Expert Review Process Research Articles

Development, Implementation, and Formative Evaluation of a Social Needs Screening Tool.

We aim to develop and formatively evaluate a brief social needs screening tool that adheres to Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) clinical service standards for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) agencies and is acceptable and feasible for use by staff during a clinical encounter. Through a multi-stage literature and expert review process, we developed an evidence-informed, two-page social needs screening tool, scoring form, and implementation guide. We piloted this tool at three SRH agencies in Massachusetts and recruited staff to provide quantitative and qualitative feedback through post-pilot test self-reported surveys and semi-structured interviews. Participants (n = 13) felt the social needs screening tool was easy to integrate into their clinical workflow and were comfortable using it with patients. All participants reported feeling comfortable administering the tool, scoring it, and referring patients to appropriate resources, if applicable. Most reported they would like to continue using the tool after the pilot implementation period, either with or without modifications. Our multi-stage tool development and formative evaluation process involving literature review, expert review, and pilot-testing in clinical settings enabled our team to create a brief, evidence-informed social needs screening tool that is acceptable to staff and feasible for use during a short clinic visit at SRH agencies in Massachusetts. Staff felt that there is value in using this tool, are comfortable using it, and are able to integrate it into their existing clinical workflows.

Understanding Barriers to STEM: Teachers' Insights on African American Underrepresentation

This study focuses on the development of a measurement instrument to identify Middle and High School mathematics and science teachers’ beliefs about the main factors of underrepresentation of African American students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The research method using the stages of instrument development were (1) test design which involved construction of initial item pool by conducting extensive review of literature and coding of participating teachers personal statements (2) determination of validity which involved expert review process to confirm construct and face validity of items, (3) pilot testing which involved collecting data from a second set of participants, (4) determination of reliability which involves conducting a reliability analysis based on data collected from pilot testing and (5) determination of factorial structure which involved Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to identify underlying factors in participating teachers’ belief structures. First, to obtain trustworthy information, voluntary middle and high school mathematics and science teachers were asked to write personal statements where they explain their main reasons for choosing teaching as a career. Secondly, qualitative data obtained from participating teachers’ personal statements were coded. Coding was applied to identify and to group the phrases or sentences that convey the same or similar reasons. Then results from an extensive literature review on this topic were blended in teachers’ common expressions which were determined because of coding procedure. Then 8 content experts assessed content validity and face validity. Finally, the survey was piloted to African American middle and high school mathematics and science teachers. Fifty-three (53) surveys were completed and received back from teachers. Then, exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify any underlying factors in the scale. Reliability analyses were also conducted for both the entire survey and for each of the factors. Results of the study suggested four underlying components: (1) Access and Resources, (2) Role Models and Representation, (3) Bias and Discrimination, (4) Curriculum and Pedagogy.

Cultivating Collective Armor: Towards a Collaborative Cybersecurity Resilience Framework for SMEs

As Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) increasingly integrate digital technologies into their operations, they face escalating cybersecurity threats that challenge their limited financial and human resources. Historically, cybersecurity was not a primary concern for many SMEs due to their minimal reliance on cyberinfrastructure. However, the growing dependency on digital systems has exposed them to significant risks, necessitating robust cybersecurity measures. This research introduces a cybersecurity resilience framework specifically designed to enhance the cybersecurity posture of SMEs through collaborative efforts. Drawing upon principles of collective intelligence, shared resources, and shared responsibility, the proposed framework promotes a holistic approach that merges advanced technological solutions with collaborative practices among SMEs, industry stakeholders, and governmental entities. By enabling SMEs to pool their cybersecurity resources and capabilities, the framework aims to provide a comprehensive defence against cyber threats that could not be achieved by individual entities alone. The research delves into key collaborative literature to ground the framework in proven strategies and existing successful models of collaboration. It highlights how collective action can be a powerful tool in overcoming the inherent vulnerabilities of SMEs to cyber threats. To validate the effectiveness and applicability of the framework, it went through an expert review process involving cybersecurity professionals and stakeholders in the SME sector. This study not only underscores the necessity for SMEs to adapt to the evolving cybersecurity landscape but also provides a practical blueprint for collective defence. The framework’s emphasis on shared responsibility and mutual aid presents a shift from traditional, isolated cybersecurity approaches to a more integrated and cooperative strategy. This has the potential to significantly enhance the resilience of SMEs against cyber threats, safeguarding their operations and contributing to the overall stability of the digital economy. Future research directions include the application of the framework across various industries and global contexts to evaluate its versatility and impact under different regulatory and threat environments.

