Field Research Techniques Research Articles

Information systems an alternative to modernization to achieve in the control of management of municipal public services

Purpose – Information systems (IS) in the public environment largely depend on a needs analysis for their successful integration. This is more likely lead to an improvement in the management control of municipal public services (MPSs) with the help of scientific and technological methodologies, based on both qualitative and quantitative methods. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The data were obtained through field research techniques such as interviews and observation and applying this in each of the municipalities, and complemented by 196 citizen surveys. Findings – An outcome of this research is the implementation of a specific IS to improve administrative and operational processes based on data collected in six municipalities. This implies not only technological but also cultural evolution, since the incorporation of the IS impacts both municipal authorities and society as a whole. Originality/value – This research is based on the need to develop IS to improve management control of MPSs and thus meet the needs of population, and in turn, support the municipal authorities.

Doing Research on Sensitive Topics in Political Science: Studying Organised Criminal Groups in Cape Town

This article provides a review of the method and approach of a study done on a research topic in the field of Political Science, namely the impact of organised criminal groups on social control by the state. Research can be regarded as the production of knowledge and the research process is the roadmap or guide used in order to produce knowledge about a specific topic under consideration. As a result of the sensitive nature of the research subject, particular care was taken in designing the research process that guided the study. This article offers an explanation of the specific research design and research methodology selected in order to analyse the features of the relationship between local governance, societies and organised criminal groups. The following elements are discussed: the case study research design, the qualitative research methodology, the field research process and research techniques, research ethics and, finally, basic safety while doing fieldwork.

Proposal for an Information System to Increase Efficiency in the Management Control of Municipal Public Services

Information systems in the public environment, depend for their successful integration, largely on the needs analysis to make appropriate authorities, as no technology is incorporated as part of the global technology boom, but rather to integrate this as part of an investigation that achieves maximum use of scripts, in order to support the management control of municipally public services, with the help of scientific methodologies, qualitative and quantitative and technological methodologies of intervention to correct structure and foundation of these services. A result of this research is the implementation of a specific information system to improve administrative and operational processes in the attention and follow up of municipality public services. This information was collected in 6 municipalities of Mexico, through field research techniques such as interviews and observation, applied to administrative and operational staff providing this service, in each of the municipalities, while complementing them with 196 applications of citizen surveys.

Research on management issues in the pharmaceutical industry: a literature review

PurposeThis paper aims to present a review of literature to assess the progress of research on managerial issues in the pharmaceutical industry globally.Design/methodology/approachLiterature from peer‐reviewed journals available on online databases was collected for the last decade, using the keyword search technique, and then classifying it according to major managerial issues, research methodologies used and geographical zones.FindingsBehavioral issues at the consumer/physician level and non‐behavioral issues in pricing and medical expenses are studied the most, followed by supply chain management, research and development and manufacturing and services operations management. There is scope for conjunction of research efforts across themes and players. The studies focus on the developed nations through the application of field research and mathematical modeling techniques. The studies in the American region focus more on development and marketing while studies in Europe are aligned towards manufacturing and distribution in the industry. Studies in the developing nations are mostly exploratory in nature and require more focus on issues of research and development and marketing in addition to a substantial increase in overall research efforts. More trans‐continental studies are needed to consolidate research efforts globally.Research limitations/implicationsThe review is not exhaustive of all studies available on the industry and each of the issues. Conference papers, unpublished material and lectures were excluded.Practical implicationsIdentification of the present and emerging issues together provides practitioners in healthcare systems with an idea of available techniques and strategies to solve problems in healthcare/pharmaceutical management.Originality/valueA study on research of management issues in the pharmaceutical industry across the world has perhaps not been conducted in the recent past: this paper fills part of that gap.

