Set Specific Goals Research Articles

Women's expectations of prolapse surgery: A retrospective qualitative study

To explore the expectations of prolapse surgery held by women before that surgery and to examine reasons why such expectations were met, or not met. Qualitative study using one-to-one interviews with women who had undergone prolapse surgery in a large UK teaching hospital. Interviews were conducted by a third party, trained interviewer using a piloted interview guide, but women were encouraged to speak freely. Transcripts were analyzed based on the constant comparative method and interviews continued until no new themes emerged. Fifty-two women were contacted; 32 took part. Twenty-eight women's interviews were used for analysis, after pilot interviews with four women. Median age was 58 (32-86), 19 were Caucasian, nine of South Indian ethnicity. Anticipated benefits of surgery included global themes of cure without specific definitions, focusing on physical symptoms. A few women anticipated psychological benefit. Most women had expectations of a permanent cure. After surgery, most women considered their surgery a success, for physical symptom improvement. Some women had modified their prior expectations (downwards) and success was interpreted in this light. Provision of information about recovery and symptom resolution was felt to be inadequate by the majority. In this study, resolution of physical symptoms was the prevalent expectation, along with restoration of "normality." Normality was often redefined during recovery, indicating the complexity of assessing fulfillment of expectations, and that specific goal-setting may be inadequate. A chronic illness framework for prolapse may be helpful. Information exchange, especially in the post-operative period can be improved.

Chartering the Way to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): The Challenges for Charter Schools to Provide FAPE

Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are an integral part of the school choice movement, following a market-model of education based on autonomy, competition, and choice. However, charter schools are also mandated to adhere to all laws and regulations in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) when educating students with disabilities. The education of students with disabilities within the charter school environment can result in policy tensions. This paper will examine the salient issues surrounding special education as it pertains to the state, authorizer, and operator in the areas of transparency, processes, and outcomes.

In Spite of Racism, Inequality, and School Failure: Defining Hope with Achieving Black Children

Original narratives from six high-achieving African American junior high school students discussing their goal-setting and goal-pursuit processes in light of being Black youth in America are presented. The study purpose was to begin work of identifying substance of productive behaviors among most frequently noted population of contemporary school underachievers in order to develop an accurate hope theory for them, which author calls African hope theory. Common threads among participants indicate focus on racial/ethnic identity and values that lead to functional behavior. To contrary, extant hope literature finds importance in specific goal-setting and cognitive road-mapping (planning) for achievement. The combination of productive action within a self-cultural frame is theorized to be hopefulness within Black community.Keywords: Black youth, goal setting, achievement, hope theory, self-knowledgeWhat we know about Black children's schooling experiences in America, according to empirical and theoretical studies published by a large cadre of scholars, is that Black children have historically received poor quality instructional materials, limited resources, and pedagogical and curricular methods that are incongruent with their culture and learning styles (Hurley, Boykin, & Allen, 2005; Kunjufu, 2006; Marable, 2005). Kozol (2005) found that 35 out of 48 states spend less money per student in school districts with higher numbers of Black (and increasingly Latino) children, very often running disparities in thousands of dollars all way down to spending less than half amount per student than districts having predominantly White students. In Texas, it is typical for a low class of students to be receiving $23,000 less than their more socially supported peers, and furthermore, very often the funding gap for children of color is a great deal larger than gap for children of low income (Kozol, 2005, p. 246). It is also known that, beginning shortly after racial desegregation of nation's public schools, teachers, support staff, and administrators have been increasingly White (Kunjufu, 2006; Tatum, 1997). Accordingly, and naturally, personnel bring with them their particular cultural beliefs, experiences, and teaching styles.Yet, Jawanza Kunjufu (2005) found through years of educational consultant experiences and scholarship in sociology and educational policy that ethnic identity and pedagogy exercising Black children's innate cognitive processes and talents are two of most important factors leading to their scholastic achievement. Kunjufu is not first educator to insist on importance of healthy ethnic identity and culturally responsive pedagogy. Sociologist W. E. B. Du Bois asserted same in 1903, as did historian Carter G. Woodson in 1936, educators Gloria Ladson-Billings in 1994 and Beverly D. Tatum in 1997, psychologists Na'im Akbar in 2003, Diane Hughes in 2003, Wade W. Nobles in 2006, Biko M. Sankofa, Eric A. Hurley, Brenda A. Allen, and A. Wade Boykin in 2005, and Afrocentrists Molefi K. Asante and Ama Mazama in 2005, to name a few (Akbar, 2003; Asante & Mazama, 2005; Du Bois, 2003; Hughes, 2003; Ladson-Billings, 1994; Nobles, 2006; Sankofa et al., 2005; Tatum, 1997; Woodson ,1968). It has been said that Black children who are able to answer questions of, Who am I? Who am I ethnically or racially and Who can 1 become? are better adjusted and typically higher achieving than Black children who are repressed from this identity exploration (Stinson, 2011; Tatum, 1997). Black adolescents and young adults who have a sense that their race and ethnicity are central to their lives have been found to have fewer psychological stress and behavioral difficulties, even when confronted with obvious stressors such as racial discrimination (Sellers et al, 2003; Sellers & Shelton, 2003). It is in these psychological and sociological truths that culturally responsive curriculum and teaching arc apparently important. …

