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- Title
- PROJECT REVIEW MATURITY AND PROJECT PERFORMANCE: AN EMPIRICAL CASE STUDY.
- Creator
-
Vergopia, Catherine, Kotnour, Timothy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Many organizations use project management maturity models to improve their project performance. These systematic and sequential frameworks are designed to help organizations quantify their project management maturity and improve their project management processes. However, these models rarely put enough emphasis on project reviews as tools to improve project performance, because, too often, project reviews are considered as non-productive administrative processes. The lack of emphasis on...
Show moreMany organizations use project management maturity models to improve their project performance. These systematic and sequential frameworks are designed to help organizations quantify their project management maturity and improve their project management processes. However, these models rarely put enough emphasis on project reviews as tools to improve project performance, because, too often, project reviews are considered as non-productive administrative processes. The lack of emphasis on project reviews in project management maturity models is also illustrated by the limited amount of research published on the relationship between project reviews and project performance. Based on the concept of project management maturity models, this dissertation presents a project review maturity model used to measure the project review maturity for four (4) types of reviews (routine, gate, post-mortem, and focused-learning) as well as the overall project review maturity. In addition, this research establishes the quantitative relationship between project review maturity and project performance. This dissertation also quantifies the concept of project review performance and its relationship with project performance for all four (4) types of reviews, as well as for the overall project review performance. Finally, this research provides enablers, barriers, and best practices for effective reviews, based on the answers of written interview questions, and observations from a post-mortem review meeting at a highly-technical organization. The empirical case study and survey analysis conducted by this dissertation led to some unique findings. Five (5) specific conclusions were developed: •Organizations use all types of reviews in their project management procedures, and view each review role differently. •Some reviews are more related than others to project performance, although generally, review maturity and performance are significantly relevant to project performance. •Organization culture (beliefs, expected actions, etc.) is not significantly relevant to project team members when assessing project status or PM procedures during project life-cycle. •Post-mortem and focused-learning reviews are linked with higher levels of learning than routine and gate reviews. •Effective reviews need managerial support. This research is the first of its kind to show significant positive relationships between project review maturity and performance with project performance and to provide quantifiable results for organizations to further improve their review processes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002401, ucf:47743
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002401
- Title
- PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL SYSTEMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: AN EXPLORATION OF CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS.
- Creator
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Flaniken, Forrest, Cintron, Rosa, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Although there is substantial literature on the use of performance appraisal in the for-profit world, there is little literature available concerning the appraisal of staff positions in higher education. More knowledge is needed in this area since there is considerable research indicating that performance appraisal creates benefits to an organization and its employees. This study provides a comprehensive review of the development and use of performance appraisal in the United States, and a...
Show moreAlthough there is substantial literature on the use of performance appraisal in the for-profit world, there is little literature available concerning the appraisal of staff positions in higher education. More knowledge is needed in this area since there is considerable research indicating that performance appraisal creates benefits to an organization and its employees. This study provides a comprehensive review of the development and use of performance appraisal in the United States, and a detailed look at the purposes, benefits, and challenges of performance appraisal. The study found a very high usage of staff performance appraisal in its population of 108 Christian colleges and universities. However, it also found a significant amount of dissatisfaction with the appraisal process due to (a) lack of leadership support for the appraisal process, (b) supervisors not being held accountable for the timely completion of their appraisals, and (c) the lack of training provided supervisors for doing performance appraisals well.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002863, ucf:48056
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002863
- Title
- THE IMPACT OF ONLINE EDUCATION ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE FOR LADIES PROFESSIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION TEACHING AND CLUB PROFESSIONALS.
- Creator
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Fjelstul, Jill, Higginbotham, Patricia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Ladies Professional Golf Association Teaching Professionals are scattered throughout the country, many of whom are self-employed. There was not a review session for Class A written test preparation prior to this study. The focus of this research, thus, was to assist first time test takers in their preparation of the LPGA Class A written evaluation through an online medium. The study was conducted between July and November, 2005, and was offered to LPGA T & CP Class B first-time test takers....
Show moreLadies Professional Golf Association Teaching Professionals are scattered throughout the country, many of whom are self-employed. There was not a review session for Class A written test preparation prior to this study. The focus of this research, thus, was to assist first time test takers in their preparation of the LPGA Class A written evaluation through an online medium. The study was conducted between July and November, 2005, and was offered to LPGA T & CP Class B first-time test takers. Components of the online review session included self-evaluations, discussion postings involving test-related content, and practice quizzes. The study compared the pass rate percentage of the participants in the online review session with the pass rate percentage of those who did not participate in the online review session. A test of proportions determined there was not a significant increase in the pass percentage rate of the online review session participants when compared to the test takers who did not receive intervention. However, pass rates and average test scores were higher for online review session participants. Suggested uses of this study include the future development of online review sessions for LPGA Class B and Apprentice written evaluations, with the goal of improving academic performances. Future research should include replication of the present study, but with a larger sample size. Future research should also involve Class B and Apprentice test takers and not be limited to first time test takers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0000940, ucf:46730
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000940
- Title
- YOGA AS A TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS.
