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Future Solutions: Integrated Models For Sea And Other Land-Use Decision-Making., Ruth Waldick, David Brunckhorst, Ian Campbelld, Jeff Carmichael Jul 2006

Future Solutions: Integrated Models For Sea And Other Land-Use Decision-Making., Ruth Waldick, David Brunckhorst, Ian Campbelld, Jeff Carmichael

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Since policies should reflect societal values and aspirations, decision-making would benefit from tools that allow consideration of all entities that contribute to, or are affected by decisions. At a minimum, policy should include those key economic, social, and environmental activities taking place within a geophysically relevant area. The barriers that impede the development of integrated modeling programs that try to include many of the processes and outcomes of interest in studying a problem represent a series of common challenges associated with most integrative and cross-jurisdictional projects. Although computer-based modeling and scenario tools can inform the decision-making process, the scope of …

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Uncertainty Management, Spatial And Temporal Reasoning, And Validation Of Intelligent Environmental Decision Support Systems, Miquel Sànchez-Marrè, Karina Gibert, Rick Sojda, Jean-Philippe Steyer, Peter Struss, Ignasi Rodríguez-Roda Jul 2006

Uncertainty Management, Spatial And Temporal Reasoning, And Validation Of Intelligent Environmental Decision Support Systems, Miquel Sànchez-Marrè, Karina Gibert, Rick Sojda, Jean-Philippe Steyer, Peter Struss, Ignasi Rodríguez-Roda

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

There are inherent open problems arising when developing and running Intelligent Environmental Decision Support Systems (IEDSS). During daily operation of IEDSS several open challenge problems appear. The uncertainty of data being processed is intrinsic to the environmental system, which is being monitored by several on-line sensors and off-line data. Thus, anomalous data values at data gathering level or even uncertain reasoning process at later levels such as in diagnosis or decision support or planning can lead the environmental process to unsafe critical operation states. At diagnosis level or even at decision support level or planning level, spatial reasoning or temporal …

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Properties Of Conductance And Inhibition Of Proton Channels: M2 From Influenza A Virus And Fo From Escherichia Coli Atp Synthase, Jeffrey C. Moffat Jun 2006

Properties Of Conductance And Inhibition Of Proton Channels: M2 From Influenza A Virus And Fo From Escherichia Coli Atp Synthase, Jeffrey C. Moffat

Theses and Dissertations

Proton channels are essential for many of the processes of life. The influenza A viral protein M2 is responsible for sensing the conditions necessary for viral RNA release. The proton-translocating FoF1 ATPase (ATP synthase) uses a proton gradient to drive adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. We have directly measured proton uptake in vesicles containing reconstituted M2 or FO by monitoring external pH after addition of valinomycin to vesicles with 100-fold diluted external [K+]. This proton flux assay was utilized to quantify proton flux through single M2 and Fo channels. Contrary to previous reports, proton uptake by M2 was not significantly altered …

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Brand X, A Cross-Layer Architecture For Quality Of Transport (Qot), Gregory Arthur De Hart Jun 2006

Brand X, A Cross-Layer Architecture For Quality Of Transport (Qot), Gregory Arthur De Hart

Theses and Dissertations

Computing devices are commonly equipped with multiple transport technologies such as IrDA, Bluetooth and WiFi. Transport switching technologies, such as Quality of Transport (QoT), take advantage of this heterogeneity to keep network sessions active as users move in and out of range of various transports or as the networking environment changes. Autonomous transport switching technologies rely on information regarding current network status and the ambient wireless environment in order to make intelligent decisions. This thesis proposes Brand X, a cross-layer architecture designed for a QoT environment to provide timely and accurate environment information in order to facilitate autonomous transport switching. …

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Model Studies Towards The Total Synthesis Of Lyconadin A Via An Acyl Radical Cascade Reaction, Koudi Zhu Jun 2006

Model Studies Towards The Total Synthesis Of Lyconadin A Via An Acyl Radical Cascade Reaction, Koudi Zhu

Theses and Dissertations

Lyconadin A is an alkaloid possessing a unique structure and antitumor activity. The total synthesis of Lyconadin A was proposed via an acyl radical cascade reaction. To investigate the possibility and stereoselectivity of the cascade cyclization, phenyl selenoester 16 was chosen as a model substrate to study the 7-exo-5-exo radical cyclization. A synthetic route to phenyl selenoester 16 was developed. The 7-exo-5-exo radical cyclization was found to occur with a high yield and excellent stereoselectivty. Attempts were also tried to synthesize another radical precursor 14 albeit with less success. A synthetic pathway to the synthesis of 14 as well as …

