Use Of Systematic Approach Research Articles

Setting the course for quality assurance in higher education

While the application of quality management and total quality management in higher education (HE) are discussed in literature, quality assurance (QA) of academic programs—the main services offered by higher education institutes (HEIs)—is yet to be fully understood. Scepticism prevails on how the principles of QA—having origin in manufacturing sector—can be applied in HE. The main question addressed in this article is ‘how the academic processes can be designed for QA?’ This paper suggests the use of systems approach for a number of reasons: first systems approach brings wide range of stakeholders into organisational consciousness. Second, it allows deployment of QA strategically through the development of a mission for the HEI. Third, it allows alignment and realignment of academic processes with the mission of the HEI. Finally, it allows systematic management of QA implementation with an essential focus on continual improvement. The mentioned elements are embodied in a framework consisting of a list of diagnostic questions to guide the integration of QA into academic processes. The framework should help HEIs integrate QA into academic programs with continual improvement as an essential ingredient.

Community capacity building in practice: constructing its meaning and relevance to health promoters

Community capacity building (CCB) is held up as a benchmark for sustainable health promotion, reflecting the empowering discourse of the Ottawa Charter (WHO 1986). In light of concerns that this language may be that of the presiding bureaucratic elite rather than the realities of those working directly with communities (Laverack & Labonte 2000), we question whether CCB reflects the work of New Zealand health promoters. The aim of this study is to assess what CCB means to health promoters and how relevant it is to their work in New Zealand. Focus groups and interviews were carried out with 64 health promoters between January 2008 and March 2009. The results of this qualitative study indicated that, while the terminology of CCB is poorly established in New Zealand, the overwhelming majority of participants felt that, to be an effective health promoter, they needed the buy-in and support of the communities in which they work. As a result, community-driven approaches have emerged as a core component of good health promotion practice in New Zealand. Yet, the concept of CCB was applied loosely with health promoters adopting language and practices corresponding more with the nuances of community development. The limited use of systematic approaches to building community capacity was accompanied by few successes achieving sustainable health promotion programmes. In prioritising community relationships many health promoters were placed in an ideological bind whereby achieving community ownership over health promotion meant compromising the evidence base of their programmes. Academic discussions of CCB appear to have gained little traction into the realm of health promotion practice in New Zealand highlighting the need for relevant research with a strong grounding in practice.

الترتيب عدم استقرار المنحدرات المحتملة الصخرة باستخدام التفاعل مصفوفة (الدردشة) وتقنيات، دراسة حالة في ايران

All the conventional techniques for the analysis of slope stability ranging from simple kinematic analysis using stereonets, to the various widely used limit equilibrium methods, to sophisticated numerical methods belong to a category that are generally known as the analytic approaches and thus are only able to consider a limited number of affecting factors and then solve the problem in details. In contrast, the systems approaches not only can examine the problem in its totality with a complete list of the components, but also can take the interactions between the factors into account. This paper presents a complete application of a well-known systems technique named the Interaction Matrix (IM) in ranking the instability potential of rock slopes of the Khosh-Yeylagh Main Road, Iran as the case study of the research. For this purpose, 15 stations have been selected and a relatively comprehensive database containing the fieldwork information has been constructed. Following the IM technique, the most important factors relating to the general environment and to the rock mass characteristics have been considered. Their reciprocal causes and effects have been analyzed in order to weight each parameter according to its degree of interactivity in the system. Then, the slope instability index has been calculated which refers to the inherent potential instability of each slope of the examined region. The final instability ranking has been presented for the investigated slopes in Khosh-Yeylagh Main Road based on a simple classification. The main aim of the study is to extend the use of systems approach and specifically the IM technique in slope stability analysis. Also, this research shows the importance of consideration of an approximately complete set of key parameters affecting the stability of rock slopes.