- Creator
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Diaz, Alison, Hanney, William, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Background: Low back pain is very common and has a tremendous economic impact. With the prevalence and incidence of low back pain on the rise, individuals are turning to alternative treatments. Yoga is the most widely used complementary and alternative medicine treatment for low back pain and it is not fully certain how effective this method is for resolving the symptoms. Objectives: The purpose of this manuscript is to systematically review the current literature for randomized controlled...
Show moreBackground: Low back pain is very common and has a tremendous economic impact. With the prevalence and incidence of low back pain on the rise, individuals are turning to alternative treatments. Yoga is the most widely used complementary and alternative medicine treatment for low back pain and it is not fully certain how effective this method is for resolving the symptoms. Objectives: The purpose of this manuscript is to systematically review the current literature for randomized controlled trials that assess the outcomes of yoga intervention in individuals with low back pain. Methods: An electronic database search was performed to analyze studies. To be included in the review, the studies were required to be a randomized controlled trial, published in English, present in a peer reviewed journal, identify yoga as the primary treatment focus for low back pain in at least one group, and included participants with at least a 12 week history of low back pain. Results: A search of the databases revealed 177 articles, of which, 8 met the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Yoga intervention appears to be effective in alleviating symptoms brought on by low back pain. Yoga was either demonstrated to significantly improve quality of life and reduce disability, stress, depression, and medication usage associated with low back pain in 6 of the 8 analyzed trials. More research is necessary to account for the lack of between-group differences in two trials.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004125, ucf:44882
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004125
- Title
- Motivations Behind Negative Reviews.
- Creator
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Salehi Esfahani, Saba, Wang, Youcheng, Ozturk, Ahmet, Torres Areizaga, Edwin, Fesenmaier, Daniel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Online reviews play a strategic role in the decision-making of individuals and accordingly, the sales and reputation management of businesses. Despite the significant role of reviews, the subject of motivations for posting reviews has been relatively less investigated. This is specifically important since when the online review is negative, it can immediately and negatively affect a company financially by deteriorating its image. Therefore, further investigation regarding negative online...
Show moreOnline reviews play a strategic role in the decision-making of individuals and accordingly, the sales and reputation management of businesses. Despite the significant role of reviews, the subject of motivations for posting reviews has been relatively less investigated. This is specifically important since when the online review is negative, it can immediately and negatively affect a company financially by deteriorating its image. Therefore, further investigation regarding negative online reviewing motivation with the accompany of theory building and empirical study is needed. To address this gap, this study adopted the two motivational theories of self-determination and expectancy to investigate the relationship of motivation quality and motivation force with the intention to write negative reviews. In order to empirically test the proposed model, a pilot study was first conducted to ensure the quality of the questionnaire. After the necessary refinement of the pilot questionnaire, the final questionnaire was developed, and a two-step PLS-SEM along with a CMB analysis was conducted on the collected data. The study responded to recent calls on developing a more comprehensive understanding of negative review writing motivations. The study offered a new perspective with regards to the quality of motivations for engaging in such actions by empirically indicating that individuals' behavioral intention to write a negative review is a result of intrinsic motivation and a variety of extrinsic motivations. Furthermore, this study allowed for the examination of the dynamic, inter-related impact of motivations on one another in addition to taking into consideration the aspects of each motivation that an individual considers to carry out an action. While providing important theoretical contributions in the context of negative review writing motivations, the findings of the study also offer valuable practical implications for practitioners of the hospitality industry.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007721, ucf:52441
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007721
- Title
- LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE USE OF NUCLEIC ACID-BASED LOGIC GATES FOR THE DETECTION OF HUMAN DISEASES.
- Creator
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Blanco Martinez, Enrique J, Kolpashchikov, Dmitry, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Conventional methods for diagnosis of human disease are, at times, limited in different regards including time requirement, either experimental or data processing, sensitivity, and selectivity. It is then that a Point of Care Criteria, which considers the true utility and usefulness of the device, is employed to propose new diagnostic devices capable of overcoming the aforementioned shortcomings of conventional tools. Nucleic acid, characterized for its predictable base-pairing nature, is...
