View All Items
Pages
- Title
- IMPLEMENTING USABILITY TESTING OF TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS AT ANY COMPANY AND ON ANY BUDGET.
- Creator
-
Collins, Meghan, Flammia, Madelyn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In my thesis I discuss the cost effectiveness of usability testing of technical documents and how any size company with any size budget can implement usability testing. Usability is achieved when the people who use products or technical documents can do so quickly and easily to accomplish their own tasks. Usability testing is best defined as the process of studying users to determine a documentation projectÃÂ's effectiveness for its intended audience. Users are tired of...
Show moreIn my thesis I discuss the cost effectiveness of usability testing of technical documents and how any size company with any size budget can implement usability testing. Usability is achieved when the people who use products or technical documents can do so quickly and easily to accomplish their own tasks. Usability testing is best defined as the process of studying users to determine a documentation projectÃÂ's effectiveness for its intended audience. Users are tired of dealing with confusing and unintuitive technical documentation that forces them to either call customer service for help on simple issues or throw out the product in favor of one that is more usable or provides better technical documentation. That is why all technical communicators should include usability testing as part of the technical documentation production cycle. To help technical communicators understand the importance of usability testing, I discuss the cost effectiveness of usability testing and share ways that companies with large budgets and companies with small budgets can begin incorporating usability testing. Then I provide information on all the steps that are necessary for technical communicators to implement usability testing of technical documentation at their company. Options are presented for everything from bare minimum usability testing with a shoe-string budget with pencils, note pads, and only a handful of users to full scale usability testing in large laboratories with the latest equipment and a wide variety of users. The research provides examples from real companies, advice from experienced technical communicators and usability experts, and research demonstrating how many resources are truly required to benefit from usability testing. By showing technical communicators that usability testing is cost effective and that there are many options for implementing usability testing no matter how large or small their budget is, I hope to empower technical communicators to start including usability testing as part of the documentation production cycle at their companies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0002995, ucf:47935
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002995
- Title
- A quasi-experiment on the degree to which i-Ready Reading Instruction predicted Florida state assessment scores for low performing students compared to students on grade level.
- Creator
-
Pierce, Ashley, Sivo, Stephen, Bai, Haiyan, Clark, M. H., Hopp, Carolyn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which i-Ready(&)#174; Reading Instruction (a computer adaptive testing program) predicted Florida Standards Assessment English Language Arts (FSA ELA) scores for low performing students (Level 1) compared to those who are on grade level (Level 3). Participants included students in seventh grade at a central Florida school district who participated in i-Ready(&)#174; Reading Instruction and who had previously scored a Level 1 or Level 3...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which i-Ready(&)#174; Reading Instruction (a computer adaptive testing program) predicted Florida Standards Assessment English Language Arts (FSA ELA) scores for low performing students (Level 1) compared to those who are on grade level (Level 3). Participants included students in seventh grade at a central Florida school district who participated in i-Ready(&)#174; Reading Instruction and who had previously scored a Level 1 or Level 3 on the FSA ELA. A hierarchical multiple regression was run to determine the impact of the interaction effect between prior year FSA performance level and time spent in i-Ready(&)#174; Reading Instruction, while controlling for teacher-level and other student-level variables. Regression analyses indicated that prior year FSA ELA performance level did not moderate the degree to which time spent in i-Ready(&)#174; Reading Instruction predicted FSA ELA score gains. Additionally, when the interaction term was removed from the regression, time spent in i-Ready(&)#174; Reading Instruction did not predict FSA ELA score gains.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007234, ucf:52242
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007234
- Title
- The Effect of Magnetic Bearing on the Vibration and Friction of a Wind Turbine.
- Creator
-
Vorwaller, Mark, Lin, Kuo-Chi, Raghavan, Seetha, Gou, Jihua, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Demands for sustainable energy have resulted in increased interest in wind turbines. Thus, despite widespread economic difficulties, global installed wind power increased by over 20% in 2011 alone. Recently, magnetic bearing technology has been proposed to improve wind turbine performance by mitigating vibration and reducing frictional losses. While magnetic bearing has been shown to reduce friction in other applications, little data has been presented to establish its effect on vibration and...
Show moreDemands for sustainable energy have resulted in increased interest in wind turbines. Thus, despite widespread economic difficulties, global installed wind power increased by over 20% in 2011 alone. Recently, magnetic bearing technology has been proposed to improve wind turbine performance by mitigating vibration and reducing frictional losses. While magnetic bearing has been shown to reduce friction in other applications, little data has been presented to establish its effect on vibration and friction in wind turbines. Accordingly, this study provides a functional method for experimentally evaluating the effect of a magnetic bearing on the vibration and efficiency characteristics of a wind turbine, along with associated results and conclusions.The magnetic bearing under examination is a passive, concentric ring design. Vibration levels, dominant frequency components, and efficiency results are reported for the bearing as tested in two systems: a precision test fixture, and a small commercially available wind turbine. Data is also presented for a geometrically equivalent ball bearing, providing a benchmark for the magnetic bearing's performance. The magnetic bearing is conclusively shown to reduce frictional losses as predicted by the original hypothesis. However, while reducing vibration in the precision test fixture, the magnetic bearing demonstrates increased vibration in the small wind turbine. This is explained in terms of the stiffness and damping of the passive test bearing. Thus, magnetic bearing technology promises to improve wind turbine performance, provided that application specific stiffness and damping characteristics are considered in the bearing design.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004452, ucf:49326
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004452
- Title
- ACCELERATED LIFE TESTING OF SUBSEA EQUIPMENT UNDER HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE.
