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This work contributes to the literature raising concerns with the use of SET (student teaching evaluation) scores to evaluate teaching effectiveness and to motivate or demotivate faculty tenure and...

Background: In assessing post-operative language impairment, clinical teams typically rely on “aphasia subtype” classifications, based on post-stroke patterns of impairment. However, this approach may significantly underestimate the prevalence of post-surgical language impairments due to the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved. There is a paucity of research in chronic post-surgical patients. Aims: We investigated post-surgical language performance in the chronic phase. Methods & Procedures: Using both the Western Aphasia battery Revised (WAB-R) and the Comprehensive Aphasia test (CAT), we assessed a range of language skills in 26 right-handed patients approximately 6–12 months after they underwent surgery to remove a primary tumour in their left cerebral hemisphere. Participants’ self-reports of their speech and language skills post-surgery were also collected. Outcomes and Results: Following surgery, 77% of patients scored below normal cut-off on one or more language subtests of the CAT battery. This contrasted with only 27% on the WAB AQ. The CAT findings were supported by subjective data, with 58% of patients self-reporting post-surgical communication difficulty. Conclusions: Our results show that current “aphasia subtype” testing is inadequate, and is likely to significantly underestimate chronic language deficits in this population. Alternative approaches to formal language assessment need to be used in this group of patients whose pattern of impairments is very different from that observed in post-stroke aphasia.

This article shows the role that fuzzy sets may play in the prospect of analysing qualitative data. To underline this role, a human-computer interaction (HCI) study is presented. The data coming fr...

Random utility theory is founded on the concept that an individual selects the alternative that gives them the highest level of utility, given the individual's preferences and perception of a good....

Hayek argued that the central question of economics is the coordination problem: How does the spontaneous interaction of many purposeful individuals, each having dispersed bits of subjective knowledge, generate an order in which the actors’ subjective data are coordinated in a way that enables them to successfully dovetail their plans and activities? In attempting to solve this problem, Hayek outlined an approach to economic theorizing that takes seriously the limited, subjective nature of human knowledge. Despite purporting to have appropriated Hayek’s thought by acknowledging the information-transmitting role of prices, mainstream economists have missed Hayek’s point. The predominant tool of formal economics — equilibrium analysis — begins by assuming the data held by actors to have been pre-reconciled, and so evades the problem to be solved. Even the more advanced tools for modeling knowledge in economic analysis, such as the economics of information, assume away either the subjectivism of knowledge and expectations (rendering the coordination of beliefs and plans a trivial matter) or the frictions and “imperfections” of reality (rendering the coordination problem indeterminate).

Very few studies exist on the outdoor thermal environment and thermal comfort impact of a semi-outdoor environment—under a piloti—in a humid subtropical climate city. Subjective data was collected ...

This study examined trainee crime-scene investigators' preference for, and accuracy in using, four different computer-based decision support interface designs, each of which incorporated a different reduced processing information acquisition strategy. The interfaces differed on the basis of the number of options that could be considered simultaneously and the level of control that could be exercised over the number and sequence in which feature values were accessed. Forty trainee investigators completed six decision scenarios in which they were asked to acquire information and formulate a decision by selecting one of three options. The study comprised two phases, the first of which involved familiarizing participants with each of the four interface designs and collecting performance and subjective data. The second phase involved trainees selecting one of the four interfaces to engage in a fifth and sixth decision scenario involving high or low levels of time-pressure. The results indicated that the “all o...

This paper is concerned with a problem identification and problem focus process in maintenance modelling. It endeavours to describe the process of moving from vague problem understanding towards more specific problem formulation and problem focus in the pursuit of practical decision making. This process was conducted using several analytical tools that complemented each other such as regression analyses, snapshot modelling and delay time modelling. As in many case studies related to maintenance modelling, this study also makes use of the experience of experts. It can be seen from the paper that subjective data estimates can prove to be a useful input for modelling. The analysis shows how simple modelling of maintenance problems can provide useful insights and better understanding of the problem in hand.

This study evaluates the influence of the format, arrangement and availability of Electronic Gaming Machines Outside Casinos (EGMOC) on gambling behaviour and perceptions. Two studies comprising occasional, at-risk and probable pathological gamblers were conducted. The first study used focus groups, while the second was conducted in a laboratory setting reproducing a bar. The results of the former study indicate that while format does not influence gambling behaviours, the arrangement of EGMOC in a gambling setting is a critical factor: in general, gamblers perceive isolated areas in a gambling venue as a factor contributing to impaired control. However, behavioural results obtained in the laboratory setting do not corroborate subjective data. Finally, gamblers suggested almost unanimously that the availability of EGMOC should be limited to a small number of sites. The results are discussed in the perspective of responsible gambling policies.

Estimates for various parameters in a whole‐life costing (WLC) exercise are obtained from different sources each with its own level and type of uncertainty. A practical procedure is developed to handle statistically significant data and expert assessments within the same whole‐life costing (WLC) model calculation. First, various methods used to combine random and subjective data are critically reviewed with emphasis on their suitability to WLC modelling. This is followed by the identification of an appropriate mathematical framework into which all information and data are transformed to a common representation making their integration a straightforward task. The proposed procedure is then implemented into a computational algorithm. The efficacy of the algorithm is explained in the context of a selected example application.

This paper is a comparison of two different frames of reference in the definition of market positioning in the automobile industry: the dealers' and the consumers' viewpoints. The top 18 automobile manufactures were specifically chosen for this purpose and 211 managers employed by these manufacturers and 261 consumers that bought their cars last year were interviewed. Both subjective data collected by diverse means (classification, direct quoting and evaluation), as well as secondary data were used simultaneously for these two samples. The final result was to identify groups of competitors at two different levels: companies and products. To date, no study has applied these two viewpoints (managers and consumers) to the comparison of competitive structures (companies and products). The paper presents a complete picture of their possible interrelationship and finds significant differences in the size and composition of the competitive groups identified at these two levels.

This communication is a response to the insightful note by Fellows on previous papers by the author. Not only has Fellows supplemented Chau's major arguments, he has also expanded the scope of discussion and raised new issues. While the author agrees with most of the points made by Fellows, there are concepts and arguments that need to be clarified. This note is a response to certain issues raised by Fellows. It also clarifies certain concepts and gives alternative viewpoints. Most of these viewpoints complement rather than contradict those given by Fellows. It is hoped that this note will arouse readers' interest in the subject as well as contribute to the academic debate of the issue. The sequence of the discussion follows that in Fellows' note.

This note supplements papers by Chau in an attempt to further the consideration of risk measures in forecasts of construction project costs. The note reviews the application of PERT-based aspects of analysis and simple portfolio theory. Consideration is given to subjective factors in cost forecasting which arise from the natures and experiences of the forecasters as well as pressures to which they (may) feel subjected. Alternative measures of risk exposure are examined and supplementary analyses of the data contained in Chau's paper are reported. Although the log-triangular distribution is confirmed as a superior means of measuring risk, the observed risk measures still exceed those calculated.

This paper critically examines the problems arising from the assumptions of independence and triangular distribution in the risk analysis of construction costs. These two assumptions have been widely adopted by researchers and practitioners alike. However, they lead to bias in the analysis. With the aid of a spreadsheet and a risk analysis add-on program, the nature of the resulting bias can be illustrated using both empirical and simulated data. Various possible solutions which seek to reduce the bias are explored. Their practicality under real life constraints is examined. A tentative practical solution is proposed and evaluated against the existing approach. The method and logic of the solution are also discussed. The approach is applied to two sets of data to illustrate its use and to test the reasonableness of the approach.

A demographic survey of speech pathologists was conducted in Australia to investigate the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with adults with acquired neurologic communication disabilities. Questionnaires were distributed to all speech pathologists who were members of the Australian Association of Speech and Hearing and listed themselves as working with an adult or mixed caseload. Questions related to the clinician's background, experience and interest in AAC, knowledge of and expertise with high and low technology systems, and factors related to successful outcomes for clients. Subjective data from the questionnaire were collated and the results and their implications are discussed.

SUMMARY Techniques for eliciting and analysing subjective data about the engineering design process are presented. The elicitation techniques are categorized as observations, questions, retrospective protocols, real-time protocols, and psychometric scales. The analysis techniques are categorized as unstructured observations, structured observations, content analysis, and statistical analysis. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are presented as well as their applications. The verification of the resulting data is also discussed.

The present paper reports on an experimental investigation of reader performance and preferences with a screen-presented journal article. The effects of display size (20 lines and 60 lines) and sentence splitting on readers' manipulation, comprehension and subjective impressions are assessed. The results indicate that neither variable significantly affects comprehension but adjusted manipulation levels are significantly higher in the small window condition. Splitting sentences across screens also caused readers to return to the previous page to reread text significantly more. Subjective data reveal a preference for larger screens and high awareness of text format. Implications for future work are discussed.

Previous research has shown that the majority of medical schools do not formally teach medical writing, including writing of progress notes. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact consistently provided objective feedback has on enhancing the quality of student notes. A static group‐comparison design was used to determine the quality of progress notes written by students who received structured written feedback versus those given traditional feedback. Twenty patient names were selected from students’ logbooks from both groups, totaling 40 patient charts. Progress notes were blindly reviewed by 1 faculty member, using a checklist instrument, which was studied for evidence of reliability and validity. Results showed a statistically significant (p = .05) difference between the groups’ abilities to write assessment and plan portions of a progress note, but no differences were noted on student abilities to document subjective data. Findings suggest some students often have an inability to inte...

Planning the structural restoration of an historic building involves acquiring both objective and subjective data. The former can be obtained from mathematical models, laboratory and field tests an...

