Digital Commons Network^™

Transformation Paradox: A Framework For The Analysis Of Politics In Enterprise Transformations, Cindy S. Miller

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to develop a theoretical framework for the analysis of politics in enterprise transformations using a dialectical analysis approach (Hegel, 1989; Heraclitus, 1979; Pinkard, 1988; Skinner, 1978a, 1978b) and conduct an evaluation of the framework validity. The framework is constructed using a dialectical analysis of concepts stemming from the work of Alford and Friedland (1992) and considers four theoretical perspectives: autocratic, bureaucratic, pluralistic, and cognitive. The framework is then validated by means of qualitative metrics and adherence to critical ideology.

This research addresses the problem that there is no holistic theoretical framework for the analysis …

An Assessment Of Burnout In Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program Directors, Jessica M. Walter, Bonnie L. Van Lunen, Stacy E. Walker, Zahra C. Ismaeli

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Athletic training education program directors (ATEPDs) often manage their time among students, program administration, and patient care.

Objective: To assess the level of burnout in ATEPDs and to determine the relationship between burnout and various demographics of ATEPDs.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Public and private colleges and universities nationwide.

Patients or Other Participants: Two hundred forty-nine ATEPDs of undergraduate athletic training education programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Intervention(s): We administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to all participants.

Main Outcome Measure(s): The MBI consisted of 21 items assessing 3 characteristics of burnout: emotional …

Perceptions Of Ethical Behaviors: A Survey Of Human Service Professionals, Tammi F. Milliken, Edward S. Neukrug

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

In addition to helpers' moral obligation and professional commitment to treat clients in an ethical manner, enhanced consumer knowledge of ethically correct helping relationships has increased the need to recognize potential ethical dilemmas and have the skills to respond appropriately. This article describes the development and results of an updated survey of human service professionals' perceptions of ethical behavior. The results may be used to assist in the revision of the NOHS Ethical Standards and inform ethics education.

Alchoholism And Intimate Partner Violence: Effects On Children's Psychosocial Adjustment, Keith Klostermann, Michelle L. Kelley

Psychology Faculty Publications

It is widely recognized that alcoholism and relationship violence often have serious consequences for adults; however, children living with alcoholic parents are susceptible to the deleterious familial environments these caregivers frequently create. Given the prevalence of IPV among patients entering substance abuse treatment, coupled with the negative familial consequences associated with these types of behavior, this review explores what have been, to this point, two divergent lines of research: (a) the effects of parental alcoholism on children, and (b) the effects of children's exposure to intimate partner violence. In this article, the interrelationship between alcoholism and IPV is examined, with …

Multiple Imputation To Correct For Measurement Error In Admixture Estimates In Genetic Structured Association Testing, Miguel A. Padilla, Jamin Divers, Laura K. Vaughan, David B. Allison, Hemant K. Tiwari

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objectives: Structured association tests ( SAT), like any statistical model, assumes that all variables are measured without error. Measurement error can bias parameter estimates and confound residual variance in linear models. It has been shown that admixture estimates can be contaminated with measurement error causing SAT models to suffer from the same afflictions. Multiple imputation (MI) is presented as a viable tool for correcting measurement error problems in SAT linear models with emphasis on correcting measurement error contaminated admixture estimates. Methods: Several MI methods are presented and compared, via simulation, in terms of controlling Type I error rates for both …

Obstacles In Investigating The Role Of Restructuring In Insightful Problem Solving, Ivan K. Ash, Patrick J. Cushen, Jennifer Wiley

Psychology Faculty Publications

In the present article, we articulate three assumptions underlying theories proposing that restructuring processes play a key role in insightful problem solving: representational difficulty, representational change, and discontinuity in solution processes. We argue that these assumptions need empirical validation to justify the proposition of restructuring mechanisms that are unique from those involved in classic information-processing theories of problem solving. To this end, we review some theoretical and methodological obstacles that are inherent in the investigation of the existence and nature of restructuring processes. We then offer some recommendations on how to overcome or avoid these obstacles in future studies. Finally, …

Behavioral Couple Therapy: Partner-Involved Treatment For Substance-Abusing Women, William Fals-Stewart, Wendy K.K. Lam, Michelle L. Kelley

Psychology Faculty Publications

Among the various psychosocial interventions presently available to treat alcohol and drug abuse, it could be argued that partner-involved treatments are the most broadly efficacious. There is not only substantial empirical support for the use of couple-based treatments in terms of improvements in primary targeted outcomes, such as substance use and relationship adjustment, but also in other areas that are of clear public health significance, including intimate partner violence (IPV), children's adjustment, and cost-benefit ratio and cost-effectiveness. During the last few decades, programmatic research on the application of partner-involved therapies for substance abuse has been among the most active and …

