Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Learner Concerns At The Missionary Training Center In The Technology Assisted Language Learning Program, Elaine T. Lindsay

Theses and Dissertations

Chapelle (1997) states the following as a vital question to be asked with respect to computer assisted language learning, “How good is the language experience in CALL for L2 learning?” (n.p.) In order to truly answer this question, investigators need to look to the learner and his concerns. In planning curriculum or designing a program, teachers and administrators normally look toward learner needs. However, these educators are also known to fully implement a new program, at times, without consideration of learner concerns. This appears to be especially true with the use of technology in the second language classroom. Research is …

Becoming Mormon Men: Male Rites Of Passage And The Rise Of Mormonism In Nineteenth-Century America, Bruce R. Lott

Theses and Dissertations

The evidence presented in this thesis supports a view of the first Mormon men as coming from the agrarian majority of early nineteenth-century American farmers and artisans who embraced a set of manly ideals that differed significantly, in many ways, from those embraced by their middle-class contemporaries. These men's life writings attest to boyhood experiences of working alongside their fathers as soon as they were physically able, and subsequently of acting as substitute farmers and breadwinners as well as being put out to work outside the direct supervision of their fathers. Such experiences enabled them to frequently follow in the …

Agro-Socio-Economic Evaluation Of Three Rural Communities In The Colta Canton Of The Chimborazo Province, Ivan Asaquibay Paucar

Theses and Dissertations

The faculty of natural resources, School of Agricultural Engineering of ESPOCH, with an agreement since 1992 with the Benson Institute of Brigham Young University has been working with the development of small scale production before its diffusion it is necessary to know the real social- economic conditions and the technological levels of the most important harvests of the communities, that when this model is involved in the aspects that affect the production. For this reason this investigation was made necessary in which the following objectives were raised: 1. Evaluate the social-economic conditions of the communities of San Lorenzo of Cahuiña, …

How To Be An Effective Lobbyist: A Handbook, Yolette Cabrini Ross

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this research project was to develop a handbook for novice lobbyists that will acquaint them with the art of lobbying as it applies to the state of New Jersey. The handbook examines the professional relationship that exists between legislators and lobbyists. An analysis of the behavior and practices of lobbyists as they interact with legislators was conducted along with the interacting roles the two professions play in the legislative process. A review of several sources of information such as political science literature, political journals, practitioner essays and several newspaper sources were conducted to supplement the research. …

School Bullying And Group Processes Survey, Margaret Linn

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this thesis is to determine the extent of bullying behavior in a southern New Jersey school as measured by an adapted version of the Olweus Bully Questionnaire. Four hundred seventy-two fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade middle school students were surveyed regarding bullying behavior in their school. The obtained percentages indicate an increase in the trends found by previous research.

Recently, there has been a shift in bullying research from a dyadic focus on the characteristics of the Bully and the Victim to the recognition of bullying as a whole group process, with the majority of children …

From Self To Other In Oliver Stone's Vietnam Trilogy: Platoon, Born On The Fourth Of July, And Heaven And Earth, Hyeong-Min Kang

Theses and Dissertations

As a Vietnam veteran film director, Oliver Stone has made several controversial films on the Vietnam War and the 1950s. Among his filmography, we can categorize Platoon (1986), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), and Heaven and Earth (1993)-Stone's so called Vietnam Trilogy-as the most direct depictions of the war and its aftermath, whereas The Doors (1991), JFK (1991), and Nixon (1995) examine the broader political and cultural dimension of the war and the era. Throughout his Vietnam films, Stone struggles to find the new America's identity by studying the historical meaning of its past events and characters, because …

An Assessment Of Mentoring Functions And Barriers To Mentoring, Kristopher A. Singer

Theses and Dissertations

A study of 91 Coast Guard junior officers and their mentors established the construct validity for mentoring functions and barriers to mentoring. The Air Force relies on supervisors to provide mentoring to their subordinates. The key predictors of whether junior officers report their supervisors as mentors were similarity between mentor and mentee and the quality of the supervisory relationship in terms of LMX and psychosocial and career development mentoring functions. The results demonstrated evidence for a compensatory theory of mentoring. Multiple mentors do not have a synergistic effect on mentoring relationships. The key predictors of reporting an additional mentor (other …

Implementation Of Speech Recognition Software For Text Processing: An Exploratory Analysis, Sean P. Abell

