Project Personnel Research Articles

Using contexts to supervise a collaborative process

AbstractThis article describes an investigation into the feasibility of using contextual reasoning to monitor and supervise the collaborative work of several knowledge workers working together on a project. Managing large and complex projects is a difficult task that requiressituational awarenessby the project manager to be able to be proactive when possible and to react correctly in the presence of events. In complex projects, effective oversight of the project personnel and the progress of the project are essential in ensuring that project objectives are met. This is especially true of projects that require contributions from various experts, whose interaction may be limited to a Web-based collaborative tool. Such oversight is typically the job of a project manager who is tasked with avoiding cost overruns, shipment delays, and ensuring product effectiveness. We utilizecontext-based reasoningandcontextual graphsas the tools of choice for implementing an agent that emulates the function of a competent project manager. We use rocket design and manufacture as the domain to evaluate our technique. We use a public domain rocket design software package developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a guide to the domain. The article describes the investigation, its results, and the related works in a collaborative design project.

Abstract B105: Addressing colorectal cancer disparities in rural Appalachia

Abstract Colorectal cancer, a disease that is both preventable and detectable in early stages, is currently the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. In Kentucky, this disease is the second leading cause of cancer death. The elevated rates of colorectal cancer are a concern because they have increased in recent decades and because of low rates of use of available screening modalities. Low screening rates are particularly concerning for rural populations because of limited access to colonoscopy as well as diagnostic and treatment facilities for colorectal cancer. This concern is particularly acute in Appalachia, a region with a long history of pronounced cancer health disparities. This NCI-funded study is designed to increase colorectal cancer screening by providing outreach and education to primary care physicians practicing in rural, medically underserved areas in Appalachian Kentucky. The intervention is delivered using academic detailing in partnership with Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). General practice, family medicine, and general internal medicine practices in Appalachian Kentucky were identified and invited to participate. A practice representative, usually the lead health care provider, completed a survey describing the practice characteristics and the colorectal cancer screening testing that they provided and/or recommended. Medical record reviews of a sample of 60 asymptomatic patients age 50 and older were conducted to establish baseline screening rates. Practices were then randomized to early or delayed intervention groups. The intervention was delivered at the practices. After an introductory visit, the academic detailer made up to four subsequent visits to the practices to present information on screening efficacy, patient counseling, reimbursement, and practice management. Evaluation data were collected through medical record reviews at 6 and 18 months after the final intervention visit. Medical record reviews collected data on screening recommended and/or provided (fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) in the past year, flexible sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years, and colonoscopy in the past 10 years). A total of 66 practices we enrolled. Baseline data from 3906 patient records indicated that health care providers had recommended screening by FOBT in the past year for 18.5% of the eligible patients seen during the period covered by the medical record review. The review also showed that 10.5% of records included documentation of results of FOBT. For flexible sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years 0.4% had a recommendation and 0.3% results. For colonoscopy in the past 10 years, rates of recommendation and results documentation were 43.7% and 29.7%, respectively. Data from medical record review conducted 6 months after the intervention revealed small changes in FOBT, and a substantial increase in documentation of results from colonoscopy, (p<.05). Medical record review at 18 months post intervention revealed a sharp decline in FOBT and slight increases in colonoscopy. Qualitative interviews with project personnel and participants suggest that a pattern of rapid abandonment of FOBT as a screening modality and increased emphasis on colonoscopy may be competing explanations for intervention effects. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B105.

