Statement Of Purpose Research Articles

Qualitative health research in the fields of developmental medicine and child neurology.

This invited review introduces the principles of qualitative health research (QHR) to the fields of developmental medicine and child neurology to facilitate the conduct of applied qualitative research. It provides practical guidance on how to write a study purpose statement aligned with the foci of QHR and then articulate an overarching research question using the Emphasis-Purposeful sample-Phenomenon of interest-Context framework. Guidance for health researchers on how to select a study design that aligns with the practice, education, or policy goals of applied QHR is provided. This is followed by strategies to guide decision-making with respect to purposeful sampling, selecting data collection methods, and identifying the most appropriate analytic approach to code and synthesize the data. Findings from QHR studies can be used conceptually or instrumentally to provide new insights or inform decisions within the discipline of developmental medicine and child neurology. While qualitive findings are increasingly valued in the field, designing studies that demonstrate methodological congruence is one strategy to improve the overall quality and trustworthiness of discipline specific QHR.

Prevention of workplace violence in ED nursing using the implementation of an educational program and a new reporting tool

The Emergency Department (ED) is a place that regularly deals with acute scenarios and people that are generally sensitive in nature. In a fast-paced environment such as this, people can be emotionally charged and react in different ways. Unfortunately, nurses in the ED tend to be most affected. Literature shows that workplace violence incidents that occur tend to involve ED nurses. Furthermore, ED nurses are more inclined to have an attitude that makes them think that any acts of transgression are “part of the job” and incidents usually go underreported. Moreover, reporting tools are usually difficult to use and tend to be a barrier to reporting workplace violence. In this evidence-based project, ED nurses will participate in an educational prevention program that will help equip them with the knowledge and awareness that is needed to decrease the incidence of workplace violence. Furthermore, a new, easy-to-use reporting tool will be implemented for ED staff. An implementation of an easier reporting tool and an education prevention program on the incidence of workplace violence will help reduce the number of future incidents of workplace violence. The purpose of this evidence-based project is to create a “zero tolerance” workplace culture for ED nurses that ultimately decreases the incidence of workplace violence. Based on research, an educational program and new reporting tool will be implemented at an urban community hospital in Westchester. Included is a purpose statement, and operational and conceptual definition, PICO questions, and an evidence-based practice protocol for workplace violence.

A Letter from the Editors-in-Chief

A Letter from the Editors-in-Chief

Understanding the Evidence: Purpose Statement, Research Questions, and Hypotheses

Understanding the Evidence: Purpose Statement, Research Questions, and Hypotheses

Shareholder Voice and Corporate Purpose: The Purposeless of Mandatory Corporate Purpose Statements

Shareholder Voice and Corporate Purpose: The Purposeless of Mandatory Corporate Purpose Statements

Formulating the direction of a study: Variations across three epistemological traditions in Information Systems

One major purpose of the Introduction of a research text is to announce the direction of the study (DoS). Yet, formulating a DoS can be quite a demanding task for the novice writer. This explains why it is a common topic covered in research manuals and guidebooks of English for research and publication purposes (ERPP), with both offering advice on the use of three generic linguistic resources: the purpose statement, the research question and/or the hypothesis - collectively referred to by Lim (2018) as directional determinants (or the determinants hereafter). The coverage of the trio, however, varies greatly between the two types of literature. research manuals often emphasize the epistemological orientation of an inquiry as a key shaper of the use of the determinants, paying little attention to their textual realizations. In contrast, ERPP guidebooks tend to provide instructions concerning often overly-general linguistic conventions while downplaying how they may be constrained by epistemological considerations. Both lacunae have resulted from a lack of systematic inquiries of the determinants from which empirical insights can be drawn. Addressing these gaps, this paper presents a study that compares the use of the determinants in the Introductions of three types of research articles published in Information Systems: behavioural science research, interpretivist research and design science research. results indicate marked differences in the use of the determinants across the three types of writing in terms of their choices, propositional content and linguistic realizations. Drawing on these observations, the paper also discusses how to instruct novice writers in formulating epistemologically-specific directional determinants.

