Exploratory Quantitative Study Research Articles

World Language Teacher Candidate Performance on edTPA: An Exploratory Study

Federal and state legislation continues to promote teacher accountability in the United States. The new edTPA, a subject-specific teacher performance assessment, is purported to measure beginning teacher readiness and is being pilot tested and implemented for licensure and certification decisions across the country. In this exploratory quantitative study, the researchers examined edTPA scores of 21 world language teacher candidates from two teacher preparation programs and compared those results to the cut scores for the states of Washington and New York. Results indicated that participants performed best in the planning section and were most challenged by the assessment section. This research has implications for teacher certification candidates, world language teacher preparation programs, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

PS-254 Non- Pharmacalogical Pain Relief Strategy During Screening For Rethinopathy Of Prematurity

Introduction This study was conducted to determine pain relief using non- pharmacalogical strategy during routine ROP screening conducted in a clinical setting. Methodology An observational, exploratory quantitative study of 28 ROP screenings was performed in a NICU level III. Pain assessment tools were Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) and Skin Conductance Algesimeter (SCA). Non- pharmacalogical strategy included a fed and content infant, swaddled and nested in a physiological position. Facilitated tucking provided of a nurse including use of pacifier and sucrose 24% regularly every third minute. Results Both PIPP and SCA showed that group 1; the first eye of the first time ROP screening the infant expressed no pain to any fraction of the examination. Group 2; examination of the second eye of the first ROP screening together with all the following examinations both PIPP and SCA detect increased pain. Conclusion Using non- pharmacalogical strategy during ROP screening appears to have some pain relief. However, no firm conclusion can be drawn due to the uncertain variables.

Evaluating the prevention of premature cessation of exclusive breastfeeding in the general practice setting during the scheduled child immunisation consultation: a pilot study.

The purpose of this study was to test and evaluate the feasibility and clinical acceptability of the use of an infant feeding data collection tool during the scheduled childhood immunisation consultation, and to explore the appropriateness of this consultation as a site for a future intervention aiming to increase exclusive breastfeeding through the provision of advice and support to mothers. This descriptive exploratory (quantitative and qualitative) study used purposeful sampling to enrol five general practices in Hobart, Tasmania. General practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses (PNs) trialled and evaluated a paper-based data collection tool over a 6-week period from May through to June 2011. Twenty-two (13 GPs; 2 GP registrars and 7 PNs) participants trialled and evaluated the data collection tool (n = 54). From the evaluation questionnaire, field notes and informal interviews (n = 7), six conceptual headings emerged: setting; time pressures; resources and collaboration; mothers need to talk; professional exclusion; and lack of collaboration. The scheduled childhood immunisation consultation provides an opportunity for mothers and primary health practitioners to talk briefly about infant feeding and for the collection of infant feeding data. However, the immunisation consultation is not well suited to a breastfeeding support intervention as it is already very busy focusing on immunisation issues. Consideration should be given to the evaluation of a dedicated general practice/primary health 'infant feeding' consultation.

Parenting approaches and digital technology use of preschool age children in a Chinese community.

BackgroundYoung children are using digital technology (DT) devices anytime and anywhere, especially with the invention of smart phones and the replacement of desktop computers with digital tablets. Although research has shown that parents play an important role in fostering and supporting preschoolers’ developing maturity and decisions about DT use, and in protecting them from potential risk due to excessive DT exposure, there have been limited studies conducted in Hong Kong focusing on parent-child DT use. This study had three objectives: 1) to explore parental use of DTs with their preschool children; 2) to identify the DT content that associated with child behavioral problems; and 3) to investigate the relationships between approaches adopted by parents to control children’s DT use and related preschooler behavioral problems.MethodsThis exploratory quantitative study was conducted in Hong Kong with 202 parents or guardians of preschool children between the ages of 3 and 6 attending kindergarten. The questionnaire was focused on four aspects, including 1) participants’ demographics; 2) pattern of DT use; 3) parenting approach to manage the child’s DT use; and 4) child behavioral and health problems related to DT use. Multiple regression analysis was adopted as the main data analysis method for identifying the DT or parental approach-related predictors of the preschooler behavioral problems.ResultsIn the multiple linear regression model, the ‘restrictive approach score’ was the only predictor among the three parental approaches (B:1.66, 95% CI: [0.21, 3.11], p < 0.05). Moreover, the viewing of antisocial behavior cartoons by children also significantly increased the tendency of children to have behavioral problem (B:3.84, 95% CI: [1.66, 6.02], p < 0.01).ConclusionsSince preschool children’s cognitive and functional abilities are still in the developmental stage, parents play a crucial role in fostering appropriate and safe DT use. It is suggested that parents practice a combination of restrictive, instructive and co-using approaches, rather than a predominately restrictive approach, to facilitate their child’s growth and development. Further studies are needed to explore the parent-child relationship and parents’ self-efficacy when managing the parent-child DT use, to develop strategies to guide children in healthy DT use.

