Perceptions Of Best Practices Research Articles

Hydrological ensemble prediction systems

Hydrological ensemble prediction systems

An Accommodations Model for the Secondary Inclusive Classroom

Despite expectations for accommodations in inclusive classrooms, little guidance for effective practice is available. Most accommodations policies and evidence-based practices address assessments. High school regular and special educators collaborated in focus groups to articulate a model based on their practices and perceptions of best practice. The model addresses classroom accommodations identification, provision, and evaluation. The model is particularly appropriate for cotaught classrooms with high enrollments of students with high incidence disabilities.

Visualizing probabilistic flood forecast information: expert preferences and perceptions of best practice in uncertainty communication

AbstractThe aim of this article is to improve the communication of the probabilistic flood forecasts generated by hydrological ensemble prediction systems (HEPS) by understanding perceptions of different methods of visualizing probabilistic forecast information. This study focuses on interexpert communication and accounts for differences in visualization requirements based on the information content necessary for individual users. The perceptions of the expert group addressed in this study are important because they are the designers and primary users of existing HEPS. Nevertheless, they have sometimes resisted the release of uncertainty information to the general public because of doubts about whether it can be successfully communicated in ways that would be readily understood to nonexperts. In this article, we explore the strengths and weaknesses of existing HEPS visualization methods and thereby formulate some wider recommendations about the best practice for HEPS visualization and communication. We suggest that specific training on probabilistic forecasting would foster use of probabilistic forecasts with a wider range of applications. The result of a case study exercise showed that there is no overarching agreement between experts on how to display probabilistic forecasts and what they consider the essential information that should accompany plots and diagrams. In this article, we propose a list of minimum properties that, if consistently displayed with probabilistic forecasts, would make the products more easily understandable. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Managing for continuous improvement in off‐site construction

PurposeSeveral off‐site manufacturing companies in Sweden have attempted to apply lean management to improve process effectiveness and efficiency. A state of continuous improvement is a key goal of lean management, as described in, e.g. Likers 4P model. The aim of this study is to test a method to measure the degree to which lean management principles have been adopted by companies that base their production on off‐site manufacturing, as a prerequisite for a sustainable approach to continuous improvement.Design/methodology/approachA survey is applied as research method, using a questionnaire based on the authors' perceptions of best practices corresponding to each lean management principle. Two questionnaires were distributed to both management and factory production personnel in two off‐site manufacturing firms in Sweden.FindingsThe Likert scores regarding the degree to which lean principles have been applied in the two studied companies showed similar patterns (and similar differences between the management and production personnel's responses), indicating that the results can be generalised within an off‐site construction context. The study shows that continuous improvements must emerge and evolve simultaneously with a focus on processes, people and long‐term thinking.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to obtain more generalised and detailed results a more extensive survey covering several companies, as well as more detailed case studies and more questions regarding each principle, are needed. A multivariate analysis will also scan the material for further dependences.Originality/valueThe paper highlights several aspects that are important for management to be aware of when aiming for continuous improvements in off‐site manufacturing.

Play competence as a window to preschool teachers' competence

The aim of this study is to investigate preschool teachers' perceptions of good practice in play, their skills, and perceptions of play competence. The theoretical framework is based on interactionist theories, which congregate theories of learning, in which individuals and the environment influence and are influenced by one another in a continuous interaction and communication, such as socio-cultural theories and ecological system theories. The study has a qualitative and quantitative approach. Interviews were conducted with preschool teachers (N = 30) to gain a deeper understanding of their perceptions of the concept of play competence. In addition, a survey was distributed to preschool teachers (N = 115) in order to gain a broader understanding of their perceptions of different dimensions of teacher play competence and to investigate if and how these perceptions were related to factors such as age, type of education, and number of years in the field. The results showed that preschool teachers describe play competence as a multidimensional construct, encompassing different competencies such as attentive, cognitive, and organizational. The results from the quantitative analyses showed that experienced teachers rate their play competence higher than teachers with limited experience of work in educational settinngs. Thus, this indicates that play competence develops during practical experience in the field.

Promoting and sustaining high quality physical education and school sport through school sport partnerships

School sport partnerships (SSPs) have been at the centre of a national strategy for Physical Education and School Sport (PESS) in England for the last seven years, aiming to improve both the range and quality of opportunities for young people to be physically active. While annual surveys show significantly increased opportunities for young people to be physically active, both in curriculum PE and outside of school sport ( Quick et al., 2010 ; The Loughborough Partnership, 2008 ), there has been less evaluation of the quality of these new experiences. This article draws on interviews with experienced coordinators across eight sport partnerships in the north of England and explores their perceptions of good practice in high quality PESS. Good practice was described as underpinned by educational rather that performance pedagogy, linked to wider whole school agendas, and sustainable (for example, through the continuing professional development of non-specialist primary teachers). The importance of providing activities other than traditional sport for engaging previously inactive young people was also recognized, although there was less evidence of an accompanying, innovative pedagogy.

