Qualitative Evaluation Methods Research Articles

Towards a better psychological satisfaction: developing a mixed multi-criteria evaluation system to urban ‘Not in my back yard’ facilities siting

‘Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY)’ facilities are psychologically sensitive to urban and regional development. Multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) method has been widely used for the decision-making of optimum siting of urban NIMBY facilities which aim to improve residents’ psychological satisfaction. However, the evaluation of qualitative criteria in siting analysis remains under researched, such as the insufficient focus on urban and regional spatial development, social public opinion, and psychological factors. Thus, the effective improvement of MCE method through an interdisciplinary view can optimise the decision process and advance the factor assessment system of siting, which helps to supplement qualitative criteria evaluation. The specific improvement steps are as follows. The first step is to introduce the mixed MCE method to improve the qualitative criteria evaluation method by pre-processing qualitative criteria with min–max standardisation and normalization. This process transfers all negative factors to positive ones and transforms the F function to linear functions. The second step is to optimise the existing two-phase siting decision-making including the feasibility evaluation phase and the MCE phase. The third step is to propose a modular criteria system composed of urban and regional spatial planning, social psychological factors and the corresponding improvement strategy of this system from three perspectives of composition, measure, and weight. We argue that the improved method could be broadly applied to optimum siting decision of urban NIMBY facilities and enhance the psychological satisfaction of residents.

Theoretical study on Mα transition parameters of He-like to C-like cobalt ions

The multi-configuration Dirac–Hartree–Fock method is employed to investigate the Mα transitions of He-like to C-like Co ions. This study encompasses various parameters, such as energy levels, wavelengths, transition rates, oscillator strengths, and line strengths. The Breit interaction, vacuum polarization, and self-energy corrections were included in the computation of energy levels. The computed results we obtained align well with both experimental and theoretical findings. The differences for most energy levels, transition wavelengths, and oscillator strengths are all below 0.6%, 0.8%, and 20%, respectively. The uncertainty estimation method of the transitions of line strength is evaluated using quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods. The resulting accurate and consistent MCDHF data are expected to be useful for theoretical research on cobalt ions.

Framework for an interprofessional experience addressing health and disability for health professional students

Background and purposeA Health and Disabilities Interprofessional Education (IPE) course was implemented to join three healthcare disciplines together to collaboratively plan, implement, and reflect on professional roles and responsibilities. The goal and purpose of this course was to create an advancement of interprofessional education and practice within health science professions early in their students' programs utilizing innovative teaching methods working directly with individuals with disabilities. Educational activity and setting72 students were assigned to interprofessional teams of 10–11 people. Through asynchronous and synchronous learning activities, student teams worked together to plan and conduct community-based client interviews. FindingsQuantitative and qualitative evaluation methods were used to explore the impact of interprofessional experiential learning experiences. Qualitative data showed a greater awareness and understanding of the different roles and responsibilities in interprofessional teams as well as a greater appreciation for the value of interacting with persons with disabilities (PWD) during their training. Quantitative data showed a significant change in students' understanding of their roles and responsibilities as a member of an interprofessional team, their confidence with working with PWD in a future healthcare capacity, as well as their understanding of how the social determinants of health may influence the healthcare experience of a PWD. SummaryInterprofessional education and experiential learning opportunities are good ways to facilitate “real” patient care experiences and team roles and responsibilities. This enables healthcare students to practice communication, build relationships, and understand the lived experience of their patients.

Co-Production Boundaries of Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Regeneration: The Case of a Healthy Corridor

Co-production, rooted in public collaborative management (Ostrom, 1996) or science and technology (Jasanoff, 2013) evolution, has demonstrated its innovative and transformative character within participatory processes. However, there is little empirical evidence that scrutinises these contexts of interaction. Equality of partnership in many cases is used as a discursive rhetoric that seeks to prescribe co-production above any difficulty, uncertainty, conflict, or unwanted situation. As a starting point, our proposal considers co-production as a social practice, composed of multiple layers and different participatory processes, activities, and strategies. Grounded in co-production approaches, the study draws upon the ongoing evaluation findings of the European project URBiNAT, which focuses on inclusive urban regeneration through nature-based solutions. The qualitative methods of evaluation (interviews and participant observation), applied during the co-production activities in the city of Porto (Portugal), provide evidence of how the various stakeholders—elected politicians, citizens, technicians, and researchers—participate in the co-production dynamic. The boundaries of a multi-stakeholder process are revealed with the goal of implementing healthy corridors in peripheral neighbourhoods. The intended evaluation analysis lies in the techniques, the agents, the dynamics, the knowledge, and the degrees of co-production. This analysis will contribute to the lack of explicit consideration of the impacts of nature-based solutions in urban regeneration pathways, especially those related to the social fabric underlined in Dumitru et al. (2020).