Show moreConventional methods for diagnosis of human disease are, at times, limited in different regards including time requirement, either experimental or data processing, sensitivity, and selectivity. It is then that a Point of Care Criteria, which considers the true utility and usefulness of the device, is employed to propose new diagnostic devices capable of overcoming the aforementioned shortcomings of conventional tools. Nucleic acid, characterized for its predictable base-pairing nature, is considered to be a highly-selective, yet greatly modifiable device. Its behavior is then described through Boolean Logic, where "true" or "false" outputs are mathematically described as "1" and "0", respectively. This mathematical approach is then referred to as Logic Gates, where outputs can be predicted based on satisfied environmental conditions. The mechanisms, capable of exhibiting Logic Gate behavior, are described.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000256, ucf:46006
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000256
- Title
- DISTRIBUTED TEAM TRAINING: EFFECTIVE TEAM FEEDBACK.
- Creator
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Oden, Kevin, Mouloua, Mustapha, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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ABSTRACT The United States Army currently uses after action reviews (AARs) to give personnel feedback on their performance. However, due to the growing use of geographically distributed teams, the traditional AAR, with participants and a moderator in the same room, is becoming difficult; therefore, distributed AARs are becoming a necessity. However, distributed AARs have not been thoroughly researched. To determine what type of distributed AARs would best facilitate team training in...
Show moreABSTRACT The United States Army currently uses after action reviews (AARs) to give personnel feedback on their performance. However, due to the growing use of geographically distributed teams, the traditional AAR, with participants and a moderator in the same room, is becoming difficult; therefore, distributed AARs are becoming a necessity. However, distributed AARs have not been thoroughly researched. To determine what type of distributed AARs would best facilitate team training in distributed Army operations, feedback media platforms must be compared. This research compared three types of AARs, which are no AAR, teleconference AAR, and teleconference AAR with visual feedback, to determine if there are learning differences among these conditions. Participants completed three search missions and received feedback between missions from one of these conditions. Multiple ANOVAs were conducted to compare these conditions and trials. Results showed that overall the teleconference AAR with visual feedback improved performance the most. A baseline, or no AAR, resulted in the second highest improvement, and the teleconference condition resulted in the worst overall performance. This study has implications for distributed military training and feedback, as well as other domains that use distributed training and feedback.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002483, ucf:47685
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002483
- Title
- WHAT TEACHERS WANT TO KNOW: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF ACTION RESEARCH THESES RELATED TO K-8 MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE.
- Creator
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Steele, Bridget, Hynes, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The research conducted was a systemic review of 88 action research masters theses from a teacher enhancement program for K-8 mathematics and science at the University of Central Florida and the teachers that performed the studies. The purpose of this study is to synthesize existing research results of a collection of master's theses from a teacher enhancement program for K-8 mathematics and science teachers in order to arrive at meaningful conclusions regarding teachers' research...
Show moreThe research conducted was a systemic review of 88 action research masters theses from a teacher enhancement program for K-8 mathematics and science at the University of Central Florida and the teachers that performed the studies. The purpose of this study is to synthesize existing research results of a collection of master's theses from a teacher enhancement program for K-8 mathematics and science teachers in order to arrive at meaningful conclusions regarding teachers' research interests and classroom practices. Also, the study will help teacher educators who deliver the teacher enhancement program to improve the effectiveness of the program. A summary sheet was filled out for each thesis and teacher, and then entered into a spreadsheet that was later analyzed for reoccurring themes in the data. The results showed themes in topics of action research studies, questions in action research studies, and results of action research studies. There were no trends in characteristics of teachers performing the action research studies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001199, ucf:46860
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001199
- Title
- ONLINE PRODUCT REVIEWS: EFFECTS OF STAR RATINGS AND VALENCE ON REVIEW PERCEPTION AMONG THOSE HIGH AND LOW IN NEED FOR COGNITION.
- Creator
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Schreck, Jacquelyn L, Chin, Matthew, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The Internet is becoming the main source for various tasks, from learning, to working, and shopping. There are many websites one can use to shop. Almost all stores have a website from which you can order anything you might want. As online shopping becomes more prominent, it is important to understand the effects of the Internet and its product reviewers and, specific to this study, consumer decision making. This study seeks to understand the effect of star ratings and valence on review...
