Current Search: Decision making (x)
View All Items
Pages
- Title
- Interpretation of forced and unforced choice behavior.
- Creator
- Vail, Brian., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
The current study investigated the interpretation of an agent's actions under the influence of external forces. Participants viewed a series of videos of an agent making a varying series of decisions and forced behaviors and were asked to predict future behavior. Firstly, we found evidence that suggests that perceivers make inferences about an agent that once they have shown a preference toward an object, they will persist with those initial desires, despite, external forces leading them to a...
Show moreThe current study investigated the interpretation of an agent's actions under the influence of external forces. Participants viewed a series of videos of an agent making a varying series of decisions and forced behaviors and were asked to predict future behavior. Firstly, we found evidence that suggests that perceivers make inferences about an agent that once they have shown a preference toward an object, they will persist with those initial desires, despite, external forces leading them to a different object. Secondly, we found evidence that suggests that submitting to a coerced choice will be perceived as reflecting a conflicting combination of pragmatic behavioral choice (due to concession to external forces) and maintenance of original desires, or, simply put, perceivers infer multiple underlying intentions in others.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/3352877
- Subject Headings
- Free will and determination, Identity (Psychology), Self (Philosophy), Intentionality (Philosophy), Decision making, Psychological aspects, Philosophy of mind
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- School construction: meeting the classroom building needs of Florida's growing student population.
- Creator
- Miller, Tracey., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
Schools must have adequate classroom space available in order to educate the growing population of school age students in Florida. School concurrency is one method used to attempt to have seats available in schools as the need arises. Two Florida counties that have attempted to implement school concurrency are presented in a case study format as well as a Nevada county that has taken a different approach to managing the same issue. Through an analysis of documents, interviews and district...
Show moreSchools must have adequate classroom space available in order to educate the growing population of school age students in Florida. School concurrency is one method used to attempt to have seats available in schools as the need arises. Two Florida counties that have attempted to implement school concurrency are presented in a case study format as well as a Nevada county that has taken a different approach to managing the same issue. Through an analysis of documents, interviews and district data, a hypothesized model is tested and modified to present one method of providing adequate classroom space in Florida schools.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/186693
- Subject Headings
- School buildings, Design and construction, School facilities, School management and organization, Decision making
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Maturity of IT risk management practices and reporting structure: an it manager perspective.
- Creator
- Vincent, Surani, Higgs, Julia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, School of Accounting
- Abstract/Description
-
In December 2009, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) approved enhanced proxy disclosure rules requiring companies to disclose the board’s leadership structure and the board’s role in risk oversight. Apart from general business risks, boards are increasingly interested in Information Technology (IT) risks as it affects all aspects of the organization (PricewaterhouseCoopers [PwC], 2013). Since the effectiveness of IT risk management depends on senior managers’ actions, this dissertation...
Show moreIn December 2009, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) approved enhanced proxy disclosure rules requiring companies to disclose the board’s leadership structure and the board’s role in risk oversight. Apart from general business risks, boards are increasingly interested in Information Technology (IT) risks as it affects all aspects of the organization (PricewaterhouseCoopers [PwC], 2013). Since the effectiveness of IT risk management depends on senior managers’ actions, this dissertation attempts to answer the question of whether the maturity of IT risk management practices (the extent to which management performs particular activities to identify, assess, monitor and respond to IT-related risks) in organizations depends on the Chief Information Office (CIO) reporting structure and the board’s leadership structure.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004336, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004336
- Subject Headings
- Corporate governance, Decision making, Information technology -- Management, Information technology -- Social aspects, Management information systems, Risk management, Strategic planning
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Wicked Decision Maker: A Collective Case Study of Senior Student Affairs Officers Responding to At-risk Student Retention.
- Creator
- Camp, Aarika C., Watlington, Eliah, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this collective case study was to discover the decision-making processes used by senior student affairs officers when making wicked decisions related to the retention of specialized, at-risk student populations. Wicked decisions are complex, resistant to resolutions, lead to other problems, and are essentially unique. In this study, decisions related to retention of Black males; students with mental health issues; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer student...
