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Financial Decision-Making By University Of Northern Iowa Business Students, Steffany Mae Zabokrtsky

Honors Program Theses

We continually need to make decisions, but it is clear that, in so doing, we do not act in accordance with strict rules of rationality. For example, the effect of framing (i.e. the choice of particular words to present a given set of facts) can influence our choices, which raises some serious questions about our real freedom of choice. An increasing body of literature on framing supports a tendency for people to take more risks when seeking to avoid losses as opposed to securing gains. This is explained by framing and the value function within Tversky and Kahneman's (1981) prospect …

Iowa Journal Of Communication, Volume 38, Number 1, Fall 2006 [Download Entire Issue]

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

A Modern Etiquette For A Modern Lady: A Feminist Critique, Jillian Marie Klean Zwilling

Iowa Journal of Communication

This paper examines the text The Art and Power of Being a Lady (Clearly & Von Mueffling, 2001) to examine the "backlash" against feminism in the concept of modern manners manuals. A rhetorical criticism is conducted of the text to discover the identities that the authors are advocating for readers. This paper also explores how this identity relates to the concept of backlash. This paper argues that modern manners manuals contribute to, and are a product of, the backlash against feminism.

Reforming Rhetoric: Gender Equity, The American Association Of University Women, And The New White, Kim Golombisky

Iowa Journal of Communication

During the 1990s, the American Association of University Women tried to put gender equity back onto a U.S. education agenda that had rolled back equity programming during the 1980s and turned toward standards and testing in the 1990s. Conservatives labeled the AA UW radical feminists and argued black schoolboys represent the greatest at-a-risk student population, a logic that prioritized race over gender and boys over girls. Nonwhite non-Anglo women criticized the AA UW for glossing over differences among girls and women. In its 1998 Gender Gaps, the AA UW wrote a rhetorical alliance with its critics on the right and …

Family, Child, Teacher Perceptions Of What African American Adult Family Members Think And Do To Assist Their Elementary School-Aged Children To Become Better Readers, Shadrack Gabriel Msengi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In this study, the perceptions were investigated of how African American adult family members, children, and teachers viewed the family members' roles in assisting their elementary school-aged children to become better readers. These perceptions were explored to provide a detailed account of ideas that can impact the home-school relationship. To conduct this study, the researcher examined how similar or different the perceptions were among the three subgroups regarding: (a) the child's reading level; (b) what families do to assist children in reading; and (c) the perceived barriers and opportunities in adult family members' decisions to assist their children to become …

Taking A Closer Look At Measurement – Using Teacher Read Alouds Of Nonfiction To Develop Students’ Measurement Sense, Elana Joram, Faith Garcia

Faculty Publications

Many students think of measurement as a set of procedures, for example, lining up a ruler with an object, and stating the number on the ruler that corresponds with one end of the object. This may be one reason that measurement is typically one of the weakest areas of mathematical achievement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (Struchens, Martin, & Kenney, 2003). To combat students’ weaknesses in measurement, we suggest that in the early grades they need to develop a feel for standard measurement units, such as inches and feet, and become familiar with real world referents that correspond …

Preservice Elementary Teachers Use Drawings And Make Sets Of Materials To Explain Multiplication And Division By Fractions, Audrey C. Rule, J. E. Hallagan

Open Educational Resources

Background: Multiplication and division by fractions are among the most troublesome concepts in the elementary mathematics curriculum. Recent studies have shown that preservice elementary teachers in the United States do not have deep understandings of these concepts. Effective ways to improve preservice teachers' conceptual understanding of these concepts need to be identified. Citation: Rule, A. C., & Hallagan, J., editors. (2006). Preservice elementary teachers use drawings and make sets of materials to explain multiplication and division by fractions. A research study presented at the 2nd Annual Preparing Mathematicians to Educate Teachers (PMET) Conference at Oswego, New York, June 6, 2006. …

University Of Northern Iowa Fact Book, 2006-2007, University Of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa Fact Book

Contents:

Quick Reference ... Inside front cover
Mission Statement ... 1
UNI Organizational Chart ... 2
UNI Administration ... 3
Definitions of Terms Used ... 4
New Students ... 7
Enrollment ... 19
Alumni ... 63
Faculty and Staff ... 71
Library ... 85
Budget and Finance ... 87
Academic Departments ... 99
Miscellaneous ... 113