Cardiomyopathy Classification System

Cardiomyopathy encompasses various types and refers to a condition affecting the heart muscle, which impairs the organ's normal pumping function. When diagnosing cardiomyopathy, it is crucial to identify the specific type of the disease. This paper outlines the benefits and implications of a new classification system for cardiomyopathy, highlighting its potential to improve diagnosis and treatment, as well as its impact on research and clinical trials. The methodology section details the research design, data collection methods, and sample selection process. The data analysis section explains the techniques used for data processing and statistical analysis. Finally, the evaluation and validation section describes the expert review process and the testing andvalidation methods applied. This research adopts an interpretive paradigm, which emphasizes the importance of individual experience in understanding social realities. The statistical analysis assessed the diagnostic capability of genetic testing across genders using ROC curves, revealing strong performance for both males (AUC=.856, p < .001) and females (AUC=.835, p < .001), surpassing pure chance. A one-way ANOVA test was conducted to examine age differences among four genetic patient groups. The assumption of homogeneity of variance was satisfied, as indicated by Levene's test for equality of variances, F(3,156) = 1.277, p > .05. Significant age differences were found among the groups, F(3,156) = 5.537, p < .005. An evidence-based classification system would enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and research quality, thereby improving outcomes for patients with cardiomyopathy.

Opportunity cost of oncology subspecialist opinion.

e13578 Background: The adoption of precision oncology has resulted in a drastic rise in the cost of cancer care in the United States. Payers, providers, and professional organizations are implementing strategies to curb this rising cost. These efforts are mainly focused on the providers patterns of care, such as prescribing behavior and risk assessment for needs such as ER visits and hospitalizations. Most efforts are cross-cutting and intended to work across different tumor types. Yet, with the precision nature of cancer care these cross-cutting efforts have not succeeded. AccessHope (AH) provides an independent subspecialist review of the management cancer as a covered benefit through the employer (Accountable Precision Oncology: APO). The aim of this service is optimizing care delivery to the current and evolving paradigms for each cancer type and sub-type. Here we describe overutilization of treatments and assessments of APO. Methods: AH database was accessed for de-identified cases (with contractual de-identification rights) for this analysis. Cases were completed 1/1/2022 – 12/31/2023. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the observed patterns identified. Results: Among 3644 APOs, 428 (11.7%) had evidence of overutilization. Gastrointestinal, hematological, and thoracic cancers represented 75% of the over utilization cases (Table). Overutilization was categorized by systemic therapy, radiation therapy, invasive procedures, imaging, and testing. Systemic therapy was the most common category (67.8%) and included non-indication use and extended duration of use. This was followed by imaging (22.2%). Systemic agents overutilized varied by cancer site. Bevacizumab and oxaliplatin were commonly overutilized in gastrointestinal cancers; rituximab, imatinib, and dasatinib in hematological malignancies; and check point inhibitors (pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab) in thoracic malignancies. In the imaging category, PET scan overutilization was observed across different tumor types (14.7% of the total volume). We also observed overutilization of molecular testing with ctDNA (Signatera) being at the top of the frequently overutilized tests in cases with no data to support a role for it. Conclusions: This patient centered approach identified areas of overutilization in evaluation and treatment of patients through the expert review process. The reviewer’s depth of knowledge about reported data and limitation of treatments and evaluations is the key to this process. Further analyses of patterns of care and categorization of the overutilization patterns is underway. [Table: see text]

Developing and Implementing a Web-Based Branching Logic Survey to Support Psychiatric Crisis Evaluations of Individuals With Developmental Disabilities: Qualitative Study and Evaluation of Validity.

Individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) experience increased rates of emotional and behavioral crises that necessitate assessment and intervention. Psychiatric disorders can contribute to crises; however, screening measures developed for the general population are inadequate for those with DD. Medical conditions can exacerbate crises and merit evaluation. Screening tools using checklist formats, even when designed for DD, are too limited in depth and scope for crisis assessments. The Sources of Distress survey implements a web-based branching logic format to screen for common psychiatric and medical conditions experienced by individuals with DD by querying caregiver knowledge and observations. This paper aims to (1) describe the initial survey development, (2) report on focus group and expert review processes and findings, and (3) present results from the survey's clinical implementation and evaluation of validity. Sources of Distress was reviewed by focus groups and clinical experts; this feedback informed survey revisions. The survey was subsequently implemented in clinical settings to augment providers' psychiatric and medical history taking. Informal and formal consults followed the completion of Sources of Distress for a subset of individuals. A records review was performed to identify working diagnoses established during these consults. Focus group members (n=17) expressed positive feedback overall about the survey's content and provided specific recommendations to add categories and items. The survey was completed for 231 individuals with DD in the clinical setting (n=161, 69.7% men and boys; mean age 17.7, SD 10.3; range 2-65 years). Consults were performed for 149 individuals (n=102, 68.5% men and boys; mean age 18.9, SD 10.9 years), generating working diagnoses to compare survey screening results. Sources of Distress accuracy rates were 91% (95% CI 85%-95%) for posttraumatic stress disorder, 87% (95% CI 81%-92%) for anxiety, 87% (95% CI 81%-92%) for episodic expansive mood and bipolar disorder, 82% (95% CI 75%-87%) for psychotic disorder, 79% (95% CI 71%-85%) for unipolar depression, and 76% (95% CI 69%-82%) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. While no specific survey items or screening algorithm existed for unspecified mood disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, these conditions were caregiver-reported and working diagnoses for 11.7% (27/231) and 16.8% (25/149) of individuals, respectively. Caregivers described Sources of Distress as an acceptable tool for sharing their knowledge and insights about individuals with DD who present in crisis. As a screening tool, this survey demonstrates good accuracy. However, better differentiation among mood disorders is needed, including the addition of items and screening algorithm for unspecified mood disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Additional validation efforts are necessary to include a more geographically diverse population and reevaluate mood disorder differentiation. Future study is merited to investigate the survey's impact on the psychiatric and medical management of distress in individuals with DD.

앙트러프러너십 교육을 위한 개념적 모형 개발

This study develops a conceptual model of entrepreneurship education that can be applied to elementary, middle, and high school settings. To this end, we adopted a development research methodology. We derived the core values of entrepreneurship as “creation, practice, insight, and reflection” based on the results of demand surveys, literature, and case analysis and reflected on the core values and basic principles of creating entrepreneurship. A conceptual model for ten education was developed. An expert review was conducted twice, first and second, targeting entrepreneurship experts and school teachers, and revisions, supplements, and improvements were added by collecting the review opinions of experts. At the same time, to ensure validity during the expert review process, it was verified using triangular verification, member checking, and deriving Content Validity Index and Inter-Rater Agreement values. Finally, a final conceptual model of entrepreneurship education was presented. This study is expected to help teachers who wish to provide entrepreneurship education in school settings understand the concepts of entrepreneurship and
 design lessons.

FC8: Revising Competencies in Geriatrics for Canadian Medical Students: Adding a Mental Health Perspective

