Browsing by Subject "Delphi"
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Item Assistive technology competencies for teachers of students with visual impairments: a delphi study.(Texas Tech University, 2008-05) Smith, Derrick W.; Kelley, Pat; Griffin-Shirley, Nora; Maushak, Nancy; Lan, WilliamIndividuals with visual impairments have for centuries relied upon assistive technology (AT) to access information, travel independently, and participate in a variety of experiences. Due to the effectiveness of assistive technologies for individuals with visual impairments, it is imperative that university training programs that prepare teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) incorporate assistive technology training into their programs. However, a comprehensive set of assistive technology competencies that universities can use to plan pre-service and in-service professional development currently does not exist. Thus, university programs are currently teaching different assistive technology knowledge and skills at various levels of expertise. Therefore, the major purpose of this study was to identify and develop a comprehensive set of AT competencies that should be attained by individuals who complete a TVI program. Along with developing the AT competencies, a secondary purpose of the study was to develop a framework of level of expertise attainment. This study was conducted using the Delphi Method, a process that assembles the ideas and opinions of a group of individuals considered to be knowledgeable experts in a given professional field. The purpose of a Delphi study is to produce a reliable consensus of opinion through the use of a panel of experts. The panel included 35 experts from various professional areas and geographical locations. The panelists participated in five (5) iterations, or rounds to establish the set of AT competencies and accompanying levels of expertise. The first three rounds were focused on the development of consensus of the AT competencies. These rounds resulted in the panel reaching a high level of agreement on 111 competencies. These competencies were then used in two other rounds wherein the panel established the essential level of expertise for each competency. The final rounds produced a high level of agreement with each competency having a set level of expertise. The results of the study are intended to provide the field of special education for students with visual impairments a comprehensive set of assistive technology competencies by which to develop both pre-service and in-service professional development.Item Competencies, benefits and limitations for Master Gardener Coordinators: a delphi technique involving county extension agents in Texas(Texas A&M University, 2007-09-17) Lockett, LandryThis study sought to develop a list of best management competencies, benefits and limitations for Texas Cooperative Extension Agents who are Master Gardener Coordinators using a Delphi technique. The study utilized fifteen expert County Extension Agent Master Gardener Coordinators throughout the State of Texas as the expert Delphi panel. Three research questions were asked of the expert panel members. Those questions included: 1. What competencies do you need to be an efficient and effective Master Gardener Coordinator?, 2. What are the perceived benefits of being a Master Gardener Coordinator? and 3. What are the limiting factors (problems) of being a Master Gardener Coordinator? One hundred-twenty consolidated statements were generated by the panel in response to these questions. These statements were subsequently rated by the panel for their strength of agreement with each statement on a six-point Likert-type scale (6 = "Strongly Agree," 5 = "Agree," 4 = "Somewhat Agree," 3 = "Somewhat Disagree," 2 = "Disagree," and 1 = "Strongly Disagree"). Consensus was reached on 64 competencies needed by Master Gardener Coordinators, answering research question one. There were a total of 19 benefit statements regarding coordinating a Master Gardener program, in response to research question two. Two statements of limiting factors or problems associated with coordinating a Master Gardener Group achieved consensus associated with research question three. Categories of competencies needed included organizational leadership, systems leadership, organizational culture, personal skills and management skills. The panel placed an emphasis on "people" skills, positive attitude and management skills to be an effective Master Gardener Coordinator. Benefits of coordinating Master Gardeners included such items as expanding the reach of the County Extension Agent and increasing Extension's impact. Problems associated with coordinating Master Gardeners included increasing the County Extension Agent's workload as well time commitments. The results of this study will provide Texas Master Gardener Coordinators a list of essential competencies for effectively managing a Master Gardener program. This list will help Extension Master Gardener Coordinators most effectively utilize their time, energy and resources for maximum impact and program success.Item Creating a promotional DVD for an international agricultural research center: a Delphi study(Texas Tech University, 2006-08) Stockard, Stacy A.; Brashears, Michael T.; Davis, Chad S.; Brooks, Chance J.; Akers, CindyThis study used a three-round Delphi to determine what content to put in a promotional DVD for the International Center for Food Industry Excellence, an animal and food science research center. Board members and staff of the center