Education Commons^™

Computer Crime: Software Piracy Among College Students, Stephanie E. Stockdale

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

There is a limited amount of research covering the topic of computer software piracy. Few studies focus specifically on software piracy, while the vast majority looks at various forms of unauthorized access and computer hacking. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether students possess attitudes that are supportive of computer-software piracy. Here, attitude means the feeling one has about a certain topic. Operationally, attitude is defined as holding a favorable or unfavorable view of computer-software piracy. Eight research hypotheses are proposed. In order to explore the research question and test the hypotheses, a thirty-six-item questionnaire was administered to …

A Meta-Analysis Of The Effects Of Multicultural Education On The Racial Attitudes Of Pre-K Through Grade 12 Students: A Comparison Of Curricular Intervention And Reinforcement Dimensions In Suburban And Urban Educational Settings, Ogochukwu Nkeiruka N. Okoye-Johnson

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This meta-analysis examined the effects of multicultural education on the racial attitudes of students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade. Multicultural education, which evolved as a direct result of the push for ethnic studies in schools, was operationalized for this study as programs and curricula dealing with racial and cultural diversity.

The findings of thirty selected studies were synthesized in this meta-analysis to examine whether students exposed to multicultural education developed more positive racial attitudes than students who did not. This meta-analysis compared the effect sizes of two dimensions of multicultural education, curricular intervention and reinforcement, to see the relative effectiveness …

A Comparison Of Cognitive Development Between Whites And African Americans Based On William Perry's Scheme Of Intellectual And Ethical Development, Joan Johnson

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study compared cognitive complexity between student groups based on cultural background and academic class utilizing William Perry's (1970) cognitive theory of intellectual and ethical development. In addition, the study examined the influence of gender and socioeconomic status (SES) on cognitive development. The goal was to ascertain whether Perry's theory, developed from his research on a relatively homogeneous college student population without consideration of the impact of a culturally diverse environment, would be valid for culturally diverse students.

The research design employed to investigate cognitive development used a cross-sectional sample of entering freshmen and graduating seniors attending a predominantly White, …

The Effects Of School Uniforms On Student Behavior And Perceptions In An Urban Middle School, Jacqueline M. Mccarty

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Public opinion polls have consistently highlighted the prevalence of violence in America's schools. Specifically, school personnel have witnessed increased assault and theft related to the wearing of expensive clothing. Concomitantly, administrators have noted decreased attendance rates triggered by clothing issues. Given the gravity of these problems, school officials nationwide have enacted uniform policies in hopes of improving school safety and student behavior. However, current research establishing the effectiveness of these policies is largely anecdotal. The few studies utilizing empirical measures mainly highlight short-term outcomes and often fail to address student perceptions regarding clothing-related problems.

By contrast, this study investigated the …

An Evaluation Of An Urban Community College Single Parent And Displaced Homemaker Program, Linda Myers Rice

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of an urban community college Single Parent and Displaced Homemaker program composed primarily of minority women, many of whom were receiving public assistance. The critical dimension of mattering (Schlossberg et al., 1989) formed the conceptual framework for the evaluation.

Program effectiveness, impacts, efficiency and participant needs were assessed. The primary methodology was survey research. A descriptive and a causal comparative study were conducted to determine if there were significant differences in the number of semesters completed and the number of credits taken by program participants when compared to students …

Cultural Adaptability Of Students Attending Culturally Diverse And Non-Culturally Diverse Dental Hygiene Programs, Katrina White Magee

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive investigation was to determine the cultural adaptability of students attending culturally diverse and nonculturally diverse dental hygiene programs throughout the U.S. The dental hygiene schools were identified according to their ethnic diversity as reported by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation in the 1996-1997 Survey of Dental Hygiene Education Programs. Once the programs were identified, a random sample was taken from the diverse and non-diverse dental hygiene programs. A 50-item inventory, the Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI), was mailed to the participating dental hygiene programs. One-hundred eighty-eight students represented U.S. dental hygiene programs in the …

Factors Which Contribute To Successful Schools For Disadvantaged Students: An Exploratory Case Study Of Two Urban Elementary Schools In Norfolk, Virginia, Lula Saunders Sawyer

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

This exploratory case study examines the perceptions of parents, teachers, students and principals on eight factors of school effectiveness. Two low income elementary schools in the City of Norfolk, Virginia served as the research setting for this study. Though both schools consist almost entirely of African American students, and are otherwise similar in demographics, they have achieved at different levels. While one has been recognized as a national model, based on continuous improvement in students' academic achievement, the other has not attained the same level of achievement, based on standardized test scores.

