Multiple Communication Strategies Research Articles

Modeling Non-Cooperative Dialogue: Theoretical and Empirical Insights

Abstract Investigating cooperativity of interlocutors is central in studying pragmatics of dialogue. Models of conversation that only assume cooperative agents fail to explain the dynamics of strategic conversations. Thus, we investigate the ability of agents to identify non-cooperative interlocutors while completing a concurrent visual-dialogue task. Within this novel setting, we study the optimality of communication strategies for achieving this multi-task objective. We use the tools of learning theory to develop a theoretical model for identifying non-cooperative interlocutors and apply this theory to analyze different communication strategies. We also introduce a corpus of non-cooperative conversations about images in the GuessWhat?! dataset proposed by De Vries et al. (2017). We use reinforcement learning to implement multiple communication strategies in this context and find that empirical results validate our theory.

PSII-B-23 Implementation of a design thinking approach to problem-based learning in an animal science capstone

The objective is to present a strategy for attainment of capstone course objectives using design thinking. Problem based learning has long been incorporated into STEM, and yet inclusion of a formalized design thinking strategy is a novel approach for student-led cooperative learning. Relevancy of content and potential student impact upon the industry was established via the inclusion of stakeholders representing state livestock commodity groups who, via Zoom, met with students to present an overview of challenges facing their respective industries. Students, working in teams, used these conversations to formulate complex problems as the basis of their design thinking process. Subsequent steps of convergent and divergent thinking and low and high-fidelity prototyping led to creation of prototype solutions, which were continuously revised based upon feedback received after deployment. Solutions were prepared for dissemination to varied audiences using multiple communication strategies. Students were required to develop a technical report, scientific poster, infographic, narrated video, and oral presentation. The necessary buy-in from instructors, guest lecturers, students, and stakeholders is significant and a potential challenge to be addressed from the onset of the course. Further, use of design thinking typically requires students to transition from traditional course delivery and assessments to real world situations in which they receive process guidance, but must develop problem solutions themselves. Students required both prompting and restraint to follow the design thinking process. Frequent and transparent communication are helpful in ameliorating student frustration. The student group dynamic was heavily influenced due to covid-19, as teams contained a mix of students physically attending classes and those working remotely. Preliminary feedback suggests that all students engaging remotely via a Zoom meeting helps to create a more equitable and productive working environment. In its first iteration, students are engaged in design thinking and achieving capstone course objectives on schedule.

Self-Reported Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Emergency Department Nurses, Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) have seen dramatic surges in patients infected with COVID-19 and are high-risk transmission environments. Knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) among ED health care workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been studied, thus this study examines this knowledge gap. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 308 HCWs in two urban EDs in Atlanta, Georgia in April and May of 2020. Results: We surveyed 308 HCWs; 137 responded (44% response rate). All HCWs reported adequate knowledge and 96% reported compliance with PPE guidelines. Reported sources of PPE information: 56.7% charge nurse, 67.3% the institutional COVID-19 website. Frequency of training was positively associated with understanding how to protect themselves and patients (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.9). Conclusions: Few HCWs are willing to care for patients without PPE, and therefore we should aim for resiliency in the PPE supply chain. EDs should consider multiple communication strategies, including a website with concise information and enhanced training for key personnel, particularly the charge nurse. Attention to frequency in HCW training may be key to improve confidence in protecting themselves and patients. Findings can be leveraged by EDs to implement effective PPE training.

Teaching communication strategies in China

Since English is now used as a Lingua Franca (ELF), it is important to explore how English learners may be trained to employ multiple Communication Strategies (CSs) to achieve mutual understanding, particularly in ELF contexts. This study explores which CSs were taught in recent years in China and how the teaching content is presented in domestic textbooks from an ELF perspective. Ten college English textbooks that were published in the past five years (2014–2019) were selected and evaluated based on an adapted framework of CSs. The findings revealed a notable inclination toward certain types of macro-strategies and were not systematically mapped out. Moreover, an initial effort in manifesting “cultural diversity” was observed but failed to construct intercultural contexts. Knowledge explanation as well as student-oriented exercises were found to be conducive in consolidating learners’ acquisition of forms. However, the function and context of the target CSs were neglected. Furthermore, an absence of sociocultural pragmatic concern resulted in a discrepancy between explicit knowledge explanation and context-based practice. Accordingly, this study suggests implications for both textbook writers and instructors in practice.