Generalisation of a procedure for computing transcription factor profiles

The limited amount of quantitative experimental data generated from life-science experiments poses a major challenge in systems biology. The reason for this is that many systems approaches, such as parameter estimation, simulation and sensitivity analysis make use of models or analyse quantitative data. However, these techniques are only of limited use if only qualitative or semi-quantitative information is available about a system. Therefore procedures that generate quantitative data from experiments in the life sciences can greatly expand the use of systems approaches to biological problems. This study addresses this issue as it introduces a procedure that computes quantitative transcription factor profiles from fluorescent microscopy data collected from green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter cells. This technique forms a generalisation of a method that has recently been introduced for monitoring NF-B profiles. The contribution made in this work is that the assumption that the transcription factor profile exhibits damped oscillations is relaxed, as transcription factors, other than the previously investigated NF-B, may exhibit different profiles. This is achieved by investigating a variety of potential profiles and solving the inverse problem for the model describing transcription, translation and activation of GFP for each one. The transcription factor profile that results in the best fit among the potential candidates, for the measured fluorescent intensity data, is then chosen as the most likely concentration profile. The technique is illustrated in two detailed case studies, where one case study involves simulation data whereas the other one uses experimentally derived fluorescent intensity data.

Influenza Immunization Disparities in Primary Care Offices—A Comparative Case Study

Without insight into the primary care environment, further improvements in influenza immunization rates are unlikely. We conducted a comparative case study of family medicine offices during the 2003 influenza immunization season. Practice 1 (P1) served an urban African American population, practice 2 (P2) served a suburban non-minority population, practice 3 (P3) served an urban Hispanic population. Influenza immunization rates among patients age 65 years and older in P1, P2, and P3 were 32%, 33%, and 67% by medical chart. Rates were highest in P3, where medical staff supported vaccination, promoted communication with patients and staff, and made use of systems to identify eligible patients. Characteristics that appear to affect influenza immunization in the primary care environment include the presence of a practice champion, issues of communication and collaboration, and the use of systems approaches. These data support the need for investigation of how these factors affect population level disparities.

Does Our Literature Support Sectors Newer to Project Management? The Search for Quality Publications Relevant to Nontraditional Industries

Despite the broadening use of systematic approaches to project management, the majority of related literature is focused on a handful of industries–construction, engineering, government, information technology, and utilities– that have, until recently, been the traditional areas for project management. Currently, the nontraditional project management areas include banking, pharmaceuticals, consulting, advertising, legal, health care, safety, and non-traditional manufacturing and industrial sectors (Kerzner, 2001). In recognition of growth, scholars and practitioners have begun to include viewpoints generalized across the field as well as perspectives from specific industries. We report on the findings from a systematic review of project management literature.

Avaliação de política ambiental e sustentabilidade: estudo de caso do município de Santo André - SP

A gestão da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo tem como um dos desafios resolver a problemática do uso e ocupação do solo em áreas de proteção de mananciais, visando proteção dos recursos hídricos desta região. Este artigo tem como objetivo contribuir para a discussão sobre Avaliação de Estratégia de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, a partir de uma análise das políticas ambientais do Município de Santo André, no contexto da proteção dos recursos hídricos. Propõe-se a verificar, com base nos Princípios de Bellagio, se houve enfoque sistêmico, transparência, participação e engajamento social no processo de formulação e implementação de suas políticas ambientais. Observou-se coerência nas políticas, programas e ações estudadas, entretanto, foram identificadas lacunas que, sobre o enfoque estratégico, representam fraquezas na construção da sustentabilidade local, como no caso da ausência de um sistema consolidado de indicadores de sustentabilidade.

Systemic work with clients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder

Clients who are diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder are likely to engage with clinicians in compelling ways. They challenge us with an urgency that helps us to define ourselves as we work with them. They confront us with the limitations of our treatment approaches, requiring a genuineness of interaction and a flexibility that can be both challenging and uncomfortable. While therapists have made great strides over the past few decades in their treatment approaches with this population, there is a gap in the literature on the use of systemic approaches with these clients. This article examines some of the issues that arise in work with people with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and offers an application of a larger systems perspective to the development of viable treatment options for these clients.

