Framework Of Best Practices Research Articles

The International Descriptive Study of Effective Methods for the Recruitment and the Retention of Faculty in the United States

This qualitative descriptive study explored what community college administrators and faculty described as being effective recruitment and retention methods for faculty at community colleges in the Northeastern United States. This study answered two research questions: what recruitment methods do administrators and American faculty at community colleges describe as being effective in the recruitment of American faculty? Also, what retention methods do administrators and American faculty at community colleges describe as being effective in the retention of American faculty? The researcher applied critical race theory to form a framework for best practices in recruiting and retaining American faculty. Data were obtained by interviewing six American faculty and surveying seven community college administrators employed at Massachusetts community colleges who were selected using purposive sampling and community college online staff directories. Using MAXQDA data analysis software, the researcher initiated data analysis using thematic analysis. Data were organized and analyzed to identify codes, categories, and themes. Data analysis resulted in six themes: hiring processes, faculty diversity, recruitment strategies, work environment, student and faculty relationships, and retention strategies. The findings of this study can benefit community college personnel by recommending recruitment and retention strategies to effectively recruit and retain American faculty. There was limited research and data available related to the recruitment and retention of African American male faculty at community colleges. The faculty and administrator participants of this study provided rich data on effective recruitment and retention methods for African American male faculty at community colleges. The critical race theory theoretical framework was summarized. Theoretical and practical implications emerged. Based on the data and new insights, implications for future research were discussed.

A Mini-Review and Perspective on Current Best Practice and Emerging Industry 4.0 Methods for Risk Reduction in Advanced Composites Manufacturing

The manufacturing of composite structures is a highly complex task with inevitable risks, particularly associated with aleatoric and epistemic uncertainty of both the materials and processes, as well as the need for in-situ decision-making to mitigate defects during manufacturing. In the context of aerospace composites production in particular, there is a heightened impetus to address and reduce this risk. Current qualification and substantiation frameworks within the aerospace industry define tractable methods for risk reduction. In parallel, Industry 4.0 is an emerging set of technologies and tools that can enable better decision-making towards risk reduction, supported by data-driven models. It offers new paradigms for manufacturers, by virtue of enabling in-situ decisions for optimizing the process as a dynamic system. However, the static nature of current (pre-Industry 4.0) best-practice frameworks may be viewed as at odds with this emerging novel approach. In addition, many of the predictive tools leveraged in an Industry 4.0 system are black-box in nature, which presents other concerns of tractability, interpretability and ultimately risk. This article presents a perspective on the current state-of-the-art in the aerospace composites industry focusing on risk reduction in the autoclave processing, as an example system, while reviewing current trends and needs towards a Composites 4.0 future.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Practices and Its Influenced Factor - Review OSH in Malaysia

High occupational accident in Malaysia as reported by Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia shows the urgently applied a occupational safety and health (OSH) practices in workplaces. This study purposed to review the OSH practices in Malaysia and its influence factor. The factor of that influence to accident cases, good OSH practice and OSH system and framework as well as agencies that has authority with OSH was briefly explained. Factor that influence the accident was consists of stress and fatigue, unsafe act, machinery/tools, design of workplace and training procedure, factor that influenced to achieve good OSH practices was consists of training, safe work procedure, consultation, reporting safety, management commitment and injury management, several OSH agencies that has been developed in Malaysia such as NIOS, NCOSH, DOSH and SOCSO as program in the institution. Institution contribute an important factor due to in institution teach a fundamental of OSH that may applied in the workplaces.

Creating a Pathway for Psychosocial Support in Siblings of Youth with a Chronic Illness: Findings from an International Summit.

Serious childhood illnesses such as cancer affect all family members. Siblings experience strong emotions and disruptions to their routines as families reorganize to confront the disease and manage treatment. Addressing siblings' psychosocial needs is a standard of care in pediatric oncology, but siblings' needs are rarely met because of systematic barriers in our health care system. Thus, we aimed to re-envision sibling care. We used an appreciative inquiry approach to inform systematic screening of siblings' psychosocial risk and unmet needs as a first step toward providing appropriate support. Sibling-focused researchers, clinicians, policymakers, advocates, and families of youth with cancer (N = 29) convened for a 2-day community stakeholder-centered international summit to create a vision for standardizing and optimizing sibling-focused psychosocial screening and assessment as a pathway to care, including crafting a research agenda and articulating best clinical practices. Summit attendees created a detailed framework for best practices in universal sibling psychosocial screening and pathways to support. The framework emphasizes links between hospital- and community-based care. It highlights the need to prepare systems to feasibly and effectively attend to siblings' needs and recommends incorporating siblings into family-based psychosocial screening at cancer diagnosis, systematically conducting sibling-focused psychosocial screening during and after cancer treatment, and connecting siblings with community-based resources. A systematic approach to sibling psychosocial services expands the idea of family-centered care to include siblings and ensures that siblings' needs are adequately recognized and met. This framework was created in the context of cancer but is applicable across illness groups.