- Creator
-
Thiraviam, Amar Raja, Malone, Linda, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) is an effective method of demonstrating and improving product reliability in applications where the products are expected to perform for a long period of time. ALT accelerates a given failure mode by testing at amplified stress level(s) in excess of operational limits. Statistical analysis (parameter estimation) is then performed on the data, based on an acceleration model to make life predictions at use level. The acceleration model thus forms the basis of...
Show moreAccelerated Life Testing (ALT) is an effective method of demonstrating and improving product reliability in applications where the products are expected to perform for a long period of time. ALT accelerates a given failure mode by testing at amplified stress level(s) in excess of operational limits. Statistical analysis (parameter estimation) is then performed on the data, based on an acceleration model to make life predictions at use level. The acceleration model thus forms the basis of accelerated life testing methodology. Well established accelerated models such as the Arrhenius model and the Inverse Power Law (IPL) model exist for key stresses such as temperature and voltage. But there are other stresses like subsea pressure, where there is no clear model of choice. This research proposes a pressure-life (acceleration) model for the first time for life prediction under subsea pressure for key mechanical/physical failure mechanisms. Three independent accelerated tests were conducted and their results analyzed to identify the best model for the pressure-life relationship. The testing included material tests in standard coupons to investigate the effect of subsea pressure on key physical, mechanical, and electrical properties. Tests were also conducted at the component level on critical components that function as a pressure barrier. By comparing the likelihood values of multiple reasonable candidate models for the individual tests, the exponential model was identified as a good model for the pressure-life relationship. In addition to consistently providing good fit among the three tests, the exponential model was also consistent with field data (validation with over 10 years of field data) and demonstrated several characteristics that enable robust life predictions in a variety of scenarios. In addition the research also used the process of Bayesian analysis to incorporate prior information from field and test data to bolster the results and increase the confidence in the predictions from the proposed model.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003411, ucf:48422
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003411
- Title
- TESTING BIAS IN THE OCCUPATIONAL INTERVIEW: A PILOT STUDY ON RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.
- Creator
-
Presley, Brandon, Lynxwiler, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study is to determine the possibility of the occupational interview utilizing tests that prove to be bias towards one particular race or another. This study is a pilot study and represents the first step in developing a more extensive research design to examine testing bias within the occupational employment interview setting. Ten black students and ten white students are asked to complete two types of occupational interview samples. Those samples are then reviewed by two...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the possibility of the occupational interview utilizing tests that prove to be bias towards one particular race or another. This study is a pilot study and represents the first step in developing a more extensive research design to examine testing bias within the occupational employment interview setting. Ten black students and ten white students are asked to complete two types of occupational interview samples. Those samples are then reviewed by two black hiring managers and two white hiring managers. The results are examined to determine if one test had a greater impact on the manager's hiring decisions. The findings indicate that when compared to the unstructured interview, the structured interview was associated with less bias in the hiring selection. From the data reviewed, possible limitations and future research was discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002780, ucf:48107
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002780
- Title
- PERCEPTUAL IMAGE QUALITY OF LAUNCHVEHICLE IMAGING TELESCOPES.
- Creator
-
Lentz, Joshua, Harvey, James, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A large fleet (in the hundreds) of high quality telescopes are used for tracking and imaging of launch vehicles during ascent from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center. A maintenance tool has been development for use with these telescopes. The tool requires rankings of telescope condition in terms of the ability to generate useful imagery. It is thus a case of ranking telescope conditions on the basis of the perceptual image quality of their imagery. Perceptual image...
Show moreA large fleet (in the hundreds) of high quality telescopes are used for tracking and imaging of launch vehicles during ascent from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center. A maintenance tool has been development for use with these telescopes. The tool requires rankings of telescope condition in terms of the ability to generate useful imagery. It is thus a case of ranking telescope conditions on the basis of the perceptual image quality of their imagery. Perceptual image quality metrics that are well-correlated to observer opinions of image quality have been available for several decades. However, these are quite limited in their applications, not being designed to compare various optical systems. The perceptual correlation of the metrics implies that a constant image quality curve (such as the boundary between two qualitative categories labeled as excellent and good) would have a constant value of the metric. This is not the case if the optical system parameters (such as object distance or aperture diameter) are varied. No published data on such direct variation is available and this dissertation presents an investigation made into the perceptual metric responses as system parameters are varied. This investigation leads to some non-intuitive conclusions. The perceptual metrics are reviewed as well as more common metrics and their inability to perform in the necessary manner for the research of interest. Perceptual test methods are also reviewed, as is the human visual system. Image formation theory is presented in a non-traditional form, yielding the surprising result that perceptual image quality is invariant under changes in focal length if the final displayed image remains constant. Experimental results are presented of changes in perceived image quality as aperture diameter is varied. Results are analyzed and shortcomings in the process and metrics are discussed. Using the test results, predictions are made about the form of the metric response to object distance variations, and subsequent testing was conducted to validate the predictions. The utility of the results, limitations of applicability, and the immediate ability to further generalize the results is presented.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003899, ucf:48731
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003899
- Title
- Aging Characteristics of Al-4.5%Cu-1.4%Mg-0.5%Ag.