System Approach to Prevent Common Bile Duct Injury and Enhance Performance of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Experience collected from 5200 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and 29 patients (6 ours, 23 referred) with major common bile duct (CBD) injury during LC in our institute between December 1990 and July 2004 was reported to demonstrate that the system approach we applied in performing LC prevents CBD injury and enhances surgical performance. Each case of CBD injury was meticulously analyzed to identify causative factors. We developed preventive strategies focusing on 4 dimensions: patient, environment, procedure, and operator. Surgical performance was then evaluated to demonstrate improvements. Incidence of CBD injury was calculated for early and latter halves of the series to compare 5 parameters of surgical performance: patient selection, operation time, indwelling drainage tube, surgeon, and conversion rate. Results of accident analysis demonstrated that CBD injury followed definite mechanisms; several warning signs appearing before and during injury were identified and classified. According to these results, we designed strategies to prevent injury, including: setting up patient-selection program, controlling surgical environment, developing error-proof procedures, and constructing training programs. Incidence of CBD injury in the whole series was 0.12% (6/5200), 0.27% in early half (6/2224), and zero (0/2967) in latter half. Attending doctors had significantly shorter operation times in latter period for both elective and emergent LC. Rate of using drainage tubes for elective surgery by attending doctors was significantly decreased in latter period. Operation time for elective surgery by residents was similar in both early and latter periods. However, residents in latter period had longer operation times (around 23 min long, P<0.001) for emergent LC. Steps of our system approach include: (1) detailed accident analysis focusing on patient, environment, procedure, and surgeon; (2) developing 4 strategies directly responding to accident analysis results, including proper patient selection, control of environment, error-proof procedures, and a well-designed training program; and (3) demonstrating improved patient safety and surgical performance. Consistent use of systems approach promises continuing quality improvement. We believe our working model will help perform safer LC and also benefit other medical disciplines.

The use of multicriteria decision aid system in the information technology (It) allocation problem

Decision Makers (DM) should know how to allocate information technology in their organizations. Multicriteria methods can be used to analyze decisions dealing with this problem. This paper provides the use of systemic approach to reduce the level of uncertainty prevalent in this type of decisions; thus, we use multicriteria aid decision making to solve this complex problem. Using also mathematical programming (0,1), having as input those conditions resulting from the multicriteria results, it is possible to allocate easier the different strategic, tactic and operational Information Systems into organization’s IT structure. We will utilize as case study the needs in IT by several Research and Development teams working within the framework of a University.

ENHANCING PEOPLE'S NUTRITIONAL STATUS THROUGH REVITALISATION OF AGRICULTURE AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Although Agriculture is the mainstay of Kenya's Economy, it is one the poorest in terms of performance as compared to other sectors. Negligence by the government in budgeting is no doubt one of the contributing factors among poverty, which is the underlying cause of hunger and malnutrition and redundancy of this sector. Use of systems approach to address agriculture, getting men into agriculture, deliberate placement of agro industries in rural areas, revamping extension and linking it to research, and development of infrastructure are some of the strategies that have been suggested in order that people's nutritional status may be enhanced. It is not one factor that will lead to good nutrition but a collection of factors well integrated and advocated by the majority. (Af. J. Food and Nutritional Sciences: 2001 1 (1): 43-50)

99/03225 Use of system approaches for transmission open access pricing

99/03225 Use of system approaches for transmission open access pricing

The use of systemic approach in teaching and learning chemistry for the 21st century

The new century generation have challenges that is dif®cult and numerous, either to ®nd his place in this universe or the international ood of science and knowledge will take him away. So, it is a must to make a revolution in the methods of teaching. So that to create a recognized generation able to see what is going on around the world, and at the same time does not miss his identity. A generation able to forecast and be creative not the study and learn. A generation that is able to see the whole and not to miss some parts of it.

Use of system approaches for transmission open access pricing

The Latin American deregulated markets have based their open access schemes on a concept that considers a multilateral use of the transmission system, with all agents contributing to the financing of a common network based on physical and economic usage, irrespective of commercial arrangements. The paper describes the concept and the existing schemes and contributes with the formulation of alternative numerical approaches for open access pricing, taking into account energy and capacity use of the system by the participant agents. Distribution factors based on DC power flows are the basic elements of the formulation, which is built based on different physical and economic considerations. The approaches are numerically evaluated in the Chilean main interconnected electrical system, with a comparison of the resultant impacts on generators and consumers.

