Goal-oriented Research Articles

Mission Reliability Modeling and Analysis Methods for Reconfigurable Ship Electronic Information Systems

With the increasing intensity of ship missions, the mission reliability requirements of various ship systems are getting higher. Especially the new reconfigurable ship electronic information systems, which have the characteristics of resource sharing and reuse, function reconfiguration on demand, software and hardware loose coupling, and business integration, etc., is difficult to be taken into account by traditional reliability design and analysis methods. Therefore, it is imperative to design a reliability modeling and analysis method with careful consideration and strong applicability. Taking the new reconfigurable ship electronic information system as the research subject, this paper firstly adopts the architecture analysis and design language (AADL) to establish a reliability model from three perspectives, namely, system structure, system behavior, and failure impact; then, a model of mission reliability allocation under multiple constraints is developed and solved using the hybrid algorithm of Slime Mode Optimization Differential Evolution (SMA-DE) based on the optimal allocation model of reliability; next, a method for analyzing the mission reliability of ship electronic information systems based on the Goal Oriented (GO) method is proposed, and based on the state probability algorithm therein, a correction algorithm oriented to the co-causal failure modes is derived to realize the quantitative calculation of the mission reliability of ship electronic information systems; finally, an application validation was performed in conjunction with a typical ship electronic information system task. The results show that the method proposed in this study can successfully achieve the mission reliability allocation as well as quantitative analysis of reconfigurable ship electronic information systems under multi-mission requirements.

Mentor teachers’ achievement goal orientations for mentoring during the practicum

ABSTRACT Teachers’ varied goal orientations meaningfully explain differences in their behaviour and cognition. Achievement goal orientation theory (GOT) provides a valuable theoretical framework for understanding teacher motivation. However, GOT has not yet been applied in the context of mentoring student teachers during the practicum. This study explores the use of GOT and describes mentor teachers’ motivations during the school practicum. For this, we analyse semi-structured interviews with 23 Austrian mentor teachers using qualitative structuring-content analysis. Results show that within the mentoring context it is important to differentiate between self- and other-oriented goal orientations. Mentor teachers are strongly mastery and relational goal oriented, while ability-avoidance and work-avoidance goals are less prominent. Overall, the findings demonstrate GOT’s value in understanding mentor teachers’ motivations. Implications are offered as an avenue for future research.

A new reliability analysis method for software‐intensive systems with degradation accumulation effect based on goal oriented methodology

AbstractSystem reliability directly affects the realization of software‐intensive system functions, which rely on both hardware and software. The operating status of hardware and software affect each other, and the continuous accumulation of their degraded performances will accelerate the occurrence of failures. However, the interaction relationship between hardware and software is often overlooked in most current research. In this paper, a new reliability analysis method is proposed for multi‐state software‐intensive systems with degradation accumulation effect and information transmission attenuation based on goal oriented (GO) methodology. First, a new function GO operator is created, and its operation formula is derived with the aid of Markov process theory. To quantify the impact of degradation accumulation on availability, non‐negative constant and random variable critical thresholds are set for the degradation state. Then, an effective optical power loss model is established to analyze the reliability of information transmission in the presence of attenuation. Next, the reliability analysis framework for multi‐state software‐intensive system is established based on the GO method. Finally, the proposed reliability analysis method is applied to the example of meter and decameter wavelength radio heliograph to demonstrate the applicability and feasibility of our work. The proposed model provides a more accurate reflection of the system reliability under actual operating conditions.

Valuation of travel time

This study examines the valuation and use of the transit time leg of a tourism journey. The transit leg of a trip may be perceived as the core component of the trip, an intrinsic part that is valued more or less the same as being at the destination or a chore that must be completed in order to get to the destination. The valuation of transit time is subtle and nuanced and reflects whether the person undertaking the trip has a goal or process orientation. This study develops a conceptual model showing the continuum between process and goal oriented tourists.

Job search in a difficult labour market: linking goal orientation to job search strategies and outcomes with the moderating role of self-control.

