Assessing the Impact of ICT on Research Activities in Ghana: A Case Study of Selected Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Institutes

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on research activities in selected institutes of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The research methodology adopted for this study was the case study approach, specifically multiple cases. This study employed structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews as a data collection instrument to collect data from respondents in the five selected research institutes of CSIR. The study shows that ICTs have a positive impact on research activities. ICT tools have been proven to be very helpful to researchers and other non-core staff of CSIR in finding needed information quickly and easily, expedition in the research process, improvement in job performance and have also helped in information access, management and communication. The study also identified lack of training in ICT, insufficient computer hardware and suitable software applications, lack of competent Information Technology (IT) professionals, non-existent budgetary allocations for ICT and lack of required Internet bandwidth as the major hindrances faced by the researchers and senior staff in the CSIR. The study recommended improvement in ICT infrastructure, appointment of competent IT personnel and proper training and guidance for optimum utilisation of ICT-based technologies.

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Educación superior inclusiva: Un reto para las prácticas pedagógicas

Revista Electrónica Educare ◽

10.15359/ree.21-3.15 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Ruth Zárate-Rueda ◽

Sonia Patricia Díaz-Orozco ◽

Leonardo Ortiz-Gumán

Keyword(s):

Students With Disabilities ◽

Social Communication ◽

Qualitative Methodology ◽

Research Process ◽

Scientific Article ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Pedagogical Strategies ◽

Study Approach ◽

The Social

This scientific article shows the results of a research process whose objective was to analyze the practices and pedagogical strategies implemented by teachers of the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) and the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB); these teachers have students with sensory disabilities in their classrooms. For this goal, a qualitative methodology was adopted with a case-study approach; 27 subjects participated in this process: 20 educators and 7 students from the programs of Law, International Business, Accounting, Social Communication, Gastronomy, Music, and Philosophy. Based on a sample of homogenous cases of intentional type and semi-structured interviews, it was possible to conclude that, despite the significant advances made so far, it is required for universities to promote institutional guidelines articulating participatory work with the educational community. This community intervenes in the social reality of students with disabilities, as well as in the axes of accessibility and communication.

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Do vody bez obav

Studia sportiva ◽

10.5817/sts2013-3-18 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 211-221

Author(s):

Viktor Pacholík

Keyword(s):

Social Sciences ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Water Environment ◽

Well Being ◽

Point Of View ◽

Research Activities ◽

Power And Energy ◽

The Impact

This list deals with the impact of the Halliwick Swimming Concept on subjective experience and psychical states of people with physical impairment. By means of the Halliwick Swimming Concept, that consisted of 10 swimming lessons, we observed the psychical response of the tested persons to individual lessons as well as to the whole programme within a frame of a case study. The acquired data indicate a positive impact of the swimming programme in the field of elimination of negative psychical state in water environment such as anxiety, discomfort and despondency and gradual increase of psychical well-being, activity and feelings of power and energy connected with positive expectations. Most of these changes proved not only in individual lessons, but also from the point of view of the whole programme evaluation. This paper has been written within a project OP VK CZ.1.07/2.4.00/17.0037 „Development of Pedagogical and Research Activities within the Department of Social Sciences in Sport at the FSpS MU“.

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Mitigating the effects of COVID-19: an exploratory case study of the countermeasures taken by the manufacturing industry

Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing ◽

10.1108/jbim-04-2021-0236 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Atif Saleem Butt

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Manufacturing Industry ◽

Manufacturing Firms ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Approach ◽

Process Manufacturing ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand how manufacturers (both discrete and process) are managing disruptions amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, using UAE as an empirical context. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a multiple case study approach and undertakes 36 semi-structured interviews with senior management of four discrete and four process manufacturing firms that outsource products/components from overseas and domestic suppliers. Findings Results reveal that manufacturing firms are using six distinct actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, they are relying on the automation process, transferring new and updated knowledge to the current and new suppliers, managing workforce diversity, understanding the impact of demand’s disruption, managing the ecosystem and finally using digital technologies to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research limitations/implications This study has some limitations. Firstly, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a broader population as it attempts to build an initial theory in manufacturing supply chains within the context of a pandemic outbreak. Second, the study uses a cross-sectional approach to explore the actions used by manufacturing firms to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical implications Manufacturing firms can replicate the actions proposed in this study to lessen the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge stronger in the post-COVID-era. Originality/value This study contributes to the manufacturing supply chain literature within the context of pandemic outbreaks by exploring the steps taken by manufacturing firms to minimize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, it explores such steps by considering both the discrete and process manufacturing industries within the United Arab Emirates.