Policymakers’ Reflections on Water Governance Issues

Gupta, J., A. Akhmouch, W. Cosgrove, Z. Hurwitz, J. Maestu, and O. Ünver. 2013. Policymakers’ reflections on water governance issues. Ecology and Society 18(1): 35. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-05086-180135

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR CHILD INJURY PREVENTION-LAUNCHING A ROADMAP FOR AN INJURY-FREE CHILDHOOD

BackgroundIn 2009, more than 9000 children and adolescents 0–19-years-old in the USA died from an unintentional injury—with the main causes including motor vehicle crashes, suffocations, drownings, poisonings, fires, and falls....

Assessing the potential of mathematics textbooks to promote deep learning

Curriculum documents for mathematics emphasise the importance of promoting depth of knowledge rather than shallow coverage of the curriculum. In this paper, we report on a study that explored the analysis of junior secondary mathematics textbooks to assess their potential to assist in teaching and learning aimed at building and applying deep mathematical knowledge. The method of analysis involved the establishment of a set of specific curriculum goals and associated indicators, based on research into the teaching and learning of a particular field within the mathematics curriculum, namely proportion and proportional reasoning. Topic selection was due to its pervasive nature throughout the school mathematics curriculum at this level. As a result of this study, it was found that the five textbook series examined provided limited support for the development of multiplicative structures required for proportional reasoning, and hence would not serve well the development of deep learning of mathematics. The study demonstrated a method that could be applied to the analysis of junior secondary mathematics in many parts of the world.

Self-efficacy as a moderator of the planning–behaviour relationship in interventions designed to promote physical activity

Individuals who lack perceived self-efficacy may benefit less from planning interventions because they fail to apply their plans when encountering situations that appear challenging. Thus, self-efficacy may operate as a moderator in relation to the effects of planning interventions on behaviour. This article reports from two experimental studies using cluster randomisation. Study 1 included 58 patients with diabetes who received a face-to-face action planning intervention to improve their physical activity levels. Study 2 targeted the roles of planning and self-efficacy for the maintenance of regular running and for relapse prevention in 187 active individuals over a 2-year period. The email-delivered intervention prompted specific goal setting and facilitated planning to mobilise social support to secure relapse prevention. Results of the two studies were consistent with a moderating effect of self-efficacy in relation to the planning–behaviour relationship. Individuals with high self-efficacy benefited from planning interventions. If a person lacks self-efficacy, planning may not effectively promote physical activity.

Interventions that involve parents to improve children's weight‐related nutrition intake and activity patterns – what nutrition and activity targets and behaviour change techniques are associated with intervention effectiveness?