A Holistic Self-Identity Model, Jacquelyne R. Joens

Graduate Research Papers

Parents, educators, business leaders, political leaders, and mental health professionals all appreciate the impact positive self-esteem has on a person's ability to strive and grow. Self-esteem is a complex, multifaceted component of human existence. It is possible to identify and observe the result of a healthy self-esteem or even the outcome of a damaged self-esteem, but the term self-esteem may be antiquated and no longer exemplary of a complete picture of self. This paper examines research and attempts to define a multi-dimensional model of self-esteem, a Holistic Self-Identity Model, which will help to bring into focus the concept of self-identity …

A Qualitative Study: Does Anger Elicit Gender Normative Aggressive Reactions?, Austin Beer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Previous research indicates that males primarily use physical aggression and females use relational aggression when angered. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether males are really primarily physically aggressive and if females are primarily relationally aggressive when angered, through qualitative methodology. One group of males and one group of females participated in an online chat room discussion. Groups and individuals discussed situations that angered them and how they responded to being angered. Dialogue was evaluated to answer the question: Do males and females tend to aggress in gender normative manners? Four themes emerged from discussion indicating that these …

Need, Qualifications, Training, Responsibilities, And Supervision Of Paraprofessionals In Special Education : A Qualitative Case Study Approach, Heather L. Marolf

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The increasing number of one-on-one paraprofessionals has intensified interest in issues regarding their appropriate employment. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to determine the perceptions of a paraprofessional assigned to provide one-on-one supports for a student with special needs regarding how the need for paraprofessional assistance was determined, who participated in the selection process, necessary qualifications for employment, assigned roles and responsibilities, training opportunities, and supervision practices. Data was collected through three semi-structured interviews with a one-on-one paraprofessional. Additional themes identified through data analysis included barriers to job performance, job satisfaction, negatives of being a one-on-one paraprofessional, and …

No Child Left Behind (2001) And High Stakes Tests : How They Affect Teachers' Experiences In The Classroom, Emily N. Olson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether No Child Left Behind (2001) and high-stakes tests affect teachers' experiences in the classroom, in areas such as instruction, attitude/anxiety, and job satisfaction. This study also investigates whether teachers in schools labeled "in need of improvement" are affected differently than teachers in schools that are not labeled. Thirty-eight teachers in four urban elementary schools in Iowa who work with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students responded to a 30-question survey that used a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as ANOVA to investigate a possible difference …

The Influence Of Significant Others On High School Students’ Expectancies, Task Value, And Motivation In Physical Education, Skip M. Williams

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In physical education, students perform physical activities among their peers and teachers. Some students are highly skilled, while others are developing their skill, and some just do not participate at all. It has been questioned why one child would approach a new opportunity with excitement and enthusiasm and another child (with the same opportunity) would have anxiety and self-doubt. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of significant others on high school students' expectancies for success, task value, and motivation in physical education class. Specifically, this study examined perceived influence of significant others' beliefs on students': expectancies …

Differences In Enjoyment, Motivation, And Perceived Athletic Competence Between Sport And Fitness Physical Activity Participants, Andy Briggs

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study was to determine if differences existed in level of exercise enjoyment, motivation, and perceived athletic competence between college students that exercise using sport activities and college students that exercise using fitness activities. Data were collected from 188 college students from a midsize comprehensive university in the Midwest. The questionnaire was designed to tap enjoyment, motivation, perceived athletic competence, and amount of physical activity. The participants were divided into four groups according to their exercise habits: high sport/high fitness, high sport/low fitness, low sport/high fitness, and low sport/low fitness. A MANOV A test compared the four …

Obesity In Adolescents And Its Associations With Physical Activity And Diet, Soyang Kwon

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Overweight population in adolescent has increased dramatically in the last three decades in the United States. The increasing rate has become an important public health problem because obesity increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between body weight and physical activity behaviors, dietary patterns, and nutrition/physical activity knowledge by comparing the variables between those students classified as overweight group and non-overweight group. The study participants included 140 adolescents (66 boys and 74 girls) grade 7-8. Physical activity behaviors, sedentary behaviors, and dietary patterns were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. …

