45 research outputs found
Qualitative Research - Airy Fairy or Fundamental?
No full textFor many scientists used to doing quantitative studies the whole concept of qualitative research is unclear, almost foreign, or \u27airy fairy\u27 - not \u27 real\u27 research. Clinical scientists sometimes find it difficult to accept this research method where the generation of hypotheses often replaces the testing thereof, explanation replaces measurement, and understanding replaces generalisability. Since qualitative research is becoming a prominent tool in medical research, it will be worthwhile to have a closer look at what it is and how it works
Consumers' expectations of furniture labels during their pre–purchase information search : toward label development
No full textThesis (M. Consumer Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.Labels serve as a source of external information during the consumer decision–making process, and frequently contribute to consumers’ prior knowledge of different products as well as their search activities prior to purchase of furniture. Labelling of a wide range of products, such as food and
clothing has been investigated with regard to the effectiveness of the label, to convey information and draw consumers’ attention to the product, and the usage of the labels by consumers. However, no literature suggests the existence of labels with regard to furniture items, or consumers’ expectations about furniture labels. It is believed that labels on furniture items could assist consumers during the pre–purchase information search of the decision–making
process. The current study investigated consumers’ expectations of furniture labels,
during the pre–purchase information search of the consumer decision–making process, in order to propose furniture labels. The objectives of the study were to determine what questions regarding product information consumers frequently ask store assistants prior to furniture purchasing; to determine consumers’ expectations regarding furniture labels in terms of the product information on the label, the appearance of the label and the placement of the label on furniture items; and finally to suggest a preliminary furniture label
according to consumers’ expectations. A mixed–method research approach was followed, using a two–phase exploratory design. Qualitative findings indicated that consumers enquire about the type of materials used for the manufacturing of furniture items, finishes used on items, quality, guarantees, warrantees, design, performance, maintenance, care instructions and colours of items. Similarly, quantitative
results showed that the majority of respondents deemed the price, materials
used, cleaning instructions, guarantee and warrantees important to be displayed on the furniture label. Appearance characteristics were summarised and preliminary furniture labels were suggested accordingly. These labels can be used by product developers, marketers, and the furniture industry to assist consumers during their pre–purchase information search of the consumer decision–making process.Master
Degradation of the systemic fungicide, metalaxyl, in South African avocado and citrus soils
No full textThesis (MSc) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1986.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record
Retraction Note: Infection of great apes and a zoo keeper with the same Mycobacterium tuberculosis spoligotype: Infection of great apes and a zoo keeper with the same Mycobacterium tuberculosis spoligotype (Medical Microbiology and Immunology, (2014), 203, 2, (141-144), 10.1007/s00430-013-0323-0)
No full textThe original article has been retracted by the authors because they did not obtain informed consent to publish the description of the case. The content of this article is no longer available online to protect patient confidentiality. Authors Onno W. Akkerman, Tjip S. van der Werf, Adri G. M. van der Zanden, Tony Eger agree to this retraction. Corresponding author, Onno W. Akkerman, stated on behalf of all remaining co-authors that they agree to this retraction
Ingezonden redactionele bijdrage: Inpassing van de arbowet in het bouwproces, een praktisch overzicht
No full textIn de bouw kunnen de Arbeidsomstandighedenwet en het Arbeidsomstandighedenbesluit worden gebruikt om het bouwproces te ondersteunen en kwaliteit en communicatie (en daarmee de samenwerking) te verbeteren. Dit kan een belangrijke bijdrage leveren aan een ongestoorde procesgang en daarmee aan de veiligheid in de bouw. In deze praktische bijdrage van Adri C.P. Frijters worden de belangrijkste begrippen uit zowel Arbeidsomstandighedenwet als -besluit behandeld en wordt uitgelegd hoe deze kunnen worden ingepast in het bouwproces.Safety and Security Scienc
The Argumentative Quality of the Qualitative Research Report
No full textThe author argues that, to be convincing, the claims of a qualitative research report must be logically and clearly supported. Eight rules for good argumentative dialogue are presented. The author then presents the process of analogical reasoning to support cross-case generalization
Thesis Joint development for a morphing wing skin
No full textBoth GKN Aerospace Fokker Aerostructures B.V. (Fokker) and Delft University of Technology (DUT) are partaking in a Clean Sky 2 program called MANTA. MANTA stands for: MovAbles in the Next generaTion Aircraft, and is a program created by the European Union in order to meet the ’ACARE Flightpath 2050 objectives’ by achieving cleaner air travel. The MANTA program aims to reduce the fuel consumption by 3% to 5% using the knock on effects of smart usage of movables. The contribution of Fokker in the MANTA program is the Morphing Tab concept. This is a newly introduced tab which will be located in the wingtip and must allow load alleviation during manoeuvres. By deflecting the tab in a smart manner, it will be able to generate an internal moment in the wing structure opposite to the internal moment generated by the lift. These internal moments counteract one another, reducing the peak stresses which can result in a lighter wing structure. This will have multiple aerodynamic beneficial knock on effects such as the potential for a more slender wing. The solution of Fokker. to keep the drag introduced by the tab to a minimum, is to use a morphing tab rather than a conventional tab. The morphing tab has a continuous inboard skin surface which morphs in the section between the Rigid winglet