江河源区高寒草甸退化序列上"秃斑" 连通效应的元胞自动机模拟

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 江河源区高寒草甸退化序列上"秃斑" 连通效应的元胞自动机模拟 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201104010429 作者: 作者单位: 兰州大学草地农业科技学院,兰州大学 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金资助项目(31172250,30730069) Cellular automata simulation of barren patch connectivity effect in degradation sequence on alpine meadow in the source region of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China Author: Affiliation: Lanzhou University Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:高寒草甸草毡层"秃斑"是高寒草甸退化进程中最活跃的表征,明确其在退化序列上的演变时空规律是揭示草地退化动力学机制的关键之一。采用实地调研结合元胞自动机模拟的方法,对高寒草甸退化序列上秃斑格局动态进行了模拟,是对退化序列上秃斑的连续动态图谱表达,建立了高寒草甸由初步退化到系统崩溃的符合实际的草地秃斑连通的图谱序列,模拟吻合度达93.9%。通过对图谱序列关系的分析表明,秃斑连通进程分为3个阶段:低速连通期——第0-2年、跃变期——第2-7年、连通不可逆转期——第7-9年;最大秃斑面积、最大秃斑面积-秃斑总面积比的跃变过程,是草地退化等级的质变过程;通过对跃变期和连通不可逆转期相应的草地生态与恢复性能的对比分析,确定了连通阈值为54.5%;秃斑连通的过程伴随着临界阈现象的发生。由于连通不可逆转期"黑土滩"形成过程的不可逆性及形成后的巨大危害性,连通阈值的确定将为高寒草甸生态系统安全预警及其退化恢复治理提供依据。 Abstract:The source region of Yangtze River and Yellow River plays an important role in the carbon source/sink cycle and is a focal point for ecological environment management; however, it is also one of China's most vulnerable ecological systems. This vulnerability is due to human and livestock population expansion; large area of alpine meadow are experiencing overgrazing and climate change, with barren patches developing and connecting with each other. Barren patches develop in a range of sizes and shapes, presenting an infertile "black soil" type landscape in the final stage of grassland degradation. The driving mechanisms of alpine meadow degradation are complex and remain controversial, making it difficult to determine individual causes of degradation and to take effective measures to counter them. Thus, this investigation employed "black box" theory to avoid these uncertain elements in its examination of spatial patterns and temporal evolution in barren patches. This investigation aimed to clarify the role barren patch evolution and connectivity plays in alpine meadow degradation, providing an increased understanding of alpine meadow ecosystems as the basis for ecological maintenance, restoration and management. A simulation method of complexity science, cellular automata, was used to model the development of barren patches in this study. The initial iteration data for the model were obtained from observations of moderately degraded meadows with the lowest barren patch percentage, and were used to draw a matrix in which each cell was represented as either 0 or 1; 0 representing a cell where vegetation cover was lower than 50% and 1 representing cells where vegetation cover was over 50%. Based on field observations of barren patch percentage and landscape structure, including the experience of local herdsman whose livelihoods are inextricably linked to the grassland, the simulation time step was set to one year per iteration. Further field observations of barren patch evolution and other features of their spatial distribution at different stages of degradation were used to define the rules of the model, and Matlab 7.0 was used as a platform for simulation. Cell neighborhoods were defined as the Moore type and cellular space was treated according to the reflective boundary rule. Using this combination of field research techniques and cellular automata simulation, realistic developmental graphs modeling the connectivity of barren patches from the initial degradation stage to the collapse of the alpine meadow system were established. The goodness of fit for the simulation analyses averaged 93.9%. Results further indicated that in the degradation sequence, there were three defined degradation stages: a low-speed connectivity stage from 0 to 2 years, a jump stage from 2 to 7 years and an irreversible connectivity stage from 7 to 9 years. Additionally, a sudden change was found to occur at the beginning of each stage, identifying a threshold characteristic in the process of barren patch connectivity. Through comparative analysis of the performances of grassland ecology and restoration between the jump stage and the irreversible connectivity stage, the connectivity threshold was calculated at 54.5% as a protection index of the alpine meadow. The irreversibility of ecological harm associated with large barren patches highlights the importance of determining and using the connectivity threshold to identify and determine priority sites for restoration. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Organizational Justice and Organizational Citizenship Behavior Case Study: Rasht Public Hospitals