- Creator
-
White, James Kelly, Smith, William F., Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; The effects of single-step and two-step aging treatments on the tensile properties of an A1-4.5%Cu-1.4%Mg- 0.5%Ag alloy have been investigated. Results showed that a maximum ultimate tensile strength of 75 ksi can be attained by single-step aging 24 hr at 170°C. The two-step aging treatments consisting of first aging one week at 80°C followed by aging at 160° and 190°C led to lower strength properties than simple one-step aging....
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; The effects of single-step and two-step aging treatments on the tensile properties of an A1-4.5%Cu-1.4%Mg- 0.5%Ag alloy have been investigated. Results showed that a maximum ultimate tensile strength of 75 ksi can be attained by single-step aging 24 hr at 170°C. The two-step aging treatments consisting of first aging one week at 80°C followed by aging at 160° and 190°C led to lower strength properties than simple one-step aging. Reversion treatments applied to fully age-hardened alloy resulted in an almost progressive loss of strength in the 250° to 375° range.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1977
- Identifier
- CFR0003473, ucf:53038
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003473
- Title
- Psychometric Issues Related to the Tinker Toy Test.
- Creator
-
Guzman, Daniel, Fouty, Ed, Berman, Steven, Damato-Kubiet, Leslee, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
An evaluation of executive functioning is a critical component of a comprehensive assessment of higher cerebral functioning. The Tinker Toy Test (TTT) was introduced in 1982. This test allows an individual to demonstrate the extent of their executive capacities by permitting them to initiate, plan, and structure a potentially complex activity and carry it out independently in an unstructured fashion and administration is simple. This is a departure from more complex and structured tests of...
Show moreAn evaluation of executive functioning is a critical component of a comprehensive assessment of higher cerebral functioning. The Tinker Toy Test (TTT) was introduced in 1982. This test allows an individual to demonstrate the extent of their executive capacities by permitting them to initiate, plan, and structure a potentially complex activity and carry it out independently in an unstructured fashion and administration is simple. This is a departure from more complex and structured tests of executive function. There is a dearth of research on the TTT and this study seeks to examine some of the psychometric properties of this instrument; i.e., working time minimum, gender effects, convergent and divergent validity, and potential intellectual correlates. Participants included 10 male and 30 female student volunteers from a large university in Central Florida. Participants had no history of neurologic disease/trauma or conditions that would affect motor functioning of the upper extremities. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the WASI-II, and the TTT. A two-way mixed-design ANOVA examining TTT scores as a function of work time and gender revealed a non-significant gender main effect, F(1, 21) = .09, p = .767. The work time main effect was not significant, , F(1, 21) = .324, p = .575. A significant work time x gender interaction was observed, F(1, 21) = 4.983, p = .037. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing the TTT scores with the Matrix Reasoning subtest, r(38) = .32, p = .044, and the Similarities, r(38) = .34, p = .03, subtest on the WASI-II. Divergent validity was assessed by comparing TTT scores to the Block Design subtest of the WASI-II, r(38) = .245, p = .127. No significant correlation was found between intelligence and TTT (VCI, r(38) = -.16, p = .335; PRI, r(38) = .15, p = .344; and FSIQ, r(38) = -.02, p = .928). The data supports the continued use of the 5-minute working time minimum presented by Lezak, as this temporal index was a more accurate representation of executive functioning. This study demonstrated no association between TTT scores and intellectual functioning. The findings of this study support the validity of this underutilized test of executive functioning and its inclusion in neuropsychological test batteries.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005802, ucf:50044
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005802
- Title
- A GROUNDED THEORY STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF FLORIDA SCHOOL REPORT CARDS ON HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHERS' SELF-EFFICACY AND PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENT WRITING.
- Creator
-
Briand, Casey S, Olan, Elsie L., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study sought to uncover how the annual Florida School Report Card influences secondary English Language Arts (ELA) teachers' self-efficacy and perceptions of student writing. The study's findings suggested that ELA teachers' self-efficacy may be indirectly influenced by the School Report Card. The participants in this study suggested that they do not feel totally capable of applying the information learned from the School Report Card to their own classrooms. The teachers who participated...