Great nephrologists begin with great teachers: update on the nephrology curriculum.

The purpose of this review is to highlight developments and opportunities in the nephrology curriculum from the basic science foundation years through teaching medical students, residents and fellows in the clinical realm. Teaching skills are a vital tool for nephrologists both to promote excellent patient care and attract talented learners to the field. Exposure to dynamic and inspiring nephrologists is one of the main factors given by students and residents for selecting a career in nephrology. Nephrology teaching, including case discussions, problem-based learning, team-based learning and flipped classrooms, provides motivating active learning for medical students and is equally effective for didactics in graduate medical education. Avenues for teaching in the clinical realm include the microskills framework, bedside teaching and grounding in evidence-based medicine. Areas of growth include blended nephrology/subspecialty fields as well as social media applications. Medical education is a satisfying and exciting area of growth in the field of nephrology. The recent literature provides a framework for best practices in active learning as well as providing numerous examples of educational interventions and innovations. In addition, this field is ripe for further development and scholarly activity.

An Inquiry Into Achieving Social Sustainability From Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka

Achieving social sustainability is a challenge while managing the internal and external pressure in a hotel. In Sri Lanka majority of the boutique hotels has not paid attention to the importance of social sustainability and to its impact on economic sustainability. There is no proper guiding mechanism to link the society toward the boutique hotels to drive to social sustainability in Sri Lanka as a win-win situation. This paper aims to develop a good practice framework for boutique hotels in Sri Lanka to drive them toward achieving social sustainability and to explore the internal and external factors that should consider implementing the initiatives to achieve social sustainability. This paper used case study methodology to implement the deductive approach. The author used qualitative data collected from the interviews with the senior management, employees, guests and community leaders. Data contributed to developing the good guidance framework. The selected case is an award-winning group owned only registered boutique hotel. Research carried over a period of one month and analysed using within data through coding. The findings revealed the internal and external elements that should be considered when it comes to successful implementation to achieve social sustainability. In addition, the most applicable key elements to drive toward social sustainability were identified. All these identified elements were integrated to the proposed good practice framework. The paper suggests although boutique hotels implement activities to achieve social sustainability a well-placed framework should place a leading role in achieving social sustainability successfully while extending the benefits to society.

Doing the right thing and getting it right: professional perspectives in social work on supporting parents from gender diverse communities

Background Despite significant shifts in legislative, political, cultural and social contexts, which have improved our understanding of diverse gender identities and family life, this remains under-explored within social work and social care. Trans and non-binary (TNB) parenting experiences are marginalized within mainstream professional practice and action is required to address these inequalities. Aims This study explored the practices and meaning of ‘parenting’ and ‘caring’ for care professionals in families with parents with diverse gender identities in the UK. It aimed to capture a snapshot of the current state of practice knowledge and perceived practice challenges. Methods A qualitative study design involving thematic analysis from detailed consultation with twenty-five relevant stakeholders in the proxy roles identified from a systematic review on what is known about trans parenting from the research evidence. Results The complexity of systems for supporting families creates barriers to change, with a lack of training and development in the knowledge and skills of the workforce. Intersecting these themes was a strong values framework and examples of best practice provided, which social workers can use to navigate, understand, and support TNB parents and their experiences, particularly at an individual level, as a means to effect change. Discussion Focusing on human rights, tailoring work to the specific needs of individuals and families, and affirming the diversity of family life requires professionals to take active responsibility and be more accountable in educating themselves and others on these rights. Professionals also need to reach out to the TNB community to include them in improving services as well as being active in their own organizations to ensure these are inclusive and responsive.