Purpose and Purposefulness at Work: The Impact on Employee Engagement and Organizational Commitment

Purpose plays an important role in the construction of meaning and meaningfulness of work. This research examined the impact of purpose and purposefulness in the workplace. Study I developed a two-factor purposefulness at work survey and established a taxonomy of purpose through qualitative analysis of personal purpose statements. The model delineates eight types of personal purpose that range from being very self-centered to being very others oriented. The construct validity of the purposefulness at work survey and the robustness of the purpose taxonomy were tested in Study II. All purposes don’t work equally. Others-oriented purposes were associated with higher level of purposefulness at work than were self￾oriented purposes. In turn, purposefulness was positively correlated with two work-related outcomes — work engagement and organizational commitment. This paper advances the meaning and purpose literature by specifying purpose content and connecting personal purpose to employee experience.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STATE IN AN ANCIENT STATE‐LEGAL PHILOSOPHY

The article defines and analyzes the characteristics of the state in the works of political theorists of Antiquity. The author notes the special features of the definition of the notion of the state in the Ancient World, which were based on the idea of the state's purpose. The comments of modern researchers on the discussed question are given. Defining the characteristics of the state in the works of Aristotle, Plato, Democritus and Cicero the author notices that at that time the notion "the characteristics of the state" wasn’t formed.

Marketing’s role in multi-stakeholder engagement

In 2019 the CEOs of more than 180 of the largest U.S. firms signed a statement of corporate purpose indicating that corporations are responsible for providing economic benefits to all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Although stakeholder theory states that there are several stakeholders (internal and external) whose continuing participation affects a firm’s sustainability and long-term profitability, the marketing literature has focused primarily on customer engagement. This research argues for a broadened focus by marketing scholars and introduces a stakeholder engagement framework based on a triangulation approach including a systematic review of marketing research from a stakeholder perspective, the results of a survey of 254 editorial review board members from top marketing journals, and business case examples. The framework identifies three dimensions of firms’ stakeholder engagement strategies (stakeholder recognition, support, and dialogue) linked to stakeholder responses (stakeholder contribution to the firm or retaliation) that ultimately influence firm performance (financial, reputation, and risk). Two core propositions of multi-stakeholder engagement provide a foundation for a detailed future research agenda for marketing.

Are Lower Insertional Torque Values Associated with Increased Early Dental Implant Failures?

Statement of the problemThe purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to determine whether low insertional torque vales < 30-Ncm were associated with increased early dental implant failures. Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate dental implants placed in 2015 at the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas. The following inclusion criteria were defined: 1) patients who were not lost to follow-up within the first 6 months of implant placement; 2) cases with sufficient medical records, including pre-surgical and post-surgical evaluation. Patients were excluded as study subjects if: 1) they had inadequate medical records; 2) they were a current tobacco smoker or were undergoing treatment for systemic conditions such as bisphosphonate use, head and neck radiation, and chemotherapy. The primary predictor variable was dental implant insertional torque, measured at the time of implant placement as: < 30-Ncm, 30-39-Ncm, 40-49-Ncm, 50-59-Ncm, 60-69-Ncm, and > 60-Ncm. The primary outcome variable was early implant failure, defined chronologically as implant failure necessitating explantation within 6 months of placement.1 Secondary predictor variables were age ≥ 65 years and sex, defined as male or female. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with P < .05 used to determine statistical significance. Results and outcomesThirty-three subjects and 69 implants met the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average age of the cohort was 65 years. Sixty-two implants were placed in males, and 7 were placed in females. There was a total of 5 early failures (7%). Four occurred in males, and 1 occurred in a female. Four occurred in subjects ≥ 65, and 1 occurred in a subject < 65. Two early failures occurred with an insertional torque < 30-Ncm, 1 occurred with an insertional torque of 30-39-Ncm, and 2 occurred with an insertional torque of 50-59-Ncm. Analysis of the predictor variable and primary outcome variable revealed that decreased insertional torque values resulted in an increase in early dental implant failures and was statistically significant (P = .034). Specifically, insertional torque values below the threshold of 30-Ncm resulted in a 14-fold increase in early failures (OR 14.66; 95% CL 1.74-123.51). Analysis of the secondary predictor variables, age and sex, revealed no statistically significant differences with P = 1.00 and P = .4242, respectively. Discussion and conclusionThe results of this retrospective cohort study suggest that decreased insertional torque values of dental implants below 30-Ncm increase early failure rates within 6 months of dental implant placement. A systematic review by Oliveira et al found that there was not strong enough evidence to conclude that insertional torque < 30-Ncm established enough primary stability between the implant and surrounding bone. They concluded that this decreased primary stability decreased overall implant survival.2 The results of this present study suggest that a low insertional torque value < 30-Ncm decreases the primary stability of the implant in the surrounding bone, thereby increasing the rate of early dental implant failure. Future prospective studies by this group will be performed to further elucidate the association between insertional torque and early dental implant failure.