Show moreThis study sought to uncover how the annual Florida School Report Card influences secondary English Language Arts (ELA) teachers' self-efficacy and perceptions of student writing. The study's findings suggested that ELA teachers' self-efficacy may be indirectly influenced by the School Report Card. The participants in this study suggested that they do not feel totally capable of applying the information learned from the School Report Card to their own classrooms. The teachers who participated in the study also reported that they have low outcome expectations when interacting with the School Report Card. They do not believe that their actions can influence the School Report Card, and suggested that they see the school grade as a moving target with changing rules they may not be able to keep up with. The School Report Card was not suggested to directly impact the participants' perceptions of student writing. Instead, the data suggested that a variety of internal and external factors influence the way teachers perceive their students' writing quality. Finally, most of the participants suggested that they view the school grade as an unfair measure of achievement, and a tool that does not take into account the quality of the learning in the school and represents the school poorly. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) was used to situate these findings and gain a better understanding of how the School Report Card functions as a tool for teachers and administrators.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000108, ucf:46040
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000108
- Title
- THE UNRAVELING OF AMERICA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM.
- Creator
-
Wright, Amy, Kiel, Dwight, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This research project takes a critical look at the data that drives educational policies. This research project looks at the data at the national level as well as the regional levels in order to see if the data is functioning differently at the different levels. All data has been collected from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) through reports published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an independent committee assigned to collect and analyze...
Show moreThis research project takes a critical look at the data that drives educational policies. This research project looks at the data at the national level as well as the regional levels in order to see if the data is functioning differently at the different levels. All data has been collected from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) through reports published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an independent committee assigned to collect and analyze educational data. The data was collected and then correlations were run between the expenditures per pupil, number of pupils per teacher, standardized test scores, such as average ACT, average SAT, average 8th grade Math and Reading tests, and average 4th grade Math and Reading tests. This research project also included the percentage of minority students in the classroom, a variable whose data has been collected over the years, but it has never been included in any prior analyses. What this research project found is that some of the data, such as the standardized test scores, have a different strength of relationship between variables at the different levels. For example, expenditures per pupil have strength in the relationship between the different standardized test scores at the national level, but once those numbers are broken down by region, the strength in the variables relationship is weakened. This research project also discovered that the make up of the classroom, specifically the percentage of minority students, is a vital factor in the performance of all students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000766, ucf:46556
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000766
- Title
- THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FILTER MEDIA TO REDUCE NITRATE AND ORTHOPHOSPHATE IN STORMWATER RUNOFF.
- Creator
-
Moberg, Mikhal, Chang, Ni-Bin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Throughout Central Florida surface water and ground water are decreasing in quantity and quality in part because of excess Nitrate and Phosphorus nutrients. Stormwater runoff serves as a medium for transport of Nitrate and Phosphorus to surface water and ground water. The goal of this experiment is assess the Nitrate and Phosphorus removal in stormwater using select media. The results of a literature search, batch test experimentation and column test experimentation are used to determine an...
Show moreThroughout Central Florida surface water and ground water are decreasing in quantity and quality in part because of excess Nitrate and Phosphorus nutrients. Stormwater runoff serves as a medium for transport of Nitrate and Phosphorus to surface water and ground water. The goal of this experiment is assess the Nitrate and Phosphorus removal in stormwater using select media. The results of a literature search, batch test experimentation and column test experimentation are used to determine an optimal media blend that may be implemented in detention ponds to reduce Nitrate and Phosphorus. The extensive literature search revealed 32 different media that may be used to remove Nitrate and Phosphorus. Each potential media was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated based on 5 criteria: 1) relevance, 2) permeability, 3) cost, 4) availability in Florida, and 5) additional environmental benefit. The top 7 performing media: Florida peat, sandy loam, woodchips, crushed oyster shell; crushed limestone, tire crumb and sawdust were selected for batch test experimentation. The aerobic conditions in batch test experimentation prohibited the growth of denitrifying bacteria, therefore media mixes were selected for column test experimentation based on Ammonia and Orthophosphate concentrations. Batch test experimentation showed the most effective media to be 50% sand, 30% tire crumb, 20% sawdust by weight (media mix 1) and 50% sand, 25% sawdust, 15% tire crumb, 10% limestone by weight (media mix 2). Media mix 1, media mix 2 and a control are tested in column test experimentation, where the control is site soil from Hunters Trace development in Ocala, Florida. Column test experimentation models a dry detention pond where water passes through a 48 inch unsaturated zone then a 48 inch saturated zone. To test Nitrate and Orthophosphate removal potential, pond water augmented with Nitrate (0.38, 1.26, 2.5 mg/L NO3-N) and Orthophosphate (0.125, 0.361, 0.785 mg/L PO4-P) was pumped into the columns. Media mix 1 and media mix 2 outperformed the control in both Nitrate and Orthophosphate removal. Media mix 1 and media mix 2 had Nitrate removal efficiencies ranging from 60% to 99% and the control had Nitrate removal efficiencies ranging from 38%-80%. Media mix 1 and media mix 2 averaged Orthophosphate removal efficiencies ranging from approximately 42% to 67%. For every run in every influent Orthophosphate concentration the saturated control added Orthophosphate to the water. The Nitrate and Orthophosphate removal performances for media mix 1 and media mix 2 could not be directly compared because of different influent saturated nutrient concentrations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002240, ucf:47884
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002240
- Title
- A Framework for Miniaturized Mechanical Characterization of Tensile, Creep, and Fatigue Properties of SLM Alloys.
