Mixed Evaluation Method Research Articles

An investment decision framework for photovoltaic power coupling hydrogen storage project based on a mixed evaluation method under intuitionistic fuzzy environment

Abstract The photovoltaic power coupling hydrogen storage (PVPCHS) system has been considerably valued due to the solar curtailment phenomenon as well as the long-term and large-scale energy storage characteristic of hydrogen energy. And the investment decision of PVPCHS project is a novel multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem, thus it is necessary to establish a decision framework considering the characteristics of PVPCHS project. First, the criteria system that includes resource, economy, environmental and social aspects is established. Second, in consideration of the uncertainty in the decision-making process, this paper applies the TIFN-fuzzy DEMATEL method to the weight determination stage and employs the TIFN-fuzzy TODIM method to rank the alternative PVPCHS projects. Finally, a case study in Inner Mongolia of China is executed to prove the validity of the hybrid evaluation method. The results indicate that the scheme A3 located in Hohhot possesses the best comprehensive performance. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis reveals the necessity to set up diverse scenarios based on the individual demands of decision makers. Meanwhile, the comparative analysis results show the exceptional applicability of the hybrid evaluation method. This paper can not only be adopted by investors to make decisions, but also be referred by further investigators.

Study on Task Assignment of Two-stage Multi-service Capability Port Logistics Service Providers

This paper mainly studies the problem of multi-task assignment of providers in port logistics service supply chain. As a core enterprise, port plays the role of logistics service integrator.With the continuous development of industrial integration, logistics service providers not only provide one kind of logistics service, but also develop into composite suppliers who capable of providing a variety of logistics services . This paper studies the task assignment problem of multi-service capability providers in the port logistics service supply chain. The two-stage logistics service provider task assignment model was built ,which is based on the mixed evaluation method (including MOORA and FMEA) and the multi-objective planning method. Eventually, the effectiveness of the model method was verified by combining with an example.

Assessing the performance of indicators during their life cycle: the mixed QUID method.

Quality indicators (QI) are mandatory in French hospitals. After a decade of use, the Ministry of Health set up an expert workgroup to enhance informed decision-making regarding currently used national QI, i.e. to propose a decision of withdrawing, revising or continuing their use. We report the development of an integrated method for a comprehensive appraisal of quality/safety indicators (QI) during their life cycle, for three purposes, quality improvement, public disclosure and regulation purposes. The method was tested on 10 national QI on use for up to 10 years to identify operational issues. A modified Delphi technique to select relevant criteria and a development of a mixed evaluation method by the workgroup. A 'real-life' test on 10 national QI. Twelve criteria were selected for the appraisal of QI used for regulation goals, 11 were selected for hospital improvement and seven for public disclosure. The perceived feasibility and relevance were studied including hospital workers, patients and health authorities professionals; the scientific soundness of the indicator development phase was reviewed by analyzing reference documents; the metrological performance (limited to the discriminatory power and dynamics of change during the life cycle dimensions) was analyzed on the national datasets.Applied to the 10 QI, the workgroup proposed to withdraw four of them and to modify or suspend the six others. The value of the method was supported by the clear-cut conclusions and endorsement of the proposed decisions by the health authorities.

Hybrid Evaluation Method for Dispatching Control Level of Smart Distribution Network

Smart distribution network (SDN) is an important part of smart grid (SG), and its dispatching control level is closely related to the safety and reliability of power system. In order to comprehensively and systematically evaluate the dispatching and control level of smart distribution network, this paper constructs an evaluation index system based on the considerations of reliability, economy, effectiveness, adaptability and cleanness. Taking into account the disadvantages of subjective weighting methods and the objective weighting methods, this paper puts forward a kind of subjective and objective mixed evaluation method for dispatching control level of SDN. In view of the great influence of expert opinions of subjective weighting method and the high data dependence of objective weighting method, the binomial coefficient method of subjective weighting is combined with the multi-objective programming method of objective weighting to give weight to each index in the comprehensive evaluation index system of dispatching control level of SDN. Case studies verify the proposed method has great significance to the evaluation of the dispatching control level of SDN. It can effectively evaluate the dispatching level of SDN and provide a reference for the improvement of the dispatching control level of SDN.

