Possible Differences In Perception Research Articles

Knowledge influences perceptions and values of nature-based solutions: The example of soil and water bioengineering techniques applied to urban rivers

Soil and water bioengineering (SWBE) is a nature-based solution (NBS) that can be used to stabilize riverbanks with living vegetation. Aside to protecting property and people, SWBE provides benefits for human well-being and biodiversity. Its use remains modest in cities, where the presumed benefits are important in a context of biodiversity crisis and warming. Negative public perceptions have been identified as one barrier to the dissemination of NBS. This article studies how environmental expertise influences perceptions and values associated with SWBE, and how the possible differences in perceptions and values induced by knowledge contribute to hindering or promoting the dissemination of these solutions. We carried out an original interdisciplinary study based on a sociological survey and ecological field measurements to characterize: (1) the perceived value that actors associate with several riverbanks equipped with different protection structures (green, hybrid, or gray) according to their level of expertise in the aquatic environment; (2) the interactions between these perceived values and the ecological values measured by restoration ecologists; and (3) the perceived benefits and drawbacks of SBWE techniques. Our results show that the ecological and social benefits provided by NBS are recognized by all, whatever their level of knowledge. Despite this consensus, we observed different hierarchies of value associated with bank protection structures among the surveyed actors, depending on their level of environmental expertise (some prioritising ecological values, others relational values), and these could hinder the dissemination of NBS. The most tangible obstacle to the dissemination of NBS in urban areas relates to the risk perceptions of lay people, who experience a higher sense of vulnerability than they do with traditional gray solutions.

‘I Feel Well, Accepted and Competent in School’—Determinants of Self-Perceived Inclusion and Academic Self-Concept in Students with Diagnosed Behavioral, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD)

The present paper reports on the perceptions of inclusion in students with formally diagnosed behavioral, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) by taking into account social and didactic characteristics of the class teachers’ behavior as possible predicting variables. N = 119 students with BESD attending either special or inclusive secondary schools in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany were questioned about their self-perceived emotional inclusion, social inclusion and academic self-concept, as well as about their perception of the class teacher’s behavior in the dimensions ‘care’ and ‘pressure for achievement’. In this context, the present study pursued two key objectives: Firstly, to identify possible differences in perceptions of inclusion and perceived class teacher behavior between students with BESD in inclusive and special schools. Secondly, to examine whether perceived aspects of the class teacher behavior function as significant predictors for perceptions of inclusion. To examine these research issues, one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) were applied. The findings suggest that academic self-concept and perception of class teacher behavior are significantly more positive in special schools than in inclusive schools. Furthermore, a substantial link between perceived class teacher behavior and self-perceived inclusion was identified with ‘care’ predicting emotional and social inclusion as well as ‘pressure for achievement’ predicting academic self-concept. Concerning this structural pattern, a significant moderating effect through ‘school setting’ was detected. Further comparative and longitudinal studies should evaluate the subjective perceptions of students with diagnosed BESD in school with special regard to a broader range of potentially influencing (subjective and objective) class teacher variables.

The perception of the management and lower-level employees of the impacts of using Robotic Process Automation: the case of a shared services company

The increasing use of digital technologies has allowed organizations to improve their business processes, enhancing the productivity and efficiency of their operations. The implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a technology that allows replicating human actions in existing systems, given its benefits, can play an important role in achieving this goal, often referred as the digital transformation of organizations. However, the benefits of RPA implementation may not be perceived equally by managers, those responsible or that required its implementation, and lower-level employees. The work described in this paper aims not only to assess the perception that both groups have of the impacts of technology, but also to understand whether the use of robots by the employees of a shared services company positively influences their perception of the technology and whether it affects developments in additional robots in the future. A questionnaire, underpinned in a multidimensional evaluation model of the technology and given to all the company's employees, is used as the main research instrument, while results are analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistical techniques and hypothesis testing. We argue that this study may be an important contribution to the company for a better understanding of its employees' perception of RPA, allowing the tailoring of its future communication strategies to facilitate the acceptance of the technology and, thus, enhance the success and effectiveness of its implementation. Furthermore, the multidimensional evaluation model developed enhances the existing literature on the topic of RPA impacts, more specifically in terms of evaluating possible differences in perceptions between managers and other employees.

