Browsing by Subject "Case Study"
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Item A Case Study of the Early Stages of Texas A&M AgriLife Haiti: Identifying Competencies for International Agricultural Development Graduate Students(2015-01-22) Cherry, Audie LynnSome non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are viewed as beneficial to agricultural and extension education in ways that government organizations are not (Mwangi, Agugnga, & Garforth, 2003). The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University is partnering with NGOs in Haiti (Texas A&M AgriLife Haiti) to improve agricultural and rural development. Texas A&M AgriLife Haiti, which utilizes graduate researchers, sent the first pair of students in the spring semester of 2014. This thesis comprises two individual studies in article format. The objectives for the first study were to 1) determine the desired competencies of graduate students who participate in international agricultural development programs based on expert program coordinators of Texas A&M AgriLife Haiti and 2) describe a competency framework for graduate students in international agricultural development from the collected data. To accomplish these objectives this study used qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews with Texas A&M AgriLife Haiti program coordinators. The study resulted in a descriptive and succinct list of competencies for graduate students in international agricultural development. These competencies were a) Contextual Knowledge and Understanding, b) Social Sciences, c) Technical/Agricultural Sciences, d) Character, e) Realism, f) Resource Management, g) Critical Thinking, h) Communication, i) Leadership, and j) Research Methods and Tools. From this list a framework was developed that depicted the interconnectivity among competencies and with the individual. Using qualitative case study research methods with an embedded design, the second sought to accomplish the following objectives: 1) describe the steps taken by Texas A&M University and a partnering NGO in Haiti in preparing AgriLife Haiti to incorporate graduate student researchers, 2) describe the steps taken by Texas A&M University in preparing graduate students to take part in AgriLife Haiti, and 3) identify challenges faced by Texas A&M AgriLife Haiti. This study gathered data via observations, communication records, and semi-structured interviews in order to meet the objectives. Three key components emerged in the study. They were 1) program preparation by the partnering entities of the program, 2) student preparation by Texas A&M University, and 3) challenges faced in the program.Item Case study: copyright issues in distance education(Texas A&M University, 2006-10-30) Huddleston, Michael BOver the years, much attention has been given to copyright law in literature and as it pertains to textbooks and other original academic works. However, as the focus is narrowed to the copyright law as it relates to distance education within higher education, very little information or precedents can be looked to for guidance. For an institution of higher education involved in distance education, the problem demands that a model be developed specifically for universities to follow as they embrace distance education programs and course development. As the likelihood of lawsuits and grievances clearly exists, the motivation of faculty to create original works is potentially compromised when there is conflict between themselves and the universities who employ them. In addition, a set of guidelines in the form of a model lends a structural basis to university educators and administrators alike on which to formulate the process of developing distance education programs with a greatly reduced chance of legal incident. A case study design was chosen because it adds strength to what is known and deepens understanding of complex issues. According to Lincoln and Guba in their 1985 book, qualitative research involves the studied use and collection of a variety of empirical materials: case study, personal experience, introspective, life story, interview, observational, historical, interactive, and visual texts that describe routine and problematic moments and meanings in individualsItem The Use of BIM in Construction for Decision Making: A Case of Irregular-Shaped Steel-Framed Building Construction Project in South Korea(2013-05-03) Yum, Sang GukBuilding Information Modeling (BIM) is the comprehensive process of developing a computer model of a building project in the phases of designing, analyzing, building, managing, refurbishing and even demolishing the building. Applying BIM to public construction has become an obligation in South Korea. According to the Public Procurement Service in South Korea, the use of BIM has been compulsory on all government projects over $44M since 2012. Moreover, from 2013, the application of BIM will be expanded to all public construction projects over $27.6M. Finally, beginning in 2016, all public construction projects will be required to use BIM. Most research on BIM in South Korea has been focused on developing regulations and policies, application of BIM, solving technical problems, and searching for the value of BIM. However, the use of BIM in Korea during construction for decision-making has not been thoroughly reported in Korea yet. One may be wondering then if BIM is indeed well utilized in Korea during construction for practical decision-making. The objective of this research centers on investigating how a construction company in South Korea is using BIM for its decision making process during ongoing construction phases. For this investigation, a case study method was used. The construction operations on a jobsite in South Korea were monitored June to August in 2012. Field notes were taken to document the decision-making process and information used during field coordination meetings. A total of 36 cases were monitored and recorded. The use of BIM on field was then compared to the industry expectations indicated in the literature. Specifically, the use of BIM for scheduling, estimating, coordination, review of drawings, and tracking for change orders were carefully monitored and compared with the industry expectations as they were addressed in the literature. The results of this research study were mixed. That is, there are not only similarities, but also differences between BIM?s role used for decision making at the construction site, and its expected role described in previous research. The similarities were regarded as minimizing reworking. This factor came to fruition at a construction site by minimizing error, omission in design phases, or congruence in design and construction tasks. These factors could have a positive effect on estimating and scheduling at a construction site. However, use of BIM at a construction site was still limited in reducing repetitive work when 2D drawings were not able to provide enough information to conduct construction. Additionally, even though this study was successful in revealing the connection between the decision making process and the application of BIM at a construction site, the results of the study may not be generalizable to the construction industry as a whole in South Korea. Therefore, further research is needed to ensure its applicability to other construction projects.