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1 – 10 of 178Claire Kearns Murphy, Louise Kemps, Catherine McDonough and Suzanne McDonough
Early interventions focusing on exercise and lifestyle are important for individuals with a diagnosis of psychosis due to increased risk of poor physical health and reduced life…
Abstract
Purpose
Early interventions focusing on exercise and lifestyle are important for individuals with a diagnosis of psychosis due to increased risk of poor physical health and reduced life expectancy. This study aims to test the feasibility of a multicomponent lifestyle intervention for individuals with first episode psychosis (FEP).
Design/methodology/approach
Individuals attending an Irish FEP service were invited to engage in an eight-week programme including individual and group exercise sessions, group educational sessions and one dietician consultation. Physical activity, physical health, mental health, cognition and personal goals measures were completed pre- and post-intervention and analysed using descriptive statistics. Feasibility data was collected via a non-standardised participant questionnaire and informal data on completion of measures and engagement with the programme.
Findings
Ten participants with a diagnosis of FEP completed the intervention. Participants were satisfied with the intervention and adherence rates were high for weekly individual gym sessions but lower for group exercise and education sessions. Mean time spent engaging in physical activity increased and sedentary behaviours decreased. Participants indicated increased readiness for change with 90% moving to the action or maintenance stages of change. Participants attained 74% of their personal goals. There were no changes in average body mass index, cognition or mental health. Data relating to blood pressure, blood tests and steps was missing or incomplete.
Originality/value
This study indicates an eight-week exercise and lifestyle programme is feasible and acceptable in a clinical setting. Recommendations relating to satisfaction, clinical markers and resource requirements are made for future studies.
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To analyze the current position of consumer goods giant Unilever, following a five‐year restructuring and the appointment of a new chairman, noting that its margins are being…
Abstract
Purpose
To analyze the current position of consumer goods giant Unilever, following a five‐year restructuring and the appointment of a new chairman, noting that its margins are being eroded by the pricing policy of UK and European supermarkets.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
It's not mess, it's just curiosity – that, accompanied by a charming picture of a child painting and managing to get as much paint on herself as on the paper, is the slogan of a UK advertising campaign to promote Persil washing powder. Giving painting kits to schoolchildren, with the message “Create masterpieces with Persil”, was part of the same campaign.
Originality/value
The “balanced scorecard” method of communicating the company's strategy to all employees can be introduced into other organizations.
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Claire Murphy, Christine Cross and David McGuire
The purpose of this article is to review the extant literature on CPE amongst nurses and concentrate on discovering the factors that motivate and inhibit participation in CPE for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to review the extant literature on CPE amongst nurses and concentrate on discovering the factors that motivate and inhibit participation in CPE for nurses in Ireland.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of the literature was carried out on continuing professional development amongst nurses in Ireland, the UK, the USA and Australia. From this, research hypotheses were developed. The primary research concentrated on a cohort of practicing registered nurses participating in a CPE course at a third‐level institution in Ireland. A questionnaire was used that contained both open and closed‐ended questions.
Findings
The main barriers to participation in CPE were lack of employer support and the difficulty of balancing home‐life, work and study. The main motivators for participation in CPE were improving self‐esteem and confidence and the expectation of increased opportunities for promotion for those with higher educational qualifications.
Research limitations/implications
A relatively small non‐random sample was used. Therefore, the results may be generalized only with caution.
Practical implications
A number of implications for HRD practitioner emerged. These included overt recognition of prior ward‐based learning, increased financial support, increased study leave and the need for the HRD practitioner to champion the cause of CPE.
Originality/value
In order to ensure a highly efficient workforce, providing the highest possible standards of care to patients, the health sector needs its workforce to constantly update their knowledge and skills. Therefore it is an important time to consider the factors that aid and inhibit participation in CPE, a common method utilized to achieve this aim.
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Janie Hubbard, Adam Caldwell, Paige Moses, Ben Reed, Kristen Watts and Brooklyn Wood
My Country ‘Tis of Thee: How One Song Reveals the History of Civil Rights offers insights into the historic significance of the song’s familiar melody as an instrument for change…
Abstract
My Country ‘Tis of Thee: How One Song Reveals the History of Civil Rights offers insights into the historic significance of the song’s familiar melody as an instrument for change Protesting for freedom is universal, and songs have long provided a sense of solidarity and a means to communicate messages for protesters with strong beliefs about various causes. By hearing an instrumental recording, students first engage in an activity to identify the song, which, since 1831, has been known as “America” to many in the USA. Students become familiar with concepts and historic people named throughout the book by manipulating and sorting concept cards. Using historic events depicted in the book, students create timelines using a technological timeline tool. Then, after listening to a read-aloud of the book, they use clues to match different sets of lyrics with corresponding historical events. Civil rights history is revealed through different lyrics of this song.
Thomas N. Garavan and Claire Murphy
Argues that co‐operative education allows students to acquire essential practical skills through exposure to the real world. Uses a qualitative approach to reveal factors students…
Abstract
Argues that co‐operative education allows students to acquire essential practical skills through exposure to the real world. Uses a qualitative approach to reveal factors students perceive as influencing their experiences. Study methodology allowed students to experience empowerment through participation in the study.