Show moreThe purpose of this collective case study was to discover the decision-making processes used by senior student affairs officers when making wicked decisions related to the retention of specialized, at-risk student populations. Wicked decisions are complex, resistant to resolutions, lead to other problems, and are essentially unique. In this study, decisions related to retention of Black males; students with mental health issues; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer student retention fall within the wicked problem category and were the focus of this study. These decisions are usually the responsibility of divisions of student affairs in higher education settings and the senior student affairs officer. Hence, the senior student affairs officer is tasked with making responsible and effective decisions that foster the success of all students. This dissertation focused on the decision-making processes, practices, and procedures student affairs officers use to support the retention of select special populations served in higher education.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004985, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004975
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Student affairs administrators., Dropouts--Prevention., Student affairs services--United States--Decision making--Case studies.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Role of Interorganizational Trust in the Merger and Acquisition Process.
- Creator
- Parola, Heather R., Ellis, Kimberly M., Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, Department of Management
- Abstract/Description
-
Although recognized as an important stage of the merger and acquisition (M&A) process, little is understood about the processes that unfold during deal negotiations. In line with recent qualitative research highlighting the role of interorganizational trust, I examine the role of acquirer trust during M&A negotiations. Specifically, through two essays, I consider the effects of acquirer trust on two outcome variables: the acquisition premium and target executive retention. In Essay One, I...
Show moreAlthough recognized as an important stage of the merger and acquisition (M&A) process, little is understood about the processes that unfold during deal negotiations. In line with recent qualitative research highlighting the role of interorganizational trust, I examine the role of acquirer trust during M&A negotiations. Specifically, through two essays, I consider the effects of acquirer trust on two outcome variables: the acquisition premium and target executive retention. In Essay One, I integrate the social embeddedness theory and agency theory and find that acquirer trust leads to higher premiums. In Essay Two, I integrate the social embeddedness perspective with justice theory and find that the positive relationship between acquirer trust and target executive retention is mediated by justice. Boundary conditions are also considered in each essay. These two essay provide contributions to the nascent literature on M&A negotiations and the complex role of trust in M&A negotiations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004532, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004532
- Subject Headings
- Consolidation and merger of corporations -- Psychological aspects, Consolidation and merger of corporations -- Social aspects, Corporate culture, Group decision making, Organizational behavior -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Assessment of Inhibitory Subcomponents in Relation to Young Adult Binge Drinking.
- Creator
- Paz, Andres L., Rosselli, Monica, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Research identifying the relationship between inhibition and binge drinking in young adults is limited. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify which subcomponent(s) of inhibitory performance is most sensitive at discerning binge-drinking behavior among young adults through a longitudinal design. The sample consisted of 182 alcohol consuming college students (48.3% male) with a mean age of 21.04±1.83 years. Inhibitory processing and alcohol behavior were assessed at baseline and six months...
Show moreResearch identifying the relationship between inhibition and binge drinking in young adults is limited. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify which subcomponent(s) of inhibitory performance is most sensitive at discerning binge-drinking behavior among young adults through a longitudinal design. The sample consisted of 182 alcohol consuming college students (48.3% male) with a mean age of 21.04±1.83 years. Inhibitory processing and alcohol behavior were assessed at baseline and six months later at follow-up. Alcohol behavior was also evaluated throughout participation via 13 biweekly alcohol logs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that interference inhibition (Simon task) contributed to the prediction of the number of drinks consumed during binge drinking occasion among males. These findings suggest that specific subcomponents of response inhibition, and not others, are more suitable for predicting alcohol consumption habits.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004658
- Subject Headings
- Alcoholism -- Prevention, Binge drinking -- Epidemiology, Compulsive behavior, Decision making -- Psychological aspects, Drinking of alcoholic beverages, Substance abuse -- Prevention, Young adults -- Alcohol use
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Transformational learning and self-efficacy: an investigation into their role in prophylactic mastectomy.
- Creator
- Gordon, Faith, Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the United States. Estimated new breast cancer cases for 2012 in the U.S. are 229,060 women (American Cancer Society, 2012). For all women it is important to be informed regarding all current treatment options. For women in high-risk categories of breast cancer it is even more important. Risk-reducing strategies for women at high-risk of breast cancer include surveillance, chemoprevention, and bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. Prophylactic...