Theses and Dissertations

The rationale behind implementing new information technologies is often to gain productivity improvements associated with the substitution of machinery for labor. However, the literature shows little direct evidence of a positive relationship between information technology investment and subsequent productivity benefits. This thesis reports on the examination into the productivity implications of implementing speech recognition software in a text processing environment. More specifically, research was conducted to compare text processing speeds and error rates using speech recognition software versus the keyboard and mouse. Of interest was the time required to input and proofread text processing tasks as well as the number …

Why Didn’T You Tell Me?: Toward Building A Model Of Why Information Is Not Shared Well In Organizations, Robert C. Kitchen

Theses and Dissertations

The effective use of information in an organization is vital to its success. One of the biggest investments being made today by companies is in their information infrastructures. However, with all of the resources being dedicated to improving information flows, evidence shows that organizations still do not share information as widely as they could or should be. Many studies have been conducted to learn the reasons why people in organizations do not share information as well as would be good. However, no study was found that reported the relative frequency of reported reasons for not sharing information. This paper gathers …

Impact Of Actual Facilitator Alignment, Co-Location, And Video Intervention On The Efficacy Of Distributed Group Support Systems, Brian J. Heberlie, Mary O. Tolbert

Theses and Dissertations

The growth of distributed group support systems (GSS) suggests that organizations will continue to bring dispersed groups of people together to make decisions over computer networks. In many instances those groups are temporarily assembled to address a task and then summarily disbanded never to work together again. In order for users to effectively use the GSS issues of trust and control need to be addressed within the GSS design. Users have perceptions about the fairness of structural and social determinants of the GSS design. These perceptions influence both the decision making process and process outcomes. This article shows the negative …

Affective And Motivational Components Of The Flow State: Rock Climbing Revisited, Helen Hooper

Theses and Dissertations

The affective and experiential components of the flow state, as outlined by Csikszentmihalyi (1975), have served as a basis for research into optimal experience over the past twenty years, and although adjustments have been made by various researchers, the description of the characteristics remain essentially the same. This study used qualitative methods to further explore this area . With the initial aim of enhancing our understanding of the optimal experiences of rock climbing participants, the present study purposefully sampled fifteen informants representative of the range of characteristics found in the setting. Questioning techniques and analysis methods used in this study …

The Spiritual Dimension Of Social Work Practice In And Through Research, Education, And Life Experience, Pauline Kay Burthwick

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years there has been an effort to reintroduce religion and spirituality as tangible constructs into social work education and practice in an effort to incorporate all aspects of the client's system (biological, psychological, social, spiritual) and to understand and appreciate the client's diversity and potential strengths and resources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of social work practitioners as it relates to their social work practice and to the education of future social workers.

This study was composed of two parts. The first was a secondary data …

Racial Encounters In The American Theatre: Whiteness And Eugene O'Neill, Blackness And August Wilson, C̦Iğdem Üsekes

Theses and Dissertations

Relatively few scholars have investigated racial representations in modern American drama. Even fewer scholars have undertaken to analyze depictions of whiteness in American letters, although “white studies” is slowly assuming legitimacy in the academy in the 1990s. “Racial Encounters in the American Theatre” therefore attempts to bridge this gap in literary and critical studies by examining the black portraiture of Eugene O'Neill and the white portraiture of August Wilson. The work of both playwrights attests to their deep and consistent involvement with their Racial Other, who resurfaces in play after play. Maintaining that the United States resembles a postcolonial society, …

Predicting Post-Disaster Adjustment After The Red River Flood: An Analysis Of Resource Loss And Pre-Flood Preventative Behaviors, Holly J. Hegstad

Theses and Dissertations

The Conservation of Resources theory postulates that individuals will act to obtain, retain, or protect those resources that are of value to them (Hobfall, 1989). Natural disasters often result in depletion of resources, the extent of which has been found to be a robust predictor of post-disaster adjustment (Freedy, Hobfall, & Ribbe, 1994; Freedy, Shaw, Jarrel, & Masters, 1992; Norris & Uhl, 1993; Smith & Freedy, 1994). Three-hundred-four victims (131 males, 171 females) of the 1997 flood of the Red River returned surveys assessing their levels of preparation, resource losses, and psychopathology 12 to 16 months after the flood. It …

Social Judgement Tendencies As A Function Of Mcmi-Ii And Cati Personality Variables, Allison Noel Pate

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated relationships between personality styles and judgments of others' personality traits using the Free Response Interaction Procedure (FRIP). FRIP participants were 184 female and 68 male college students, mean age 23.9 years. The FRIP consists of two 25-minute interactive sessions, separated by a week or more, in which a participant interacts with three randomly assigned participant partners. After each session, participants use a seven point likert scale to rate themselves and their partners, and predict how their partners will rate them on 14 personality traits. Participants also independently completed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory - II (MCMI-II) and …

An Environmental History Of The 19th Century Marquette Iron Range, Doug Ottke

Theses and Dissertations

The history of the Marquette Iron Range in the upper peninsula of Michigan is integrally linked to the environment. The natural features of the Marquette Range defined the mode of production on the Range, and conversely, as human systems became more adept in these modes of production they became the most important modifiers of the natural systems.

