Cent Return Rate Research Articles

Determinants of perceived usefulness of social media in university libraries: Subjective norm, image and voluntariness as indicators

The study examined the role of social influence process of subjective norm, image and voluntariness on perceived usefulness of social media (PUSM) in private university libraries. The quest to ascertain the impact of the social factor in a profit-motivated environment prompted the study. The descriptive research design alongside multistage sampling procedures was applied and the questionnaire method was used for data collection. One hundred and ninety (190) librarians, selected from 13 private university libraries provided the data, out of which 184 copies of the instrument were correctly filled and returned, representing 96.8 per cent return rate. Statistical tools like simple percentage, mean and standard deviation of the Special Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) were employed to analyse the research questions. Results shown that image was the strongest determinant among the proposed social factors of PUSM, followed by subjective norm. While voluntariness was a weak predictor of PUSM, the overall PUSM of librarians in the private university domain in the studied region was very high. This implies that the social factor is significant predictor of technology adoption in the private university library environment. Accordingly, the study concluded that if the performance potentials of social media are consciously communicated and imbibed by librarians through adequate training, whether or not private universities operate in a mandatory environment, PUSM of librarians will remain positively high.

Can diversification explain financial performance in agribusiness co-operatives?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to integrate Brazilian agro-industrial co-operatives’ horizontal, lateral and vertical integration diversification and expansion strategies, such as operation area and membership, with financial models. Several studies have tried to assess the importance of diversification on the financial outcomes in agricultural co-operatives with limited success.Design/methodology/approachThe three main concepts were combined in a working model. A survey was developed to gather data on financial, diversification and expansion strategies from 67 co-operatives (44 per cent return rate). Data were processed using a partial least squares structural equation model.FindingsThe findings suggest that expansion is directly responsible for both the financial output and diversification strategy; however, no hard evidence supports the view that the diversification of production in some agro-industrial co-operatives leads to positive financial results.Research limitations/implicationsOnly larger Brazilian co-operatives (>$50m in annual revenues) were considered. Co-operatives facing other scenarios or smaller co-operatives could have different outcomes.Practical implicationsBesides diversifying their co-operatives for financial reasons, managers should also consider risk aversion and adapting to new farmers’ portfolios as probable reasons.Originality/valueExtant literature asserts that diversification leads to financial growth; as the co-operatives studied show no such causal relationship, it follows that they diversify their portfolios for other purposes.

Service evaluation of faecal immunochemical testing and anaemia for risk stratification in the 2-week-wait pathway for colorectal cancer.

BackgroundNew national guidance on urgent referral for investigation of colorectal cancer included faecal occult blood testing in 2015. A service evaluation of faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and anaemia as risk stratification tools in symptomatic patients suspected of having CRC was undertaken.MethodsPostal FIT was incorporated into the colorectal cancer 2‐week wait (2WW) pathway for all patients without rectal bleeding in 2016. Patients were investigated in the 2WW pathway as normal, and outcomes of investigations were recorded prospectively. Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin level below 120 g/l in women and 130 g/l in men.ResultsFIT kits were sent to 1106 patients, with an 80·9 per cent return rate; 810 patients completed investigations and 40 colorectal cancers were diagnosed (4·9 per cent). FIT results were significantly higher in patients with anaemia (median (i.q.r.) 4·8 (0·8–34·1) versus 1·2 (0–6·4) μg Hb/g faeces in those without anaemia; P < 0·001). Some 60·4 per cent of patients (538 of 891) had a result lower than 4 μg haemoglobin (Hb) per g faeces (limit of detectability), and 69·7 per cent (621 of 891) had less than 10 μg Hb/g faeces. Some 60 per cent of patients with colorectal cancer had a FIT reading of 150 μg Hb/g faeces or more. For five colorectal cancers diagnosed in patients with a FIT value below 10 μg Hb/g faeces, there was either a palpable rectal mass or the patient was anaemic. A FIT result of more than 4 μg Hb/g faeces had 97·5 per cent sensitivity and 64·5 per cent specificity for a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. A FIT result above 4 μg Hb/g faeces and/or anaemia had a 100 per cent sensitivity and 45·3 per cent specificity for colorectal cancer diagnosis.ConclusionFIT is most useful at the extremes of detectability; strongly positive readings predict high rates of colorectal cancer and other significant pathology, whereas very low readings in the absence of anaemia or a palpable rectal mass identify a group with very low risk. High return rates for FIT within this 2WW pathway indicate its acceptability.