A transcultural health education programme led by immigrant adolescents in Southern Spain

Immigration to western countries is a relevant phenomenon that has been linked to health inequalities. One form of inequality is ethnocentrism in health programmes. Therefore, social innovations and a new transcultural approach have been developed to culturally adapt health education interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a double transcultural health intervention, the Leader Adolescents in Transcultural Health Education (LATES) Project, which is led by high school immigrant adolescents over elementary students of multicultural contexts in southeastern Spain. This double quasi-experimental study had experimental and control groups composed of secondary students (12 health cultural brokers with 36 controls) and elementary students (26 participant students and 26 controls). The LATES Project was delivered to two high schools and two elementary schools in Almeria (Spain). A mixed evaluation method was used. Six attitudinal scales were used pre- and post-intervention to collect the data. The quantitative evaluation was completed using qualitative techniques through in-depth interviews and focal groups. Four sociocultural gradients were identified pre-intervention: a positive rural gradient, a negative gender gradient except in traditional 'female' dimensions, a negative age gradient and a dual migrant gradient that combined the health migrant effect in some behaviours and westernization in others. Specifically, the Moroccan population demonstrated better attitudes towards eating and physical activity behaviours. After the intervention, the experimental groups showed more improvement than the controls. However, the attitudinal scale increment is modest compared with the knowledge and motivation improvements. This intervention, which used a transcultural approach, has benefited young Spaniards to a greater extent than immigrants, probably due to the worse initial health conditions of the Spanish.

Evaluación del componente nutricional del Programa Buen Comienzo de Medellín

Antecedents: Nutrition programs in Colombia have evolved in parallel with the prevailing economic and political models in every age. At the same time, the methods to program evaluation have changed over time, resulting in quantitative, qualitative or mixed approaches. The city of Medellin in 2004 implemented the social Program “Buen Comienzo” in order to provide comprehensive care to children from gestation to age five. Objective: Carried out an assessment to evaluate the structure, process and results of the children Program “Buen Comienzo” of the municipal government in Medellin. Materials and Methods: This study conducted an evaluation of the nutritional component of the social Program Buen Comienzo using a mixed evaluation method by combining three dimensions: structure, process and outcomes with triangulation methods. Results: The results show the relevance of the food supply for all actors, the changing eating habits produced by the program not only on children but also their families and the impact on the nutritional status of children attending the program; results also point out the need of the program to provide better tools to educators to develop daily activities. Conclusions: The evaluation showed that children who attend the program positively change their dietary habits, acquire skills and routines that promote their health and nutritional status, extending those changes to families.

Using Mixed Methods in Health Information Technology Evaluation.

With the increasing adoption of interactive systems in healthcare, there is a need to ensure that the benefits of such systems are formally evaluated. Traditionally quantitative research approaches have been used to gather evidence on measurable outcomes of health technology. Qualitative approaches have also been used to analyze how or why particular interventions did or did not work in specific healthcare contexts. Mixed methods research provides a framework for carrying out both quantitative and qualitative approaches within a single research study. In this paper an international group of four informatics scholars illustrate some of the benefits and challenges of using mixed methods in evaluation. The diversity of the research experience provides a broad overview of approaches in combining robust analysis of outcome data with qualitative methods that provide an understanding of the processes through which, and the contexts in which, those outcomes are achieved. This paper discussed the benefits that mixed methods brought to each study.

Mixed Methods and Credibility of Evidence in Evaluation

AbstractWe argue for a view of credible evidence that is multidimensional in philosophical and methodological terms. We advocate for the importance of deepening the meaning of credible evaluation practice and findings by bringing multiple philosophical and theoretical lenses to the evaluation process as a basis for the use of mixed methods in evaluation, thus providing evaluators with strategies for garnering more complex and diverse perspectives on the creation of credible evidence. ©Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.