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Facilitating Learning by Going Online

ePedagogy in Online Learning ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-3649-1.ch005 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 74-92

Author(s):

Siew Mee Barton

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Change Management ◽

Web 2.0 ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Government Organizations ◽

Study Approach ◽

Opportunities For Learning ◽

Patterns Of Behavior ◽

The Impact

This chapter examines the impact of eLearning and Web 2.0 social media in a socially conservative environment in Indonesia that has nevertheless proven surprisingly adroit at change management. Web 2.0 social media has proven enormously popular in Indonesia but traditional Islamic schools (which are known in Java as pesantren but elsewhere in the Muslim world as madrasah) the focus of this study is often unable to access Web 2.0 or the Internet in general. Progressive non-national government organizations (NGOs) seek to remedy this situation by providing satellite broadband links to remote schools and this chapter examines one particular project. Despite the impoverished and conservative nature of their community, the leaders of this school have led their students in a surprisingly enthusiastic reception of eLearning technology, recognizing its great capacity to produce and enhance social networks and provide new opportunities for learning. Particular attention in this case study is given to factors relating to social capital, attitudes, and patterns of behavior in leadership and change management. A case study approach was chosen to enable a richer and more finely-grained analysis of the issues. The case study is based on semi-structured interviews and observations conducted over several years. This research shows that whilst the adoption and uptake of eLearning with emerging technologies is strongly shaped by cultural and social factors, it plays out in very different ways than might first have been expected.

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Food for Life: evaluation of the impact of the Hospital Food Programme in England using a case study approach

JRSM Open ◽

10.1177/2054270417712703 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 205427041771270 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Selena Gray ◽

Judy Orme ◽

Hannah Pitt ◽

Matthew Jones

Keyword(s):

Food Culture ◽

Case Study Approach ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Sustainable Food ◽

Study Approach ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Quality Of Food ◽

The Impact

Objectives To evaluate the impact and challenges of implementing a Food for Life approach within three pilot NHS sites in 2014/2015 in England. Food for Life is an initiative led by the Soil Association, a non-governmental organisation in the UK that aims to encourage a healthy, sustainable food culture across communities. Design A case-study approach was undertaken using semi-structured interviews with staff and key stakeholders together with analysis of relevant documents such as meeting minutes, strategic plans and reports. Setting Three NHS Trusts in England. Participants Staff and key stakeholders. Main outcome measures Synthesis of key findings from semi-structured interviews and analysis of relevant documents. Results Key themes included the potential to influence contracting processes; measuring quality; food for staff and visitors; the role of food in hospitals, and longer term sustainability and impact. Participants reported that adopting the Food for Life approach had provided enormous scope to improve the quality of food in hospital settings and had provided levers and external benchmarks for use in contracting to help drive up standards of the food provided by external contractors for patients and staff. This was demonstrated by the achievement of an FFLCM for staff and visitor catering in all three organisations. Conclusions Participants all felt that the importance of food in hospitals is not always recognised. Engagement with Food for Life can produce a significant change in the focus on food within hospitals, and help to improve the quality of food and mealtime experience for staff, visitors and patients.

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What are the perceptions of Indigenous organisation staff on the utility of the nKPIs?

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.763 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

S Finlay ◽

M Williams ◽

J Judd ◽

A Brown

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Local Level ◽

Small Subset ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Aboriginal Community ◽

Study Approach ◽

Emerging Issues ◽

Commonwealth Government ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background This presentation will outline the results of five Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) case studies which sought to understand the impact of national key performance indicators (nKPIs) at the local level. The nKPI framework attempts to collect data to assist the Commonwealth Government to monitor the Closing the Gap Framework and to aid local ACCHOs to monitor and review their service delivery. Understanding how the nKPIs have been implemented and their impact across the various sites is essential to understanding their usefulness. Methods A multi-case study approach with a variety of ACCHOs was used. Site recruitment was conducted using a purposive sampling framework with an expression of interest, and/or a direct approach. At each site, several semi-structured interviews were conducted, documents were reviewed, and observations made. Data analysis was conducted using the computer program NVivo. Results Case studies (n = 5) were conducted at the five sites between in 2017. Data collection included semi-structured interviews ACCHO staff (n = 24), nKPI site-specific documents (n = 12) and observational. A number of key themes emerged from case studies relating to: • Workforce The usefulness of the nKPIsSelf-determinationWay ForwardACCHO Governance Conclusions Across the case studies, it is clear there are a variety perception about the utility of the nKPIs and the barriers/enablers which impact their capacity to report, collect and utilise the nKPIs. All Case Study sites saw the value of data to measure their success and to identify emerging issues among their clients. Their attitudes to the nKPIs varied though, due to issues relating to the design and implementation. The stability and size of the service also influenced their ability to use the data. More work needs to be done by the Commonwealth Government in collaboration with ACCHOs to improve the usability and utility of the nKPIs. Key messages Indigenous people need to be involved in the design and implmnetation of monitoring sytems. The nKPIs only report on a small subset of services delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

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Undergraduates as Researchers – the Impact of Active Participation in Research and Conference Presentation on Psychology Undergraduate Identity and Career Aspirations

Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice ◽

10.14297/jpaap.v6i1.320 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 39-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Janis McIntyre Davidson ◽