Show moreThe Internet is becoming the main source for various tasks, from learning, to working, and shopping. There are many websites one can use to shop. Almost all stores have a website from which you can order anything you might want. As online shopping becomes more prominent, it is important to understand the effects of the Internet and its product reviewers and, specific to this study, consumer decision making. This study seeks to understand the effect of star ratings and valence on review perception between the different cognitive levels of individuals. Recognition review perception, and intent to purchase were being measured. Results showed that need for cognition did have an effect on accuracy of recognition and perceived valence. Need for cognition and congruency as well as actual valence had an effect on perceived valence. Need for cognition, actual valence, and congruency all had an effect on purchase intention. This research is important because it is relevant to a growing trend around the world. Technology is already integrated into nearly everyone's lives and it is only going to more so as we continue to evolve. Just as it is becoming more common for people to receive education from online institutions, and for employers to use more Internet based applications, it is only natural consumers will continue the trend of purchasing items online. Learning the social and cognitive influences of online reviews on perception and purchasing intentions is something everyone needs to be aware of.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000384, ucf:45810
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000384
- Title
- A Study of the Master of Education in Educational Leadership Program at the University of Central Florida: Standards Alignment and Student Perceptions.
- Creator
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Santostefano, Vickie, Murray, Barbara, Murray, Kenneth, Doherty, Walter, Hutchinson, Cynthia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the University of Central Florida's Master's Program in Educational Leadership. This study was a mixed mode study which used archival data, survey data, interviews, and Florida Educational Leadership Examination results. Research questions were developed to address how course content in the University of Central Florida's Master of Education in Educational Leadership Program aligned with the following standards and competencies: (a)...
Show moreThis study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the University of Central Florida's Master's Program in Educational Leadership. This study was a mixed mode study which used archival data, survey data, interviews, and Florida Educational Leadership Examination results. Research questions were developed to address how course content in the University of Central Florida's Master of Education in Educational Leadership Program aligned with the following standards and competencies: (a) the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE/Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), (b) the Interstate School Leader Licensure Consortium (ISLLC), (c) the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPS), (d) the Florida Principal Leadership Standards (FPLS), and (e) the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE). Graduates' perceptions of the University of Central Florida's Master of Education in Educational Leadership Program and results of Florida Educational Leadership examination results for 2009-2012 were analyzed.Courses were found to meet all standards very well. There were a few standards that were not addressed directly in syllabi. Faculty interviews, however, revealed content was addressed in the actual coursework. Students, overall, were positive in their survey responses as to their satisfaction with the program. Finally, UCF students' FELE scores greatly exceeded the state average for all students, indicating that the UCF Educational Leadership courses and experiences were effective in preparing students for this examination.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004929, ucf:49605
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004929
- Title
- CRITICAL REVIEWS AND MARKET PERFORMANCE.
- Creator
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Pomirleanu, Elena, Ganesh, Jaishankar, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Firms invest significant resources to improve the quality of their products but also to communicate to consumers about their efforts. However, information regarding quality of product offerings is now increasingly being generated by short or long term users of products or services. The growing popularity of critical reviews has prompted attention from both academics and practitioners alike. Current academic findings do not seem conclusive with respect to the impact critical reviews have on...
Show moreFirms invest significant resources to improve the quality of their products but also to communicate to consumers about their efforts. However, information regarding quality of product offerings is now increasingly being generated by short or long term users of products or services. The growing popularity of critical reviews has prompted attention from both academics and practitioners alike. Current academic findings do not seem conclusive with respect to the impact critical reviews have on product performance on the market. The current dissertation aims to clarify the role critical reviews have in relation to economic outcomes such as sales, category market share, price premiums and product success. Using four years of cross-sectional data from the automobile market, the first essay of this dissertation conceptualizes consumer and expert ratings as market-based signals and investigates the impact critical reviews have on product performance of new and used automobiles. Results show that both consumer and expert ratings are positively related to market performance (sales and category market share of new automobiles) but they exhibit a non-synergistic interaction. More specifically, at higher levels of consumer ratings, the impact of expert ratings on product performance is decreased and vice-versa. Furthermore, results show that critical ratings are significantly associated with the firm's ability to command higher price premiums. Comparatively, a firm-based driver of product performance, product improvement failed to show a significant association with product market performance but it exhibited a non-linear relationship with price premiums. Moreover, the impact of expert ratings proved to be significantly higher for utilitarian products than hedonic products whereas consumer ratings do not have a differential effect across product types. Finally, the results did not show that the impact of consumer ratings on sales of used automobiles is increasing over time. The second essay focuses on expert reviews (entertainment critics) and provides a more nuanced examination of the role of critics and critical reviews and their impact on probability of product success. Based on qualitative data, two types of expert reviews are distinguished to be influential (opinions and evaluations), however, their role differs in importance over time. The hypotheses are tested using data from the fourth season of American Idol. Results show that on average, opinions are significantly impacting the probability of success whereas evaluations do not. Moreover, the numbers of statements that contain evaluation negatively impact the success in early periods. Overall, the results highlight the facts that critical reviews from both experts and consumers should be monitored, that they are a key driver of product market-success and that select expert reviews may influence product success in early stages of product existence.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002788, ucf:48131
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002788
- Title
- Barriers to Adoption of Wellness Programs: A Worked Example of an Augmented Best-Fit Framework Synthesis.