This study addresses how goal orientation relates to different job search strategies to increase the chance of finding employment and quality jobs. We integrate the goal orientation theory with self-control to examine how the orientation of goals (i.e., performance-prove goal orientation (PPGO), performance-avoid goal orientation (PAGO) and learning goal orientation (LGO)) are associated with job search strategies (i.e., Focused Job Search Strategy- FJSS, Exploratory Job Search Strategy-EJSS, and Haphazard Job Search Strategy-HJSS) and how self-control moderates the process. In a three-wave study (nT1= 859; nT2 = 720; nT3 = 418), the hypotheses were tested using unemployed job seekers in Ghana. The results from the structural equation model show that learning goal oriented job seekers were inclined to search more focused and exploratory but engaged in less haphazard search. While PPGO facilitated EJSS, job seekers with PAGO searched more haphazardly but their search behaviour was less focused and exploratory. In addition, EJSS contributed to attending more job interviews, but HJSS decreased the chance of obtaining job interviews. Also, the interviews attended were associated with job offered, which in turn led to obtaining employment. Both FJSS and EJSS were related to employment quality but HJSS decreased employment quality. Interestingly, individual differences in self-control were found to moderate the relation between goal orientation and job search strategy. The use of EJSS was found to be more beneficial in difficult labour markets.

Reliability Optimization Design of Diesel Engine System Based on the GO Method

A reliability optimization design method based on the goal-oriented (GO) method is proposed in this study to tackle the problem of engine reliability optimization design. This proposed method considers a V-type diesel engine as the research object. Firstly, the reliability modeling and evaluation of diesel engines are conducted by the GO method. Secondly, the functional reliability is assigned according to the difference in diesel engine function. Finally, a three-objective diesel reliability optimization design model is constructed with the optimization objectives of maximizing robustness and reliability and minimizing cost. Then, an NSGA-II-PSO hybrid algorithm based on the GO method is designed to handle the problem, and the design interval of unit reliability is obtained. The results of the case study demonstrate that this method not only meets the requirements of reliability design but also achieves the purpose of reliability optimization design, providing a reference for other types of equipment.

Goal-Oriented Communications for the IoT and Application to Data Compression

Internet of Things (IoT) devices will play an important role in emerging applications, since their sensing, actuation, processing, and wireless communication capabilities stimulate data collection, transmission and decision processes of smart applications. However, new challenges arise from the widespread popularity of IoT devices, including the need for processing more complicated data structures and high dimensional data/signals. The unprecedented volume, heterogeneity, and velocity of IoT data calls for a communication paradigm shift from a search for accuracy or fidelity to semantics extraction and goal accomplishment. In this paper, we provide a partial but insightful overview of recent research efforts in this newly formed area of goal-oriented (GO) and semantic communications, focusing on the problem of GO data compression for IoT applications.

Failure analysis of repairable systems with k-out-of-m configuration considering with common cause failure and maintenance correlation based on goal oriented method

System reliability directly affects the application of Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) technology. This paper proposed a new Goal Oriented (GO) methodology for failure probability analysis of repairable systems with the Common Cause Failure (CCF) and maintenance correlation (MC). It should be noted that the considered repariable systems in this study are k-out-of-m configuration. Firstly, an improved GO algorithm solving the CCF is elaborated. Second, a failure analysis framework for repairable systems taken into account of CCF and MC is developed based on Markov theory. Finally, the new GO methodology is applied in analysising the dynamic unavailability of Hydraulic Oil Supply System (HOSS) of heavy vehicles. Comparisons with two traditional methods indicated that the proposed methodology provides higher efficiency. Furthermore, this work can widen the application of GO methodology.

Profesyonel Kadın Hentbol Sporcularının Hedef Yönelimi ve Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Becerilerinin Bazı Değişkenlere Göre İncelenmesi