Gender and Bilingual Education: An Exploratory Study of the Academic Achievement of Latina and Latino English Learners

Although biliteracy plays a vital role in academic achievement, there has been little research on the unique needs of female and male English language learners. Becoming biliterate is a complex process, compounded by other variables such as 1st-language background, class, culture, and gender. Among these variables, gender has been the least examined and reported for English language learners in the United States. This exploratory quantitative study investigates the interplay between gender and biliteracy in a diverse urban school district. The quantitative data demonstrate gender variations across all years and grade levels and on both English and Spanish assessments.

USE OF THE TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) IN CONTROL OF NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that cause significant impact on the quality of life cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of TENS in controlling nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy. Methods: We performed an exploratory quantitative study of experimental blind randomized clinical trial with 83 patients with antineoplastic drugs classified as medium and high emetogenic degree. Were divided into two groups: in one group, classified as intervention, electro stimulation was performed with TENS for 30 minutes with a frequency of 10 Hz to 500 mS pulse width with varying intensity, which was increased according to the tolerance of the patient from the point P6. In the other group, the control, patients suffered a simulation of electrical stimulation at zero frequency. Was performed electro stimulation during chemotherapy session. The symptoms and the amount of administered antiemetics at home were valued in the first two consecutive days of chemotherapy. The intensity of nausea was quantified by visual analog scale. The patient was instructed to write down the number of episodes of vomiting and antiemetic amount administered. Results: The average amount of nausea on the day of chemotherapy, vomiting on the day of chemotherapy and the next day following day and the amount of antiemetic taken at home in those first two days was significantly lower in the group of intervention. Conclusion: TENS showed a complementary effective in controlling nausea and vomiting.

An Exploratory Quantitative Study Comparing and Correlating Parental Factors with Environmental Science Achievement for Black American and Black Caribbean Students in a Mid-Atlantic State

IntroductionThe large influx of Caribbean islanders to the U.S. during the last three decades and the complexities of the heterogeneous Black population within America present significant opportunities for research on patterns of migration, cultural differences in the home and parenting, and the influence of each of these variables on students' academic achievement (Homer, 2001; Mitchell, 2005; Ogbu, 2003; Portes, 1999; Rong & Brown, 2001 ^Consequently, there is a growing need for the education and sociology of education literature to address the educational conditions and attainment of Black immigrant children and to become aware of the differences and complexities within their homes (Rong & Brown, 2007). There are very few researchers who are conducting empirical research on Black immigrant students' home life and parenting and examining the influence on these students' academic achievement (Codjoe, 2007; Fisher, 2005). Therefore, this study sought to correct the shortcoming by exploring the influence of home background patterns and parenting on the environmental achievement of Afro-Caribbean and African American students. The family or parental factors used in previous studies of Afro-Caribbean or African American students were also used in the current research (Codjoe, 2007; Fisher, 2005; Heard, 2007).Additionally, out-of-school activities and attitudinal factors associated with parenting were included in this study under parental factors because of the theoretical belief that parents' values, attitudes, and priorities may greatly influence the values, attitudes, and priorities of their children (Ogbu, 2003; Ogbu & Simons, 1998; Samuel, Smolska, & Warren, 2001; Wang, 2004). Therefore, out-of-school activities examined in this study included extra lessons, and extra study time in science, and attitudinal factors included motivation to do and science attitudes. For the purpose of this study, students' and parents' ethnicities or countries of origin data were collected along with the other family background data. Students were labeled African Americans, if it was reported on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Program for International Student Assessment (OECD PISA, Beavis, 2002) student background questionnaire that they and their (both) parents were bom in the U.S.; whereas, students were labeled Afro-Caribbean, if it was reported on their questionnaire that they or one of their parents were bom in the Caribbean. In this study, Erstand second-generation Caribbean immigrant students were labeled as Afro-Caribbean. In following the guidelines of Ogbu's (2003) previous research, the African Americans in this study were also called involuntary immigrants because their forefathers were brought to America between 1619 and 1800 by force during the slave trade, and the Afro-Caribbean group was called voluntary immigrants because their migration to America was seen as the pursuit of opportunities and not one of force.Furthermore, four research questions were addressed in this study to answer the central thesis: (a) are there differences in environmental achievement between Black Caribbean and Black American high school students?; (b) are there correlations between parental factors and the environmental achievement test score for Black Caribbean and Black American students?; (c) which parental factor best predicts environmental achievement or performance for Black Caribbean and Black American students?; and, (d) what do emerged field data further reveal about the Black Caribbean and Black American students' home patterns and achievement?Literature ReviewHistorical Context of Afro-Caribbeans and African Americans in AmericaAccording to Rong and Brown (2007), the Black presence in North America has a history of more than 400 years, and from the outset this population has been heterogeneous. …