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Jennifer M. Troncale and Jennifer Strain
This multi-day lesson involves grade 2-grade 4 students in exploring the life and achievements of Susan B. Anthony. It provides opportunities for students to investigate events…
Abstract
This multi-day lesson involves grade 2-grade 4 students in exploring the life and achievements of Susan B. Anthony. It provides opportunities for students to investigate events associated with the Women’s Rights Movement as well as issues related to women’s right to vote, work, and to receive an education. This three-day learning cycle lesson will provide students with a better understanding of women’s suffrage as well as the time period and contributions of women leaders. Day 1 begins with a simulation of gender bias and follows with a Quickwrite and read aloud. On the second day, students will participate in station activities. On the third day, students will use a Bio Cube to describe the activities of a current woman reformer and how those acts have impacted U.S. history.
Co-teaching is a prevalent and productive coaching activity that coaches can leverage when working with teachers to support teaching and learning. However, there is insufficient…
Abstract
Purpose
Co-teaching is a prevalent and productive coaching activity that coaches can leverage when working with teachers to support teaching and learning. However, there is insufficient research detailing how coaches can and should implement this coaching activity with teachers. Hence, the purpose of this qualitative interview study is to better understand the challenges that make co-teaching coaching cycles difficult for coaches to enact with in-service teachers, as well as the supports that can enhance the co-teaching experience for all involved parties.
Design/methodology/approach
Fourteen semi-structured interviews were completed with one instructional coach and three elementary teachers in one school district in the USA. A combination of emergent as well as literature-driven codes was used to code the data.
Findings
Overall, the participants pointed to six barriers they encountered when engaging in episodes of co-teaching, which spanned the broad categories of management and logistics, pedagogical dilemmas, and teacher learning. Furthermore, participants identified seven supports, spanning the broad categories of coach preparation, contextual factors, and management and logistics, that enabled them to productively engage in co-teaching.
Originality/value
Although coaches may frequently engage teachers in coaching cycles involving co-teaching, there is a lack of research-based guidance for coaches about how to engage teachers most productively in co-teaching episodes. The findings from this study, which shed light on the challenges and support of co-teaching from one coach and three teachers, will enable coaches to more effectively co-teach with teachers as a form of high-quality professional development.
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Amy Shaw, Teresa Capetola, Justin T. Lawson, Claire Henderson-Wilson and Berni Murphy
This study aims to investigate the sustainability of the food culture at Deakin University and to determine what the barriers to increasing the sustainability of food on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the sustainability of the food culture at Deakin University and to determine what the barriers to increasing the sustainability of food on the Burwood campus may be.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey of staff and students from the Faculty of Health at the Burwood campus of Deakin University (n = 697) was undertaken. The survey included questions relating to eating habits on campus, views on the current food culture, food security, food disposal, visions for the future and demographic information. In addition, a short paper-based survey was developed for the ten food outlets on campus.
Findings
The results show that although sustainability considerations are important to staff and students, cost is the main issue and is a significant barrier to the development of a more sustainable food culture. It is also a significant barrier to staff and students making healthy choices when it comes to the purchase of food on campus. However, sustainable food initiatives such as community gardens could help alleviate this barrier and also contribute to improving student engagement.
Research limitations/implications
The online survey was limited to the Faculty of Health, and, therefore, a potential bias exists towards individuals who may have an interest in health. This should be considered when interpreting the results.
Originality/value
This research demonstrates that although cost may be a barrier to universities improving the sustainability of their food culture, there are other ways in which universities can create an environment that embraces sustainable food production to benefit both the environment and the university community.
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Isobel Claire Gormley and Thomas Brendan Murphy
Ranked preference data arise when a set of judges rank, in order of their preference, a set of objects. Such data arise in preferential voting systems and market research surveys…
Abstract
Ranked preference data arise when a set of judges rank, in order of their preference, a set of objects. Such data arise in preferential voting systems and market research surveys. Covariate data associated with the judges are also often recorded. Such covariate data should be used in conjunction with preference data when drawing inferences about judges.
To cluster a population of judges, the population is modeled as a collection of homogeneous groups. The Plackett-Luce model for ranked data is employed to model a judge's ranked preferences within a group. A mixture of Plackett- Luce models is employed to model the population of judges, where each component in the mixture represents a group of judges.
Mixture of experts models provide a framework in which covariates are included in mixture models. Covariates are included through the mixing proportions and the component density parameters. A mixture of experts model for ranked preference data is developed by combining a mixture of experts model and a mixture of Plackett-Luce models. Particular attention is given to the manner in which covariates enter the model. The mixing proportions and group specific parameters are potentially dependent on covariates. Model selection procedures are employed to choose optimal models.
Model parameters are estimated via the ‘EMM algorithm’, a hybrid of the expectation–maximization and the minorization–maximization algorithms. Examples are provided through a menu survey and through Irish election data. Results indicate mixture modeling using covariates is insightful when examining a population of judges who express preferences.