Bu çalışmada, Kadın Süper Lig hentbolcularının zihinsel dayanıklılık ve hedef yönelimi becerilerinin bazı değişkenlere göre incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu değişkenler sporcuların oynadıkları mevkiler ve spor yaşları olarak belirlenmiştir. Takım oyunu olan hentbol için bireyde ego ve görev yönelimi düzeyinin oldukça önemli olduğundan; sporcunun kendisi mi yoksa takımı için mi mücadele ettiğini belirlemek öncelikli amaçlarımızdandır. Bunun yanı sıra tempolu, uzun süre oynanan ve sert bir spor olan hentbol için anlık gelişen durumlar karşısında problem ile başa çıkma, fiziksel-zihinsel olarak dayanıklı kalabilmekte oldukça önemlidir. Araştırma örneklemini 2020-2021 sezonu içerisinde toplam 147 kadın süper lig hentbol sporcusu oluşturmuştur. Kişisel bilgi formunda çalışmaya katılan sporcuların mevkileri ve spor yaşına yönelik bilgi toplanmıştır. İkinci bölümünde “Sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Envanteri” ve “Sporda Görev ve Ego Yönelimi Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Anketlerde değişkenler arası karşılaştırmalarda ve elde edilen verilerin analizinde SPSS paket programından Tek Yönlü Varyans Analizi tekniği kullanılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda hedef yönelimleri düzeyinde tecrübeli diye adlandırabileceğimiz spor yaşı yüksek olan hentbol oyuncularının, spor yaşı daha düşük olanlara göre daha görev yönelimli oldukları saptanmıştır. Aynı zamanda katılımcıların spor yaşlarının arttıkça zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeylerinin de arttığı gözlemlenirken mevki değişkenine göre her iki parametre adına anlamlı farklılıklara rastlanmamıştır.

Anxiety level of mastery and performance avoid goal oriented EAP learners: The effect of teacher supportive motivational discourse

This study attempts to investigate whether there is any significant difference between the anxiety level of mastery avoidance-oriented English for Academic purpose (EAP) students and their performance avoidance-oriented counterparts based on their teacher’s supportive motivational discourse during instruction. It also explores the perception of EAP students of the influence of this intervention. This study employs a mix-method design. In the first phase, EAP students were recruited through convenience sampling and then placed into one control (n = 31) and two experimental groups (n = 34 for mastery-avoidance and n = 34 for performance-avoidance). The anxiety levels of both groups were measured using a questionnaire before and after a ten-week treatment. In the second phase, to understand the experimental group’s perceptions of the intervention, 20 participants were interviewed, and 10 were selected for stimulated recall interviews. Non-parametric ANCOVA and posthoc comparison tests showed that the mean levels of anxiety in experimental groups were significantly lower compared to that of the comparison group. However, the teacher’s supportive motivational discourse had a stronger influence on the reduction of the mastery-avoidance group’s anxiety. Content analysis of qualitative data also showed that this intervention increased learners’ emotional engagement and self-actualization. This is the first causal study investigating the effect of the teacher’s supportive motivational discourse on the anxiety of EAP students with mastery and performance-avoidance goal orientation. The implications of teachers’ supportive motivational discourse for improving the delivery of lessons in language education are discussed.

Effects of Verbal Encouragement and Performance Feedback on Physical Fitness in Young Adults

This study evaluates the effects on the performance of young adults undergoing physical fitness tests with external stimuli (verbal encouragement (VE), performance feedback (PF), goal-oriented (GO) and a combination of external stimuli (CS)) and without external stimuli (WS). A group of 432 male students (age 19.1 ± 2.1 y, BMI 24.72 ± 5.97) was randomly selected for this study. They underwent a battery of fitness tests (bench press, 10 and 30 m sprints, and vertical jump) with and without external stimuli. The results showed greater improvements in mean power in bench press after PF compared to attempts WS (14.93 W, 3.43%, p = 0.005), and after CS compared to WS (13.84 W, 3.18%, p = 0.015). The time in the 10 and 30 m sprints decreased more profoundly after a combination of VE and GO compared to WS (0.021 s, 1.07%, p = 0.000 and 0.06 s, 1.23%, p = 0.001, respectively) and after CS compared to VE (0.015 s, 0.76%, p = 0.004 and 0.074 s, 1.52%, p = 0.000, respectively). Furthermore, the height of the jump improved more after VE than WS (1.36 cm, 5.46%, p = 0.000), after CS than WS (1.94 cm, 7.79%, p = 0.000), and after CS than VE stimulus (0.58 cm, 2.21%, p = 0.000). These findings indicate that external stimuli and their combination are more effective for achieving better results in physical fitness tests than without external stimuli. Therefore, practitioners should use verbal encouragement, performance feedback, goal-oriented stimuli, and their combinations during physical fitness testing in physical education classes in order to enable their students to achieve a better performance.