- Creator
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Oliver, Dalton, Fisher, Thomas, Boote, David, Valdes, Anna, Swan, Bonnie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Background: Qualitative syntheses have the potential to offer a great deal of insight into complex problems of practice. However, their methods often appear unclear and warrant ongoing scrutiny by the research community. Aim: This study introduces a novel combination of methods for synthesizing qualitative literature and explores the utility of these methods through a worked example of a real-world problem of practice. Methods: Qualitative studies that investigated barriers to adoption of...
Show moreBackground: Qualitative syntheses have the potential to offer a great deal of insight into complex problems of practice. However, their methods often appear unclear and warrant ongoing scrutiny by the research community. Aim: This study introduces a novel combination of methods for synthesizing qualitative literature and explores the utility of these methods through a worked example of a real-world problem of practice. Methods: Qualitative studies that investigated barriers to adoption of wellness programs through the perspectives of key informants were systematically collected for synthesis. Key informants were identified as decision makers at small- to medium-sized businesses. The primary method used in this study was the Best-Fit Framework Synthesis (BFS). The BFS was augmented with Alignment Scores, CERQual Analysis, and a novel Saturation of Inquisition Test. Dedoose software was used to support data analysis. Results: The systematic search returned 4 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Diffusion Theory was systematically selected to develop a framework for analyzing qualitative findings. The synthesis generated four analytical themes and led to the development of a contextually rich conceptual framework. Analytical themes deeply informed the research questions while the framework offered a broader view of the overall problem. CERQual Analysis provided an added dimension of ranking amongst findings based on their level of confidence. The Saturation of Inquisition Test identified gaps in current research and validated decisions made during the synthesis. Alignment Scores identified specific points of misalignment and supported decision-making during the synthesis. Conclusion: The augmented BFS was a valuable method for synthesizing qualitative findings in a manner that informs practitioners and builds on relevant theory. The additional methods integrated seamlessly with the original BFS while enhancing transparency, reliability, and practical value of the synthesis. Further replication and critical evaluation of the overall methodology and its individual components is warranted.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006632, ucf:51293
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006632
- Title
- Understanding the Dynamics of Peer Review and Its Impact on Revision.
- Creator
-
Kopp, Julie, Roozen, Kevin, Rounsaville, Angela, Hall, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Research in writing studies has focused on what happens as students, and often their teachers, talk about student writing. This line of inquiry has identified several strategies for productive peer interactions, including spontaneous talk (Danis; Dipardo and Freedman; Johnson, The New Frontier; Bruffee; Lam), a flexible environment (Dipardo (&) Freedman; Johnson, (")Friendly Persuasion(")), positive rapport (Rish; Thompson; Wolfe), feedback and support (Barron; Covill; Flynn; Grimm; Lam;...
Show moreResearch in writing studies has focused on what happens as students, and often their teachers, talk about student writing. This line of inquiry has identified several strategies for productive peer interactions, including spontaneous talk (Danis; Dipardo and Freedman; Johnson, The New Frontier; Bruffee; Lam), a flexible environment (Dipardo (&) Freedman; Johnson, (")Friendly Persuasion(")), positive rapport (Rish; Thompson; Wolfe), feedback and support (Barron; Covill; Flynn; Grimm; Lam; Yucel, Bird, Young, and Blanksby; Zhu), and reflection (Yucel, Bird, Young, and Blanksby). However, research invested in understanding the extent to which such interactions result in better revisions or make students better writers has been slower to emerge. To address this gap in the existing scholarship, this thesis involved case studies of two first-year undergraduates as they navigated multiple peer review interactions throughout one semester of ENC 1101. Data collection for this inquiry included observations of three peer review sessions, retrospective interviews with each participant, and participants' end of semester e-portfolios. Using conversation analysis as a lens (Black; Ford and Thompson; Kerschbaum), this project explores the extent to which peer interactions inform students' revision of their writing. The analysis of the data suggests that the amount of interruptions and control during peer interactions influences the amount of comments a student takes up in the revision process. The results of conversation analysis identify a power structure within peer interactions that are developed and constantly changing. Those power structures also show the relationship between social interaction and revision. Teachers can use this study to motivate students to use the comments given during peer review toward revising their papers. Also, with the development of more diverse case studies, researchers would be able to identify if these phenomena show up more consistently.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006613, ucf:51284
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006613
- Title
- THE EFFECT OF IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK AND AFTER ACTION REVIEWS (AARS) ON LEARNING, RETENTION AND TRANSFER.