The Relationship Of Time Spent Training At Three Physiological Loads And Performance In Endurance Athletes, Nicholas L. Maas

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between time spent at three training loads and running performance during a Division I collegiate cross-country season. Subjects were fifteen collegiate level male and female runners all with competition experience of ≥3 years.. Subjects HRmax was determined during a treadmill run to exhaustion. After the completion of maximal testing, the following HR zones were determined; 1) light intensity(< 80% of HRmax), 2) moderate intensity (between 80-90% of HRmax), and 3) High intensity (> 90% of HR max). During the training season, the amount of time spent at in each heart rate zone was determined for each runner. Correlations between the amount of time spent in …

Fine Art And Processing Fluency: Symmetry And Contrast Influence Preference In Paintings, Jennifer Ann Grossheim

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

How do we discern beauty? The question has been debated by competing theorists throughout the years. Recently, Reber, Schwarz, and Winkielman (2004) have proposed that beauty is a function of an individual's processing fluency. In other words, the more easily one first processes an image the more beautiful it is judged to be. The current research aimed to tests this hypothesis using selected works of fine art. Using self-reports, responses to altered and unaltered images were recorded. Images were either left intact or altered in order to reduce or increase their symmetry or figure-ground contrast-two elements considered to be hallmarks …

God Image, Self-Monitoring, And Willingness To Authentically Forgive, Bryan J. Hall

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Interpersonal forgiveness has become a major topic among researchers, but little attention has been paid to Hunter's (1978) conceptualization of pseudo forgiveness. In the present study, the relationship between personality and religious beliefs on the willingness of people to forgive others was examined. The tendency to engage in self-monitoring behaviors, the conception of the character of God, and the degree to which one identified as a Christian were studied in the context of one's willingness to grant authentic forgiveness. A distinction was made between people who offered authentic forgiveness versus those who merely pseudo forgave. Authentic forgiveness involves releasing the …

The Effects Of Work Schedule Flexibility On Potential Job Seekers Perceptions In Organizations Of Differing Prestige, Kirk C. Hogendorn

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Hallucination Simulations On Neurocognition: An Investigation Of Auditory Hallucinations Using The Irrelevant Speech Paradigm, Suzanne Adele Horsager

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Research has made it clear that severe psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, are often associated with deficits in neurocognition. Unfortunately, because of the complicated makeup of most psychiatric disorders, it is challenging to distinguish the nature of the neurocognitive deficits. Recent research has begun to look more specifically at the symptoms of these disorders ( e.g., auditory hallucinations) to examine the specific effects the symptoms have on patients. This research has suggested a link between auditory hallucinations and deficits in attentional inhibition as well as working memory abilities. However, current research has not considered whether the impairments associated with these …

Effects Of External Rewards On Elementary Students’ Motivation To Read Independently, Benjamin David Olsen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In an age of increased accountability, even down to how well, and how much, students read independently, teachers are looking for ways to motivate students to read. One popular way schools and teachers have looked to increase motivation is with reading incentive programs. Despite this widespread enthusiasm for such programs there has not been solid, replicable research that has supported the continued use of incentive programs to increase students' future motivation to read. This study examined how a reading incentive program affected students' motivation and attitudes toward reading and the time they spent reading. Research was guided by the following …

The Relationship Between Nutritional Knowledge And Consumption Attitudes Toward Soy-Foods Among A Midwest Rural America Older Population, Li Chuan Chen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Preservation of good health in old age has become significantly important to most older people. Increasing health care costs challenge the majority of the rapidly growing older population. The use of functional foods (i.e., soy foods, oats, and broccoli) to help reduce the risk of chronic disease and relieve physical discomfort is one of the major health care developments in many economically advanced countries. For older people consumption of functional foods is not only cost-effective, but also necessary. Soy-based foods were first identified as a healthy as well as functional food during the last decade of the twentieth century by …

Links Between Late Adolescents’ Tendency For Mild To Moderate Violence And School Shooters, Elizabeth Ruth Strey Christenson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Violent crimes committed by youth in their school environments have been a focus of concern in recent years. Since the tragedy at Columbine High School and the subsequent copycat efforts many questions have been raised by the public regarding how and why these school shootings occurred. In response to these questions, the Federal Bureau of Investigation produced a report listing 46 characteristics from four main categories (Personality Traits and Behavior, Family Dynamics, School Dynamics, and Social Dynamics) that they determined to be common characteristics of school shooters. However, since school shootings occur so rarely there is no completely accurate way …