Show moreBreast cancer affects one in eight women in the United States. Estimated new breast cancer cases for 2012 in the U.S. are 229,060 women (American Cancer Society, 2012). For all women it is important to be informed regarding all current treatment options. For women in high-risk categories of breast cancer it is even more important. Risk-reducing strategies for women at high-risk of breast cancer include surveillance, chemoprevention, and bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. Prophylactic mastectomy reduces the risk of breast cancer by excision of most breast tissue. Breast cancer among those initially diagnosed as high-risk is 90-94.3% (Hartmann et al., 1999). This procedure entails serious surgeries with numerous physical, social, and emotional ramifications and is not without side effects. The patient has the right to be informed and base her decision-making on the suitability of the procedure for herself. This research describes six (6) woman’s experiences, focusing on the role of transformational learning and self-efficacy, as these women progressed through the stages. Prophylactic mastectomy is radical, irreversible, and costly at the onset. The procedure may preclude a whole lifetime of surgeries, radiation, and chemical treatments. If this treatment is the right fit, and has been fully researched, balanced with options, family history, genetic predisposition, personal concerns, and anxiety levels, along with physician recommendations, a woman should consider pursuing it.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004374, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004374
- Subject Headings
- Control (Psychology), Educational leadership, Health behavior, Mastectomy -- Decision making, Mastectomy -- Psychological aspects, Organizational learning, Self efficacy, Women -- Medical care, Women's health services
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Study of the Relationships Among Leadership, Culture, and Student Achievement in Catholic Schools.
- Creator
- Rodriguez, Sonia, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
This study explores the relationship among leadership style, school work culture, and student achievement in Catholic elementary schools. The relationships (a) between the leader style and student achievement, (b) between the school's work culture and student achievement, and (c) among leaders' styles, school work culture, student achievement and contextual factors were explored. A descriptive design, primarily quantitative and correlational in nature, was employed. It was concluded that...
Show moreThis study explores the relationship among leadership style, school work culture, and student achievement in Catholic elementary schools. The relationships (a) between the leader style and student achievement, (b) between the school's work culture and student achievement, and (c) among leaders' styles, school work culture, student achievement and contextual factors were explored. A descriptive design, primarily quantitative and correlational in nature, was employed. It was concluded that school leadership had an indirect effect on student achievement in parochial schools in Florida. Furthermore, school work culture (school planning, program development, staff development, and assessment) directly impacted student achievement. The contextual variables of socioeconomic status and school size combined did not moderate the relationship among leadership style, school work culture and fourth-grade students' reading achievement scores.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000691
- Subject Headings
- Achievement in education--Florida, Educational leadership--Florida, Catholic Church--Education--Florida, School management and organization--Florida--Decision making
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Bureaucratic Discretion in Policy Implementation : The Case of Adjudicating Juveniles as Adults in Florida.
- Creator
- Schrouder, Sandra M., Leip, Leslie A., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the use of bureaucratic discretion by juvenile prosecutors and identify various factors influencing discretion in the implementation of juvenile transfer provision laws in Florida. The study contributes to the sparse literature on bureaucratic discretion by providing a framework of the factors influencing discretion. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used in the case study of Florida. The dissertation embraces the idea of...
Show moreThe purpose of this dissertation is to explore the use of bureaucratic discretion by juvenile prosecutors and identify various factors influencing discretion in the implementation of juvenile transfer provision laws in Florida. The study contributes to the sparse literature on bureaucratic discretion by providing a framework of the factors influencing discretion. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used in the case study of Florida. The dissertation embraces the idea of methodological pluralism by combining the findings of extensive interviews conducted with chief juvenile prosecutors along with descriptive analyses of archival data garnered from Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). This research is important since it provides essential policy information through the various factors that emerge from the study. The findings of the study provide greater insight into understanding how bureaucrats make decisions and could prove useful in explaining various policy outcomes resulting from the use of discretion in public organizations. The findings of the research indicate that the discretion of chief juvenile prosecutors is influenced by a number of factors, including organizational factors, external influences, client attributes, and characteristics of the bureaucrat.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000612
- Subject Headings
- Juvenile justice, Administration of--Florida, Transfer of cause--Florida, Prosecution--Florida--Decision making, Law--Political aspects, Administrative discretion, Judicial discretion
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Leading Transformational Change: A Study of Internationalization at Three Universities in the United States.
- Creator
- Hurd, Duncan L., Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
Globalization, the integration of markets and the shrinking of boundaries both figurative and real, provides the context in which institutions of higher education have considered a change to their culture, curricula, and composition in recent years. Increasingly, the response ofunjversities to globalization is to bring a greater international dimension to their teaching, research, and service; a process known as internationalization. The purpose of this study was to identify the change...
