Digital Commons Network^™

Influences Affecting Career/Life Planning Aspirations As Perceived By Intellectually-Gifted, Ethnically-Diverse Adolescent Girls: A Case Study, Marian H. Warren Edd

Dissertations

With the exception of a few Asian-American women, there continues to be fewer women from ethnically-diverse cultures in high status careers. Yet little is known about the specific variables which affect the life planning and future aspirations of young, gifted black, Hispanic and Pan/Asian women. Studies conducted and reported have focused primarily on white, middle-class adolescents or college students. The importance of this study is the addition to the sparse amount of existing literature related to the influences affecting the future life planning of the intellectually-gifted, ethnically-diverse, adolescent female. The purpose of this case study was to examine and assess …

The Study Of Retention And Leadership: A Process Model Of Turnover, William P. Shine Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect on retention due to the involvement, interaction, and initiatives of leaders. As an ethnographic case study it contrasted the leadership behaviors of three chief executive officers of a medium sized electronics firm. Several conceptual models from the literature were compared and evaluated in order to construct a model of the turnover process with leadership as one of the contributory variable. Extensive use was made of biographic data, archives, interviews, and surveys of present and former employees. Individuals throughout the organization and the chief executive officers were personally interviewed. Leadership initiatives …

Interdisciplinary Research Methodology For Secondary Level Social Studies: A Teaching Unit Concerning The Holy Shroud Of Turin, Melinda K. Blade Edd

Dissertations

In the past decade, numerous educational leaders have been critical of the quality of achievement of the educational system of the United States. Declining scores on standardized tests and the Scholastic Aptitude Test, illiteracy and the inequality of educational opportunities for America's youth were a few of the concerns documented by educational leaders. In an effort to correct some of the existing problems, reform measures have been delineated by various commissions and educational authorities. The use of interdisciplinary curriculum, particularly in Social Studies, was among the suggestions for improving the quality of education. The purpose of this study was to …

A History Of Catholic School Education In San Diego County, California, From 1850 To 1936, Teresa Baksh Mcneil Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to research, present, and thus to preserve, information concerning Catholic school education in San Diego County from 1850 to 1936. The historical method of research was the research methodology utilized in the study, in which the author primarily investigated original documents stored in religious archives. The author details the thirteen Catholic schools that came into existence during the time period; describes the background and arrival in San Diego County of the seven religious communities that conducted the various schools; and portrays the early leaders responsible for the growth and development of Catholic education in …

Understanding Individual Political Behaviors In Organizations: Instrument Development And Validation, Gloria E. Bader Edd

Dissertations

Organizational politics impacts decision making, leadership, policy implementation, change, and individual effectiveness. Although generally acknowledged as a reality of organizational life, political behavior is misunderstood, certainly a highly sensitive topic and furthermore, scholarly literature decries the paucity of empirical research on the topic. Consequently, the purpose of this research was to design and validate an instrument, in the in-basket simulation format, that measures an individual's political effectiveness. The instrument's proposed purpose was the exploration of an individual's political behavior for two reasons: (1) as a new research tool to facilitate quantitative and qualitative research; and (2) as a developmental activity …

An Analysis Of Perceptual Differences And Congruities Between California Community College Chancellors And Presidents In Multi-College Districts Regarding The Decision-Making Role Of The Presidents, Jeanne Davis Atherton Edd

Dissertations

Purpose This study was designed to provide foundational information concerning the perceptions of California community college chancellors and presidents in multi-college districts, regarding the presidents' decision-making role, at both the college and districtwide levels. Factors pertaining to the chancellors and presidents' professional background, and to district characteristics were reviewed for possible relationships to perceptual congruities and differences. Methodology Survey research methodology provided the basis for the design of the study. Eleven district chancellors and 28 presidents responded to a 24 item, two level Likert-type instrument and a professional background questionnaire. Demographic information on each of the participating districts was obtained …

Factors Associated With Success Of Resource Development Programs At California Community Colleges, Paula Jane Jenner Edd

Dissertations

This study was designed to provide information concerning the extent to which California community colleges have incorporated a resource development function and which programs have been most successful in generating external voluntary support. Program features were examined to identify factors associated with success. A survey research methodology was utilized to determine the extent to which resource development programs operate in all 70 community college districts in the state. There were 68 resource development programs reported from the survey. Of the respondent programs, 13 were identified as successful as judged by the success criteria of (a) the ratio of a three …

A Comparative Study Of The Attitude And Knowledge Of Suicide Between High School Students And High School Teachers, Karen Lee Clark Edd

Dissertations

The researcher in this study sought to examine the comparison of the attitude and knowledge of suicide of high school students with the attitude and knowledge of suicide of high school teachers. The investigation will yield results which will be utilized for the purpose of developing a greater understanding of the attitude of both populations. The results will be analyzed with the prospects of utilizing this information for the preparation and formulation of effective suicide prevention and intervention programs at high school campuses. This study, which extended from November, 1985 through March, 1986, was conducted in four high schools in …