Factors affecting recruitment and retention of community health workers in a newborn care intervention in Bangladesh

BackgroundWell-trained and highly motivated community health workers (CHWs) are critical for delivery of many community-based newborn care interventions. High rates of CHW attrition undermine programme effectiveness and potential for implementation at scale. We investigated reasons for high rates of CHW attrition in Sylhet District in north-eastern Bangladesh.MethodsSixty-nine semi-structured questionnaires were administered to CHWs currently working with the project, as well as to those who had left. Process documentation was also carried out to identify project strengths and weaknesses, which included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, review of project records (i.e. recruitment and resignation), and informal discussion with key project personnel.ResultsMotivation for becoming a CHW appeared to stem primarily from the desire for self-development, to improve community health, and for utilization of free time. The most common factors cited for continuing as a CHW were financial incentive, feeling needed by the community, and the value of the CHW position in securing future career advancement. Factors contributing to attrition included heavy workload, night visits, working outside of one's home area, familial opposition and dissatisfaction with pay.ConclusionsThe framework presented illustrates the decision making process women go through when deciding to become, or continue as, a CHW. Factors such as job satisfaction, community valuation of CHW work, and fulfilment of pre-hire expectations all need to be addressed systematically by programs to reduce rates of CHW attrition.

Enhancing high-tech product development through communication

Product development faces communication challenges which are accumulated when several companies are involved as typically in a high-tech industry. In this research, project personnel's communication needs are studied and improvement ideas are sought. This paper aims to help companies and project managers improve communication and hence enhance product development. The research was conducted as a multiple case study through a web-based survey to identify project personnel's perceptions of the primary information sources and typical communication problems. According to this study, personal relations are the main source for information for the personnel conducting the actual work. Data management systems are also utilised; however, they should better support the communication needs of product designers. In addition, companies with own products should better acknowledge the communication needs of their sub-contractors and their personnel. Investments in well-functioning communication, both planning and follow-up, should be made at project, product development and organisational levels.

Piloting interventions within a community-based participatory research framework: lessons learned from the healthy environments partnership.

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnerships experience unique opportunities and dilemmas when implementing pilot interventions. We describe challenges and opportunities associated with conducting a pilot intervention within a longstanding CBPR partnership, lessons learned for use of a participatory process to pilot community interventions, and recommendations to funders on mechanisms for funding pilot interventions to help address these challenges. We conducted key informant interviews and convened a group discussion with host organization leaders and project personnel. Findings highlight the opportunities and challenges related to needs and desires of community constituents and the ability of pilot interventions to meet those needs, and the importance of ongoing communication to address anticipated and unanticipated challenges that arise in the context of short-term pilot interventions in community settings. We suggest several funding mechanisms for supporting the implementation of larger scale interventions following promising pilot efforts in community settings.

Providing monovalent oral polio vaccine type 1 to newborns: findings from a pilot birth-dose project in Moradabad district, India.

Poliovirus transmission remained a public health challenge in western Uttar Pradesh, India in late 2005 and early 2006. In 2006, the India Expert Advisory Group for Polio Eradication concluded that, given the peak incidence of polio among children 6 to 12 months of age, a targeted birth dose of oral polio vaccine may be necessary to interrupt intense poliovirus transmission in high risk areas. The Government of Uttar Pradesh, the National Polio Surveillance Project and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) implemented a pilot birth-dose project aimed at identifying and vaccinating all newborns with a dose of oral polio vaccine within 72 hours of birth in an effort to evaluate operational feasibility and potential impact on population immunity. The project was piloted in Moradabad district: zone 7 in Moradabad City (urban setting), Kunderki block (rural setting) and in select birthing hospitals. Between July 2006 and February 2007, 9740 newborns were identified, of which 6369 (65%) were vaccinated by project personnel within 72 hours of birth. Project coverage (for total newborns vaccinated) ranged from 39% (in zone 7) to 76% (in Kunderki block) of the estimated number of newborns vaccinated during previous supplemental immunization activities. Birth-dose coverage among newborns was lower than expected. Expansion costs were estimated to be high, with marginal impact. The project, however, provided opportunities to strengthen newborn tracking systems which have increased the number of newborns and young infants vaccinated during supplemental immunization activities and enrolled in routine programmes.

