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- Title
- DOD ACQUISITION WORKFORCE EDUCATION: AN SBA EDUCATION CASE STUDY.
- Creator
-
Davenport, Richard, Proctor, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A Department of Defense (DoD) M&S education task force is in the process of studying the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) education of the acquisition workforce. Historically, DoD acquisition workforce education is not referred to as education, but rather what the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) refers to as "practitioner training, career management, and services." The DAU is the organization primarily responsible for training the DoD acquisition corps in conjunction with service schools...
Show moreA Department of Defense (DoD) M&S education task force is in the process of studying the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) education of the acquisition workforce. Historically, DoD acquisition workforce education is not referred to as education, but rather what the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) refers to as "practitioner training, career management, and services." The DAU is the organization primarily responsible for training the DoD acquisition corps in conjunction with service schools and strategic partners in the civilian sector. DAU programs primarily focus on program management, contracting, and management of logistics across the system life cycle. Further, the examples and cases used in the training are primarily DoD centric. Only select DoD employees are exposed to Harvard Business School (HBS) perspectives. The use of M&S to improve system acquisition is only delivered in three courses. Further, Simulation-Based Acquisition (SBA) as a strategy in development of various systems is not explicitly taught. The general notion for this research is that exposure of actual or potential defense acquisition students to the rich civilian literature on M&S across the enterprise life cycle and SBA in particular may be beneficial to DoD. To further this general notion, this research investigates content in courses whose curriculum, while still more than 50% DoD, contains HBS SBA and other M&S related case studies. While abbreviated for the purpose of this abstract, the overall hypothesis of this dissertation is that M&S and HBS case studies make a positive contribution to DoD or potential DoD employees. To investigate this hypothesis, this research conducted both internal and external evaluations to determine the level to which the course makes a positive contribution to the student ability to "Understand the concepts of SBA across the entire program life cycle, in order to reduce the time, resources, and risks associated with the acquisition process". This was identified by the task force as a key element in the Education Skills Requirement (ESR) that this curriculum intends to address. The internal evaluation used inferential statistics to consider the validity of the course topics, content, evaluation methods, and case study delivery method through student evaluations of a live class. Among other variables, this research tracks class participants' responses (self-assessment) and performance (subject matter expert objective assessment) demographically to include current and potential DoD employees. With the graying of DoD workforce, potential DoD employees are important to the DoD community too. The external evaluation likewise considers the validity of the course topics and content through a survey of acquisition professionals external to the class. External acquisition professionals are drawn from across DoD as well as include former DoD acquisition employees. The combination of the internal and external evaluations provides insight into these and other issues related to the course topics, content, evaluation methods, and case study delivery methods and make recommendations on these and other issues for future course offerings.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002616, ucf:48251
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002616
- Title
- EINO: AN INTELLIGENT TUTOR FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INFINITY WEB APPLETS.
- Creator
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Hollister, James, Richie, Samuel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study investigated the various methods involved in creating an intelligent tutor for the University of Central Florida Infinity Web Applets (UCF Infinity Web Applets). After conducting research into various methods, two major methods emerged and they are: solving the problem for the student and helping the student when they become stymied and unable to solve the problem. A storyboard was created to show the interactions of the student and system along with a list of features that were...
Show moreThis study investigated the various methods involved in creating an intelligent tutor for the University of Central Florida Infinity Web Applets (UCF Infinity Web Applets). After conducting research into various methods, two major methods emerged and they are: solving the problem for the student and helping the student when they become stymied and unable to solve the problem. A storyboard was created to show the interactions of the student and system along with a list of features that were desired to be included in the tutoring system. From the storyboard and list of features, an architecture was created to handle all of the interactions and features. After the initial architecture was designed, the development of the actual system was started. The architecture underwent a multitude of changes to conclude with a working system, EINO. The final architecture of EINO incorporated a case based reasoning system to perform pattern recognition on the student's input into the UCF Infinity Web Applets. The interface that the student interacts with was created using flash. EINO was implemented in three of the labs from the UCF Infinity Web Applets. A series of tests were performed on the EINO tutoring system to prove that the system could actually perform each and every one of the features listed initially. The final test was a simulation of how the EINO would perform under a set of given cases. Test subjects with the same educational level as the target group were chosen to spend an unlimited time using each of the three labs. Each of the test subjects filled out a survey on every lab to determine if the EINO system produced a helpful output.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001762, ucf:47275
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001762
- Title
- WEB-BASED CIRCUIT DESIGN SIMULATION PACKAGE FOR SOLVING ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CIRCUITS.
- Creator
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Harb, Shadi, Batarseh, Issa, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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A Web-based circuit design package has been improved and evaluated to provide students with an enhanced and innovative teaching tools package for the electrical circuit design course. The project objectives can be summarized as follows: 1) developing enhanced problem solving skills using a Web-based environment, 2) developing the design skills and sharpening the critical thinking process, 3) developing a generic and comprehensive teaching/learning circuit package as an extention to the...