Is the Low and Short Medial Horizontal Osteotomy a Predictive Factor for Postoperative Hypoesthesia in Sagittal Split Osteotomies?

Statement of the problemThe purpose of this study is to determine whether a low and short medial horizontal osteotomy is a predictive factor for determining neurosensory outcomes of the inferior alveolar nerve in non-syndromic patients undergoing sagittal split osteotomies for dentofacial disorders. Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on subjects who received orthognathic surgery from 2017 to 2019 at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Inclusion criteria were a traditional osteotomy defined by Hunsck and Epker, or a low and short osteotomy, defined by Posnick.1,2 Exclusion criteria were the diagnosis of a syndromic condition, repeat surgery, or concomitant temporomandibular joint surgery. The predictor variable was the type of osteotomy performed, defined as either a low and short or traditional osteotomy. The primary outcome variable was neurosensory testing at the pre-operative visit and at the 6-week postoperative visit utilizing the NST criteria elucidated by Zuniga et al.3 Neurosensory outcomes were scored in the following manner: passing NST-A, NST-B, and NST-C were assigned scores of 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Failing NST-C was assigned a score of 4. These outcomes were used to measure the incidence of full sensory recovery (FSR), which was defined as postoperative NST testing that returned to the patient's pre-operative baseline (NST-A). Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with P < .05 used to determine statistical significance. ResultsTwenty-nine patients met the defined inclusion criteria. The average age at the time of surgery was 23 years old. The cohort consisted of 13 males and 16 females. Nineteen patients were treated with bilateral low and short osteotomies, and 10 patients were treated with bilateral traditional osteotomies. The mean NST outcome for all pre-operative visits in both cohorts passed was 1 bilaterally. The mean NST outcome for the low and short osteotomy cohort at 6-week postoperative visit was 1.26 and 1.42 on the right and left, respectively. The mean NST outcome for the traditional osteotomy cohort was 1.2 and 1.4 on the right and left, respectively. There were no significant differences between the type of osteotomy performed and the mean pre-operative neurosensory outcome on the left (P = 1) or right (P = 1). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the type of osteotomy performed and the mean 6-week postoperative neurosensory outcome on the left (P = .7176) or right (P = .9265). FSR was achieved in low and short osteotomy cohort in 73.68% of patients on the right and 57.89% of patients on the left. Failure to achieve FSR at the 6-week follow-up was observed in both the right (P = .0207) and left (P =.0020) sides for the low and short cohort, which was statistically significant. FSR was achieved in the traditional osteotomy cohort in 80% of patients on the right and 70% of patients on the left. Failure to achieve FSR in the traditional osteotomy group was not significant on the right (P = .1679) or left (P = .1039) side. ConclusionThe occurrence of hypoesthesia after traditional bilateral sagittal split osteotomy has been reported to range from 7.3-52%.4 To the author's knowledge, no study to date has examined the incidence of hypoesthesia after the low and short osteotomy. The results of the present study suggest the low and short osteotomy is associated with a greater duration of postoperative hypesthesia compared to the traditional osteotomy at the 6-week mark.

