Digital Commons Network^™

The Development Of Collaborative Relationships Between Disaster Relief Ngos: Barriers And Solutions, Christopher Phillips

Plymouth Business School Theses

Collaborative responses amongst disaster relief NGOs can be more effective in delivering aid when compared with responses conducted individually. Collaboration enables the sharing of resources, expertise, personnel, and funding, resulting in more efficient aid distribution in the wake of natural disasters. However, current research highlights that it is often challenging for NGOs to establish and sustain collaborative relationships due to different barriers. The challenges these barriers cause have been explored in previous research, but limited attention has been given with respect to how these can be addressed. Additionally, there is a lack of understanding of the relationships between these barriers, …

Analysis Of Volatility Between Macroeconomic Variables And Busan Port Cargo Throughput According To Global Risks, Sang Ho Cho

Plymouth Business School Theses

This study investigates how container (BPC) and non-container (BPB) cargo throughput at Busan Port responds to structural shocks in global and domestic macroeconomic variables, and how their relative importance changes over time. The selection of variables was based on a combination of a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and semi-structured interviews (SSI). The econometric analysis applied a stepwise framework, employing cumulative Impulse Response Functions (IRF) and Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD) based on Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) estimations, as well as Historical Decomposition (HD) for specific crisis periods. While IRF and FEVD were used to capture dynamic properties under general …

Predicting Smes’ Credit Risk Using Artificial Intelligence Applications: Evidence From The Uk Smes, Fatima Badi

Plymouth Business School Theses

Financial distress is a state in which businesses struggle to pay their debts, whichfrequently results in bankruptcy or company failure. Small and medium-sizedenterprises are an essential part of economies, making substantial contributions toproductivity growth, innovation and employment. Evaluating financial health iscrucial to preventing possible hardship, reducing systemic risks and ensuring long-term stability because of its significant contribution to national and internationaleconomies.Bankruptcy prediction models play a critical role as early warning systems that enablefirms, lenders and policymakers to identify financial distress at an early stage and takecorrective action before failure becomes inevitable. These warning indicators mayresult from internal issues, such as …

An Investigation Of The Perceived Effects Of, And Preparedness For, Climate Change On Tourism Stakeholders In The North Devon Unesco Biosphere, Mai Albaek

Plymouth Business School Theses

This thesis investigates the perceived effects of climate change and the level of preparedness among tourism stakeholders and local residents in the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere (NDUB), a protected area in southwest England. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study draws on quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with residents, tourism-related business owners, and industry professionals to explore how climate change is understood, experienced, and addressed at the local level. The research is underpinned by stakeholder theory and collaboration theory, which are operationalised to examine the dynamics of climate perception, adaptation, and collective action. Findings reveal that while concern about climate change …

Inward Versus Outward Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth: A Case Study Of China, Xiaoning Chen

Plymouth Business School Theses

The thesis aims to investigate the determinants of IFD and OFDI and their impact on economic growth. To bridge the research gap, this study uses China as a case study and structures three empirical chapters to investigate the relationship between IFDI, OFDI and economic growth.The structure of the study consists of six chapters, the first empirical study uses time series data and applies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) techniques to investigate the determinants of IFDI from 1980 to 2023, aiming to investigate the determinants of China’s IFDI. The findings demonstrate market openness, human capital, inflation and market size are the …

Using Data To Identify Gaps And Improve Institutional Collecting In Public University Archives, Hannah Pryor

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This article describes a project undertaken to assess the university records held by Archives & Special Collections at the University of Louisville. The intention was to identify potential gaps in permanent university records and other university records that fall under relevant collection policies, such as those documenting faculty, staff, and student life. This project included generating a report of accession records in ArchivesSpace, conducting data cleanup, coding qualitative data, creating visualizations, and analyzing findings, with the aim of prioritizing outreach to university units and assisting with future backlog processing and reappraisal. The findings identify ways to improve records management and …

Words That Heal Or Harm: A Narrative Review On Language Use In Nursing Care.", R. Sudha, A.S. Neya

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Challenges In Implementing Digital Health Solutions For Pressure Ulcer Management: A Narrative Review, Shreenidhi Jogi, Elsa Sanatombi Devi, Vishal Shanbhag

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Background: Digital pressure ulcer care solutions are both accurate and well-developed in terms of technology. However, a gap remains between available digital solutions and their use in everyday pressure ulcer care practices. This review aims to summarize the technical, human, and system-level challenges that restrict the effective application of digital health solutions in pressure ulcer management.