Background: In today's competitive world, organizations are constantly seeking new ways to maximize the performance of their employees. Despite the increased use of information technology, there are still gaps in performance and efficient organization. There is strongly idea that the performance of organization largely depends to the efforts of the employees beyond the requirements of the role. These behaviors named as over duties behavior, spontaneous behavior and organizational citizenship behavior. Today, these behaviors are an integral part in performance management and have been entered in organizational various aspects. Researches show that perceived organizational justice is one of the factors that lead to citizenship behavior. Methods: In this research, we used field research technique and for gathering data collection used questionnaires. Statistical population was employees of public hospitals in Rasht that they are 2811 employees. Then, distributed 341 questionnaires based on convenience sampling. Method of research was correlation and for analyzing, we used spss software. Results: This study shows that there is a relationship among dimensions of organizational justice and organizational citizenship behavior in the Rasht public hospitals and due to positive correlation coefficients, it is the direct relationship. Conclusion/Recommendation: Finally, results show that between distributive justice, procedural justice, interactional justice and informational justice with organizational citizenship behavior there is a direct and significant relationship. i.e., with increment of each of the variables, organizational citizenship behavior will increase. In addition, coefficient level between two variables equals to 0.289 and this situation show that independent variable can predict dependent variable extent to 28.9.

한국과 일본 축제의 백제복식 재현에 관한 연구: 백제문화제와 사천왕사왔소축제의 행렬복식을 중심으로

This study aimed to suggest more appropriate and accurate festival costumes based on a comparative analysis on various reproduced costumes and a period review of traditional festival costumes. In particular, the comparative analysis examined festival costumes which appeared in Korean and Japanese festival parades during the Baekje Period. The Baekje Cultural and Sacheonwangsawasso Festivals were examined. A literature review as well as field research and digital restorative techniques were used in the study. The reproduction patterns of Baekje costumes from both festivals were compared with original Baekje costumes, demonstrating several differences in the configuration, material, color, and shape of the costumes in addition to the way they were worn. Based on the comparative analysis, Baekje costumes used in Festivals were grouped into three categories: King`s Costume, Queen`s Costume, and Government Official`s Costume. Dress sketches and 3D illustrations also have been presented.

Perceived effectiveness of fraud detection audit procedures in a stock and warehousing cycle

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore perceptions of fraud detection techniques in the stock and warehouse cycle in Barbados.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a self‐administered questionnaire, adapted and modified from Owusu‐Ansah et al. The sample is comprised of 64 auditors. The study examines the perceived effectiveness of audit procedures, the influence of size of the audit firm, and the level of audit experience in the choice of specific audit procedures.FindingsThe study indicates that there is a moderate to high perceived effectiveness of standard audit procedures in the detection of fraud in the stock and warehousing cycle in Barbados and that the majority of the “more effective” audit procedures can be classified as field research techniques that are more direct in obtaining evidence. It is found that auditors from larger firms reported higher means for audit procedures. There are mixed findings with respect to the significant relationship between level of auditing experience of auditors and perceived effectiveness of fraud detection techniques. The study also indicates that males consistently rated the level of effectiveness of audit procedures higher than females.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the relatively small sample size, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Nonetheless, the findings of this study do indicate that auditing procedures in this developing country are on par with those of developed countries.Practical implicationsThis paper serves to inform audit‐related policies and regulation on the potential threats within the stock and warehouse cycle.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the limited body of research on fraud detection within the stock and warehouse cycle in small developing countries.

Understanding behavioral responses of fish to pheromones in natural freshwater environments

There is an abundance of experimental studies and reviews that describe odorant-mediated behaviors of fish in laboratory microcosms, but research in natural field conditions has received considerably less attention. Fish pheromone studies in laboratory settings can be highly productive and allow for controlled experimental designs; however, laboratory tanks and flumes often cannot replicate all the physical, physiological and social contexts associated with natural environments. Field experiments can be a critical step in affirming and enhancing understanding of laboratory discoveries and often implicate the ecological significance of pheromones employed by fishes. When findings from laboratory experiments have been further tested in field environments, often different and sometimes contradictory conclusions are found. Examples include studies of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) mating pheromones and fish alarm substances. Here, we review field research conducted on fish pheromones and alarm substances, highlighting the following topics: (1) contradictory results obtained in laboratory and field experiments, (2) how environmental context and physiological status influences behavior, (3) challenges and constraints of aquatic field research and (4) innovative techniques and experimental designs that advance understanding of fish chemical ecology through field research.