Coping Strategies And Personality In Schizophrenia: Can These Two Factors Influence Relapse Rates And Quality Of Life?, Amanda Collins

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Many schizophrenia patients never fully recover from their illness, despite being relatively stable. Therefore, research is beginning to go beyond symptom treatment and focus on patients' quality of life. Coping strategies and personality are two factors that may influence quality of life. This study investigated the effects of specific coping strategies and personality on the outcome of schizophrenia as measured by psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and relapse rates. Results showed that symptomatology was associated with coping strategies that entailed creating a plan of action, while relapse rates were negatively associated with coping strategies that entailed mental and behavioral distraction. …

United States American Students' Experience With And Orientation Toward International Diversity In A Midwestern Comprehensive University Setting, Olga V. Kostareva

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The growing phenomenon of globalization has directly affected all levels of postsecondary institutions as evidenced by the strong emphasis colleges and universities place on internationalizing their campuses. Among the forthstanding efforts toward campus internationalization is attracting international students to American colleges and universities. Numbers of international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities have indeed been very high, placing this country in the leading position for hosting students from abroad. Hhowever, the role international students play in the overall process of internationalization has rarely been addressed. While the presence of international students is believed to contribute significantly to the intellectual …

Emergent Literacy Learning, Tera Bockenstedt

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review of literature was to look at research in the area of early literacy acquisition. A brief background on emergent literacy and how emergent literacy has impacted educational reform was discussed. The review of literature discussed research on emergent literacy development, in particular the skills that are appropriate for young children to acquire in preparation for entrance into formal schooling. A look at research about the influences on emergent literacy learning and the conditions that foster early literacy development was also discussed. The home factors influencing emergent literacy development and the conditions that foster early literacy …

Providing Appropriate Social Interventions For Preschool-Age Children With Mild Autism Spectrum Disorders, Angela M. Riesberg

Graduate Research Papers

This paper provides a variety of appropriate social interventions to use with preschool-age children with mild Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Regardless of his or her diagnostic label, each individual child requires an individualized approach to treatment. Typically, multiple interventions are necessary for a successful program.

The questions this project will address include: (a) What are some possible social interventions to use with preschool-age children who have mild autism spectrum disorders, (b) what research supports current successful social interventions, ( c) which social interventions could provide the most benefits and success, and (d) how can inclusion and interacting with typically developing …

The Availability Of Young Adult Fiction Containing Overt Gay And Lesbian Characters In Secondary Schools In Northeast Iowa Area Education Agency 1, Misty Dawn Gray

Graduate Research Papers

This study ascertained whether or not young adults had access to fiction titles containing gay and / or lesbian characters in school libraries in one geographic area within Iowa. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability of fiction titles containing overt gay and lesbian characters in secondary public schools in Area Education Agency 1 in Northeast Iowa. The methodology used for this study was quantitative content analysis. The researcher visited 45 secondary public schools in the 24 school districts in AEA 1 in Northeast Iowa in order to gain access to school library catalogs and determine which …

Constructivist Education : Exploring The Constructivist Theory And No Child Left Behind To Develop An Effective Kindergarten Program, Leigh M. Siegert

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a literature review of Constructivist Education Theories and how they can be incorporated into a No Child Left Behind (NCLB) classroom. The focal point of this paper will be the theories of Constructivist Education. In addition, will be discussed, the benefits of and problems concerning Constructivist Education. Also, guidelines for incorporating Constructivist Education into a NCLB classroom will be established. The conclusion of this paper will share which theories work and which do not. Also, recommendations for additional research are included.

Critical Elements For Leading Secondary Schools, Darci J. Wagner

Graduate Research Papers

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "living and learning must go hand in hand." I cannot remember a time in my life when this was not true. As a child, school was always a positive experience for me. I loved the challenge of mastering new skills. As I progressed through high school and college, I had the opportunity to develop my thinking and reasoning skills through challenging courses taught by master teachers. These teachers served as role models for me, displaying dedication and passion for their subject matter as well as their students.