The Gift of Embracing Risk: Responsibility as Practice in Aerial Dance

ABSTRACT This article contributes to an emerging academic dialogue about teaching aerial dance. As aerial dance in higher education has become more widespread, institutions and instructors must evaluate both the risks and benefits of implementing these programs. Although the inherent risk of aerial dance may invite some skepticism, the authors propose that risk can be managed within a framework of best practices that are modeled and explicitly taught by a qualified instructor. In the well-managed aerial dance classroom, risk provides unique learning opportunities for students, namely the cultivation of responsibility. While this article is practical in nature, it is not a “how-to” for the implementation of an aerial arts program in a university setting. Rather, the authors seek to illuminate pedagogical benefits that they have witnessed through the inclusion of aerial dance curriculum in higher education dance programs and suggest that these concepts integrate into the larger context of students’ lives.

Best Practice Strategies for Process Studies Designed to Improve Climate Modeling

AbstractProcess studies are designed to improve our understanding of poorly described physical processes that are central to the behavior of the climate system. They typically include coordinated efforts of intensive field campaigns in the atmosphere and/or ocean to collect a carefully planned set of in situ observations. Ideally the observational portion of a process study is paired with numerical modeling efforts that lead to better representation of a poorly simulated or previously neglected physical process in operational and research models. This article provides a framework of best practices to help guide scientists in carrying out more productive, collaborative, and successful process studies. Topics include the planning and implementation of a process study and the associated web of logistical challenges; the development of focused science goals and testable hypotheses; and the importance of assembling an integrated and compatible team with a diversity of social identity, gender, career stage, and scientific background. Guidelines are also provided for scientific data management, dissemination, and stewardship. Above all, developing trust and continual communication within the science team during the field campaign and analysis phase are key for process studies. We consider a successful process study as one that ultimately will improve our quantitative understanding of the mechanisms responsible for climate variability and enhance our ability to represent them in climate models.

Framework for Centering Racial Equity Throughout the Administrative Data Life Cycle

IntroductionData integration by local and state governments is undertaken for the public good to support the interconnected needs of families and communities. Though data infrastructure is a powerful tool to support equity-oriented reforms, racial equity is rarely centered or prioritized as a core goal for data integration. This raises fundamental concerns, as integrated data increasingly provide the raw materials for evaluation, research, and risk modeling. Generally, institutions have not adequately examined and acknowledged structural bias in their history, or the ways in which data reflect systemic racial inequities in the development and administration of policies and programs. Meanwhile, civic data users and the public are rarely consulted in the development and use of data systems.ObjectivesThis paper presents a framework and site-based examples of “Work in Action” that were collaboratively generated by a civic data stakeholder workgroup from across the U.S. in 2019–2020.MethodsPurposive sampling was used to curate a diverse 15-person workgroup that used participatory action research and public deliberation to co-create a framework of best practices.ResultsThis framework aims to support agencies seeking to acknowledge and compensate for the harms and bias baked into data and practice. It is organized across six stages of the administrative data life cycle—planning, data collection, data access, use of algorithms/statistical tools, analysis, and reporting and dissemination. For each stage, the framework includes positive and problematic practices for centering racial equity, with site-based examples of “Work in Action” from across the U.S. Using this framework, the workgroup then developed a Toolkit for Centering Racial Equity Throughout Data Integration, a resource that has been broadly disseminated across the U.S.ConclusionsFindings indicate that centering racial equity within data integration efforts is not a binary outcome, but rather a series of small steps towards more equitable practice. There are countless ways to center racial equity across the data life cycle, and this framework provides concrete strategies for organizations to begin to grow that work in practice.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, COVID-19, and the Renin-Angiotensin System: Pressing Needs and Best Research Practices.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world, predominantly due to lung and cardiovascular injury. The virus responsible for COVID-19-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-gains entry into host cells via ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2). ACE2 is a primary enzyme within the key counter-regulatory pathway of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which acts to oppose the actions of Ang (angiotensin) II by generating Ang-(1-7) to reduce inflammation and fibrosis and mitigate end organ damage. As COVID-19 spans multiple organ systems linked to the cardiovascular system, it is imperative to understand clearly how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may affect the multifaceted RAS. In addition, recognition of the role of ACE2 and the RAS in COVID-19 has renewed interest in its role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in general. We provide researchers with a framework of best practices in basic and clinical research to interrogate the RAS using appropriate methodology, especially those who are relatively new to the field. This is crucial, as there are many limitations inherent in investigating the RAS in experimental models and in humans. We discuss sound methodological approaches to quantifying enzyme content and activity (ACE, ACE2), peptides (Ang II, Ang-[1-7]), and receptors (types 1 and 2 Ang II receptors, Mas receptor). Our goal is to ensure appropriate research methodology for investigations of the RAS in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and COVID-19 to ensure optimal rigor and reproducibility and appropriate interpretation of results from these investigations.