Perceptions of Physiotherapy Best Practice in Total Knee Arthroplasty in Hospital Outpatient Settings

The primary purpose of this study was to examine experienced physiotherapists' perceptions of best practices for patients following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in publicly funded outpatient hospital settings in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The secondary objective was to identify the facilitators of and barriers to implementing best practices in the subacute phase of rehabilitation. A qualitative, descriptive, focused ethnographic approach was used to explore physiotherapists' perceptions of best practices for patients with TKA. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with expert physiotherapists acting as key informants. A snowball sampling method was used to recruit physiotherapists in the GTA. Interviews were conducted in person by two of the investigators. Physiotherapists from seven acute-care hospitals in the GTA participated in the study. Analysis of the 140 pages of transcripts from the interviews with 10 physiotherapists revealed that participants perceived best practices as encompassing the adoption of a client-centred approach; inter-professional collaboration; aggressive rehabilitation for patients who are unsuccessful in achieving their outcomes; the use of relevant outcome measures; and consideration of the impact of scarce resources on care. The findings of this study highlight physiotherapists' perceived best practices for patients with TKA and the unique contribution that hospital-based outpatient physiotherapy can make to patients' rehabilitation.

Consumer perceptions of best practice in food risk communication and management: Implications for risk analysis policy

As a consequence of recent food safety incidents, consumer trust in European food safety management has diminished. A risk governance framework that formally institutes stakeholder (including consumer) consultation and dialogue through a transparent and accountable process has been proposed, with due emphasis on risk communication. This paper delivers actionable policy recommendations based on consumer preferences for different approaches to food risk management. These results suggest that risk communication should be informed by knowledge of consumer risk perceptions and information needs, including individual differences in consumer preferences and requirements, and differences in these relating to socio-historical context associated with regulation. In addition, information about what is being done to identify, prevent and manage food risks needs to be communicated to consumers, together with consistent messages regarding preventative programs, enforcement systems, and scientific uncertainty and variability associated with risk assessments. Cross-cultural differences in consumer perception and information preferences suggest a national or regional strategy for food risk communication may be more effective than one applied at a pan-European level.

Collaboration between mental health and child protection services: Professionals' perceptions of best practice

This paper provides a qualitative analysis of mental health and child protection professionals' perceptions of best practice when working on cases where there is parental mental illness and there are protection concerns for child(ren). Data were collected as part of a state-wide survey of professionals in both fields. Respondents offered many suggestions for improving interagency relationships, collaborative processes, and outcomes for children and parents. These suggestions encompassed three major content areas: improving communication; enhancing the knowledge base of professionals in both sectors; and providing adequate resources and appropriate service models. Within the three domains of communication, knowledge development and resources, strategies encompassed both formal, organisation-led initiatives as well as more informal initiatives that could be implemented by individuals or small groups. Additionally, strategies were suggested that required implementation at a range of levels of organisational activity, from the front-line workplace to state-wide policy changes. Thus, a complex picture emerges of intersectoral collaboration that comprises several key domains and needs to be implemented at all levels of organisational influence.

Impact of EFQM Excellence Model on leadership in German and UK organisations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe research which aimed to discover whether there were differences in leadership practices and perceptions of good leadership practice between German and UK organisations.Design/methodology/approach – A survey based on analysis of self‐assessment documents submitted for the European Quality Award or its equivalents in Germany and the UK was distributed to 300 organisations in Germany and the UK. A response rate of 20 per cent was achieved. The survey was also distributed to 20 assessors.Findings – There were more differences in perceptions of good practice between German organisations recognised for excellence and German organisations not using the Excellence Model than between German and UK organisations. In the UK, there were more differences between what was described as good practice and what was described as usual practice among organisations not using the Excellence Model than among organisations recognised for excellence. German assessors differed in ...

Student teachers' perceptions of best practice in practicum with learners who have high support needs

Student teachers’ perceptions of possible best practices in the education of students with high support needs and their reports of level of implementation during field experience were investigated in this research. In addition, the student teachers’ suggestions for other indicators of best practice and their perceptions of barriers to best practice were examined. These data were also compared with that obtained in a previous study of teachers. Students reported high levels of agreement with best practice indicators, broadly consistent with the views of teachers. In contrast, students reported substantially lower levels of perceived implementation than teachers. Exploration of the reasons for these perceived differences is a priority for university educators involved in preparation of special education teachers. In addition, weight is added to the argument that evaluation of implementation of best practice should draw on a range of sources and that sole reliance on retrospective teacher self‐reports may be...

