A dilemma in nursing education involves reducing costs while maintaining quality. Polarity analysis is one way in which nursing educators can deal effectively with this dilemma. (JOW)

Discusses microcomputer-based reformatting of text to help learners with disabilities. Highlights include letter size; spacing; copyright problems; expanding the target audience to make systems more cost effective; writing skills; voice input; and further enhancements, including networked systems and the use of hypertext. (14 references) (LRW)

Describes elderly outreach program designed to identify and provide mental health services to rural elderly. Identifies and describes five referral sources and the assessment, treatment, and referral process. Discusses outcomes in terms of characteristics of persons served, ability of project to identify and deliver mental health services,…

Describes the Cost and Training Effectiveness Analysis (CTEA), a model adapted from military training development that facilitates the systematic definition and evaluation of alternative training approaches. The relationship of CTEA to front-end analysis is discussed and the four phases of CTEA, which lead to selecting the best training solution,…

Discussion of summative evaluation focuses on eight steps involved in the planning process. Topics discussed include client commitment to evaluation; evaluating the training organization; evaluating management training, including appropriate evaluation strategy; institutionalizing the evaluation process so it becomes normal operating procedure;…

Notes that ecological approach to social work, which is directed at interactions of individual with environment, provides framework for examining role that social work can play in home care. Descriptions of programs in several countries illustrate effectiveness of incorporating this perspective into services. Notes results: decreased rates of…

Flexible budgeting can help coordinate and harmonize scarce financial resources in adult education. Budgets can be used as quantitative tools to manage instructional salaries, facilities, supplies, or other program support. (SK)

Comparison of the hospitalization experiences of 36 people with mental retardation under a managed care program model with those not enrolled (n=50) found that patients in the care coordination group had shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions, and were less severely ill upon admission. Costs of care coordination were partially offset by…

Empirically estimates a multiple-product total-cost function and output relationship for United States comprehensive universities. Statistical results for 158 private and 171 public universities find economies of both scale and scope in higher education. Product-specific economies of scope do not exist for all output levels and activities. (28…

School districts are constantly seeking alternative purchasing methods to ease paperwork, lost time, storage problems, and overstocking. A study showed that in large districts, fast-track electronic requisition and online purchasing were most commonly used alternative electronic purchasing methods. Most common nonelectronic methods were direct and…

Problems faced by corporate trainers include the following: (1) no staff; (2) low attendance; (3) trainees' bad attitude; (4) information overload on the Internet; (5) lack of competent staff; (6) convincing the boss of the value of training; (7) making training stick; (8) making training cost effective; (9) training experts to train; and (10)…

Debunks the myths surrounding the use of modular facilities for solving school-budgeting problems. Myths concerning poor modular strength, slow construction speed versus site-built construction, poorer durability and quality, and lack of aesthetic diversity are discussed. Comparative construction characteristics are highlighted. (GR)

Describes a cost-benefit analysis study that resulted in unfavorable financial outcomes and discusses how this result became a learning opportunity for human-performance development/performance-improvement professionals in the organization. Considers failure in organizations and learning from failure. (Author/LRW)

Reviews existing work on establishing value of technical documentation to determine its principles. States that value can be returned by reducing internal investment, increasing sales, and reducing after-sales costs. Argues that further research will improve the understanding of information as the product itself, rather than simply a supporting…

Looks at preventive/predictive maintenance as it is used in industry. Discusses core preventive maintenance tools that must be understood to prepare students. Includes a list of websites related to the topic. (JOW)