Psycho-Behavioural Health and Personality in Southern Nigeria: A Perspectives on Emotion

The study identified the mental and emotional health needs of adolescents in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with special reference to Rivers State. Four specific bjectives with corresponding research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study utilized cross-sectional research design. The study covered a population of 1,559,615 adolescents in Rivers State. A sample of 1,632 adolescents filled the questionnaire but data from 1375 copies of completed questionnaire representing 84 per cent return rate were used for analysis. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted to draw the sample from the population. The instruments for data collection were a questionnaire and focus group discussion guide. Means and standard deviation were utilized to answer the research questions, while t-test and ANOVA were utilized in testing the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Qualitative data generated from the focus group discussion were used to substantiate the quantitative data. The finding of the study revealed that adolescents in Rivers State have mental and emotional health needs always; both male and female, age groups 10-15years, 16-18years and 19-24years; and urban and rural adolescents have the needs always. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that programmes should be put in place in order to meet and satisfy adolescents mental and emotional health needs.

Multi-professional clinical leadership training in healthcare

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of a structured clinical leadership programme on healthcare professionals working within the British National Health Service (NHS). Clinical leadership is now regarded as essential in addressing the complex challenges in the NHS, yet few trainees of any healthcare discipline receive formal training. The study describes a peer-led evaluation of a year-long, multidisciplinary, experiential programme, the “Darzi Fellowship”, based in London. Design/methodology/approach An anonymous survey was analysed using a mixed-methods approach. Individual and collective experiences of fellows were evaluated, in particular the perceived impact the fellowship had on: the fellows themselves, their “host” organisation and the NHS as a whole. Findings A 90 per cent return rate was achieved. In all, 94 per cent reported that the experience had been valuable to them, 85 per cent feeling more empowered to effect change in healthcare systems. Crucial mechanisms to achieve this included increased self-awareness, personal reflection and the freedom to gain a greater understanding of organisations. Particular emphasis was placed on the value of developing clinical networks which promote collaboration across boundaries. Fellows emerged as more reflexive, critical and strategic thinkers. Practical implications This paper demonstrates the positive impact that clinical leadership training can have on participants, and the mechanisms by which future leaders can be created. Originality/value The novel, non-commissioned, peer-initiated and peer-led evaluation describes the personal experiences of fellows in a unique, multidisciplinary clinical leadership programme. The authors hope this will inform the development of future schemes in the NHS and provide learning for an international healthcare audience.

Evaluating the relevance of Entrepreneurial Orientation to the Performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study sought to evaluate the relevance of the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation to the performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. To achieve this, the researchers randomly distributed 400 copies of questionnaire to a sample of MSMEs in the State, and 246 copies were retrieved, representing 61.5 per cent return rate. Data generated were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The study found that three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation namely; innovativeness, proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness were relevant to, at least, one measure MSMEs performance in Ebonyi State. Innovativeness and proactiveness have significant correlation with customer performance, while competitive aggressiveness has significant relationship with both product and customer performance. Risk-taking and autonomy had no significant correlation with any of the performance measures, suggesting they are not relevant to MSMEs in the State. An important implication of these findings is that strategic policy decisions of MSMEs should, given the present status of Ebonyi State, focus on enhancing their positions in respect of innovativeness, proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness; towards improving their overall performance. The study also provided evidence for the nonuniversality of the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation and support for the five-dimensional model of studying entrepreneurial orientation.