Maritime Risk Research and Its Uptake in Policymaking: A Case Study of the Baltic Sea Region

The literature on maritime risk management is rich and the findings are pertinent to maritime authorities in the Baltic Sea region; however, little is known regarding how much of the available research is actually utilized. This paper aims to evaluate the uptake of maritime risk research by maritime authorities in the Baltic Sea region and to propose recommendations for its improvement. An existing model to evaluate research uptake was adopted. The factors that could improve research uptake were identified and built into a framework of research institutions’ push of research and its pull by the maritime authorities and industry. The level of research uptake and the utilization of push and pull factors were examined using an online survey questionnaire and in addition, policymakers and researchers were engaged in a workshop to identify the best practices and opportunities for research uptake in the Baltic Sea region. The results show that the overall research uptake level is reasonably good, although factors that increase research utilization are not wholly taken up. Policy recommendations are provided to improve research uptake and science communication. The emergent framework of improvement factors and best practices should serve as a guide to policymakers and researchers to optimize the uptake of research, regardless of discipline.

Elfgen: A New Instream Flow Framework for Rapid Generation and Optimization of Flow–Ecology Relations

AbstractEffective water resource management requires practical, data‐driven determination of instream flow needs. Newly developed, high‐resolution flow models and aquatic species databases provide enormous opportunity, but the volume of data can prove challenging to manage without automated tools. The objective of this study was to develop a framework of analytical methods and best practices to reduce costs of entry into flow–ecology analysis by integrating widely available hydrologic and ecological datasets. Ecological limit functions (ELFs) describing the relation between maximum species richness and stream size characteristics (streamflow or drainage area) were developed. Species richness is expected to increase with streamflow through a watershed up to a point where it either plateaus or transitions to a decreasing trend in larger streams. Our results show that identifying the location of this "breakpoint" is critical for producing optimal ELF model fit. We found that richness breakpoints can be estimated using automated low‐supervision methods, with high‐supervision providing negligible improvement in detection accuracy. Model fit (and predictive capability) was found to be superior in smaller hydrologic units. The ELF model ("elfgen" R package available on GitHub: https://github.com/HARPgroup/elfgen) can be used to generate ELFs using built‐in datasets for the conterminous United States, or applied anywhere else streamflow and biodiversity data inputs are available.

Manufacturing in the Time of COVID-19: An Assessment of Barriers and Enablers

Pandemics and other forms of epidemic outbreaks are a unique case of manufacturing risk typified by high uncertainty, increasing propagation, and long-term disruption to manufacturers, supply chain actors as well as the end-users and consumers. For manufacturing the COVID-19 disruption scope has been largely twofold; an endogenous disruption of manufacturing processes and systems as well as extreme shifts in demand and supply caused by exogenous supply chain disruption. Existing literature on disruptions in manufacturing suggests that pandemics are qualitatively different from typical disruptions. There is no literature available to manufacturing practitioners that identify the barriers and enablers of manufacturing resilience, especially with regards to pivoting of the manufacturing sector in response to a pandemic. This article draws on an extensive survey collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents were employees of manufacturing firms in all regions of the world who had engaged in manufacturing during the pandemic or had opted out from manufacturing due to various identified reasons. By collating their responses, we offer to practitioners and policymakers an analysis for identifying a best-practice framework for pivoting successfully as a response to major manufacturing disruptions.

A Neurologist's Guide to REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a chronic sleep condition characterized by dream enactment and loss of REM atonia. Individuals often present to clinic with complaints of injury to themselves or their bed-partner due to violent movements during sleep. RBD patients have a high risk of developing one of the neurodegenerative α-synucleinopathy diseases: over 70% will develop parkinsonism or dementia within 12 years of their diagnosis. RBD patients also exhibit accelerated disease progression and a more severe phenotype than α-synucleinopathy sufferers without RBD. The disease's low prevalence and the relatively limited awareness of the condition amongst medical professionals makes the diagnosis and treatment of RBD challenging. Uncertainty in patient management is further exacerbated by a lack of clinical guidelines for RBD patient care. There are no binary prognostic markers for RBD disease course and there are no clinical guidelines for neurodegeneration scaling or tracking in these patients. Both clinicians and patients are therefore forced to deal with uncertain outcomes. In this review, we summarize RBD pathology and differential diagnoses, diagnostic, and treatment guidelines as well as prognostic recommendations with a look to current research in the scientific field. We aim to raise awareness and develop a framework for best practice for RBD patient management.