Settlement on the Marquette Iron Range was closely related to two factors of natural environment: the iron ore formations and the hardwood forest. The distribution of three iron ore formations—principally the Negaunee, but also the Bijiki and other Iron- formations within the Michigamme …

A Study Of Good Practices In Classroom Libraries, Kindergarten Through Second Grade, Michele Boniscavage

Theses and Dissertations

A study of six classrooms was made, two kindergarten, two first grade and two second grade. The purpose of the study, conducted by a school librarian, was to identify and share good practices in classroom libraries. Teachers in an urban district and a suburban district were interviewed about their acquisition methods. Methods of acquisition included book fairs, participation in professional activities, discarded library books, donations, yard sales and school purchases. Students were interviewed about their usage habits, borrowing books, and their favorite books. A description of each library is given including arrangement, displays, furnishing and shelving. The number and type …

Moderating Effects Of Station Isolation On Antecedents And Consequences Of Fraternization, Tonya M. Luther

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to analyze any differences in reported incidents of fraternization based on relative isolation of location. To fulfill this purpose, a variety of types of fraternization cases were reviewed and analyzed. All data extracted was coded across five factors of fraternization and punishment. Statistical tests determined whether differences in fraternization factors were due to common error or to true differences based on relative isolation of location. Seven different hypotheses relating fraternization and location were tested. Statistical analysis showed that reported fraternization incidents are more likely to be of a sexual nature and involve people of …

Workplace Violence: Exploring The Dangers For Air Force Leadership, Shawn R. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The repeated occurrences of workplace violence throughout society today require the Air Force to evaluate its own workplaces and determine if a threat exists. This research explored violence in the workplace and established the possibility that workplace violence can affect the Air Force. Additionally, Air Force Climate Assessment Surveys were evaluated to find information that could be useful in detecting early warning signs of potential workplace violence. A number of examples of violence that occurred within Air Force workplaces highlighted the threat for Air Force leadership. With over 1,680 incidents of workplace violence reported to the AFOSI in a 5-year …

Using Technology To Create Partnerships Among School Libraries And Public Libraries, Karen M. Puckett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to show the benefits of collaboration between school libraries and public libraries with a focus upon how technology was a catalyst in creating those partnerships. Through case study methodology, two elementary schools which are recipients of a wide area network though the public library were examined. The development of the network, the public library's role, and the school staff's perceptions of the service which provides Internet and database access were examined. Advantages such as positive outreach from the public library to an underserved public and provision of otherwise cost-prohibitive databases and electronic reference sources …

The Role Of The Library Media Specialist In The Education Of Learning Disabled Students In Southern New Jersey, Janet W. Lani

Theses and Dissertations

Inclusion has become a major force in education. Special needs students are being placed into regular education because of legislation such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act '97 (IDEA'97). Unlike previous legislation the federal funding for this act may be used in part for teacher training. This inquiry questioned media specialists in elementary schools in the eight southern New Jersey counties about training they had received in educating learning disabled students and any accommodations they have made in their program to better serve these students. It also compared how library is viewed in each school. Library may be a graded …

Continuing Education And New Jersey School Library Media Specialists, Carole A. Mckiernan

Theses and Dissertations

As of January 2000, all New Jersey educators will be required to complete 100 hours of continuing education and professional development every five years of active service. The purpose of this study was to examine the kinds of continuing education activities considered to be the most valuable to school library media specialists. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to seventy-five randomly selected school library media specialists working in public high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools in the 8 southern counties in New Jersey. Data was compared with previous studies examined in the review of the literature. Librarians described professional development …

Reasons For Conducting Creative Writing Programs For Children And Young Adults In Selected Public Libraries, Helen A. Cowan

Theses and Dissertations

This study assessed and analyzed the reasons a selected sample of librarians chose to conduct or not to conduct creative writing programs for children and/or young adults (ages 8-18) in public libraries. Surveys were sent to 100 youth service coordinators in 22 states, with a 67% response rate. Half of the survey recipients were chosen on the likelihood they conducted creative writing programs and the second half were chosen on the basis of geographical location and population served in relation to the first set of libraries. Sixty-one percent of respondents conducted creative writing programs in their libraries, citing literacy promotion …

