting data, types of data analyzed, and data analytics techniques have changed substantially in recent years. It is important, therefore, to examine the current state of marketing research, and particularly self-administered questionnaires. This paper provides researchers important advice and rules of thumb for crafting high quality research in light of the contemporary changes occuring in modern marketing data collection practices. This is accomplished by a proposed six-step research design process that ensures data quality, and ultimately research integrity, are established and maintained throughout the research process—from the earliest conceptualization and design phases, through data collection, and ultimately the reporting of results. This paper provides a framework, which if followed, will result in reduced headaches for researchers and more robust results for decision makers.

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by Li Yeuk Sheung Jessie, Poon Polly. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 94). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.vii / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.viii / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Objectives --- p.2 / Background Information --- p.3 / Rivalry among Established Firms --- p.3 / The Threat of Substitute Products --- p.4 / Potential Competition --- p.5 / The Bargaining Power of Buyers --- p.5 / The Bargaining Power of Suppliers --- p.6 / The Role of Macro environment --- p.6 / Chapter II. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.9 / Research Design --- p.9 / Data Collection Method --- p.10 / Secondary Data --- p.10 / Primary Data --- p.10 / Sampling --- p.12 / Fieldwork --- p.14 / Qualitative Method --- p.14 / Quantitative Method --- p.15 / Chapter III. --- LIMITATIONS --- p.16 / Chapter IV. --- FINDINGS --- p.18 / Interviews and Observations of Schools --- p.18 / Quantitative --- p.18 / Information Technology in Education (ITE) --- p.18 / Teaching and Learning via Network --- p.19 / Educatonal Software --- p.19 / Chapter V. --- DATA ANALYSIS --- p.21 / Hypothesis 1 --- p.21 / Hypothesis la ´ؤ The Present ITE Resources are Sufficient in Hong Kong Secondary School --- p.21 / Interviews and Observations --- p.21 / Questionnaires --- p.23 / Hypothesis lb ´ؤ The Current Government Policy of Implementing ITEis Compatible With That of Hong Kong Secondary Schools --- p.24 / Interviews and Observations --- p.24 / Questionnaires --- p.25 / Hypothesis lc -- Hong Kong Secondary Schools Face No Difficulties When Implementing ITE --- p.25 / Interviews and Observations --- p.25 / Questionnaires --- p.26 / Conclusion of Hypothesis 1 -- It is Feasible for Hong Kong Secondary Schools to Use ITE --- p.27 / Hypothesis 2 --- p.27 / Hypothesis 2a ´ؤ Teaching & Learning via Networks is Accepted by Teachers --- p.27 / Interviews and Observations --- p.27 / Questionnaires --- p.29 / Hypothesis 2b Teachers Think ITE Infrastructure is Sufficient to Implement Teaching and Learning via Networks --- p.30 / Interviews and Observations --- p.30 / Questionnaries --- p.31 / Conclusion of Hypothesis 2--It is Suitable for Hong Kong Secondary Schools to Implement Teaching and Learning via Networks --- p.32 / Hypothesis 3 --- p.32 / Hypothesis 3a -- Educational Software is Not Commonly Used --- p.32 / Interviews and Observations --- p.32 / Questionnaires --- p.33 / Hypothesis 3b -- The Contents of Current Educational Software is Not Compatibility with the Course Contents --- p.34 / Interviews and Observations --- p.34 / Questionnaires --- p.35 / Hypothesis 3c -- The Current Mode of Educational Software is Not Compatible with the Contents of Courses --- p.35 / Interviews and Observations --- p.35 / Questionnaires --- p.36 / Conclusion of Hypothesis 3 -- Current Educational Software is Unsuitable for Hong Kong Secondary Schools to Implement ITE --- p.37 / Chapter VI. --- RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.39 / Define and Segment a Market --- p.39 / Adopt Product Differentiation --- p.40 / Tailor-make the Contents to Local Schools --- p.40 / Target Specific Subjects --- p.41 / Provide Suitable Modes of Educational Software According to Local Tastes --- p.41 / Adopt Price Differentiation Strategy on Specific Subjects --- p.42 / Provide Augmented Services --- p.43 / Tailor-make Packages for Individual Schools Based on Their Needs --- p.43 / Long-Term Contracting with Publishers --- p.44 / Expertise Obtained from Outside --- p.44 / Provide Training Courses to Teachers --- p.45 / Marketing Mix Strategies --- p.45 / Distribution Strategies --- p.45 / Promotion Strategies --- p.46 / Product Strategies --- p.47 / Pricing Strategies --- p.47 / Modify the Company Structure --- p.48 / Chapter VII. --- CONCLUSION --- p.49 / APPENDIX --- p.51 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.94

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium of epidemiologic importance in Canadian healthcare facilities. The contact between MRSA colonized or infected patients with other patients, healthcare workers (HCWs) and/or the healthcare environment can result in MRSA transmission and healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) infections in hospitals. These HA-MRSA infections are linked with increased length of hospital stay, economic burden, morbidity and mortality. Although infection prevention and control programs initiated in 2009 in Canada and other developed countries (e.g., UK, France, Belgium, Denmark, etc.) have been relatively successful in reducing the rate of HA-MRSA infections, they continue to pose a threat to patients, especially to the more vulnerable in long term care and geriatric institutions. Historically, MRSA was a problem mainly in hospital settings but after mid-1990s new strains of MRSA have been identified among people without healthcare-related risks and have been classified as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Furthermore, the distinction between HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA strains is gradually waning due to both the introduction of HA-MRSA in communities, and the emergence of CA-MRSA strains in hospitals. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the feasibility of constructing healthcare networks to evaluate the role of healthcare providers (e.g., physicians) and places (e.g., patient rooms) in the transmission of MRSA in a large tertiary care facility. Method of investigation: a secondary data case-control study, using individual characteristics and network structure measures, conducted at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) between April 1st, 2013 and March 31th, 2014. Results: It was feasible to build social networks in a large tertiary care facility based on electronic medical records data. The networks' size (represented by the number of vertices and lines) increased during the outbreak period (period 1) compared to the pre-outbreak period (period 0) for both groups and at all three TOH campuses. The calculated median degree centrality showed significant increase in value for both study groups during period 1 compared to period 0 for two of the TOH campuses (Civic and General). There was no significant difference between the median degree centrality calculated for each study group at the Heart Institute when compared for the two reference periods. The median degree centrality of the MRSA case group for period 0 showed no significant difference when compared to the same measure determined for the control group for all three TOH campuses. However, the median degree centrality calculated for period 1 was significantly increased for the control group compared to the MRSA case group for two TOH campuses (Civic and General) but showed no significant difference between the two groups from the Heart Institute. In addition, there was a correlation between the two network measures (degree centrality and eigenvector centrality) calculated to determine the most influential person or place in the MRSA case group networks. However, there was no correlation between the two network’s measures calculated for physicians included in MRSA case group networks. Conclusions: It is feasible to use social network analysis as an epidemiologic analysis tool to characterize the MRSA transmission in a hospital setting. The network's visible changes between the groups and reference periods were reflected by the network measures and supported also by known hospital patient movements after the outbreak onset. Furthermore, we were able to identify potential source cases and places just prior of the outbreak start. Unfortunately, we were not able to show the role of healthcare workers in MRSA transmission in a hospital setting due to limitations in data collection and network measure chosen (eigenvector centrality). Further research is required to confirm these study findings.