Admission Process Research Articles

An in-depth examination of geriatric nursing master's programs: A comparative analysis between Iran and Canada

This study was undertaken with the explicit objective of comparing the educational curriculum of the Master's program in Geriatrics in Iran with that of the Alberta Nursing School in Canada. This comparative descriptive study employed George F. Bradley's 4-step method, involving the stages of description and proximity analysis. Data were sourced from internal databases, including Magiran and Scientific Information Database, supplemented by external databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. The geriatric nursing master's program in Alberta is characterized by a longer duration and a more established history. The delineation of roles for graduates in this context is more specific compared to the situation in Iran. The admission criteria in Alberta are more stringent, emphasizing the quality of candidates through a comprehensive evaluation of general and professional factors. Conversely, the admission process for nursing master's students in Iran considers a broader set of criteria. Furthermore, a substantial disparity exists between the course topics in Iran and the pressing societal and clinical needs. The inadequacy of clinical space and the scarcity of experienced professors emerge as significant challenges within the training program in Iran. The formulation of the curriculum for the geriatric nursing master's program should adhere to a systematic and comprehensive framework that aligns with societal needs. Graduates of the program should possess a well-defined professional position within the healthcare landscape. The educational process should involve the utilization of accomplished professors and a dynamic clinical environment to effectively train students.

북한이탈대학생 대학입시특별전형에 관한 쟁점과 개선방안 연구

This study analyzed the collegiate experiences of North Korean defector students admitted via special admissions, scrutinized the challenges of this system, and proposed enhancements. Employing a qualitative case study approach, it involved 10 defector students and 6 experts, including professors and field specialists, totaling 16 participants. Data from Focus Group Interviews (FGI) highlighted six themes across two categories about the special admissions process challenges. The first category showed the positive impact of special admissions, such as facilitating university entry for defectors, enhancing their social capital, and aiding integration into Korean society. The second category focused on challenges like academic gaps, anxiety over their special admission status, and career choice difficulties. These findings, compared with previous research, underscored three main issues with the special admissions system. The study suggests improvements to better support North Korean defector students.

THE USE OF WEB SERVICES TO OPTIMIZE THE LOGISTICS PROCESS IN THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY

One of the important sectors in the economy is the metallurgical industry, which supplies raw materials and semi-finished products to other strategically important industries. The issue of quality control in this area is very relevant. Since the quality of the metal depends on the quality of subsequent products, products that must withstand all prescribed loads and regulations, as well as ensure safe operation for many years. Accordingly, all products of the metallurgical industry are subject to mandatory certification. The quality certificate is an official document and confirms the declared characteristics of the metal. All information from the quality certificate should be recorded in the information system in such a way that it is possible to track each specific batch of metal with the characteristics declared according to the certificate from purchase to release of finished products. The article discusses new possibilities of using web services for the exchange of information on quality certificates between contractors with various information systems. The essence of this innovative method is that the metal supplier transmits the data according to the quality certificate together with the electronic printed form, and the buyer accepts this data and writes it to the integration bus using web services for subsequent transmission to the necessary information systems. Thus, the risk of errors that are present during manual input will be eliminated, the time for entering and processing information will be reduced to ensure the full operation of technical control in the organization. Purpose. Optimization of the process of material and technical support by metal rolling for enterprises of the machine-building industry. Methodology: the article used survey, analysis, comparison, modeling. Results: a new method of transmitting information on quality certificates using web services, which allows you to avoid errors during manual entry, as well as optimize the registration process of admission. Practical implications it is advisable to apply the obtained results for enterprises of the machine-building industry engaged in the purchase of rolled metal.

The association between applicant gender and racial or ethnic identity and success in the admissions process at a Canadian medical school: a prospective cohort study.