School-Housed Community Libraries: A Case Study, Catherine E. Dugan

Theses and Dissertations

What factors lead to the formation of a school-housed public library? The purpose of this case study was to investigate the issues involved in combining a school library and a public library into one facility designed to serve all members of the community. Such arrangements generate questions concerning planning, governance, staffing, finances, collection development, and evaluation. A combined school-housed library in Delanco, NJ was studied. Data was collected through literature, interviews, documents, observations, and site visitations. Dr. Shirley L. Aaron's A Study of Combined School-Public Libraries was used to design interview protocols. A site visitation checklist was also developed. Historical …

Library Curriculum Integration: Weighing The Advantages And Disadvantages, Shari L. Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to discover whether or not integrating the library curriculum into the classroom curriculum should be implemented, this study was designed to identify any advantages and/or disadvantages that this procedure may have. Two schools, chosen randomly, from each county in New Jersey were asked to participate. One librarian and four teachers from each school were sent questionnaires that consisted of one double-sided page of multiple choice and open-ended questions. Nine of 42 school library media specialists and 18 of 168 teachers of fifth and sixth grade students responded to this survey. Comparisons were made between responses from librarians …

Analysis Of The Caloric Expenditure Of Students In Middle School Physical Education Classes, Wendy Granum Frappier

Theses and Dissertations

According to the recent Surgeon General's Report guidelines, all Americans including children need to bum a minimum of 150 calories in daily physical activity or approximately 1,000 calories a week to meet minimum healthy activity standards. The purpose of the study was to assess the caloric expenditure of students in middle school physical education classes to determine if they were expending a sufficient amount of calories in physical education classes to meet the minimum healthy activity recommendations. More specifically, the study determined the differences in caloric expenditure and various physical activities, the relationship between heart rate and caloric expenditure, sex …

Modulating Effects Of Time Of Day On Age Differences In Memory Performance: Attention Versus Inhibition, Iwona Chelminski

Theses and Dissertations

Research suggests that some cognitive processes follow a circadian rhythm, and the peak performance periods correlate with individual patterns of physiological arousal. Recent findings in the literature suggest that the optimal time synchrony may modulate the magnitude of age differences in cognitive performance across time of day. The first goal of the present study was to further investigate the so-called “synchrony effects” in younger and older adults. The second purpose was to offer and examine an alternative explanation for the “synchrony effect” phenomenon related to deficits in attentional resources rather than inefficient inhibition. And the third purpose of this study …

Biculturalism And Native American College Students' Performance On The Wais-Iii, Teton Ducheneaux

Theses and Dissertations

Consideration of cultural appropriateness in using Westem-European standardized intelligence measures with Native Americans for clinical and educational purposes has been neglected by professionals in the field of clinical assessment. Some studies suggest the possibility of a “Native American Pattern” on such tests, indicating a consistent, yet little-understood discrepancy. The present study investigated the impact of cultural identification of Native American college students on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III). The study assessed the relationship between cultural identification and cognitive-testing scores between two groups of Native American college students. The first group consisted of off-reservation Native American students attending the …

Nicolas Berdyaev: An Intellectual Journey, Marianna Westbrook Byman

Theses and Dissertations

Nicholas Alexsandrovich Berdyaev, 1874–1948, was part of the historic events that changed the course of Russian history. He lived through them and wrote about them for his entire adult life. Berdyaev not only pondered the agony of Russia's past, but he contemplated the possibilities of Russia's future.

Berdyaev was a deeply Russian thinker, and like Russia, he presented the world with a paradox. Outside of Russia he was perhaps the best known and the most widely read of Russian philosophers, but inside of Russia seldom read and little known. The paradox of Berdyaev extended to his life, his writings, and …

Use Of Humor And Relationship Intimacy, Laura Warrenchuk

Theses and Dissertations

Humor is a unique social interaction that is ubiquitous in everyday life. Humor can serve a number of functions, including ones that may either enhance or detract from social intimacy. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between different uses of humor and intimacy in relationships. It was hypothesized that positive and expressive uses of humor would lead to increases in intimacy within the relationship, whereas negative uses of humor would lead to decreased levels of intimacy.

Undergraduate college students (N = 93) completed the Functional Uses of Humor Scale and the Miller Social Intimacy Scale. Analyses focused …