View All Items
(1 - 5 of 5)
- Title
- Exploring the Innovation Environment within the Systems Engineering Context of a Defense Organization: A Preliminary Framework.
- Creator
-
Odeh, Khaled, Rabelo, Luis, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Lee, Gene, Karwowski, Waldemar, Uddin, Nizam, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Innovation may involve the introduction of ideas for designing or producing new products, or introducing improvements to products, processes, services or any other aspect of an organization to the market place. A major element for measuring organizational strength is its perception of innovation and the ability of the organization to build on and sustain such strength. While there is no shortage of research and study materials on innovation, there is, however, a shortage of thorough and...
Show moreInnovation may involve the introduction of ideas for designing or producing new products, or introducing improvements to products, processes, services or any other aspect of an organization to the market place. A major element for measuring organizational strength is its perception of innovation and the ability of the organization to build on and sustain such strength. While there is no shortage of research and study materials on innovation, there is, however, a shortage of thorough and realistic analysis of the intersection of innovation management, and measurement of innovation within the systems engineering context of defense organizations. In addition, while most research studies seem to adopt strictly quantitative innovation factors in determining innovation success and performance, they seem to have overlooked the qualitative side of it. An objective of this research study is to address the need for exploring the innovation environment within the systems engineering context of a defense organization. In addition, the research presents a new model for exploring innovation factors within the examined environment, using both quantitative and qualitative factors. The research uses a number of data collection instruments that include a survey construct to gather quantitative and qualitative data. The study identified significant factors that could be used to properly determine innovation within the systems engineering context of defense organizations using traditional statistics and data mining modeling. New indicators such as security and organizational leadership are discovered as important to define, monitor, and assess the innovation of the defense industry within the context of systems engineering.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004903, ucf:49643
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004903
- Title
- Career preparation for interdisciplinary science PhD students: A case study.
- Creator
-
Gordon, Sabrina, Hastings, Sally, Pryor, Burt, Katt, James, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This case study intended to collect and analyze responses from stakeholders of the UCF Modeling and Simulation graduate program regarding the ways in which interdisciplinary (IDS) science PhD students could be prepared for diverse career paths. A mixed methodology study was executed and quantitative survey (N=96) and qualitative interview (N=10) data were collected to address three research questions. Overall, stakeholders for this case study were found to represent the three main career...
Show moreThis case study intended to collect and analyze responses from stakeholders of the UCF Modeling and Simulation graduate program regarding the ways in which interdisciplinary (IDS) science PhD students could be prepared for diverse career paths. A mixed methodology study was executed and quantitative survey (N=96) and qualitative interview (N=10) data were collected to address three research questions. Overall, stakeholders for this case study were found to represent the three main career paths of academia, government, and industry. Survey data were utilized to gauge the level of importance that survey participants perceived for various survey scales and items. The scales that were rated with the highest means were Ethics, Teamwork, and Career Management (M=3.67, SD=.41) and Interdisciplinary Skills (M=3.67, SD=.36), while the lowest mean was reported for the Professional Science Skills scale (M=3.19, SD=.54). Interview data revealed limitations of the historically accepted apprenticeship model to include an emphasis on academia-only career preparation and a lack of standardization regarding highly individualized advisor-student relationships. And finally, survey and interview participants reported that alternative pedagogical methods to prepare IDS science PhD students for diverse career paths should include internships in each career sector, while also presenting the barriers to implementing internships regarding faculty commitments and time available to advise and help students procure such relationships. Study recommendations point to preparing IDS science PhD graduates for diverse career paths by emphasizing math, technical, communication, and interdisciplinary skills using experiential learning opportunities such as internships and an IDS project-based curriculum.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0007285, ucf:52159
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007285
- Title
- Differential impacts of doctoral education on Ed.D. and Ph.D. students: Examining student motivation and subjective well-being during the first two years of doctoral study.
- Creator
-
McAfee, Morgan, Boote, David, Hayes, Burnice, Vitale, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Background: Doctoral attrition has been the subject of significant research over the past several years (Bair (&) Haworth, 2004; Cohen (&) Greenberg, 2011; Gardner, 2008; Lovitts, 2001). Prior research on doctoral students has focused on substantive differences in the Ed.D. and Ph.D. in education degree programs, rather than on potential differences among the students themselves. Purpose: To assess whether there are baseline differences in motivation and subjective well-being among the three...