structure and the rigid tab. The continuous skin will add to the aerodynamic efficiency as airflow along the surface stays attached further along the wing chord and airflow leakage is largely avoided. The morphing part of the winglet exists of multiple components. the component studied in this thesis is the flexible skin. More precisely, it is the attachment of the morphing skin to the non-morphing parts of the concept, the winglet and the tab. As the morphing skin is very thin, and the condition of use is an out-of-plain movement, a complex and rarely studied combination is formed. This has led to the following research question: What is the best method to connect a thin flexible skin element undergoing a peel-like motion to a rigid structure without disturbing the aerodynamic surface at the outside of the skin? Answering this question must lead to a solution for this specific situation as well as contribute to the body of knowledge to fill the current literature gap. Based on the findings of the literature study, the analysis started with selecting a joining method. This process was performed by a trade-off in which six groups of joining methods (Integral Structure, Bonding, Welding, Mechanical Fastening, a Piano Hinge and a Flexible Hinge Element) have been compared. This resulted in the selection of Mechanical Fastening as the best joining method. Within this category, Rivets have been selected as the best suited solution for the Morphing Tab Connection. Along with design guidelines, a comparison between the failure limits of the rivets and the loading conditions of the tab, led to the design of the riveted connection. A test had to be created in order to investigate whether the design is able to meet the requirements of the joint under the relevant loading conditions. No standardised test could be used as they did not create representative loading conditions. During the test, the stress and strain of the skin at the connection are measured via the machine output, Digital Image Correlation software and strain gauges. Additionally, video recordings are made of the test from the side in order to validate results. Three main test conclusions can be made: • The Aerodynamic Profile does not experience a significant effect of the Riveted connection. The required rotation angle and accuracy are achieved and the contour deformation is within the tolerance. • The Static Failure is caused by skin bending without interference of the fasteners. The Static Failure Level is higher than the required minimum stress. Therefore, the Static Load Requirements are met. • The rivets do not interfere on the skin behaviour during fatigue tests. The stiffness reduction due to the fatigue tests shows similar results with and without fasteners. Overall this means that the Riveted connection meets all Aerodynamic and Structural Requirements. Besides this, no indication was apparent during the tests that another joining method would lead to better performance. Also, the riveted connection outperformed the other joining methods in the other Trade-off categories. The combination of these two facts warrant the overall conclusion of this thesis: A riveted connection is the best method to connect a thin flexible skin element undergoing a peel-like motion to a rigid structure without disturbing the aerodynamic surface at the outside of the skin. The connection design created during in this thesis can be applied in further investigations in the Morphing Tab Concept. Morphing Winglet TabMANTAClean Sky 2Aerospace Engineerin
The argumentative quality of the qualitative research report
No full textThe author argues that, to be convincing, the claims of a qualitative research report must be logically and clearly supported. Eight rules for good argumentative dialogue are presented. The author then presents the process of analogical reasoning to support cross-case generalization
The Influence of Big Data Implementation towards Business Models in Different Sectors
No full textThere is nowadays an increased use of data, reaching 2.5 exabytes globally, and is expected to double every two years (Morvan, 2016). An enormous amount of data can now be generated, ranging from smartphones to sensors in machineries. However, most organizations are reported to be able to only create and store data, and creating added value from data is a major challenge for many organizations (Akerkar et al., 2015). Only 4% of companies across industries have the capabilities to create value through Big Data (Bertocco & Padmanabhan, 2014). Organizations might want to look into their business model, as adjusting their business model can facilitate the implementation (Muhtaroğlu, Demir, Obalı, & Girgin, 2013), and can result in more efficient business operations (Loebbecke & Picot, 2015). Organizations also face different circumstances (e.g. problems, challenges, applications), since they are located in different sectors (Vega-Gorgojo, Fjellheim, Roman, Akerkar, & Waaler, 2016). Therefore, this study aims to see more into the relationship between sector characteristics and the impact on business model when implementing Big Data, by means of interviews in the setting of explorative & qualitative study. Oil & gas, manufacturing, and health sector are chosen for the purpose of this study, due to the potential of Big Data implementation in these three sectors. Canvas business model template is chosen to provide the clarity of the impact on business model. From this study, Big Data is seen as a systemic innovation, due to the necessary changes in technological, organizational, and institutional aspects of the existing innovation system in a sector. The study also shows that activities, resources, and value propositions are core in the implementation, where implementing Big Data into the activities will result in improvement of value proposition, and enabled by resources. The changes in those three aspects can lead to changes in other aspects of business model, such as partnership, customer relationship, and financial. Customer segments remain unaffected, due to the specificity of value perceived by a certain segment. However, it might change in the future in the case that a new value is offered. It is found that a certain sector characteristic or combination of sector characteristics influences how organization adjusts their business model, but more importantly, the causes that shapes such characteristics need to be considered well.Management of Technology (MoT