A Descriptive Correlational Study Of The Decision-Making Patterns Of Nurse Practitioners In Primary Care, Rosemary Goodyear Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the decision-making patterns of nurse practitioners and the relationship between this cognitive process and their personal characteristics and dimensions of employment. Since nurse practitioners are a major group of providers of primary care, they are faced with increasingly complex patient care decisions regarding the health management of these patients. The premise that the decision-making process is influenced by factors within the individual and the work environment formed the basis for this investigation. The determination of the significant relationships among these variables was pursued for the expansion of knowledge and the practical applications …

The Use Of Computer-Assisted Instruction In A Biblical Studies Course: A Case Study, Joseph P. Gallen Edd

Dissertations

One purpose of this case study was to determine the effect of the introduction of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) materials upon students' learning ability in a college Biblical studies course. Another purpose was to gather information from students with regard to their attitudes toward CAI and its effectiveness in learning the course material. A third purpose of the study was the design of CAI materials using a general application software package. The data base and word processing functions of a general application software package were adapted for CAI in the Biblical studies course. The CAI components employed in the Biblical studies …

The Involvement Of Parents Of Educable Mentally Retarded In Their Children's Educational Programs In Saudi Arabia, Ebrahim A. Fouzan Edd

Dissertations

The major purposes of this study were to identify the involvement level of parents in their EMR children's education in Saudi Arabia, and to investigate the effect of selected demographic variables on the parents' level of involvement. Subjects were (N=338) male parents of EMR boys and (N=252) female parents of EMR girls enrolled in EMR schools in Saudi Arabia. The study design was based on a questionnaire developed to identify the level of involvement of parents at school, with other parents, at home, and in the community, and to investigate the effect of selected demographic variables on parental involvement. The …

Adolescents With Learning And Behavioral Handicaps As Behavior Modifiers, Suzanne Fitch Edd

Dissertations

Groups have been taught to use behavior modification procedures to train individuals with mental handicaps, including individuals who themselves have mental handicaps. This study extended the previous work in this area in three ways: (a) a new group, namely adolescents with learning and behavioral handicaps, was taught to use behavior modification skills; (b) these adolescents were trained to perform a more extensive role as behavior modifiers than has previously been demonstrated for mentally handicapped individuals; and (c) generalization of the behavior modification skills was examined across tasks and individuals. Assessment was made of the effectiveness of the adolescents' training as …

Leader Communication And Organizational Culture: A Field Study, Shay Sayre Edd

Dissertations

Corporate culture, the object of considerable media attention since 1980, has been identified as an important consideration for improving performance. While the literature points to vision as a key element for building a productive culture, it does not sufficiently address the communication process used by leaders to transmit their vision. This research looks at the leadership and communication aspects of culture, exploring the extent to which the leader's ideology influences the behaviors of organization members. Conducted in a $30 million Southern California company of 225 employees, the study focuses on a female general manager who, in the founder's absence, has …

A Study Of The Influence Of Logo On Locus Of Control, Attitudes Toward Mathematics, And Problem-Solving Ability In Children In Grades 4, 5, 6, Barbara W. Lewinter Edd

Dissertations

This study was designed to determine the influence of the Logo computer environment on locus of control, attitudes toward mathematics, and problem-solving ability. An experimental design was employed to test whether students in grades 4, 5, 6 who studied Logo showed more positive attitudes toward mathematics and scored higher on locus of control measures than a control group. The intact non-equivalent control group design was employed. The experimental group of 174 youngsters studied Logo for 12 weeks. Ninety-eight youngsters comprised the control group. Differences between groups pre and post Logo training were tested using two instruments, "A Study of Attitude …

Attitudes Of Principals Toward Written Composition Research And Instructional Leadership Practices Associated With Effective Writing Programs, Patricia R. Parlin Edd

Dissertations

One purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of principals toward recent research findings concerning the teaching of writing. The second purpose of this study was to assess attitudes of principals toward the instructional leadership practices which would be essential to the management of an effective school-wide writing program. Subjects were (N = 180) elementary and secondary principals from San Diego County, California. The questionnaire used for this study, "Principals' Attitudes Regarding Written Composition," and the interview schedule were developed by the researcher based on a review of the literature. Fiftyeight percent of the questionnaires were returned with …

Media Services In Higher Education: A Delphi Study For The 1990s, David Alan Tiedemann Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to predict the nature of future higher education media services in order to provide decision making information for use in long-range planning by instructional technologists and academic administrators. The study's objectives were: (1) to obtain expert opinion regarding future media services; (2) to identify innovative media services and applications of instructional technology; and (3) to provide researcher recommendations for implementing innovative instructional technologies. The methodology used was the Delphi technique. Data collection sites were selected in two ways. First, 16 schools identified in the literature as innovative users of instructional technology made up the …

Miracosta College: The First Fifty Years, Sharalee Cressaty Jorgensen Edd

Dissertations

The objectives of this study were to record the history of the college and to describe and interpret the leadership behavior of various people in the college in order to determine where the leadership, power, and authority resided at various times throughout the history; record and interpret the marker events that punctuated the birth, growth, and development of the college during its 50-year history; analyze the interrelationship of marker events and leadership behavior in the growth and development of the college; and, describe the distinguishing characteristics that make MiraCosta College MiraCosta College. An historical research design, focusing of local history, …