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The Appointment Of Untenured Department Chairs In Two- And Four-Year Colleges In A Western State: Problems And Potentials, Forrest G. Williams Jun 2006

The Appointment Of Untenured Department Chairs In Two- And Four-Year Colleges In A Western State: Problems And Potentials, Forrest G. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This research study explored the appointment of untenured faculty as department chairs in three two- and four-year colleges in one Western state's system of higher education. Eleven untenured faculty serving as untenured department chairs were interviewed using the qualitative methodology of grounded theory to analyze the data collected in the form of interview transcripts. At the two- and four-year colleges studied, an untenured faculty member's potential of achieving tenure does not appear to be negatively affected by serving as department chair before receiving tenure. A central finding in this research study is the presentation of an explanatory model that provides …

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A Dynamic Attribute-Based Load Shedding And Data Recovery Scheme For Data Stream Management Systems, Amit Ahuja Jun 2006

A Dynamic Attribute-Based Load Shedding And Data Recovery Scheme For Data Stream Management Systems, Amit Ahuja

Theses and Dissertations

Data streams being transmitted over a network channel with capacity less than the data rate of the data streams is very common when using network channels such as dial-up, low bandwidth wireless links. Not only does this lower capacity creates delays but also causes sequential network problems such as packet losses, network congestion, errors in data packets giving rise to other problems and creating a cycle of problems hard to break out from. In this thesis, we present a new approach for shedding the less informative attribute data from a data stream with a fixed schema to maintain a data …

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Validating The Rating Process Of An English As A Second Language Writing Portfolio Exam, Robb Mark Mccollum Jun 2006

Validating The Rating Process Of An English As A Second Language Writing Portfolio Exam, Robb Mark Mccollum

Theses and Dissertations

A validity study can be used to investigate the effectiveness of an exam and reveal both its strengths and weaknesses. This study concerns an investigation of the writing portfolio Level Achievement Test (LAT) at the English Language Center (ELC) of Brigham Young University (BYU). The writing portfolios of 251 students at five proficiency levels were rated by 11 raters. Writing portfolios consisted of two coursework essays, a self-reflection assignment, and a 30-minute timed essay. Quantitative methods included an analysis with Many-Facet Rasch Model (MFRM) software, called FACETS, which looked for anomalies in levels, classes, examinees, raters, writing criteria, and the …

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Computation Of Weights For Probabilistic Record Linkage Using The Em Algorithm, G. John Bauman Jun 2006

Computation Of Weights For Probabilistic Record Linkage Using The Em Algorithm, G. John Bauman

Theses and Dissertations

Record linkage is the process of combining information about a single individual from two or more records. Probabilistic record linkage gives weights to each field that is compared. The decision of whether the records should be linked is then determined by the sum of the weights, or “Score”, over all fields compared. Using methods similar to the simple versus simple most powerful test, an optimal record linkage decision rule can be established to minimize the number of unlinked records when the probability of false positive and false negative errors are specified. The weights needed for probabilistic record linkage necessitate linking …

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Parenting Practices In Emerging Adulthood: Development Of A New Measure, Melanie Easley Mckay Jun 2006

Parenting Practices In Emerging Adulthood: Development Of A New Measure, Melanie Easley Mckay

Theses and Dissertations

Given that more and more young people are living at home well into their twenties, and parents no longer see their children as adults until well into their mid to late twenties (Nelson, Walker, Carroll, Madsen, Barry, & Badger, 2006), parents may continue to "parent" for much longer than we have typically believed. Although parenting may still play an important role, little research has been done examining parenting in emerging adulthood, including its correlates and outcomes. As such, there is a need for a measure of parenting that is appropriate for use in emerging adulthood. The current study attempted to …

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Assessing Effects Of Iq On Sociable And Withdrawn Behaviors In Children With Language Impairment, Amanda Lyn Bradshaw Jun 2006

Assessing Effects Of Iq On Sociable And Withdrawn Behaviors In Children With Language Impairment, Amanda Lyn Bradshaw

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of IQ on subtypes of sociable and withdrawn behaviors in children with language impairment (LI). Research has suggested that children with LI are more likely to experience difficulty with social interaction than their typically developing peers (Brinton & Fujiki, 1999; Rice, 1991). The Teacher Behavior Rating Scale (Hart & Robinson, 1996) was used to compare sociable and withdrawn behaviors in 19 children with LI and 19 children with typically developing language. IQ scores for each participant were obtained by administering the Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (Bracken & McCallum, 2003). These …

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Guided Interactive Machine Learning, Aaron J. Pace Jun 2006