Contingency Estimation for Construction Projects Through Risk Analysis

Construction organizations are constantly seeking ways to avoid failure and contain risks early on in the project life-cycle. One such approach to handle risks is through the allocation of ‘suitable’ contingency or reserve. However, when it comes to determining this suitable contingency fund, project personnel often face difficulty. In order to provide a logical basis upon which to allocate contingency to projects, a methodology that incorporates risk assessment is presented. Based on subjective judgment sought from the project personnel regarding the likelihood and severity of risks in their project, the degree of risk of the project is determined. Contingency funds are then allocated based on this quantified degree of risk. The developed methodology was applied to a hydropower project to check the adequacy of the contingency fund allocated. All the construction risks were identified for these projects. Their effects were quantified by determining the probability and severity using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Ranging was also performed on Bill of Quantity items. An Activity/Risk factor matrix was developed, which was then used as an input to the Monte Carlo simulation to combine the risk distributions of various BOQ items. This resulted in a risk adjusted cost from which the contingency was determined.

Team management for fast projects: an empirical study of process industries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to set out to identify key team factors associated with the fast implementation of capital projects. Although scholars theorise that project success depends as much on the effective management of project personnel as on technical management, the project literature is virtually silent on which team practices are pivotal.Design/methodology/approachUsing a model‐based quantitative research design, the impact of team management variables on the speed of two different phases of capital project implementation were examined: project execution and project construction. Multi‐method data collection included 252 individual surveys, archival documents, and whole team interviews conducted at the closeout of 56 capital projects implemented in four continents by 15Fortune500 companies in the process industries.FindingsEmpirical analysis revealed that only some of the variables predicted from other literatures (project manager – PM continuity, cross‐functional team integration, and PM incentives) were significantly linked to fast schedule outcomes. Some key drivers differed according to temporal phase.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of this study included its cross‐sectional design, modest sample size and sampling frame, but the findings clearly demonstrate the value of further research into key team factors for project success.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that strategic management of project personnel can drive project speed. Phase‐linked key team practices are identified for improving time performance in capital projects.Originality/valueThis study breaks new ground by exploring whether key team practices are generic and phase‐specific, and by identifying specific team drivers of speed for two capital project phases using objective outcome measures.

Construction professionals' perception of critical success factors for large‐scale construction projects

PurposeLarge‐scale construction projects pose several challenges for successful completion. There seems to be no general agreement among researchers on what are the critical success factors (CSFs) on construction projects. Success factors vary across various projects, let alone countries. This paper attempts to elicit the perception of construction professionals on CSFs appertaining to large‐scale construction projects in Thailand.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire surveys and interviews were conducted with project managers, deputy project managers, and line managers to gather their perception on CSFs.FindingsResults of 76 questionnaire surveys and 35 interviews revealed that factors related to project planning and control, project personnel, and involvement of client were perceived to be critical for the success of large‐scale construction projects in Thailand. Participants also showed their high concern for sufficient resources, adequate communication, mutual understanding of stakeholders on project goals, and award of bids to the “right” designers and contractors.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted on a single large‐scale construction project in Thailand, and hence, findings should be interpreted in context of Thai construction industry. The study also did not consider any specific procurement methods under which the project was being developed. Participants were asked about their general perception about CSFs on large‐scale construction projects.Practical implicationsResults from this study can be used as guidelines to ascertain CSFs on other large‐scale projects in Thailand. Project managers can also use this study to evaluate their current project and compare the perceived and real success factors for knowledge management exercises.Originality/valueThe paper captures the perception of construction professionals about CSFs in large‐scale projects in Thailand. It also presents a model for conceptual illustration of CSFs by differentiating the process domain from performance domain.