Minna Lyons

Keyword(s):

Positive Impact ◽

Undergraduate Research ◽

Academic Staff ◽

Career Aspirations ◽

Research Process ◽

Academic Community ◽

Student Perspective ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Conducting Research ◽

The Impact

Although research-led teaching has been identified as an important part of psychology curricula in the United Kingdom, less is known about the impact of undergraduate research collaborations with academics, culminating in a conference presentation. The present study was a qualitative investigation into the experience of student-staff collaboration from a student perspective. We conducted semi-structured interviews with five psychology students who worked together with staff conducting research during their undergraduate degrees, disseminating the findings at an academic conference. The interviews were analysed using a thematic approach. We identified three themes, which were around the relationship with their tutor, career aspirations, and identity as a researcher/psychologist. Overall, the interviews indicated that undertaking research and attending academic conferences has a positive impact on future career aspirations, and helps students to feel that they are part of an academic community. Academic staff teaching in research-led psychology programmes should consider giving students opportunities to immerse themselves fully in the research process, ideally leading to a conference presentation for academic audiences.

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Prevention of Bullying of Students in Educational Institutions and the Application of Legal Sanctions

Technium Social Sciences Journal ◽

10.47577/tssj.v27i1.5677 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. 299-307

Author(s):

Saifullah Saifullah

Keyword(s):

Academic Staff ◽

Deterrent Effect ◽

Educational Institutions ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Study Approach ◽

Legal Sanctions ◽

The Impact ◽

Victims Of Bullying ◽

Cover Up

This is a qualitative research with a case study approach. This research is intended to answer the questions how the sanctions are applied by schools for bullying children and how the law enforcement for bullies is applied. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with 5 informants consisting of a psychologist, a legal practitioner and 3 parents whose children were victims of bullying. Cases of bullying that occur in schools receive less attention from teachers, academic staff and school principals. In general, bullying is still considered an ordinary child delinquency and behaviour, even though the impact of bullying is very dangerous for students who become victims. For this reason, every teacher, staff, principal must have sufficient knowledge regarding bullying issues in order to create an activity program that aims to prevent bullying and every parent must also pay attention to their children and understand that currently there is a law related to the problem of bullying and it is hoped that parents will have the courage to report to the authorities in order to provide a deterrent effect not only to the bullies but also to those who cover up the case.

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Impacto de um curso de especialização de gestão em saúde no trabalho dos egressos

Enfermagem em Foco ◽

10.21675/2357-707x.2020.v11.n2.2624 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Tarcísio Laerte Gontijo ◽

Marina Nagata Ferreira ◽

Juliano Teixeira Moraes ◽

Sebastião Junior Henrique Duarte ◽

Carolina Fernandes Santos

Keyword(s):

Management Education ◽

Health Management ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Qualitative Approach ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Administrative Practices ◽

Educación A Distancia ◽

The Impact

Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto de um curso de especialização em gestão em saúde no trabalho do egresso. Método: Estudo de caso com abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa envolvendo 121 egressos. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio da aplicação de escala validada e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e testes de associação de dados quantitativos e análise categorial temática para os qualitativos. Resultados: Foram identificados escores médios entre 4,2 e 4,6, identificando assim o impacto positivo do curso no trabalho dos egressos demonstrado pela melhor sistematização das práticas administrativas e de gestão de pessoas. Conclusões: O curso apresentou impacto positivo no trabalho dos egressos.Descritores: Gestão em saúde; Educação a Distância; Avaliação da saúde.Impact on work of a distance learning health management specialization courseObjective: To evaluate the impact of a specialization course on health management at work of the graduates. Method: Case study with quantitative and qualitative approach involving 121 graduates. Data collection was performed by applying validated scale and semi-structured interviews. Descriptive analysis and association tests of quantitative data and categorical thematic analysis were performed for the qualitative ones. Results: We identified average scores between 4.2 and 4.6, thus identifying the positive impact of the course on the work of graduates demonstrated by better systematization of administrative practices and people management. Conclusions: The course showed a positive impact on the work of graduating students.Descriptors: Health management, Education Distance, Health evalution.Impacto en el trabajo de un curso de especialización en gestión de la salud a distanciaObjetivo: evaluar el impacto de un curso de especialización en la gestión de la salud en el trabajo de los graduados. Método: Estudio de caso con enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo con 121 graduados. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante la aplicación de escala validada y entrevistas semiestructuradas. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y pruebas de asociación de datos cuantitativos y análisis temáticos categóricos para los cualitativos. Resultados: Identificamos puntajes promedio entre 4.2 y 4.6, identificando así el impacto positivo del curso en el trabajo de los graduados demostrado por una mejor sistematización de las prácticas administrativas y la gestión de personas. Conclusiones: El curso mostró un impacto positivo en el trabajo de los estudiantes graduados.Descriptores: Gestión de la salud, Educación a distancia, Evaluación en salud.

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