Methods: The search was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Studies that reported implementation challenges in their findings were included.

Results: Infrastructure barriers were about more than just having internet access. Issues such as inconsistent system performance and hardware malfunctions …

The Connectedness Between Awareness And Practice Of Waste Control And Recycling In Urban Villages: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study., Nelifer Shreya Ammanna, Jeenal Valine Mendonca, Chethan Kunder, Sushwetha Poojary, Swagath Nayak, Ansuya Ansuya, Mitchelle Shilpa Lewis

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Introduction: Waste management is an increasing problem that occurs globally due to expanding population around the globe. Researchers worldwide are working towards ending this problem that impacts the environment and people's health. The knowledge of the wastes produced and how we manage them is vital for the population to understand; knowing about it and practicing the same will create a ripple effect on the waste generated by the people.

Objective: To determine the condition of the urban villages in terms of awareness and practice of waste management, and to know whether these are interrelated.

Methods: A quantitative approach with …

Knowledge Regarding Cervical Cancer Among Adults Studying In A Selected Institution In Mandya District, Karnataka: A Descriptive Study, Megha Maria Joy, Nikitha R, Anitha Victoria Noronha

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Adequate knowledge regarding cervical cancer, its etiology, prevention, and screening is essential for early detection and reduction of disease burden. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding cervical cancer among adults studying in a selected institution in Mandya District, Karnataka, and to determine the association between knowledge levels and selected demographic variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted among 60 adults selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated structured knowledge questionnaire administered through Google Forms. …

Attitudes Of Nursing Students Towards Paediatric Clinical Learning Experiences, Mamatha S Pai, Sangeetha Priyadarshini, Anusuya Prabhu, Yashoda Satish, Edlin G Mathias

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Background: Clinical practicum is an important component of pediatric nursing education that helps students integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Nursing students’ attitudes toward clinical learning influence their competence and overall learning experience. Factors such as supervision, clinical environment, and staff support play a major role in shaping these attitudes.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of nursing students toward pediatric nursing practice during their clinical placements. Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 261 nursing students (175 pursuing a bachelor’s degree and 86 pursuing a diploma) from a College of Nursing in Manipal, India, between 2018 …

How Do Students Come Across Occupational Therapy And What Makes Them Want To Study Occupational Therapy? Implications For Recruitment, Mette Eg Bruun, Mette Krohn, Sofie Balle Riis, Lene Tanggaard, Tina Helle

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Recruitment challenges in occupational therapy education vary globally. To address workforce needs, it is necessary to examine the factors influencing students’ decisions to pursue occupational therapy. This study investigated how students discovered occupational therapy, what they found appealing about the profession, the influence of study location, and demographic differences between students enrolled in an urban university city and a rural district. Three focus group interviews with 15 occupational therapy students were conducted, supplemented by descriptive statistics comparing student characteristics across urban and rural programs. Qualitative analysis identified five categories: (1) discovering occupational therapy by chance, (2) the power of occupational …

Recalibrating Readiness: Pandemic Impact On Ot Admissions, Bridget J. Hahn, Kajol Patel, Jacquelyn A. Siegel, Jessica Rappaport, Michelle Mcfall-Johnsen, Kia A. Burks

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored shifts in occupational therapy applicant characteristics across two distinct time periods: pre- and post-COVID-19, while also describing admissions policy changes implemented by an urban Midwestern Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. Retrospective data from admissions records from 917 applicants (2017 – 2024) were grouped into pre-COVID (2017 – 2020) and post-COVID (2021 – 2024). Academic, pre-professional, interview, and underrepresented minority (URM) status was compared using independent t-tests and chi-square analyses. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) and research experience increased post-pandemic, while pre-professional experience and interview performance declined. The proportion of URM applicants rose significantly from 8.1% pre-COVID to …