In Canada, adults 85 years and older represent one of the fastest growing segments of the population1. Mood disorders and chronic illness often intersect, worsening health outcomes in late life2. In view of demographic trends, medical schools should ensure trainees are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to work with older adults. However, there continues to be much variation in how medical schools incorporate geriatric content into their curricula.In 2009, the Canadian Geriatrics Society (CGS) outlined 20 competencies in geriatrics to inform medical school curricula, but uptake was minimal. Of note, there were significant gaps in these competencies, which omitted mention of late-life depression. Geriatric mental health experts did not provide input.The objective of this project was to address gaps in geriatric competencies for medical students through an expert review process involving a biopsychosocial approach.Methods:The CGS established a 15-member national working group with representation from geriatric psychiatry, family medicine, a 95-year-old senior, geriatrics and medical trainees. Potential competencies were derived from existing Canadian geriatrics frameworks [Geriatrics 5M, CanMEDs] and 2009 competencies. A modified Delphi process yielded rankings for each competency using a 7-point Likert scale.Results:Between 2019 and 2021, 3 successive national surveys were completed. In the first (n=66), 34 competencies were identified. Agreement in the final survey was 87-95% (mean 90%). 51 participants completed all three. Significant topic omissions in the 2009 list of competencies were frailty, end-of-life care, delirium prevention, health promotion and the assessment and management of depression.Conclusions:Three national surveys expanded the core competencies in geriatrics for medical school curricula from 20 to 31. Expert consensus was high. Themes mapped along existing geriatrics frameworks and incorporated a holistic lens incorporating the perspectives of an older adult and geriatric psychiatrist. In addition to late-life depression, the importance of addressing ageism was also highlighted.Learning objectives for each competency are modifiable for level of training and individual program, offering flexibility. The CGS will continue to advocate for inclusion of updated, expanded competencies into training and licensure in geriatrics.1)Statistics Canada 2021, Canadian Government, accessed 1 January 2023, <. Accessed 20/01/23 <https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/98-200-X/2021004/98-200-x2021004-eng.cfm>1)Hall CA, Reynolds III CF. Late-life depression in the primary care setting: challenges, collaborative care and prevention. Maturitas. 2014 Oct; 79(2):147-52.

Appropriateness of acute-care antibiotic prescriptions for community-acquired infections and surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in England: analysis of 2016 national point prevalence survey data

Estimates of inappropriate prescribing can highlight key target areas for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and inform national targets. To (1) define and (2) produce estimates of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing levels within acute hospital trusts in England. The 2016 national Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and AMS point prevalence survey (PPS) was used to derive estimates of inappropriate prescribing, focusing on the four most reported community-acquired antibiotic indications (CAIs) in the PPS and surgical prophylaxis. Definitions of appropriate antibiotic therapy for each indication were developed through the compilation of national treatment guidelines. A Likert-scale system of appropriateness coding was validated and refined through a two-stage expert review process. Antimicrobial usage prevalence data were collected for 25,741 individual antibiotic prescriptions, representing 17,884 patients and 213 hospitals in England. 30.4% of prescriptions for the four CAIs of interest were estimated to be inappropriate (2054 prescriptions). The highest percentage of inappropriate prescribing occurred in uncomplicated cystitis prescriptions (62.5%), followed by bronchitis (48%). For surgical prophylaxis, 30.8% of prescriptions were inappropriate in terms of dose number, and 21.3% in terms of excess prophylaxis duration. The 2016 prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in hospitals in England was approximated to be 30.4%; this establishes a baseline prevalence and provided indication of where AMS interventions should be prioritized. Our definitions appraised antibiotic choice, treatment duration and dose number (surgical prophylaxis only); however, they did not consider other aspects of appropriateness, such as combination therapy - this is an important area for future work.

이해중심 교육과정에 기반한 국어과 의사소통 역량 단원 개발

Objectives This study aims to design Korean language education communicative competency unit based on backward design, focusing on ‘discussing.’
 Methods The unit design was promoted according to the ADDIE model procedure. The analysis (A) step proceeded with a discussion on related theories, an analysis of preceding studies, and an analysis of the Korean language education curriculum. The design (D) step built up a unit design model reflecting three-step procedures of backward design to implement the learners’ ‘true understanding’ pursued by the backward design model. The development (D) step designed Korean language education communicative competency unit based on backward design, focusing on ‘discussing,’ going through the expert review process. The evaluation (E) step conducted a verification survey of validation of the unit design (draft) with Korean language education experts (12 persons).
 Results As a result of verification survey of validation of the unit design (draft), the CVR value of each item exceeded the standard value (.56). Thus, it was judged that this unit design (draft) secured the validity.
 Conclusions This study developed a Korean language education communicative competency unit based on backward design, focusing on ‘discussing.’ This study proposed a unit model in which the whole process of discussion could be systematically experienced in one unit by utilizing the Evaluation Index of Korean Language Education Communicative Competency. In addition, a discussion rubric was developed to develop an assessment tool for measuring learners. Hopefully, this study will help studies and practices of ‘competency-oriented Korean language education.’