Student Teachers’ Perceptions of Best Practice in Practicum with Learners Who Have High Support Needs

Student teachers’ perceptions of possible best practices in the education of students with high support needs and their reports of level of implementation during field experience were investigated in this research. In addition, the student teachers’ suggestions for other indicators of best practice and their perceptions of barriers to best practice were examined. These data were also compared with that obtained in a previous study of teachers. Students reported high levels of agreement with best practice indicators, broadly consistent with the views of teachers. In contrast, students reported substantially lower levels of perceived implementation than teachers. Exploration of the reasons for these perceived differences is a priority for university educators involved in preparation of special education teachers. In addition, weight is added to the argument that evaluation of implementation of best practice should draw on a range of sources and that sole reliance on retrospective teacher self‐reports may be problematic.

Support needs of veterinary surgeons during the first few years of practice: perceptions of recent graduates and senior partners

Postal surveys or personal interviews of 76 recent veterinary graduates and their 49 employers were undertaken to establish their perceptions of good practice when integrating a new graduate into a...

Site managers and safety leadership in the offshore oil and gas industry

Management commitment to safety is recognised as a fundamental component of an organisation's safety culture ( Reason, 1997. Managing the Risks of Organisational Accidents. Ashgate, Aldershot, UK). However, the role and experiences of site managers in relation to safety have rarely been examined. A survey questionnaire was conducted of 200 Offshore Installation Managers (OIMs) from 157 offshore oil and gas installations belonging to 36 organisations operating on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. The questionnaire gathered data relating to OIMs' level of experience and style of leadership as well as their knowledge and experience of safety and leadership within the industry. The aims of the study are twofold. The first aim is to investigate the relationship between managers' level of experience and style of leadership with their safety attitudes and behaviour. The second aim is to investigate managers' perceptions of best practice in safety leadership and their beliefs about the key outstanding safety issues. Findings suggest that experience is not the dominant factor in determining leadership style or attitudes to safety, however, the less experienced OIMs and those with more directive styles of leadership were found to overestimate their ability to influence and motivate the workforce. It seems that although managers are aware of best practice in safety leadership, they do not always act in ways consistent with this. They report having considerable difficulty in motivating and controlling some safety crucial aspects of workforce behaviour such as getting workers to accept ownership of safety and getting workers to report near misses. In terms of outstanding safety issues, it appears that improvements still need to be made in a number of areas such as the standardisation of safety culture; the harmonisation of safety practices and procedures across the industry; improved workforce competency and increased workforce involvement in safety activities and decision making.

METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN EVALUATING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS

Abstract This paper is based on a survey of demanding physical activity programmes for young offenders under probation supervision (Taylor et al. 1999). While this paper reports some of the results its main focus is what was learnt about the methods used in programme evaluation. The research was commissioned by the Home Office in the United Kingdom, and was conducted in 1997 and 1998. The report was commissioned both to describe existing practice and to improve evidence of programme effectiveness in reducing crime. It would contribute to guidance on the type of programme which was most effective and thus justified public funding. The research used both quantitative and qualitative methods in a pragmatic approach. It was extremely difficult to produce quantitative results. This paper reports these difficulties and ways in which they might be overcome in the future. Nevertheless, it was possible to describe programme characteristics, the changing number of programmes, and the evaluation measures used by programmes themselves. Qualitative interviews were used to obtain programme managers', probation officers' and participants' perceptions of best practice. Lack of the programmes' own ability to produce evidence of effectiveness was a contributory factor to several programmes closing during the study period. An initial conclusion is that programme evaluation must become a higher priority of programmes if they are to justify their own support A second conclusion is that there are complementary advantages of quantitative and qualitative research methods of programme evaluation. Complete reliance on one or the other would give an incomplete picture, but the blend of methods is determined to an extent by practical considerations. Given this, evaluation should accept the validity of both methodologies, especially those which build on an understanding of why the programmes have a particular effect; that is, an understanding of the programmes' rationales.

When outcomes threaten incomes: a case study of the obstruction of research to reduce teenage smoking

A case study is presented of Australian efforts to promote an evidence-based, outcome-oriented intervention designed to reduce purchasing of cigarettes by minors. The intervention was supported by a wealth of international research literature, yet for several years was declared unethical by local institutional ethics committees. Eight objections that were raised are reviewed. Each of these objections was spurious yet initially influential. Various advocacy strategies were employed by proponents of the intervention to reframe its public definition. These gradually transformed perceptions of the intervention from one that considered it unethical, to one that considered it a virtual ‘vaccine against teenage access to cigarettes’ that should be incorporated into routine public health best practice. Those advocating outcome-oriented interventions should not assume that the imperative of influencing health outcomes will dominate perceptions of best practice within the health care system. In situations where competing definitions of the meaning of an intervention dominate decision makers' perceptions of outcome-oriented research, advocacy can be used to reframe these definitions more toward perceptions which are conducive to support and implementation.