Percepción de calidad, impacto sociocultural, imagen de destino e intenciones futuras del turista participante en un evento náutico sostenible

The aim of this study was to analyse the factor structure of a scale of tourism perception in a small-scale event, as well as to evaluate the possible differences in perception between national and foreign tourists participating in a nautical event. The sample was composed of 115 participating tourists, 69.6% were foreign tourists and 30.4% national tourists. An adaptation of two questionnaires on quality in sports events and tourism impact in sports events was used, composed of 16 items on four factors (perceived quality, socio-cultural perception, destination image and future intentions). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and a t-test for independent samples were carried out. The results of this study presented a valid and reliable tool to measure the tourism perception of a small-scale sport event. The socio-cultural perception was the dimension best evaluated by the tourists. Foreign tourists had a better perception than the national tourist in terms of sociocultural perception, destination image and future intentions. These findings allow sports event organizers to segment their target audience and develop different strategies according to the characteristics of their stakeholders.

Social Work Paradigms and Their Effect on Decision Making About Out-of-Home Placement

Purpose: This research aimed to understand the views of social workers on factors influencing decision making toward child placement and any possible differences in perception of these factors among social workers with experience in placement decision making and those without it. Methods: The Q sort methodology was used to analyze the opinions of 64 social workers by presenting them 54 statements on single sheets and asked to rank them on a grid. Results: Analysis showed five distinct paradigms: family-centered; veiled shared concept; child-centered; paternalistic; and professional evidence-based, which influence the entire process and outcomes of the decision making process. Both groups (those with experience in decisions towards placement and those without such experience) believed in family centeredness. Workers without prior experience of deciding to place children, regarded highly the role of workers in the decision-making process. They highlighted the need for data to guide decisions and the responsibility of workers to protect the child's welfare. Workers with prior experience focused mostly on generalized concepts and highlighted a detachment of the social worker from the decisions made. They attributed responsibility for decisions to the wider environment. Conclusion: Reflecting on the paradigms within which decisions concerning child welfare are made is essential to improving on the decision-making processes and has implications for both research and practice.

Using Innovative and Scientifically-Based Debate to Build e-Learning Community

The research described in this article explored the efficacy of a novel approach to recreating classroom debates online. Using a structured approach and collaborative group work, the researcher developed an approach that students found very useful in six different dimensions. The research also explored possible differences in perceptions stemming from students’ familiarity with online learning by comparing the perceptions of students enrolled in only online classes with those of students enrolled in primarily on-ground classes. No significant differences in any of the variables were found, indicating the efficacy of the approach for all students.

Postoperative patient handovers-Variability in perceptions of quality: A qualitative focus group study.

(a) To explore the factors affecting quality in postoperative handovers as perceived by the different professional groups of clinicians involved. (b) To explore possible differences in perceptions of postoperative handover quality across professional groups and level of experience. High quality patient handovers after surgery and anaesthesia are important to ensure patient safety. There is a paucity of research describing contextual factors related to handover quality and the perspectives of different professional groups involved. A qualitative exploratory design was applied. A total of eight focus group interviews with 37 participants (29 nurses, eight doctors) were conducted. Anaesthesiologists, resident anaesthesiologists, nurse anaesthetists, postoperative care nurses and operating room nurses participated in the study. The interviews were conducted according to profession with two groups per profession: one with experienced clinicians and one with less experienced clinicians. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study adheres to the COREQ guidelines. The data analysis identified the following factors affecting postoperative handover quality: "timing and concurrency conflicts," "handover structure," "patient conditions," "individual characteristics of clinicians involved" and "team composition." Differences across professional groups and level of experience were related to responsibility, structure and adaptation. The professional groups involved describe the postoperative patient handover as a complex and variable process that needs to be carefully planned and executed according to the influencing factors. Variability exists across professional groups and level of experience. Health care providers need to be aware that postoperative handovers are affected by a set of factors related to internal (patient conditions, individual characteristics of clinicians involved and team composition) and external (timing and concurrency conflicts, handover structure) characteristics. These issues need to be acknowledged when procedures and routines for handover quality are designed, implemented and used.