An Examination Of Section 504 In Practice: Dark Days For Student Rights, Ann S. Maydosz

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a broadly worded statement that addresses discrimination in schools and other settings. Enacted at about the same time as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 has been used sparingly in elementary and secondary schools. Section 504 presents an opportunity to redress educational inequities for struggling students because it can provide support for students with disabilities and impairments not covered by IDEA. However, due to vague wording, unclear case law, and limited training for school divisions and practitioners, schools are unsure how to implement and to comply with Section …

How Do People React To Someone Who Has Recently Tested For Hiv? An Experimental Study Of The Effects Of Sexual Orientation And Hiv Status, Stacie A. Wilson

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

HIV/AIDS-related stigma remains prevalent in our society despite advances in medical treatment, and appears to be based on fear of the illness and negative attitudes toward gay individuals. Previous literature examining the phenomenon, enactment, and consequences of HIV/AIDS-related stigma has primarily been based on self-report measures examining participants' imagined reactions toward a person with HIV/AIDS (PWHA). The present study attempted to expand on the self-report findings and contribute uniquely to the literature by examining participants' attitudes toward an individual believed to be gay and HIV-positive after a real-life interaction. This study, which involved the use of a confederate whose sexual …

The Impact Of The 101s: A Guide To Positive Discipline Parent Training: A Case Study Of Kindergarteners And Their Parents In Bangkok, Thailand, Piyavalee Thanasetkorn

Theses and Dissertations in Early Childhood Education

To reduce using corporal punishment with children, the need to introduce alternative ways for parent practices has been requested by Thai parents. However, empirical research of parents' use of positive practices to discipline their young children has been limited in Thailand. Given the effectiveness of positive discipline as an accepted method in order to improve children's social and academic competencies in U.S., a cultural extension of positive discipline techniques to Thai culture is of interest. This study investigated the effectiveness of The 101s: A Guide to Positive Discipline training on Thai positive parenting skills to increase the quality of …

Prayer Life Of A Professor, E. James Baesler

Communication & Theatre Arts Faculty Publications

[Abstract from pre-print]

Borrowing from the ethnographic methodologies of Coles and Goodall, this autoethnographic account describes interconnections among a Professor's personal prayer life, teaching, and research. The contextual frame for the story is episodes and observations from a 12-year span of time, encompassing post academic tenure and promotion to present. The recurrent theme is that prayer touches and transforms all life, including content and approaches to teaching, and the direction and substance of research.

Casino Royale And Franchise Remix: James Bond As Superhero, Robert P. Arnett

Communication & Theatre Arts Faculty Publications

The article discusses the role of the film "Casino Royale" in remixing the James Bond franchise. The author believes that the remixed Bond franchise has shifted its genre to a superhero franchise. When Sony acquired MGM in 2004, part of its plan was to transform the 007 franchise at par with "Spiderman." The remixed franchise re-aligns its franchise criteria with those established by superhero films. The author cites "Casino Royale's" narrative structure as an example of the success of the film as franchise remixed for the future. The portrayal of Bond as a superhero by actor Daniel Craig is discussed.

Female Perspectives Of Professional Identity And Success In The Counseling Field, Amanda C. Healey

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contextual and definitional qualities of professional identity as well as the perceptions of success as defined by female counseling professionals. The ideals and beliefs related to professional identity were examined in order to determine if they are upheld by females who practice as professional counselors, counseling doctoral students, and tenure-track counselor educators. Findings indicated 16 themes that addressed issues related to personal and professional congruence and the counseling philosophy; particularly with regard to a conflict with the professional success model as it intersected with personal and professional roles. The information gathered …

Piano Study And Gender Associations: A Query Into The Perceptions Of Children Ages Five To Fourteen, Richard C. Winfree

Music Theses & Dissertations

From its inception, male composers and performers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Cliburn, and Kempffhad dominated piano performance. Recent research suggests, however, that the piano has been designated with a feminine gender stereotype. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of public school children ages five to fourteen years old relative to gender association and piano study to determine if a gender stereotype existed and at what age, if any, the stereotype stabilized.