Perceived Impacts Of Confucianism On Placement Experiences Of Hong Kong Pre-Registration Occupational Therapy Students In The United Kingdom, Hin Yuet Li, Sarah Louise Mcginley, Rachel Dadswell, Rachel Houweling

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored the views of Hong Kong pre-registration occupational therapy (OT) students in the United Kingdom (UK) about how Chinese culture influenced their practice placement experiences. Students from diverse cultural backgrounds may encounter various challenges during OT placements, but little is known about how OT students from Hong Kong—where Confucianism traditionally shapes workplace expectations and the hierarchical teacher‑student relationship—experience placements in the UK. Two online focus groups to collect qualitative data were conducted in November 2022 with four participants who were UK-based OT students from Hong Kong (N=8 in total), two facilitators (OT students from Hong Kong, based in …

Effect Of Simulation On Occupational Therapy Students' Self-Efficacy When Preparing For Level Ii Fieldwork, Juliet Steffe, Karen Menard, Angela Gibson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy academic programs provide students with knowledge and professional skills through coursework and clinical skills practice, enabling them to transition successfully into clinical placement. Despite completing multiple semesters of didactic work, students may experience high levels of anxiety and self-doubt when preparing for Level II fieldwork. The problem addressed in this study was the lack of perceived self-efficacy in clinical skills when preparing for Level II fieldwork, leading to the potential for difficulty transitioning from the classroom to the clinic among entry-level occupational therapy graduate students. A basic qualitative study was conducted using focus groups to explore how providing …

Generative Artificial Intelligence Application In Occupational Therapy Education, James Wersal, Justin Mason, Mary Shotwell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is a developing technology within Higher Education Institutions with substantial potential to transform teaching pedagogy, improve individualized learning experiences, and automate administrative functions. GenAI has the potential to bring significant enhancements by advancing adaptive learning interfaces, customized learning materials, and automate administrative support. Despite these benefits, ethical considerations, data privacy, and the risk of over-reliance should be considered prior to using GenAI. The authors highlight how GenAI is supported by adult learning theory and provide practical strategies for incorporating GenAI in the occupational therapy curricula and to support the faculty role. The impact of GenAI on …

Entry Requirements As Predictors Of Early Academic Success And Student Performance In Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Education, Eileen Du Plooy, Daleen Casteleijn, Denise Franzsen, Gopika Ramkilawon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The selection process for health sciences programs such as occupational therapy is complex, involving a combination of academic and non-academic selection criteria as entry requirements. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of entry requirement variables on academic performance during the first and second year of an undergraduate occupational therapy program in South Africa. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was utilized, and the sample included 129 first- and second- year occupational therapy students. Data was collected retrospectively through educational data mining of university records and institutional dashboards. The variables analyzed included National Senior Certificate Grade12 (NSC12) grades (Mathematics, Life Sciences, …

Effective Teaching Behaviors Of Adjunct Faculty In Occupational Therapy Education: Perspectives Of Students, Adjuncts, And Core Faculty, Kayla Collins, Marian Gillard, Christine Davis, Kirsten Davin, Barbara M. Doucet, Bridget Scheidler

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Adjunct faculty constitute nearly half of the higher education workforce in the United States, yet they often receive limited preparation and institutional support for their teaching responsibilities. In occupational therapy education, where rapid program expansion has heightened reliance on adjunct instructors, understanding which teaching behaviors are most valued is critical to ensuring instructional quality, student success, and professional readiness. This study examined perceptions of effective adjunct teaching behaviors in a doctoral occupational therapy program using the Teaching Behavior Checklist (TBC), a validated 28-item measure of teaching effectiveness. Participants included students (n = 33), adjunct faculty (n = 19), and core …

A Scholarly Exploration Of Teaching Strategies For Learning About Pediatric Sleep, Laura J. Carpenter, Amanda M. Buono

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The occupation of sleep is an area of occupational therapy practice for which many practitioners report a lack of confidence and/or knowledge to properly address. The current study addresses this concern by studying the effects of a learning module on students’ confidence and knowledge to address pediatric sleep. The study used a pre-test, post-test non-experimental design and collected survey responses from 48 entry-level occupational therapy students in three different programs. The lecture portion of the module included content about both assessing and intervening, while the case study emphasized intervention-planning only. Results indicated significant gains in knowledge overall (z = …