Sampling an unknown universe: problems of researching mass casualty incidents (a history of ECRU's field research)

This paper reviews how the Emergency Communications Research Unit (ECRU) at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, developed its field research techniques with emphasis on some of its approaches to sampling. Then based on ECRU's experience, it discusses the problems that would arise if an attempt were made to research an incident involving not only mass casualties, but also chemically contaminated mass casualties. While ECRU's findings have been published in scores of book chapters, monographs and academic and other articles, this is only the second time since 1977 that its methods have been described [The Development of a Standby Research Capacity at Carleton University. Emergency Planning: Ottawa, Canada; Int. J. Mass Emergencies and Disasters 1977; 2(1):35-41; Methods of Disaster Research. Xlibris Corporation, 26-302], and the very first time its approaches to sampling have been discussed.

Emergent Strategy and the Measurement of Performance: The Formulation of Performance Indicators at the Microlevel

This article presents some evidence on an aspect of the design of a strategic control system, at the microlevel, within a single organization. The research we report used an ethnographic approach to provide an understanding of strategy formulation. Our aim is to contribute to an area of literature which is of increasing significance, but relatively underdeveloped in terms of the application of in-depth, field-research techniques. We take an intensive look at the manner in which performance measures are formulated, at the microlevel, within a single organization. The article presents, as an in-depth case analysis, the experience of a fisheries holding company in New Zealand. The article recounts the experiences of managers within the organization of the process of identification of such things as critical success factors and key performance indicators (KPIs) and, more broadly, the formulation of a strategic performance measurement system.

Testing Rural Nursing Theory: Perceptions and Needs of Service Providers

The purpose of this study was to validate concepts from rural nursing theory (Long & Weinert, 1989) by exploring the health perceptions and needs of rural adults employed in service industries and living in communities of less than 1,500 persons. Thirty-eight adults in eleven rural communities participated in interviews asking questions about their health and how they responded to their own illnesses and injuries. Naturalistic inquiry using field research techniques was the method used for the study. Four major themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: definition of health, distance and access to resources, the symptom-action-time line process, and choice. For these participants, being healthy meant being able to function whether at work or play. Distance was a major part of their lives, particularly in accessing prescription medications, health care specialists and emergency care. The symptom-action-time-line process was evident in seeking care for illness and injury. A previously unidentified theme in the rural nursing theory was the concept of choice, choice of residence and choice of health care providers (HCP). Participants chose to live in rural communities because of family ties; others had moved in from other states or, having moved to a more densely populated area, chose to return. Choice of HCP was dependent on availability of resources, time of day, weather conditions, and knowledge of the available quality of care. Implications for practice and recommendations for research and rural nursing theory development are discussed.

Deaf college students' perspectives on literacy portfolios.

The study examined how literacy portfolios were used as tools in a college developmental English class in which deaf students assessed their reading comprehension as well as their writing processes and products. The students' reading and writing assignments involved reflective thinking and were grounded in authentic tasks. Immediate feedback was provided. The study was multidimensional, longitudinal, and ongoing. A variety of field research techniques were used to ascertain the uses and influences of portfolios in regard to students' reading, writing, and reflective thinking. The results support the idea that the use of literacy portfolios can positively influence students who are deaf when they assess their reading and writing abilities.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS: THE CONSORTIUM TEN YEARS LATER

This article describes the potential problems and principles inherent in developing a research component in a community - based consortium of long - term care providers and educational institutions. The Consortium for Gerontological Education in Long - term Care was designed to share educational resources among member institutions. In the last several years the Consortium has developed a collaborative research agenda and undertaken specific training in field research techniques. Meeting the needs of divergent members of the Consortium by introducing research that integrates students, academics, and health care providers working in the field is discussed in a way that clarifies the challenges as well as the success of the endeavor.

Grey glasses: sadness in young women.