Show moreA Web-based circuit design package has been improved and evaluated to provide students with an enhanced and innovative teaching tools package for the electrical circuit design course. The project objectives can be summarized as follows: 1) developing enhanced problem solving skills using a Web-based environment, 2) developing the design skills and sharpening the critical thinking process, 3) developing a generic and comprehensive teaching/learning circuit package as an extention to the Electrical Engineering virtual lab environment, which gives students the capability to practice and experience all the circuit design skills with minimum cost and effort. The project provides the students with an enhanced and powerful graphical computer aided design (CAD) tool by which students can carry out an online simulation of AC and DC designs with the capability to plot simulation results graphically. The proposed prototype is implemented by JAVA, which is used to to implement Web-based applications with different platform support. The project provides students with an enhanced graphical user interface (GUI) by which they can build any electrical circuit using either text or schematic entry format, generate the Netlist, which describes all circuit information (circuit topology, circuit attributes and so on), and simulate the design by parsing the Netlist to CIRML format, which is sent over the network to the remote server. The server will process the CIRML data and run the simulation using PSPICE and eventually send back the simulation results to the client for display.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000315, ucf:46316
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000315
- Title
- THE EFFECT OF AN INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE CURRICULUM ON STUDENT ATTITUDES AND PARTICIPATION.
- Creator
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Perlmutter, James, Jeanpierre, Bobby, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study was designed as a collaborative action research study and focused on the use of an inquiry-based unit in an eighth grade honors science class at a middle school with a diverse population in the southeastern portion of the United States in the Spring of 2005. The inquiry-based unit was taught through the use of the electronics unit in Full Option Science System (FOSS). The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of an inquiry based curriculum on the level of...
Show moreThis study was designed as a collaborative action research study and focused on the use of an inquiry-based unit in an eighth grade honors science class at a middle school with a diverse population in the southeastern portion of the United States in the Spring of 2005. The inquiry-based unit was taught through the use of the electronics unit in Full Option Science System (FOSS). The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of an inquiry based curriculum on the level of participation in, attitudes of, and academic performance of students towards science. This collaborative action research study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative forms consisted of written notes taken by the classroom teacher and I that included observations of the whole class as well as observations of students in smaller inquiry groups and conversation and interview notations of student comments while they were doing inquiry work, both individual and group, as well as my notations of interviews and conversations with the classroom teacher. Although used to a lesser degree, quantitative data was collected from pre and post attitude surveys as well as from students' scores on inquiry-based investigations, paper activities and formal assessments. All data was triangulated across a variety of data sources so that any resulting patterns or themes would be supported. My access to this middle school was based on my role as the science coach assigned to the school. As the science coach, I worked with teachers and students to integrate the FOSS middle school curriculum unit into the school's science curriculum. The FOSS kits, workbooks and related reading books were designed to increase the use of inquiry and hands-on activities within middle and elementary school science classrooms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001699, ucf:47193
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001699
- Title
- PERFORMANCE BASED DECISION SYSTEM IN DETERMINING POST CLOSURE CARE (PCC) DURATION IN FLORIDA LANDFILLS.
- Creator
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kulkarni, Asawari, Reinhart, Debra, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study is an evaluation of Post Closure Care (PCC) duration of landfills using performance based methodology. The post closure care phase begins once the landfill is closed. As required by the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D, PCC duration for municipal solid waste landfills is 30 years. During the PCC period, the landfill operator/owner is required to conduct monitoring for leachate, landfill gas, and ground-water and maintain the integrity of the cap so that the...
Show moreThis study is an evaluation of Post Closure Care (PCC) duration of landfills using performance based methodology. The post closure care phase begins once the landfill is closed. As required by the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D, PCC duration for municipal solid waste landfills is 30 years. During the PCC period, the landfill operator/owner is required to conduct monitoring for leachate, landfill gas, and ground-water and maintain the integrity of the cap so that the landfill does not impose a threat to surrounding human health and environment (HH&E). The duration of PCC can be reduced by the director of an approved State if an owner/operator of a landfill demonstrates that the landfill exhibits no threat to the surrounding HH&E or can be increased if the director of the approved State determines that an increased PCC period is required for the protection of HH&E. RCRA provides flexibility in optimizing PCC duration of landfills, although it does not identify the criteria/methodology which can be used in demonstrating the status of a landfill from the point of PCC. Researchers worldwide recognize that the threat imposed by a landfill after closure depends on the extent of degradation occurring inside the landfill. The increased functional stability of landfills reduces its risk to the surrounding HH&E. However, there is a wide range of opinions in defining functional stability of a landfill. The present thesis applies performance based methodology, developed by Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF), to making a decision on the PCC of landfills. Performance based methodology is a modular approach encompassing all four PCC components of landfills (Leachate, gas, groundwater and cap maintenance). This methodology was applied to Alachua County Southwest Landfill (ACSWLF) in Alachua County, Florida. Each module was analyzed individually and recommendations on the PCC monitoring at the landfill site were provided.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002471, ucf:47700
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002471
- Title
- VOICE TRACK COMPUTER BASED SIMULATION FOR MEDICAL TRAINING.
