Digital Commons Network^™

Relationships Between Non-Linguistic Variables In Second Language Acquisition And The Attained English Language Proficiency Of Taiwanese University Students, Chihming Hsieh

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Second language acquisition (SLA) research, the study of how people learn to communicate in a language other than their native language, encompasses a broad range of questions from a wide variety of perspectives. One of the most widely recognized facts about SLA was that some individuals are more successful in learning a second language than are others (Gass & Selinker, 2001). Students with the same initial linguistic abilities, who receive the same education, even in the same institution, often do not achieve the same linguistic competency levels at program completion (Dornyei, 1998). This phenomenon cannot be explained purely by linguistic …

The Miami Barrel: An Innovation In Forensic Firearms Identification, Thomas G. Fadul Jr.

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The scientific foundation in firearm and tool mark identification is that each firearm/tool produces a signature of identification (striation/impression) that is unique to that firearm/tool, and through examining the individual striation/impressions; the signature can be positively identified to the firearm/tool that produced it. There is no set number of matching striations that are needed for concluding an identification. The inability to identify fired bullets to individual Glock pistols resulted in an in-depth study of Glock's polygonal rifled barrels, which resulted in the manufacturing of the Miami/EBIS Gun Barrel. This research study provided the scholarly research that was needed to determine …

An Assessment Of The Factors That Affect The Level Of "Perception Of Office Politics", Charles U. Phillips

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The culture of an organization is often the primary indicator of the expected and accepted employee behavior. Organizations with weak directives, poor communication, and ineffectively managed cultures are breeding grounds for the negative dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics referred as "office politics." Studies indicate that considerable time and energy are lost to solving problematic issues originating from the influences of office politics in organizations with weak cultural expectations. Therefore, it is conceivable that developing a positive organizational culture that facilitates certain values is an important step in eliminating the ill effects of office politics.

The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental study was …

Middle School Student Responses To Family Health Questions: The Effects Of Family Caregiving On The Education Of Middle School Students With Family Health Issues, Constance T. Siskowski

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

More than currently recognized, family health situations, often compounded with family caregiving responsibilities, affect students' learning and academic performance. Three out of five middle school children (n=3,848) from a large, socio-economically and culturally diverse population sample, responded to the 88-question What Works Survey conducted in 2002, and indicated that someone needing special medical care lived either with them or close by them. Nearly two of five of these students (38.6%) documented that their learning is hindered as a result of their family health/caregiving situation. Among students with family health situations who reported hindered learning, only students who are Asian-Pacific Islanders …

A Study Into Effective Websites Properties As Defined By The Internet Commerce Evaluation Scale In Taiwan, Yue-Jer Lin

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The purpose of this study was to determine the properties shared by effective Web sites in Taiwan. This study applied the Internet Commerce Evaluation Scale (ICES) Web site tool developed by Scheffelmaier and Vinsonhaler in 2002 to assess the quality of commercial Web sites in Taiwan.

This research summarized the studies and research design of properties characterizing successful Taiwanese electronic commerce Web sites. Two Web sites were chosen by the researcher and administered to 100 participants selected from college students aged 18-40 in Taiwan. This study also investigated the correlations between scores. Data analyses were conducted to examine 12 subscales …

The Impact Of Perceived Interactivity And Vividness Of Video Games On Customer Buying Behavior, Yi-Lin Yu

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

About 60 percent of Americans (145 million people) play video games, and the age of 61 percent of all game players is 18 and over (IDSA, 200 1). As the competition to excel in the video game market increasingly becomes difficult for manufacturers, it is becoming more important for manufacturers and video game developers to understand what makes people play and buy games. The major challenge to the gaming industry is to figure out what features of games can catch the consumers' attention. The purpose of this research was to examine what kinds of video games captivate consumers, determine whether …

Cultural Patterns Of Social Engagement Among The Elderly After The Loss Of A Long-Term Spouse: Unwrinkled Passion Or A Withering Of Heart, Tara Saltzman Fleisher

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This study examines the cultural patterns of social engagement among the elderly following the loss of a long-term spouse. Even though the cultural patterns and quality of life of the elderly have changed dramatically as compared with previous generations, there has been little research into the question of how today's elderly cope with their increasing longevity. To establish a framework for analysis, this study identifies four key patterns of social engagement: friendship and companionship, sexuality, community networks, and family interaction.

Using a qualitative methodological approach, the importance of each pattern for coping with the loss of a long-term spouse is …