The inclusion of open-ended questions on quantitative surveys of children: Dealing with unanticipated responses relating to child abuse and neglect

Web surveys have been shown to be a viable, and relatively inexpensive, method of data collection with children. For this reason, the Kids’ Life and Times (KLT) was developed as an annual online survey of 10 and 11 year old children. Each year, approximately 4,000 children participate in the survey. Throughout the six years that KLT has been running, a range of questions has been asked that are both policy-relevant and important to the lives of children. Given the method employed by the survey, no extremely sensitive questions that might cause the children distress are included. The majority of questions on KLT are closed yielding quantitative data that are analysed statistically; however, one regular open-ended question is included at the end of KLT each year so that the children can suggest questions that they think should be asked on the survey the following year. While most of the responses are innocuous, each year a small minority of children suggest questions on child abuse and neglect. This paper reports the responses to this question and reflects on how researchers can, and should, deal with this issue from both a methodological and an ethical perspective.

Human resource development professionals' perceptions about the Academy of Human Resource Development Standards on Ethics and Integrity

Professional standards of ethics proclaim the core values of a profession, describe expected professional duties and responsibilities, and provide a framework for ethical practice and ethical decision-making. The purpose of this mixed, quantitative and qualitative, survey study was to examine HRD professionals' perceptions about the AHRD Standards on Ethics and Integrity, how HRD professionals used the Standards for research and decision-making, and the extent to which the Standards provided guidance for ethical decision-making. Through an on-line survey instrument, 182 members of AHRD were surveyed. The open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis to expand on, inform, and support the quantitative findings. The close-ended questions were analyzed with frequency distributions, descriptive statistics, cross tabulations, and Spearman rank correlations. The results showed a significant relationship between (a) years of AHRD membership and level of familiarity with the Standards, (b) years of AHRD membership and use of the Standards for research, and (c) level of familiarity with the Standards and use of the Standards for research. There were no significant differences among scholars, scholar practitioners, practitioners, and students regarding their perceptions about the Standards. The results showed that the Standards were not well known or widely used. Nevertheless, the results indicated overall positive perceptions about the Standards. Seventy percent agreed that the Standards provided an appropriate set of ethical principles and reflected respondents' own standards of conduct. Seventy-eight percent believed that the Standards were important for defining HRD as a profession and 54% believed they were important for developing a sense of belonging to the HRD profession. Fifty-one percent believed the Standards should be enforceable and 61% agreed members should sign the membership application form showing willingness to adhere to the Standards. Seventy-seven percent based work-related ethical decisions on personal beliefs of right and wrong and 56% on established professional values and rules of right and wrong. The findings imply that if the professional standards of ethics are to influence the profession, they should be widely publicized and discussed among members, they should have some binding power, and their use should be encouraged.

On-line film distribution : Its history and global complexion

‘Nobody knows anything’, said William Goldman of studio filmmaking. The rule is ever more apt as we survey the radical changes that digital distribution, along with the digitisation of production and exhibition, is wreaking on global film circulation. Digital Disruption: Cinema Moves On-line helps to make sense of what has happened in the short but turbulent history of on-line distribution. It provides a realistic assessment of the genuine and not-so-promising methods that have been tried to address the disruptions that moving from ‘analogue dollars’ to ‘digital cents’ has provoked in the film industry. Paying close attention to how the Majors have dealt with the challenges – often unsuccessfully – it focuses as much attention on innovations and practices outside the mainstream. Throughout, it is alive to, and showcases, important entrepreneurial innovations such as Mubi, Jaman, Withoutabox and IMDb. Written by leading academic commentators that have followed the fortunes of world cinema closely and passionately, as well as experienced hands close to the fluctuating fortunes of the industry, Digital Disruption: Cinema Moves On-line is an indispensable guide to great changes in film and its audiences.