“Bring-Your-Own-Device” (BYOD) and Productivity

Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) is a phenomenon whereby an employee brings their own computing devices to work with them and use them in addition to or instead of company-supplied devices. BYOD helps organization to cut cost and improve the utilization of organizational resources. However, the impacts and phenomenon of BYOD is still unknown and scarcely discuss within the body of knowledge; warrant for further exploration of the topic. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate an instrument to measure BYOD and its productivity. The research went through various empirical stages. Based on other studies, a list of predictors and dependent variables was adopted. Based on the variables that have been identified, a pilot instrument was created in the second step. Third, an expert review process was used to validate the instrument. The face validity and reliability investigation of possible respondents was completed. As a result, a reliable instrument with six variables and thirty items was created to measures BYOD and productivity in the context of universities students in Malaysia.

Development and Testing of the Smart Healthcare Prototype System through COVID-19 Patient Innovation.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the epidemic has gradually slowed down in various countries and people's lives have gradually returned to normal. To monitor the spread of the epidemic, studies discussing the design of related healthcare information systems have been increasing recently. However, these studies might not consider the aspect of user-centric design when developing healthcare information systems. This study examined these innovative technology applications and rapidly built prototype systems for smart healthcare through a systematic literature review and a study of patient innovation. The design guidelines for the Smart Healthcare System (SHS) were then compiled through an expert review process. This will provide a reference for future research and similar healthcare information system development.

Provider-supported self-management cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (Tele-Self CBTi): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is recommended as first-line treatment for insomnia, yet patient access to CBTi is limited. Self-help CBTi could increase patient access. Self-help CBTI with provider sup]port is more effective and is preferred by patients. Self-help CBTi has not been evaluated in veterans; a population with greater medical and mental health morbidity and more severe sleep difficulties than non-veterans. Moreover, those with mental health conditions have been largely excluded from prior CBTi self-help trials. Stablishing the efficacy of provider-supported Self-help CBTi is an important first step for expanding veteran access to CBTi. MethodsIn a 2-armed randomized controlled trial, a provider-supported self-help CBTi (Tele-Self CBTi) is compared to Health Education for improving insomnia severity (primary outcome) among treatment-seeking veterans with insomnia disorder. Tele-Self CBTi is comprised of two treatment components: self-help CBTi via a professionally designed manual developed using an iterative process of expert review and patient input; and 6 telephone-based support sessions lasting >20 min. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months after baseline. The primary outcome, insomnia severity, is measured using the Insomnia Severity Index. Secondary outcomes include self-reported and actigraphy-assessed sleep, fatigue, depression symptoms, and sleep-related quality of life. ConclusionInnovative approaches are essential to improving overall health among veterans; a population with highly prevalent insomnia disorder. If effective, Tele-Self CBTi may bridge the gap between unavailable resources and high demand for CBTi and serve as the entry level intervention in a stepped model of care. Clinical trials.gov identifierNCT03727438

Cyber Incident Handling Framework for Schools in South Africa: Views of Experts

The goal of this study was to create a Cyber Incident Handling Framework (CIHF) for South African schools to improve their effectiveness in dealing with cyber incidents while also ensuring that each role player plays an important role in the intervention process aimed at reducing cyber incidents in schools. Experts' comments on the proposed cyber incident handling framework (CIHF) for schools in South Africa were gathered through an expert review survey. The use of expert reviewers was justified to tap into the reviewers' expertise and knowledge. The expert opinion was useful in determining the relevance of the suggested framework, reflecting on its quality, and determining how well it supports the solution of reporting cyber events in South African schools. The expert review process' significant contribution was the documentation of expert opinions on the planned CIHF for South African schools. The study detailed the Cyber Incident Handling Framework (CIHF), as well as the problems in applying the framework and how the challenges may be handled.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Taiwan Chinese version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International for community-dwelling elderly individuals