Functional recovery prediction during rehabilitation after rotator cuff tears by decision support system.

Today's rehabilitation decision-making still relies on conventional methods and different specific targeted rehabilitation protocols. Our study focuses on the decision support system for early rehabilitation after rotator cuff (RC) tears repair, where a multicriteria decision-making framework (MCDM) is applied for the prediction of successful functional recovery and selection of a rehabilitation protocol. To identify factors that affect recovery outcomes and to develop a decision support system methodology for predicting functional recovery outcomes at early rehabilitation after RC repair. Twelve rehabilitation experts were involved in the design, calibration, and evaluation of a rehabilitation protocol based on the proposed decision support system constructed using the MCDM framework. For the development of a decision support system, 20 patients after RC surgery undergoing outpatient rehabilitation were enrolled in a prospective cohort clinical trial. The MCDM framework (SWARA method) sensitively assesses different criteria and determines the corresponding criteria weights that were similar to criteria weights assessed subjectively by rehabilitation experts. The assignment of patients into the classes, according to the heuristic evaluation method based on expert opinion and the standard qualitative evaluation methods showed the validity of MCDM methods remain the best new alternative in predicting recovery during rehabilitation. The results of this paper show that sustainable rehabilitation is an area that is quite suitable for the use of MCDM. The most of rehabilitation protocols are based on traditional methods and approaches, but the sensitive results showed the validity of MCDM methods and remains the best new alternative in prediction recovery protocols during rehabilitation.

A Deep-Learning-Based Quality Control Evaluation Method for CT Phantom Images

Computed tomography (CT) is a rapid and precise medical imaging modality, but it poses the challenge of high radiation exposure to patients. To control this issue, stringent quality control (QC) evaluations are imperative for CT. One crucial aspect of CT QC involves the evaluation of phantom images, utilizing specifically designed phantoms for accuracy management and subsequent objective evaluation. However, CT QC has qualitative evaluation methods, particularly for evaluating spatial and contrast resolutions. To solve this problem, we propose a quality control method based on deep-learning object detection for quantitatively evaluating spatial and contrast resolutions, CT Attention You Only Look Once v8 (CTA-YOLOv8). First, we utilized the YOLOv8 network as the foundational model, optimizing it for enhanced accuracy. Second, we enhanced the network’s capabilities by integrating the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and Swin Transformers, tailored for phantom image evaluations. The CBAM module was employed internally to pinpoint the optimal position for achieving peak performance in CT QC data. Similarly, we fine-tuned the code and patch size of the Swin Transformer module to align it with YOLOv8, culminating in the identification of the optimal configuration. Our proposed CTA-YOLOv8 network showed superior agreement with qualitative evaluation methods, achieving accuracies of 92.03% and 97.56% for spatial and contrast resolution evaluations, respectively. Thus, we suggest that our method offers nearly equivalent performance to qualitative methods. The utilization of the CTA-YOLOv8 network in evaluating CT phantom images holds potential for setting a new standard in quantitative assessment methodologies.

Beyond numbers: integrating qualitative analysis into quantitative sensory testing for neuropathic pain.

This article investigates the benefits of adopting qualitative and quantitative sensory testing (QQST) in sensory assessment, with a focus on understanding neuropathic pain. The innovative QQST method combines participant qualitative experiences with quantitative psychophysical measurements, offering a more varied interpretation of sensory abnormalities and normal sensory function. This article also explores the steps for the optimization of the method by identifying qualitative signs of sensory abnormalities and standardizing data collection. By leveraging the inherent subjectivity in the test design and participant responses, the QQST method contributes to a more holistic exploration of both normal and abnormal sensory experiences. This article positions the QQST approach as a foundational element within the Sensory Evaluation Network, uniting international experts to harmonize qualitative and quantitative sensory evaluation methods.