Parent involvement is an important component of obesity prevention interventions. However, the best way to support parents remains unclear. This review identifies interventions targeting parents to improve children's weight status, dietary and/or activity patterns, examines whether intervention content and behaviour change techniques employed are associated with effectiveness. Seventeen studies, in English, 1998-2008, were included. Studies were evaluated by two reviewers for study quality, nutrition/activity content and behaviour change techniques using a validated quality assessment tool and behaviour change technique taxonomy. Study findings favoured intervention effectiveness in 11 of 17 studies. Interventions that were considered effective had similar features: better study quality, parents responsible for participation and implementation, greater parental involvement and inclusion of prompt barrier identification, restructure the home environment, prompt self-monitoring, prompt specific goal setting behaviour change techniques. Energy intake/density and food choices were more likely to be targeted in effective interventions. The number of lifestyle behaviours targeted did not appear to be associated with effectiveness. Intervention effectiveness was favoured when behaviour change techniques spanned the spectrum of behaviour change process. The review provides guidance for researchers to make informed decisions on how best to utilize resources in interventions to support and engage parents, and highlights a need for improvement in intervention content reporting practices.

Experiences of professional rugby union players returning to competition following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Objectives The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the emotions and coping strategies utilized when returning to competition following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Design A qualitative approach, consisting of five semi-structured interviews and a pre-designed diary, was conducted concurrent with each ’player’s return to competition, allowing each to record emotional responses experienced and identify coping strategies employed. Participants Five professional male rugby union players, who had suffered an ACL injury that required surgical reconstruction, participated in the study. Each had spent between six to twelve months in rehabilitation. Results Content analysis was conducted on both pre- and post- return data, identifying 12 higher order themes. Confidence building; anticipation; anxiety; physical preparation; psychological preparation; and social support were prevalent pre-return to competition. Post-return higher order themes consisted of confidence building; positive performance emotions; performance anxieties; problem focused coping; social support; and dealing with fears. Conclusions For the players in this study, gaining confidence in the injured knee joint appears to be influential, with increases in confidence provided by completing clinical and sport specific tests, and by performance accomplishments. Successful return can be enhanced further by the use of a specific goal setting program aimed at reintroducing the player to competition.

Implementation of Japanese manufacturing strategies through management control systems

This research examines relationships between manufacturing strategies and the management control systems used to implement them. In particular, we focus on Japanese Lean Manufacturing strategies for quality, just-in-time (JIT) production and flexibility as well as the nature and uses of control systems providing specific goal-setting, feedback and reward systems to achieve greater efficiencies. This study compares data gathered from over a dozen well-known automotive, heavy equipment and electronics enterprises in Japan in 1988 and 2003. Our findings indicate that the linkages between manufacturing strategies for quality, JIT production and flexibility, and related management control systems, are weak, and did not change significantly over 15 years. However, linkages between elements of the control system (goal-setting, feedback and reward systems) to support lean manufacturing strategies remain relatively strong. This indicates that Japanese managers receive appropriate management control information, but do not necessarily connect this to strategic priorities.

Using theories of behaviour change to inform interventions for addictive behaviours

This paper reviews a set of theories of behaviour change that are used outside the field of addiction and considers their relevance for this field. Ten theories are reviewed in terms of (i) the main tenets of each theory, (ii) the implications of the theory for promoting change in addictive behaviours and (iii) studies in the field of addiction that have used the theory. An augmented feedback loop model based on Control Theory is used to organize the theories and to show how different interventions might achieve behaviour change. Briefly, each theory provided the following recommendations for intervention: Control Theory: prompt behavioural monitoring, Goal-Setting Theory: set specific and challenging goals, Model of Action Phases: form 'implementation intentions', Strength Model of Self-Control: bolster self-control resources, Social Cognition Models (Protection Motivation Theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour, Health Belief Model): modify relevant cognitions, Elaboration Likelihood Model: consider targets' motivation and ability to process information, Prototype Willingness Model: change perceptions of the prototypical person who engages in behaviour and Social Cognitive Theory: modify self-efficacy. There are a range of theories in the field of behaviour change that can be applied usefully to addiction, each one pointing to a different set of modifiable determinants and/or behaviour change techniques. Studies reporting interventions should describe theoretical basis, behaviour change techniques and mode of delivery accurately so that effective interventions can be understood and replicated.