were selected to be in the panel of experts. The first round of open-ended questions yielded 97 items. The second round used a four-point Likert scale, and panelists reached a consensus on 65 items from Round 1 they believed should be included on the DVD. Round 3 found a consensus on 3 items which previously did not reach consensus in Round 2. The study recommended the DVD focus on items that reached 100% consensus and also show items which reached at least 80% and less than 100% consensus in less depth.Item Defining a competency framework to shape the professional education of national security master strategists: a web-based Delphi study(Texas A&M University, 2006-04-12) Clark, Thomas GeorgeThe purpose of this study was to develop a competency framework to shape development of a professional education program for master strategists in national security. The research problem focused on the absence of a competency framework to guide professional education of strategists who must be capable of conceptualization and innovation master strategists. The outcome of this study was a set of the most important components that constitute a professional education framework for master strategists. This Web-based study followed a RAND Delphi heuristic model that is qualitative in nature. Instrumentation for the first round consisted of a short vignette that placed panelists in a unique situation of being able to engage a "time traveler" from 20 years in the future. The time traveler represented a source of perfect knowledge, but could provide only a "yes" or "no" response to panel member questions concerning master strategist professional education needs in the year 2022. In the subsequent two Delphi rounds, the instruments consisted of panel member questions from the previous round. The panel of experts consisted of 12 professional strategists in the field of national security strategy. The results of the study provided support to the description of master strategists as strategic leaders, strategic theoreticians, and strategic practitioners. Panelists highlighted four content domains of personal attributes, security framework, theorybased knowledge, and culture and values that encompass the range of competencies for a master strategist professional education framework. Panel members detailed a need for master strategists to have a higher order temporal perspective to conceive time as epochs and ages, defined as shifts in development punctuated by events and prominent periods in progress, respectively. Panelists described a master strategist professional education framework that mirrored the theory of profound knowledge with meta-competencies as the basic building blocks.Item Effective leadership characteristics for student performance as perceived by high-performing Texas high school principals: a Delphi study(Texas A&M University, 2007-09-17) Young, David EarleThe purpose of this study was to identify leadership characteristics of highperforming Texas high school principals that positively affect student performance. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine the degree of agreement between conceptualizations of leadership presented in existing research and those of successful practitioners. A Delphi panel of sixteen high school principals participated in the study. Over the course of three rounds, the members of the expert panel provided feedback to both the researcher and other members of the panel as to which leadership characteristics they felt were of critical importance to student success. The characteristics presented in the questionnaire were based upon a sound theoretical framework resulting from a thorough review of existing research. At the completion of Round Three, it was decided that consensus had been reached among the members of the panel and the data collection period was ended. Each of the questionnaires used in the study, as well as the relevant statistical analysis and frequency distributions, can be found in the appendices of this document. The major findings of the study affirm the importance of leadership and its positive impact on student achievement. First, there seems to be agreement between the body of research on leadership and the viewpoint of successful practitioners as to which leadership characteristics are essential for student success. Second, vision for goal achievement, response to diversity, and ethical practice head the list of critical leadership attributes for high school principals. Third, leadership characteristics presented in the literature base are, at least in the opinion of the high-performing high school principals involved in this study, comprehensive and are not missing any major components for student success. The conclusions and recommendations of this study could affect the performance of high school principals?????? leadership in school improvement. Its major significance can be found in its potential effect on the daily practice of individuals currently serving as school leaders, the professional growth plans of practicing administrators, and the components and focus of principal preparation programs.Item Future personal attributes and job competencies needed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), state hospital section, registered nurse managers: a Delphi study(Texas A&M University, 2005-11-01) Harrison, Joseph, Jr.The first purpose of this study was to describe and illustrate a modification of the Delphi technique that was designed to identify future personal attributes and job competencies needed to help update requirements for