- Creator
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Sanders, Michael, Williams, Kent, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
An After Action Review (AAR) is the Army training system's performance feedback mechanism. The purpose of the AAR is to improve team (unit) and individual performance in order to increase organizational readiness. While a large body of knowledge exists that discusses instructional strategies, feedback and training systems, neither the AAR process nor the AAR systems have been examined in terms of learning effectiveness and efficiency for embedded trainers as part of a holistic training system...
Show moreAn After Action Review (AAR) is the Army training system's performance feedback mechanism. The purpose of the AAR is to improve team (unit) and individual performance in order to increase organizational readiness. While a large body of knowledge exists that discusses instructional strategies, feedback and training systems, neither the AAR process nor the AAR systems have been examined in terms of learning effectiveness and efficiency for embedded trainers as part of a holistic training system. In this thesis, different feedback methods for embedded training are evaluated based on the timing and type of feedback used during and after training exercises. Those feedback methodologies include: providing Immediate Directive Feedback (IDF) only, the IDF Only feedback condition group; using Immediate Direct Feedback and delayed feedback with open ended prompts to elicit self-elaboration during the AAR, the IDF with AAR feedback condition group; and delaying feedback using opened ended prompts without any IDF, the AAR Only feedback condition group. The results of the experiment support the hypothesis that feedback timing and type do effect skill acquisition, retention and transfer in different ways. Immediate directive feedback has a significant effect in reducing the number of errors committed while acquiring new procedural skills during training. Delayed feedback, in the form of an AAR, has a significant effect on the acquisition, retention and transfer of higher order conceptual knowledge as well as procedural knowledge about a task. The combination of Immediate Directive Feedback with an After Action Review demonstrated the greatest degree of transfer on a transfer task.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000441, ucf:46411
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000441
- Title
- EXTRACTING QUANTITATIVE INFORMATIONFROM NONNUMERIC MARKETING DATA: AN AUGMENTEDLATENT SEMANTIC ANALYSIS APPROACH.
- Creator
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Arroniz, Inigo, Michaels, Ronald, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Despite the widespread availability and importance of nonnumeric data, marketers do not have the tools to extract information from large amounts of nonnumeric data. This dissertation attempts to fill this void: I developed a scalable methodology that is capable of extracting information from extremely large volumes of nonnumeric data. The proposed methodology integrates concepts from information retrieval and content analysis to analyze textual information. This approach avoids a pervasive...
Show moreDespite the widespread availability and importance of nonnumeric data, marketers do not have the tools to extract information from large amounts of nonnumeric data. This dissertation attempts to fill this void: I developed a scalable methodology that is capable of extracting information from extremely large volumes of nonnumeric data. The proposed methodology integrates concepts from information retrieval and content analysis to analyze textual information. This approach avoids a pervasive difficulty of traditional content analysis, namely the classification of terms into predetermined categories, by creating a linear composite of all terms in the document and, then, weighting the terms according to their inferred meaning. In the proposed approach, meaning is inferred by the collocation of the term across all the texts in the corpus. It is assumed that there is a lower dimensional space of concepts that underlies word usage. The semantics of each word are inferred by identifying its various contexts in a document and across documents (i.e., in the corpus). After the semantic similarity space is inferred from the corpus, the words in each document are weighted to obtain their representation on the lower dimensional semantic similarity space, effectively mapping the terms to the concept space and ultimately creating a score that measures the concept of interest. I propose an empirical application of the outlined methodology. For this empirical illustration, I revisit an important marketing problem, the effect of movie critics on the performance of the movies. In the extant literature, researchers have used an overall numerical rating of the review to capture the content of the movie reviews. I contend that valuable information present in the textual materials remains uncovered. I use the proposed methodology to extract this information from the nonnumeric text contained in a movie review. The proposed setting is particularly attractive to validate the methodology because the setting allows for a simple test of the text-derived metrics by comparing them to the numeric ratings provided by the reviewers. I empirically show the application of this methodology and traditional computer-aided content analytic methods to study an important marketing topic, the effect of movie critics on movie performance. In the empirical application of the proposed methodology, I use two datasets that combined contain more than 9,000 movie reviews nested in more than 250 movies. I am restudying this marketing problem in the light of directly obtaining information from the reviews instead of following the usual practice of using an overall rating or a classification of the review as either positive or negative. I find that the addition of direct content and structure of the review adds a significant amount of exploratory power as a determinant of movie performance, even in the presence of actual reviewer overall ratings (stars) and other controls. This effect is robust across distinct opertaionalizations of both the review content and the movie performance metrics. In fact, my findings suggest that as we move from sales to profitability to financial return measures, the role of the content of the review, and therefore the critic's role, becomes increasingly important.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001617, ucf:47164
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001617
- Title
- THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF RUNNING BAREFOOT OR IN MINIMALIST SHOES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.
