Frequency Of Data Collection Research Articles

A telemedicine transaction model.

The objective of this paper is to propose a telemedicine transaction model and a set of terms to facilitate communication between telemedicine researchers, program directors, and others. The model is described in terms of the sites, personnel, and events involved. Examples of real-time, store-and-forward, and physical referral transactions are depicted using the model. A hierarchy of information classes for collaboration studies is developed based on their relation to the frequency of data collection. Finally, a list of definitions is given to specify the terminology used. The model is suitable for most telemedicine systems, is useful in providing a common language for skilled telemedicine participants, and can be used in comparative evaluation studies.

The roles of patient and observer assessments in anti-emetic trials

The endpoints assessed by both patients and nurses were compared in three anti-emetic studies. In a parallel subjects study, there was no significant difference between the patients' and nurses' assessment of the number of vomiting episodes, but the duration of vomiting, the severity and duration of nausea, and the side-effects of the anti-emetic were given higher scores by the nurses. In two cross-over studies, the patients recorded more vomiting episodes than the nurses, while the nurses recorded more anxiety and sedation than the patients. This resulted in the patients detecting a difference between the side-effects of the anti-emetics being compared that was not apparent from the nurses' forms. Many of the differences reflect differences in the timing and frequency of data collection. Nurses collected data regularly during the assessment period whereas patients reported their experiences only at the completion of 24 h. Both assessments provide useful perspectives on the study outcomes.

Startup Guide for Systems Engineering Metrics

AbstractGiven the financial constraints of today's business environment and the government thrust toward Total Quality Management (TQM), optimizing the systems engineering process is critical to economic success. The key to process improvement and optimization is regular cycles of planning, execution, measurement, evaluation and process revision. The purpose of this paper is to summarize a guide being prepared for NCOSE members to assist them in initiating a metrics program in their systems engineering organizations. This guide will address 1) the organizational motivations for a metrics program, 2) roles and responsibilities, 3) initiating a metrics program, 4) frequency and methods of data collection, 5) analysis of data, and 6) metrics databases. In addition, the guide will contain aids to a metrics program such as checklists, reference lists, and a list of NCOSE members willing to assist you in implementing a metrics program. Finally, the NCOSE Metrics Working Group hopes to supplement this with an appendix of lessons learned by other NCOSE members in their metrics programs.

Methodological review of ‘the incidence and prevalence of woman abuse in Canadian university and college dating relationships: Preliminary results from a national survey,’ by Walter S. DeKeseredy and Katharine Kelly

This essay reviews and assesses the methods used to conduct the National Study of Woman Abuse in University and College Dating Relationship. Funded by Health and Welfare Canada, Walter S. DeKeseredy and Katharine Kelly surveyed 1,835 females and 1,307 males in a stratified multi-stage cluster sample enrolled in University and College courses across the country in 1992. This essay examines the sampling design, reported response rates, data collection methods and frequency estimates of the study carried out by these two researchers in conjunction with the Institute for Social Research at York University. It is noted that while there are certain methodological difficulties associated with the study, these are problems that any survey of this type might encounter. The review of the methods suggests that while perfect surveys are not possible, good surveys are. The essay concludes with the observation that this survey should be qualified as the latter.

A study of the effects of trend, variability, frequency, and form of data on teachers' judgements about progress and their decisions about program change

Past research has demonstrated the influence of various factors on teachers' judgements about their students' progress. When graphed data are viewed, teachers tend to make different decisions depending upon the amount of data viewed and its trend. Current surveys of teachers' practices in data collection and decision-making indicate that teachers primarily collect training data which are examined in both graphed and ungraphed (response by response) forms to make weekly decisions about progress. In this study, 56 teachers of students with moderate to profound disabilities viewed task analytic data in one of three forms: graphed, ungraphed, or both forms. Teachers were asked to describe the progress and make a program recommendation for each student whose data they examined. Three repeated factors (trend, variability, and frequency of data collection) also were examined for their effect on the dependent variables and their interactions with data form and with each other. Results were in agreement with earlier research and further indicated that the form of the data did not produce different judgements or decisions. However, the three factors, trend, variability, and the frequency of data collection, all had significant main effects with teachers' descriptions about student progress and their program recommendations; several significant interactions among the factors also were found.

A study of the effects of frequency of probe data collection and graph characteristics on teachers' visual analysis

Teachers often rely on visual analysis of graphed student performance data to evaluate progress and make program decisions. However, because collecting data can be time consuming and interfere with instruction, teachers would like to know how much data is necessary to make reliable judgments. To investigate the effect of frequency of data collection on teacher's judgments and decisions, this study addressed the question of whether teachers' judgments differ according to frequency of data collection, whether teachers' judgments differ according to type of trend, and whether teachers' judgments based on different types of graphs vary with frequency of data collection. A set of 16 graphs of actual student performance data was analyzed by 59 teachers of students with moderate to profound handicaps. The data were analyzed by a two-factor repeated measures design, and results indicated that when asked to evaluate student performance, teachers' judgments tended to be consistent and accurate when the graphed data represented continous and systematic improvement in performance. However, when the data represented a decrease in performance, no change, or highly variable performance, judgments tended to differ by frequency. When asked to make program recommendations, teachers' judgments tended to differ by frequency for all types of trends.