‘The International Style’ multilingual three-dimensional grammar and hybrid designs

The present paper describes a multilingual shape grammar to recreate the work of three designers that preconized the ‘International Style’. This is a top-down three-dimensional formulation. Whilst most grammars are monolingual and univocal, this work creates a multilingual formulation within the same artistic movement. Typically, a grammar describes a family of design solutions. These are helpful mechanisms to describe patterns that can be used for analysis or design exploration. This multilingual three-dimensional parametric grammar allows the independent recreation of original designs from three designers and hybrid solutions. Shape grammar's difficult application can be linked to its evaluation process. The original contribution of the study lies in the use of quantitative and qualitative methods for grammar evaluation, using Principal Components Analysis and user questionnaires. The PCA provides a pragmatic analysis, and the questionnaires an intuitive reading. Together they corroborate the results which are discussed using hybrids that assist in delineating parametric spaces.

Calculations of energy levels, transition rates, lifetimes and Landé g factors for silicon-like Kr XXIII

The multiconfiguration Dirac–Hartree–Fock (MCDHF) method is employed to calculate excitation energies, transition rates, lifetimes and Landé g factors for the lowest 700 levels belonging to the 22 configurations 3s23p{3l,4l′}, 3s3p2{3l,4l′}, 3s23d{3d,4s,4p}, 3s{3p3d2,3d3}, 3p{3p3,3p23d,3p3d2,3d3}, 3d4 with l = 1, 2 and l′ = 0, 1, 2, 3 in Kr XXIII. The present excitation energies are compared with available experimental and theoretical values. The mean relative difference between our results and the values provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is only 0.05%, which suggests a good agreement. The uncertainties of the transition rates are estimated based on quantitative and qualitative evaluation method which analyzes the dependencies of the line strength S on the gauge parameter G. It is observed that 49.6% of E1 S values have uncertainties of ≤ 1% (AA) and over 82% have uncertainties of ≤ 3% (A). The present wavelengths and transition rates are compared with the experimental values and generally good agreements have been achieved. For lifetime, the present MCDHF values fall well within the range of experimental error. Comparison of the computed Landé g factors is also made with the Landé g factors in pure LS-coupling. These accurate data can be useful for fusion plasma research and astrophysical applications.

Audit Tata Kelola Teknologi Informasi Pada PT. XXX Menggunakan COBIT 2019 Dengan Domain Build, Acquire And Implement01

The rapidly growing development of Information Technology today has affected various business sectors. One of them is the manufacturing industry as carried out by PT. XXX. PT. XXX is one of the companies that has implemented information technology as a strategy to compete in the company's business. However, the information technology implemented is still not effective in achieving the company's goals. This study aims to evaluate IT governance at PT. XXX using the COBIT 2019 framework. COBIT is an internationally recognized framework for effective and efficient IT governance. This study uses a qualitative evaluation method, by collecting data through interviews with relevant parties at PT. XXX, as well as analysis of documents and policies related to IT governance. This data is then analyzed and compared with the COBIT 2019 framework to identify gaps and areas that need improvement. After the analysis, it was found that the objective that could be evaluated or audited was Managed Programs and Projects, BAI01. In this research, the results of the capability level on the PT XXX website were obtained at level 4 with an achievement value of 91%.

Building Clinical Leadership Competencies When Caring for Hospitalized Adults Experiencing Dementia

Purpose and Objectives Attempting to improve the experience of hospitalized adults with dementia and reduce patient attendant costs, we addressed hospital nursing staff confidence managing responsive behaviors through education, mentorship, and individualized patient care planning for adults with dementia. Responsive behaviors (such as pacing, calling out) is a term used to describe behaviors demonstrated by a person with dementia as a way of responding to something negative, frustrating, or confusing in their social and physical environment. Description of Project Under time restraints, we performed a rapid environmental scan and developed internal clinical resources and a learning strategy that informed a quality improvement initiative that focused on dementia care of hospitalized patients. Outcome Using quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, the interventions increased confidence, competency, and leadership in clinical nursing leaders and improved person-centered care planning practices. The cost of patient attendant usage for this patient population decreased by 28% in 1 year. Conclusion This intervention, which was not a copyrighted program associated with administration costs, improved hospital-based dementia care and staff confidence in dementia care and reduced annual costs associated with patient attendant useage.