A case study methodology has been used to …

Factors That Affect African-American Enrollment In Urban Agricultural Degree Programs In The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Thomas Earl Tracy

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to determine reasons why few African Americans are in leadership positions in the urban agriculture industry. The lack of leaders will probably continue because there is a dearth of African Americans enrolled in agriculture programs at colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Six research questions guided the study in its endeavor to determine perceptions about the urban agriculture industry. Data were collected through surveys and interviews. A background questionnaire, developed by the researcher collected data on age, academic interests, urban background, exposure to agriculture occupations, and factors that affected selection of college …

The Effects Of Inclusion Of Students With Learning Disabilities On Urban Fourth-Grade General Education Students, Brenda E. Cox

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study examined the impact of fully included students with learning disabilities on the academic achievement and classroom behavior of urban elementary fourth grade students. To achieve these purposes, data were collected by using the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills Multilevel Battery (ITBS) of general education students and students with at-risk profiles, Kaufman Tests of Educational Achievement (KTEA) of students with disabilities, completed Individualized Education Program (IEP) objectives of students with disabilities, report card grades of all students, and referrals to principal for inappropriate behavior of all students. Staff and parent surveys and student interviews were another source of data. …

Cognitive Complexity And Empathy As Predictors Of Leadership Style In An Urban College Student Population, Scott B. Harrison

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The amount of variation in leadership style predicted by cognitive complexity and empathy was investigated. Differences in cognitive complexity and empathic ability according to students' educational levels and leadership styles was also tested. Leadership style was determined by Fiedler's (1967) Least Preferred Coworker (LPC) measure; cognitive complexity was defined by the Cognitive Complexity Index (CCI), a subscale of the Learning Environment Preferences (LEP; Moore, 1987) instrument which measures Perry's (1998) scheme of intellectual and ethical development; and empathy was measured by Hogan's Scale of Empathy (1969) as scored on the Hogan/Em subscale of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI; Gough, 1987). …

An Analysis Of Student Attitudes Toward Old Dominion University's Teletechnet: A Comparison Of Traditional And Non-Traditional Sites, Michael G. Bisciglia

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that shape a student's attitudes toward Old Dominion University's TELETECHNET system. This research utilizes a sample of 238 students enrolled in the TELETECHNET system. An analysis of student responses, based on location, was conducted, to see if a significant difference in the mean attitudes toward TELETECHNET exist between on-site and distance students. Analysis revealed a difference between studio and non-studio students on a variety of factors. This included the respondent's connection to other students, their attitude toward distance education, their willingness to take another TELETECHNET class and their attitude toward the …

Comparative Effects Of Three Methods Of Staff Development In Content Area Reading Instruction On Urban High School Teachers, Mark Alan Forget

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

In researching the role of group interaction and constructivism in three different types of staff development in content area reading instruction with urban high school teachers, a self-report survey instrument was used to ascertain differences between four groups of respondents with regard to respondents' reported levels on four dependent variables. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the degree of statistical significance between mean scores that resulted. Results showed statistically significant differences with probabilities less than .05 for group differences based on the independent variables type of staff development received by respondents, reported support of school administrators for …

A Study To Determine Why Middle School Students Enrolled In Technology Education Classes, David Jr. Locklear

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To answer this problem, the following goals were developed; 1. Determine why students take technology classes as an elective; 2. Determine what specific reasons attracted students to technology education.

A Comparison Of Instructor Professional Development Hours And Student Academic Achievement, Thomas L. Langdon

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to determine if there is a significant positive correlation between Airman Leadership School (ALS) instructors who actively participated in a professional development program and the academic achievement of their trainees.

A Study To Determine The Effect That A Local Recycling Program Had On The Amount Of Household Solid Waste That Was Disposed Of In The Carrollton, Virginia Area, Donald Aubuchon

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following research goals were established to provide guidelines to conduct research and answer the problem: 1. Identify the present amount of recycling that is being done in the Carrollton, Virginia area; 2. Identify the current amount of household solid waste that is being produced in the Carrollton, Virginia area; 3. Identify the specific types of solid waste that are being recycled; 4. Identify how successful the recycling program has been.

A Study To Determine How Total Quality Management Was Being Implemented In The Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Timothy L. Axley

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

This study will determine: 1. To what extent Virginia Beach City Public Schools are following a system of Total Quality Management?; 2. What areas of education have improved due to the use of Total Quality Management?

A Study To Determine The Attitudes Of Full-Time And Adjunct Faculty Members Of The Business Division At Southwest Virginia Community College Toward Technology Training, Loretta Beavers

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to determine the attitudes of full-time and adjunct faculty members of the Business Division of Southwest Virginia Community College toward technology training. The following goals provided direction in this study: 1. What skills do faculty members feel they need to be more effective in using computers to supplement instruction in SVCC's Business Division? 2. What is the individual faculty member's attitude concerning technology training in specific computer software programs? 3. What technology skills do the faculty members think the students of the Business Division's curriculum programs should acquire? 4. What recommendations do Business Division …

Methods Of Teaching Acting, Eric Allen Frenck

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The objective of this paper is to find the critical attribute required to teach acting to beginner-level students, whether it is a specific method of teaching, innovative acting drills used, or the type of classroom environment one must foster. The latter is strongly suspected, as the first two options above are somewhat empirical and possibly, if not readily, available and therefore easily taught to anyone desiring to learn to teach acting.

