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Action research which considers performance indicators within an English polytechnic is outlined, with emphasis on the analysis of course monitoring, review and validation documentation. Extracts from an interim research report are presented, together with related conclusions and recommendations.

The purpose of this scoping literature review was to identify and consolidate all available theories and methods for cold case homicide evaluation, solvability and priority ranking that would serve to guide a broader exploratory study and future research.

The paper presents the findings of a scoping literature review. The review forms part of a broader exploratory study. The scoping literature review sought to identify reported evidence from the extant literature in identifying and defining key concepts relevant to cold prioritisation. It also sought to identify any knowledge gaps relevant to the scoping review question.

The review suggested that internationally, there is a wide variance and inconsistency in the processes, methods and criteria used by policing agencies to evaluate and prioritise cold cases for investigation. Despite this, there were four themes that could be regarded as [parameters for future cold case research: cold case evaluation and review, prioritisation methods, solvability and prioritisation systems and tools. The review revealed several gaps in the literature. No papers could be found discussing the allocation of individual priority rankings based on any kind of weighted criteria system or model. Further, no information could be found in the available literature on any automated systems, online tools, algorithms, or applications utilised when evaluating or prioritising cases.

The research results are limited in that it is possible that relevant extant literature exists that was not discoverable using the scoping review search strategy.

The paper is a part of a broader exploratory study that seeks to develop a framework for cold case prioritisation that, in a time where public scrutiny has increased, has increased transparency with clearly articulated criteria for evaluation and process.

This paper assimilates the extant literature associated with cold case evaluation and prioritisation and presents a summary of themes and gaps in knowledge that informs future research.

Early stages of research concerning the implementation and evaluation of performance indicators within academic quality‐control procedures of an English polytechnic are described. The related perceptions of one distinctive group participating in validation/review processes – the course “Rapporteurs” – are considered before possible further developments of this qualitative illuminative enquiry are outlined.

One possible management response to problem drinkers is the introduction of referral and treatment policies; other possible responses would be to tolerate them, dismiss them or try and screen them out through an intensive recruitment process.

Since the first Volume of this Bibliography there has been an explosion of literature in all the main areas of business. The researcher and librarian have to be able to uncover specific articles devoted to certain topics. This Bibliography is designed to help. Volume III, in addition to the annotated list of articles as the two previous volumes, contains further features to help the reader. Each entry within has been indexed according to the Fifth Edition of the SCIMP/SCAMP Thesaurus and thus provides a full subject index to facilitate rapid information retrieval. Each article has its own unique number and this is used in both the subject and author index. The first Volume of the Bibliography covered seven journals published by MCB University Press. This Volume now indexes 25 journals, indicating the greater depth, coverage and expansion of the subject areas concerned.

In‐service provision in England and Wales is increasingly a partnership between local education authorities and higher education, moving away from the traditional domination by higher educational institutions. The early stages are described of an initiative involving collaboration between both sectors for the benefit of educational managers in higher education, LEAs or schools, planning, providing or participating in similar endeavours.

Introduction In Britain, personnel management had its origins in welfare work at the turn of the century. This fact seems to have been a source of embarrassment to many personnel managers; in their view it contributed substantially to their “soft” image, long held by production and sales members of senior management. Certainly a number of academics have argued that the personnel function could only achieve a position of some authority and status in organisations when its activities had moved substantially beyond the welfare function. Accordingly, personnel managers must have heaved a sigh of relief when welfare work appeared to have largely faded from the scene from the 1950s. However, at least one article in the mid 1970s has argued that this retreat from welfare work was more apparent than real, and that the welfare role was in the process of being rediscovered.

Recent developments in alcohol policies provide tangible signs that major strands of personnel policy are beginning to merge (concern for welfare, corporate efficiency and joint determination through collective agreement) as indicated by a survey of alcohol policies carried out in Britain.

The creation of the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) was part of a range of measures to make the NHS more patient‐centred. The purpose of this paper is to present a critical analysis of PALS through examining the impact on major stakeholder groups.

The paper starts by examining the drivers for reform and the significance of PALS in the wider policy context. Key issues for implementation are then discussed including access to information, independence, cultural change in the health service and relationships with the voluntary sector. Research literature on the provision of advice in health care settings is drawn on.

Taking a critical perspective, the paper argues that the current model of PALS can never succeed in bridging the gap between users and the health service and will end up merely defending service interests. It concludes by arguing for an alternative model of development based on fostering strong partnerships with the community and voluntary sector.

This paper highlights critical issues for service development and delivery, including examining the impact on service users and the voluntary sector.

PALS is a very significant development in the health care provision, operating at the interface between the service and the public and yet its development has attracted little critical comment. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the new service and proposes an alternative model of development.

Cash flow forecasting is an indispensable tool for construction companies, and is essential for the survival of any contractor at all stages of the work. A simple and fast technique of forecasting cash flow accurately is required, considering the short time available and the associated cost. Seeks to examine this issue.

The paper argues that instead of producing an S‐curve that is based on historical projects combined (state‐of‐the‐art is based on classifying projects into groups and producing a standard curve for each group simply by fitting one curve into the historical data), here the attempt is to produce an individual S‐curve for an individual project. A sample of data from 50 projects was collected and 20 criteria were identified to classify these projects. Using the most influential criteria, a multiple linear regression model was created to forecast the programme of works and hence the S‐curves. A further six projects were used to validate and test the model.

The results of the model developed in this paper were compared with previous models and evaluated. It is concluded that the model produced more accurate results than existing value and cost models.

The paper proposes an alternative and novel approach to the development of standard value and cost commitment S‐curves. This approach is based on a multiple linear regression model of the programmes of works.