- Creator
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Makwana, Alpesh, Kincaid, J. Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Varying the delivery rate of audio-based text within web-based training increases the effectiveness of the learning process and improves retention when compared with a fixed audio-based text delivery rate. To answer this question, two groups of 20 participants and one group of 10 participants were tested using the Web-based Anatomy & Physiology course modules developed by Medsn, Inc. The control group received the static speed of 128 words per minute while the experimental group received the...
Show moreVarying the delivery rate of audio-based text within web-based training increases the effectiveness of the learning process and improves retention when compared with a fixed audio-based text delivery rate. To answer this question, two groups of 20 participants and one group of 10 participants were tested using the Web-based Anatomy & Physiology course modules developed by Medsn, Inc. The control group received the static speed of 128 words per minute while the experimental group received the initial speed of 128 words per minute with the option to change the speed of the audio-based text. An additional experimental group received the initial speed of 148 words per minute also having the option to vary the speed of the audio-based text. A three way single variable Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilized to examine speed of voice presentation differences. The results were significant, F (2, 47) = 4.67, p=0.014, ç2 = 0.166. The mean for the control group was (M = 7.2, SD = 1.69) with the experimental groups at, (M = 8.4, SD = 1.31) and with extra groups at (M = 8.6, SD = 1.26).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000639, ucf:46533
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000639
- Title
- FRAMES IN HILBERT C*-MODULES.
- Creator
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Jing, Wu, Han, Deguang, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Since the discovery in the early 1950's, frames have emerged as an important tool in signal processing, image processing, data compression and sampling theory etc. Today, powerful tools from operator theory and Banach space theory are being introduced to the study of frames producing deep results in frame theory. In recent years, many mathematicians generalized the frame theory from Hilbert spaces to Hilbert C*-modules and got significant results which enrich the theory of frames. Also...
Show moreSince the discovery in the early 1950's, frames have emerged as an important tool in signal processing, image processing, data compression and sampling theory etc. Today, powerful tools from operator theory and Banach space theory are being introduced to the study of frames producing deep results in frame theory. In recent years, many mathematicians generalized the frame theory from Hilbert spaces to Hilbert C*-modules and got significant results which enrich the theory of frames. Also there is growing evidence that Hilbert C*-modules theory and the theory of wavelets and frames are tightly related to each other in many aspects. Both research fields can benefit from achievements of the other field. Our purpose of this dissertation is to work on several basic problems on frames for Hilbert C*-modules. We first give a very useful characterization of modular frames which is easy to be applied. Using this characterization we investigate the modular frames from the operator theory point of view. A condition under which the removal of element from a frame in Hilbert C*-modules leaves a frame or a non-frame set is also given. In contrast to the Hilbert space situation, Riesz bases of Hilbert C*-modules may possess infinitely many alternative duals due to the existence of zero-divisors and not every dual of a Riesz basis is again a Riesz basis. We will present several such examples showing that the duals of Riesz bases in Hilbert $C^*$-modules are much different and more complicated than the Hilbert space cases. A complete characterization of all the dual sequences for a Riesz basis, and a necessary and sufficient condition for a dual sequence of a Riesz basis to be a Riesz basis are also given. In the case that the underlying C*-algebra is a commutative W*-algebra, we prove that the set of the Parseval frame generators for a unitary group can be parameterized by the set of all the unitary operators in the double commutant of the unitary group. Similar result holds for the set of all the general frame generators where the unitary operators are replaced by invertible and adjointable operators. Consequently, the set of all the Parseval frame generators is path-connected. We also prove the existence and uniqueness of the best Parseval multi-frame approximations for multi-frame generators of unitary groups on Hilbert C*-modules when the underlying C*-algebra is commutative. For the dilation results of frames we show that a complete Parseval frame vector for a unitary group on Hilbert C*-module can be dilated to a complete wandering vector. For any dual frame pair in Hilbert C*-modules, we prove that the pair are orthogonal compressions of a Riesz basis and its canonical dual basis for some larger Hilbert C*-module. For the perturbation of frames and Riesz bases in Hilbert C*-modules we prove that the Casazza-Christensen general perturbation theorem for frames in Hilbert spaces remains valid in Hilbert C*-modules. In the Hilbert space setting, under the same perturbation condition, the perturbation of any Riesz basis remains a Riesz basis. However, this no longer holds for Riesz bases in Hilbert C*-modules. We also give a complete characterization on all the Riesz bases for Hilbert C*-modules such that the perturbation (under Casazza-Christensen's perturbation condition) of a Riesz basis still remains a Riesz basis.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001182, ucf:46859
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001182
- Title
- A COMMON COMPONENT-BASED SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL PC-BASED VIRTUAL SIMULATION.