\u201cUntil people start dying in droves, no actions will be taken\u201d: perception and experience of HIV-preventive measures among people who inject drugs in northwestern Russia

BackgroundThe HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Russia continues to spread. This exploratory study examines how HIV-prevention measures are perceived and experienced by PWID in the northwestern region of Russia.MethodsPurposive sampling was used to obtain a variety of cases that could reflect possible differences in perception and experience of HIV-prevention efforts. We conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with PWID residing in the Arkhangelsk and St. Petersburg regions.ResultsThe main sources of prevention information on HIV for PWID were media campaigns directed to the general population. These campaigns were effective with regard to communicating general knowledge on HIV but were ineffective in terms of risk behavior change. The subjects generally had trust in medical professionals and their advice but did not follow prevention recommendations. Most informants had no or very little prior contact with harm reduction services. On the level of attitudes towards HIV prevention efforts, we discovered three types of fatalism among PWID: “personal fatalism” - uselessness of HIV prevention efforts, if one uses drugs; “prevention-related fatalism” - prevention programs are low effective, because people do not pay attention to them before they get infected; “state-related fatalism” – the lack of belief that the state is concerned with HIV prevention issues. Despite this fatalism the participants opined that NGOs would do a better job than the state as they are “really working” with risk groups.ConclusionsAs HIV prevention campaigns targeted at the general population and prevention advice received from medical professionals are not sufficiently effective for PWID in terms of risk behavior change, prevention programs, such as community-based and peer-based interventions specifically tailored to the needs of PWID are needed, which can be achieved by a large expansion of harm reduction services in the region. Personal communication should be a crucial element in such interventions in addition to harm reduction materials provision. Training programs, peer outreach, and culture-change interventions which try to alter widespread fatalistic norms or attitudes towards their health are especially needed, since this study indicates that fatalism is a major barrier for behavior change.

The image of and the interest in the accounting profession: an empirical study in three social groups

This study has the following goals: to analyse the image of and the interest in the accounting profession; to identify any possible differences in perception among the respondent groups; to identify the individual characteristics influencing the perception; to propose an explanatory model of the interest in the profession. The respondents were the members of three social groups composing the profession's value chain: 105 financial officers of the biggest 500 Portuguese companies; 412 chartered accountants; 235 students majoring in accounting. The data collected show that there are no significant differences in perception regarding the image of and the interest in the accounting profession. Regarding the influence of the individual characteristics, the results obtained lead to the following conclusion: the third-year students with a higher average perceive a higher level of interest in the profession; the professionals with a higher academic degree and college graduates perceive a lower level of interest in the profession.

The image of and the interest in the accounting profession: an empirical study in three social groups

This study has the following goals: to analyse the image of and the interest in the accounting profession; to identify any possible differences in perception among the respondent groups; to identify the individual characteristics influencing the perception; to propose an explanatory model of the interest in the profession. The respondents were the members of three social groups composing the profession's value chain: 105 financial officers of the biggest 500 Portuguese companies; 412 chartered accountants; 235 students majoring in accounting. The data collected show that there are no significant differences in perception regarding the image of and the interest in the accounting profession. Regarding the influence of the individual characteristics, the results obtained lead to the following conclusion: the third-year students with a higher average perceive a higher level of interest in the profession; the professionals with a higher academic degree and college graduates perceive a lower level of interest in the profession.

Demographic determinants of usefulness of e-learning tools among students of public administration