Biology and behaviour of reintroduced gibbons

We observed and recorded the behaviours of gibbons undergoing rehabilitation, before and after release, to document the behavioural and social changes of gibbons in the rehabilitation program and develop criteria for determining the suitability of a pair of gibbons for release. Hylobates albibarbis were observed at the Kalaweit Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Data were collected on animals both pre- and post-release and on wild gibbons for comparison. Data presented here show that reintroduced gibbons are capable of surviving without human intervention. In addition, their behaviour is similar to that of wild gibbons in terms of activity budgets, position in the canopy, body posture, pair association (PA) and diet. Prior to this study, no attempt has been made to quantify the rehabilitation process for gibbons, and rehabilitation project personnel require data reporting all aspects of a release so that improvements can be made. It is important to report these data for the benefit of future releases. Criteria, based on the behaviour of wild gibbons, are proposed to assist rehabilitation centers in assessing the suitability of gibbon pairs for release.

SOKO PROJECT: DEVELOPING DETAILED OIL COMBATING PLAN FOR MANAGING ON-SHORE CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES IN FINLAND

ABSTRACT Shipping on the Baltic Sea, especially the transportation of oil, has grown significantly over the past few years. One of the most accident risky areas for Finland is situated in the Eastern Gulf of Finland (lat. 60° 11’ long. 027° 45’ E). The Baltic Sea has officially been classified by the International Maritime Organization as Particularly Sensitive Sea Area in 2005. In Finland the Regional Rescue Services (RRS) are responsible for organising on-shore clean-up with the assistance of the Regional Environmental Centres (REC). These oil combating authorities of Kymenlaakso region in south-eastern Finland have developed a thorough preparedness for oil incidents with the help of SOKO – Management of on-shore oil combating - project (SOKO). SOKO, innovated and administrated by the Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences (KyAMK), produced a detailed guidebook for oil combating authorities and the response commander (RC). The scope of the guidebook was achieved as an interdisciplinary effort between educational institutes, rescue services, environmental centres, authorities, civic organisations and businesses. The guidebook provides detailed information on how to conduct oil combating in the case of a major oil incident where the oil reaches the shores. The guidebook is used as an action plan, as a manual for the response commander (RC) as well as for training both authorities and volunteers. It is an extensive collection of studies undertaken by further education students and specialists under the supervision of the project steering committee, formed by local oil combating authorities and KyAMK SOKO project personnel. The guidebook discusses the oil combating organisation and the management, the human resources, the communication and the financing issues. The guidebook also covers the arranging cleaning operations, the oil combating equipment and the temporary storage sites in the mainland and the archipelago and the construction specifications for the temporary storages. Transportation of oily wastes was also examined including the methods for loading and discharging oily wastes, as well as the sea, road and railway transportation methods using a database for estimating the best and most economic routes from the archipelago to the mainland. In addition, detailed operative charts were produced, with indications of the cleaning sectors and the oil waste transportation spots. The SOKO contingency plan differs from the governmental plans by focusing only on the on-shore response excluding the at-sea response. The role of the oil combating authorities in the project was to identify unresolved issues in preparedness, provide practical information, supervise and accept the outcome. The main financier of SOKO in 2003–2007 was the Finnish Ministry of Education. The SOKO concept is currently expanding to cover more coastal area in the Gulf of Finland (SOKO II -project 2007–2011).

Development of a data management framework in support of southeastern tidal creek research

The NOAA Center of Excellence for Oceans and Human Health Initiative (OHHI) at the Hollings Marine Laboratory (HML) is developing a data management framework that supports an integrated research program across scientific disciplines. The primary focus of the database is to support environmental research focused on tidal creek watershed systems. Specifically, the current data holdings include physical water quality parameters, nutrients, pathogens, chemical contaminants, benthic and nekton species abundances and human dimensions data from Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina dating to 1994. These data are not from a single long-term research project but are derived from several state and federal research programs and integrated into a common database model to support current research being conducted under the OHHI program at HML. The Tidal Creek database was developed with the intent to support a well documented and open system, thus metadata elements from common metadata standards including the Dublin Core ISO 15836:2003 and Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC-STD-001-1998) are components of the database model. The result is a semantic database framework with descriptive ancillary data at the record level including methods, investigator names, date, locations and other descriptive elements. The primary users of the database are project personnel to meet analytical needs. The database is also available through a number of web-based applications that are designed to give users the necessary information to evaluate and access data. In addition, data can be accessed with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards, and species records and abundances are being made available to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). Overall, the Tidal Creek database summarizes the response of tidal creeks and watersheds to coastal development, and serves as a repository for environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic data in the Southeast.