- Creator
-
Torres-Caceres, Jonathan, Orlovskaya, Nina, Xu, Yunjun, Das, Tuhin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
With the heightened design complexity that may be achieved through additive manufacturing (AM) comes an equally complex set of distinct material characteristics. To properly characterize new materials for use in selective laser melting (SLM), extensive analysis is necessary. Traditional testing techniques, however, can be prohibitive in time and cost incurred. The small punch test (SPT) has been developed for such purposes, where material is scarce or costly. Although lacking standardization,...
Show moreWith the heightened design complexity that may be achieved through additive manufacturing (AM) comes an equally complex set of distinct material characteristics. To properly characterize new materials for use in selective laser melting (SLM), extensive analysis is necessary. Traditional testing techniques, however, can be prohibitive in time and cost incurred. The small punch test (SPT) has been developed for such purposes, where material is scarce or costly. Although lacking standardization, SPT has been successfully employed with various materials to assess material properties such as the yield and ultimate strength and verified by traditional testing results. With the accompaniment of numerical simulations for use in the inverse method and determining correlation factors, several methods exist for equating SPT results with traditional results. There are, however, areas of weakness with SPT which require development, and the solution of the inverse method can be demanding of time and resources. Additionally, the combination of SPT and SLM is relatively unexplored in literature, though studies have shown that SPT is sensitive to the types of structures and unique material characteristics present in SLM components. The present research therefore focuses on developing a framework for characterizing SLM materials via the small punch test. Several types of SLM materials in various orientations and processing states are small punch tested to evaluate the ability of the SPT to track the effects of these as they cause the materials to evolve. A novel cyclic test method is proposed to fill the gap in SPT fatigue testing. Results from these tests are evaluated via numerical modelling using the inverse method solved with the least squares method. Samples were also inspected using digital microscopy to connect fracture morphology to processing parameter variations. A framework is thus presented with which SPT may be utilized to more economically and expeditiously characterize SLM materials.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007109, ucf:51952
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007109
- Title
- The Design of a Digital Data Acquisition System for Jet Engine Testing.
- Creator
-
Carter, Robert W., null, null, Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; This research report documents the various types of Data Acquisition Systems in use for testing jet aircraft engines. The cost trade offs and design considerations are explored for systems which employ a digital computer as the prime recording/processing element. The digital computer has revolutionalized the data acquisition field, particularly in the testing of high performance jet engines. Test data can be acquired, processed,...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; This research report documents the various types of Data Acquisition Systems in use for testing jet aircraft engines. The cost trade offs and design considerations are explored for systems which employ a digital computer as the prime recording/processing element. The digital computer has revolutionalized the data acquisition field, particularly in the testing of high performance jet engines. Test data can be acquired, processed, converted to engineering units, and out via high speed line printers and cathode ray tubes (CRT's). The data acquisition system operates on-line, and interleaves the random requests for data from multiple test cells by using a specially designed software system and multi-processing capability of the high speed digital computer. All test data must be traceable to The National Bureau of Standards, which required that all calibration standards also be traceable. Primary and secondary calibration methods are discussed and examples of the mathematical processes for conversion of the raw data to meaningful results are presented. Data Acquisition Systems for jet engine testing can be logically grouped into two main categories, with the determining factor being the type of test to be conducted. Production engine testing requires rapid setup, calibration, and fast data turn around, particularly for modern automated test facilities. Development engine testing requires a large number of data channels, infrequent setup, and complete software for extensive engine performance calculations. Both types of Data Acquistion Systems have been designed and built by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and are used as examples of the techniques described in this report.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1973
- Identifier
- CFR0004770, ucf:52982
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0004770
- Title
- A Priori Analysis of Error and Bias in Value-Added Models.
- Creator
-
Lavery, Matthew, Hahs-Vaughn, Debbie, Sivo, Stephen, Bai, Haiyan, Amrein-Beardsley, Audrey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Over the past 20 years, value-added models (VAMs) have become increasingly popular in educational assessment and accountability policies because of the sophisticated statistical controls these models use to purportedly isolate the effect of a single teacher on the learning gains of his or her students. The present research uses a Monte Carlo simulation study design in order to investigate whether VAMs are able to provide accurate estimates of teacher effectiveness when all assumptions are met...