Applying mixed methods in evaluation of a community prevention project: reflections on strengths and challenges

Aims In this study we report on experiences with applying mixed methods in an evaluation study and present reflections on strengths and challenges in this respect. What was done in order to integrate qualitative and quantitative methods? What were the main benefits? What kinds of difficulties were encountered. Methods The study is a case report based on the researchers’ own experiences from applying qualitative process evaluation and quantitative effect evaluation in a comprehensive evaluation of a complex community prevention project. Results Findings from qualitative methods were used to initiate further effect evaluation (sequential integration) and to support and explain findings from the effect evaluation (simultaneous integration). The main benefits were a more nuanced and comprehensive evaluation integrated into a common evaluation report. The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods presented a number of challenges, particularly in integrating the analyses and writing a common report, due to significant differences in research traditions. Conclusion The use of mixed methods in this evaluation study was very useful and necessary, particularly to explain the findings and to provide information for future prevention projects. However, essential differences between process evaluation and effect evaluation presented challenges.

Tribhuvan University certificate nursing curriculum

Introduction: A Nepalese certificate of nursing curriculum was developed in 1977 and has been used since with a few revisions. There has been open debate about continuing gaps between theory, as expressed in the curriculum, and practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this 3-year undergraduate curriculum, and to draw general lessons, which might help to develop appropriate strategies to improve nursing education in Nepal. Methods: A mixed evaluation method was used consisting of reviews of current curriculum theories/ models, and interviews with nursing students (15) and nursing tutors (10). Results: Both students and tutors were generally positive about the curriculum and its intended learning outcomes. While reviewing the existing curriculum, analysis revealed that there was limited use of curriculum theories and models. Conclusions: There is a need to focus more on the development of abilities related to evidence-based learning. Selection of appropriate teaching-learning methodologies in response to the growing needs of students and professionals, development of learning strategies to reduce the gap between educational theories and nursing practice, in line with a humanistic paradigm in nursing education is important. Keywords: Curriculum evaluation, Nepal, nurses, nursing education. DOI: 10.3126/joim.v31i3.2997 Journal of Institute of Medicine, December, 2009; 31(3) 46-55

Combining qualitative evaluation and social network analysis for the study of classroom social interactions

Studying and evaluating real experiences that promote active and collaborative learning is a crucial field in CSCL. Major issues that remain unsolved deal with the merging of qualitative and quantitative methods and data, especially in educational settings that involve both physical and computer-supported collaboration. In this paper we present a mixed evaluation method that combines traditional sources of data with computer logs, and integrates quantitative statistics, qualitative data analysis and social network analysis in an overall interpretative approach. Several computer tools have been developed to assist in this process, integrated with generic software for qualitative analysis. The evaluation method and tools have been incrementally applied and validated in the context of an educational and research project that has been going on during the last three years. The use of the method is illustrated in this paper by an example consisting of the evaluation of a particular category within this project. The proposed method and tools aim at giving an answer to the need of innovative techniques for the study of new forms of interaction emerging in CSCL; at increasing the efficiency of the traditionally demanding qualitative methods, so that they can be used by teachers in curriculum-based experiences; and at the definition of a set of guidelines for bridging different data sources and analysis perspectives.

Tribhuvan University certificate nursing curriculum

Introduction: A Nepalese certificate of nursing curriculum was developed in 1977 and has been used since with a few revisions. There has been open debate about continuing gaps between theory, as expressed in the curriculum, and practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this 3-year undergraduate curriculum, and to draw general lessons, which might help to develop appropriate strategies to improve nursing education in Nepal. Methods: A mixed evaluation method was used consisting of reviews of current curriculum theories/ models, and interviews with nursing students (15) and nursing tutors (10). Results: Both students and tutors were generally positive about the curriculum and its intended learning outcomes. While reviewing the existing curriculum, analysis revealed that there was limited use of curriculum theories and models. Conclusions: There is a need to focus more on the development of abilities related to evidence-based learning. Selection of appropriate teaching-learning methodologies in response to the growing needs of students and professionals, development of learning strategies to reduce the gap between educational theories and nursing practice, in line with a humanistic paradigm in nursing education is important. Keywords: Curriculum evaluation, Nepal, nurses, nursing education. DOI: 10.3126/joim.v31i3.2997 Journal of Institute of Medicine, December, 2009; 31(3) 46-55