How The Center For Medicare And Medicaid Innovation Should Test Accountable Care Organizations

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act establishes a national voluntary program for accountable care organizations (ACOs) by January 2012 under the auspices of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The act also creates a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation in the CMS. We propose that the CMS allow flexibility and tiers in ACOs based on their specific circumstances, such as the degree to which they are or are not fully integrated systems. Further, we propose that the CMS assume responsibility for ACO provisions and develop an ordered system for learning how to create and sustain ACOs. Key steps would include setting specific performance goals, developing skills and tools that facilitate change, establishing measurement and accountability mechanisms, and supporting leadership development.

Website Statistics 2.0: Using Google Analytics to Measure Library Website Effectiveness

Measuring effectiveness in library websites has historically focused on tracking crude effectiveness measures, usually in terms of hits or visits. Libraries are served poorly through this approach, as websites represent a unique and increasingly important aspect of the organization and should require more specific and custom measures of effectiveness. Libraries should instead concentrate on setting specific goals for the website, and then create measurable definitions of these goals by defining supporting website user actions and combine these custom (micro) measures with common e-commerce (macro) website metrics for a more nuanced and effective approach to measuring website effectiveness. Tools for creating and tracking these kinds of metrics have historically been out of reach for organizations like libraries due to high pricing levels. The 2005 release of Google's free analytics tool has created an accessible arena where libraries can effectively create and measure micro Key Performance Indicators and macro Key Performance Indicators, track their goal conversions, and monetize their sites to gain a professionally-generated, commercial analytics view of the effectiveness of the website.

Soldiers' negotiations in combat areas

PurposeThe aim of this exploratory study is to assess the impact of role clarity and concern for the other party's goals on soldiers' negotiations with members of the local population within a combat zone.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the Dual Concerns Model it was hypothesized that soldiers experiencing high concern for the needs of their Iraqi counterparts would engage in: higher levels of problem solving behavior; report greater trust in their counterparts; and reach more mutually satisfying agreements under conditions of role clarity relative to role ambiguity. A total of 42 officers and non‐commissioned officers serving in Iraq participated in the study.FindingsThe results supported the prediction that role clarity moderates the relationship between concern for the other party's needs and various outcomes of the negotiation process.Research limitations/implicationsThe study involved a small convenience sample, cross‐sectional design, and a single source of data for all measures. Nonetheless, the results are consistent with other studies examining the theoretical assumptions of the Dual Concern Model and suggest that role clarity may serve as a useful operationalization of high self‐concern and high resistance to yielding.Originality/valueThe study advances knowledge about soldiers' ability to negotiate mutually satisfying agreements with members of the local population. It points to the need to combine a policy of collaboration with local civilians with the communication of a clear set of overall mission and specific negotiation goals and objectives.

Behavioral Treatments in Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know?

Although there are a large and growing number of scientifically questionable treatments available for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intervention programs applying the scientific teaching principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have been identified as the treatment of choice. The following article provides a selective review of ABA intervention approaches, some of which are designed as comprehensive programs that aim to address all developmental areas of need, whereas others are skills based or directed toward a more circumscribed, specific set of goals. However, both types of approaches have been shown to be effective in improving communication, social skills, and management of problem behavior for children with ASD. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to critical areas of research that have yet to be fully explored.

Management Control and Strategic Renewal in the Front End of Innovation

Should management control the front end of innovation in companies, and, if so, how? This paper examines the use of management control in the front end of innovation, how the different mechanisms of control are associated with generating strategic renewal, and what the moderating effect of technology and market uncertainty is. The front end of innovation has been characterized as highly uncertain and creative, thereby requiring high levels of freedom and independence for those executing front‐end activities. However, a certain amount of control appears necessary to secure the effective use of resources and the achievement of the company's long‐term objectives. The current findings of management control and its influence on performance in new product development context in general are conflicting. While many authors argue that behavioral control kills creativity, some others emphasize advantages of improved communication and coordination created by process formalization. Some authors stress the importance of setting specific and challenging strategic goals for development work, but some papers indicate that this inhibits creativity and learning. One challenge of interpreting the conflicting results of existing management control research in new product development context is that most studies treat the front‐end phase simultaneously with product development projects, thereby averaging the totally different characteristics of these two innovation phases. Studies that would have investigated management control in the front end of innovation are still scarce. This study develops a framework for management control in the front end of innovation and tests hypotheses on the relationship between different control mechanisms and achieving strategic renewal. The role of technology and market uncertainty as potential moderators of this relationship is investigated. Management control is covered through seven constructs: input control; front‐end process formalization; outcome‐based rewarding; strategic vision; informal communication; participative planning; and intrinsic task motivation. Strategic renewal is used as a front‐end performance indicator. Data from the front‐end phase of 133 new product development projects from different large and medium‐sized companies were collected and analyzed. A factor model was used to test the validity of the management control framework, and a moderated regression analysis was used for hypothesis testing. The results show that input control is positively associated with achieving strategic renewal in the front‐end phase. The results also confirm the importance of intrinsic task motivation of the front‐end group. Under high technology uncertainty, the use of outcome‐based rewarding or front‐end process formalization has a negative influence on strategic renewal.