Simulation In Occupational Therapy Graduate Programs, Donna Walls, Lillie Thomas, Melinda A. Underwood, Kendall Davis

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to identify the use of simulation in occupational therapy graduate programs. A national survey was analyzed from participants who were faculty members of graduate programs in the United States. The survey questions focused on the characteristics of the simulated experiences, student skills addressed, faculty collaboration efforts, and the debriefing process. Over 1,750 emails were sent to faculty of accredited graduate occupational therapy programs and yielded a response rate of approximately 9.5% from faculty of 80+ programs in 31 states that were included in the responses. Survey data were analyzed with cross-tabulation and statistical analyses, …

Exploring Microaggressions Experienced By Students Of Color In Occupational Therapy Programs: Fostering A Climate Of Belonging, Laurie Knis-Matthews Ph.D., Ot, Sara Frommer Otd, Otr/L, Jacquelyn Pierre Otd, Otr/L, Geena Santomo Otd, Otr/L, Corrine Pineda Msot, Otr/L, Jackeline Artiles Otd, Shaniqua Bradley Ph.D., Lcsw

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Microaggressions, which are subtle and often unintentional acts of bias, continue to shape the educational experiences of students from marginalized backgrounds, yet their nuanced nature makes them difficult to define and address. This phenomenological qualitative study investigated the lived experiences of occupational therapy graduate students of color regarding microaggressions within their academic programs. Using purposeful sampling, five occupational therapy graduate students from various United States institutions participated in individual, semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: It’s Hard to Describe a Microaggression without Using Examples and Explaining the Emotions Behind It; These Microaggressions Had Immediate and Long-Term Consequences on …

Change In Perception Of Cultural Self-Efficacy Among Graduate Students In An Occupational Therapy Academic Program, Emma Edwards, Selena E. Washington, Zidong Zhang

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Culturally responsive care is essential to improving healthcare access and outcomes; however, the extent to which occupational therapy students are prepared to deliver such care remains unclear. Experiential learning embedded within occupational therapy curricula, including fieldwork, is considered a key pathway for developing cultural self-efficacy. This quantitative study examined changes in cultural self-efficacy among graduate occupational therapy students across didactic and experiential learning experiences within a Master of Occupational Therapy program. Using the Multidisciplinary Healthcare Provider version of the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool, perceived self-efficacy across the cognitive, practical, and affective domains was assessed across three cohort-based administration periods aligned with …

Recognizing Excellence: Key Traits, Qualities, And Behaviors Of The Exceptional Fieldwork Educator In Occupational Therapy, Piper Hansen, Lydia H. Schallenberg, Jayde M. Kahn, Jacqueline Rizzi, Ariel Torres

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

All students of occupational therapy enrolled in accredited programs are required to complete Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences. A critical factor in shaping successful fieldwork experiences is the fieldwork educator, who guides clinical learning, models professional behaviors, and supports skill development for practice readiness. Despite the importance of the fieldwork experience, the fieldwork educator, and the impact of the supervisory relationship, there is limited understanding of the unique attributes and strategies that distinguish exceptional occupational therapy fieldwork educators. This study sought to investigate the key traits, qualities, and behaviors of the exceptional fieldwork educator in occupational therapy and …

Scholarship Of Knowledge Discovery In Occupational Therapy Practice Model (Spot-M), Nicole R. Quint, Penelope Cleveland

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Scholarship of Knowledge Discovery in Occupational Therapy Practice model guides occupational therapists, especially those with professional doctorates, in conducting practice scholarship and informing capstone projects. This model shifts the capstone from an academic experience to meaningful practice scholarship, like the dissertation’s role in scientific inquiry. The model highlights collaboration across research, practice, and education, while describing the practice scholars’ unique contributions. As evidence-based practice, implementation science, and healthcare complexity evolve, the importance of practice scholars has grown. The expertise of occupational therapists as practice scholars is pivotal for translating research findings into real-world, often unpredictable contexts; and practice scholarship …