Delivering Bad News: Crisis Communication Methods in Academic Libraries

This exploratory study analyzed the specific crisis communication methods of academic libraries. A survey was sent to library staff at Association of Research Libraries member colleges and universities to describe if, who, when, and how they communicated bad news to their stakeholders for major, minor, and emerging crises. The findings show that respondents used multiple communication strategies, which varied based on the crisis. The data show that libraries communicated journal and database cancellations and health and safety emergencies more slowly than access issues and were more likely not to communicate those crises at all. Respondents also more frequently chose to communicate journal and database cancellations only when asked as compared to other crises. While access issues and health and safety emergencies were primarily communicated through social media and the library’s website, stakeholders received communication about journal and database cancellations primarily through targeted emails from library liaisons, face-to-face meetings with faculty, and the library’s website. These findings suggest that respondents communicated more quickly for minor crises but were more hesitant for crises that may have presented the potential for reputational harm. The varied responses between crisis types often conflicted with best practices for whether to deliver bad news and, if so, when and by whom. These findings indicate a need for academic libraries to develop comprehensive crisis communication plans that emphasize timeliness and transparency.

Successful programmatic approaches to facilitating IUD uptake: CARE\u2019s experience in DRC

BackgroundAchieving the unfinished agenda towards sexual and reproductive health and rights requires overcoming remaining barriers to contraceptive uptake, which can be method-specific. Women’s uptake of the IUD is poor across sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this paper is to identify the reasons for comparatively high IUD use observed in a CARE project in DRC, together with the programmatic characteristics which facilitated uptake.MethodsQualitative data were collected in 2015 as part of a reproductive health project in the DRC. Using purposive sampling, 15 focus group discussions took place with IUD users, users of other methods and non-users of modern contraception as well as their male partners. Eighteen in-depth interviews were conducted with health providers, project staff, community health workers and local stakeholders to capture a range of experiences. Data were analyzed using content theory approach and contextualized through a review of routine monitoring data.ResultsIn an area with practically no previous IUD use, 38,662 new FP clients were served during the first 5 years of the project and 82% (31,569) chose long-acting or permanent methods. Over 10,000 clients chose an IUD, representing 30% of the total FP clients. Key informants expressed mainly positive views about the IUD and quality of service. Concerns related to method insertion, which some perceived as too intimate or shameful. Findings indicate that this uptake reflects effective supply chains, good provider training and supervision and multiple communication strategies including those which target men. Community engagement was enhanced by local stakeholders’ participation in sensitization and quality assurance as well in analysis of data for decision-making.ConclusionsThe findings of the paper showed that by involving local stakeholders in addressing structural and socio-cultural barriers to women’s free access to FP, programs can positively influence quality of service and method mix as well as knowledge and attitudes surrounding FP use and thus improve the uptake of FP in general and IUDs in particular, even in conflict-affected settings. A Theory of Change for enhancing IUD provision within family planning programs is suggested.

Technology-based vs. face-to-face interaction for knowledge sharing in the project teams

Knowledge sharing is indispensable for business organisations. The construction industry is one of the sectors in which intensive knowledge is spread across project-based teams. This study sheds light on which method is better for knowledge sharing within construction organisations: technology-based or face-to-face meetings. This research aims to understand organisational knowledge sharing by identifying and exploring the motivations and consequences of using face-to-face interaction vs. technology-based communication in project-based teams. This was undertaken through a qualitative case study with 15 employees of a large construction organisation. A qualitative analysis revealed four main factors related to worth adding a technology-based to face-to-face communication: the use of multiple communication strategies for knowledge sharing, whether sharing of all information via technology is allowed, legal restrictions, and limits on face-to-face communication due to work pressures. These findings contribute to the existing literature by identifying barriers and preferences regarding tools for sharing knowledge in a construction firm.

No more “Magic Aprons”: Longitudinal assessment and continuous improvement of customer service at the University of North Dakota libraries

ABSTRACTThe University of North Dakota (UND) Libraries have developed a multi-award winning Customer Service Program (CSP) involving longitudinal assessment and continuous improvement. The CSP consists of iterative training modules; constant reinforcement of Customer Service Principles with multiple communication strategies and tools, and incentives that boost morale and foster not only compliance, but initiative-taking and innovation. The CSP became a widely adopted part of campus-wide assessment, beyond the libraries. Subsequent presentations at conferences led to multiple requests and implementation at other libraries.

