Range Of Evaluation Criteria Research Articles

Assessing the impact of a statewide effort to improve breastfeeding rates: A RE-AIM evaluation of CHAMPS in Mississippi.

Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices (CHAMPS) is a public health initiative, operating in Mississippi since 2014, to improve maternal and child health practices and reduce racial disparities in breastfeeding. Using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework, this study assessed CHAMPS, which used a Quality Improvement intervention at hospitals, and engaged intensively with local community partners. The study team assessed outcomes through quantitative data (2014–2020) from national sources, Mississippi hospitals, community partners and CHAMPS programme records, and qualitative data from focus groups. With 95% of eligible Mississippi hospitals enrolled into CHAMPS, the programme reached 98% of eligible birthing women in Mississippi, and 65% of breastfeeding peer counsellors in Mississippi's Special Supplemental Nutrition Programme for Women, Infants and Children. Average hospital breastfeeding initiation rates rose from 56% to 66% (p < 0.05), the proportion of hospitals designated Baby‐Friendly or attaining the final stages thereof rose from 15% to 90%, and 80% of Mississippi Special Supplemental Programme for Women, Infants, and Children districts engaged with CHAMPS. CHAMPS also maintains a funded presence in Mississippi, and all designated hospitals have maintained Baby‐Friendly status. These findings show that a breastfeeding‐focused public health initiative using broad‐based strategic programming involving multiple stakeholders and a range of evaluation criteria can be successful. More breastfeeding promotion and support programmes should assess their wider impact using evidence‐based implementation frameworks.

Susceptibility Assessment for Landslide Initiated along Power Transmission Lines

The power network has a long transmission span and passes through wide areas with complex topography setting and various human engineering activities. They lead to frequent landslide hazards, which cause serious threats to the safe operation of the power transmission system. Thus, it is of great significance to carry out landslide susceptibility assessment for disaster prevention and mitigation of power network. We, therefore, undertake an extensive analysis and comparison study between different data-driven methods using a case study from China. Several susceptibility mapping results were generated by applying a multivariate statistical method (logistic regression (LR)) and a machine learning technique (random forest (RF)) separately with two different mapping-units and predictor sets of differing configurations. The models’ accuracies, advantages and limitations are summarized and discussed using a range of evaluation criteria, including the confusion matrix, statistical indexes, and the estimation of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The outcome showed that machine learning method is well suitable for the landslide susceptibility assessment along transmission network over grid cell units, and the accuracy of susceptibility models is evolving rapidly from statistical-based models toward machine learning techniques. However, the multivariate statistical logistic regression methods perform better when computed over heterogeneous slope terrain units, probably because the number of units is significantly reduced. Besides, the high model predictive performances cannot guarantee a high plausibility and applicability of subsequent landslide susceptibility maps. The selection of mapping unit can produce greater differences on the generated susceptibility maps than that resulting from the selection of modeling methods. The study also provided a practical example for landslide susceptibility assessment along the power transmission network and its potential application in hazard early warning, prevention, and mitigation.

How to Increase Profits Through Predictive Analytics When Only Few Competitors’ Bids Are Known

The clear majority of pre-existing work in the published domain of competitive bidding requires large sample sizes for reliable econometric, probabilistic or game-theoretic modelling techniques. Such unrealistic large data requirements have prevented the successful application of bid modelling in managerial practice. This article presents a new predictive analytics method for very small samples of historical bidding data. Requiring as few as nine competitive bid prices for a group of pooled/aggregated competitors over a 30-month period is the standout differentiator of this research from any previously published research. This minimizes the demands on competitive intelligence and, therefore, realistically enables its application in the real world of practice. Maximum likelihood estimations are used to evaluate two new, revolutionary bid strategies against a range of evaluation criteria, taking into account the pricing judgements made by competitors, including a degree of competitive reaction among them. Using off-the-shelf analytics software, a case study of a bidder from the telecommunications infrastructure sector demonstrates how commercial outcomes can be improved substantially: A 400 per cent improvement in win ratio, an 86 per cent increase in contribution margin and 76 per cent revenue growth. In addition, the difference between the submitted bids and the lowest-priced competing bids (which is an opportunity cost, sometimes referred to as the ‘spread’ or ‘money left on the table’), has been reduced to 2 per cent on a total revenue of US$210 million.

A survey of translation evaluation at tertiary level in Vietnam

Translation courses – both translation and interpreting – are indispensable in the curriculum of all English departments in universities. Translation evaluation plays a major role in the teaching process, especially when scores have always been considered the indicator of the students’ success. The paper is a survey of the evaluation of the translation in a number of universities in Vietnam, focusing on how students’ translations are corrected in class and how teachers score students’ translations in the final examinations. 37 teachers from various universities in Vietnam joined the interview. The wide range of evaluation criteria and the different percentage allocated for the same criteria reported by the surveyed teachers partially shed light on the diversity of the teaching of translation at tertiary level in Vietnam, on the basis of which recommendations on how to correct and how to score students’ translation were made.