Mobile devices for academic practices by students of college of sciences in selected Nigerian private universities

Purpose – This study aims to look at the use of mobile devices by science students with emphasis only on privately owned universities in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – A descriptive research design was used, as the study was a survey research. Eighty copies of structured questionnaire were distributed to collect data from science students in advanced levels of their undergraduate programmes in Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) Ikeji-Arakeji, in their lecture halls and laboratories with the permission and assistance of their lecturers. The data were collected within a period of five weeks. All the administered questionnaire were correctly filled and returned, yielding a 100 per cent return rate. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics which includes frequency and percentage presented in tables and charts. Findings – The study found that science students in the selected private universities mostly (83.7 per cent) use smartphones than other mobile devices. Also, the students own mobile devices for the purpose of using educational applications (77.50 per cent) and to chat with people (72.50 per cent). The students use the Internet on their devices very often. The Internet facilities mostly used by the students are e-mails (71.25 per cent), social media (68.75 per cent) and search engines (60.50 per cent). The challenges mostly faced by the students using mobile devices for academic practices are poor Internet connectivity (81.25 per cent) and high cost of data subscription (53.75 per cent). Practical implications – Given the knowledge gained from this study, it is desired that universities across Nigeria would encourage the integration of the use of mobile devices into core educational programmes. Also, mobile data service providers need to reduce the cost of data subscription, especially on campuses for students. Moreover, owners of private universities should ensure the provision of good Internet connectivity for mobile devices campus-wide. Free and accessible Wi-Fi hot spots should be created for students. Social implications – Policy makers in the country should encourage mobile data service providers to reduce cost of data subscription on university campuses so as to enable students enjoy to the fullest the numerous features of mobile devices for academic practices. Originality/value – Research on the use of mobile devices for academic practices by students is somewhat new in Nigeria more so that privately owned universities are in focus. The study has therefore opened the floor for more in-depth studies on the subject now that mobile devices should be seen as tools rather than fanciful gadgets.

Supply chain bolt‐ons: investment and usage by manufacturers

Purpose – While past IT investment research has looked at a number of important factors, one issue that needs to be resolved in supply chain IT is the ability of different types of software to improve a firm's productivity or sales. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to investigate which factors influence the number and types of supply chain bolt‐ons systems that are used by companies to improve system functionality.Design/methodology/approach – In total, 2,000 questionnaires and personalized cover letters were mailed to qualified individuals who were selected from APICS's active membership and employed in manufacturing firms in the USA and 187 useful responses (a 9.3 per cent return rate) were obtained.Findings – The results were encouraging and they indicated the use of bolt‐ons were most common in large firms, firms with defined plans and objectives, firms with existing ERP systems, and firms who believe that the application of best practices is of maximum importance. Most importantly, Bolt‐on ...

Profile of lingual orthodontic users in Australia

The use of lingual orthodontic appliances and the training background of orthodontists in Australia using the lingual orthodontic technique are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of lingual orthodontic users in Australia. Four hundred and fifty questionnaires consisting of 15 questions were sent out to orthodontists in Australia. We obtained a 62 per cent return rate (278) with a 58 per cent rate of completed questionnaires. Statistical analysis using SPSS was performed and various outputs were obtained. Of the completed returns, 23 per cent were current lingual users; 69 per cent were not and 8 per cent were previous users but have stopped using the appliance. The majority (90 per cent) of the current lingual users were males. The highest percentage of users (35 per cent) was in New South Wales while the smallest percentage was in Tasmania (2 per cent). Around 40 per cent of respondents attended lingual courses as part of their specialist training programme, while 73 per cent had attended lingual courses since graduation and 82 per cent would consider attending a lingual course in the future. Of the 60 per cent current users who did not have a lingual component in their specialist training programme, almost nine-tenths had attended lingual courses since graduation. Of the non-lingual users, 14 per cent attended lingual courses as part of their specialist training programme, 28 per cent attended lingual courses since graduation and 38 per cent would consider attending a lingual course in the future. The main reason cited for being a non-lingual user was that lingual orthodontics could not be an integral part of the practice. Most of the orthodontists who graduated more than 16 years ago from their postgraduate training were non-users of the lingual appliance. It seems that around one in four orthodontists currently use the lingual technique, of which NSW orthodontists make up the largest group. Only one-fifth of users had some lingual component in their formal orthodontic training and about half of them have attended lingual courses after graduation. Almost half of orthodontists in Australia would consider attending a lingual course in the future. This survey provides a sound basis for course co-ordinators to plan for continuing lingual orthodontics in the future.