Show moreGlobalization, the integration of markets and the shrinking of boundaries both figurative and real, provides the context in which institutions of higher education have considered a change to their culture, curricula, and composition in recent years. Increasingly, the response ofunjversities to globalization is to bring a greater international dimension to their teaching, research, and service; a process known as internationalization. The purpose of this study was to identify the change strategies that allowed three regional public universities to internationalize their campuses. The qualitative multi-site research design incorporated a critical case strategy with participants who led, facilitated, and/or implemented the change process. Data collection was obtained through interviews, documents, and direct observation. The analysis consisted of pattern matching facilitated by two-dimensional matrices. Leading change in higher education has been related to moving cemeteries and herding cats and therefore may seem like a cruel hoax; but as this study reports it need not be so. The study found that a highly integrated, non-linear change process Jed to successful internationalization. An expanding number of champions who constantly communicated a motivating vision and who opportunistically pursued creative strategies to internationalize resulted in cascading layers of buy-in throughout the university. This buy-in was not only an effect, but a change strategy in its own right; and was a primary focus of those leading the change effort. These universities institutionalized change through various structural and programmatic means. The change process concluded with a transformed institution that incorporated an international dimension into the culture, life, and work of the university. The findings were compared and contrasted to Kotter's ( 1996) eight stages of leading change and Eckel and Kezar's (2003) model for transformation in higher education. Neither fully explained this study's cross-case findings, and a new model for leading transformational change in institutions of higher education was proposed; one which builds on the strengths of Kotter's and Eckel and Kezar's models, but which addresses their limitations as well.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000670
- Subject Headings
- Education--Curricula--Cross-cultural studies, Educational leadership, School management and organization--Decision making, Inclusive education--United States, Educational change, Education, Higher--Philosophy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A study of transformational leadership and student achievement in inner-city elementary schools.
- Creator
- Bonaros, Demetrios James, Florida Atlantic University, Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to establish an empirical link between transformational leadership and student achievement measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test. In addition, the relationship between transformational leadership and increased levels of teacher satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, perceptions of principal effectiveness were examined. This study took place in 21 elementary inner-city schools of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Two hundred...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to establish an empirical link between transformational leadership and student achievement measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test. In addition, the relationship between transformational leadership and increased levels of teacher satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, perceptions of principal effectiveness were examined. This study took place in 21 elementary inner-city schools of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district. Two hundred ten personalized packets were delivered to the teachers of the selected schools. Two hundred and three answer sheets were returned to the researcher for a return rate of 97 percent. Data were collected from randomly selected teachers by voluntary completion of Bass and Avolio's Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form-5X (Short Form). The data were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Transformational leadership was found to be linked to increased learning. In addition, transformational leadership was also related to increased teacher satisfaction, greater perception of principal effectiveness, and increased teacher willingness to give extra effort. Moreover, two ancillary questions were explored. These questions related to gender, and school size. The question on gender could not be analyzed in light of the overwhelming majority of female principals and lack of reliability of gender. School size was not related to transformational leadership. Based on the above findings, the following conclusions can be made with regard to transformational leadership and its impact on elementary education. First, transformational leadership does improve student achievement in inner-city elementary schools. Second, inner-city elementary teachers consider transformational principals superior to non-transformational principals. Third, elementary inner-city teachers demonstrate increased levels of satisfaction, willingness to give extra effort, and a high perception of principal effectiveness for transformational principals. The practical applications of the findings of this study and the implications drawn for further theoretical consideration and research are significant for future school improvement. This study adds to an important line of research. The information available today about transformational leadership and its impact on student achievement may help schools improve the lives of their students and the social and political future of our World.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12196
- Subject Headings
- School management and organization--Decision making
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relationship between item difficulty and discrimination indices in multiple-choice tests in a physical science course.
- Creator
- Hotiu, Angelica, Jordan, Robin G., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
- Abstract/Description
-
We have developed a method of quantifying multiple-choice test items in an introductory physical science course in terms of the various tasks required to solve the problem. We assign a numerical level of difficulty to each task so that any question can be assigned a degree of difficulty, which is the sum of the individual levels of difficulty associated in each steps. Using the questions and results from the tests we have investigated the relationship between the degree of difficulty of each...