Sadness as a developmental phenomenon in young women was discovered in a study designed to identify developmental transitions and the relationship of these transitions to mental health. Sadness is conceptualized as a pervasive feeling of disillusionment and unhappiness that influences the meaning of life events and decision-making. Field research and interpretive analysis techniques were used to observe, describe and analyse the life experiences of 25 volunteer participants. For most women in the study, sadness was found to be time-limited and perhaps had beneficial effects. Some women, however, were unable to resolve sadness and became depressed. Sadness can be an antecedent to depression. Sadness that is recognized and validated may facilitate reshaping of a woman's expectations, a form of cognitive restructuring. The transitional nature of sadness has important implications for women's mental health.

Apprenticing with the customer

article Free Access Share on Apprenticing with the customer Authors: Hugh R. Beyer View Profile , Karen Holtzblatt InContext Enterprises, Inc, 249 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA InContext Enterprises, Inc, 249 Ayer Road, Harvard, MAView Profile Authors Info & Claims Communications of the ACMVolume 38Issue 5May 1995 pp 45–52https://doi.org/10.1145/203356.203365Published:01 May 1995Publication History 105citation6,601DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations105Total Downloads6,601Last 12 Months787Last 6 weeks212 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my Alerts New Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteeReaderPDF

Folk Law: Essays in the Theory and Practice of "Lex Non Scripta"

In every culture there exists unwritten law obligations and prohibitions that are understood and passed on, and transgressions that are punished. Folk Law, a comprehensive two-volume collection of essays, examines this meeting place of folklore and jurisprudence. The contributors explore the historical significance and implications of folk law, its continuing influence around the globe, and the conflicts that arise when folk law diverges from official law. The collection begins by defining various forms of folk law, drawing on examples from many cultures. The second section provides historical profiles of pioneering figures in the study of folk law. Following sections examine field research techniques used to identify folk laws; aspects of folk law within the realm of rituals, songs, and other forms of expressive culture; instances where folk law comes into conflict with national law, and the role of folk law in the international arena. The volumes also include description and analysis of two approaches to folk law the rule approach, in which scholars dissect the codes that underlie folk law, and the case approach, in which researchers examine specific cases involving folk law. Valuable for students and scholars of law, folklore, or anthropology, this extensive casebook marks a rare interdisciplinary approach to two important areas of research.

THE ACTIVE WORKER

Both management and neo-Marxist theories of the workplace conceptualize workers as anesthetized. Workers are considered either as objects to be manipulated by managers or as reactive beings whose behavior and consciousness are determined by capitalist social structure. The conceptual recognition of workers' autonomous behaviors is typically limited to either a condemnation of foot-dragging (for those with a management viewpoint) or a glorification of resistance (for those with a more radical viewpoint). However, workers are active on their own terms and as motivated by their own agendas. These agendas are much more diverse than those theoretically allowed them by management theory or radical social science theory and include both compliance and resistance as well as autonomous creative effort to structure their own work. The author uses field research techniques to develop a model of workers' behaviors that puts workers' own agendas at the fore. It was found that the struggle for control of work is a central focus for workers, but this struggle occurs as frequently against co-workers as against management. A more active model of workers' behaviors suggests new directions for research and theoretical development.

The hybrid model for concept development

Schwartz-Barcott and Kim's hybrid model is used as a research methodology for the development and analysis of the concept of therapeutic alliance. Empirical data gathered in a community health setting by field research techniques are used to compare, to contrast, and to rework existing definitions and related concepts from literature review. The resulting definitional refinement provides clear distinctions between the concepts of compliance and therapeutic alliance and assists in selection of appropriate nursing interventions supportive of clients' health goals.

Seven experiences with contextual field research

Contextual field research is a growing area of interest in human-computer interaction. At the CHI '88 conference, Karen Holtzblatt, Sandy Jones, and myself hosted a Special Interest Group on "Field Research Techniques for Building Usable Products." This overview of seven different experiences with contextual field research techniques grew out of the network we established at the conference.These contributions show a wide range of experience with contextual field research, including its use in academic research and the design of diverse computer products. We hope that this snapshot of contextual field work in mid-1988 may excite your curiosity about what may be possible from this perspective, currently out of the mainstream of human-computer interaction research. The bibliography at the end of this article includes sources for more information on contextual methods, as well as references from the individual contributions.