the year 2006 needed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) nursing middle manager, the registered nurse manager, as perceived by the DSHS subject matter experts. The subject matter experts consisted of a group of registered nurses holding leadership positions in the DSHS, State Hospital Section. The second purpose was to determine a consensus of future personal attributes and job competencies developed from the responses of the DSHS subject matter experts. For the last purpose of this study, using the findings of the future personal attributes and job competencies identified through this study, DSHS would have a tool to develop a model to guide hiring decisions and initial training. Additionally, the hiring and initial training model could also serve to assist in developing a content model for future in-service and continuing education training. The modified Delphi technique used in this study was comparable to the complete Delphi technique in terms of approach, for example, using a sequence of rounds with chosen experts and objectives to predict future events and to arrive at consensus. For this study, the foremost modification of the Delphi technique consisted of beginning the process with a set of 28 thoroughly selected personal attributes and job competencies clusters that the panel could use as a guide for personal attributes and job competencies selection. These pre-selected personal attributes and job competencies clusters were drawn from various sources including related competency profiles, job descriptions, and synthesized reviews of the literature. The approach consisted of a 15-member expert panel of 10 nurse managers and 5 chief nurse executives currently working within and representing the 11 facilities of the DSHS, State Hospital Section. The panel members were nominated by the nursing director of the State Hospital Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services. The panel completed three rounds of the Delphi process, identifying 24 personal attributes and job competencies clusters.Item Improving access to care by determining key elements of culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare interventions for Hispanic populations in Texas using a Delphi technique(Texas A&M University, 2007-04-25) Ponder, Linda MilamCultural competence, mandated by Federal law since 1964, has not been appropriately addressed due to its lack of specifics and the lack of specifics within subsequent mandates. This study was designed to determine specific key elements of cultural and linguistic appropriateness which would "operationalize" cultural competence in the provision of healthcare services. Knowing the elements of cultural and linguistic appropriateness will assist non-Hispanic healthcare providers to remove personal barriers of cultural and linguistic differences for Texas' Hispanic population. The problem of cultural competence gained national focus during the Civil Rights movement of the '60s. Current research revealed that Hispanics continue to have the worst healthcare outcomes of any minority population. Census data reflecting that Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the population, with Texas having the nation's second largest Hispanic population, make it imperative for healthcare providers to determine methods to improve healthcare for Texas' Hispanic population. A Delphi Technique was used to extract expert opinions from 26 highly qualified, Texas Hispanic healthcare providers regarding the key elements of cultural and linguistic appropriateness for Texas' Hispanic population. The ultimate goal of the research was to determine essential information which would assist non-Hispanic healthcare providers in removing personal barriers of cultural and linguistic appropriateness to the delivery of healthcare services for Texas' Hispanics. Through the approximately 16-month process of the Delphi Technique, the Panel produced 249 distinct elements in 11 groups of cultural appropriateness and 8 groups of linguistic appropriateness. Members of the Panel ranked the groups for importance, indicated the level of agreement/disagreement with each element, and rated each element for its individual importance. This study is important because it is the first time an expert panel of solely Hispanic healthcare providers has spoken collectively about what constitutes cultural and linguistic appropriateness. This research can provide a framework for professional practices, grant providing organizations, or evaluation teams to assess professionals and programs to determine their degree of cultural and linguistic appropriateness. The work can also form the basis for curricula to be used in Texas' healthcare professions preparatory schools or continuing education for practicing healthcare professionals.Item Instructor Competencies Needed to Develop Instructional Strategies for Mobile Learning in Fields of Agricultural Education(2014-02-03) Irby, Travis LeeMobile learning is a fast growing form of technology-based learning. The novelty of mobile learning means educators are trying to understand how to develop instruction for this technological medium. A Delphi study was conducted using a panel comprised of 30 members with expert knowledge across 20 states to determine the competencies needed to develop instructional strategies for mobile learning. The panelists were given a definition of mobile learning developed from a literature review. In the first round, they were asked to list six competencies needed to develop instructional strategies for mobile learning from this definition. In the second round, the panelists were asked to rate 108 statements on a six-point scale. After a three round Delphi, the expert panel reached consensus on 48 competencies needed to develop instructional strategies for mobile learning. The competencies were grouped into seven areas: Communication, Technology, Learning, Course Management and Policies, Course Content, Assessment and Evaluation, and Instructor Skills. Further development of these skills through professional development is recommended, as well as research into creating a framework for mobile learning instruction using these competencies. .Item The Inclusion and Content of an International Agriculture Education Course at the Post Secondary Level: A Delphi Study(2010-07-14) Kingery, ThomasThe purpose of this study was to determine the inclusion and content of an international agricultural education course at the post-secondary level by answering the following research questions: What disciplines of agriculture should be included in an international agricultural education course at the university level?; What competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) in international agriculture are needed by students and should be developed in a course in international agricultural education at the university level?; and How should an international agricultural education class be used in multiple degree programs at the university level?. A three round Delphi procedure was used to solicit expert opinions regarding each of the research questions. The results revealed the most significant disciplines as: extension and education, philosophy, policy, models, program planning, public and private systems, & evaluation; role of agriculture in a developing nation?s economy; social, economic, political issues; and cross cultural communication. The competencies that should be developed identified by the panel were: skills working with other cultures; roles of change agents; environmental, developmental, conservation, sustainability, natural resources issues; extension models; understanding non-governmental organizations; knowledge of basic agriculture; ability to listen, plan and evaluate. The panel suggested the use of such a class in a multiple degree program should be a requirement for a minor in international agriculture. The study found that items not included among the panel consensus were items on practical or technical production practices. Further studies should be conducted to determine if the area of expertise of the panelists focused more on extension since they were in fact more familiar with extension techniques than any other areas, their experiences were based more on educational typology than practical and technical systems, or their placement in those professional positions did not allow them to focus on the skills and trades that were already known to flourish in their geographical region. One recommendation is to develop a more diverse panel of experts that cover more global territory to gain further insight into the research questions. A more diverse panel may bring more variation to the results. A deeper search into the background and identity of each panel member may also be necessary to discover the uniqueness of each expert in gaining diversified responses. If a professional in international agricultural education was in a non-native country and answered the instrumentation questions based on their work in that environment, that may be different than answering the questions based on their activity in a native country. Note: This student obtained a joint doctoral degree from Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University.Item The Residual Effects of Slavery: Clinical Implications for African Americans(2011-08) Wilkins, Erica J.; Whiting, Jason B.; Ivey, David C.; Smith, Douglas B.; Watson, MarleneSlavery and its aftermath have exacerbated a number of challenges that are unique to the African American community. Despite the literature that exists within other disciplines, no published studies within the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) literature has examined the implications of slavery and its residuals on African-American families. The current study explored the residual effects of slavery on African Americans and considered the clinical implications of these residuals. This study used a modified Delphi methodology to answer the following specific research questions: (1) In what ways have African Americans been negatively affected by slavery and its residuals? How can MFTs recognize these negative effects during the course of therapy? (2) How can the resilience of African Americans be understood as it relates to slavery and its residuals? How can MFTs recognize these resiliencies during the course of therapy? (3) What are the best therapeutic practices that MFTs can employ in the treatment of slavery and its residuals? The research consisted of three rounds of data collection in order to obtain information from panelists who have demonstrated an expertise regarding the topic of the residual effects of slavery. Data collection entailed: an open-ended questionnaire, a Likert-scale questionnaire and one round of interviews. Literature suggests that information should be gathered around the following themes: core assumptions about the residual effects of slavery, ways in which these residuals have negatively affected African American clients, implications about the resiliency of African Americans and interventions that MFTs can employ to effectively treat African Americans.