BackgroundThe Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) is a commonly used questionnaire to evaluate concerns about falling. We adapted a Taiwan Chinese version (FES-ITC) and evaluated its reliability and validity in community-dwelling elderly individuals. The discriminative validity was tested in relation to several known risk factors for fear of falling (FOF).MethodsThe questionnaire was adapted through translation, back-translation, and expert review processes. A convenience sample of 135 community-dwelling elderly individuals (at least 60 years old) completed the adapted questionnaire, and 31 of them had a retest within 7–10 days. Cronbach’s α and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate the internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Principal component factor analysis was performed to assess the factor-construct validity. The discriminative validity was tested in relation to demographic features, fall-related history and performances on three functional tests: timed up and go, four-stage balance and 30-s chair stand tests. Effect sizes were computed. Correlation coefficients between physical functional performance and FES-ITC scores were computed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the cutoff point for the score to differentiate high and low concern of falling.ResultsThe FES-ITC questionnaire had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.94) and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.94). Principal component factor analysis yielded a two-factor model, with several items requiring high demand on postural control loading on factor 2. FES-ITC scores discriminated individuals with different ages, reporting FOF, reporting falls in the past year and using walking aids. However, FES-ITC scores did not differ between the participants who were at risk of falling and those who were not at risk based on functional test performance and there was no correlation found between them.ConclusionThe FES-ITC was highly reliable and had adequate construct and discriminative validity. The lack of correlation between FES-ITC scores and functional test performance implied the presence of FOF even in individuals with good functional performance. Further follow up studies are warranted to verify the predictive validity of the FES-ITC.

고등학교 블렌디드 러닝 기반의 데이터를 활용한 주제토론 STEAM 프로그램 개발

Objectives The purpose of this study is to design a 10-hour STEAM program with the subject of data and to develop a blended learning-based high school STEAM program through the application of a pilot school. Specifically, in order to improve learners' data literacy, we develop a topic discussion STEAM program using data so that learners can directly select discussion topics, find data as a basis to support their thoughts, and critically analyze other learners' claims. Methods To this end, a study was conducted to develop and apply a topic discussion program based on data that can be actually applied on a blended learning basis according to the ADDIE model, a general model of program development. Specifically, in the analysis stage, literature research on data literacy and topic discussion was conducted, and the topic discussion STEAM program using data was selected as the main learning element. In the design stage, the entire subsequent schedule of the blended learning-based STEAM program was designed and student activity sheets were produced. In the development stage, the instruction plan for each class and the student study paper were embodied, and the first revision was made through the first expert review. The implementation stage was conducted from September to December 2021, and nine teachers applied the revised STEAM program to 717 students in the first and second grades of high school. In the evaluation stage, The results of the program application were analyzed, and the final STEAM program was prepared through the second expert review process. Results In order to help students improve data literacy, five stages of discussion using data were developed based on the STEAM framework. In consideration of the pandemic situation, step-by-step activity papers and evaluation papers for online and offline classes were developed, respectively, and it was confirmed that they had a positive effect on learners' communication capabilities, discussion capabilities, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Conclusions Through the results of this study, the topic discussion STEAM program using data will be able to improve the data literacy of learners who will live in a future society where big data is commonplace. In addition, the STEAM program designed based on blended learning is expected to be available in various learning environments in the future.