An Appraisal Of The Accelerated Medical Laboratory Technician Program At Thomas Nelson Community College, Christine T. Gillerlain

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. Does the accelerated MLT program provide the same educational experiences as the traditional MLT program? 2. Does a change to a more concentrated course schedule change the Navy MLT student's opinions about the program in which they are enrolled? 3. What are the major weaknesses and the major benefits of the accelerated program as indicated by the student? 4. How does the student performance compare in the accelerated MLT program with the traditional MLT program as measured by the final grades in Hematology, Blood Bank, Urinalysis, and Immunology?

The Effect Of Informal Training On Performance Support System Utilization, Floyd Graham

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to determine if a Performance Support System is as effective as a Performance Support System in conjunction with informal training in increasing the use of the number of features found in Microsoft Outlook '97, an e-mail and knowledge management application.

The Effects Of Applied Technology Instruction On Mathematics And Science Achievement Of Eighth Grade Students, John D. Hammons

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of he Grafton Middle School technology education program's interdisciplinary activities in improving math and science grades of its students.

Effects Of Fertility On Nutrient Content Of Native Warm Season Grasses, Kelly J. Liddington

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goal of this study was to answer the following question: 1. Does the nutrient content of native warm season grasses vary with differing amounts of nutrients provided by synthetic sources?

A Comparative Study Of The Entry-Level Credentialing Examination Scores Of The Respiratory Therapy Distance Education Students Of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Gay Olsen

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following hypothesis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the distance education program: Students who study respiratory therapy at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College through distance education will score equally to those who study through traditional methods when taking the entry-level credentialing examination.

A Study To Determine The Level Of Job Satisfaction Among Virginia Technology Education Association Members Teaching Middle School Technology Courses, M. Reid Rawls

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. What factors affect job satisfaction levels among middle school technology teachers? 2. What steps should be taken to enhance job satisfaction for middle school technology teachers?

Comparison Of Teacher's Attitudes Of Disciplinary Instances In Technology Education And Teen Living Classes, Danny D. Rhudy

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

In order to properly compare the disciplinary instances of the eighth grade technology classes to the other elective classes, certain objectives must be met. These include: 1. Determine the disciplinary instances of eighth grade students in technology education; 2. Determine the disciplinary instanced of eighth grade students in other elective classes, in this study, teen living will be used; 3. Determine if a significant difference in disciplinary instances exists between grouping methods.

Interest Of Department Of Correctional Education Personnel In Attending Old Dominion University Via The Teletechnet Distance Education System, Dennis D. Traverse

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

This study will determine: 1. If Department of Correctional Education full-time academic teachers are interested in taking the courses required to complete the Master of Science in Education degree with a concentration in correctional education programs via the Old Dominion University TELETECHNET Distance Education Program; 2. What content should be included in the concentration courses for correctional education personnel.

A Comparison Of Aluminum To Ceramic Lap Tools In Optical Lens Surfacing, Derek M. Walls

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if ceramic lap tools produce as high a quality of optical lenses as aluminum lap tools during the surfacing process in eye ware manufacturing, if ceramic lap tools are easier or harder to work with than aluminum lap tools, if ceramic lap tools last as long as aluminum lap tools, and if ceramic tolls are as cost effective as aluminum lap tools.

A Study To Categorize Adult Education Literature Through Donlevy And Donlevy's Template Of Perspectives, Linda A. Mason

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following objectives were established to address this problem: 1. How effectively can adult education literature be categorized by using the Donlevy and Donlevy Template of Perspectives? 2. What recommendations can be made from these perspectives for the teaching of adult education principles?

A Study To Determine Faculty Interest In Using Advanced Instructional Technology To Support Course Offerings At Wytheville Community College, Nancy C. Sexton

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To research this problem, the following goals were established: 1) determine which methods of instructional technology are of interest to faculty; 2) determine the equipment needs of Wytheville Community College faculty; 3) determine the training needs for faculty to integrate technology into course offerings; 4) determine support needs of faculty as they seek new approaches to learning technology.

Virginia Beach Middle School Technology Education Teachers Reinforcing Academic Standards, Stephen L. Baird

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following objectives were established to address this problem: 1. Determine Virginia Beach Middle School Technology Education teachers involvement in assisting students to master Virginia Standards of Learning competencies; 2. Determine the types of assistance that the Virginia Beach Public School system provides to help align the SOL of the academic curriculum with instruction in the curriculum of Technology Education; 3. Determine specific means that teachers have used to integrate the academic curriculum with instruction in the Technology Education curriculum.