- Creator
-
Lewis, Joshua, Proctor, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Commercially available military-themed virtual simulations have been developed and sold for entertainment since the beginning of the personal computing era. There exists an intense interest by various branches of the military to leverage the technological advances of the personal computing and video game industries to provide low cost military training. By nature of the content of the commercial military-themed virtual simulations, a large overlap has grown between the interests, resources,...
Show moreCommercially available military-themed virtual simulations have been developed and sold for entertainment since the beginning of the personal computing era. There exists an intense interest by various branches of the military to leverage the technological advances of the personal computing and video game industries to provide low cost military training. By nature of the content of the commercial military-themed virtual simulations, a large overlap has grown between the interests, resources, standards, and technology of the computer entertainment industry and military training branches. This research attempts to identify these commonalities with the purpose of systematically designing and evaluating a common component-based software architecture that could be used to implement a framework for developing content for both commercial and military virtual simulation software applications.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001268, ucf:46893
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001268
- Title
- UNDERSTANDING AND ACHIEVING BRAIN-BASED INSTRUCTION IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF STRATEGIES USED BY TEACHERS.
- Creator
-
Siercks, Amy, Ergle, Roberta, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
There are many approaches taken by teachers in order to effectively teach students the information they will need to be successful. One of these approaches is that of brain-based instruction. No one single definition is the same as another when it comes to brain-based teaching and learning. Definitions may include incorporating music and movement into lessons, using techniques to reach both hemispheres of the brain, and differentiating instruction to teach to the needs of the individual...
Show moreThere are many approaches taken by teachers in order to effectively teach students the information they will need to be successful. One of these approaches is that of brain-based instruction. No one single definition is the same as another when it comes to brain-based teaching and learning. Definitions may include incorporating music and movement into lessons, using techniques to reach both hemispheres of the brain, and differentiating instruction to teach to the needs of the individual students. This study takes a closer look at the perspective of teachers when it comes to what brain-based instruction strategies are. Teachers were given a survey to voice their opinions about brain-based instruction and how they incorporate it into their classrooms. This study gathered information about how teachers perceive and understand brain-based instruction. The use of brain-based instruction is quickly becoming vital to the education field. Understanding more about it will help teachers effectively teach students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004294, ucf:44928
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004294
- Title
- What #NoWomanEver Wants To Hear: The Social Construction of Corrective Facework After Street Harassment.
- Creator
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Knapp, Emily, Sandoval, Jennifer, Hastings, Sally, Hanlon, Christine, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the social construction of women's corrective facework after experiencing gender based street harassment. A thematic analysis using open coding was used to explore, examine, and identify themes within the data. Three major themes were revealed in the data and they are 1) a resistance against a cycle of facework, 2) public spaces without accountability, and 3) disproportionate responses from men. In addition to the three themes, I will...
Show moreThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the social construction of women's corrective facework after experiencing gender based street harassment. A thematic analysis using open coding was used to explore, examine, and identify themes within the data. Three major themes were revealed in the data and they are 1) a resistance against a cycle of facework, 2) public spaces without accountability, and 3) disproportionate responses from men. In addition to the three themes, I will present an interpretation of Twitter as a public journal used to resist normative realities of gender based street harassment. These results are important to add to the limited research on the effects of gender based street harassment on women's lived experiences.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007032, ucf:51982
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007032
- Title
- STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: A STUDY OF YOUNG WOMEN IN KIBERA, KENYA.
- Creator
-
Swart, Elizabeth, Jasinski, Jana, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
ABSTRACT Research on gender-based violence in the developing world is finally beginning to get serious attention. But that research is, unfortunately, still overlooking violence to women in the burgeoning slums and informal settlements around the globe. The current study is one of the first to address the issue of gender-based violence in slum communities by presenting both qualitative and quantitative data from Kibera, Kenyathe largest slum in sub-Saharan Africa. Qualitative data were...