A survey of inotrope and vasopressor line change practices in Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Intensive Care Units

IntroductionSick and or preterm neonates who are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) frequently require inotropes and vasopressors which support the cardiovascular system to function adequately. There are many different clinical practices that nurses can adopt to perform inotrope and vasopressor infusion line and syringe changes, some of which have the theoretical potential to cause fluctuations in blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to identify current inotrope infusion line change practices in the neonatal intensive care population of Australia and New Zealand and examine what drives these current clinical practices. MethodologyAn observational, exploratory quantitative study was carried out in all 28 Australian and NICUs. An electronic survey tool was distributed to one member of each unit who responded on behalf of their clinical setting. ResultsThe results showed that variation exists in the practice of inotrope and vasopressor line change practices across the 22 participating NICUs. The most popular method was the quick change method with 54.5% of Neonatal Intensive Care Units implementing this practice in their unit. The most frequently reported basis for current practice was literature (54.5%) followed by expert opinion (40.9%), previous clinical practices (36.4%) and multidisciplinary consensus (22.7%). ConclusionThis study has identified areas requiring further research in order for a standard, safe and efficient practice to be implemented in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for these critically sick neonates.

Outsourcing capabilities, organizational structure and performance quality monitoring: Toward a fit model

Provider IT services has grown substantially, since the advent of IT. However, research on it has been limited and mainly qualitative. A recurring provider problem was identified: a lack of attention to the performance of the IT they provide. Due to uncertainty or change in the client environment, the fit between capabilities and organizational structure of outsourcing providers must be balanced. Here we present the results of an exploratory quantitative empirical study among outsourcing experts involved with three different types of IT outsourcing providers: domestic, offshore, and global.We developed instruments that measured some core concepts such as outsourcing capabilities, organizational structure dimensions, and performance monitoring. We then used these in analyzing data gathered from three different types of IT outsourcing providers. We found that service providers who establish a fit between their outsourcing capabilities and their customers’ organizational structures are less susceptible to problems resulting from unexpected change in the clients’ environment.Our results therefore extended our understanding of how critical determinants in provider organizations are related to continuous quality monitoring of their performance.

The Entrepreneurial Orientation-Dominant Logic-performance relationship in new ventures: an exploratory quantitative study

Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) has received substantial conceptual and empirical attention, representing one of the few areas in entrepreneurship research in which a cumulative body of knowledge is developing. Nonetheless, an important message from past research is that simply examining the direct effect of EO on firm performance provides an incomplete picture, especially in the case of new ventures. This study examined the influence of Dominant Logic (DL) on the relationship between EO and firm performance. Results based on a sample of 149 new manufacturing ventures indicated that DL mediates the EO-performance relationship, and risk taking, aggressiveness and innovativeness had the highest correlations with the internal and external conceptualization of DL. The empirical evidence suggests that new ventures must foster DL implementing appropriate strategic processes in order to maximize the effect of EO on performance.