Dynamic project performance estimation by combining static estimation models with system dynamics

Changes in user requirements or project personnel occur frequently during project execution particularly in long-term and large-size projects. We need a tool which can estimate the effects of changing conditions to effectively manage the project. This paper proposes a simulation method for dynamic project performance in terms of effort, schedule, and defect density changes in a dynamic project environment by combining COCOMO II with system dynamics. We apply expert judgment technique to overcome the lack of empirical data on the effects of dynamic project environment. We develop a simulation tool (available on the authors’ website) which has model adjustment parameters to reflect experts’ estimation on project characteristics. The simulation experiment on a military application development project demonstrates that the developed model can show the behavioral characteristics of a project suffering unanticipated and uncontrolled requirements creep. This helps project managers understand interactions between project factors and proactively evaluate and control the effects of dynamic project environment.

Systematic synthesis of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) project evaluation reports for evidence-based policy: a proof-of-concept study

BackgroundThis paper presents the methodology and findings from a proof-of-concept study undertaken to explore the viability of conducting a systematic, largely qualitative synthesis of evaluation reports emanating from Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) projects in developing countries.MethodsComputer assisted thematic qualitative analysis was conducted on recommendation sections from 37 evaluation reports, arising from 36 disability and development projects in 22 countries. Quantitative overviews and qualitative summaries of the data were developed.ResultsThe methodology was found to be feasible and productive. Fifty-one themes were identified and the most important ones of these are presented to illustrate the significance of the method. The relative priorities of these themes indicated that "management" issues were the primary areas in which recommendations were made. Further analysis of themes reflected the emphasis evaluators placed on the need for enhanced management, organisational, personnel and administrative infrastructure in CBR projects. Evaluators consistently recommended that CBR projects should be more connected and collaborative at governmental, organisational, political and community levels. The synthesis also noted that evaluators questioned the emphasis in CBR on project expansion and income generation.ConclusionThe application of the synthesis methodology utilised in this proof-of-concept study was found to be potentially very beneficial for future research in CBR, and indeed in any area within health services or international development in which evaluation reports rather than formal "research evidence" is the primary source material. The proof-of-concept study identified a number of limitations which are outlined. Based on the conclusions of 37 evaluation reports, future policy frameworks and implementation strategies in CBR should include a stronger emphasis on technical, organisational, administrative and personnel aspects of management and strategic leadership.

Construction Project Management in India

The Indian construction industry is known to be inefficient and highly resistant to change. Even with a changing market and increasing competition, there are no obvious signs of commensurate changes in methods and approach. Project management, on the other hand, seems to offer what is needed in terms of tools and techniques to raise industry standards. Little is known of the extent to which project management as a discipline exists in India. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to investigate the current level of application of project management and the obstacles that have prevented its introduction in the Indian construction industry.A small questionnaire survey was conducted in early 2007. Following a pilot study, the main survey instrument was emailed to more than 150 participants and organisations. This produced a sample of 51 respondents from four different construction industry disciplines i.e. architecture (21), engineering (19), project personnel (9) and building surveying (2).The responses and suggestions provided by the returns are studied and reviewed. These indicate that the Indian construction industry is growing and most of its consultants know of the existence of project management. Barriers for the application of project management knowledge do exist, with 45% of the respondents indicating a high level of obstacles. A particular issue is the lack of encouragement from construction organisations. A major difference was also observed between the public and private sectors with many of the respondents claiming that project management is possible on a large scale in the private sector but not in the public sector. The reasons for this difference are government policies such as excessive bureaucracy, poor execution of projects, compromises on quality and standards, personal interests, low transparency and corruption. In addition, a large majority of respondents agreed that the construction industry lacks a structure or pattern; that tools such as project management can provide the structure needed; and with the help of this structure, the industry should be able to overcome the problems involved in increased modernisation and transparency and be better prepared for future challenges.