Show moreOver the past 20 years, value-added models (VAMs) have become increasingly popular in educational assessment and accountability policies because of the sophisticated statistical controls these models use to purportedly isolate the effect of a single teacher on the learning gains of his or her students. The present research uses a Monte Carlo simulation study design in order to investigate whether VAMs are able to provide accurate estimates of teacher effectiveness when all assumptions are met and to determine how robust the models are to endogenous peer effects and nonrandom assignment of students to classroom. The researcher generates three years of simulated achievement data for 18,750 students taught by 125 teachers, and analyzes this data with a linear mixed model similar to the SAS(&)#174; EVAAS(&)#174; Multivariate Response Model (MRM; M1), a basic covariate adjustment model (M2), and variations on these models designed to estimate random classroom effects. Findings indicate that the modified EVAAS may be too computationally onerous to be of practical use, and that modified covariate adjustment models do not perform significantly differently than the basic covariate adjustment model. When all assumptions are met, M1 is more accurate than M2, but both models perform reasonably well, misclassifying fewer than 5% of teachers on average. M1 is more robust to endogenous peer effects than M2, however both models misclassified more teachers than when all assumptions are met. M2 is more robust to nonrandom assignment of students than M1. Assigning teachers a balanced schedule of nonrandom classes with low, medium, and high prior achievement seemed to mitigate the problems that nonrandom assignment caused for M1, but made M2 less accurate. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006344, ucf:51568
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006344
- Title
- SELLING "DREAM INSURANCE": THE STANDARDIZED TEST-PREPARATION INDUSTRY'S SEARCH FOR LEGITIMACY, 1946-1989.
- Creator
-
Shepherd, Keegan, Crepeau, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis analyzes the origins, growth, and legitimization of the standardized test preparation ("test-prep") industry from the late 1940s to the end of the 1980s. In particular, this thesis focuses on the development of Stanley H. Kaplan Education Centers, Ltd. ("Kaplan") and The Princeton Review ("TPR"), and how these companies were most conducive in making the test-prep industry and standardized test-preparation itself socially acceptable. The standardized test most frequently discussed...
Show moreThis thesis analyzes the origins, growth, and legitimization of the standardized test preparation ("test-prep") industry from the late 1940s to the end of the 1980s. In particular, this thesis focuses on the development of Stanley H. Kaplan Education Centers, Ltd. ("Kaplan") and The Princeton Review ("TPR"), and how these companies were most conducive in making the test-prep industry and standardized test-preparation itself socially acceptable. The standardized test most frequently discussed in this thesis is the Scholastic Aptitude Test ("SAT"), especially after its development came under the control of Educational Testing Service ("ETS"), but due attention is also given to the American College Testing Program ("ACT"). This thesis argues that certain test-prep companies gained legitimacy by successfully manipulating the interstices of American business and education, and brokered legitimacy through the rhetorical devices in their advertising. However, the legitimacy for the industry at-large was gained by default as neither the American government nor the American public could conclusively demonstrate that the industry conducted wholesale fraud. The thesis also argues that standardized test manufacturers were forced to engage in a cat-and-mouse game of pseudo-antagonism and adaptation with the test-prep industry once truth-in-testing laws prescribed transparent operations in standardized testing. These developments affect the current state of American standardized testing, its fluctuating but ubiquitous presence in the college admissions process, and the perpetuation of the test-prep industry decades after its origins.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003746, ucf:48792
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003746
- Title
- The Relationship of English Language Scores on International Students' Academic Success.
- Creator
-
Shbeeb, Rebekah, Biraimah, Karen, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Bai, Haiyan, Wolford, Anna, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
International graduate students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) are not completing graduate programs at the same rate as domestic graduate students. One of the main differences in the admissions process for international graduate students compared to domestic students is the English language test requirement. The purpose of this study was twofold: to test if the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the (International English Language Testing System) IELTS scores have...
Show moreInternational graduate students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) are not completing graduate programs at the same rate as domestic graduate students. One of the main differences in the admissions process for international graduate students compared to domestic students is the English language test requirement. The purpose of this study was twofold: to test if the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the (International English Language Testing System) IELTS scores have any statistically significant linear relationships to international graduate students' academic success as defined by their cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Secondly, this study sought to understand how international graduate students feel about the TOEFL and/or IELTS, and whether or not they feel prepared for study with regards to their English language ability. Using mixed-methods research, data were retrieved from international graduate students who graduated from UCF during the 2012 (-) 2016 academic school years. Information from a total of 583 international graduate students was included in the retrieved data collection and data analyses. A survey was also utilized to assess current international graduate students' perceptions of the English language test and requirements. A total of 235 students completed the survey. The study demonstrated that TOEFL and IELTS scores do not have any statistically significant linear relationship to international graduate students' CGPA. Therefore, results from this research study did not indicate that the English language test scores have an impact on academic success for international graduate students who met the UCF admission requirements. The findings also demonstrate that international graduate students generally feel the scores are an accurate assessment of their English language abilities. However, many international graduate students expressed a desire for additional English language resources.The findings are beneficial in able to better understand whether or not English language test scores have any impact on international graduate students' success, and to more accurately comprehend the international graduate students' perspective regarding the language requirement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007725, ucf:52421
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007725
- Title
- Nitrogen-Containing Materials for Mechanochemical Synthesis, Luminescence Analysis, and Heterogeneous Catalysis.