Canadian data suggests that Black candidates may be less successful than other groups when applying to medical school. We sought to comprehensively describe the racial and/or ethnic identity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability of applicants to a single Canadian medical school. We also examined for an association between success at each application stage and applicant gender and racial identity. Class of 2024 applicants to a single Canadian medical school were invited to complete a demographics survey. The odds of achieving each application stage (offered an interview, offered a position, and matriculating) were determined for each demographic group. There were 595 participants (32.4% response rate). The demographics of the applicant pool and matriculating class were similar. There was no difference in interview offers or matriculation between BIPOC and white candidates. Cisgender men were overrepresented in interviews compared to cisgender women (OR 0.64; 95%CI 0.43-0.95; p = 0.03) but not in matriculation. BIPOC cisgender women received more interview invitations compared to other groups (OR 2.74, 95%CI 1.20-6.25; p = 0.02). Differences in applicant success for differing demographic groups were most pronounced being offered an interview.

Interviewer Stress and Coping: Interpreting Admission Interview Experiences of Higher Education Faculty Members

In any higher education institution, the discussions on admission-related stress have always focused on the interviewee. There are limited studies examining stress experienced by the academician while conducting the admission process. This study addresses this gap in the literature by examining various aspects of stress and coping mechanisms adopted by faculty. An interpretive phenomenological analysis is chosen to understand the meaning ascribed by the faculty to their experience of stress. A total of 22 participants were interviewed for the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with the faculty using a semi-structured questionnaire; addressing the cause of stress, the consequence of stress, and coping mechanisms adopted by faculty to tackle stress. The study highlighted factors such as perceived competency, interpersonal dynamics, time management and brand management, which stressed academicians and caused physical and psychological discomfort. To deal with stress, faculty adopted measures ranging from seeking social support and creating mental boundaries. Findings from the study can be leveraged by higher education institutions to design measures to tackle the occupational stress of faculty arising out of non-academic activities.

Access and success in higher education: fostering resilience in historically disadvantaged students in South Africa

PurposeThis qualitative study interrogates the barriers that historically disadvantaged higher education students in South Africa face when it comes to access and success. It specifically explores the challenges black students encounter in gaining epistemic access within the South African higher education system.Design/methodology/approachThis research draws upon empirical data collected from a mixed-methods research project conducted at six higher education institutions. It focuses on issues of epistemic access and success within humanities and sciences faculties. The dataset comprises interview transcripts involving 34 student and ten staff cases. Thematic analysis, aided by MaxQDA software, was meticulously conducted to extract and synthesise meaningful themes, crafting comprehensive narratives.FindingsThe study uncovers multifaceted challenges, including difficulties in understanding the admission process, financial barriers and language proficiency issues, faced by disadvantaged students when accessing universities and transitioning from basic to higher education. The research emphasises universities taking proactive measures, such as providing comprehensive early support, identifying at-risk students and collaborating with schools to prepare prospective students better. It advocates for the potential of resilience theory in addressing social justice issues related to access and success for these students. Furthermore, the study recommends developing inclusive curricula and underscores the need for universities to actively support disadvantaged students academically and socially.Originality/valueThis research departs from the conventional focus on physical access to universities, introducing a more comprehensive perspective that emphasises epistemic access as a pivotal aspect of higher education. Drawing on empirical data, it sheds light on the obstacles faced by disadvantaged students during the transition from high school to higher education while also exploring their resilience strategies.

Perspectives of Stakeholders on the inclusion of Personality Assessment in the Admission Policies of Medical Colleges: A Qualitative Study

Background: Joining the health care force as a doctor is a dream that flourishes in the minds of majority of youngsters in Pakistan, making the admission process highly competitive. Currently, our admission criteria only caters the knowledge domain of the applicants while research argues that personality of the candidates should also be considered when selecting the cream of the nation for one of the most critical profession of medicine. Objective: The objective of this research was to investigate stakeholders’ perspectives on the incorporation of personality assessment as a component of the admission requirements for medical colleges in Pakistan. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using a multi-center approach, where participants from three different stakeholder groups involved in medical college admissions in Pakistan (Governing body members, experienced academic staff, and medical scholars) were interviewed. The analysis method used was thematic analysis. Results: The stakeholders reached a consensus that the current admission criteria need to be revised, although opinions were varied regarding the inclusion of personality assessment in the admission process. The stakeholders identified conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience as the key personality features to be evaluated for medical college admissions, in descending order of importance. Conclusion: This study highlighted the need to revise and expand the existing admission criteria, while also revealing a diversified feedback to the proposal of introducing personality appraisal as part of the medical college admission standards as they may pose significant obstacles.