Show moreWe have developed a method of quantifying multiple-choice test items in an introductory physical science course in terms of the various tasks required to solve the problem. We assign a numerical level of difficulty to each task so that any question can be assigned a degree of difficulty, which is the sum of the individual levels of difficulty associated in each steps. Using the questions and results from the tests we have investigated the relationship between the degree of difficulty of each question and the corresponding discrimination index. Our results indicate that as the degree of difficulty increases so does the capability of the item to discriminate between students with different abilities. There is a maximum degree of difficulty beyond which the discrimination starts to decrease. At that point, test items become too difficult. Thus, it should be possible in future to design items that will provide optimum discrimination.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000766
- Subject Headings
- Decision making, Curriculum planning, Examinations--Scoring, Educational tests and measurements, Universities and colleges--United States--Examinations--Design and construction
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Lower court compliance with Supreme Court precedent: a look at First Amendment cases.
- Creator
- Grubich, Ryan C., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
-
The education of profoundly intellectually disabled individuals requires identifying motivators to help them learn basic tasks and skills. When these individuals also suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder, one promising method of therapy, multisensory therapy, has been shown to relax patients, facilitating the educational process. Relaxation drastically minimizes maladaptive behaviors such as repetitive movement (stereotypy) and self-injury, allowing the participant to learn efficiently. In...
Show moreThe education of profoundly intellectually disabled individuals requires identifying motivators to help them learn basic tasks and skills. When these individuals also suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder, one promising method of therapy, multisensory therapy, has been shown to relax patients, facilitating the educational process. Relaxation drastically minimizes maladaptive behaviors such as repetitive movement (stereotypy) and self-injury, allowing the participant to learn efficiently. In this study, a multi-axis measure was developed to determine behavioral differences between an experimental group that underwent the therapy and a control group that performed a functional task in their classroom. Stereotypic behaviors were significantly reduced and gaze focus was enhanced within the therapy. The significance of these effects carried over when participants were returned to their classroom.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3335106
- Subject Headings
- Decision making, Judicial process, Judicial review, Law, Interpretation and construction, Stare decisis
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Clinical Decision Support System for the Identification of Potential Hospital Readmission Patients.
- Creator
- Baechle, Christopher, Agarwal, Ankur, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Recent federal legislation has incentivized hospitals to focus on quality of patient care. A primary metric of care quality is patient readmissions. Many methods exist to statistically identify patients most likely to require hospital readmission. Correct identification of high-risk patients allows hospitals to intelligently utilize limited resources in mitigating hospital readmissions. However, these methods have seen little practical adoption in the clinical setting. This research attempts...
Show moreRecent federal legislation has incentivized hospitals to focus on quality of patient care. A primary metric of care quality is patient readmissions. Many methods exist to statistically identify patients most likely to require hospital readmission. Correct identification of high-risk patients allows hospitals to intelligently utilize limited resources in mitigating hospital readmissions. However, these methods have seen little practical adoption in the clinical setting. This research attempts to identify the many open research questions that have impeded widespread adoption of predictive hospital readmission systems. Current systems often rely on structured data extracted from health records systems. This data can be expensive and time consuming to extract. Unstructured clinical notes are agnostic to the underlying records system and would decouple the predictive analytics system from the underlying records system. However, additional concerns in clinical natural language processing must be addressed before such a system can be implemented. Current systems often perform poorly using standard statistical measures. Misclassification cost of patient readmissions has yet to be addressed and there currently exists a gap between current readmission system evaluation metrics and those most appropriate in the clinical setting. Additionally, data availability for localized model creation has yet to be addressed by the research community. Large research hospitals may have sufficient data to build models, but many others do not. Simply combining data from many hospitals often results in a model which performs worse than using data from a single hospital. Current systems often produce a binary readmission classification. However, patients are often readmitted for differing reasons than index admission. There exists little research into predicting primary cause of readmission. Furthermore, co-occurring evidence discovery of clinical terms with primary diagnosis has seen only simplistic methods applied. This research addresses these concerns to increase adoption of predictive hospital readmission systems.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004880, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004880
- Subject Headings
- Health services administration--Management., Medical care--Quality control--Statistical methods., Medical care--Quality control--Data processing., Medical care--Decision making., Evidence-based medicine., Outcome assessment (Medical care)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Administrative Discretion in Public Policy Implementation: The Case of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
- Creator
- Angervil, Gilvert, Thai, Khi V., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
- Abstract/Description
-
This dissertation analyzes administrative discretion in public policy implementation in application of a new framework of integrative approach to administrative discretion developed from deficiencies of the citizen participation, representative bureaucracy, and private-interest groups democracy frameworks. The new framework holds that public agencies use discretion to integrate in decision making views of elected authorities, private-interest groups, public-interest groups, and other groups...