Research on Visual Quality Evaluation Method of Tourist Highway Based on Virtual Driving

This paper studies the visual quality evaluation method along the tourist highway from the driver’s first perspective, selects five evaluation indexes from the aspects of driver’s driving reaction and physiological reaction, and establishes a “man-vehicle-road” visual quality evaluation method model of tourist highway. Through BIM + VR technology, the tourist highway scene is built for virtual driving experience and evaluation, and different landscape design schemes and dynamic effects of tourist highway are reproduced virtually. Combined with questionnaire survey and physiological data feedback, the tourist highway landscape is evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively, and a qualitative and quantitative evaluation method for the visual quality of tourist highway is put forward. It provides decision-making basis for local relevant departments to carry out landscape design quality evaluation along tourist highways, and realizes high-quality development of tourist highways.

Cost and Time Efficiency Analysis on Latei Beams and Wall Work: Case Study Of GLT4 And GKU2 Projects at Sumatra Institute of Technology

Engineering Laboratory Building Project 4 (GLT4) and Public Lecture Building (GKU2) at the Sumatra Institute of Technology, South Lampung is part of the construction of a lecture building where this development aims to facilitate and provide comfortable learning infrastructure for all students. This study evaluates the cost of latei beams and walls. The method used is to calculate the cost of implementation and time evaluation so as to change the conventional implementation method to precast / precast through the Cost and Time Evaluation Method. The research objective was to determine the cost efficiency between the conventional method and the precast method for beam and wall work. Types of qualitative research use cost and time evaluation method is one of the well-known methods and has a considerable potential for success in controlling costs and time. This technique uses an analysis approach to its function. The process carried out is to reduce costs as much as possible while still paying attention to the desired quality and reliability. The results of this study indicate that in the Construction of the Engineering Laboratory Building (GLT) 4 and General Lecture Building (GKU) 2 projects for latei beam work it was found that the cost of latei beam work had a profit of 24% with a value of Rp. 95,090,232 and has an efficiency of 6% with a value of Rp. 25,145,911. The amount of efficiency occurs due to changes in material use, reducing wages and material costs by negotiating with suppliers. Wall work has an efficiency of 11% or Rp. 309,214,847 and has a profit of 20% or Rp. 686,542,006. Efficiency occurs by reducing wages and material costs by negotiating with suppliers.

Analysis of antiviral and antimicrobial activity of Opuntia Stricta (red prickly pear) extract treated cotton fabric by cationization technique for healthcare and hygiene textiles

The aim of this work is to produce an effective antiviral and antimicrobial cotton fabric with adequate wash fastness effects on the Opuntia Stricta (red prickly pear) extracted treated textile materials for healthcare and hygiene application. Since humans are more prone to bacterial and viral infections which are deadly and contagious, proper use of these fabrics will effectively reduce the spread of human pathogenic microorganisms. Cotton fabric is taken because it has a good absorbency, comfort and durability. Cotton fabric is subjected to cationization process using chitosan and sericin. The extract of plant Opuntia Stricta is obtained from its fruits by aqueous extraction technique. The Opuntia Stricta fruit are highly effective and possess various flavonoids that inhibit the growth and spread of human pathogenic microorganisms and the Opuntia Stricta extract were applied on to the cotton material using herbal dyeing technique. The effectiveness of the finished fabric were analyzed by AATCC method for qualitative evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the treated samples, its shows excellent zone of inhibition in both gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram negative bacteria Echerichia coli.