Monitoring of a strategic partnering process: the Amphion experience

Amphion Consortium was formed with the membership of a number of registered social landlords as an initiative in implementing the Egan agenda which championed long‐term successful partnering as a mechanism for achieving radical change in the construction industry. This was an opportunity to monitor and record the performance of 12 housing development projects and the roles played by a complex team network in contributing to an innovative partnering agreement. Relevant KPIs, benchmarks, a data collection and site monitoring system were developed. A range of workshops, questionnaire surveys, detailed interviews with key project personnel, examination of site meeting notes and feedback reviews were undertaken as research tools to gather data. An attempt was made to identify the softer, qualitative issues that are difficult to grapple with normal numerical data collection methods. A number of takeover bids within a short space of time had a substantial effect on the consortium as well as the research project. Mutual trust, effective communication, a changed mindset from all parties, the quality of the services and commitment of all stakeholders seem to be the key factors that contribute to a successful strategic partnering process.

Holocaust Curriculum Development for Latvian Schools: Arriving at Purposes, Aims, and Goals through Curriculum Deliberation

Teaching about the Holocaust is a deeply sensitive and controversial topic in the Republic of Latvia. Due to a Soviet-imposed silence on the topic and the developing nature of democratic education in Latvia, many schools cover this history superficially, if it is covered at all. This study examines a cross-cultural curriculum development project that sought to break the historical silence surrounding the Holocaust in Latvia and provide Latvian teachers with an inviting, defensible, and efficacious curriculum that is both sensitive to societal reluctance to discuss the Holocaust and responsive to the needs of students living in a pluralistic democracy. This ethnographic and descriptive case study draws on multiple interviews with curriculum writers and project personnel, as well as field notes from the 18 month project, and examines how writers arrived at the curricular purposes, aims, goals, and content that would open this closed area. Significant findings include new understandings of the challenges and promises of cross-cultural curriculum deliberation, as well as an analysis of the choices involved in creating a new Holocaust curriculum. These findings suggest numerous implications and considerations for other former Soviet republics and more established democracies grappling with how to develop curricula through just processes while producing materials that foster democratic citizenship.

Glass fabrication and product consistency testing of lanthanide borosilicate glass for plutonium disposition

The Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOE/EM) plans to conduct the Plutonium Disposition Project at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, SC, to disposition excess weapons-usable plutonium. A plutonium glass waste form is a leading candidate for immobilization of the plutonium for subsequent disposition in a geologic repository. The objectives of this present task were to fabricate plutonium-loaded lanthanide borosilicate (LaBS) Frit B glass and perform testing to provide near-term data that will increase confidence that LaBS glass product is suitable for disposal in the proposed Federal Repository. Specifically, testing was conducted in an effort to provide data to Yucca Mountain Project (YMP) personnel for use in performance assessment calculations. Plutonium-containing LaBS glass with the Frit B composition with a 9.5 wt% PuO 2 loading was prepared for testing. Glass was prepared to support glass durability testing via the ASTM product consistency testing (PCT) at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL). The glass was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) prior to performance testing. This characterization revealed some crystalline PuO 2 inclusions with disk-like morphology present in the as-fabricated, quench-cooled glass. A series of PCTs was conducted at SRNL with varying exposed surface area and test durations. Filtered leachates from these tests were analyzed to determine the dissolved concentrations of key elements. The leachate solutions were also ultrafiltered to quantify colloid formation. Leached solids from select PCTs were examined in an attempt to evaluate the Pu and neutron absorber release behavior from the glass and to investigate formation of alteration phases on the glass surface. A series of PCTs was conducted at 90 °C in ASTM Type 1 water to compare the Pu LaBS Frit B glass durability to current requirements for high level waste (HLW) glass in a geologic repository. The PCT (7-day static test with powdered glass) results on the Pu-containing LaBS Frit B glass at SA/V of ≈2000 m −1 showed that the glass was very durable with an average normalized elemental release value for boron of 0.013 g/m 2. This boron release value is ≈640× lower than normalized boron release from current environmental assessment (EA) glass used for repository acceptance. The PCT-B (7-, 14-, 28- and 56-day, static test with powdered glass) normalized elemental releases were similar to the normalized elemental release values from PCT-A testing, indicating that the LaBS Frit B glass is very durable as measured by the PCT. Normalized plutonium releases were essentially the same within the analytical uncertainty of the ICP-MS methods used to quantify plutonium in the 0.45 μm-filtered leachates and ultra-filtered leachates, indicating that colloidal plutonium species do not form under the PCT conditions used in this study.

