Jerome Carson, Michelle McNary, Paul Wolfson and Frank Holloway
The aim of this paper is to describe how the authors made a film about recovery.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to describe how the authors made a film about recovery.
Design/methodology/approach
A number of service users were auditioned for the Recovery Film and four chosen to participate. The film was directed and edited by the second author who has lived experience of mental health problems.
Findings
Five main themes are covered in the film: the experience of being mentally ill; causes of peoples' mental illness; personal definitions of recovery; what helps people; and the process of recovery for each of the four participants.
Originality/value
The Recovery Film was short‐listed for a Mind Media Award, has been shown at a number of national conferences and is available on the internet.
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A special meeting was held in the Lecture Hall of the Royal Aeronautical Society on 9th May 1961 to give an opportunity, to Aslib members and others interested, for discussion on…
Abstract
A special meeting was held in the Lecture Hall of the Royal Aeronautical Society on 9th May 1961 to give an opportunity, to Aslib members and others interested, for discussion on the National Reference Library of Science and Invention (NRL) in the light of the four articles which had been published in the March issue of the Journal of Documentation, vol. 17, no. 1, 1961.
This paper sets out to empirically investigate whether a “project champion” can have an undue influence at the project selection stage and, if so, how this can be both identified…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper sets out to empirically investigate whether a “project champion” can have an undue influence at the project selection stage and, if so, how this can be both identified and controlled.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology is based on a single case study and is part of a much wider research investigation.
Findings
The case clearly shows that a “project champion” can have a biased influence on project selection. It was shown that in this particular case the “project champion” deemed the project‐specific risks to be lower than that suggested by other appraisal team members and that the strategic benefits to be derived from the project to be higher. Both these influences make the project look more attractive and can result in a project being accepted, which may not be in the best interests of the organisation. By using the financial appraisal profile (FAP) model the organisation was able to identify this bias and reduce its influence.
Research limitations/implications
Generalisability is an issue with case studies. It is believed that this paper not only provides empirical evidence confirming what may have intuitively been suspected, but also provides a solution to the problem.
Practical implications
By empirically identifying the adverse influence a project champion may have at the project selection stage will allow practitioners to take account of this bias.
Originality/value
This paper presents a model and case study that shows how project champions play a role and how this role may be used in evaluation of projects. Project champion roles in this environment have been only rarely studied.
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This paper traces an eight‐year journey along a research path in identifying the need for conception, development, and pragmatic evaluation of a new capital investment appraisal…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper traces an eight‐year journey along a research path in identifying the need for conception, development, and pragmatic evaluation of a new capital investment appraisal model – the financial appraisal profile (FAP) model. In many cases, existing research in developing new financial models is limited to theoretical conception rather than testing of these models in the real world. This papers sets out to address that issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology draws heavily on philosophical pragmatism. The paper traces a clear path, starting from the firm foundation of earlier studies, questionnaire feedback from presentations of the model, and two case studies.
Findings
The three‐stage pragmatic evaluation of the FAP model establishes the support for the model in both the academic and practical world.
Research limitations/implications
Although the first two stages in the evaluation of the model may be susceptible to systemic bias, the final evaluation in practical application of the model provides credible evidence for its pragmatic support.
Practical implications
It is hoped that this paper will encourage other researchers to be more pragmatic in their research methodology and that practitioners will find the FAP model more effective than their existing capital investment appraisal methods/procedures.
Originality/value
The pragmatic diversity of the research methodology presented in this paper gives management accounting researchers’ an insight into one particular researcher's approach to such a complex issue.
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The purpose of this paper is to identify current practice in respect of the appraisal of both information communication technology (ICT) and non‐ICT capital investments, and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify current practice in respect of the appraisal of both information communication technology (ICT) and non‐ICT capital investments, and to elicit the opinions of senior executives on the various issues concerning such investment practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical research based on data from a postal questionnaire, designed around a factual and attitudinal survey.
Findings
This research presents evidence of the financial and risk assessment models used by practitioners in the appraisal of both ICT and non‐ICT capital projects. It shows that there was no significant difference between ICT and non‐ICT appraisals in this respect. It does, however, show that there are significant differences between the two types of projects in respect to other important appraisal/evaluation issues. It also uncovers important issues regarding ICT globalisation, project champions, post audits and appraisal teams.
Research limitations/implications
This research does not identify the approach adopted, or the models used, to appraise strategic issues. This is an area for future research.
Practical implications
This research presents data that will assist both practitioners and academics in a greater understanding of the appraisal of both ICT and non‐ICT projects, which will pave the way to better decision making in the future.
Originality/value
It is believed that this is possibly the only survey to simultaneously address the appraisal issues concerning both ICT and non‐ICT projects.
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The purpose of this paper is to report on research in applying the financial appraisal profile (FAP) model to an information communication technology project within a professional…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on research in applying the financial appraisal profile (FAP) model to an information communication technology project within a professional association and to evaluate the model's effectiveness and acceptability.
Design/methodology/approach
The FAP model incorporates both rationalistic and hermeneutic paradigms. An action research/single case study approach has been use to “evaluate” the model in a real life situation.
Findings
It is shown that the model addresses many of the issues it set out to address and is perceived by both senior and corporate management as an effective tool in the evaluation of capital assets such as information technology (IT) projects. Important issues regarding, what has been termed, “groupthink” and the influence of a “project champion” on the evaluation of capital projects are also highlighted. The inclusion of what has been termed “the IT score” further enhances the models applicability to IT projects.
Research limitations/implications
Although the practical application of the model provides credible evidence for its pragmatic support, this is limited by the fact that it is based on a single case study.
Practical implications
It is hoped that practitioners will find the FAP model more pragmatic than their existing capital investment appraisal methods/procedures and that it will result in improved decision making.
Originality/value
The FAP model is a new concept and this is the first study in applying this model to an actual real life capital project. It also shows how a Delphi approach can be used in a practical setting.
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Joanna Bennett and Frank Keating
It has been acknowledged that the disparities and inequalities for black and minority ethnic (BME) communities in mental health in the United Kingdom (UK) has reached such…
Abstract
It has been acknowledged that the disparities and inequalities for black and minority ethnic (BME) communities in mental health in the United Kingdom (UK) has reached such proportions that it is considered a public health issue. This paper reviews training as one of the strategies that have been employed to address these inequalities and draws on a historical review and a scoping exercise in England which mapped approaches to race equality training in mental health services. The historical review showed that the concept of race and racism has been replaced by culturalism as an explanation for all racial inequalities and is the central framework for race equality training. Whilst the survey showed that the majority of mental health services were providing training for their staff, there is much fragmentation and a lack of robust evaluation demonstrating effectiveness. While education and training have a key role to play in developing knowledge and skills to address racial inequality, current approaches are fundamentally flawed.
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Connie M. Ulrich and Sarah J. Ratcliffe
Hypothetical vignettes have been used as a research method in the social sciences for many years and are useful for examining and understanding ethical problems in clinical…
Abstract
Hypothetical vignettes have been used as a research method in the social sciences for many years and are useful for examining and understanding ethical problems in clinical practice, research, and policy. This chapter provides an overview of the value of vignettes in empirical bioethics research, discusses how to develop and utilize vignettes when considering ethics-related research questions, and reviews strategies for evaluating psychometric properties. We provide examples of vignettes and how they have been used in bioethics research, and examine their relevance to advancing bioethics. The chapter concludes with the general strengths and limitations of hypothetical vignettes and how these should be considered.