Adapting Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) to Local Contexts in REDD+: Lessons from Three Experiments in Vietnam

Free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) is a means of ensuring that people’s rights are respected when reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) projects are established in developing countries. This paper examines how FPIC has been applied in three projects in Vietnam and highlights two key lessons learnt. First, as human rights and democracy are seen as politically sensitive issues in Vietnam, FPIC is likely to be more accepted by the government if it is built upon the national legal framework on citizen rights. Applying FPIC in this context can ensure that both government and citizen’s interests are achieved within the permitted political space. Second, FPIC activities should be seen as a learning process and designed based on local needs and preferences, with accountability of facilitators, two-way and multiple communication strategies, flexibility, and collective action in mind.

Ontario's emergency department process improvement program: the experience of implementation.

ObjectivesIn recent years, Lean manufacturing principles have been applied to health care quality improvement efforts to improve wait times. In Ontario, an emergency department (ED) process improvement program based on Lean principles was introduced by the Ministry of Health and Long‐Term Care as part of a strategy to reduce ED length of stay (LOS) and to improve patient flow. This article aims to describe the hospital‐based teams’ experiences during the ED process improvement program implementation and the teams’ perceptions of the key factors that influenced the program's success or failure.MethodsA qualitative evaluation was conducted based on semistructured interviews with hospital implementation team members, such as team leads, medical leads, and executive sponsors, at 10 purposively selected hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Sites were selected based, in part, on their changes in median ED LOS following the implementation period. A thematic framework approach as used for interviews, and a standard thematic coding framework was developed.ResultsTwenty‐four interviews were coded and analyzed. The results are organized according to participants’ experience and are grouped into four themes that were identified as significantly affecting the implementation experience: local contextual factors, relationship between improvement team and support players, staff engagement, and success and sustainability. The results demonstrate the importance of the context of implementation, establishing strong relationships and communication strategies, and preparing for implementation and sustainability prior to the start of the project.ConclusionsSeveral key factors were identified as important to the success of the program, such as preparing for implementation, ensuring strong executive support, creation of implementation teams based on the tasks and outcomes of the initiative, and using multiple communication strategies throughout the implementation process. Explicit incorporation of these factors into the development and implementation of future similar interventions in health care settings could be useful.

Research that matters: outcome mapping for linking knowledge to poverty-reduction actions

An ‘Outcome Mapping’ approach was applied retrospectively to five diverse, highly collaborative research projects aimed at poverty reduction. Designed to help plan for, clarify, and document intended and actual changes in behaviour, actions, and relationships of groups and organisations that directly influence a project's intended beneficiaries, Outcome Mapping enabled us to identify and describe the strategies and actions that played important roles in the innovations achieved. Successful strategies observed included the use of champions, jointly producing high-profile outputs that enhanced the status of local partners, multiple communication strategies, targeting ongoing policy processes, and strong emphases on and investment in capacity building.

Using ICT Research to Assist Policy Making and Regulation: The Case of Namibia

This paper examines three barriers to effective policy-making and regulation in developing countries: inefficient operators; information asymmetry between regulator and operators; and where the role of the regulator to balance the interests of consumers, competing enterprises and investors is not being fulfilled. The paper demonstrates how ICT research of Research ICT Africa in combination with multiple communication strategies have been used to assist regulators and policy makers in making informed decisions and led to market liberalization and legislative and regulatory reform in Namibia. A presentation on research results to the Namibian president and cabinet in 2006, private sector co-funding of research projects, over 80 newspaper articles covering research results, 21 magazine articles, six target policy briefs, radio and TV interviews, face to face consultations all helped shaping public opinion and informing policy makers and regulators. This paper describes how ICT research was translated into useful information and advice for policy makers and regulators by working with journalists, providing strategic information to the private sector, researching issues for the regulator and maintaining impartiality.

Rachel Barker and George Angelopulo. 2006. Integrated Organisational Communication. Cape Town: Juta Academic.