Implementing a Hospitalist Comanagement Service in Orthopaedic Surgery.

➤ Hospitalist comanagement of patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery is a growing trend across the United States, yet its implementation in an academic tertiary care hospital can be complex and even contentious.➤ Hospitalist comanagement services lead to better identification of at-risk patients, optimization of patient care to prevent adverse events, and streamlining of the admission process, thereby enhancing the overall service efficiency.➤ A successful hospitalist comanagement service includes the identification of service stakeholders and leaders; frequent consensus meetings; a well-defined standardized framework, with goals, program metrics, and unified commands; and an occasional satisfaction assessment to update and improve the program.➤ In this article, we establish a step-by-step protocol for the implementation of a comanagement structure between orthopaedic and hospitalist services at a tertiary care center, outlining specific protocols and workflows for patient care and transfer procedures among various departments, particularly in emergency and postoperative situations.

Tayseer: A Novel AI-Powered Arabic Chatbot Framework for Technical and Vocational Student Helpdesk Services and Enhancing Student Interactions

The rise of conversational agents (CAs) like chatbots in education has increased the demand for advisory services. However, student–college admission interactions remain manual and burdensome for staff. Leveraging CAs could streamline the admission process, providing efficient advisory support. Moreover, limited research has explored the role of Arabic chatbots in education. This study introduces Tayseer, an Arabic AI-powered web chatbot that enables instant access to college information and communication between students and colleges. This study aims to improve the abilities of chatbots by integrating features into one model, including responding with audiovisuals, various interaction modes (menu, text, or both), and collecting survey responses. Tayseer uses deep learning models within the RASA framework, incorporating a customized Arabic natural language processing pipeline for intent classification, entity extraction, and response retrieval. Tayseer was deployed at the Technical College for Girls in Najran (TCGN). Over 200 students used Tayseer during the first semester, demonstrating its efficiency in streamlining the advisory process. It identified over 50 question types from inputs with a 90% precision in intent and entity predictions. A comprehensive evaluation illuminated Tayseer’s proficiency as well as areas requiring improvement. This study developed an advanced CA to enhance student experiences and satisfaction while establishing best practices for education chatbot interfaces by outlining steps to build an AI-powered chatbot from scratch using techniques adaptable to any language.

Predicting Success: A Comprehensive Analysis of High School and Admission Test Scores on Future Academic Performance of Dental Students.

Introduction Dental school admissions in Pakistan traditionally rely on Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), University of Health Sciences (UHS), and National Testing Service (NTS) scores, with limited research available on their predictive validity for dental school performance. This study aims to investigate the correlation between a student's first-year dental school performance and their HSSC, UHS, and NTS scores. Methods A total of 282 records, spanning the years 2016 to 2020, were obtained from a single private dental institution. The data included HSSC, UHS, and/or NTS scores, with the first professional examination results as the dependent variable. Statistical analysis was conducted using the StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences (IBMSPSSStatisticsforWindows,IBMCorp., Version 25.0, Armonk,NY), encompassing descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results Pearson's coefficients revealed weak to moderate positive correlations between the first professional examination and HSSC (r=0.209, p<.01), UHS (r=0.344, p<.01), and NTS (r=0.350, p<.01), all statistically significant at p < 0.01. Multiple regression analysis indicated that UHS scores contributed the highest explanatory power (R² = 0.146) in predicting first professional examination results. Conclusion A positive correlation between HSSC, UHS, and NTS scores with dental students' performance in the first professional examination is observed. However, the correlations are moderate, highlighting the importance of incorporating assessments that consider cognitive, behavioral, and skill-related aspects in admissions processes. Given the evolving landscape of dental education, these findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to identify candidates better equipped to serve the healthcare sector.