- Creator
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Perkins, Kyle, Rothschild, Carey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The popularity of running barefoot or in minimalist shoes has notably increased in the last decade due to claims of injury prevention, enhanced running efficiency, and improved performance when compared to running in shoes (shod). A systematic review of the literature was performed using the Downs and Black checklist to assess the methodological quality of studies proposing risks or benefits between running barefoot, shod, or in minimalist shoes. The databases Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and...
Show moreThe popularity of running barefoot or in minimalist shoes has notably increased in the last decade due to claims of injury prevention, enhanced running efficiency, and improved performance when compared to running in shoes (shod). A systematic review of the literature was performed using the Downs and Black checklist to assess the methodological quality of studies proposing risks or benefits between running barefoot, shod, or in minimalist shoes. The databases Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL were searched using keywords or "Booleans" including: "Barefoot", "Running" and "Minimalist," exclusively. All included articles were obtained from peer reviewed journals in the English language with a link to full text and no limit for year of publication. The final selection was made based on inclusion of at least one of the following outcome variables: pain, injury rate, running economy, joint forces, running velocity, electromyography, muscle performance, or edema. Significant results were gathered from identified articles and compared using "Levels of Evidence" by Furlan et al. Twenty-three publications were identified and rated for quality assessment in September 2013. Out of 27 possible points on the Downs and Black checklist, all articles scored between 13 and 19 points with a mean of 17.4. Evidence from the articles ranged from very limited to moderate. Moderate evidence suggested overall less maximum vertical ground reaction forces, less extension moment and power absorption at the knee, less foot and ankle dorsiflexion at ground contact, less ground contact time, shorter stride length, increased stride frequency (cadence), as well as increased knee flexion at ground contact in barefoot running compared to shod. The low scores from the quality assessment using the Downs and Black checklist indicates that improved methodological quality is necessary to provide strong evidence comparing the risks and benefits of running barefoot, shod, and in minimalist shoes. The literature between shod, minimalist, and barefoot running is inconclusive. There is limited evidence showing differences in kinematics, kinetics, electromyography, and economy results in minimalist shoes. Thus, an alternative and suitable method to effectively replicate barefoot running has not yet been determined.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004532, ucf:45194
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004532
- Title
- SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS: TUBERCULOSIS, TNFΑ INHIBITORS, AND CROHN'S DISEASE.
- Creator
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Cao, Brent L, Naser, Saleh A., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Inflammation is often a protective reaction against harmful foreign agents. However, in many disease conditions, the mechanisms behind the inflammatory response are poorly understood. Often times, the inflammation causes adverse effects, such as joint pain, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Thus, many treatments aim to inhibit the inflammatory response in order to control adverse symptoms. Such treatments include TNFα inhibitors. However, a major risk associated with drugs...
Show moreInflammation is often a protective reaction against harmful foreign agents. However, in many disease conditions, the mechanisms behind the inflammatory response are poorly understood. Often times, the inflammation causes adverse effects, such as joint pain, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Thus, many treatments aim to inhibit the inflammatory response in order to control adverse symptoms. Such treatments include TNFα inhibitors. However, a major risk associated with drugs inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is serious infection, including tuberculosis (TB). Anti-TNFα therapy is used to treat patients with Crohn's disease, for which the risk of tuberculosis may be even more concerning. Recent literature suggests Crohn's might involve Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), an intracellular TB-like bacterium. This study seeks to investigate the risk of developing TB in patients with Crohn's disease treated with TNFα inhibitors. A meta-analysis synthesized existing evidence. Evidence came from published randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials of TNFα inhibitors for treatment of adult Crohn's disease. Twenty-three trials were identified, including 5,669 patients. The risk of tuberculosis was significantly increased in anti-TNFα treated patients, with a risk difference of 0.028 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0011-0.055). The odds ratio was 4.85 (95% CI, 1.02-22.99) when all studies were included and 5.85 (95% CI, 1.13-30.38) when studies reporting zero tuberculosis cases were excluded. The risk of tuberculosis is increased in patients with Crohn's disease treated with TNFα inhibitors. The medical community should be alerted about this risk and the potential for TNFα inhibitor usage favoring granulomatous infections and worsening the patient condition.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000360, ucf:45909
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000360
- Title
- EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF ATOMOXETINE USE FOR PATIENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) SYMPTOMS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.