As the title indicates, the focus of this much needed book is on the theory and practice of communication integration in an organisational context. The book, edited by Rachel Barker and George Angelopulo, with contributions by Therise Breet-Van Niekerk, Charmaine du Plessis, Danie du Plessis, Janette Hanekom, Norle Schoonraad and Lizelle van der Walt, is logically arranged in four sections. In the first section, organisational communication, i.e. communication both within and by organisations, as well as integrated communication - or, briefly, the effective alignment (or orchestration) of multiple communication strategies and processes - are thoroughly introduced. The first section provides the reader with a clear idea about what is at stake in the remainder of the book.

End-of-Life Issues for People Who Use AAC

4. In Garrett and Lasker’s classification system, Generative Communicators are those people with aphasia who a. consistently require cueing to utilize external strategies for communication. b. can access messages that have been stored in advance but cannot formulate novel information. c. independently utilize multiple communication strategies to communicate novel information. d. utilize primarily stored messages to communicate. End-of-Life Issues for People Who Use AAC

Evaluation of public knowledge about influenza based on influenza hotline consultations

In 1999, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued guidelines on prevention and control of influenza. These included recommendations for public education about influenza and promotion of vaccination among persons at high risk for complications from influenza. In response, several public education programs were implemented, including an "influenza hotline" that was established within the Infectious Diseases Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases. To assess the informational needs of callers about influenza and evaluate the impact of different communication modalities, we analyzed data from telephone consultations made to the "influenza hotline" and from a survey that was conducted among a subset of callers. During the influenza seasons of 2000-2001 to 2002-2003, there was an average of 2,230 callers to the "influenza hotline" each season, range 1,809-2,696. The majority (42.4%) of callers were women aged 30-39 years, which might reflect young mothers. The most frequently asked questions were about influenza vaccination of infants and young children. which accounted for 20.6% (1,501/7,295) of all vaccine-related questions during the four seasons. Questions about the number of recommended influenza vaccine doses was the second most frequently asked topic and comprised 17.8% (1,300/7,295) of all vaccine-related questions. Over the period 2000-2001 to 2002-2003, questions about the recommended number of influenza vaccine doses decreased among elderly callers, but not for callers aged < 60 years. The number of calls about the location of influenza vaccine clinics, availability of influenza vaccine, and vaccination of elderly person declined from 1999-2000 to 2002-2003. Of callers that were surveyed (N = 3,316) about where they received information about influenza, the most frequently reported sources were newspapers (47.7%), and the internet (26.2%). Internet use by callers showed differences among age groups. Only 2.4% of callers aged > or = 60 years reported receiving influenza information through the internet in contrast to 33.9% among callers aged < 60 years. Our study suggests a high public demand for information about influenza, especially by mothers regarding influenza vaccination of infants and young children, and recommended influenza vaccine doses for adults. To improve education of the public about influenza, multiple communication strategies should be utilized, including written information, and the internet.

Developing a Public Information and Community Relations Strategy in a County Social Service Agency

This case study documents the innovative efforts of a county social service agency in California to address its capacity to gather and disseminate information relevant to its mission and the needs of the community. Based on in-depth interviews and focus groups with representatives of model public information (PI) programs and local community-based organizations, senior county staff, and local opinion leaders, five key elements of an effective PI program were identified and include: (1) establishing a formal PI function, (2) strengthening internal communication, (3) developing external communications infrastructure and strategy, (4) expanding community relationships, and (5) implementing multiple communication strategies.

Content Analysis of the Pond Management Literature

Pond management information available to the public was assessed by content analysis of the 56 educational bulletins provided by 79 state and federal agencies in 43 states. This review indicated that an abundance and a high diversity of pond management information is available to the public in most states, except for those (primarily western states) with limited surface water resources. Certain pond management practices (stocking, population balance, weed control, fertilization, and construction) dominated the literature; fish health, habitat management, and socioeconomic aspects were treated less comprehensively. Suggested improvements to subsequent bulletins include: (1) updating the content to reflect changes in management knowledge; (2) clarifying the economic and ecological consequences of herbicide, piscicide, and fertilization applications; (3) expanding coverage to include socioeconomic benefits and liabilities of ownership; (4) developing regional or multistate sponsored bulletins to facilitate timely revisions and cost-effective production and distribution; (5) generating substantive bulletins complete with references (rather than superficial leaflets); and (6) use of multiple communication strategies (videos, workshops, teleconferencing) to augment bulletins.