Observation Capability Evaluation Model for Flood-Observation-Oriented Satellite Sensor Selection

Satellite sensors are one of the most important means of collecting real-time geospatial information. Due to their characteristics such as large spatial coverage and strong capability for dynamic monitoring, they are widely used in the observation of real-time flood situation information for flood situational awareness and response. Selecting the optimum sensor is vital when multiple sensors exist. Presently, sensor selection predominantly hinges on human experience and various quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods. Yet, these methods lack optimization considering the flood’s spatiotemporal characteristics, such as different flood phases and geographical environmental factors. Consequently, they may inaccurately evaluate and select the inappropriate sensor. To address this issue, an innovative observation capability evaluation model (OCEM) is proposed to quantitatively pre-evaluate the performance of flood-water-observation-oriented satellite sensors. The OCEM selects and formulates various flood-water-observation-related capability factors and supports dynamic weight assignment considering the spatiotemporal characteristics of the flood event. An experiment involving three consecutive flood phase observation tasks was conducted. The results demonstrated the flexibility and effectiveness of the OCEM in pre-evaluating the observation capability of various satellite sensors across those tasks, accounting for the spatiotemporal characteristics of different flood phases. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative comparisons with related methods further affirmed the superiority of the OCEM. In general, the OCEM has provided a “measuring table” to optimize the selection and planning of sensors in flood management departments for acquiring real-time flood information.

Science and Technology Reciprocity in Educational Laboratory Systems Intermediate in Kota Sungai Penuh

The determination of science and technology is a prerequisite for the development of modern laboratory systems. This study examines the laboratory management system in the interrelationship between science and technology. Qualitative evaluation methods are used to accommodate research questions related to the comparison of objectives and realities of laboratory systems. The focus of research lies in the management system and management paradigm of science and technology. The study was conducted in all public high schools in Kota Sungai Penuh, Jambi. The study used naturalistic observation to observe laboratory conditions and semi-structured interviews from laboratory managers, educators involved in the laboratory and students. Research bias is minimized by comparing observations and some interview results. The results showed that there is a gap in laboratory management of schools in newly developing cities. This slice of science and technology in the laboratory management system is influenced by past views, present feelings and future assumptions from laboratory managers, parties and educators involved. Then policy and policy realization magnify the gap created. The gap can be addressed by using virtual labs.

Evaluation of Information Skills and Innovative Literacy Cultivation of Digital Talent in Universities

In the context of globalization and informatization, cultivating the information ability and innovative literacy of university digital talents is of great significance for cultivating talents in supply chain majors. However, some shortcomings remain in the information ability evaluation and innovative literacy cultivation of university talents in the current education system. In this context, this study conducted in-depth research on the information ability evaluation of digital talents in universities and its impact on the cultivation of innovative literacy. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method was first adopted to make a quantitative evaluation of the information ability of university digital talents, which aimed to compensate for the shortcomings of existing qualitative evaluation methods. Then, regression models, as well as mediating and moderating effect models, were constructed to deeply analyze the impact of information ability on innovative literacy cultivation, aiming to reveal the complexity of the impact mechanism. This study aimed to provide new perspectives and methods for theory and practice, thereby improving the information ability evaluation system and the innovative literacy cultivation mechanism of digital talents in universities. This study is not only theoretically significant, but it also provides a practical reference for universities in cultivating talents in supply chain major.

ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USABILITY TESTING FOR USER INTERFACES

The paper analyses the problems of maintaining software quality, namely, usability testing as a direction of ensuring this quality, analyses publications that consider the methods of electro-oculography, electro-retinography, mouse-tracking, eye-tracking, etc. and proves that the issue of improving the quality of software products largely depends on the effectiveness of usability testing. The study is based on the analysis of traditional software testing methods and tools and the proposal of mouse-tracking and eye-tracking technologies as an alternative solution to the problem. Criteria and metrics for assessing the usability of web applications were identified, an analytical approach was used as a methodological basis, which involves a comprehensive consideration of the research object, methods of comparative analysis and classification were used to obtain data, the results were processed using standard statistical methods, and the necessity and importance of usability testing of websites was assessed. The article considers generally accepted rules and recommendations in the field of usability testing, analyses quantitative and qualitative methods of usability testing evaluation, for a more detailed study of the subject of research the ergonomic interaction of a user with an information system, namely with a web resource, studies the main categories of users depending on a number of indicators, and pays special attention to establishing quality assessment criteria based on existing standards of recommendations. the article reviews the process of usability testing of information system interfaces, its analysis and evaluation, analyses the methods of electro-oculography and electro-retinography, mouse-tracking and eye-tracking technologies, and concludes that the use of eye-tracking technology will allow collecting and systematising quantitative and qualitative data on user interaction with the system and will make it possible to optimise the process of usability testing by reducing the time of its implementation. The prerequisites for conducting an experimental study of theoretical results using eye-tracking technologies have been created.