Development and validation of a tool for measuring digital library engagement

Digital library engagement can be defined as the extensive usage of the services, functions, and tools provided by the digital library (DL). Although many instruments have been developed to measure digital library usage, however, the instruments were only measuring a limited aspect of usage, such as behavioral perspective. Therefore, the aim of this study is to establish and confirm a research instrument to measure digital library engagement. The study is conducted on several empirical phases. First, a listof variables was selected. Second, an instrument was developed based on the variables selected. Third, the instrument measuring digital library engagement was validated through expert review process. Fourth, face validity was conducted, before confirming the reliability of the instrument through a pilot test. Lastly, the instrument was validated through quantitative data collection by 492 respondents. As a result, a valid instrument consisting of 14 variables underneath 5 dimensions (technological, individual, contextual, digital library engagement, perceived benefits) and 61 items were produced. The instrument could be employed to identify and assess the state of digital library engagement among practitioners, universities, government, and local communities. This study however is limited in few ways in relation to context coverage, generalization of theory, and variables selection.

CMMI Compliant Workflow Models to Track and Control Changes

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a renowned Software Process Improvement (SPI) framework. Research studies have revealed that CMMI adoption needs a lot of resources in terms of training, funds, and professional workers. However, the software SMEs (SSMEs) have few resources and cannot adopt CMMI. One of the challenges of adopting CMMI is that CMMI tells “What to do?” as requirements to be met, and leaves “How to do?” to the implementers. The software industry especially SSMEs faces difficulties in successfully implementing various process areas (PAs) particularly Configuration Management Process Area (CM-PA). SG-2 (Track and control changes) is one of the important Specific Goals (SGs) required by CMMI to successfully implement CM-PA. As a starting point, we have achieved this SG by implementing its two contributing Specific Practices (SPs). The proposed WFMs were validated through an Expert Panel Review (EPR) process. In addition, a case study approach was used for the evaluation. The results showed that the models are useful, easy to use, supportive in the achievement of SG-2, and applicable to SSMEs. It is worth mentioning that this research work has not only contributed to the implementation studies but also added to the empirical software engineering body of knowledge.

Adaptation and Preliminary Validation of the Arabic Version of the Role Checklist Version 3 (RCv3).

Arab occupational therapists are in need either to develop their own outcome measures or to translate well-known outcome measures to their culture. The objective of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate preliminarily the Role Checklist Version 3 (RCv3) into Arabic language. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process of the RCv3 into Arabic language was conducted in four main steps: (a) forward translation, (b) back translation, (c) expert panel review process, and (d) psychometric testing (Validity). The expert panel established the face validity and the content validity of the Arabic RCv3. Pilot testing was conducted, and the utility and content validity of the tool were confirmed. The final version of the Arabic RCv3 is now available for use in the Arab countries. However, further psychometric properties including reliability and responsiveness of this tool is warranted, thus supporting its wide use and proper application.

Questionnaire for Assessment of Mental Pain after Traumatic Events (FESSTE-30): Preliminary Standard Values and Factorial Structure

The questionnaire for the assessment of mental pain after traumatic experiences (FESSTE-30) is the first instrument in the German language which can be used for the standardized operationalization of mental pain in research and expert review process. The primary aim of the present study was to present quality criteria of the questionnaire and its preliminary gender-specific comparative values for the German-speaking general population. The FESSTE-30 consists of five subscales ("Depression", "Somatization", "Dissociation", "Intrusive Memories" and "Fear"), and the total scale "Mental Pain". In addition, the attached trauma checklist enables a structured assessment of the extent of traumatic experiences. The questionnaire was investigated regarding reliability and validity based on a convenience sample of the German-speaking general population (n=1448; 86.2% female). The reliabilities of the subscales and the total scale ranged between Cronbach's alpha=0.81-0.94. The internal consistency of the scale "extent of traumatic experiences" showed a Cronbach's alpha=0.65. Regarding confirmatory factor analysis, a latent bifactor structure with a general factor and five residual factors showed the following model fit: RMSEA=0.05 (90% CI: 0.05, 0.06); TLI=0.93; CFI=0.94; NFI=0.92; χ²/df=4.94. The results indicate that FESSTE-30 is a reliable and valid self-assessment method for assessment of mental pain, suitable for application in research, treatment and expert review processes. The preliminary standard values can be used as a guideline for the evaluation of individual cases. Further investigations with clinical samples are planned.