Effectiveness of on-line resources to enhance student learning and engagement

BACKGROUND For engineering graduates to be work-ready with marketable skills they must not only be well-versed with engineering science and its applications, but also able to adapt to using commercial software that is widely used in engineering practice. Hydrological/hydraulic modelling is one aspect of engineering practice which demands the ability to apply fundamentals into design and construction using software. The user manuals for such software are usually tailored for the experienced engineer but not for undergraduates who typically are novices to concepts of modelling and software tools. As the focus of a course such as Advanced Water Engineering is on the wider aspects of engineering application of hydrological and hydraulic concepts, it is ineffective for the lecturers to direct the students to user manuals as students have neither the time nor the desire to sift through numerous pages in a manual. An alternative and efficient way to demonstrate the use of the software is enabling students to develop a model to simulate real-world scenario using the tools of the software and directing them to make informed decisions based on outcomes. PURPOSE Past experience of the lecturer showed that the resources available for the students left a knowledge gap leading to numerous student queries outside contact hours. The purpose of this study is to assess how effective purpose-built video resources can be in supplementing the traditional learning resources to enhance student learning. APPROACH Short-length animated video clips comprising guided step-by-step instructions were prepared using screen capture software to capture screen activity and later edited to focus on specific features using pop-up annotations; Vocal narration was purposely excluded to avoid disturbances due to noise and allow different learning paces of individual students. The video clips were made available to the students alongside the traditional resources/approaches such as in-class demonstrations, guideline notes, and tips for efficient and error-free procedural descriptions. The number of queries the lecturer received from the student cohort outside the lecture times was recorded. An anonymous survey to assess the usefulness and adequacy of the courseware was conducted. OUTCOMES While a significant decline in the number of student queries was noted, an overwhelming majority of the survey respondents confirmed the usefulness of the purpose-developed courseware. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/SUMMARY The survey and lecturer’s experience indicated that animated demonstration video clips illustrating the various steps involved in developing hydrologic and hydraulic models and simulating design scenarios is an effective supplement for traditional learning resources. Among the many advantages of the custom-made video clips as a learning resource are that they (1) highlight the aspects that are important to undergraduate learning but not available in the software manuals as the latter are designed for more mature users/learners; (2) provide short, to-the point communication in a step-by-step manner; (3) allow students flexibility to self-learn at their own pace; (4) enhance student learning; and (5) enable time savings for the lecturer in the long term by avoiding queries of a repetitive nature. It is expected that these newly developed resources will be improved to incorporate students’ suggestions before being offered to future cohorts of students. The concept can also be expanded to other relevant courses where animated demonstrations of key modelling steps are beneficial to student learning.

On-line voltammetric monitoring of dissolved Cu and Ni in the Gulf of Cadiz, south-west Spain

Geochemical processes in estuarine and coastal waters often occur on temporally and spatially small scales, resulting in variability of metal speciation and dissolved concentrations. Thus, surveys, which are aimed to improve our understanding of metal behaviour in such systems, benefit from high-resolution, interactive sampling campaigns. The present paper discusses a high-resolution approach to coastal monitoring, with the application of an automated voltammetric metal analyser for on-line measurements of dissolved trace metals in the Gulf of Cadiz, south-west Spain. This coastal sea receives metal-rich inputs from a metalliferous mining area, mainly via the Huelva estuary. On-line measurements of dissolved Cu, Zn, Ni and Co were carried out on-board ship during an eight-day sampling campaign in the study area in June 1997. A pumping system operated continuously underway and provided sampled water from a depth of ca. 4 m. Total dissolved metal concentrations measured on-line in the Gulf of Cadiz ranged between <5 nM Cu (<3 nM Ni) ca. 50 km off-shore and 60–90 nM Cu (5–13 nM Ni) in the vicinity of the Huelva estuary. The survey revealed steep gradients and strong tidal variability in the dissolved metal plume extending from the Huelva estuary into the Gulf of Cadiz. Further on-line measurements were carried out with the automatic metal monitor from the bank of the Odiel estuary over a full tidal cycle, at dissolved metal concentrations in the μM range. The application confirmed the suitability of the automated metal monitor for coastal sampling, and demonstrated its adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions in the dynamic waters of estuaries and coastal seas. The near-real time acquisition of dissolved metal concentrations at high resolution enabled an interactive sampling campaign and therefore the close investigation of tidal variability in the development of the Huelva estuary metal plume.