Show moreThis dissertation analyzes administrative discretion in public policy implementation in application of a new framework of integrative approach to administrative discretion developed from deficiencies of the citizen participation, representative bureaucracy, and private-interest groups democracy frameworks. The new framework holds that public agencies use discretion to integrate in decision making views of elected authorities, private-interest groups, public-interest groups, and other groups that seek to influence implementation. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy is used as the case study, and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is the implementation setting. The dissertation answers the following question: How integrative of group views was DOE’s discretionary decision making in the implementation of NCLB? This research applies a structured content analysis method that consists of content analysis and a content analysis schedule (see Jauch, Osborn, & Martin, 1980). Using a Likert question, the dissertation developed six integration levels of DOE’s discretionary decision making from not at all integrative to extremely integrative and found that most decisions were very integrative.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004808, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004808
- Subject Headings
- United States.--No Child Left Behind Act of 2001., Education and state--United States--History--21st century., Administrative procedure., Administrative discretion., Public administration--Decision making., Educational accountability--Law and legislation--United States.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Study of School Improvement Plans, School DecisionMaking and Advocacy, and Their Correlation to Student Academic Achievement.
- Creator
- Curry, Maribel Marcos, Decker, Larry E., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
Parent involvement literature reveals that parents play an important role in student academic achievement. The School Advisory Councils are the major outlet for parents to engage in decision-making and advocacy skills in Broward County. The School Improvement Plans are the major output of the School Advisory Councils and this document contains many strategies that schools should follow in order to increase achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine if School Improvement Plans and...
Show moreParent involvement literature reveals that parents play an important role in student academic achievement. The School Advisory Councils are the major outlet for parents to engage in decision-making and advocacy skills in Broward County. The School Improvement Plans are the major output of the School Advisory Councils and this document contains many strategies that schools should follow in order to increase achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine if School Improvement Plans and school decision-making and advocacy had any correlation to academic achievement. The researcher investigated this utilizing two research methods: a survey to investigate if school decision-making and advocacy were correlated to student academic achievement; and content analysis to investigate if School Improvement Plans were correlated to student academic achievement. The study gathered data from 38 middle schools and 29 high schools in Broward County, Florida, during the academic year of 2004-2005. The researcher used standard five of the National PTA Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs to design the Decision-Making and Advocacy Survey to determine the perceptions of decisionmaking and advocacy. The researcher surveyed two of the key players with leadership roles of the School Advisory Council: the principal and the SAC chairperson. The survey was pilot tested for its reliability. The researcher also used the School Improvement Plan from each middle school and high school in Broward County in order to conduct the content analysis. The survey and content analysis data were analyzed using linear correlation, multiple correlation, and multiple regression. A major finding of this research was the significant correlation between the Math strategies found in the School Improvement Plans and the Math achievement scores, as well as the correlation between the Writing strategies found in the School Improvement Plans and school grades. In general, it can be concluded that the strategies found in the School Improvement Plans may increase student achievement, particularly in Math and Writing.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000660
- Subject Headings
- Broward County School District (Fla )--Planning, School improvement programs--Florida--Broward County, School management and organization--Decision making, Educational planning--Florida--Broward County, Academic achievement--Florida--Broward County
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Suffering in the midst of technology: the lived experience of an abnormal prenatal ultrasound.
- Creator
- Gottlieb, Jeanne C., Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the essence of the lived experience of women after having an abnormal prenatal ultrasound. One hundred years ago, health disciplines had limited therapies for prenatal and neonatal disorders. During this period, the eugenics movement influenced leaders to involuntarily sterilize individuals who were sought to be "unfit" to prevent disorders in offspring. ... One of these contemporary reproductive genetic technologies is...