Purpose In higher education, blended learning is already strongly established. The e-courses vary in their structure, assignments, prompt examinations, interaction between students and teachers, etc. Such aspects may influence the students’ perception of usefulness of blended learning. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors which influence that feeling and to look for possible differences in perception by different subgroups of students. Design/methodology/approach Students in the survey evaluated 13 aspects of e-courses in which they were enrolled. From enrolment documents, additional demographic data were collected (gender, high-school grade, study programme, etc.). A multiple linear regression was used with perceived usefulness as the response variable and the 12 other e-course aspects as predictors. Further, the same regression analysis was performed on different subgroups of students based on demographical data. Findings The empirical results showed that the general impression regarding the e-courses, their consistency with the face-to-face teaching and the teachers’ responsiveness had a significant influence on the students’ perception of the usefulness of e-courses. Further analysis based on demographic data revealed several subgroups of students where the perception of usefulness was influenced by different aspects. The teachers’ feedback and supplementing the tutorial play an important role in higher years of study, while the general impression loses its influence. Originality/value The paper is the first to explore the importance of demographic determinants of perceived usefulness of e-learning tools in EAPAA (European Association of Public Administration Accreditation)-accredited undergraduate public administration programmes.

The Contribution of ISO 9001 to Certified Companies: Manager and Employee Perceptions

In the literature, several studies confirm that managers and customers have a positive perception of ISO 9001 certification, but employee perception is not mentioned, as it is often subsumed into manager perception. Yet, it is very important to have the perceptions of all employees because there may be some differences that could negatively impact the implementation of the certification.The aims of this paper are first to compare perceptions of the various stakeholders regarding the contribution of the certification, and second to analyze if the degree of acquaintance with the ISO 9001 standard, which is assumed to be greater among managers than among other employees, is likely to explain the possible differences in perception. A questionnaire was sent to 91 certified companies in France, and 239 responses were received.The main results show that depending on the principles of the standard, there is a difference in perception between managers, technicians, and workers. Also, the degree of acquaintance with the certification is correlated with the global level of perception: The higher the degree of knowledge, the better the perception.

Validating An Adapted Measure of Organisational Energy in the South African Context

This study validated an adapted measure of organisational energy, namely the Energy Scapes Profile (ESP), in the South African context, considering also possible differences in perceptions of organisational energy by the participants' demographics. Participants were a convenience sample of 304 employees (females = 75.4%; Black Ethnic Group = 62%). Factor analysis resulted in a unidimensional organizational energy factor. Anova analyses showed that the senior managers and those with longer tenure perceived organisational energy on their job level and years in current job. The results of the research confirm the utility of the ESP as a measure of organisational energy in South Africa.

‘The air still wasn’t good … everywhere I went I was surrounded’: Lay perceptions of air quality and health

The study, designed as a pilot, aimed to explore lay perceptions of air quality from participants who were selected to represent three different social categories: age; health status; and geographical location. We compared responses from younger with older participants who held memories of about air quality prior to the Clean Air Act (1956)1. We also explored possible differences in perception due to health status by including some participants who identified themselves as having asthma. Finally, we compared possible differences in perception between two economically and geographically distinct areas of Greater Nottingham in England. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 22 participants recruited through schools, church groups and residential homes. Our findings suggest that no air (apart from the seaside) is perceived as automatically safe and therefore healthy. We found that perceptions of ‘good’ air seem to vary with age and health whereas experiences of air quality are associated with socio-economic status. Perceptions of air are shown to be suffused with historical significance, as well as embodying projections embedded from within the local environment and material context.

The Transition Status of Youth Departing Residential Care

This study evaluated the characteristics related to a successful reintegration among youth from a residential facility. Specifically, this study describes the transition skills of youth at departure in five areas: (a) education and employment goals, (b) self-determination skills, (c) social support, (d) life skills, and (e) hopefulness. Further, self-report and teacher ratings of youths’ self-determination and life skills were examined to determine possible differences in perception between youth and their school and Family Teachers (house-parents). One hundred four youth departing the Boys Town Treatment Family Home residential program participated in the study. The majority of youth reported average to above average skills in the five domains. However, significant differences were found between youth and schoolteacher reports of self-determination skills. The results indicate the need to provide transition services related to success post-discharge, including individualized transition plans and family involvement during treatment.

The relationships among constructs in the health belief model and the transtheoretical model among African-American college women for physical activity.