Development Of Soft Skills In Occupational Therapy Education: A Faculty Perspective, John Adkins, Alysha Skuthan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Soft skills, such as communication, emotional intelligence, and response to feedback, are critical for the success of occupational therapy students but are often underemphasized in educational standards and curricula. This qualitative study examined how faculty perceived, defined, and facilitated the development of soft skills during the didactic phase of occupational therapy education. Using a phenomenological design, 12 faculty members from accredited occupational therapy programs participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed six themes: Hidden Skills, Incorrect Assumptions, and What’s Trending addressed faculty perceptions, while What’s Developing, What’s On Us, and Why Does It Matter described faculty responsibilities and strategies to …

Primitive Reflex Integration Training For Occupational Therapy Students In India, Nalini Sripall, Samuel K. Durairaj, Arun Kumar, Suja A. Chandrasekaran

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Primitive Reflex Integration (PRI) is an important intervention for occupational therapists for the treatment of neurological, motor, and sensory processing issues in children. The topic is clinically relevant, yet there is scarce formal education available on the subject for occupational therapists in India. A needs assessment survey was developed and implemented to better understand the knowledge related to PRI of 40 postgraduate occupational therapy students in India. The needs assessment showed that most of the students were aware of PRI but were not consistently using PRI techniques to treat retained primitive reflexes. The participants also noted barriers, such as a …

What Motivates Occupational Therapy Students To Self-Study Anatomy, Samantha Williams, Athena Kirou-Mauro, Kelly Hennessy, Lexi Davidson, Emily S. Ho

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Informed by self-determination theory, this study examined the motivations and preferred learning styles of entry-level occupational therapy students and explored how their perceived anatomy competency related to their academic performance. To investigate this, ninety-seven occupational therapy students completed a reflective assignment through which they set anatomy self-study learning goals. Self-study learning approaches were categorized, and the relationship between student perceived anatomy competency and academic outcomes (i.e., anatomy quizzes, term grades) was analyzed. When examining self-study learning approaches, students favored computer assisted instructional tools (n = 75, 77%) and integrated clinical application with their learning goals (n = 52, …

Preparing Clinician-Educators: Otd Students' Perceptions Of An Intraprofessional Teaching–Learning Experience, Dianna Lunsford, Anne M. Moscony, Blair Carsone

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Professional communication and the educator role are essential entry-level competencies in occupational therapy. To date, and to the authors' knowledge, no published study has used an inductive qualitative approach to examine how entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students describe and make meaning of a structured teaching-learning assignment that pairs them with occupational therapy assistant students and casts them in the role of teacher and evaluator. This retrospective qualitative study examined occupational therapy doctoral students' perceptions of a structured peer teaching–learning assignment grounded in the Learning by Teaching framework. Participants included entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students in their final year of study …

Artificial Intelligence: Current Uses In Occupational Therapy Education, Breanna Chycinski, Rebecca Tauber, Brina Crown, Caitlin Noble, Meredith Murphy

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Although artificial intelligence (AI) may be an advantageous tool to enhance learning, its societal impacts are still widely unexplored. This study examined how AI is utilized in occupational therapy master’s and doctoral educational programs by faculty and students, while also investigating how such programs are preparing students to employ AI in ethical and beneficial ways. Through the lens of the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model, this paper examined relationships among occupational therapy students, faculty, their educational environments, and AI. An online survey was distributed to faculty at accredited occupational therapy programs across the United States. Questions included topics such as classroom practices, …

Implementing Entrustable Professional Activities: Evaluation And Insights From Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice Education In Singapore, Heidi, Siew Khoon Tan, Gabriel, Wu-Xin Kwek, Corrine, Kar Ling Hoo, Florence, Wai Fong Cheong, Muhammad Rahizan Zainuldin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Competency-based education is widely adopted in occupational therapy programs, yet translating broad competency frameworks into authentic clinical assessment remains challenging. Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) offer an outcome-oriented approach by integrating multiple competencies into observable clinical tasks. This study evaluated the implementation of a nationwide EPA framework alongside an established competency-based assessment tool within an undergraduate occupational therapy clinical practice education program in Singapore. Guided by the 2018 Ottawa Consensus Framework for Good Assessment, this qualitative evaluation study conducted seven focus group discussions with 18 occupational therapy clinical educators and 12 students who experienced the integrated EPA and competency-based assessment system. …