A survey of translation evaluation at tertiary level in Vietnam

Translation courses – both translation and interpreting – are indispensable in the curriculum of all English departments in universities. Translation evaluation plays a major role in the teaching process, especially when scores have always been considered the indicator of the students’ success. The paper is a survey of the evaluation of the translation in a number of universities in Vietnam, focusing on how students’ translations are corrected in class and how teachers score students’ translations in the final examinations. 37 teachers from various universities in Vietnam joined the interview. The wide range of evaluation criteria and the different percentage allocated for the same criteria reported by the surveyed teachers partially shed light on the diversity of the teaching of translation at tertiary level in Vietnam, on the basis of which recommendations on how to correct and how to score students’ translation were made.

Directive 2008/96/EC On Road Infrastructure Safety Management: An Ex-post Assessment 5 years After its Adoption

This research presents the ex-post evaluation results linked to the implementation of Directive 2008/96/EC on road infrastructure safety management (RISM) five years after its adoption. The Directive has led to the establishment of different procedures (Road Safety Impact Assessment, Road Safety Audits, Road Safety Inspections, Network Safety Management) in all Member States, thus increasing their use in comparison with the pre-Directive context. The ex-post evaluation seeks to gauge the degree to which the Directive has been put into practice across the EU countries and identify the main impacts generated by considering a range of evaluation criteria (Implementation, Relevance, Effectiveness, Sustainability, Coherence, Utility, Efficiency and EU added value). The outcomes from the evaluation confirm that Directive 2008/96/EC has encouraged a generalized use of RISM procedures which are now established in all Member States, are based on a minimal set of compulsory rules in the management of the TEN-T roads (in many cases also applied to non-TEN-T roads) and are implemented within a harmonized legislative framework. The main weakness of this Directive relates, conversely, to the limited scope of its application as it only applies to the TEN-T road network.

How to evaluate mental healthcare models

Summary Background: One of the main measures of improving the quality of mental healthcare in Europe is to promote the implementation of effective healthcare services. The evaluation of such health-care models is needed to assess their effectiveness and efficiency. Objectives: The article points out the main methodological challenges of demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of mental healthcare models. Results: Implementing healthcare models is complex and includes several components and a high number of confounding variables. This makes it difficult to identify the “active ingredients”. The range of evaluation criteria is wide. Therefore, it is crucial to define the main aim of the intervention clearly and to choose evaluation assessments with relevance for these aims. Conclusion: Addressing the question how to evaluate mental healthcare models, evaluation studies have to provide information not only about the chosen evaluation criteria but also about the context, in which a healthcare model works.

A framework to assess the realism of model structures using hydrological signatures

Abstract. The use of flexible hydrological model structures for hypothesis testing requires an objective and diagnostic method to identify whether a rainfall-runoff model structure is suitable for a certain catchment. To determine if a model structure is realistic, i.e. if it captures the relevant runoff processes, both performance and consistency are important. We define performance as the ability of a model structure to mimic a specific part of the hydrological behaviour in a specific catchment. This can be assessed based on evaluation criteria, such as the goodness of fit of specific hydrological signatures obtained from hydrological data. Consistency is defined as the ability of a model structure to adequately reproduce several hydrological signatures simultaneously while using the same set of parameter values. In this paper we describe and demonstrate a new evaluation Framework for Assessing the Realism of Model structures (FARM). The evaluation framework tests for both performance and consistency using a principal component analysis on a range of evaluation criteria, all emphasizing different hydrological behaviour. The utility of this evaluation framework is demonstrated in a case study of two small headwater catchments (Maimai, New Zealand, and Wollefsbach, Luxembourg). Eight different hydrological signatures and eleven model structures have been used for this study. The results suggest that some model structures may reveal the same degree of performance for selected evaluation criteria while showing differences in consistency. The results also show that some model structures have a higher performance and consistency than others. The principal component analysis in combination with several hydrological signatures is shown to be useful to visualise the performance and consistency of a model structure for the study catchments. With this framework performance and consistency are evaluated to identify which model structure suits a catchment better compared to other model structures. Until now the framework has only been based on a qualitative analysis and not yet on a quantitative analysis.