Show moreBackground: Doctoral attrition has been the subject of significant research over the past several years (Bair (&) Haworth, 2004; Cohen (&) Greenberg, 2011; Gardner, 2008; Lovitts, 2001). Prior research on doctoral students has focused on substantive differences in the Ed.D. and Ph.D. in education degree programs, rather than on potential differences among the students themselves. Purpose: To assess whether there are baseline differences in motivation and subjective well-being among the three groups of doctoral students in education: Ed.D. and Ph.D. students, part-time enrolled and full-time enrolled students, and first-year and second-year students. Setting: University of Central Florida, College of EducationSubjects: First-year and second-year students drawn from all three doctoral programs offered in the College, including Education, Ed.D., Education, Ph.D., and Educational Leadership, Ed.D. Data Collection and Analysis: A 131-item electronic survey to assess student motivation and subjective well-being was distributed to all 142 enrolled first-year and second-year doctoral students, of which 28.2% responded (n = 40). Cumulative motivation and separate subjective well-being scores were calculated for each participant, and Mann-Whitney tests were performed to compare the distribution of student scores within each group (Ed.D. and Ph.D., part-time enrolled and full-time, and first-year and second-year). Findings: No statistically significant differences were found in motivation and subjective well-being among the three groups of students. However, some findings on measures of motivation did approach statistical significance between Ed.D. and Ph.D. students.Conclusions: These findings may demonstrate that relative well-being and similar levels of intrinsic motivation exist among several groups of doctoral students. Recommendations for future research include an increase in the sample size by expanding the study to multiple institutions offering doctoral programs in education, as well as a modification of the instruments from ordinal scales to Likert-type instruments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004714, ucf:49840
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004714
- Title
- Examining the Experiences of Latino/a Parents of First-Generation College Students Pursuing a Doctoral Degree.
- Creator
-
Toro, Natalia, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Owens, J. Thomas, Laureano Fuentes, Gloria, Bryer, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Research points to Latino/a parents as an important source of motivation and support for high achieving Latino/a students who are the first in their families to go to college (Arellano (&) Padilla, 2006; G(&)#225;ndara, 1982; 1994; Hurtado (&) Sinha, 2006; Zalaquett, 2005); however, very little is known about their experience as they parent children whose educational paths are so different from their own. Cultural values such as collectivism and familism play a unique role in the level of...
Show moreResearch points to Latino/a parents as an important source of motivation and support for high achieving Latino/a students who are the first in their families to go to college (Arellano (&) Padilla, 2006; G(&)#225;ndara, 1982; 1994; Hurtado (&) Sinha, 2006; Zalaquett, 2005); however, very little is known about their experience as they parent children whose educational paths are so different from their own. Cultural values such as collectivism and familism play a unique role in the level of connection between these parents and their children (Su(&)#225;rez-Orozco (&) Su(&)#225;rez-Orozco, 1995), creating dynamics that merit exploration. This dissertation qualitatively examines how seven Latino/a parents of first-generation college students pursuing a PhD expressed the parenting characteristics outlined in Parent Development Theory (Mowder, 2005). Furthermore, this study explores how these parents experienced their daughters' higher education journey. Moustakas' (1994) transcendental phenomenology was utilized in analyzing parents' voices. The textural and structural descriptions of major and minor themes provided the essence of the parents' experience. Example of themes are: (")Pero la Apoyo - Uncertainty and Support for the PhD("), (")Siempre Juntos - High Levels of Interaction("), and (")Amor Compasivo - Distance, Pain and Sacrifice("). Recommendations include support for pre-doctoral preparation initiatives, co-curricular innovations, and the exploration of the impact of modern technologies on the communication between parents and their children while in college.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006670, ucf:51226
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006670
- Title
- ADDRESSING NEED FOR RESEARCH-FOCUSED NURSES BY INCREASING INTEREST AND SOCIALIZATION AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL.
- Creator
-
Thomas, Sarah, Norris, Anne, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The U.S. shortage of qualified nursing teachers and researchers is affecting national health care outcomes. Methods such as fast-tracking Baccalaureate nurses into graduate programs and embedding leadership development early into nursing curricula have been proposed to address faculty and research shortages. Early interest in nursing research careers increases likelihood of enrollment in graduate education. One way undergraduate nursing students may develop an interest in research careers is...
Show moreThe U.S. shortage of qualified nursing teachers and researchers is affecting national health care outcomes. Methods such as fast-tracking Baccalaureate nurses into graduate programs and embedding leadership development early into nursing curricula have been proposed to address faculty and research shortages. Early interest in nursing research careers increases likelihood of enrollment in graduate education. One way undergraduate nursing students may develop an interest in research careers is through a mentored apprenticeship with research-active faculty. In this thesis, the author uses an autoethnography methodology to examine the benefits that a mentored research apprenticeship model brought to her undergraduate experience. Her experience incorporated a variety of roles in an adolescent intervention program with Dr. Anne Norris (PI) at the University of Central Florida College of Nursing. Several themes about the experience were defined in the results. Early research exposure that socializes a student to the nursing research world may provide a means for addressing the nursing faculty shortage. This socialization can generate interest in a research career and promote undergraduate students with the essential tools and insights needed to pursue this career pathway. However, findings from this study suggest a student-mentor relationship early in the undergraduate education experience is essential.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004594, ucf:45232
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004594