A Proposal of a Definition and Measurement Scale of Relational Orientation within Distribution Channels: An Exploratory Study

This paper examines relational orientation within distribution channels, a field which is less explored and which needs further scrutiny. It has two objectives. It proposes a definition and a measurement scale of relational orientation within distribution channels. A theoretical analysis of relationships within distribution channels is conducted in order to better understand how companies of distribution channel develop a relational orientation. Then, a qualitative study and an exploratory quantitative study are conducted. The results indicate that relational orientation within distribution channels is a three-dimension concept: temporary commitment, affective commitment and dependence.

Symptoms of depression in patients with cancer of the head and neck undergoing radiotherapy treatment: a prospective study

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of symptoms of depression in patients with cancer of the head and neck undergoing radiotherapy treatment, in the initial, middle and final stages of the treatment. This is a prospective exploratory quantitative study of 41 patients with head and neck cancer, undergoing radiotherapy treatment in the Oncology Outpatient Clinic of the Beneficência Portuguese Hospital of Ribeirão Preto. Data were collected through the Beck Depression Inventory instrument, and analyzed quantitatively by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Symptoms of dysphoria were found to increase throughout the treatment, as well as the number of patients with depression. The results show the importance for the healthcare professionals to detect the prevalence and the levels of the symptoms of depression, since these symptoms tend to increase and may lead to consequences such as a lack of adherence to treatment and a decrease in the quality of life of these patients.

Characteristics of Patients Who Return to the Emergency Department Within 72 Hours in One Community Hospital

This study identifies characteristics of patients who return to the emergency department (ED) within 72 hr after an initial visit. An exploratory quantitative descriptive study was conducted to identify characteristics of patients with unscheduled 72 hr ED returns. The sample consisted of all patients with 72 hr ED return visits for the month of January 2009 at the study facility. Data were collected from electronic patient records utilizing the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey instrument modified to eliminate patient identifiers. There were 169 individuals who had at least one 72 hr return visit to the ED for a total of 393 initial and return ED visits. The most common diagnoses were for gastrointestinal complaints. Over a third of the patients who returned had chronic health conditions. There were more emergency department return visits in individuals who lacked access to primary care.

Evaluating the effects of environmental education programming on connectedness to nature

With a growing movement to re-connect children to nature, an understanding of the ability of environmental education (EE) programs to foster connectedness to nature is needed. The purpose of this exploratory quantitative study is to determine the effect of seven EE programs on participants' connectedness to nature. Results from the 385 children who participated in this study suggest two of the programs may be associated with a significant increase in connectedness to nature; however, due to the limitations of the study and a potential ‘ceiling effect’ of high initial levels of connectedness, further research is needed.

Individual and organisational capacity for evidence use in policy making in Nigeria: an exploratory study of the perceptions of Nigeria health policy makers

This paper presents and discusses the outcome of an exploratory quantitative cross-sectional study of the perceptions of Nigeria health policy makers on capacity for evidence use in policy making at individual and organisational levels. The capacity for acquisition, assessment, adaptation and application of research evidence in policy making at individual and organisational levels was generally suboptimal. This capacity constraint was the major challenge to health policy and systems research (HPSR) evidence use in policy making. To address this challenge, the following strategies were identified: increased awareness of the value of HPSR, execution of training programmes to improve the skills of policy makers in evidence-based policy making, and enhancing organisational capacity for incentives in evidence use.

Wiki Adoption and Use In Academic Library Technical Services: An Exploratory Study

With the establishment of Web 2.0 applications, libraries found themselves with new tools to manage organizational information, including wikis. While many reported their wiki successes, there is a lack of representation in the literature from academic library technical services departments. This article will explore the results of an exploratory quantitative study conducted in early 2009 regarding wiki adoption and use in these departments. The article will include a literature review outlining the history and concepts of Web 2.0, wikis, and wikis in library literature as well as a discussion on the implications of the results and suggestions for further research.

Where do our patients die? A review of the place of death of cancer patients in Cape Town, South Africa

A 3-year review of the place of death of patients from a private oncology unit in Cape Town explores the length of time patients spent in acute care hospital beds, under the oncologist's care, prior to their death. Implications for improved staff training, patient support, and family education are identified. This is an exploratory quantitative study that captures details of place of death and particulars of length of acute care hospital stay for cancer patients of a private oncology unit. Data was gathered from 424 patient files, from January 2006 to December 2008, and is interpreted using simple descriptive statistics. Of the 424 recorded deaths, the average age at death was 66.09 years, with lung and bronchial cancer accounting for the leading diagnosis at death (23.82%). Most of patient deaths recorded (42.92%) occurred at home, with death under the oncologist's care in an acute medical ward comprising the second largest category (34.20%). The majority of the patients who died in this ward (38%) died within 3 days of admission. Although medical and community support for end-of-life care at home are not uniformly available to all South Africans, the patients and families in this study had good access to hospice care, and achieved a higher "death at home" rate than that seen in several more developed countries. The review of place of death and length of hospitalization prior to death highlights the need for staff at private oncology units to be trained in and comfortable with palliative care. Attention is also drawn to the very real needs of carers and family members of patients, if death is planned to occur in the patient's home.