To achieve this purpose, two surveys were created and implemented by the researcher. The first survey was administered to 879 students in …

Improving Oral Health In Pakistan Using Dental Hygienists, Musarrat Anjum Shah

Dental Hygiene Master's Papers and Projects

This document presents a review of the literature addressing education, healthcare, healthcare delivery and finance in Pakistan and the oral health status of the Pakistani people. Considering the enormous unmet oral health needs, the insufficient supply of dental professionals and the current unstructured dental hygiene curriculum in Pakistan, this document offers a mission, vision, and goals for the new dental hygiene theoretical framework for Pakistan. Moreover, it offers recommendations for competency-based dental hygiene education and practice, professional licensing, a practice act, and a dental hygiene scope of practice to help protect the welfare of the Pakistani public, i.e., increasing the …

Perceptual Differences In Quality Standards Among Teachers And Related Service Personnel Who Work With Students With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Maria L. Manning, Lyndal M. Bullock, Robert A. Gable

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Current legislation requires school personnel to identify indicators of quality instruction for all students—including students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD). While competency standards provide a measure of highly qualified teachers, questions remain whether or not there are inherent differences in what is expected by teachers and related service personnel within the classroom. Given present emphasis on inclusive education and, in light of a succession of reform initiatives it is time to reexamine perceived differences in level of relative importance attached to knowledge and skills statements based on standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children between teachers and related …

Minutes Of The Virginia Academy Of Science Council Meeting, Virginia Journal Of Science

Virginia Journal of Science

Full proceedings of the Council Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science at the Science Museum of Virginia, March 29, 2008.

Muscle Activity Comparisons In Dental Hygiene Students When Using Different Fulcrums While Scaling, Susan L. Tolle, Mary Elizabeth Cosaboom, Michele L. Darby, Martha L. Walker

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

The high incidence rate of cumulative trauma disorders in dental hygienists attests to the musculoskeletal problems experienced by dental hygienists. Research is ongoing to investigate ergonomic practices that will minimize muscle trauma when providing scaling and root debridement. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in the activity of four forearm muscles, (extensor carpi radialis longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, biceps brachii and pronator teres) when using five different finger fulcrums while scaling in dental hygiene students. A convenience sample of 29 consenting senior dental hygiene students participated in the study. Using a 4 x 5 counterbalanced research design, …

Achievement Motivation In African American College Students, April Michelle Muldrow

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between academic performance and stereotype threat (ST), achievement motivation, and racial socialization for African American (AA) students at an historically black university. Participants were 108 students randomly assigned to high or low ST condition. Students completed a performance measure, Noncognitive Questionnaire (NCQ), and Teenager Experience of Racial Socialization Scale (TERS) (Sedlacek, 2004; Stevenson et al., 2002). Results indicated that performance was not dependent upon threat, p = .63. Appreciation of AA culture was negatively associated with performance, p = .05. Drive toward academic self-development was positively related to performance, p = .05. Limitations and implications …

An Agent-Based Combat Simulation Framework In Support Of Effect-Based And Net-Centric Evaluation, Robert Joseph Bowen

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The use of information technologies (IT) and information networks has proliferated in industry as a method to achieve competitive advantage. The U.S. Military and its allies, in recent years, have employed IT to improve the way they conduct operations, speed decision making, and increase the span of control of commanders. This has resulted in a fundamental shift in the way military commanders employ combat units today. These (Information Age) forces no longer have to be able to see each other or even communicate directly in order to synchronize maneuvers. Dispersion is now favored over mass, relying on the IT network …

The Effects Of Display Complexity And Cueing On Monitoring Maternal Fetal Heart Rate Signals, Brittany L. Anderson

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study examined the effects of display complexity and cueing predictability on vigilance performance and measures of subjective stress and workload while monitoring maternal fetal heart rate (MFHR) signals. Seventy-two undergraduate students from Old Dominion University performed a simulated MFHR task and were randomly assigned to monitor one, two, or four displays for critical signals. Half of the participants received cues that were 83% reliable, and the other half received cues that were 55% reliable. Stress and workload were assessed before and after the vigil. It was hypothesized that detection ability would be lower, and the decrement would become …

The Relationship Between Stigma Consciousness And Variables Of Well-Being Among Foreign-Born Faculty Members, Sharnail D. Bazemore

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between stigma consciousness and positive feelings toward the university, feelings of well-being, loneliness, and teaching effectiveness among foreign-born faculty members employed by American institutions of higher education. Participants included 162 foreign born faculty members who represented 12 urban East coast universities. Participants completed a series of online questionnaires that assessed levels of stigma consciousness, feelings toward the university, self-esteem, well-being, loneliness, and self-perceived teaching effectiveness. We hypothesized that stigma consciousness would contribute unique variance to positive feelings toward the university, feelings of well-being, loneliness, and teaching effectiveness. Four hierarchical regression …