PROFIX: método de avaliação on-line da proficiência digital

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Family Preservation Conference Participants and the Internet: Opinions about On-Line Continuing Education

Development of distance and distributed learning continuing education (CE) opportunities for human services workers requires existence of such CE offerings, participant access to the Internet, knowledge of the Internet's use, and willingness to enroll in such programs. A survey of human services professionals who attended the Family Preservation Annual Conferences in 2000 (N = 230) and 2002 (N - 197) revealed that 92% (n = 206) of 2000 survey participants and 98% (192) of 2002 survey participants have used the Internet, while 76% of 2000 and 56% of 2002 respondents reported no formal training in the use of the Internet and its features. Findings are reported that reveal substantial interest among subjects in the Internet as a medium for continuing education programs for professional development.

A COMUNICAÇÃO ON-LINE ENTRE PROFESSORES UNIVERSITÁRIOS E SEUS ALUNOS: A SALA DE AULA VIRTUAL

Esta tese examina a comunicação on-line não-formal entre os professores universitários e seus alunos e, também, os grupos virtuais criados pelos alunos. No referencial teórico documentou-se subtemas fundamentais para a formação do raciocínio central do trabalho. Teve-se como objeto de pesquisa a pergunta o uso da comunicação on-line de modo não-formal entre professores e alunos complementa o ensino/aprendizagem no curso superior? . Este trabalho abre espaço para que novas investigações sejam realizadas, pois as constatações verificadas na pesquisa ofereceram dados importantes para entender as necessidades que levam os alunos ao uso das tecnologias de comunicação on-line para interagirem com seus colegas de classe e com seus professores. Esses motivos ficaram claramente especificados, ao longo do estudo, como complemento e contribuição na melhoria do ensino/aprendizagem dos alunos além de formalizar a comunicação on-line como um diálogo pedagógico entre professores e alunos. O estudo foi qualitativo e quantitativo e teve como técnica de pesquisa um levantamento de dados realizado em uma amostra de oportunidade/conveniência. A análise dos dados levantados permitiu verificar que o uso da comunicação on-line auxilia no complemento do ensino como reforço às aulas presenciais, e possibilita a aprendizagem aos alunos do curso superior, além de contribuir para um diálogo pedagógico ajudando os professores e os alunos na relação após as aulas.(AU)

A COMUNICAÇÃO ON-LINE ENTRE PROFESSORES UNIVERSITÁRIOS E SEUS ALUNOS: A SALA DE AULA VIRTUAL

Esta tese examina a comunicação on-line não-formal entre os professores universitários e seus alunos e, também, os grupos virtuais criados pelos alunos. No referencial teórico documentou-se subtemas fundamentais para a formação do raciocínio central do trabalho. Teve-se como objeto de pesquisa a pergunta o uso da comunicação on-line de modo não-formal entre professores e alunos complementa o ensino/aprendizagem no curso superior? . Este trabalho abre espaço para que novas investigações sejam realizadas, pois as constatações verificadas na pesquisa ofereceram dados importantes para entender as necessidades que levam os alunos ao uso das tecnologias de comunicação on-line para interagirem com seus colegas de classe e com seus professores. Esses motivos ficaram claramente especificados, ao longo do estudo, como complemento e contribuição na melhoria do ensino/aprendizagem dos alunos além de formalizar a comunicação on-line como um diálogo pedagógico entre professores e alunos. O estudo foi qualitativo e quantitativo e teve como técnica de pesquisa um levantamento de dados realizado em uma amostra de oportunidade/conveniência. A análise dos dados levantados permitiu verificar que o uso da comunicação on-line auxilia no complemento do ensino como reforço às aulas presenciais, e possibilita a aprendizagem aos alunos do curso superior, além de contribuir para um diálogo pedagógico ajudando os professores e os alunos na relação após as aulas.(AU)

