PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore changes in the test items in the preparation book for the national qualifying examination. Test items which developed in the year 2000 and 2004 through nationwide faculty workshop in Fundamentals of Nursing were examined. METHOD: Test items for the national qualifying examination for 2000 and 2004 in Fundamentals of Nursing were analyzed using frequencies and percent. RESULTS: The test items for the national qualifying examination for 2004 in Fundamentals of Nursing showed an increase in the number of test item over the year 2000. According to McGuire's taxonomy, domains of the test items in 2000 were recall(65.1%), interpretation (22.0%), and problem solving(12.9%) in that order. In 2004 items for the recall domain(74.7%) increased 9.6% above the level of 2000, and interpretation and problem solving domains showed a slight decrease. With regard to type of test items, the proportion of A type in 2004 was the same with 37.6% as 2000, and that of K type(61.5%) increased by 0.7% over the year 2000(60.8%). CONCLUSION: The test items for the national qualifying examination of 2000 and 2004 were not different except for the increase in the number of test items.
Classification ; Education ; Nursing* ; Problem Solving

PURPOSE: In 2002, extended-matching type (R-type) items were introduced to the Korean Medical Licensing Examination. To evaluate the usability of R-type items, the results of the Korean Medical Licensing Examination in 2002 and 2003 were analyzed based on item types and knowledge levels. METHODS: Item parameters, such as difficulty and discrimination indexes, were calculated using the classical test theory. The item parameters were compared across three item types and three knowledge levels. RESULTS: The values of R-type item parameters were higher than those of A- or K-type items. There was no significant difference in item parameters according to knowledge level, including recall, interpretation, and problem solving. The reliability of R-type items exceeded 0.99. With the R-type, an increasing number in correct answers was associated with a decreasing difficulty index. CONCLUSION: The introduction of R-type items is favorable from the perspective of item parameters. However, an increase in the number of correct answers in pick 'n'-type questions results in the items being more difficult to solve.
Discrimination (Psychology) ; Education, Medical ; Licensure* ; Problem Solving

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship among hesitation factor of questions, critical thinking disposition, and problem solving. METHODS: Data were collected from 370 students at a university in D city using a structured questionnaire from April 1 to April 15, 2015. It was analyzed with frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analysis. RESULTS: Subjects scored an average of 2.62+/-.52 for hesitation factor of questions, 3.53+/-0.42 for critical thinking disposition, and 3.44+/-0.44 for problem solving. There were significant differences in the three variables according to satisfaction with major, self-expression, and interpersonal relationships. In addition, hesitation factor of questions exhibited a significant difference between genders. Hesitation factor of questions had a negative relationship with critical thinking disposition (r=-.23, p<.001) and with problem solving (r=-.34, p<.001). In addition, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between critical thinking disposition and problem solving (r=.69, p<.001). CONCLUSION: In order to improve critical thinking disposition and problem solving, we need to generate a lot of questions to the student's inside. We also need to develop appropriate teaching methods so that this can be expressed by the actual question coming from the control hesitation factor of questions.
Humans ; Learning ; Problem Solving* ; Teaching ; Thinking*

Environmental pressures from such sources an economic condition, the government and inter-institutional competition create managerial challenges. Economic pressures may be forcing dietetic dept, in hospital to utilize cost, benefit analysis to assist them in their problem solving. Cost, benefit analysis have been widely used in business, industry and many other fields with only limited application to foodservice. Due to the lack or this information the purposes of this study were to identify use of cost, benefit analysis in hospital foodservice system to evaluate the economic efficiency of alternatives, and to make recommendation for operation system change. Using the cost?benefit method, cash flows are separated into cost and benefits. For an alternative to be selected, indicators, such as NPV, benefit-cost ratio (B/C ratio) with 5% discount rate per annum. The sensitivity analysis was also conducted with difference rate 3%, 7% respectively and reduced employee payroll change. The result of this study can be summarized as follows : 1. The total cost of investment for operation system change was 390,570 thousand won and the total benefit through operation system change was 865,808 thousand won. 2. Net present value(NPV) for 5 years was 475,239 thousand won and benefit-cost ratio was 2.22. 3. In sensitivity analysis with different discount rate 3%, 7%, benefit-cost ratio was 2.25, 2.18 respectively, with total reduced employee payroll change, benefit-cost ratio was 2.86. In conclusion, total benefits were exceeded total costs. Therefore, the project of operation system change in hospital foodservice was found to be economically efficient.
Commerce ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Investments ; Problem Solving

In an effort to evaluate the usage of preceptorship in a department of family medicine, we analyzed the data which gathered during 10 months, from July 1990 to April 1991. The analyzed results were as follows ; 1. The number of precepting per preceptor was 3.5 during one day. 2. In the clinical learning, the residents needed instruction most frequently in the process for diagnosing the problems of their patients. 3. For the purpose of evaluating the teaching behavior of preceptors, we asked to 21 residents and 8 preceptors of the department who experienced the preceptorship for responding a questionnaire, which contained 30 questions. Residents perceived that the most contributable teaching behavior was "deals with students in a friendly, outgoing manner". Preceptors answered that behavior as "emphasizes problem solving approaches rather than solution per se". About the least contributable teaching behavior, residents and preceptors agreed that it was "emphasis on his/her personal research". For further improvement in clinical instruction and its evaluation, it would be necessary to develop a collaborative methodology for clinical instruction and to organize an ongoing professional communication.
Humans ; Learning ; Preceptorship* ; Problem Solving ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Deal with effect of understanding proprietary to development of now pharmaceutical industry, opinions to delay protection of understanding proprietary in pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam and the other countries. Some of measures must be synchronous performed to deploy performing copyright on pharmaceutical industry.
Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; Problem Solving ; Drug Industry