Metacognition and web credibility

PurposeThe research reported here generated a list of criteria adopted by postgraduate students when evaluating websites. The analysis presented aims to determine whether metacognition played any part in the evaluation of websites by volunteers.Design/methodology/approachForty‐eight students participated in the study. They carried out a series of searches designed to bring them into contact with a range of websites, from forums to electronic books. The students were encouraged to “think aloud” as they searched, and to explain their actions and strategies. Search sessions were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to ethnographic content analysis.FindingsA range of evaluation criteria is presented. The criteria were applied at different stages of the search process and demonstrate varying degrees of metacognition. Observations on evaluation processes are also presented. Factors affecting evaluation included the purpose of the search, advice received from lecturers, and the perceived nature of the website.Practical implicationsSome volunteers encountered difficulties because of an overly simplistic approach to evaluation. Any training in information literacy skills should aim at equipping students with guidelines to help them assess the credibility of websites, while encouraging them to reflect on the nature of their search task and to apply the guidelines accordingly.Originality/valueThe evaluation criteria and processes described in this paper are induced from detailed observations of a large cohort of students. The qualitative nature of the study meant that these observations could be put into the context of the students' own reflections on their choice of website.

Evaluation of peroxide initiators for radical polymerization‐based self‐healing applications

AbstractThe suitability of various peroxide initiators for a radical polymerization‐based self‐healing system is evaluated. The initiators are compared using previously established criteria in the design of ring opening metathesis polymerization‐based self‐healing systems. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) emerges as the best performing initiator across the range of evaluation criteria. Epoxy vinyl ester resin samples prepared with microcapsules containing BPO exhibited upwards of 80% healing efficiency in preliminary tests in which a mixture of acrylic monomers and tertiary amine activator was injected into the crack plane of the sample after the initial fracture. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2698–2708, 2010

Exploration and Inventory of Araceae Genera in Silui Mountain and Uluisimbone Forest, Kolaka Regency, South-East Sulawesi

The island of Sulawesi has been highlighted as a globally important conservation area, across a range of evaluation criteria. Collection rates on the Sulawesi Island are the lowest among in Indonesia area. Taxonomic study also has been limited, with most experts reporting large numbers of undescribed species. The research of Araceae diversity in Sulawesi is subject which in general has not been studiedcritically. The main purpose of this research is concerned to inventory the diversity of Araceae genera. The exploration was conducted in each location used exploring method. The Araceae genera in Silui Mountain and Uluisimbone forest consist of 30 numbers, 24 species and 14 genera, including into 3 sub families (Aroideae, Monsteroideae and Pothoideae). Mostly Araceae were found at humid location, the river flows. Schismatoglottis calyptrata Zoll. &amp; Mor. and Aglaonema simplex Bl. are dominant species for terrestrial Araceae, where asScindapsus spp. and Pothoidium spp. are dominant species for climbing Araceae.Key words: Araceae, Silui, Uluisimbone, Sulawesi.

Dynamic Trip Assignment-Simulation Model for Intermodal Transportation Networks

A dynamic trip assignment-simulation model for urban intermodal transportation networks is presented. The model considers different travel modes, such as private cars, buses, metro-subway, and high-occupancy vehicles. The model captures the interaction between mode choice and traffic assignment under different information provision strategies. It implements a multiobjective assignment procedure in which travelers choose their modes and routes based on a range of evaluation criteria. The model assumes a stochastically diverse set of travelers in terms of their relevant choice criteria and access and response to the supplied information. The model overcomes many of the known limitations of static tools used in current practice. These limitations relate to the types of alternative measures that may be presented and evaluated and to the policy questions that planning agencies are increasingly asked to address.

An Evaluation of Alternative Methods of Forecasting Australian Inflation

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the forecast of Australian inflation based on four alternative procedures: a univariate time series model, an interest rate model, an error correction model and a public survey of inflation forecasts. We derive estimates of expected and unexpected inflation from each of the methods and compare the out-of-sample forecasting results. Based on a range of evaluation criteria, the time series model dominates the other models, with the interest rate model, the error correction model and the survey forecasts following in that order.

"This Is Hard, Isn't It?": Children Evaluating Writing

This paper describes the evaluation criteria that nonnative-English-speaking children (Grades 2–6) employed when evaluating writing. Specifically, the paper discusses: (a) the range of evaluation criteria that children used, (b) whether authorship influenced evaluation criteria (not all the stories were written by the children), and (c) whether the evaluation criteria used by the children varied according to age. The study is grounded in 14 in-depth interviews of 9 students, in which they rated pieces of writing and explained why they had given each story its particular rating. An analysis of the data reveals that the students (a) were critical evaluators, (b) tended to focus on meaning regardless of their age and whether the piece of writing had been written by themselves or an anonymous peer, (c) were highly idiosyncratic in the range of evaluation criteria that they employed, and (d) were influenced by the pedagogical focus in their ESOL classes.