How do we teach simulation-based dental education? Time for an evidence-based, best-practice framework.

Historically, simulation-based dental education was taught using practical skills and the action of doing. An increased awareness of the importance of patient safety in healthcare education and delivery has seen considerable advances in the application of simulation-based education across several healthcare disciplines including medicine, nursing and anaesthetics. Dental simulation-based education requires improved standards of best-practice, and evidence-based, curriculum design that is based on theoretical frameworks, conceptual frameworks and educational theories. In this commentary, we explore the educational theory and the development of healthcare simulation, including internationally recognised standards of best practice and the simulation-based activity cycle. Given simulation-based education should be fit-for purpose, the components of these standards are examined within the specific context of dental education. We propose an evidence-based, best-practice framework that can be applied in the design and delivery of contemporary simulation-based dental curriculum.

Pandemic leadership: Lessons from New Zealand’s approach to COVID-19

This case study analyses the leadership approach and practices of the New Zealand government, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in the response thus far to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reports on how a shared sense of purpose has been established, that of minimizing harm to lives and livelihoods, for which the government has sought – and secured – New Zealanders’ commitment. Key leadership practices comprise the government’s willingness to themselves be led by expertise, its efforts to mobilise the population, and to enable coping, all of which serve to build the trust in leadership needed for transformative, collective action such as the pandemic demands. At the time of writing, New Zealand appears well on track to achieve its ambitious goal of achieving rapid and complete control over the COVID-19 outbreak – not just ‘flattening the curve’ as other countries are struggling to do – at least in part due to these leadership contributions. A framework of good practices for pandemic leadership is offered drawn from this case study, in the hope transferable lessons can be taken to aid others in the continuing struggle to limit the harm COVID-19 poses to lives and livelihoods throughout the world.

Best Practice Framework of Fracture Liaison Services in Spain and their coordination with Primary Care

SummaryThe coordination of Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) with Primary Care (PC) is necessary for the continuity of care of patients with fragility fractures. This study proposes a Best Practice Framework (BPF) and performance indicators for the implementation and follow-up of FLS-PC coordination in clinical practice in Spain.PurposeTo develop a BPF for the coordination of FLS with PC in Spain and to improve the continuity of care for patients with fragility fractures.MethodsA Steering Committee selected experts from seven Spanish FLS and related PC doctors and nurses to participate in a best practice workshop. Selection criteria were an active FLS with an identified champion and prior contact with PC centres linked to the hospital. The main aim of the workshop was to review current FLS practices in Spain and their integration with PC. A BPF document with processes, tools, roles, and metrics was then generated.ResultsSpanish FLS consists of a multidisciplinary team of physicians/nurses but with low participation of other professionals and PC staff. Evaluation and treatment strategies are widely variable. Four desired standards were agreed upon: (1) Effective channels for FLS-PC communication; (2) minimum contents of an FLS clinical report and its delivery to PC; (3) adherence monitoring 3 months after FLS baseline visit; and (4) follow-up by PC. Proposed key performance indicators are (a) number of FLS-PC communications, including consensus protocols; (b) confirmation FLS report received by PC; (c) medical/nursing PC appointment after FLS report received; and (d) number of training sessions in PC.ConclusionsThe BPF provides a comprehensive approach for FLS-PC coordination in Spain, to promote the continuity of care in patients with fragility fractures and improve secondary prevention. The implementation of BPF recommendations and performance indicator tracking will benchmark best FLS practices in the future.

Second medical opinions in paediatric practice; proposals for a framework for best practice

The practice of physicians seeking second opinions (SO) from colleagues is consistent with professional guidance on good medical practice.1 Despite an emphasis on shared decision-making,2 and better communication techniques,1 3...

Innovation management practices: review and guidance for future research in SMEs

This article aims to identify the innovation management practices used by companies worldwide and referenced in the scientific literature. This study employed a scoping review methodology proposed by Manchado et al. (Medicina y seguridad del trabajo 55:12–19, 2009). A total of 322 documents were located and screened by two reviewers. After we applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles were analysed in depth. This article identifies the innovation management practices used by different kinds of companies, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises. The review found a total of 116 practices, grouped into 13 categories. These categories were classified based on the innovation management process. The practices most frequently cited by authors were the application of project management fundamentals, product changes and process improvements, idea generation techniques, and practices related to human talent management for innovation. This article provides a framework of good practices for companies that wish to improve their innovation management process.