Guided Interactive Machine Learning, Aaron J. Pace

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes a combination of two current areas of research: the Crayons image classifier system and active learning. Currently Crayons provides no guidance to the user in what pixels should be labeled or when the task is complete. This work focuses on two main areas: 1) active learning for user guidance, and 2) accuracy estimation as a measure of completion. First, I provide a study through simulation and user experiments of seven active learning techniques as they relate to Crayons. Three of these techniques were specifically designed for use in Crayons. These three perform comparably to the others and …

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Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Blank-Out Overhead Dynamic Advance Warning Signal Systems, Ryan Peterson Jun 2006

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Blank-Out Overhead Dynamic Advance Warning Signal Systems, Ryan Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Advance warning signals installed upstream of a high-speed signalized intersection (HSSI) warn motorists of impending signal changes in an effort to reduce the frequency of red-light running (RLR) and crashes. A new advance warning signal design was tested on an approach to an HSSI in Utah to study the effects of the modified design on motorist behavior. The new design utilized an overhead dynamic blank-out sign and flashers. A state-of-the-art digital wave radar evaluation system was installed at the study site to collect continuous data of vehicle speeds and RLR events by a non-intrusive method. Crash data were collected from …

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Ontology-Based Free-Form Query Processing For The Semantic Web, Mark S. Vickers Jun 2006

Ontology-Based Free-Form Query Processing For The Semantic Web, Mark S. Vickers

Theses and Dissertations

With the onset of the semantic web, the problem of making semantic content effectively searchable for the general public emerges. Demanding an understanding of ontologies or familiarity with a new query language would likely frustrate semantic web users and prevent widespread success. Given this need, this thesis describes AskOntos, which is a system that uses extraction ontologies to convert conjunctive, free-form queries into structured queries for semantically annotated web pages. AskOntos then executes these structured queries and provides answers as tables of extracted values. In experiments conducted AskOntos was able to translate queries with a precision of 88% and a …

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Geologic Map And Structural Analysis Of The Twin Rocks 7.5 Minute Quadrangle, Wayne County, Utah, Samuel C. Sorber Jun 2006

Geologic Map And Structural Analysis Of The Twin Rocks 7.5 Minute Quadrangle, Wayne County, Utah, Samuel C. Sorber

Theses and Dissertations

A new geologic map of the Twin Rocks 7.5 minute quadrangle primarily located within Capitol Reef National Park, south-central Utah, provides stratigraphic and structural detail not previously available. This map has also been instrumental in understanding the evolution and development of fluvial terraces associated with Sulfur Creek and the structural geology of the backlimb of the Miners Mountain uplift. Nine bedrock stratigraphic formations and eight types of Quaternary deposits were mapped throughout the quadrangle. Bedrock stratigraphy ranges in age from Permian to Jurassic. New details absent on previous geologic maps include members of the Chinle and Moenkopi Formations and the …

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To Know The One True God: Reconciling The God Of The Old Testament With The God Of The New Testament, Kelly D. Newman Jun 2006

To Know The One True God: Reconciling The God Of The Old Testament With The God Of The New Testament, Kelly D. Newman

Theses and Dissertations

There is a popular misconception in the world that Jehovah is too severe on occasion while Jesus Christ is always kind and merciful. The Latter-day Saint belief that Jehovah and Jesus are the same person presents a supposed conflict. There has not been much written on this subject by either non-Latter-day Saints or Latter-day Saints, thus, this thesis represents a unique contribution to a common perception prevalent in many Christian circles. The research of this thesis shows that the misconception is based on three problems: first, a misinterpretation of biblical stories in both the Old and New Testament; second, a …

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Effect Of Stay-In-Place Metal Forms On Performance Of Concrete Bridge Decks, Stephen Litster Frost Jun 2006

Effect Of Stay-In-Place Metal Forms On Performance Of Concrete Bridge Decks, Stephen Litster Frost

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to investigate the effect of stay-in-place metal forms (SIPMFs) on the performance of concrete bridge decks in Utah. The research program included six bridge decks with SIPMFs and six decks without SIPMFs, which were all located within the Interstate 215 corridor in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, Utah, and therefore subject to similar traffic loading, climatic conditions, and maintenance treatments, including applications of deicing salts during winter months. All of the tested decks were constructed between 1984 and 1989 using epoxy-coated rebar. Several tests were performed at each of six locations on each …

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Negotiation Through Identification: Elizabeth Tudor's Use Of Sprezzatura In Three Speeches, Alisa Brough Jun 2006

Negotiation Through Identification: Elizabeth Tudor's Use Of Sprezzatura In Three Speeches, Alisa Brough