Maintaining the momentum in seismic safety management

Andrew McBarnet looks at some of the perennial challenges in safety management for geophysical survey operations in a global market. Safety is an extraordinarily sensitive issue in any industry, but probably especially so in land and marine seismic survey operations. Oil companies and their contractors are, after all, under intense pressure to ensure the safety of project personnel on a 24/7 basis while they are engaged in inherently dangerous activities. If something does go wrong, the emotional turmoil of an accident especially one involving loss of life is always extremely hard to deal with, and there can be unpredictable consequences. Companies and their managements can be vulnerable to hefty legal and financial penalties. An example of the impact on a company of a large scale accident was illustrated by the explosion at BP’s Texas City refinery in the US two years ago killing 15 workers. The company suffered a major blow to its credibility, has been fined, no doubt faces endless civil damages litigation, and the incident is widely held to have speeded the intended retirement date of its chairman Lord Browne, frequently cited as the outstanding CEO of his generation.

Cultural and Home Language Influences on Children's Responses to Science Assessments

Background A critical issue in academic assessment is the effect of children's language and culture on their measured performance. Research on this topic has rarely focused on science education, because science is commonly (though erroneously) assumed to be “culture free.” Students’ scientific understandings are influenced by the cultural values, experiences, and epistemologies of their home communities. Efforts to minimize cultural bias include designing tests to be “culturally neutral” and, conversely, tailoring assessments to specific cultural groups; both approaches are theoretically and practically problematic. Several studies have focused on testing accommodations for English language learners (ELLs), but accommodations raise validity and feasibility issues and are limited by “English-only” policies. This article stresses the linkages between language and culture, drawing on contemporary literacy theory and research on scientific communities as well as groups traditionally marginalized from science. Objective To examine how children's prior linguistic and cultural knowledge mediates their engagement with school science, as reflected in their responses on science assessments. Participants Over 1,500 students from six elementary schools serving diverse populations. Research Design Project-developed assessments included items requiring students to explain scientific phenomena. Scoring revealed that students misinterpreted some items, and scorers had difficulty understanding some students’ responses. Project personnel then undertook qualitative discourse analysis of responses on all tests. Findings Analysis revealed phonological/orthographic and semantic interference from students’ home languages; responses reflecting students’ cultural beliefs and practices; and “languacultural” features related to genre, authorial voice, pragmatic framing, and textual organization. Conclusions/Recommendations Science tests inevitably contain tacit cultural and linguistic knowledge that is not equally accessible to all students. Using “real-life scenarios” in assessment items may confuse students whose lives do not reflect mainstream norms. Furthermore, English-medium assessments are unlikely to accurately measure ELLs’ science knowledge. Teachers can learn to recognize factors that impede ELLs from grasping or expressing science concepts clearly. They should also ensure that all students understand the discursive and textual conventions inherent in assessment instruments. Linguistic and cultural factors shape science knowledge not only of students but of teachers, scientists, and test developers. Uncovering the factors shaping students’ academic performance requires fine-grained qualitative analysis and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries.