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An Evaluation Of The Cvlt-Ii Substitution On The Wms-Iv Amongst A Mixed Clinical And Nonclinical Population, Jessica Holster, Christine Corsun-Ascher, Traci Olivier, Charles Golden

Archives of Assessment Psychology

The Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) is one of the most commonly used psychological measures in clinical practice and research. The newly revised fourth edition (WMS-IV) has recently been published, and introduced a novel substitution rule in which scores from the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLTII) may replace WMS-IV subtest scores for Verbal Paired Associates (VPA) I and II subtests for the ease of administration. Yet, the validity of this substitution remains unclear. The purpose of the paper was to determine if the replacement of CVLT-II scores for WMS-IV scores affects WMS-IV index scores, thus affecting subsequent analyses and …

Note On Truncated T Scores In Discrepancy Studies With The Child Behavior Checklist And Youth Self Report, Steven Thurber, William P. Sheehan

Archives of Assessment Psychology

There is an extensive literature on discrepancies between adult informant ratings of symptom severity on the Child Behavior Checklist and ratings by children and adolescents on the Youth Self Report. This article presents an elaboration of a caveat against the use of T scores and for employing raw scores in statistical analyses related to such discrepancies. The T score transformation on these instruments is truncated resulting in reduced variability; this in turn may affect comparability of T scores with data based on the full range of variation. Children and adolescents (N = 236) responded to the items of the Youth …

Residential Grief Camps: An Initial Phenomenological Study Of Staff Perspectives, Tiffany B. Brown, Thomas G. Kimball

The Qualitative Report

Research has focused primarily on the impact of death on family functioning and the stages and tasks of grief, though little attention has been given to grief camps or the experiences of those who work there. This study explored the experiences of staff at a four-day overnight children’s grief camp. Eight participants reported their experience of camp in two major categories: connection to others and independence in grief and five themes. Camp provides the opportunity for campers to connect to others while finding their own path to healing. Clinical implications and future research directions are also discussed.

Conversing Life: An Autoethnographic Construction, Christopher N. Hoelson, Rod Burton

The Qualitative Report

This autoethnography is a constructed account of a co-exploration into the nature and effects of a longitudinal dyadic conversation process from a relational constructionist perspective. The conversations, between me as participant autoethnographer and a co-participant, aimed at maximising personal learning for both. Through co-created contexts of mutual engagement and respectful presence, we were able to focus our learning on the spontaneous process and content of the conversations. The qualitative data were sampled purposively from diary entries summarizing the conversations which spanned a period of five years. The data were analysed into themes and together, with selected illustrative examples of significant …

Using Realist Synthesis To Develop An Evidence Base From An Identified Data Set On Enablers And Barriers For Alcohol And Drug Program Implementation, Barbara Hunter, Lynda Berends, Sarah Maclean

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this paper is to show how “realist synthesis” methodology (Pawson, 2002) was adapted to review a large sample of community based projects addressing alcohol and drug use problems. Our study drew on a highly varied sample of 127 projects receiving funding from a national non-government organisation in Australia between 2002 and 2008. Open and pattern coding led to the identification of 10 barrier and nine enabler mechanisms influencing project implementation across the sample. Eight case studies (four demonstrating successful implementation; four demonstrating less than successful implementation) were used for depth exploration of these mechanisms. High level theories …

Conducting Qualitative Data Analysis: Reading Line-By-Line, But Analyzing By Meaningful Qualitative Units, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

In the first of a series of “how-to” essays on conducting qualitative data analysis, Ron Chenail points out the challenges of determining units to analyze qualitatively when dealing with text. He acknowledges that although we may read a document word-by-word or line-by-line, we need to adjust our focus when processing the text for purposes of conducting qualitative data analysis so we concentrate on meaningful, undivided entities or wholes as our units of analysis.

Program Evaluation Of A Dropout-Prevention Academy, Kendra W. Harvin Green

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation study evaluated a dropout-prevention program in a South Carolina school district. The dropout problem was identified by school and district administrators and discussed at county board meetings among community members, faculty, and parents of children attending school in the district. A dropout-prevention program was implemented 3 years prior but, had never been evaluated.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Dropout-Prevention Academy program. The study determined how the program design matched effective dropout-prevention programs described in the literature; stakeholders’ (e.g., teachers, administrators, and parents) perceptions of the program; and any changes that occurred in student …

The Effects Of Suitability And Readability Of Printed Health Information Materials On A Sample Of Black Diabetic Patients In South Florida, Katia Dardompré Chamberlain

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to explore the effects of suitability and readability of printed health information materials on a sample of Black diabetic patients in South Florida to determine if the printed health information materials they were given were composed at an appropriate reading level between sixth and eighth grade and were culturally suitable.

The researcher developed a survey instrument and an interview instrument to determine the participants’ viewpoint on diabetic printed health information materials that they were given. Furthermore, the researcher gathered 10 diabetic printed health information materials that the participants were given and applied the Simple Measure …

An Evaluation Of A University’S Adult Learners’ Support Services At Off-Site Community Learning Centers, Gloria Stamps Smith

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide administrators and service providers at the subject historically Black institution with information about the extent to which student support services (SSS) meet students’ needs and achieve the goals of the administrators and service providers. SSS included registration, advising, counseling, and financial aid services at selected off-site community learning centers.

Participants for the study included a population of undergraduate adult learners 25 years of age or older attending off-site community learning centers in Mississippi. The adult students were enrolled in programs related to education.

Components of Stufflebeam’s context, input, process, and product program evaluation …

Training And Evaluating Teachers To Implement Best Practices In Community-Based Instruction, Faustina A. Quist

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation study was designed to train and evaluate teachers to implement best practices of community-based instruction (CBI) in a special-education school. The researcher employed quantitative and qualitative measures to assess the extent to which the participants implemented the knowledge and skills acquired during the training.

The researcher implemented training on best practices for CBI, based on andragogical learning theory. Phase 1 involved 10 weekly sessions with 3 different teams from middle school, high school, and upper school. Phase 2 focused on the application and demonstration and involved 2 classroom and community observations and feedback for each teacher.

The …

Novice Principals’ Perceptions Of Effective Leadership Practices And Their Principal Preparation Programs, Melissa Y. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine novice principals’ perceptions of effective leadership practices and the elements of their principal preparation program that prepared them for the role of school leader. A mixed-methods study was utilized by the researcher to gather quantitative data through the use of an online survey and to gather qualitative data through subsequent focus-group interviews to address the proposal’s three research questions: (a) What are the differences (if any) between the perceptions of novice elementary, middle, and high school principals regarding the five instructional leadership practices identified by Kouzes and Posner (2003; i.e., challenging the …

Explanatory Style And Innovativeness: Use Of Web 2.0 Tools In Education, Michelle Rogers-Estable

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

People may have either a more positive or more negative explanatory style, and their explanatory style consequently leads to behavior choices. Explanatory style may be a primary intrinsic factor underlying optimistic or pessimistic attitudes that directly affect technology adoption by faculty. Research has already found some links among optimism, positive attitudes, and technology adoption. This dissertation therefore analyzed the relationship between explanatory style and individual innovativeness among higher education faculty as measured by the use of emerging Web 2.0 technologies in higher education with the intent to better understand how optimism and pessimism affect choices to use technology in education. …

Determining The Relationship Between Employee Morale And Management Practices Of An Organization In The Aerospace Industry, Balenda F. Fulton

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The applied dissertation was designed to measure employee morale and to examine the relationship between employee morale and employee perceptions of the effectiveness of the morale intervention and management practices. The managers of the repair facility at an organization in the aerospace industry disputed the accuracy of the results of the 2008 company survey that indicated the majority of employees had low satisfaction levels with the work environment and managers. In 2009, the managers of the repair facility implemented an employee morale-intervention program to increase employees’ satisfaction levels and ultimately improve worker morale.

A correlational design was utilized to explore …

Effects Of An Extended-School-Year Summer Program On The Language-Arts Achievement Of At-Risk Students, Jeffery S. Zito

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of the study was to improve the reading and writing skills of underperforming students in Grades 3 through 5 at an elementary school located in the northeastern United States. Proficient literacy skills are essential for future academic success (National Early Literacy Panel, 2009). Because acquiring literacy skills is a prerequisite to the attainment of all other academic skills, learning to read is considered a necessary foundational ability by researchers (Krezmien & Mulcahy, 2008; Lo, Wang, & Haskell, 2009; Murphy, 2004). The problem addressed in this study was that, in the 2004-2005 to 2006-2007 school years, a mean of …

Developing A Recognition Program To Boost Teaching Faculty Morale At A University In Belize, Bernard Kelvin Watler

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study investigated the level of morale and the nature of the current recognition program/policies at the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS) at a major university in Belize. The main objective of the study was to answer the following research questions:

1. What is the overall level of lecturer morale at the FMSS as well as the components of morale?

2. How adequate is the current level of recognition received by lecturers for their contributions to the FMSS?

3. What is the relationship between lecturers‘ recognition and morale?

4. To what extent do lecturers believe that a comprehensive …

An Investigation On Self-Esteem And Battered Women In A Shelter In Belize: A Guide To Treatment Intervention, Dorla E. Rosado

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem investigated involved the increasing numbers of reported cases of domestic violence in Belize between 2000 and 2009. As a result of this situation, the purpose of this applied research was to investigate the self-esteem of battered women who access the services of a shelter in Belize. This first of its kind study in Belize provided baseline data on the self-esteem of battered women to guide the development and implementation of treatment intervention for the women. Key to developing any treatment intervention is that the format is based on data-driven evidence that indicates how battered women in the shelter …

Analysis Of Factors Related To Successful And Nonsuccessful Trio Talent Search Participants Pursuing A Postsecondary Education, Natalie M. Powell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation sought to identify possible causes of why some TRIO Talent Search program participants were successful in enrolling in postsecondary education and receiving financial aid, whereas others were not. Data-collection instruments that were used in this applied dissertation study included focus groups, personal interviews, self administered surveys, and follow-up letters. Other data sources included a Student Tracker for Outreach Programs and the Application for Federal Student Aid website.

The primary circumstance that temporarily impeded the persistence of TRIO participants was finance. Findings indicated that most of the reasons students had withdrawn from their postsecondary studies were out of …

Service Learning And Student Organization Initiatives: Facilitating Leadership Among Graduate Students, Veronica Jackson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The coordination of service learning experiences can play an important role in the leadership development of allied health professionals. Potential allied health professionals can benefit from participation in service learning and co-curricular activities that relate to their curriculum. Peer mentorship can be utilized to facilitate student engagement in co-curricular activities that can assist in the development of leadership skills, technical skills, and other skills required for their profession. The purpose of this article is to identify a leadership model that can be utilized through student organizations in allied health profession education. One model that can be used to facilitate leadership …

Culture Shock: Transitioning From Clinical Practice To Educator, Leamor Kahanov, Lindsey Eberman, Adam Yoder, Moti Kahanov

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Transitioning from doctoral preparation to the academy is a stressor for most new faculty, particularly among academicians in the medical and health professions where role strain may include clinical responsibilities as part of faculty load. The proliferation of clinical doctorates and terminal clinical allied health degrees has increased the need for both traditionally trained educators, but also faculty with clinical doctorates or terminal clinical degrees (CDF) to augment the curriculum. CDF may not have the background in academia typically acculturated in a traditional doctoral degree. A lack of socialization during clinical doctoral preparation may lead CDF to develop unrealistic expectations …

Students’ Academic Motivations In Allied Health Classes, Trent Maurer, Deborah Allen, Delena Bell Gatch, Padmini Shankar, Diana Sturges

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Human Anatomy & Physiology [HAP] courses are considered “difficult” by both faculty and students, and many students fail to pass the courses. An attempt was made to understand how students’ academic motivations may contribute to their success or failure in these courses. Method: The project used a non-experimental design with a convenience sample. Students in five sections of HAP I and HAP II were invited to complete an anonymous 42-item questionnaire that included an adapted version of the Academic Motivation Scale [AMS], six demographic questions, and eight questions about their academic behaviors in and perceptions of their HAP course. …

The Effectiveness Of A Ninth-Grade Mentorship Program For Increasing Reading Comprehension, Yolanda M. Tucker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation compared 50 Grade 9 students’ reading and English language arts performance before and after a mentoring program focused on reading. There were no instructional support programs at this high school that could assist struggling students in the area of reading and English language arts. This high school mentoring program was implemented during the 2008–2009 school year to help students in areas such as oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension in response to a growing number of Grade 9 students failing the state’s annual reading assessment. Foundational reading skills are needed to succeed in all subject areas. …

Effects Of Participative Leadership On Teacher Job Satisfaction, Rachaniphorn Ngotngamwong

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

With the astronomical rates of teacher turnover caused mainly by teacher dissatisfaction, school administrators are currently faced with the big challenge of retaining teachers. This problem is faced worldwide, and one of the main factors of teacher dissatisfaction is the lack of their participation in school decisions. The purpose of this study was to examine if a relationship existed between participative decision-making processes and teacher job satisfaction. A quantitative cross-sectional survey research design was used to examine two research questions: 1. To what degree is the practice of participative leadership perceived by schoolteachers in private schools in Bangkok, Thailand? 2. …

A Preliminary Examination Of A Program That Provides Free Blood Glucose Testing Meters, And Subsidies On Test-Strips To Adult Diabetics, Cecil White

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to conduct a preliminary examination of the effects of the provision of free glucose testing meters, and test-strips subsidies on blood glucose control among diabetics. The study examined whether there was any impact on the frequency of testing, and whether there was a correlation between the frequency of testing and blood sugar control, as measured by HbA1c tests.

