Search results

In the summer of 2008, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, on behalf of the CoEE Review Board, engaged the Washington Advisory Group to prepare a review of the Centers of Economic Excellence Program for the period 2003‐2008 with respect to enabling legislation originally passed in 2002 and amended by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2008. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of the program in meeting its statutory goals, not to evaluate the work carried out within the Centers. As part of this process, WAG consultants interviewed over 150 CoEE participants and stakeholders at universities and in the public and private sectors during August through October 2008. This report provides the results of the evaluation.

In this paper, we present the evaluation design for a complex multilevel program recently introduced in Switzerland. The evaluation embraces the federal level, the cantonal program level, and the project level where target groups are directly addressed. We employ Pawson and Tilley's realist evaluation approach, in order to do justice to the varying context factors that impact the cantonal programs leading to varying effectiveness of the implemented activities. The application of the model to the canton of Uri shows that the numerous vertical and horizontal relations play a crucial role for the program's effectiveness. As a general learning for the evaluation of complex programs, we state that there is a need to consider all affected levels of a program and that no monocausal effects can be singled out in programs where multiple interventions address the same problem. Moreover, considering all affected levels of a program can mean going beyond the borders of the actual program organization and including factors that do not directly interfere with the policy delivery as such. In particular, we found that the relationship between the cantonal and the federal level was a crucial organizational factor influencing the effectiveness of the cantonal program.

In this paper, we present the evaluation design for a complex multilevel program recently introduced in Switzerland. The evaluation embraces the federal level, the cantonal program level, and the project level where target groups are directly addressed. We employ Pawson and Tilley's realist evaluation approach, in order to do justice to the varying context factors that impact the cantonal programs leading to varying effectiveness of the implemented activities. The application of the model to the canton of Uri shows that the numerous vertical and horizontal relations play a crucial role for the program's effectiveness. As a general learning for the evaluation of complex programs, we state that there is a need to consider all affected levels of a program and that no monocausal effects can be singled out in programs where multiple interventions address the same problem. Moreover, considering all affected levels of a program can mean going beyond the borders of the actual program organization and including factors that do not directly interfere with the policy delivery as such. In particular, we found that the relationship between the cantonal and the federal level was a crucial organizational factor influencing the effectiveness of the cantonal program.

In this study, a new optimized comprehensive drought index system (OCDIS) was developed based on pressure-state-response (PSR) and random forest (RF). Then the pressure, state, response, and integrated agricultural drought risk were evaluated according to the synthetic-weight variable fuzzy set (SW-VFS) model. Finally, the countermeasures in terms of pressure, state, and response were discussed. The proposed index has been implemented in Qujing, Yunnan Province, China. The results showed that of the 10 indices included in the OCDIS, the four most important indices for agricultural drought risk management are reservoir storage capacity, precipitation anomaly percentage, soil moisture, and per capita annual income. The pressure risk and response risk of Malong are relatively higher than other counties. The integrated results indicated that most counties of Quijng have moderate drought risk. The assessment results are consistent with the actual situation of Qujing. The proposed model provides a scientific and objective way to develop the risk index system of agricultural drought. This study can potentially assist government agencies with information on the most important drought impacts and provide the basis for science-informed decision-making.

In this study, I have provided the first review of recent multilevel developments in the leader– member exchange (LMX) literature and identified fruitful areas for future research. After thoroughly reviewing conceptualization and operationalization in the literature, I summarized
empirical findings at the dyadic, individual within-team, and team levels. I then addressed confusion in conceptualization and operationalization in the literature. I also suggested additional antecedents, moderators, and outcome variables for future researchers to focus on for the expansion
of the nomological networks of the various multilevel LMX constructs. Theoretical implications are discussed.

AbstractThis chapter presents a state agency's approach to developing and improving the self‐assessment and accountability of local progams overseen and funded by a large statewide program. Specifically, a self‐assessment approach to evaluating local tobacco control programs and projects in California is introduced as an example of "empowerment evaluation" in action.

Sugar factory management usually focuses on two important goals: to increase the daily processing capacity and reduce energy consumption. Both targets are connected and cannot be evaluated separately. Many aspects affect this dual target, such as raw juice draft, retention times, process control techniques, equipment capacities, evaporation capability, etc.
How do we overcome the problem to make an assessment easier and not to recalculate many balances repeatedly? This study introduces a comprehensive approach where a model and simulation of the whole sugar process is created and evaluated, involving heat & mass balance sheets, KPI and capacity checks of the main equipment. Software like SUGARSTM is mainly used to calculate an exact model of the sugar plant. However, this study involves a summarized and quick approach to check the status of the process, where, finally, comprehensive data on the evaluation of the sugar process is provided.

Negotiating the Complexity of Context in Evaluation -- Professional and Interpersonal Competencies in an Evaluation Capacity Building Collective Impact Project -- 'Dream big, believe in yourself, and keep moving forward' ManaiaSAFE Forestry School Pilot Kaupapa Māori Evaluation -- The TCS School Program Evaluation -- Leveraging Cultural Humility in the Evaluation Process to Facilitate the Healing of Organizational Trauma -- The Path to the Future -- Reflecting on the cases and looking ahead.

"Designing and Implementing Effective Evaluations provides extensive real-life examples of program evaluations that illustrate the various elements and steps in conducting a successful evaluation. The detailed and diverse range of case studies show the common elements, methods, approaches, and processes of program evaluations, while also demonstrating the way that good evaluators adapt and tailor those methods to the specific characteristics and needs of a given program. The chapters explore the process of problem solving while navigating multiple stakeholders, competing agendas, and varying environments. The book introduces conversations concerning how to adapt evaluation processes and concepts with culturally different individuals and communities. It discusses the role of culture in navigating a meaningful evaluation process when significant cultural differences exist between the evaluator and individuals that make up the organization. The text is a vital resource for postgraduate students in program evaluation courses in Psychology, Education, Public Health, Social Work and related fields"--

A 9-level inverter with a boost converter has been controlled with a fuzzy logic controller and a PID controller for regulating output voltage applications on resistive (R) and inductive (L), capacitance (C). The mathematical model of this system is created according to the fuzzy logic controlling new high multilevel inverter with a boost converter. The DC-DC boost converter and the multi-level inverter are designed and explained, when creating a mathematical model after a linear pulse width modulation (LPWM), it is preferred to operate the boost multi-level inverter. The fuzzy logic control and the PID control are used to manage the LPWM that allows the switches to operate. The fuzzy logic algorithm is presented by giving necessary mathematical equations that have second-degree differential equations for the fuzzy logic controller. After that, the fuzzy logic controller is set up in the 9-level inverter. The proposed model runs on different membership positions of the triangles at the fuzzy logic controller after testing the PID controller. After the output voltage of the converter, the output voltage of the inverter and the output current of the inverter are observed at the MATLAB SIMULINK, the obtained results are analysed and compared. The results show the demanded performance of the inverter and approve the contribution of the fuzzy logic control on multi-level inverter circuits.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) sponsored a controlled evaluation of guardrail delineators. Candidate delineators were compared relative to durability, conspicuity, maintainability, and cost. Guardrail delineator samples from six manufacturers in various shapes, dimensions, and colors were evaluated. The study found no significant differences among the samples based on the environmental and mechanical degradation tests. However, installation and wear issues were observed and noted for one of the candidate systems. Current GDOT standard specifications call for 75-foot guardrail delineator spacing. The conspicuity tests indicate that 100-foot spacing will provide satisfactory conspicuity under certain conditions. Use of 100-foot spacing could lead to significant cost savings if the longer spacing is found to be acceptable in a broad range of situations.