Fashion leaders’ and followers’ attitudes towards exotic leather apparel products

The domestic exotic leather industry (for the purposes of this study exotic leather was defined as ostrich, emu and American alligator) has been in existence for many years, but much of the raw leather is exported, resulting in a loss of value added for America. The purpose of this study was to explore fashion leaders’ and followers’ attitudes towards exotic leather apparel products. The theoretical framework used for this study was Sproles’ model of fashion adoption (Sproles 1979). This study was part of a larger research project which was designed to segment the market, profile consumers of exotic leather apparel products and develop promotional strategies. A questionnaire, mailed to 800 fashion professionals in eight regional fashion centres across the country, yielded a 50 per cent return rate. Results indicated that the Sproles model was effective in describing and characterising fashion leaders (adopters) and followers (Sproles 1979). Fashion leaders had a more favourable attitude towards exotic leather apparel products, had a greater purchase intention of such products, had higher cognitive motivations, and had a different shopping orientation from followers. Leaders enjoyed shopping more and were not as cost‐conscious, traditional, or conservative as followers. Understanding the differences between fashion leaders and followers will only serve to enhance and contribute to the economic development of the domestic exotic leather industry.

RETA: update on the short-term (30 day) and long-term (1 and 2 years) results of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract Background The updated results from the Registry of Endovascular Treatment of Aneurysms (RETA) for short- and long term outcomes from 3 years of data collection are presented. Methods Some 611 patients were submitted to RETA from January 1996 to December 1999 from 31 centres. In the same period 1-year follow-up was received for 299 of the 340 cases requested (88 per cent return rate) and 2-year follow-up for 88 of the 155 cases requested (57 per cent return rate). Results At 30 days 90 per cent of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) were excluded. The rate of conversion to open repair was 5 per cent. Complications occurred in 25 per cent of patients. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 7 per cent with significantly more deaths in the aortouni-iliac and crossover groups (12 versus 4 per cent; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2·6 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1·2–5·9); P = 0·018), in unfit patients (18 versus 4 per cent; adjusted OR 4·3 (95 per cent c.i. 2·0–9·5); P &amp;lt; 0·001) and in patients with larger aneurysms (10 versus 2 per cent; adjusted OR 4·4 (95 per cent c.i. 1·4–13); P = 0·009). At 1 year the mortality rate was 11 per cent, with four deaths (1 per cent) due to ruptured AAA. New complications were reported in 53 patients (20 per cent) with 31 (12 per cent) related to the device or AAA. In the second year of follow-up the mortality rate was 11 per cent with one death (1 per cent) due to ruptured AAA. New complications in the second year after device placement were reported in 24 per cent of patients, with 16 (20 per cent) related to the device or AAA. The cumulative endoleak-free survival for all patients was 57 per cent at 2 years. Conclusion The 30-day mortality rate for endovascular repair was comparable to reported results for conventional surgery, particularly in fit patients. There was a relatively high complication rate at follow-up, with ruptures reported. Most complications had endovascular treatment.

Journey to work: the potential for modal shift?