Theses and Dissertations

Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England, weaves the courtier's strategy of sprezzatura throughout her public orations in order to help her identify with her audience of courtiers, scholars, and politicians. Through her use of sprezzatura, Elizabeth woos her audience and transcends the differences of opinion that lead to conflict between the Queen and her audience members. Using Kenneth Burke's theory of rhetoric as identification, this thesis employs rhetorical analysis in order to discover how Queen Elizabeth's use of sprezzatura enables her to portray herself as a humanist scholar, a political servant, and a dedicated defender of her country and thus, identify …

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Superficial Self-Harm Behavior: Helping Young Women Who Hurt Themselves, Katherine D. Ryan Jun 2006

Superficial Self-Harm Behavior: Helping Young Women Who Hurt Themselves, Katherine D. Ryan

Theses and Dissertations

Roughly 1 to 4% of the population engages in self-harm. Superficial self-harm is reported by more young women, than young men. Appropriate responses from family, friends, and other important individuals are a key ingredient in facilitating recovery. Non-therapists, such as family, friends, and school personnel often wish to assist young women who self-harm, but the problem is complex and they are often unsure of how to respond. Current studies primarily focus on the clinical interventions for self-harm, while very few have investigated the perspectives of the individuals who self-harm. This study investigated the perspectives of young women who self-harm in …

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Integrated Marketing Communications: Branding Plan For Medicare Y Mucho Mas, Javier Camano Jun 2006

Integrated Marketing Communications: Branding Plan For Medicare Y Mucho Mas, Javier Camano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to explain the appropriate and effective use of branding as a vital part of the communication process of an organization. In addition, this project will help identify issues to improve enthusiasm for the use of the brand, help managers become aware of brand loyalty, and show how to measure the effectiveness of the brand.

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Educators' Perceptions Of Collaborative Planning Processes For Students With Disabilities, Nari Carter Jun 2006

Educators' Perceptions Of Collaborative Planning Processes For Students With Disabilities, Nari Carter

Theses and Dissertations

When students with disabilities are included in general education classes, collaboration between special and general education teachers is necessary to ensure that the students have access to the general education curriculum and also have supports that enable them to benefit from their education. This paper reports the results of a phenomenological study that investigated the nature of a collaborative planning experience for pairs of special and general education teachers. From the teachers' descriptions of their experience, sharing common philosophies about educating students with disabilities was an important aspect of successful collaborative planning. Collaboration in this experience was voluntary and was …

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Payback Information: It's Effect On Home Buyers Regarding Energy Efficiency, Steven E. Sparti Jun 2006

Payback Information: It's Effect On Home Buyers Regarding Energy Efficiency, Steven E. Sparti

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to find out how payback analysis would affect consumer decision making with regards to home energy efficient upgrade packages. Three different home plans were obtained from a local builder and seven different energy efficient packages were created. Using Hot2000 the heating and cooling loads were calculated for each building, with each energy efficient package, in each of the four major cardinal directions. The averages were taken and the payback information was calculated. The payback information included the increased cost of the package, the increase in the mortgage payment, the annual savings from heating and cooling bills, …

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Assessing The Safety Impacts Of Access Management Techniques, Jeff S. Lewis Jun 2006

Assessing The Safety Impacts Of Access Management Techniques, Jeff S. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Access management techniques such as raised median installation and driveway consolidation improve safety conditions for motorists. Several locations where these access management techniques have been installed in the state of Utah were selected for analysis of the safety impacts. Although crash rates were not necessarily reduced as a result of the access management techniques, other safety improvements were observed. The raised medians generally reduced the more serious types of collisions, which resulted in a decrease in the severity of crashes. The fatality rates generally decreased as crashes became less severe. Because fatalities and the overall severity of crashes decreased, the …

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Development Of A Variational Part Model Using In-Process Dimensional Measurement Error, Shane A. Carlson Jun 2006

Development Of A Variational Part Model Using In-Process Dimensional Measurement Error, Shane A. Carlson

Theses and Dissertations

To improve the geometric accuracy of CNC machined parts, dynamic machining errors due to on-line disturbances (tool deflection, tool wear, heat deformation, etc.) should be accounted for in some manner. Unless these on-line disturbances are properly handled, it is obvious that a high degree of geometric accuracy is difficult to achieve. Many attempts have been made to compensate for these on-line disturbances such as the development of engineering models; however, the models are not adequate enough for reflecting the real phenomenon and are dependent on continuous process monitoring using a variety of sensors. Closed-loop process control is a scheme for …

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Controversial Politics, Conservative Genre: Rex Stout's Archie-Wolfe Duo And Detective Fiction's Conventional Form, Ammie Cannon Jun 2006