- Creator
-
Nash, David, Zhai, Lei, Hampton, Michael, Harper, James, Rex, Matthew, Blair, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Various inorganic nitrogen-containing materials have been exploited for their different properties. Several nitride materials are commercially attractive due to their mechanical properties making them suitable for ceramic industries and wide bandgaps fitting for use as semiconductor and insulator materials, as well as optoelectronics. Nitride materials can exhibit versatility in applications such as the use of gallium nitride to make blue LEDs, nitrides of titanium and silicon being utilized...
Show moreVarious inorganic nitrogen-containing materials have been exploited for their different properties. Several nitride materials are commercially attractive due to their mechanical properties making them suitable for ceramic industries and wide bandgaps fitting for use as semiconductor and insulator materials, as well as optoelectronics. Nitride materials can exhibit versatility in applications such as the use of gallium nitride to make blue LEDs, nitrides of titanium and silicon being utilized as medical implants for their chemical inertness and hardness, and the heavy use of boron nitride as a solid lubricant in the cosmetic industry. Amines have been used as nitrogen-containing organic ligands in organometallic complexes that exhibit phenomenal photophysical properties. These complexes have been heavily studied for potential applications in optoelectronics and chemical sensing. This dissertation will focus on two nitrogen-containing materials that have yet to be explored for the potential applications to be discussed. The first is hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN), which was previously mentioned to have a substantial use in the cosmetic industry, giving products such as lipstick, foundation, and blush their slick feeling. Computational models have shown the possibility of altered electronic properties of defect sites in the h-BN sheets. These defect sites will be explored experimentally to determine any catalytic activity. Specifically, the hydrogenation reaction using defect-laden hexagonal-boron nitride will be investigated. Successful catalysis would add to the short list of non-metal catalyst, and provide an alternative catalyst that costs significantly less than the traditional metal catalysts commonly used in commercial industries. The second of the two nitrogen-containing materials is a class of metal complexes based on organometallic clusters of copper(I) iodide. Copper(I) iodide clusters formed with amine ligands have been studied for around four decades and the photophysics behind their photoluminescent properties are well understood. Much of the work has been done for use as a potential emissive material in the optoelectronics field. They have also been studied for applications in the sensing of environmental compounds. Here, research will display its use as a novel sensor for narcotic substances. This forensic application will be further explored to develop and eventually commercialize a complete field drug testing system for law enforcement and crime lab use, with the goal to equip law enforcement personnel with a presumptive drug testing method that is accurate, easy-to-use, safe, adaptable, and affordable. This system will consist of a narcotic drug-indicating test strip, a handheld fluorescence spectrometer manufactured in-house using relatively inexpensive parts, and a mobile app that will leverage photoemission data of the tested drug samples collected by multiple crime labs to provide the ability for sample-to-reference data matching. Law enforcement users would have the ability to rapidly identify an unknown substance by applying it to a test strip, testing it using the spectrometer, and capturing an image of the resulting photoemission and analyzing the spectral profile in search of a match with the support of a cloud database.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0007129, ucf:52297
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007129
- Title
- A FRAMEWORK TO MODEL COMPLEX SYSTEMS VIA DISTRIBUTED SIMULATION A CASE STUDY OF THE VIRTUAL TEST BED SIMULATION SYSTEM USING THE HIGH LEVEL ARCHITECTURE.
- Creator
-
Park, Jaebok, Sepulveda, Jose, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
As the size, complexity, and functionality of systems we need to model and simulate con-tinue to increase, benefits such as interoperability and reusability enabled by distributed discrete-event simulation are becoming extremely important in many disciplines, not only military but also many engineering disciplines such as distributed manufacturing, supply chain management, and enterprise engineering, etc. In this dissertation we propose a distributed simulation framework for the development...
Show moreAs the size, complexity, and functionality of systems we need to model and simulate con-tinue to increase, benefits such as interoperability and reusability enabled by distributed discrete-event simulation are becoming extremely important in many disciplines, not only military but also many engineering disciplines such as distributed manufacturing, supply chain management, and enterprise engineering, etc. In this dissertation we propose a distributed simulation framework for the development of modeling and the simulation of complex systems. The framework is based on the interoperability of a simulation system enabled by distributed simulation and the gateways which enable Com-mercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) simulation packages to interconnect to the distributed simulation engine. In the case study of modeling Virtual Test Bed (VTB), the framework has been designed as a distributed simulation to facilitate the integrated execution of different simulations, (shuttle process model, Monte Carlo model, Delay and Scrub Model) each of which is addressing differ-ent mission components as well as other non-simulation applications (Weather Expert System and Virtual Range). Although these models were developed independently and at various times, the original purposes have been seamlessly integrated, and interact with each other through Run-time Infrastructure (RTI) to simulate shuttle launch related processes. This study found that with the framework the defining properties of complex systems - interaction and emergence are realized and that the software life cycle models (including the spiral model and prototyping) can be used as metaphors to manage the complexity of modeling and simulation of the system. The system of systems (a complex system is intrinsically a "system of systems") continuously evolves to accomplish its goals, during the evolution subsystems co-ordinate with one another and adapt with environmental factors such as policies, requirements, and objectives. In the case study we first demonstrate how the legacy models developed in COTS simulation languages/packages and non-simulation tools can be integrated to address a compli-cated system of systems. We then describe the techniques that can be used to display the state of remote federates in a local federate in the High Level Architecture (HLA) based distributed simulation using COTS simulation packages.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000534, ucf:46416
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000534
- Title
- CENTRAL FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE FLORIDA SCHOOL INDICATORS REPORT.