Measuring Self-Disclosure Over The Internet, David Pope

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

A two-axial measure of disclosure intimacy by Morton (1976, 1978) was expanded to create a new measure usable for linear analyses. Morton's item of "Description" was divided into three "Context" items: Self-Concept, Interpersonal, and Taboo. The other axis of "Evaluation" was divided into four "Expression" items: Detail, Protected, Intensity, and Negativity/Vulnerability. As test data for the measure, demographic information from l50 users' weblogs was compared to free-response disclosures measured with the Morton measure and the linear Context/Expression measure. A multiple regression analysis of profile information versus disclosure intimacy did not reach significance. Results were inconclusive because the measures used in …

Examining Neurophysiological Evidence Of Age-Related Interactions Of Sensory And Cognitive Processes During Speech Processing, Cady Kristen Block

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study sought to examine the contribution of sensory and cognitive factors on speech processing as evidenced by ERP measures and to find support for the Sensory Cognitive Interaction Theory (SCIT) and the Effortfulness Hypothesis in that older adults. who experience sensory deficits with normal aging. must put forth increased effort during early sensory stages of speech processing that may compromise subsequent semantic performance and recall of information. In the present investigation. younger and older adults performed a sentence verification task at low and high presentation levels (PL). Accuracy and response time to sentence verifications were assessed along with …

Extra-Legal Characteristics And Sentencing Disparity Among Federal Drug Offenders, Justin D. Galasso

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The development of the federal sentencing guidelines was made as an attempt to provide a uniform standard of sentencing procedure for defendants convicted within the federal legal system. Unfortunately, such unvarying policy has over the years birthed a system of sentencing that lacks equality among like defendants. The Supreme Court, in 2005, ruled that the sentencing guidelines were no longer to be compulsory during sentencing procedures, but rather act as an ancillary tool. The present study examines multiple legal and extra-legal variables and their influence on two aspects of imprisonment probability for federal drug offenders for the years of 1999-2006: …

Virginia Junior Academy Of Science 2008 Awards, Virginia Journal Of Science

Virginia Journal of Science

Honors Awards presented at the 86th Meeting of the Virginia Junior Academy of Sciences.

Best Student Paper Awards, Virginia Journal Of Science

Virginia Journal of Science

This document is a list of the Best Student Paper Awards granted by the Virginia Academy of Science at the 2008 Annual Meeting.

"The Image-Interface": New Forms Of Narrative Visualization, Space And Time In Postmodern Cinema, Chiara Armentano

Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture

This essay argues for an analysis of the narrative models of postmodern cinema by looking at them as visualization forms re-mediated (Bolter and Grusin 1999) by new media's formal structures. Instead of being organized in a classical way through causal and temporal logics, contemporary storytelling models seem to be structured according to "casual," "catalogue" and "homogeneous" aggregative logics following the "database" and "navigable space" visual forms of new media (Manovich 2001). The conventional "narrative" paradigm (Metz 1974; Branigan 1992, Jullier 1997) in postmodern film seems to be fully "fragmented," following textual organization models similar to computer logic and aesthetics. This …

Screenplay Visualization: Concepts And Practice, Stewart Mckie

Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture

A typical feature film screenplay goes through many development iterations before the original story idea becomes the audio-visual movie we experience. As the screenplay is developed it becomes more complex and may involve an ever-larger group of "content stakeholders" who have a need for different perspectives on the content of the screenplay. Here I discuss four conceptual archetypes for analyzing and visualizing the textual content of a screenplay: Circular, linear, rollercoaster and nodal. I show examples of support for screenplay analysis and visualization in the current generation of screenwriting software and I also suggest how these visualizations and others may …

Bones To Read: An Interpretation Of Forensic Crime Fiction, Ingrida Povidiša

Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture

The anthropological forensic crime fiction is a detective genre which is primarily concerned with investigating human bodies. In the hermeneutical process of reading the bones (i.e. studying, interpreting, understanding, embodying), the most enduring record carrier of one's individuality, supported by a rhizoid network of scientific disciplines, the anonymous corpse becomes a personalized victim. The present discussion is based on the novels of Kathy Reichs. Specific characteristics of the materiality and mediality of representation can be traced through a juxtaposition of Reichs' novels with the serial Bones (Twentieth Century Fox, 2005 - Present) and the novel by Max Allan Collins Bones …