Research of Determining Low-Reliability Elements of Multiple-Flows Compressed Air Braking System Based on Goal-Oriented (GO) Methodology

The multi-flows pneumatic braking system is one of the modern braking systems equipped with truck vehicles which is a very complex system consisting of many elements connected in series or parallel. The reliability of the braking system has a significant influence on safety and the ability to manoeuvre. The study of identifying low-reliability elements in the brake system is of great significance to improve the efficiency of maintenance and repair. This article shows the research results that determine low-reliability elements of the multi-flows pneumatic brake system based on GO methodology, and allow to examine each element's reliability and the complex system. The reliability assessment model is built based on GO theory and statistics data collected at the used units about the frequency of damage, ability, and time to repair and restore the assemblies in the brake system. By using this model, the reliability of the assemblies and the whole system can be determined at any point in time relative to the actual operating time of the brake system. The article's research results can be applied for surveying other components’ reliability and complex systems such as steering or suspension systems.

Reliability Analysis of C4ISR Systems Based on Goal-Oriented Methodology

Hard-and-software integrated systems such as command and control systems (C4ISR systems) are typical systems that are comprised of both software and hardware, the failures of such devices result from complicated common cause failures and common (or shared) signals that make classical reliability analysis methods will be not applicable. To this end, this paper applies the Goal-Oriented (GO) methodology to detailed analyze the reliability of a C4ISR system. The reliability as well as the failure probability of the C4ISR system, are reached based on the GO model constructed. At the component level, the reliability of units of the C4ISR system is computed. Importance analysis of failures of such a system is completed by the qualitative analysis capability of the GO model, by which critical failures of hardware failures like communication module failures and motherboard module failures as well as software failures like network module application software failures and decompression module software failures are ascertained. This method of this paper contributes to the reliability analysis of all hard-and-software integrated systems.

Role of Academic Self-Handicapping and Self-Regulated Learning Strategies in Mastery Goal Orientation among Adolescents

The present study attempted to investigate the role of academic self-handicapping and self-regulated learning strategies in mastery goal orientation among adolescents. The sample comprised of 550 school students (age range =14-16years). Instruments namely Self-Handicapping Scale (Jones & Rhodewalt, 1982), Self-Regulation Inventory (Cleary & Platten, 2013), and Achievement Goals Questionnaire-Revised(Elliot & Murayama, 2008) were used. It has been found that self-handicapping wasnegatively associated with self-regulated learning strategies and mastery goal orientation; whereas self-regulated learning strategies was positively linked with mastery goal orientation. In addition, it has been found thatgirls displayedless self-handicapping behavior and more self-regulated and better goal oriented behavior as comparedto boys. Demographic group differences showed that adolescents enrolled in private schools with higher maternal education were less engaged in self-handicapping behaviorand more self-regulated and achievement goal oriented as comparedto government school students. However, significant differences were found on paternal education in relation to mastery goal orientation only.

Reliability analysis method for redundancy systems based on GO methodology and the universal generation function

In this study, Goal-Oriented (GO) methodology, as an important technique for reliability analysis, is used in multi-state redundancy systems. However, traditional GO operation is usually not sufficiently effective for such multi-state redundancy systems because of the complex computational problem. To solve this problem, an efficient UGF-based GO operation that combines the advantages of GO methodology and the universal generation function (UGF) is proposed. The algorithm can avoid the complex calculation process caused by the algorithm-based GO operation of traditional probability formulas, and can simplify the correction of the shared signal by regarding it as the system’s conditional probability. In addition, the further correction problem in which some dependent shared signals with a common failure are caused by other shared signals is also considered. Some application examples are presented to illustrate the proposed UGF-based GO methodology, as well as its effectiveness and practicability.

Willingness to information security as a function of personality characteristics and threat assessment among adolescents

PurposeThe study focuses on adolescents and the influence the big five great personality traits – extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experiences and conscientiousness – on self-disclosure. These personality traits, combined with the ability to cope with stress, determine the degree of threat felt by an individual towards their information, their evaluation of their personal ability to keep their information secure, and their willingness to secure information.Design/methodology/approachFive questionnaires relating to the big five personality traits, self-disclosure, cognitive assessment, self-efficacy and IS awareness were distributed among 157 adolescents.FindingsReadiness for IS. Furthermore, the study showed that the more ostentatiousness, agreeable, goal oriented and open the subjects are, the lower they will evaluate the threat to their information. A relationship was also revealed between the subjects' agreeableness, goal orientation and their information threat assessment. It was also found that the more extroverted, agreeable, conscientious and the more inclined to self-disclosure, the higher they evaluate their self-ability to handle threats to their information.Originality/valueFor IS behavior to become second nature to adolescents they must first be educated and trained to do so. Knowing what motivates them and, on the other hand, what hinders them, to practice IS can help build training models for teachers which may be adapted according to their personal traits, thus getting the most out of such programs.