Controversial Politics, Conservative Genre: Rex Stout's Archie-Wolfe Duo And Detective Fiction's Conventional Form, Ammie Cannon

Theses and Dissertations

Rex Stout maintained his popular readership despite the often controversial and radical political content expressed in his detective fiction. His political ideals often made him many enemies. Stances such as his ardent opposition to censorship, racism, Nazism, Germany, Fascism, Communism, McCarthyism, and the unfettered FBI were potentially offensive to colleagues and readers from various political backgrounds. Yet Stout attempted to present radical messages via the content of his detective fiction with subtlety. As a literary traditionalist, he resisted using his fiction as a platform for an often extreme political agenda. Where political messages are apparent in his work, Stout employs …

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Black Liquor Droplet Combustion And Modeling, Warren Benjamin Roberts Jun 2006

Black Liquor Droplet Combustion And Modeling, Warren Benjamin Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Black liquor is an intermediate product of pulp production. Recovery boilers process black liquor to recover the inorganic material for recycling in the mill and to generate electricity and steam for the paper mill. Black liquor droplet combustion rates and mechanisms dictate many aspects of recovery boiler performance. This investigation documents new experimental data on single droplet pyrolysis and combustion in a laboratory furnace that mimics many of the essential features of commercial boilers (temperature, composition, droplet size, etc.). These experiments monitored single droplets placed on a thermocouple wire and suspended from a mass balance. Simultaneous video images and pyrometry …

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The Mechanism Of Assembly Of The G-Protein Beta Gamma Subunit Dimer By Ck2 Phosphorylated Phosducin-Like Protein And The Chaperonin Containing Tcp-1, Christine M. Baker Jun 2006

The Mechanism Of Assembly Of The G-Protein Beta Gamma Subunit Dimer By Ck2 Phosphorylated Phosducin-Like Protein And The Chaperonin Containing Tcp-1, Christine M. Baker

Theses and Dissertations

Phosducin-like protein (PhLP) binds G-protein beta gamma subunits and is thought to assist in assembly of the G-protein beta gamma dimer. Phosphorylation of PhLP at serine residues 18-20 by the casein kinase 2 (CK2) appears to play an essential role in this process. PhLP has also been shown to interact with the chaperonin containing TCP-1 (CCT) atop its apical domain, not entering the substrate folding cavity. However, the physiological role of the PhLP-CCT interaction in G-protein beta gamma dimer formation remains unclear. This study addresses the mechanism of G-protein beta gamma assembly by exploring the specific roles of CCT and …

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Partnering In Practice: A Look At Collaborative Student Teaching, Cynthia J. Horrocks Jun 2006

Partnering In Practice: A Look At Collaborative Student Teaching, Cynthia J. Horrocks

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study examined the experience of two student teachers as they partnered during their student teaching assignment. The relationship which developed between the pair was critical to the success of their experience and allowed them to enjoy several benefits of paired student teaching as well as overcome potential stumbling blocks. The successful experience described in this study demonstrates that paired student teaching can be an effective alternative to traditional student teaching.

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Active Learning In A Large Enrollment Introductory Biology Class: Problem Solving, Formative Feedback, And Teaching As Learning, Diane Flint Robison Jun 2006

Active Learning In A Large Enrollment Introductory Biology Class: Problem Solving, Formative Feedback, And Teaching As Learning, Diane Flint Robison

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to take a case study approach to exploring student learning experiences in a large enrollment introductory biology class. Traditionally such classes are taught through the lecture method with limited instructor-student interaction and minimal student-centered learning (Lewis & Woodward, 1984; Wulff, Nyquist, & Abbott, 1987). Biology 120 taught at Brigham Young University winter semester 2006 by John Bell was chosen as the case for the study due to its large enrollment (263) and its innovative pedagogy. In the classroom, students applied their learning through a variety of student-centered activities including solving problems, discussing concepts with …

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How Parents And Their Adolescent Children "Talk The Talk" In Religious Conversations, Jennifer Yorgason Thatcher Jun 2006

How Parents And Their Adolescent Children "Talk The Talk" In Religious Conversations, Jennifer Yorgason Thatcher

Theses and Dissertations

This study builds on previous research regarding parent-child religious conversations to explore the elements and bidirectional processes of parent-adolescent religious conversations. It employs qualitative analyses of interviews with highly religious parents and adolescents representing the major Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) from New England and Northern California. Variations in content, structure, conversational processes, and bidirectional influence are summarized in a conceptual model. Findings suggest that the quality of conversations is greater for parents and adolescents when they are youth-centered than when they are parent-centered.

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