Perceptions of students and faculty on NCAAA-accredited health informatics programs in Saudi Arabia: an evaluative study

BackgroundAs the healthcare sector becomes increasingly reliant on technology, it is crucial for universities to offer bachelor’s degrees in health informatics (HI). HI professionals bridge the gap between IT and healthcare, ensuring that technology complements patient care and clinical workflows; they promote enhanced patient outcomes, support clinical research, and uphold data security and privacy standards. This study aims to evaluate accredited HI academic programs in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis study employed a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design utilising a self-reported electronic questionnaire consisting of predetermined items and response alternatives. Probability-stratified random sampling was also performed.ResultThe responses rates were 39% (n = 241) for students and 62% (n = 53) for faculty members. While the participants expressed different opinions regarding the eight variables being examined, the faculty members and students generally exhibited a strong level of consensus on many variables. A notable association was observed between facilities and various other characteristics, including student engagement, research activities, admission processes, and curriculum. Similarly, a notable correlation exists between student engagement and the curriculum in connection to research, attrition, the function of faculty members, and academic outcomes.ConclusionWhile faculty members and students hold similar views about the institution and its offerings, certain areas of divergence highlight the distinct perspectives and priorities of each group. The perception disparity between students and faculty in areas such as admission, faculty roles, and internships sheds light on areas of improvement and alignment for universities.

Internationalisation and the lived experiences of Non-South African postgraduate students in accessing higher education in South Africa

The internationalisation of higher education has resulted in an increase in student mobility from countries of their origin to experience a different kind of education elsewhere. South Africa absorbs most international students within Africa. According to Chasi and Quinlan (2021, 209) the Council for Higher Education reported that 6.5 per cent of the total number of enrolments in universities in South Africa are international students, which is a significant proportion of the student body. The success of these students contributes to raising the profile of South African universities as far as rankings are concerned as well as generating revenue for the institutions. This article explores the lived experiences of postgraduate international students at a university in South Africa. The aim of the article is to identify the opportunities and constraints that students experience, coming from outside South Africa to pursue postgraduate studies. Using Sen’s capability approach, the article endeavoured to unveil conversion factors that international students encounter while studying for their postgraduate programmes. A qualitative approach was employed to generate data through interviews with students who had completed their postgraduate studies. The findings revealed the capability to study as a “doing” that mattered to the students with the intention of ultimately attaining their postgraduate qualifications. Experiences along the way included both enabling and constraining factors such as immigration, cultural adjustments, supervision and institutional factors. There is a compelling need to revisit the processes of admission and immigration regarding international students aimed at benefiting both students and institutions.

Analysis of Decision Making Factors for New Students Choosing a Bachelor of Accounting Study Program, Pamulang University

The background of the research to analyze the decision-making factors for new students to choose the Accounting Study Undergraduate Program, Pamulang University which can be a reference for management formulating strategies in the vew student admission process. The research aims to determine the influence of education costs, study program accreditation, educational facilities, and study program prospects on student decision making in choosing an Accounting Study Undergraduate Program, Pamulang University, partially or simultaneously. This research is causal associative research with a quantitative approach. The variables of this research are education costs, study program accreditation, educational facilities, study program prospects and student decisions. The sample population for this research is new students from the Accounting Study Undergraduate Program, Pamulang University, odd semester 2023-2024, totaling 1840 students. Because the student population is too large, the sample taken in this research used the Accidental Sampling technique with 136 respondents being the research sample. The data analysis method in this research is to use a research scale and measure variables using SPSS tools by carrying out several tests including validity test, reliability test, normality test, multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test, multiple linear analysis test, F test, T hypothesis test (t-test), and R-Square test (R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;).

Piloting a Supplemental Assessment Tool with Younger Residents of Long-Term Care.