Environmental monitoring and protection

The greatest potential of commercial satellites in the fields of environmental monitoring and protection lies in the collection of baseline information, the delineation of resources for management and protection, and the tracking of gradual changes in these resources. Agencies involved in these fields must still utilize information from ground-level surveys, photographs, and meteorological satellites and cannot yet rely only on commercial satellites. For practical use, all these data are often combined in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This paper highlights some of the advantages and limitations of existing commercial satellites in terms of recorded wavelengths, coverage and spatial resolution, and frequency of data collection. Case studies relating to the management of natural and semi- natural ecosystems illustrate some of the difficulties, and the future potential of commercial satellites in these broad fields.

Effects of Frequency of Data Collection and Graph Characteristics on Visual Inference

Though visual inference is the most frequently used procedure in the analysis of behavioral and performance data, accuracy and reliability continue to be of concern. This study addressed the questions of whether different trends on graphs produced different judgments, and whether different frequencies of data collection produced different judgments. Also addressed was the question of whether there was an interaction between trend and frequency that influenced judgments of student performance. Results indicate that judgments tend to be accurate and consistent when performance data represent systematic improvement, but when graphed data represent a decrease in performance, no change, or highly variable performance, judgments tend to differ by frequency.

Use of Monitor Observation Wells in the Monitoring and Evaluation of Oil Recovery Projects

SPE Member Abstract Monitor or observation wells have been used for a considerable time to provide early and/or discrete information about fluid movement within a formation. Most such wells have been used in conjunction with experimental enhanced oil recovery pilot projects. The inherently expensive and complex nature of such projects behooves the operator to obtain the necessary amount and type of information needed to evaluate and justify expansion of the recovery method. Monitor wells can provide specific quantitative data not usually obtainable from conventional injection or production wells and may allow midstream corrections to the recovery process. However, the cost and quality of such data must be weighed since monitor wells, per se, are not vital to the mechanics of the recovery process. Monitor wells have been used to obtain a variety of information in many different applications. However, they generally fall into one of two categories:when the wellbore is in communication with the formation for the purpose of obtaining fluid samples, measuring pressure, etc., andwhen the wellbore is isolated from the formation by electrically conductive or non-conductive casing, or by cement alone, for the purpose of traversing the zone of interest with conventional logs or making measurements at fixed depth locations. This paper describes various types of monitor wells that have been used and their selection for specific applications. Also discussed are well completion procedures including dual or multiple completions, the selection of well locations within the area of interest, and the frequency of sampling, logging or data collection. Numerous references are included. Introduction The first significant use of monitor wells probably coincides with the first appreciable field testing of enhanced oil recovery methods. Such recovery methods usually have a substantial time period between the initial injection of the recovery agent and a performance response at a producing well. The monitor well can provide an early indication of whether or not the recovery mechanism is working as planned. If different than expected, it is possible that, depending upon the nature of a detected occurrence, corrective procedural modifications could be made. Monitor well data can also be used to guide ongoing performance adjustments. RESERVOIR DEFINITION As is now well established, a detailed reservoir description is necessary to properly design an enhanced oil recovery project. As noted earlier, monitor wells can be used to provide information and guidance early in the life of a project, and also provide performance data at intermediate reservoir positions. The utility of such information will be maximized if reliable reservoir data exists for monitor well locations. Ideally, each well should be cored using coring procedures to minimize core flushing or alteration, including minimizing drilling fluid/formation pressure differentials. Whole core analyses should be specified where clay or shale laminae are present. Vertical permeability measurements should be included so that the likelihood of vertical fluid movement in the monitor well vicinity can be assessed. Special core analyses for determining cementation factors and saturation exponents should be considered for log derived saturation determinations. P. 425^

The effect of frequency of testing upon the measurement of achievement in an intensive time‐series design

AbstractProgress in the development of an intensive time‐series design for use in classroom situations has raised several questions regarding the validity of the data obtained. One such question is related to the effect of frequency of testing upon the data. This study was designed to determine the presence of such an effect. Use of the design with eighth grade students studying a unit on crustal evolution indicated that the frequency of data collection did not adversely affect student attitudes toward the science class nor did it have any measurable effect upon class achievement data. The results of a previous study were also replicated, giving increased confidence in the validity of the data yielded by the intensive time‐series design as used in these studies.

Computer Mapping of Family Planning Need and Services

Computers are being used to plot the spatial distribution of the population in need of services and those currently receiving services from Georgias family planning programs. A Fortran computer program costing about $400 uses 5 graduations of shading to show proportions of active contraceptors. Each user supplies a data deck with map coordinates which can be digitized for about $250 for a state with 100 counties. By calculating contraceptors monthly the program activity in each county can be determined to show areas of stable high performance and those areas which need to improve their family planning services. The spatial distribution according to services rendered can be mapped at intervals depending on frequency of data collection.