The researcher conducted a study of the program using a quasi-experimental design, and used the Glucose Monitoring Patient Questionnaire to compare the results between a test group and a control group of participants. Independent t tests were …

The Effect Of Principal Leadership On New Teacher Retention Rates, James A. Avila

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide increased knowledge of the effect of principal leadership on new teacher retention. When compared to other mobility rates, the new teacher attrition rate is higher; new teachers leave the school systems at faster rates than they can be replaced (Darling-Hammond & Sykes, 2003; Ingersoll & Smith, 2003; “NEA Study,” 2005; “Support new teachers and keep them teaching,” 2005; Watkins, 2005). The failure to retain new teachers often results in fewer quality teachers and poorer levels of instruction (Brown & Wynn, 2009). This study speculates that principal leadership, specifically instructional leadership, directly affects new …

Students’ Perceptions Of Bullying And The Impact Of Lessons On Pro-Social Behaviors And Bullying Prevention, Jia Borror

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to increase fifth-grade students’ perceptions and knowledge of bullying, adult assistance, and bystander behaviors. The researcher developed a survey to assess students’ perceptions and knowledge of bullying prior to 3 months of interventions, which included lessons and activities on pro-social behaviors and bullying prevention. The goals of the intervention were to increase knowledge of bullying, enhance students’ interpersonal skills through character education, and increase the seeking of adult assistance and bystander responses. The research site was an urban, public elementary school in southeast Florida. The study focused on the following research questions:

1. What …

Effects Of A Middle Grade Family-School Partnership Program At A Southeastern Charter School, Fayette Nick

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a middle grade family-school partnership program at a southeastern charter school that served students in kindergarten through Grade 12. In 2009, the state charter school advisory board surveyed parents of students in kindergarten through Grade 8 and found that parental involvement decreased drastically after Grade 5. The state board advised the school to develop a plan of action to increase parental involvement in Grades 6 through 8. It was decided to implement a family-school partnership program in the middle grades. The program was guided by Lueder’s (2011) self-renewing partnership …

An Elementary-To-Middle School Transitional Program And Its Effect On Student Behavior, Kyle Sheer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The transition from elementary to middle school has proven to be difficult for all stakeholders. Reports of increased discipline infractions and truancy, combined with a noticeable drop in overall student achievement, have resulted in numerous attempts to ease the anxieties and frustrations that are characteristic of this transition. Schools often establish transitional programs to prepare incoming middle school students with the skills needed to be successful in a new educational environment. Transitional programs are often very expensive to operate and require an extensive amount of planning. This program evaluation considered 1 specific transitional program that took place during the summer …

The Effects Of A Mentoring Program On Minority Student Science Achievement, William J. Belle

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to test the theory that a comprehensive science mentoring program would help low income, minority, and other at-risk students improve their attitudes toward science and their test performance in science in Grade 5. The study research questions focused on (a) How did mentoring improve achievement in science? (b) What evidence illustrated whether those students mentored in science showed improvement in perceptions or experiences? (c) How did the students’ attitudes and appreciation change by the end of the mentoring program?

The researcher used an experimental research design for a single group. The design included pretest-posttest. Participants …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A School-Wide Discipline Program For African American Male Students, Sterling A. White Jr.

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-wide discipline program in lowering referrals and suspensions of African American male students in Grades 3-5 in an urban elementary school in southeastern United States. The student body was 99% African American (48% African American male), and 82% of the student body received free or reduced-priced breakfast and lunch through the district’s nutrition program. At the time of this study, the school served 560 students in prekindergarten through Grade 5. The school-wide discipline program, Consistency Management and Cooperative Discipline (CMCD) focused on five themes: (a) prevention, (b) caring, …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Student Life Skills Courses In The Social And Academic Integration Of Community College Students, Lourdes M. Perez

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to determine if Student Life Skills (SLS) courses impact the social and academic integration of community college students. Additionally, due to the unique demographics of the student population of the research setting, this study also examined if factors such as native language, income and employment workload impact the social and/or academic integration of students enrolled in a community college.

The writer developed an instrument using the Institution Integration Scale (IIS) consisting of 30 items constructed to assess the dimensions of academic and social integration. The instrument requires respondents to indicate their involvement with faculty, staff, …