Health Belief Model (HBM) and Transtheoretical Model concepts were used to investigate possible differences in perceptions of physical activity among African-American college women categorized by their stage of physical activity behavior A survey was administered to 233 participants to assess their stage of physical activity behavior and HBM perceptions. Analysis of variance was used to investigate possible differences among HBM constructs for each behavior stage. Perceived barriers were significantly higher (p < .05), and perceived severity, cues to action, and self-efficacy were significantly lower in the inactive group than in the active group. For example, perceived barriers were significantly higher in the inactive (mean = 2.3) stage than in the preparation (mean = 2.1), action (mean = 1.9), and maintenance (mean = 1.7) stages of physical activity behavior. The results suggest that many perceptions of physical activity differ significantly among stages of behavior in this sample of African-American college women. A limitation was that some scales were modified specifically for this population and were not validated.

Suggestion of an inverse relationship between perception of occupational risks and work-related injuries.

Worker perception of risk influences worker behavior and consequently exposure to risks. However, an inverse relationship between perception of occupational risks and work-related injuries has not yet been clearly established. A matched case-control was performed aiming to investigate possible differences in perception of occupational risks between workers who had suffered occupational injuries and those who had not. Cases were defined as all 93 workers from a large metallurgical factory in southeastern Brazil, who had suffered occupational injuries during the year 1996. Controls were 372 workers who had not suffered occupational injuries, matched on the basis of the factory sector and jobs performed. Assessment of occupational risk perception was performed by asking the workers to fill out a questionnaire consisting of questions on specific risks related to problems in work relations, work per se, and mode of production. The findings suggest that the degree of perception that workers with occupational injuries have of some occupational risks is lower than that of their non-injured coworkers.

Perception of quality of life by patients, partners and treating physicians.

The objective of the study was to determine possible differences in perception of quality of life (QoL) between patients with metastatic breast or prostate cancer, their partners, and the treating physician. Patients with metastatic breast cancer (n = 71), and metastatic prostate cancer (n = 29), a partner, and the physician each completed the same QoL questionnaire indicating how they perceived the patient's QoL. The European organization for research and treatment of cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used to assess patients with breast cancer and the modified prostate cancer specific quality of life instrument (PROSQOLI) for patients with prostate cancer. There was reasonable agreement in mean scores between patients, and physicians or partners, for many domains of QoL; however, there was substantial discordance between scores when considering individual patients. For patients with metastatic breast cancer, physicians systematically underestimated overall QoL (p = 0.0002), social functioning (p = 0.001), and role functioning (p = 0.008), while partners showed better agreement. With prostate cancer physicians tended to underestimate pain, while mean scores for spouses were more concordant. There is substantial variability between ratings of QoL by physicians or partners, as compared to patient ratings. Medical decisions should be based on information about QoL provided by patients using validated methods.

Preceptorial students' view of their clinical experience.

A preceptorial is a one-on-one reality-based clinical experience in which the staff nurse supervises the learning experience. Many schools of nursing use preceptor clinicals for the last clinical experience, but no studies were found that examined how students viewed that experience. This qualitative study was undertaken to ascertain how undergraduate preceptorial students view their clinical experience. In addition, since the program studied also uses preceptorials for its students' first clinical experience, the study examined differences in perception about the preceptorial between first- and second-level students. The students were asked to complete an anonymous open-ended questionnaire about their clinical experience. Content analysis was performed on the answers using the whole response to the question as the unit of analysis. Indicators of reliability and validity were established. Two themes emerged from the analysis: what students desire from their clinical experience and the factors that influence the preceptorial clinical experience. In addition, differences were found between perceptions of students in the first and last preceptorial clinical experiences. The results were discussed in terms of clinical experiences and possible differences in perception of clinical between those who have preceptorial and traditional faculty-led clinical experiences.

Perception of emotions and attribution of acceptance by normal and emotionality disturbed children

In order to ascertain possible differences in perceptions of emotion and attribution of acceptance among normal children and those diagnosed as schizophrenic, neurotic, or character disordered (N=40), participants were tested with the Pictures of Facial Affect (Ekman & Friesen, 1976). When subjected to analysis of variance based on diagnostic category, age, and type of emotion, accuracy of perception data showed significant differences only for main effects of age and type of emotion, while attribution data showed significance only for the main effect of type of emotion. Results were discussed with respect to related studies and methodological refinements.