A questionnaire about mode of transport to work was posted to the entire workforce of Oxford Brookes University. Replies were received from 926 people which constituted a 62 per cent return rate: 87 per cent of the sample owned or had access to a car, and 67 per cent owned or had access to a bicycle; 16 per cent usually walked to work, 17 per cent cycled, 2 per cent rode a moped or a motorbike, 8 per cent used public transport, and 57 per cent travelled to work by car (5 per cent as a passenger and 52 per cent as a driver). When those who lived within two miles were asked what would persuade them to walk to work, approximately 60 per cent saw time or distance as the greatest barrier. A change in their personal circumstances such as their childcare responsibilities was nominated by 11 per cent as their most important requirement. Sixteen per cent stated that nothing would persuade them to walk to work. When those who lived within five miles were asked what would persuade them to cycle to work, approximately one third saw distance as the greatest barrier. Only 6 per cent gave less risk of an accident as their main reason, and 25 per cent stated that nothing would persuade them to cycle to work. The implications of the results of the survey for employers and others interested in health pro motion and environmental awareness are discussed.

Working and non‐working mothers: a comparative study

Expands on research which has demonstrated that employment has positive or neutral effects on women’s health. This pilot study examines whether these positive effects could also be found in employed mothers by comparing working mothers with non‐working mothers on measures of mental health, self‐esteem, and mother role satisfaction. Also this study assesses the stress experienced by these mothers and examines the coping strategies used by them. Of the 200 questionnaires distributed, 101 were returned giving a 50.5 per cent return rate of which 78 per cent were working mothers and 22 per cent non‐working mothers. The working mothers had better mental health and reported less depression than the non‐working mothers. The most frequently reported source of stress for working mothers was not having enough time to do everything, whereas for non‐working mothers lack of social life was a major stressor. The findings of this study support the expansion hypothesis, which emphasizes the benefits rather than the costs of multiple role involvement.

Agribusiness, contract farmers and land‐use sustainability in North‐West Tasmania

SUMMARY The core questions pertaining to contract farming or ‘vertical co‐ordination’ relate to the ownership of decision‐making. Where decision‐making is partly removed from farmers there arise issues of sustainability which are inadequately addressed by current practice. A mail questionnaire conducted in North‐west Tasmania in 1990–91 obtained responses from 310 farmers, a 68 per cent return rate from the 456 valid cases initially identified. At the time of the survey, 119 respondents were involved in contract cropping, and a majority of these responses indicated a need for greater co‐ordination in farm planning. This co‐ordination requires a re‐think of the roles of both agribusiness firms and farmer organisations, as well as acceptance by farmers that long‐term planning for crop rotation and soil management has associated self‐benefit. Responsibility for soil erosion is seen to lie partly at the feet of processing firms which relegate production tasks to farmers under contract, but frequently appear to ignore the impact of short‐term planning horizons upon farmer capacity to manage soils for erosion minimisation. With few exceptions, such as the processor firm specialising in the perennial crop pyrethrum and one onion processor that encourages soil conservation, in North‐west Tasmania processing firms generally play no part in planning for sustainable land use.

Caveat surgeon: do orthopaedic surgeons take adequate precautions against blood-borne viral infections, in particular the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?

One year ago the British Orthopaedic Association issued guidelines for the prevention of cross-infection with special reference to HIV and the hepatitis viruses. We were interested to establish whether the guidelines were being widely applied and whether they had changed general orthopaedic practice. We distributed a questionnaire to Scottish Orthopaedic Fellows, Associates of the BOA, and orthopaedic trainees. With a 70 per cent return rate, it would appear that the recommendations are not adhered to in full. Of respondents, 84 per cent were immunized or undergoing immunization against hepatitis B. In all, 30 per cent were operating on high-risk patients on a monthly basis, 60 per cent thought that their current practice was low risk, and only 15 per cent thought that their future practice would be high risk; 81 per cent were concerned and yet only 60 per cent had altered their practice. It is of some concern that orthopaedic surgeons may not take the threat of HIV cross-infection seriously enough and do not consider precautions mandatory. Further pressure and support from the BOA may be necessary to encourage a change in orthopaedic practice as the threat of HIV is increasing.

Baccalaureate educator use of environment-based strategies to teach diagnostic patterns.