Show moreABSTRACT Research on gender-based violence in the developing world is finally beginning to get serious attention. But that research is, unfortunately, still overlooking violence to women in the burgeoning slums and informal settlements around the globe. The current study is one of the first to address the issue of gender-based violence in slum communities by presenting both qualitative and quantitative data from Kibera, Kenyathe largest slum in sub-Saharan Africa. Qualitative data were derived from the diaries of twenty women between the ages of 18-30 living in Kibera. Diary data were collected from 2007-2010. Quantitative data were derived from a survey administered to 200 Kiberan women in December, 2009. Results of the study's qualitative component show that women in Kibera use three main coping strategies to deal with gender-based violence. Although none of the strategies guarantees a cessation of violence, the endurance and faith strategy appears to be the most frequently chosen strategy and the one most effective in keeping women safe. The study also reveals a parallel between coping strategy and narrative style among the diarists, raising provocative questions about the relationship between journal writing and women's agency. Survey results show a higher rate of gender-based violence among women in Kibera (84.5%) than was measured among the general population (39%) in the KDHS (2008). The study also reveals that, although both diarists and survey participants appear to endure gender-based violence more often than they rebel against it, their attitudes toward gender-based violence are anything but accepting. Instead, both diarists and survey participants report that they do not believe gender-based violence is justified and that they are angry and upset over the amount of violence they experience.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003584, ucf:48904
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003584
- Title
- Non-Destructive Evaluation of Concrete Structures Using High Resolution Digital Image and Infrared Thermography Technology.
- Creator
-
Watase, Azusa, Catbas, Fikret, Tatari, Mehmet, Nam, Boo Hyun, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
As existing bridge structures age, they are susceptible to the effects of deterioration, damage and other deleterious processes. These effects hamper the capacity and efficiency of transportation networks and adversely impact local, regional and national economic growth. As a result, bridge authorities and other professionals have become more sensitive to maintenance issues related to this aging infrastructure. While highway bridge condition have been monitored by visual inspection, non...
Show moreAs existing bridge structures age, they are susceptible to the effects of deterioration, damage and other deleterious processes. These effects hamper the capacity and efficiency of transportation networks and adversely impact local, regional and national economic growth. As a result, bridge authorities and other professionals have become more sensitive to maintenance issues related to this aging infrastructure. While highway bridge condition have been monitored by visual inspection, non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies have also been developing and they are expected to be utilized for effective management of highway bridges or other civil infrastructure systems. Efficient use of these technologies saves time spent or bridge inspections, and also helps the bridge authorities for management decision-making. One of the NDE technologies is the image-based technology. In this thesis research, image-based technologies using high resolution digital images (HRDI) and infrared thermography image (IRTI) are introduced, described and implemented.First, a review of the mechanisms of these technologies is presented. Due to the specific engineering utilization and recent technological development, there is a need to validate effectiveness of HRDI and IRTI for their practical use for engineering purpose. For this reason, a pilot project using these technologies was conducted at an in-service bridge and a parking structure with the support of Florida Department of Transportation District 5 and the results are presented in this thesis. Secondly, in order to explore and enhance the usability of infrared thermography technology (IRTI), experiments on campus and on another bridge were conducted to determine the best time to test bridges and the sensitivity of IRTI to delamination volume. Since the accuracy of damage detection using infrared thermography technology is greatly affected by daily temperature variation, it is quite important to estimate an appropriate duration for infrared thermography inspection prior to the inspection. However, in current practice, the way to estimate the duration is to monitor the temperature of the concrete surface. Since the temperature varies depending on the area or region, there is a need to visit the bridge before the actual test and monitor the temperature variation. This requires additional visits to the bridge site and also access to the bridge for measuring concrete temperature. Sometimes, this can be a practical issue. In this research, in order to estimate an appropriate duration without visiting bridges, a practical method is explored by monitoring and analyzing variation of concrete surface temperature at one location and projected to another location by also incorporating other factors that affect the concrete temperature, such as air temperature and humidity. For this analysis, specially-designed concrete plates of a few types of thickness and shapes are used and the regression analysis is employed to establish a relationship between environmental effects and temperature variation between two different sites. The results have been promising for this research study and it is shown that HRDI and IRTI are excellent technologies for assessing concrete structures in a very practical manner.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004956, ucf:49581
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004956
- Title
- Classroom Based Substance Use Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis.
- Creator
-
Boucher, Alyssa, ,, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This paper reports on a meta-analysis performed on forty one studies evaluating classroom-based substance abuse primary prevention programs. Studies included were delivered in a classroom to the general student body, had a primary focus of substance abuse prevention, measured behavior change, and were published in peer-reviewed outlets between 2000 and 2011. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis was used to calculate a random effects Cohen's d and moderator analyses were conducted. Results indicated a...