Is the Low and Short Medial Horizontal Osteotomy a Predictive Factor for Bad Splits in Sagittal Split Osteotomies?

Statement of the problemThe purpose of this study is to determine whether a low and short medial horizontal osteotomy is a predictive factor for determining bad splits in non-syndromic patients undergoing sagittal split osteotomies for dentofacial disorders. Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on subjects who received orthognathic surgery from 2017 to 2019 at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Inclusion criteria were a traditional osteotomy defined by Hunsck and Epker or a low and short osteotomy defined by Posnick.1,2 Exclusion criteria were the diagnosis of a syndromic condition, repeat surgery, or concomitant temporomandibular joint surgery. The predictor variable was the type of osteotomy performed, defined as either a low and short or traditional osteotomy. The primary outcome variable was the occurrence of a bad split. Secondary predictor variables were age and sex, defined as male or female, and faculty side (right side) versus resident side (left side). Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with P < .05 used to determine statistical significance. Results and outcomesFifty-nine patients met the defined inclusion criteria. The average age at the time of surgery was 21 years old. The cohort consisted of 27 males and 32 females. Thirty-six patients were treated with bilateral low and short osteotomies, and 23 patients were treated with bilateral traditional osteotomies. Of the 118 total osteotomies performed, there were a total of 9 bad splits (7.6%). There were 3 right-side bad splits and 6 left-side bad splits. The occurrence of a right-side bad split was 3 for the low and short group and 0 for the traditional group. The occurrence of a left-side bad split was 4 for the low and short group and 2 for the traditional group. There were no significant differences between the type of osteotomy performed and the occurrence of a right-side bad split (P = .1607) or a left-side bad split (P = .7695). There was no significant difference between sex and occurrence of a right-side bad split (P = .6640) or a left-side bad split (P = .2862). There was no significant difference between age and occurrence of a right-side bad split (P = .5233) or a left-side bad split (P = .4492). There was no significant difference between faculty side and resident side with regards to bad splits (P = .4903). Discussion and conclusionThe sagittal split osteotomy (SSO) was first reported by Trauner and Obwegeser in 1955, with the horizontal medial osteotomy further modified by Hunsuck to terminate superior and posterior to lingula.1 Posnick developed an additional modification of the SSO to reduce the frequency of unfavorable splits toward the condyle by modifying the medial horizontal osteotomy to terminate below lingula at the level of the mandibular occlusal plane (low) and anterior to lingula (short).2 The occurrence of bad splits using the traditional osteotomy ranges from 1% to 23%, while the incidence of bad splits reported by Posnick in his retrospective analysis was 0%. The results of the present study suggest a low and short osteotomy is at least as reliable as the traditional osteotomy with regards to intraoperative bad splits. Future prospective studies, including split-mouth study designs by this group, will further elucidate the low and short osteotomy as a reliable alternative to the traditional osteotomy.1.The low medial horizontal osteotomy in patients with atypical ramus morphology undergoing sagittal split osteotomy2.Occurrence of a ‘bad’ split and success of initial mandibular healing: a review of 524 sagittal ramus osteotomies in 262 patients

Are Antidepressant Medications Associated with Increased Dental Implant Failure?