Baccalaureate nurse educators reported that their use of 10 environment-based strategies in the classroom or clinical setting may foster recognition of diagnostic patterns likely to be encountered in clinical practice. Environment-based strategies are verbal or print materials that draw attention to a particular aspect of what is being taught and that draw attention to important information. A national sample of 255 full-time baccalaureate educators (56 per cent return rate) from 28 randomly selected programs completed a questionnaire. The reliability estimate related to the 10 items was 0.70. Most respondents reported use of all 10 environment-based strategies with a minimum reported use of 60 per cent for each strategy on at least a "sometimes" basis. The most frequently reported use of a strategy on a "greater than sometimes" basis was the transparency (75 per cent). Color and print differences were the most infrequently used at 40 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively. The results of this study show that faculty, either consciously or unconsciously, use the environment-based strategies to facilitate student selection of key diagnostic indicators. Increasing educators' awareness of such benefits to students may stimulate further research in this area. Methods to help students decipher significant health status indicators from associated ones are clearly needed so that timely intervention can be used to prevent harm to patients.

The fiscal status of nursing education programs in the United States.

The financial status of nursing schools and colleges in the United States is discussed. A survey questionnaire was sent to the 406 deans on the National League for Nursing's 1982–83 Baccalaureate and Higher Degree List. A 61 per cent return rate was achieved, with 51.7 per cent of the responses usable. The author examines budgetary factors and a number of related features, including sources and amounts of funding, how the funding is acquired, and how funds are spent as well as what the future may hold for nursing education budgets. He reports that a significant portion of the schools' budgets are provided by state funds, that there are few fiscal differences among various regions of the country, that public institutions tend to have higher budgets than private ones, and that the large majority of schools survive on budgets of less than $1,000,000. He concludes that budgeting for colleges and schools of nursing is much more difficult currently than it has been in the recent past, but that nursing school deans appear to be managing their restricted budgets capably to keep their programs viable and competitive.

Death Education and Physicians' Attitudes toward Dying Patients

The literature suggests that physicians have difficulty relating to dying patients. Medical schools traditionally have not addressed themselves to this issue. The object of this research was to determine if physicians' reported attitudes toward dying patients were related to the amount of death education physicians received. A 71 per cent return rate was received from a questionnaire mailed to 1540 graduates (classes of 1972–1975) from five selected medical schools. Twenty per cent of the physicians had taken an entire course in medical school on relating to dying patients. Physicians with formal coursework tended to relate somewhat differently to the dying patient than did physicians who did not take such a course as four of the eleven Likert-type statements on relating to dying patients revealed a statistically significant relationship–using a Chi-square test–between those who had a course on dealing with dying patients and those with less than a course. It is suggested that this difference might also be attributed to a self-selection of students choosing to take such a course.

A symptom questionnaire for hypertensive patients

A self-administered symptom questionnaire is described for use in hypertensive patients. The questionnaire was employed in a hypertension clinic in order to quantify the complaints of the treated patients, and was posted to the patients prior to a clinic attendance. There was an 82 per cent return rate without a reminder and the questions were well answered with a completion rate in excess of 93 per cent of all questions, apart from those on sexual intercourse (76–83 per cent completion rate). The questionnaire was also sent to a control group of normotensive subjects. The treated hypertensive patients complained more of sleepiness, postural hypotension, dry mouth, nocturia, diarrhea, slow walking pace, impotence and failure of ejaculation, than did the normotensive controls. Headache and depression were more common in women than men at all ages. These two symptoms were reduced in the elderly. The walking pace ‘compared to other men or women of your age’ fell with increasing age and nocturia was an increasing complaint in the elderly. The male frequency of sexual intercourse fell with increasing age, and the complaints of impotence and postural hypotension tended to increase with age. The older patients complained less of sleepiness. Negro patients slept less hours than Caucasian patients and complained more of weakness in the limbs. They also reported an increase in headache, diarrhea, nocturia and dry mouth. Increased levels of blood pressure were associated with weakness of the limbs and morning headache, and an elevation in lying blood pressure was associated with nocturia. It is concluded that the questionnaire is a useful research tool in studies of hypotensive agents.