PURPOSE: This study was done to analyze core competencies affecting critical thinking ability of student nurses. Core competencies investigated in this study were problem solving ability, communication ability and self-directed learning ability. METHOD: Data were collected from a convenience sample of 322 student nurses in 2 provinces during the period from May 21 to June 8, 2007. Critical thinking, problem solving ability, communication ability and self-directed learning ability were measured using the Disposition towards Critical Thinking Scale by Park (1999-a) and the Core Competencies Scale by Lee (2003). Descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients with the SPSS WIN 12.0 program were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the critical thinking according to grade, type of high school, experience with PBL, preference for lecture-based learning, preference for discussion and perceived logicality. The score for critical thinking showed significantly positive correlations with scores for problem solving ability (r=0.54, p=0.00), communication ability (r=0.56, p=0.00) and self-directed learning ability (r=0.54, p=0.00). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that problem solving ability, communication ability and self-directed learning ability are significant factors affecting critical thinking in student nurses.
Communication* ; Humans ; Learning* ; Logic ; Problem Solving ; Thinking*

Accurately understanding the features and connotations of complex engineering problems is an important prerequisite for setting graduation requirements, constructing curriculum and designing teaching contents. By discussing the characteristics of complex engineering problems in the biological industry, this paper explored the demands for undergraduates in Yangtze river delta region, summarized the typical jobs and their requirements, and expounded the connotation of complex engineering problems contained in various typical tasks. On this basis, a gradual curriculum system was constructed, which included multiple stages of conceiving, formation and application, to cultivate the ability to solve complex engineering problems in the major of bioengineering. The curriculum coordinated the implementation of deep integration of industry and education, research feed back course construction, course team and advanced courses building up, professional associations covered all crews and students, supporting the ability training of solving complex engineering problems.
Biotechnology ; Curriculum ; Engineering ; Humans ; Industry ; Problem Solving

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was examine levels of breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and number of breastfeeding problems in early postpartum period and rate of breastfeeding practice at 3 months. METHOD: The total numbers of the study subjects were 139 mothers at postpartum unit and followed by postpartum 1 week and 3 months. RESULT: 1. The mean score of knowledge and attitude and problems toward breast feeding scale were 22.83(SD=5.19), 20.99(SD=3.40), and 9.04(SD=3.59) respectively, indicating low to moderate level according to subjects characteristics, breastfeeding knowledge scores were significantly different by age (F=8.00, p<.001), breastfeeding experience (t=3.26, p<.001) and parity(t=2.39, p<.05), but no difference were found in rate of breastfeeding attitude and number of problems. 2.Rate of breastfeeding practice was 46.5% at three months of postpartum and the breastfeeding practice was significantly different by breastfeeding plan period(X(2)= 13.33, p<.001) and monthly income (X(2)= 3.80, p<.05). 3. Further, breastfeeding practice at 3 months was continuously influenced by number of problems of the breast-feeding(OR=.85) and breastfeeding plan period(OR=2.11) at early postpartum period. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the necessity of maternal support during postpartum period to provide correct information about rate of breastfeeding knowledge and attitude to teach problem solving skills for any breastfeeding problems in order to increase rate of breastfeeding practice.
Breast Feeding* ; Humans ; Mothers ; Postpartum Period* ; Problem Solving

This study was performed to improve the hospital food service in quality and customer satisfaction by using 6-sigma strategy which was processed by DMAIC methods. The research procedure was as follows; analyzing the main causes of customer dissatisfaction of food service by using numerical method, and then finding out the standardized problem solving methods, and finally reforming food service process. The effectiveness of 6-sigma activity was measured by 'food service quality index', 'customer satisfaction index' and 'total food service satisfaction index'. Food service quality index was calculated by adding grade of soup temperature, food service, delivery time, and setting accuracy. Statistical data analyses were completed by using the Minitab Ver. 14. By performing 6 sigma activity, food service quality index was increased from 67 to 79 points (p<0.05) and customer satisfaction index also rise from 73 to 79points (p<0.05). Satisfaction of meals' taste, diverse menu, food setting accuracy, remove of food service, overall food service were significantly improved(p<0.05). The results of capability analysis in food service quality index, customer satisfaction index, and total food service satisfaction index were improved 2.11sigma to 2.49sigma , 1.88sigma to 2.43sigma, and 2.04sigma to 2.47sigma respectively (p<0.05). Therefore this study showed that subjective food service improving process could be measured by objective numerical value which might be used for financial value in hospital management.
Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Food Service, Hospital* ; Food Services ; Problem Solving