- Creator
-
Gaught, William, Hahs-Vaughn, Debbie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions that central Florida public high school principals had regarding the Florida School Indicators Report (FSIR) and its usefulness. The FSIR, published by the Florida Department of Education, was designed to be a comprehensive, single source document for parents, lawmakers, and school administrators to compare key performance indicators to similar schools or districts state wide. It provided information on 74 different indicators of...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions that central Florida public high school principals had regarding the Florida School Indicators Report (FSIR) and its usefulness. The FSIR, published by the Florida Department of Education, was designed to be a comprehensive, single source document for parents, lawmakers, and school administrators to compare key performance indicators to similar schools or districts state wide. It provided information on 74 different indicators of school or district performance. A total of 70 public high school principals from 13 central Florida school districts responded to a postal survey and provided their perceptions regarding the importance of indicators in the FSIR, how they used the FSIR at their schools, and what barriers they felt affected the ability of their administrative staffs to collect and analyze data on the FSIR indicators. Eighteen of the 70 principals participated in follow-up telephone interviews. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the postal surveys and interviews revealed the principals perceived FSIR indicators related to Florida's mandated Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) as the most important indictors in the FSIR. The indicators FCAT Results and FCAT Writes were ranked first and second respectively in priority by the participating principals. This finding demonstrated the importance that principals placed on the state's high-stakes test. Other categories of FSIR indicators are were also ranked in the findings reported in this study, along with how the principals used the FSIR at their schools. The data collected from the postal survey revealed there was a statistically significant relationship between the priority principals assigned to the FSIR indicators and their ability to collect and analyze data related to them. In addition, survey data allowed development of multiple regression models that could be used to predict the priority principals assigned to several FSIR categories of indicators based on the ability to collect and analyze data. The study findings indicated that principals perceived lack of time for data analysis as the biggest barrier they faced when evaluating the FSIR indicators. After the lack of time, principals rated lack of administrator training in data analysis as the second biggest obstacle to using the FSIR. The findings indicated that principals felt the availability of data and technology were not significant barriers to their staff's ability to conduct data analysis on the FSIR. The conclusions drawn from the study were that central Florida high school principals perceived the results on the state's mandated Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to be the most important indicators in the FSIR. In addition, the research identified that the lack of time was the single greatest barrier principals encountered when it came to collecting and analyzing data on the FSIR. A lack of training programs in data collection and analysis for administrators was also noted in the findings.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001688, ucf:47204
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001688
- Title
- AUTOMATED REGRESSION TESTING APPROACH TO EXPANSION AND REFINEMENT OF SPEECH RECOGNITION GRAMMARS.
- Creator
-
Dookhoo, Raul, DeMara, Ronald, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis describes an approach to automated regression testing for speech recognition grammars. A prototype Audio Regression Tester called ART has been developed using Microsoft's Speech API and C#. ART allows a user to perform any of three tasks: automatically generate a new XML-based grammar file from standardized SQL database entries, record and cross-reference audio files for use by an underlying speech recognition engine, and perform regression tests with the aid of an oracle...
Show moreThis thesis describes an approach to automated regression testing for speech recognition grammars. A prototype Audio Regression Tester called ART has been developed using Microsoft's Speech API and C#. ART allows a user to perform any of three tasks: automatically generate a new XML-based grammar file from standardized SQL database entries, record and cross-reference audio files for use by an underlying speech recognition engine, and perform regression tests with the aid of an oracle grammar. ART takes as input a wave sound file containing speech and a newly created XML grammar file. It then simultaneously executes two tests: one with the wave file and the new grammar file and the other with the wave file and the oracle grammar. The comparison result of the tests is used to determine whether the test was successful or not. This allows rapid exhaustive evaluations of additions to grammar files to guarantee forward process as the complexity of the voice domain grows. The data used in this research to derive results were taken from the LifeLike project. However, the capabilities of ART extend beyond LifeLike. The results gathered have shown that using a person's recorded voice to do regression testing is as effective as having the person do live testing. A cost-benefit analysis, using two published equations, one for Cost and the other for Benefit, was also performed to determine if automated regression testing is really more effective than manual testing. Cost captures the salaries of the engineers who perform regression testing tasks and Benefit captures revenue gains or losses related to changes in product release time. ART had a higher benefit of $21461.08 when compared to manual regression testing which had a benefit of $21393.99. Coupled with its excellent error detection rates, ART has proven to be very efficient and cost-effective in speech grammar creation and refinement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002437, ucf:47703
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002437