Show moreThis paper reports on a meta-analysis performed on forty one studies evaluating classroom-based substance abuse primary prevention programs. Studies included were delivered in a classroom to the general student body, had a primary focus of substance abuse prevention, measured behavior change, and were published in peer-reviewed outlets between 2000 and 2011. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis was used to calculate a random effects Cohen's d and moderator analyses were conducted. Results indicated a significant effect for alcohol (d=0.10) and tobacco (d=0.09) in multi-target interventions. Specific program components and characteristics associated with more effective prevention programs are discussed. Despite the best efforts of those who develop and deliver intervention programs, as a whole, the impact is smaller than (")small.(") New or evolved programs should seek to incorporate the best predictors of effectiveness thereby improving efficacy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004360, ucf:49443
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004360
- Title
- UNDERSTANDING COLLABORATION, ITS ANTECEDENTS AND PERCEIVED OUTCOMES IN SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
- Creator
-
Concha, Maritza, Kapucu , Naim, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study is to assess the motivations of community-based organizations (CBOs) staff to participate in service partnerships and their influence on collaboration practices and perceived outcomes of collaborative efforts. This study uses structural equation modeling to assess the relationships between exogenous variables (motivational factors) and endogenous variables (inter-organizational collaboration and perceived outcomes). This study also uses qualitative methods to address...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to assess the motivations of community-based organizations (CBOs) staff to participate in service partnerships and their influence on collaboration practices and perceived outcomes of collaborative efforts. This study uses structural equation modeling to assess the relationships between exogenous variables (motivational factors) and endogenous variables (inter-organizational collaboration and perceived outcomes). This study also uses qualitative methods to address perceptions on collaboration not captured by the survey instrument. A total of 538 service partnership staff (supervisors and front liners) received the survey's link or a copy of the survey to participate. Out of the 538, 217 completed the survey which represents a 40% response rate. Due to missing responses and multiple outliers, 201 observations were used for analysis. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that the development of service partnerships are mostly affected by environmental factors related to solving social problems which accounts for 37% of variance in inter-organizational collaboration. Empirical evidence from this study has shown that CBOs staff have the tendency to work for the purpose of meeting their social missions. Furthermore, inter-organizational collaboration accounts for 76% of variance in perceived outcomes. When a three factor collaboration model was created, it was further noticed that cognitive and resource reciprocity statistically significant influence perceived outcomes where differences in the perceptions of front liners and supervisors were also found. These findings highlight important aspects to understand the collaboration dynamics of service partnerships and also points out the different views of community based organization staff regarding the motivation to collaborate and the impact of collaboration practices in perceived collaboration outcomes. However, it is also important to note that findings on the comparison between front liners and supervisors are exploratory in nature as there could be other external factors that could affect the impact in inter-organizational collaboration and collaboration outcomes. Regarding the focus groups, three themes emerged with respect to the motivations for participating in service partnerships. Agents for social change, building relationships and needs of resources are recurrent themes that explained the desires to collaborate. On collaboration practices, two main general themes emerged which are interdependence and partnership values. Lastly, impacting the community, sustainability issues and expanding services were the main themes found when perception of service partnership outcomes was addressed. Findings of this study suggest further exploration on multi-dimensional models of collaboration, investigate differences in staff perceptions, and continue exploring the influence of social threat responsiveness in inter-organizational collaboration and perceived partnerships outcomes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003959, ucf:48709
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003959
- Title
- Using Case-Based Reasoning for Simulation Modeling in Healthcare.
- Creator
-
Alshareef, Khaled, Rabelo, Luis, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Lee, Gene, Rahal, Ahmad, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The healthcare system is always defined as a complex system. At its core, it is a system composed of people and processes and requires performance of different tasks and duties. This complexity means that the healthcare system has many stakeholders with different interests, resulting in the emergence of many problems such as increasing healthcare costs, limited resources and low utilization, limited facilities and workforce, and poor quality of services.The use of simulation techniques to aid...
Show moreThe healthcare system is always defined as a complex system. At its core, it is a system composed of people and processes and requires performance of different tasks and duties. This complexity means that the healthcare system has many stakeholders with different interests, resulting in the emergence of many problems such as increasing healthcare costs, limited resources and low utilization, limited facilities and workforce, and poor quality of services.The use of simulation techniques to aid in solving healthcare problems is not new, but it has increased in recent years. This application faces many challenges, including a lack of real data, complicated healthcare decision making processes, low stakeholder involvement, and the working environment in the healthcare field.The objective of this research is to study the utilization of case-based reasoning in simulation modeling in the healthcare sector. This utilization would increase the involvement of stakeholders in the analysis process of the simulation modeling. This involvement would help in reducing the time needed to build the simulation model and facilitate the implementation of results and recommendations. The use of case-based reasoning will minimize the required efforts by automating the process of finding solutions. This automation uses the knowledge in the previously solved problems to develop new solutions. Thus, people could utilize the simulation modeling with little knowledge about simulation and the working environment in the healthcare field.In this study, a number of simulation cases from the healthcare field have been collected to develop the case-base. After that, an indexing system was created to store these cases in the case-base. This system defined a set of attributes for each simulation case. After that, two retrieval approaches were used as retrieval engines. These approaches are K nearest neighbors and induction tree. The validation procedure started by selecting a case study from the healthcare literature and implementing the proposed method in this study. Finally, healthcare experts were consulted to validate the results of this study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006831, ucf:51769
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006831
- Title
- A Framework For Workforce Management An Agent Based Simulation Approach.