Show moreThe purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the essence of the lived experience of women after having an abnormal prenatal ultrasound. One hundred years ago, health disciplines had limited therapies for prenatal and neonatal disorders. During this period, the eugenics movement influenced leaders to involuntarily sterilize individuals who were sought to be "unfit" to prevent disorders in offspring. ... One of these contemporary reproductive genetic technologies is the use of ultrasound and serum bio-medical markers for detection of congenital, chromosome, and genetic disorders. When ultrasounds reveal abnormal findings, the perceived perfect pregnancy vanishes and gives way to feelings of shock, disbelief, fear, guilt, loss, and threats to self and their unborn baby. Twelve women who had an abnormal ultrasound were interviewed within the context of their cultural values and beliefs. The method of van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenology illuminated the meaning for these women in their life worlds. ... They endured this experience through their own coping mechanisms, but often felt uncertainty and emotional turmoil until the birth. The women also sought comfort through their cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. In coping with the risks found on this abnormal ultrasound, women often selected silence or blocking perceived threats. With these coping methods, they were alone in their suffering. ... Health providers, in not recognizing these women's misunderstandings and emotional fears, abandoned them in their psychosocial and cultural needs. The significance reveals that nurses and health providers need to infuse human caring ways of being, knowing, and doing within advanced technological environments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3362381
- Subject Headings
- Medical genetics, Medical care, Decision-making, Health services accessibility, Abortion, Moral and ethical aspects, Pregnancy, Complications, Diagnostic ultrasonic imaging, Communication in medicine, Genetic counseling, Genetic disorders, Nursing, Standards
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Influence of ethnicity, relocation, and social integration on the decision to complete an Advance Medical Directive: A survey of Boca Raton retirees.
- Creator
- Frank, Abbott., Florida Atlantic University, Evans, Arthur S., Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
-
Research has shown that generally no more than 20% of populations surveyed have completed Advance Medical Directives and that there is a strong ethnic variation in their choice (i.e. Protestants and Whites were more likely to have an Advance Medical Directive than Jews, Catholics, Hispanics, or Blacks). This thesis developed and tested the hypothesis that the use of Advance Medical Directives by Jews would comparably vary inversely with their degree of social integration as measured by their...
Show moreResearch has shown that generally no more than 20% of populations surveyed have completed Advance Medical Directives and that there is a strong ethnic variation in their choice (i.e. Protestants and Whites were more likely to have an Advance Medical Directive than Jews, Catholics, Hispanics, or Blacks). This thesis developed and tested the hypothesis that the use of Advance Medical Directives by Jews would comparably vary inversely with their degree of social integration as measured by their degree of orthodoxy. Survey results confirmed this hypothesis, but more significantly demonstrated that for all samples tested, regardless of religion, 74% of the over-65 respondents had completed an Advance Medical Directive. It is postulated that this high rate of implementation is an effect of the lower degree of social integration of the Boca Raton retirees brought about by a physical relocation to Florida from their former family, residential, and business networks.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15276
- Subject Headings
- Right to die, Do-not-resuscitate orders, Terminal care--Decision making, Older people--Long-term care, Jews--Florida--Boca Raton--Statistics, Boca Raton (Fla)--Population--Statistics
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Stakeholders, Advocacy Coalitions and The Policy Process: Policy Change in Everglades Restoration.
- Creator
- Taylor, Leslie, Thai, Khi V., Sapat, Alka K., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
This study is about advocacy coalitions' efforts at influencing the debate surrounding the formulation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Policy change as utilized in the dissertation views the adoption of CERP as a change in government policy on Everglades restoration that was achieved through competing stakeholders and coalitions. As one of the largest environmental restoration projects ever undertaken in the U.S. and possibly the most complex in terms of reconciling...