A longitudinal study of Japanese manufacturing strategies for quality, JIT and flexibility

This study examines the manufacturing strategies of Japanese firms by comparing data from the late 1980s to data gathered in 2003 from manufacturing managers in well-known automotive, heavy equipment and electronics enterprises in Japan. The study specifically addresses the issue of trade-offs with regard to quality, just-in-time (JIT) production and flexibility strategies (Boyer and Lewis, 2002) and also examines the provision of specific goal-setting, feedback and incentive systems to support them. Our findings indicate that in the face of both low-cost competition from China and sophisticated competitors from Korea and the United States, Japanese manufacturers have not changed their strategic focus on quality, JIT production and flexibility.

Are worksite interventions effective in increasing physical activity? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Worksite interventions have the potential to reach a broad and captive audience and overcome one of the most widely cited barriers to increasing physical activity (PA), namely, a lack of time. A systematic review and random effects, meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of worksite interventions to enhance PA. Thirty-seven intervention evaluations reporting 55 unique interventions met our inclusion criteria. Results indicate that, overall, worksite interventions have small, positive effects on PA and this effect is smaller when fitness, as opposed to self-report, outcome measures are reported (ds = 0.15 versus 0.23). Worksite interventions targeting PA specifically as opposed to general lifestyle change were found to be more effective whether evaluated in terms of increased fitness (0.29 versus 0.08) or increased self-reported PA (0.27 versus 0.14). Those promoting walking as opposed to other forms of PA were also more effective (0.54 versus 0.16). Interventions providing individually tailored information or instructions were not found to be more effective, but there was evidence that specific goal setting and goal review techniques may enhance fitness gains.

Individuelle Rehabilitationsziele und Rehabilitationsmotivation in der onkologischen Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: Goal setting and goal attainment of individual rehabilitations goals gain increasing attention in medical rehabilitation. Aim of this study was to expand the knowledge about rehabilitation goals of cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Analysis involved a sample of n=1 193 cancer patients with different tumor sites, who participated in a prospective study design with three time-points. Patients were asked to fill out a set of questionnaires at the beginning, the end and one year after rehabilitation. This study examines the individual goals and their attainment; further the expectations and the motivation towards the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: Individual rehabilitation goals differ according to the subgroups sex, age, tumor site, psychological distress, type of rehabilitation program and work related variables. Patients evaluate the goal attainment at the end of the program positive. Discrepancies between patients and doctors exist according to the expectations towards the program and the evaluation of the success of the program. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the demand on a collective goal setting including patients and medical personnel. Further studies should focus on the identifications of specific goal setting types to provide a more individualized rehabilitation program.

Guerilla Tactics for Employee Empowerment

Frontal assaults (e. g., training, team building, strategic planning) on organizational dysfunctions have been a staple of performance technology. A newly popular stratagem—-employee empowerment—-seeks to address dysfunctions by vesting more organizational power with the individual employee. This usually means that the manager and employee set specific and measurable mutual goals that require the manager to relinquish measurement processes and tools to the employee and then hold the employee accountable for quality, customer satisfaction, etc. However, managers may be loath to give up their traditional areas of control, while employees may be unaccustomed to assuming responsibilities of management. Therefore, around and between the more formal strategies for employee empowerment, the performance technologist needs to consider tactics beyond those of conventional organization development.