Application of systems thinking to the identification, avoidance and prevention of risk

Undertaking a project is a high risk activity. The ability to identify potential risks and to take steps to avoid them are two of the most important aspects of good project management. Nonsystemic techniques for risk evaluation and management are already widely applied and well understood, but the use of systems approaches in this context is less widespread. It can be argued, however, that by using systems approaches it is possible to identify potential risks which would not otherwise be predicted. In addition, the application of systems thinking at the end of a project can enable lessons from outcomes to be used to improve performance on future projects. Examples of the use of systems methods and techniques in the project management context are given in the paper, together with illustrations of how such analyses can be used in the identification of risks.

Science education in English and Welsh primary schools: a systems study

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsJoyce FortuneJoyce Fortune is a member of the Faculty of TechnologyGeoff PetersGeoff Peters is Pro‐Vice Chancellor at The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK. They are both members of The Centre for Technology Strategy at The Open University and their primary research interest is the development and use of systems approaches for the study of failure.Lilian Rawlinson‐WinderLilian Rawlinson‐Winder studied at The Open University and is Primary Science Coordinator at an Oxfordshire school.

Optimization of Weed Management Systems: The Role of Ecological Models of Interplant Competition

The strategy to optimize weed management systems with a minimum use of herbicides includes both the adaptation of crop management practices and well designed decision making systems, based on postemergence observations of weed infestations. Both strategies require thorough quantitative insight into the crop weed ecosystem, which can be provided by systems analysis, using process based models. These models also can be applied to similar systems like intercropping. For practical application, however, a simple measure of weed infestation and a simple model which relates weed infestation to yield loss are required. Recent progress in model development is discussed. An alternative empirical model that predicts yield loss from the relative leaf area of the weeds shortly after crop emergence, seems to be a useful approach for prediction of yield loss shortly after crop emergence. The use of systems approaches at different levels of detail for bridging the gap between research and practical application is discussed.

Systems approaches to quantify crop-weed interactions and their application in weed management

Studies to quantify crop-weed interactions have been conducted for decades, usually using empirical models that describe the relationship between weed density and yield loss. Quantitative insight into the behavior of the crop-weed system is needed to develop weed management systems. Recently, eco-physiological simulation models for crop-weed competition were introduced. These models simulate growth and production of species in mixtures, based on physiological processes in plants and their response to the environment. Such models help improve insight into the crop-weed system and can be used to develop simple predictive models for practical application. Several simple regression models for early prediction of yield loss by weeds have been developed. Recently, an approach has been developed in which the relative leaf cover of the weeds shortly after crop emergence is directly related to final yield loss. This approach has high potential as a predictive tool in weed control advisory systems. For strategic weed management activities, quantitative insight into the dynamics of weed populations is required. However, many processes, such as seed bank dynamics, are not yet adequately understood to allow accurate prediction of future weed populations. The use of systems approaches to bridge the gap between weed science research and practical weed management is discussed.

Linear and nonlinear system approaches in pharmacokinetics: how much do they have to offer? I. General considerations.

System approaches in pharmacokinetics are defined as generalizing and simplifying modeling approaches that mathematically model a general property of the pharmacokinetic system without modeling specifically the individual kinetic processes responsible for the general property considered. The rationale for the use of system approaches is discussed and the kinetic basis of some of the approaches is presented. An overview of the approaches is presented together with a comparison to classical approaches involving specific pharmacokinetic models. Examples are given from different application areas involving problems in linear and nonlinear pharmacokinetics and in pharmacodynamics. The advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the system approaches are discussed. In several application areas the system approach offers some rational methods and procedures with distinct advantages over more traditional approaches.

General ideas on a systems approach to nurses' learning activities

O trabalho discute o uso da abordagem sistêmica na educação e saúde, facilitando a reflexão do enfermeiro sobre sua ação educativa. Parte-se das noções básicas da Teoria de Sistemas: 1) sistema - unidade complexa, formada de várias partes diferentes, sujeitas a um plano comum, ou servindo a um objetivo comum; 2) componentes do sistema - entrada (inputs), processo, saída (outputs) e realimentação (feedback). Na Educação, utiliza-se o enfoque sistêmico como técnica de análise, coordenação e controle dos componentes e variáveis que constituem o complexo educacional; estabelece-se a necessidade do planejamento didático como meio de ordenar e seqüenciar ações para atingir os fins propostos. Na saúde, aplica-se a abordagem sistêmica ao estudo de situações complexas, visando permitir ao enfermeiro novas perspectivas e soluções.