Measuring intimate partner violence among male and female farmworkers in San Diego County, Ca.

Although there are over one million farmworkers in the United States, little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) among this population. Given the particular demands of agricultural labor, however, farmworkers and their partners are highly susceptible to a host of occupation-specific stressors that may result in relationship conflict, and thereafter IPV. In cases where one or both members of the dyad engage in problematic drinking, the likelihood of violence increases exponentially. The purpose of this exploratory quantitative study was to estimate the prevalence of IPV among a mixed gender sample of farmworkers in San Diego County, California, and assess the association of potential correlates (acculturation- and work-related stress, problem drinking, and impulsivity) to IPV. Bilingual interviewers conducted survey data collection by using standardized instruments (e.g., Revised Conflict Tactics Scale; Migrant Farm Work Stress Inventory; AUDIT). Nearly all participants (n = 100) were Mexican born. Results showed that approximately 16% of female individuals (n = 61) and 32% of male individuals (n = 37) reported partner violence perpetration, victimization, or both, in the past year. Significant correlates of IPV were problem drinking (among males) and impulsivity (among females). This study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting IPV research among male and female farmworkers. Additional research is warranted to more fully explore the role of acculturation- and work-related stress, drinking, and other personal characteristics and environmental factors in precipitating couple conflict and thereafter IPV.

Correlates of Risky Sexual Behaviors in Recently Traditionally Circumcised Men from Initiation Lodges in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

This exploratory quantitative study examines past risky sexual behaviors among young men who were circumcised as part of a rite of passage to adulthood embedded within a cultural and traditional belief system in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Following permission from the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHOTL), individual face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted among 114 initiates. The mean age of the participants was 18.9 years, ranging from 15 to 32 years old. About 79.8% reported already having had sex with a woman prior to initiation. Of those, 89% reported that they ever used condoms when having sex, and 61% reported consistent use. Logistic regression analysis showed that consistent condom use increased with higher educational levels. Those involved in other risky health behaviors (specifically, smoking) were also more likely to report inconsistent condom use. Most participants had positive beliefs about male circumcision and STI/HIV transmission. This study provides a first look at the sexual behaviors of young men at the time of their initiation in adulthood, a process that is intended to make it socially acceptable to initiate sexual relations and highlights a major public health challenge in integrating the protective health benefits of circumcision with indigenous cultural practices.

Maternal, obstetric variables, perceived stress and health-related quality of life among pregnant women in Macao, China

Objective to identify associations between demographic, socio-economic and obstetric variables and health-related quality of life with perceived stress among Macao Chinese pregnant women. Design a cross-sectional, exploratory quantitative study. Setting an antenatal clinic of a university-affiliated regional public hospital in Macao. Participants a community-based sample ( n=1151) of pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy. Measurements perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, and health-related quality of life was measured using the standard Short Form-12 Health Survey. Findings a multiple linear regression analysis revealed that pregnant women who were younger ( β=0.085, p=0.002), single, divorced, separated or cohabiting ( β=0.067, p<0.009), had a lower level of education ( β=0.079, p=0.003), worked long hours ( β=0.102, p<0.001) or who had an unplanned pregnancy ( β=0.063, p=0.014) with late initiation of antenatal care ( β=0.066, p=0.008) or poor physical ( β=−0.501, p<0.001) or mental ( β=−0.115, p<0.001) health-related quality of life had higher levels of perceived stress. Conclusion preliminary information was provided about Macao pregnant women who had higher perceived stress during pregnancy that was associated with the demographic, socio-economic, obstetric and health-related quality-of-life variables. Implications for practice the development of a checklist or structured questions for clinical situations is necessary, and programmes of stress management should be tailor made during pregnancy.