Show moreThis study is about advocacy coalitions' efforts at influencing the debate surrounding the formulation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Policy change as utilized in the dissertation views the adoption of CERP as a change in government policy on Everglades restoration that was achieved through competing stakeholders and coalitions. As one of the largest environmental restoration projects ever undertaken in the U.S. and possibly the most complex in terms of reconciling stakeholder views and understanding the science of restoration, the federal government and the state of Florida were keen on providing a formal participatory process for stakeholder input. The formulation process leading up to the adoption of CERP forms a unique study in our understanding of coalition behavior, their efforts at influencing governmental policy and the way the deliberative and participatory process worked. The major purpose of the dissertation is to examine the perceived effectiveness of stakeholders and coalitions, specifically the environmental and agribusiness coalitions, to influence policy change in Everglades restoration. The study looks at how policy change was achieved within the formal institutions established and other infonnal channels developed through cooperation and consensus. Utilizing the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF), interest group and coalition building literature, I hypothesize that the influence of coalitions in bringing about policy change is affected by five factors: internal factors such as (I) heterogeneity of stakeholders' beliefs, (2) membership size and external factors including (3) the presence of policy brokers, (4) change in the systemic governing coalition, and (5) presence of multiple coalitions. These factors are assumed to have contributed to altering or changing the dynamics and the direction of discourse in the policy process. Data was drawn from interviewing stakeholders who are members of the environmental and agribusiness coalitions and from secondary sources. The study shows that both the environmental and agribusiness coalitions perceive their efforts to be effective and instrumental in impacting the events and issues in the restoration process and particularly in influencing policy change. The study also reveals that the deliberative and participatory process, although sometimes contentious, has been a successful mechanism in allowing stakeholders to influence the formulation of CERP.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000615
- Subject Headings
- South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Program, Wetland Restoration--Government Policy--Florida--Everglades, Everglades (Fla)--Government Policy, Political Planning--Florida, United States--Politics and Government--2001---Decision Making
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Collaborative governance and the implementation of the Ryan White CARE Act: a case study of HIV health services planning councils in two South Florida counties.
- Creator
- Agbodzakey, James K., College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
- Abstract/Description
-
The complex problems of the twenty-first century cannot be effectively addressed with twentieth century top-down bureaucratic governance alone because of limited stakeholder participation in collective decision making and/or implementation. The somewhat limited stakeholder participation in the policy process, especially, that of target populations, can impact generating viable solutions to complex problems. Collaborative governance has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional...
Show moreThe complex problems of the twenty-first century cannot be effectively addressed with twentieth century top-down bureaucratic governance alone because of limited stakeholder participation in collective decision making and/or implementation. The somewhat limited stakeholder participation in the policy process, especially, that of target populations, can impact generating viable solutions to complex problems. Collaborative governance has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional management in addressing contemporary complex problems. Collaborative governance is thus a type of governance that promotes joint participation of state and non-state stakeholders in decision making and/or implementation by using agreed upon processes of engagement to collectively address problems. Such governance is especially beneficial for addressing the challenges posed by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This dissertation uses the collaborative governance concept to explicate the efforts of HIV Health Services Planning Councils in Broward County and Palm Beach County of South Florida with the purpose of accentuating how collaborative governance works in providing various categories of services to meet the needs of people with AIDS (PWAs), as part of the implementation of the Ryan White CARE Act. The study focuses on critical variables of collaborative governance such as facilitative leadership and institutional design, the collaborative process variables such as trust building, commitment to the process and shared understanding, and outputs such as allocation priorities of the Councils. This study employed mixed methods in collecting data from various relevant sources., The combined findings from surveys, interviews, observations and document reviews were essential to knowledge and understanding of collaborative governance of the respective Councils. The results revealed more similarities than differences between the Councils in their efforts towards addressing the HIV/AIDS problem. The Councils are similar in all variables of collaborative governance with few exceptions relative to facilitative leadership and institutional design. The differences were relative to membership, number of committees, amount allocated for various service categories and number of clients served. Furthermore, the Councils were slightly different in reaching consensus on subjects of deliberation. On the average, Palm Beach County's Council make decisions by consensus relatively easily when compared with the Broward County's Council. Nonetheless, both Councils are consensus-oriented and strive to make decision by consensus as evidenced by unanimous votes or simple majority votes on various subjects of deliberation. In addition, representation and participation of target populations in collaborative governance have contributed to the empowerment of those target populations. The study contributes to the literature by developing a conceptual model for HIV/AIDS collaborative governance for producing outputs to help meet needs of target populations. Also, the study contributes to collaborative governance theorizing by drawing a nexus between variables of collaborative governance and by complementing the existing non-linear perspective of collaborative process for collective problem solving. Collaborative governance involving state and non-state stakeholders thereby enhances efforts of public managers by harnessing resources to effectively manage and/or address complex problems for the benefit of society.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/368614
- Subject Headings
- HIV infections, Government policy, AIDS (Disease), Patients, Services for, Public-private sector cooperation, Public administration, Decision making
- Format
- Document (PDF)