Young adults living with disabilities may sometimes end up in long-term care facilities which may not always meet their needs. Our project set out to pilot a supplemental assessment tool, a questionnaire to be used upon admission of younger adults into long-term care. We wanted the opinions of both staff and younger residents on what modifications may be needed in the implementation processes to ensure effectiveness of the tool. This project followed a qualitative design, implementing a previously designed supplemental assessment tool with five staff members and seven younger residents of two long-term care homes in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Residents completed the questionnaire with members of staff involved in admissions. Each group participated in follow-up interviews regarding their thoughts on implementation of the tool. Responses were analyzed using the constructs of the Consolidated Framework in Implementation Research following direct content analysis methods. Feedback from residents and staff suggested that the tool could not be used as a one-size-fits-all solution but that flexibility in the format, content, and structure of the tool would be beneficial to ensure its utility in a variety of settings. Issues raised by staff and residents included, but were not limited to, accessibility of the intervention, the availability of resources, the format of the intervention and topics covered within it, and ensuring that processes for implementation are clearly defined. Both staff and residents approved of the tool for use in the admissions process and agreed that it would enhance the admissions practices already in place.

Availability and Perceived Importance of High-Impact Practices for Psychology Graduate Program Admission

Background: Participation in high-impact practices (HIPs) is related to student success and development. Less is known about whether HIPs can increase students’ chances of getting into graduate school in psychology. High-impact practice participation might be one strategy for students to stand out in the competitive graduate school admission process. Objective: We examined (a) the perceived availability of HIPs and (b) the perceived role that HIP participation plays in psychology graduate program admission success. Method: A total of 81 U.S. psychology professors who are involved in graduate program admission decisions rated the availability, importance, and influence of HIPs and non-HIPs (e.g., GPA) on psychology graduate program admission success. Results: Many HIPs are widely available. Of all HIPs, only undergraduate research was rated as very important and strongly increases admission chances. Participation in honors, writing-intensive courses, and applied experiences slightly increased admission chances. Conclusion: Research continues to be the most beneficial HIP when applying to graduate programs in psychology. Non-HIPs (e.g., grades, letters of recommendation) are more important in graduate program admission than most HIPs. Teaching Implications: Students, academic advisors, and faculty mentors can use the results of this study to align students’ HIP participation with postgraduation goals.

The Effectiveness of race-based affirmative action in U.S. university admissions and other comparative proposals.

One of U.S. politics’ great debates in recent decades has been the presence of race-based affirmative action in the admissions processes of their universities, with June 2023’s landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which banned this policy, a culmination of this debate. It has been suggested that educational race-based affirmative action is a necessary response to the historical injustices that existed for members of minority racial groups in the U.S. education system, as well as the ongoing consequences of these injustices. Similar issues regarding the reconciliation of past injustices perpetuated against racial minority groups have emerged as a prominent issue on a global level. Resolving this issue is complicated by the variety of perspectives on how these conflicts should be resolved as well as accurately determining the ongoing implications of historic injustices. Using the research question “To what extent can the presence of race-based affirmative action in admissions processes of U.S. universities be considered the most effective method of addressing historical racial injustices in education?” to focus the investigation, this paper contends that combining class-based affirmative action in the short-term with a long-term goal of following a method named ‘the communitarian proposal’ is the most effective way of addressing the aforementioned historical injustices in education.

Assessments in the initial nursing consultation-starting point for interprofessional cooperation in oncology

Most oncology patients are not adequately screened for symptoms during the admission process. As aresult, their needs are not properly assessed and included in their treatment. To investigate which assessments are already used by different nursing, medical, and social services at oncology centers and how these could be centralized in order to include the different services involved in the care of patients in abundled way. Interviews were conducted with nursing, medical, and social services of an oncology center. Hereby, amain focus was put on their individual screenings. Furthermore, the special features of the services for oncological patients were elaborated. Symptom assessments are currently only performed if the nursing, medical, or social service concerned is actively involved in the care of the patient. This usually happens only once aproblem arises. This could be counteracted by aneeds and requirements analysis integrated into the admission process, in which the assessments are used in abundled manner. In this way, acomprehensive picture of the individual could be created even before aproblem arises. Based on the analysis by nursing experts, the various nursing, medical, and social services could then be involved in the care of the patient right at the start of treatment. This would significantly improve the quality of care for patients.