Оценка на конкурентоспособността на земеделски стопанства с биологично производство (по данни от анкетно проучване)

The issue of determining and increasing the level of competitiveness of organic agricultural holdings is one of the current academic and practical issues both in the EU and in Bulgaria. How to determine and measure the competitiveness of organic farms, what are the decisive factors and guidelines for increasing their competitiveness at the modern stage of development - despite the discussions, these problems are still on the agenda now. Both the EU and Bulgaria promote the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices such as nutrient management plans, soil improvement, precision farming, organic farming, use of legumes in crop rotation schemes, as well as substitution where possible, of mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers. In 2023, the EC is also expected to adopt an action plan for integrated nutrient management. Organic farming (OF) favors nature and society as a production system that contributes to the reduction of air, soil and water pollution; to increase biodiversity, strengthen the sustainability of agriculture, to ensure healthy food and clean nature for current and future generations, and as such it organically fits into the requirements of the new CAP. The purpose of the study is to identify and analyze the state, level and factors determining the competitiveness of OF through the analysis of information from a survey of organic farms. The complex influence of various factors determining the development of the sector and the competitive advantages of farms are reported, the main problems and challenges facing it are identified, as well as the prospects for its development. This could provide guidance for its development as a component and instrument of state agricultural policy in terms of sustainable management of natural resources, compliance with high standards of food quality and safety and animal welfare, as well as for the development of viable rural areas. The methodology uses a mixed approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods – literature review, comparative, institutional and multicriteria analysis, grouping method, value-metric and qualitative analysis, survey and expert evaluation method. This material presents the results of an empirical research-survey on the competitiveness of agricultural holdings, including organic farms. Survey information is from the summer of 2020, provided with the assistance of National Agricultural Advice Service, by farm managers of different production specialization, type and geographic location. The sample is not representative, but provides information for analyses and formulation of conclusion. The main behavioral, economic, institutional, and natural factors that influence the competitiveness of farms in organic agriculture have been identified. The intentions of the agricultural producers in OF related to the further development of organic production in the near future have also been determined. Based on the conducted survey, it can be concluded that farms with organic production in the medium term have good competitiveness and the prospects for its future development are promising. This study represents only part of the big picture of the level of competitiveness of organic agriculture in our country. The factors, conditions, problems and challenges facing organic farms are complex and require further in-depth and multidisciplinary research, because the competitiveness of organic production includes both economic, social and environmental aspects, as well as production and consumption aspects.

Incident commander decision making: Quantitative evaluation of instantaneous and considered decisions

The Incident Commander (IC) decision-making process has previously been modeled primarily by qualitative evaluation methods, which has made it difficult to generalize an objective model. In this study, we took a quantitative approach to elucidate a decision-making model based on the “dual-process” model that consists of instantaneous decisions (“System 1”) and considered decisions (“System 2”) to gain new insights regarding the IC decision-making process.High-fidelity simulation data from eight mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) were analyzed in two categories. The first category represents cues of new information and the IC's actions, divided into three main subcategories: actions following the MCI protocol, responses following cues, and actions without a cue. The second category divides the simulation into three MCI management phases: (1) evaluation and triage, (2) treatment and preparedness for evacuation, and (3) evacuation.Actions that followed the MCI protocol were significantly higher in the first phase compared to the other two phases (p<0.01 for both phases). Responses following cues were significantly higher in the second phase compared to the first (p<0.01). Actions without a cue were significantly higher in both the second and third phases compared to the first (p<0.01 for both phases).The results reveal that the IC followed MCI protocol guidance in the simulation initiation and immediately responded to cues, which fits “System 1”. As the simulation evolved, the IC made more planned tasks and initiated actions without leading cues, which fits “System 2”. The study found that ICs can change their decision-making mode, and this understanding can serve to improve their decision-making process and increase casualty survival rates.