Expert survey on priorities for the information society in the Caribbean

An on-line survey of experts was conducted to solicit their views on policy priorities in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Caribbean. The experts considered the goal to “promote teacher training in the use of ICTs in the classroom” to be the highest priority, followed by goals to “reduce the cost of broadband services” and “promote the use of ICT in emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness and response.” Goals in the areas of cybercrime, e-commerce, egovernment, universal service funds, consumer protection, and on-line privacy rounded out the top 10. Some of the lowest ranked goals were those related to coordinating the management of infrastructure changes. These included the switchover for digital terrestrial television (DTT) and digital FM radio, cloud computing for government ICT, the introduction of satellite-based internet services, and the installation of content distribution networks (CDNs). Initiatives aimed at using ICT to promote specific industries, or specific means of promoting the digital economy, tended toward the centre of the rankings. Thus, a general pattern emerged which elevated the importance of focusing on how ICT is integrated into the broader society, with economic issues a lower priority, and concerns about coordination on infrastructure issues lower still.

A COMUNICAÇÃO ON-LINE ENTRE PROFESSORES UNIVERSITÁRIOS E SEUS ALUNOS: A SALA DE AULA VIRTUAL

Esta tese examina a comunicação on-line não-formal entre os professores universitários e seus alunos e, também, os grupos virtuais criados pelos alunos. No referencial teórico documentou-se subtemas fundamentais para a formação do raciocínio central do trabalho. Teve-se como objeto de pesquisa a pergunta o uso da comunicação on-line de modo não-formal entre professores e alunos complementa o ensino/aprendizagem no curso superior? . Este trabalho abre espaço para que novas investigações sejam realizadas, pois as constatações verificadas na pesquisa ofereceram dados importantes para entender as necessidades que levam os alunos ao uso das tecnologias de comunicação on-line para interagirem com seus colegas de classe e com seus professores. Esses motivos ficaram claramente especificados, ao longo do estudo, como complemento e contribuição na melhoria do ensino/aprendizagem dos alunos além de formalizar a comunicação on-line como um diálogo pedagógico entre professores e alunos. O estudo foi qualitativo e quantitativo e teve como técnica de pesquisa um levantamento de dados realizado em uma amostra de oportunidade/conveniência. A análise dos dados levantados permitiu verificar que o uso da comunicação on-line auxilia no complemento do ensino como reforço às aulas presenciais, e possibilita a aprendizagem aos alunos do curso superior, além de contribuir para um diálogo pedagógico ajudando os professores e os alunos na relação após as aulas.(AU)

A democracia em rede: um estudo das manifestações recentes e o uso das redes sociais on-line

This thesis analyzes the global and Brazilian manifestations occurred since 2011, taking as a unifying and organizational element the social networks Facebook. The study was conducted through a literature survey about the protests in the streets and the Internet, in books, magazines, articles and academic papers, as well as comments on Facebook during the protests in Brazil.

As práticas comunicacionais do pós-venda: o SAC na era das redes sociais on-line

Estudo sobre as práticas comunicacionais da área de pós-vendas nas redes sociais on-line, com relação ao atendimento das empresas e os canais por elas disponibilizados para interação com o consumidor. Dentre as etapas, realizou-se uma análise sobre os hábitos dos consumidores de realizar buscas nas redes socais on-line; com o intuito de chamar a atenção das empresas sobre problemas de pós-venda nestes canais (reclamações, dúvidas técnicas, sugestões etc.). O objetivo principal foi elaborar de forma cronológica e estruturada a práticas de comunicação no pós-venda por meio dos diversos canais do SAC; resgatando as fases evolutivas do SAC, a lei de proteção do consumidor, desde a era analógica (sem acesso à internet e espontânea), até a chegada das redes sociais on-line. Para tal estudo foram realizados: levantamento bibliográfico, exploratório e documental sobre a área de pós-venda, marketing de relacionamento e de resultados de pesquisas sobre os hábitos dos consumidores conectados à internet; apresentação de casos que exemplificam as práticas comunicacionais do mercado; entrevista aplicada com oito especialistas do mercado; e formulário eletrônico aplicado com gestores das centrais de atendimento. Com todas essas análises, foi possível traçar um diagnóstico sobre a realidade atual da área de atendimento ao cliente das empresas selecionadas, nas redes sociais on-line, além de reforçar sensivelmente a ideia do consumidor produtor de conteúdo (prosumer) e a mudança no fluxo comunicacional consumidor versus empresa.