The study focuses on relationships between lack of autonomy in old-age homes and the link between this and subjective stress, coping strategies and depression among residents of such homes. The theoretical approach is based on a stress and coping paradigm. A multiple method approach is used for generating the data. Characteristics of the old-age home environment are described independently from the view point of its reseidents. Subjective data of the aged were gathered by a semistructured interview. From the psychological point of view, especially those findings seem to be important that show that a) differences in the 'objective' ecology of the old-age homes correspond with differences in the subjective stress; it seems that the uncontrollability of the institutional environment is experienced by the inhabitants as subjectively uncontrollable; b) coping strategies implying a relinquishing of personal control correlates with greater subjective stress; c) in institutions with greater autonomy residents sho...

Two hundred and eight second-year students were matched with respect to gender, age, academic standing, minority status, and prior pelvic examination experience. After didactic instruction, individuals from each matched pair were randomly assigned to alternate training modalities—a plastic pelvic model (Gynny) and surrogate patients (Gynecology Teaching Associates, GTAs)—for pelvic examination instruction. A sample of 52 study- and 54 control-group students were then evaluated while they examined women with normal or deviant (hysterectomy/ pregnancy) pelvic anatomy. Communication and manual skills were evaluated on the basis of specially designed instruments in which the components of a ‘good’ pelvic examination were identified and described. Immediately after the objective evaluation, each student was interviewed to determine his/her subjective feelings about the training experience. The subjective data obtained in this way indicated that students evaluated the GTA modality significantly more favorably t...

Responding to an explosion of cross-disciplinary research in the fifties and sixties, geographers seized upon the behavioral approach as a way of overcoming the inadequacies of theories based upon rational-man assumptions. They have since developed a facility for obtaining subjective data and interpreting the processes underlying spatial activities. Recent migration and mobility research has focused upon environmental cognition, place preference, mental maps of movement behavior, the role of search, and the motives of stayers as well as movers. The main stress has been upon concept development and model formulation. Future research is likely to be increasingly concerned with space-time paths, asymmetric flows, and non-normal populations. Although the behavioral approach has helped expand the set of relevant variables, there is a continuing need for accumulating meaningful data sets and for more replication of experiments.

[This abstract is based on the author's abstract.] The Taguchi method is applied to a process for optimizing the comfort of automobile seats. Subjective data were obtained from questionnaires used in the developmental phase of seat design. Four con..

Quantitative environmental and subjective data obtained aboard commercial airlines are used to model passenger reaction. Several models for comfort are compared. The manner in which the overall response to the flight environment depends on the time history is examined and the variability about the mean response discussed. The relationship to passenger satisfaction is presented giving a quantitative means of relating the physical environment to passenger acceptance. The proposed models give aircraft designers and operators a method by which they may seek to maximize passenger comfort and therefore satisfaction.

Until quite recently promotion to the first grade was determined through more or less subjective data. Did the child appear bright and interested? Was he proficient at construction and at cutting and color ing? Did he play well with the group? Did there seem to be enough ma turity to warrant placing him in a more conventionalized situation in which he would have to remain quiet for longer periods of time ? These were some of the questions which the kindergarten teacher asked herself when it came time to make up the promotion list of those who were to go to the first grade. Of late investigators have been concerned with the development of more objective measures of a child's ability to do satisfactory first grade work. Since success in this grade depends almost entirely upon one's success in reading, it seemed that if measures of reading readiness could be devised that the promotion problem would be solved. Along this line, it was found by Reed1 that satisfactory attainment in reading is the measure used in determining most first and second grade promotions. In a California study by Percival2, it was found that there were more failures in reading than in anything else. Apparently if we can pre dict reading success, we can forecast attainment in the first grade at least.

The problem of measurement and prediction of teaching efficiency has become increasingly important since the turn of the century. During the period from 1930 to 1940, the teacher train ing institutions were graduating about 50,000 more teachers than were needed. Some of the teacher training institutions were attempting to select the students entering the teaching pro fession. School superintendents were selecting the individuals whom they thought would do the best job. Most of the selections were made on the basis of subjective data.

Forty-seven elementary school teachers rated self, most desirable student to teach, and least desirable stndent to teach on a twenty-four item semantic differential scale. The purposes of this study were to identify and compare the factorial structures of the ratings of these three perceptual entities and to determine if differences in interpersonal prceptions reported by McCallon in an earlier study might vary for comparable factors underlying the items of the scale. Four factors produced by Tarimas analysis were similar enough for the three perceptual entities to warrant further comparison. This comparison revealed that teachers tend to perceive themselves more favorably than their least desirable student and less favorably than their most desir able student on all factors. SEMANTIC DIFFERENTIAL scales of the type de veloped by Osgood (5) have proven useful to researchers in quantifying highly subjective data. Differential scales have been used to study such diverse intangibles as inter personal perceptions within industrial and military groups (1) and "company image" as it influences the marketing of products (4). Recently McCallon (3) reported the use of a semantic differential scale designed to measure interpersonal per ceptions of classroom teachers. The perceptual entities considered were: self, most desirable student to teach, and least desirable student to teach. The instrument con sisted of twenty-four, bipolar adjectives placed at op