Correlation among Wearing Masks Because of COVID-19, Makeup Satisfaction and Goal-oriented Attitude

Correlation among Wearing Masks Because of COVID-19, Makeup Satisfaction and Goal-oriented Attitude

How to construct corporate identity and reputation. Is the ‘about us’ page a micro-genre?

Multimodal resources and digital multimedia technologies have been modifying and remodelling social practices in any field over the last decades. In business communication, histories of business, corporate vision and mission are today instantiated by the ‘About Us’ webpage, a sort of multimodal self-portrait or short autobiography created by the company itself. From a discursive perspective, this webpage typology has always been disregarded if compared with the crucial role played by the homepage that, according to the Usability guidelines, is to present the company, its business and market value. Only recently, web marketers have focused on the strategic function the undervalued ‘About Us’ page fulfils. It has revealed itself to be a goal-oriented sales page which focuses on highlighting the most relevant credentials of a company, its brand, and on making a strong impression on potential customers. Its aim is to remodel practices of Self presentation into practices of Self branding and this process takes place thanks to the co-deployment of different semiotic resources which, in turn, make use of different digital media technologies. This contribution will show how the specialized discourses of marketing and branding are translated, or rather transducted, into multimodal artefacts, the corporate ‘About Us’ pages, and how persuasive discursive strategies are embedded in a well-defined digital text pattern. Through the analysis of a small sample of corporate ‘About Us’ pages, we will demonstrate that these pages are the loci where business reputation and corporate identity can be constructed more effectively.

AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST COLLEGE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION CLOTHING AND TEXTILES CURRICULUM IN THE MIDDLE ZONE (ASHANTI & BRONG AHAFO REGIONS) OF GHANA

The study evaluated the implementation of clothing and textiles curriculum in the middle zone of Distance Education trainees of university of cape coast in Ghana. The objectives were to examine the teaching methods used by facilitators, investigate the mastery and competency level of trainees, elicit respondents’ suggestions to improve on the implementation of the clothing and textiles curriculum. The goal-oriented method was used. Trainees who were in their final year and their facilitators of eight study centers in the middle zone (Ashanti and Bono Regions). The purposive sampling technique was used to select 210 trainees and 8 facilitators for the study. Questionnaires and interviews were administered to collect data. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages. The results revealed that 50.4% of facilitators had worked between 6 and 10 years and most of them (87.5%) were senior tutors but lack in-service training. Only 12% of trainees had interest in clothing and textiles and 79% did not do vocational studies at diploma level. The least used methods of teaching were computer assisted instructions and practical work, and real objects and pictures were used. There is non-availability of laboratories and resources for practical work. About half (50%) of trainees were competent and had average to low level of comprehension of subject matter. For improvement, there is the need to provide laboratories and resources in the study centers for learning, facilitators change their methods of teaching to include practical work and CAI and radio/video recordings for trainees to access learning, sketches and assessment items in modules made learner centered or friendly. Other suggestions were sufficient time to complete the units in the modules and a shift from traditional to a blended or hybrid where online is blended with face to face and from exam based assessment to a more learner centered approach performance based assessment. Article visualizations:

The Relationship Between Perfectionism and Goal Orientation Among Gifted Students in the King Abdullah II School of Excellence

This study aimed to find out the relationship between Perfectionism and Goal Orientation among Gifted Students in the King Abdullah II School of Excellence. It also aimed at finding out if the relationship between Perfectionism and Goal Orientation is different according to the level of education and gender. To achieve the objectives of the study, Perfectionism and Goal Orientation scales were developed by the researchers. The sample of the study consisted of 184 students at seventh and eighth grades in the King Abdullah II School of Excellence. They were randomly stratified selected from the students population. The results of the study indicated that the level of Perfectionism among the gifted students was high, and the study showed that the level of the types of goal orientation was high, specifically Mastery goal oriented. The results also indicated there was no statistically significant difference at the significance level (α=0.05) in the strength of the correlation between Perfectionism and the types of goal orientation due to the level of education. The results also indicated there was no statistically significant difference at the significance level (α=0.05) in the strength of the correlation between Perfectionism and the types of Goal Orientation due to gender.