Statement of the problemThe purpose of this study was to determine whether antidepressant medications were associated with a lower dental implant success rate. Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate dental implants placed in 2015 at the VA North Texas Health Care System. The following inclusion criteria were defined: 1) patients with adequate postoperative follow-up appointments for 5 years; 2) cases with sufficient medical records; 3) patients who had a current diagnosis of depression at the time of implant placement and were taking an antidepressant medication. Patients were excluded as study subjects if: 1) they had inadequate medical records; 2) they were a current tobacco smoker or were undergoing treatment for systemic conditions such as bisphosphonate use, radiation, or chemotherapy. The primary predictor variable was current use of an antidepressant medication. The primary outcome variable was implant success, defined as an implant without pain upon function, no mobility, < 2mm radiographic bone loss from initial surgery, and no history of exudates.1 Secondary predictor variables were age ≥ 65 years and sex, defined as male or female. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with P < .05 used to determine statistical significance. Results and outcomesThirty-one patients and 67 implants met the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average age was 65 years. Fifty-two implants were placed in patients 65 years and older. Sixty implants were placed in males, and 7 were placed in females. Sixty-one implants met the defined success criteria (91%), with 7 implant failures (7%). Forty-six implants were placed in patients on antidepressant medication. The antidepressant treatment group had 41 implants that met success criteria (89%) and 5 implant failures (11%). Analysis of the predictor variable and primary outcome variable revealed that antidepressant therapy was associated with a nearly 60% decrease in success (OR 0.41; 95% CL 0.04-3.75), but was not statistically significant (P = .6542). Analysis of the secondary variables reveled that age ≥ 65 and female sex were not associated with statistically significant differences in dental implant success (P = 1 and P = .4927, respectively). Discussion and conclusionThe results of this retrospective analysis suggest that antidepressant use does not affect the success rate of dental implants. A systemic review by Silva et al found an increased risk for implant failure in antidepressant users compared to non-users, but cautioned their conclusions due to a lack of methodological rigor and standardization.2 They found an increased rate of dental implant failures in tobacco smokers who also took antidepressants. They hypothesized that tobacco smoke can be a surrogate for dental implant failure in patients taking antidepressants as nicotine can impair new bone formation and impair osseointegration, artificially inflating the rate of implant failure in this cohort. One of the strengths of the current study is strict rule-out criteria for current tobacco smokers, as patients who receive implants at this center have point-of-care nicotine testing prior to implant placement. The results of this present study suggest that antidepressant use does not decrease implant success rates over a 5-year period. Future prospective studies, with larger cohorts, will be performed to further elucidate the association between antidepressant use and dental implant success.

Promoting Culture Change Within Organizations.

Promoting Culture Change Within Organizations.

Deon and Telos: How Journalisms Are Evolving Their Ethical Approaches

Survey evidence shows a deontological ethical ideology remains dominant in global journalism, underpinned by a cultural value of detachment. This article opens by considering the strain imposed on these precepts in US corporate media while covering the Trump White House—ultimately to breaking point with the defeated president’s campaign to overturn the result, attempting to co-opt news organisations in the process. Feedback loops of cause and effect have, in any case, been exposed in today’s extended media, making the involvement of journalism in stories—through influence on audience responses and source behaviours—impossible to overlook. At the same time, new journalisms are emerging and growing, which adhere instead to a teleological ethical ideology. They openly identify themselves with external goals, and appeal for funds from donors and supporters on that basis. The article then goes on to present original data from analysing statements of aims and purpose put out by 12 news organisations working in four of these new fields: Peace Journalism; Solutions Journalism; Engaged, or Participatory Journalism; and Investigative Journalism, respectively. These represent a growing edge in journalism, it is argued, since they are positioned to respond positively to the changed conditions brought about by political and technological forces, which were illustrated by the Trump crisis. The study points to the changes in institutional arrangements now needed, if the structural foundations for their survival and success are to be strengthened.

From the Editor-in-Chief: New Statement of Purpose for the AJA

From the Editor-in-Chief: New Statement of Purpose for the <i>AJA</i>

Building a Secure Fence and a Well-Functioning Ambulance Reforming New Zealand's Natural Disaster Insurance Scheme

This article proposes reform to New Zealand's natural disaster insurance scheme in anticipation of The New Zealand Treasury's (Treasury) 2021 review of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993. The Canterbury Earthquake Sequence of 2010–2011 revealed many shortcomings in New Zealand's dual-insurance model, outlined in the March 2020 Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission. Recent changes in the private insurance market have aggravated these problems, notably, increasing premiums and a move to sum-insured policies. This article explores the lesser known background to the unique EQC system and examines the fundamental reasons for this public system. It aims to establish the most effective natural disaster insurance scheme for New Zealand, holding that retaining the dual-model approach is preferable. However, fresh reforms are necessary. Five reforms are proposed: ensuring the scheme's universality; increasing the EQC cap; implementing differentiated pricing; incorporating incentives for mitigation; including a purpose statement within the Act. Implementing these reforms will best ensure the scheme meets the objective of allowing homeowners to build their secure fence at the top of the cliff, while still ensuring there is a well-functioning ambulance at the bottom.