Artificial Lawyering: A Jekyll and Hyde Story

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used by the public to make important decisions, from the advancement of business algorithms to aiding with college admissions processes. Much has been written recently about AI and the law. But where is the intersection between AI and the law? And where is the line drawn to separate the two? This Article addresses the benefits and detriments to the use of AI in the legal setting, and provides a solution through the Model Rules of Professional Conduct to capture the benefits while simultaneously abating the detriments. The discussion aims to break down the typical black-box description by computer scientists who create their own lexicography into an understandable, easily discernable analogy. To that measure, I first discuss AI generally to create a baseline understanding. I then turn to how AI is used in the current legal setting by both lawyers and laypersons. A key motivation to writing this Article is to highlight the systemic problems plaguing the legal system, and how AI can resolve these problems. However, science has taught us that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The benefits of legal aid through AI are contrasted with discussions about how the use of AI in the legal field can create more issues than it solves, such as implicating the unauthorized practice of law (“UPL”), endangering the public, and magnifying the effects of inherent bias in data sets. Finally, this Article suggests a proactive solution to reap the benefits of AI and minimize the potential problems that arise. Instead of an overview of AI and the law, this Article explores the ethical implications and policy arguments surrounding the use of AI in legal settings. In light of AI transforming the legal industry in numerous ways every day, society—and more specifically lawyers—must maintain their ethical principles in the changing environment.

Creation of a holistic admissions review process: A promising change designed to promote diversity and inclusion in nursing education

Objective: The holistic admissions process employs a review strategy designed to assess an applicant's unique life experiences together with traditional measures of academic achievement. This process considers a broad range of factors that reflect an applicant's potential for professional success in the nursing field. The purpose of this initiative was to introduce a holistic admissions process at a nursing program that has historically utilized an academic metrics-based approach.Methods: The nursing program identified goals and targets for holistic admissions as a means to evaluate the process and to make informed decisions that support the aim of increased student diversity.Results: A team-based approach was used to develop criteria for holistic admissions. Shared values for characteristics of ideal nursing applicants were discussed first, and a literature review was conducted, focusing on predictors of success in nursing school and on the nursing licensure examination. Criteria were developed aimed at capturing the shared values, predictors of success, while also allowing applicants to ‘tell their stories’ during the application process. A student-facing application and applicant faculty review process were created. Benchmarks for monitoring diversity of the student population were identified.Conclusions: Our faculty task force developed and implemented a holistic admissions review process and generated plans designed to monitor the improved diversity of the student population. Faculty reflections highlight the value of pursuing this change and moving forward with holistic admissions in our nursing program.

Optimizing Emergency Department Resource Allocation Using Discrete Event Simulation and Machine Learning Techniques

Background: Optimizing resource allocation in emergency departments (ED) is challenging due to limited resources and high costs. Objectives: The objective of this study was to utilize data mining algorithms and simulation modeling to predict the length of stay (LOS) of patients and compare scenarios for increasing bed productivity. Methods: Data mining algorithms, including Random Forest (RF) regression and CatBoost (CB) regression models, were used to predict the LOS based on patient demographic information and vital signs. The process of admission to discharge in the ED was simulated, and different scenarios were compared to identify strategies for increasing bed productivity. Results: The combination of RF regression and CB regression models performed better than other methods in predicting the LOS of patients. Simulation modeling demonstrated that optimal resource allocation and increased bed productivity could be achieved using predicted LOS values. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a combined approach of data mining and simulation can effectively manage ED resources and reduce congestion. The findings highlight the potential of advanced analytical techniques for improving healthcare service delivery and patient outcomes.