- Creator
-
Marin, Mario, Rabelo, Luis, Lee, Gene, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Kincaid, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In today's advanced technology world, enterprises are in a constant state of competition. As the intensity of competition increases the need to continuously improve organizational performance has never been greater. Managers at all levels must be on a constant quest for finding ways to maximize their enterprises' strategic resources. Enterprises can develop sustained competitiveness only if their activities create value in unique ways. There should be an emphasis to transfer this...
Show moreIn today's advanced technology world, enterprises are in a constant state of competition. As the intensity of competition increases the need to continuously improve organizational performance has never been greater. Managers at all levels must be on a constant quest for finding ways to maximize their enterprises' strategic resources. Enterprises can develop sustained competitiveness only if their activities create value in unique ways. There should be an emphasis to transfer this competitiveness to the resources it has on hand and the resources it can develop to be used in this environment. The significance of human capital is even greater now, as the intangible value and the tacit knowledge of enterprises' resources should be strategically managed to achieve a greater level of continuous organizational success. This research effort seeks to provide managers with means for accurate decision making for their workforce management. A framework for modeling and managing human capital to achieve effective workforce planning strategies is built to assist enterprise in their long term strategic organizational goals.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005375, ucf:50439
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005375
- Title
- A COMPARITIVE STUDY ON COMMUNITY-BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO FAITH-BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
- Creator
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Perez, Angiemil, Gay, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
After-school programs play an increasing role in providing developmental and social skills through extra-curricular activities. Adolescents are most likely to engage in delinquent behavior during unsupervised after-school hours. Different after-school programs are available, both community-based and faith-based programs have risen in number in response to the need of children to have a safe environment with adult supervision. This study is interested in comparing after-school programs that...
Show moreAfter-school programs play an increasing role in providing developmental and social skills through extra-curricular activities. Adolescents are most likely to engage in delinquent behavior during unsupervised after-school hours. Different after-school programs are available, both community-based and faith-based programs have risen in number in response to the need of children to have a safe environment with adult supervision. This study is interested in comparing after-school programs that are faith-based to community-based and see if any similarities or differences exist within each other. The purpose of this thesis was to contribute to the existing literature on after-school programs in two ways. First, this research will provide a brief history of after-school programs and a discussion of the types of programs. Second, this study will compare and contrast the various goals, structure, and performance of a community-based program and a faith-based program. Through in-person interview, a comparison will be drawn on organizational structure, activities, source and funding, goals and objectives, and outcomes of each program.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004128, ucf:44860
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004128
- Title
- INTEGRATION OF COMPUTER-BASED VIRTUAL CHECK RIDE SYSTEM – PRE-TRIP INSPECTION IN COMMERICAL DRIVER LICENSE TRAINING PROGRAM.
- Creator
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Makwana, Alpesh, Kincaid, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Pre-Trip Inspection of the truck and trailer is one of the components of the current Commercial Driver's License (CDL) test. This part of the CDL test checks the ability of the student to identify the important parts of the commercial vehicle and their potential defects. The Virtual Check Ride System (VCRS), a computer-based application, is an assessment and feedback tool that mirrors the inspection component of the actual CDL. The VCRS has provided an after action review (AAR) via a...
Show morePre-Trip Inspection of the truck and trailer is one of the components of the current Commercial Driver's License (CDL) test. This part of the CDL test checks the ability of the student to identify the important parts of the commercial vehicle and their potential defects. The Virtual Check Ride System (VCRS), a computer-based application, is an assessment and feedback tool that mirrors the inspection component of the actual CDL. The VCRS has provided an after action review (AAR) via a feedback session that helps in identifying and correcting drivers' skill in inspecting parts and for overall safety. The purpose of this research is to determine the effectiveness of the VCRS in truck driving training programs. An experimental study was conducted with truck driving students at Mid Florida Tech, located in Orlando, Florida. The students were divided into control and experimental groups. Students in the both groups received regular training provided by Mid Florida Tech. The experimental group received additional training by making use of the VCRS. A total of three paper-based tests were given to all subjects during first three weeks; one test at the end of a week. Both groups were given the same paper-based tests. A two-way analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the effect of the VCRS in the experimental group. This analysis found a significant difference between control and experimental groups. This effect showed that the students in the experimental group increased their performance by using VCRS. Moreover, there was a main effect in the scores of each week. However, there was not an interaction between the two factors. Follow up Post Hoc tests were conducted to evaluate the pair-wise differences among the means of the test week factors using a Tukey HSD test. These Post Hoc comparisons indicated that the mean score for the third week's test scores were significantly better than the first week's test score in the experimental group. It was concluded that the VCRS facilitated learning for the experimental group and that learning also occurred for both groups as a result of repeated testing.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002926, ucf:47992
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002926
- Title
- EFFECTIVE TIMING OF FEEDBACK DURING SCENARIO BASED TEAM TRAINING WITHIN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT.