Statement of Purpose

LEARNing LandscapesTM Journal is an open access, peer-reviewed, online education journal supported by LEARN (Leading English Education and Resource Network). Published in the spring and autumn of each year, it attempts to make links between theory and practice and is built upon the principles of partnership, collaboration, inclusion, and attention to multiple perspectives and voices. The material in each publication attempts to share and showcase leading educational ideas, research, and practices in Quebec and beyond. We welcome articles, interviews, visual representations, arts-informed work, and multimedia texts to inspire teachers, administrators, and other educators to reflect upon and develop innovative possibilities within their own practices.

Does ATLS Training Work? 10-Year Follow-Up of ATLS India Program

Studies evaluating the efficacy of ATLS in low- and middle-income countries are limited. We followed up ATLS providers certified by the ATLS India program over a decade (2009 to 2019), aiming to measure the benefits in knowledge, skills, attitude and their attrition over time. The survey instrument was developed taking a cue from published literature on ATLS and improvised using the Delphi method. Randomly selected ATLS providers were sent the survey instrument via email as a Google form, along with a statement of purpose. Results are presented descriptively. ATLS India trained 7,847 providers over the study period. 2500 providers were selected for the survery using computer-generated random number table. One thousand and thirty doctors (41.2%) responded. Improvement in knowledge (n = 1,013 [98.3%]), psychomotor skills (n = 986 [95.7%]), organizational skills (n = 998 [96.9%]), overall trauma management (n = 1,013 [98.7%]) and self-confidence (n = 939 [91%]) were reported. Majority (904 [87.8%]) started ATLS promulgation at workplace in personal capacity. These benefits lasted beyond 2 years in majority (>60%) of respondents. More than 40% reported cognitive (n= 492 [47.8%]), psychomotor (n= 433 [42%]), and organizational benefits (n= 499 [48.4%]) lasting beyond 3 years. Improvement in self-confidence, ATLS promulgation at the workplace, and retention of organizational skills were more pronounced in ATLS faculties than providers. All other benefits were found to be comparable in both sub-groups. Lack of trained staff (n= 660 [64.1%]) and attitude issues (n= 495 [48.1%]) were the major impediments in implementing ATLS at the workplace. More than a third of respondents (n = 373 [36.2%]) could enumerate one or more incidents where ATLS principles were life- or limb- saving. Cognitive, psychomotor, organizational, and affective impact of ATLS is overwhelmingly positive in the Indian scenario. Until formal trauma systems are established, ATLS remains the best hope for critically injured patients in resource-contrained settings.

Environmental Review of Highway Projects Using Planning and Environmental Linkages

In addition to statutory requirements for long-range transportation planning, transportation projects funded in part by USDOT are required to undergo environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requirements include a statement of the project’s purpose and need and an analysis of alternatives to the proposed project. USDOT adopted federal regulations and guidance in 2007 that would allow these NEPA requirements, including the elimination of potential alternatives, to be conducted as part of the earlier transportation planning process, a concept known as planning and environmental linkage (PEL). Congress has authorized a form of PEL since 2012, albeit with a somewhat stricter standard for public involvement than reflected in the USDOT PEL regulations and guidance. This paper examines legal challenges to environmental review of transportation projects using the PEL approach. The PEL approach has the potential to be abused, because a statement of purpose and need adopted prior to NEPA could be drafted so narrowly as to effectively preclude public participation and detailed environmental review of alternative transportation modes, routes, or strategies. However, courts generally approve the PEL approach, providing legal protection for the elimination of alternatives during transportation planning, even when public participation and environmental impact analysis at the transportation planning stage does not satisfy NEPA requirements.