The Effects Of Clinical And Traditional Supervision Methods On The Satisfaction Levels Of Higher And Lower-Order Need Teachers, George James Cameron Edd

Dissertations

The researcher in this study sought to examine the relationship between clinical and traditional supervision models and teacher need strength. The problem that this study addressed can best be stated in the form of a question: What (if any) effect does clinical and traditional supervision have on the satisfaction levels of higher and lower-order need teachers? The study which extended from October, 1983, through February, 1984, was a field experiment conducted in fifteen school districts in southern California. The sample consisted of 157 teachers--74 supervised via clinical methods and 83 by traditional approaches. The study also included 10 clinical and …

The Effects Of Participation In A Student Development Mentoring-Transcript Program On Freshmen University Students, Thomas John Cosgrove Edd

Dissertations

The purposes of this study were: (a) to determine the effects of participation in a Student Development Mentoring-Transcript Program on freshmen University students, (b) to ascertain the perceived value of participation in such a program for University students, (c) to develop recommendations regarding the implementation of mentoring-transcript programs at colleges and universities, and (d) to determine areas for further research on this topic. Subjects for the study were randomly selected from the 1982 Freshman Class at the University of San Diego. Mentors were selected from among faculty, administrators and professional staff members at the University. The study employed an experimental …

Kindergarten Admission Procedures In Independent Schools With Suggested Guidelines, Barbara B. Judy Edd

Dissertations

The purposes of this research were to (a) define the procedures used in evaluating children for admission to independent school kindergartens, (b) to investigate selected variables and ascertain their significance in the admissions process and, (c) to formulate guidelines for assessing applicants to independent school kindergartens. Subjects were 119 randomly selected independent school admissions officers and 11 professors in universities in the United States. Data were gathered from the subjects through a 25 item survey instrument designed by the researcher. The chi-square statistical analysis procedure was used to measure the significance of differences between groups on the research questions. The …

The Transition Process In Office Automation And Its Impact On Clerical Workers: A Case Study, Judith Turnbull Green Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study the transition process of office automation and its impact on clerical workers. The objective was to provide computer-naive managers with recommendations on factors to consider when managing the office automation change process. The topic was investigated using a case study approach. The setting was a large, multi-function, research-oriented, urban university on the west coast. Data were gathered through interviews, observations and examination of documents. Twenty-five clerical workers (representing different segments of the campus and having experience using different types of computer-assisted office equipment), who had experienced the transition process of office automation, …

Attitudes Of Teachers And Administrators Toward The Handicapped In Malaysia And Implications For Teacher Training And Program Development, Rachel Mathews Edd

Dissertations

The primary purposes of this study were to investigate the attitudes of teachers and principals based on demographic and experiential variables and to make recommendations for teacher training and program development based on the results of the study. Subjects were (N = 450) elementary schoolteachers and (N = 30) principals from the state of Selangor in Malaysia. The Attitude Toward Handicapped Individuals Scale (ATHI) and a personal data questionnaire including two open-ended questions related to the treatment of the handicapped and categorical preferences for exceptionalities were used in this survey research. Ninety-two percent of the questionnaires were returned with 87% …

A Study Of The Organizational Effectiveness Of The Academic Senate For California Community Colleges, Gail Prentiss Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. The four major objectives were: describe the historical development of the Senate; determine the effectiveness of the methods by which the Senate provides for community college faculty to participate in academic and professional governance; determine the effectiveness of the Senate, as understood by the membership and others with whom it interacts, in meeting the purpose and goals which the organization and relevant others have established for it; and, interpret the impact of the Senate on its environment. The method of study was …

The Identification Of Spanish-Speaking Children With Speech And Language Handicaps: An Analysis Of Current Assessment Practices In Speech And Language Therapy Programs With Proposed Assessment Guidelines, Lawrence Joel Mattes Edd

Dissertations

Problem The objectives of this study were (1) to examine the procedures used by speech-language pathologists in identifying Spanish-speaking students with speech and language handicaps, (2) to determine the extent to which practicing speech-language pathologists are qualified to conduct these evaluations, and (3) to develop a comprehensive set of assessment guidelines. Procedure A 27-item survey instrument constructed by the researcher was distributed to 408 individuals in Los Angeles County, selected from the 1980 membership directory of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the 1981 directory supplement. A total of 285 (69.85%) of the surveys were returned, but 44 of these surveys …

The Role Expectations For The Division Director Of Education Of Seventh-Day Adventists : As Perceived By Seven Status Groups Within The Church, Timothy Vaughan Gorle

Dissertations

Problem: One of the most important and costly services provided by the Seventh-day Adventist Church is education. With a rapidly growing membership overseas and new nations sprouting up almost overnight, the need for adapting and fitting the Adventist educational mold to church school systems in these new nations is crucial.

In this context, the Division Director of Education appears to play a vital part, yet his role has not been clearly delineated. It is with a view to ascertaining what his role should be, that this study has been undertaken.

Method: The respondents drawn from eight overseas divisions as well …