- Creator
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El-Said, Angie, Cheng, Zixi, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Introduction: Patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show more symptoms of ADHD. Since there are more adverse events caused by psychostimulants compared to non-psychostimulants, the use of a non-psychostimulant such as atomoxetine might prove more beneficial for younger patients and/or those with comorbid ADHD. Objective: The aim of this thesis is to determine the efficacy and tolerability of atomoxetine in ASD patients presenting...
Show moreIntroduction: Patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show more symptoms of ADHD. Since there are more adverse events caused by psychostimulants compared to non-psychostimulants, the use of a non-psychostimulant such as atomoxetine might prove more beneficial for younger patients and/or those with comorbid ADHD. Objective: The aim of this thesis is to determine the efficacy and tolerability of atomoxetine in ASD patients presenting with ADHD, by examining (a) differences in ADHD symptoms for participants receiving atomoxetine versus those receiving placebos, and (b) risk differences in adverse events between these participants. Methods: An electronic search of both PubMed.gov and ClinicalTrials.gov were conducted. To be deemed eligible, studies had to (a) be randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials comparing atomoxetine with a placebo, (b) administer atomoxetine for at least 1 week, and (c) include data on either ADHD outcomes or adverse events. Effect sizes for ADHD outcomes were calculated using Cohen's d, whereas risk differences were calculated for adverse events. For each of these two meta-analyses, effect sizes were aggregated across studies using a random effects method. Results: Overall ADHD outcomes were better for participants who received atomoxetine than for participants who received placebo, =0.297. Participants who received atomoxetine also demonstrated better outcomes in terms of attention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms, =0.345 and 0.393, respectively. Though there were more adverse events for patients taking atomoxetine than placebo, the results were not statistically significant. Discussion: This thesis extends the findings of previous meta-analyses of pharmacological treatments for ASD and ADHD, while addressing the concerns raised in the critique of existing meta-analyses presented in this thesis, e.g., limited studies, length of treatment weeks, and dichotomization of data. It provides evidence that atomoxetine improves ADHD symptoms, with an overall frequency of adverse events that did not sufficiently differ from placebo beyond chance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000534, ucf:45644
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000534
- Title
- REVIEW OF INSTRUMENTS TO MEASURE BREASTFEEDING BELIEFS AND INTENT AMONG NULLIPAROUS BLACK COLLEGE WOMEN.
- Creator
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Eunice, Jaime, Waldrop, Julee, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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United States breastfeeding rates are below Healthy People 2020 national goals, with African American women at the lowest rates. According to the theory of planned behavior, intention is a strong determinant of actual behavior. The purpose of this review is to uncover how researchers can best measure attributes that influence the intention to breast feed in the African American college aged population of nulliparous women. Tools to measure breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, cultural...
Show moreUnited States breastfeeding rates are below Healthy People 2020 national goals, with African American women at the lowest rates. According to the theory of planned behavior, intention is a strong determinant of actual behavior. The purpose of this review is to uncover how researchers can best measure attributes that influence the intention to breast feed in the African American college aged population of nulliparous women. Tools to measure breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, cultural and social norms will be identified. Searches of health databases and Google Scholar located peer-reviewed journals using keywords such as Black, African American, instrument, female and student. The literature was searched and this review found that there are no published sources that specifically study the Black female college student population. However, numerous tools that have been used in research with other modern, Western university students groups may also be used with this population. Factors determined to be important to intention included exposure, knowledge, individual attitudes toward breastfeeding, with a focus on psychosocial embarrassment and social norms. The findingssupport researchers by suggesting future interventions, and development of tools that can be used to measure effectiveness.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004074, ucf:44800
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004074
- Title
- Examining the use of Background Music to Facilitate Learning.
- Creator
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De La Mora Velasco, Efren, Hirumi, Atsusi, Bai, Haiyan, Boote, David, Sung, Stella, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The present work examines the use of background music (BM) to facilitate learning. This dissertation includes three independent, yet interrelated studies that synthesized scholarship to characterize the methods, and BM characteristics that have been manipulated in primary research, to identify trends, patterns and gaps. Then, it integrates findings of experimental studies that reported influences of music on cognitive performance to inform future research and theory. Lastly, this dissertation...
Show moreThe present work examines the use of background music (BM) to facilitate learning. This dissertation includes three independent, yet interrelated studies that synthesized scholarship to characterize the methods, and BM characteristics that have been manipulated in primary research, to identify trends, patterns and gaps. Then, it integrates findings of experimental studies that reported influences of music on cognitive performance to inform future research and theory. Lastly, this dissertation reports a design-based research study aimed at improving an online learning environment with the use of BM to enhance students' motivation, engagement and knowledge retention.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007622, ucf:52536
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007622