- Creator
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Astwood, Randolph, Smith-Jentsch, Kimberly, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Scenario based training (SBT) allows organizations to train the competencies necessary for effective performance in an environment that replicates critical aspects of the transfer or operational setting. One of the most salient training features that can be delivered during SBT is feedback. Task feedback may be provided to trainees either during a training scenario (immediately following actions) or between training scenarios (after action review). However, little is known regarding the...
Show moreScenario based training (SBT) allows organizations to train the competencies necessary for effective performance in an environment that replicates critical aspects of the transfer or operational setting. One of the most salient training features that can be delivered during SBT is feedback. Task feedback may be provided to trainees either during a training scenario (immediately following actions) or between training scenarios (after action review). However, little is known regarding the effects of immediate versus delayed feedback given to teams. Prior research on training individuals suggests that immediate feedback improves performance as assessed immediately after training (acquisition performance), however delayed feedback improves performance after time has passed (retention performance). Moreover, several individual training studies have found that trainee goal orientation moderates the influence of instructional features such as goal difficulty and content organization. I hypothesized that team member goal orientation would also moderate the influence of feedback timing on team performance. Three facets of goal orientation were assessed. Learning goal orientation refers to the extent to which individuals strive towards the mastery of skills for the sake of continuous improvement. Prove goal orientation refers to the extent to which individuals strive to demonstrate their own competence to others. Finally, avoid goal orientation refers to the extent to which individuals seek to avoid demonstrating their incompetence to others. Participants were 160 undergraduate psychology students assigned to 80 two-person teams. These teams were trained and tested using a simulated military task called the Forward Observer Personal Computer-based Simulator. Teams received 36 minutes of training prior to performing a skill acquisition test on day one of the experiment. One week later teams returned to perform a skill retention test. Teams were randomly assigned to receive immediate feedback during their team training scenarios or delayed feedback following each training scenario. Results indicated that the timing of feedback had no impact on acquisition performance. As predicted, however, teams that had received delayed feedback outperformed those that had received immediate feedback on the retention test. Moreover, the positive impact of delayed feedback on retention performance was greatest for teams that scored higher on a measure of state learning goal orientation on the day of their training. This interaction was mediated by the team's perception of the instrumentality of the feedback provided to them. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002672, ucf:48244
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002672
- Title
- The Influence of Instruction in Base 8 on Prospective Teachers' Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching.
- Creator
-
Harshman, Katie, Haciomeroglu, Erhan, Andreasen, Janet, Witta, Eleanor, Safi, Farshid, Lewis, Nancy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The focus of this research project was to extend existing research literature by providing insight to how prospective teachers with differing levels of mathematical knowledge developed their conceptual understanding of whole number concepts and operations. Prospective teachers of interest were enrolled in an Elementary School Mathematics Course for Teachers (in the College of Education) with a whole number concepts and operations unit set entirely in base 8. In this mixed-mode study,...
Show moreThe focus of this research project was to extend existing research literature by providing insight to how prospective teachers with differing levels of mathematical knowledge developed their conceptual understanding of whole number concepts and operations. Prospective teachers of interest were enrolled in an Elementary School Mathematics Course for Teachers (in the College of Education) with a whole number concepts and operations unit set entirely in base 8. In this mixed-mode study, participants were given the MKT, a measure designed to measure teacher mathematical knowledge for teaching, before and after taking the base 8 unit. The researcher focused on two specific constructs: Common Content Knowledge (CCK) and Specialized Content Knowledge (SCK). The qualitative portion of the study involved carefully constructed student interviews which allowed the researcher to deeply explore how prospective teacher conceptual understanding changed as a result of taking the unit in base 8. Four participants with varying levels of knowledge were selected to be interviewed based upon initial scores on the MKT: 1) low CCK and low SCK, 2) low CCK and high SCK, 3) high CCK and low SCK, 4) high CCK and high SCK. Results of the interviews were used to help explain results from the MKT. Quantitative and qualitative results showed that participants did not significantly increase their CCK, but did experience an increase in their conceptual understanding (SCK) as a result of taking the unit in base 8. Most prospective teachers entering the Elementary School Mathematics Course already had high procedural knowledge of the algorithms associated with elementary mathematics, which could account for the non-significant increase in CCK. Prospective teachers all showed deeper conceptual understanding of whole number concepts and operations at varying levels by the end of the base 8 unit. Prospective teachers showed their increased understanding by way of explanations, justifications, and alternate solution strategies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006321, ucf:51552
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006321
