Digital Commons Network^™

Promoting Literacy During Play By Designing Early Childhood Classroom Environments, Marilyn E. Sensor

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to explore the utilization of play activity in a kindergarten classroom to nurture children's emerging literacy. First, a review of professional literature that supports such an instructional development project will be presented. Then, the implementation of a learning environment that integrates reading and writing with play experiences in literature-based thematic units will be described. In this project, the writer will extend play opportunities supported by literature experiences and related language activities.

Nonfiction Book Leisure Reading Interests Of High School Juniors At Columbus High School, Waterloo, Iowa, Susan A. Witthoft

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the nonfiction leisure reading interests of one-hundred and thirty juniors at Columbus High School in Waterloo, Iowa. The results of the survey revealed that one-third of the students read in their free time. Thirty-four percent of those who reported reading in their leisure time, choose to read nonfiction books. Twenty-four percent of the subjects believed that the purpose of nonfiction books was a combination of completing schoolwork and satisfying personal curiosity. The students also reported that the areas of sports and biography or autobiography were the two subjects they most liked to …

Is The Error-Reaction Time Correlation In Category Verification Tasks Evidence Of Fuzzy Limits In Categories?, Sergio Chaigneau

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis attempts to review evidence supporting a positive error-reaction time correlation in category verification tasks. All reviewed models predict that categorization errors will increase when the time needed to make a membership judgement increases. This is explained either as a result of the structure of categories (e.g., as another manifestation of category fuzziness), or as a product of the category verification process (e.g., attributed in general memory models to the random nature of the retrieval process). Two specific models that attempt to explain the correlation were tested. One that assumes the correlation is the result of incomplete or inconsistent …

The Impact Of Follow-Up Discussion On Student Learning From Channel One, Gary Arthur Borlaug

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Channel One, a news and features program delivered via satellite to over 40% of junior and senior high school students in the United States, has been the subject of persistent scrutiny regarding the educational value of its daily 10-minute presence in schools. Channel One’s curriculum includes three major components: (a) current events; (b) social issues such as drug abuse, teen pregnancy, depression, prejudice, and so on; and (c) commercial advertisements. Previous studies have been conducted to examine the impact of the current events and advertisement components but not of the social issues component.Studies designed to measure how much students learned …

Participative Leadership: A Study Of Faculty And Administrators In A Lutheran Liberal Arts College, Tekeste Teclu

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Despite the numerous reference to and importance of the term "participative leadership" in various leadership and organizational theories and practices, the term itself remains ambiguous. While it is often used synonymously with terms such as collaborative, autonomy, influence, participative decision making, collegiality, and team, many people questioned whether these terms are truly synonymous. Moreover, because those who advocate this approach to leadership have many purposes in mind, the practice of participative leadership manifests itself in different forms. Hence, a need exists to clarify as to what practices are actually participative.

This study examines the meaning of the concept in theory …

Science In A Constructivist Classroom: Progress In A Five-Year-Old Child's Reasoning About Water Dynamics, Hyang-Lim Kwak

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study is to understand changes in a target child’s reasoning about water dynamics, specifically, draining and movement of water in tubes. The study also focuses on development and evaluation of activities and teaching strategies. The activities were conducted with all children in the preschool at a public elementary school in Iowa as part of the regular classroom constructivist program inspired by Piaget’s work. Using Piaget’s theory to provide insights into the child’s reasoning and knowledge, analysis focused on the child’s construction of regularities between his actions and reactions of water, and on the construction of relationships …

Present Status And Perceived Importance Of Computer Skills In A Taiwanese Service Industry, En-Ming Tseng

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to provide researchers,computer technologists, management and trainers with information concerning the current status and importance regarding computer skills for agents in the Taiwanese life insurance industry. In addition to identifying important computer skills for this population, this research investigated differences in perceptions of computer directors (major computer system developers), sales managers(major training providers), and life insurance agents(computer end-users) regarding the current status and importance of computer skills for life insurance agents.

Survey instruments were developed through the literature review as well as through expert interviews and validations. Investigated samples include all 30 computer directors …

Utility Of The Mmpi-A In Predicting Suicidal Behavior In Adolescent Inpatients, Kimberly Juhl King

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was designed to examine whether the new Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--Adolescent (MMPI-A) Content Scales could assist in the identification and prediction of suicidal behaviors in adolescent inpatients. In addition, the relationship of the MMPI-A Content Scales and four indirect and four direct measures of suicidal risk were examined. The four indirect measures of suicidal risk were the Brief Symptom Inventory subscales of depression, psychoticism, and hostility and the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Subjects were adolescent inpatients ages 15 to 18 (n = 135). Subjects were divided into two groups based on psychiatric diagnosis at admission and responses of …

The Metaphor Of The "Mater Familias" In The First Catalinarian Oration, Alfred Mueller Ii

Iowa Journal of Communication

I once heard it said that, when asked for his view on evil, Lincoln Steffens replied, "It is privilege that causes evil in the world, not wickedness, and not men." When one considers the various historical events that the world labels "evil," one may find some truth to Steffens' claim. But perhaps there is no better illustration in classical history of the validity of this claim as that provided by Cataline in his plot to overthrow the propertied interests at Rome. Indeed, the portrait of Cataline that Marcus Tullius Cicero painted in the Prima Oralia in Catalinam is not that …

The Generation Gap: A Comparison Of The Negative Portrayals Of Hippies And Generation Xers, Greg Becker

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The term "generation gap" is usually used to describe a situation in which a division develops between generations. The tension results from one generation, usually the younger generation, possessing a set of values and beliefs that are consistently different from the values and beliefs of another generation, usually the older generation. A comparison of newspaper articles concerning both Hippies and Generation Xers was conducted to illustrate the contention that generational conflict occurs in a cyclical pattern with each successive generation. The older generation usually portrays the younger generation in a negative manner. Articles from both The New York Times and …

Are Learning Disabilities Discovered Or Constructed: The Unintended Consequences And Failures Of Realism As The Philosophical Basis Of Learning Disabilities Theory, Nicole C. Buhl

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The historical and current conceptualization of learning disabilities was analyzed in terms of its underlying assumptions and guiding paradigms. It was determined that since its beginning, the field of learning disabilities has been dominated by the traditional realist perspective under the mechanistic paradigm. It was argued that such a perspective is inadequate in the field of learning disabilities. A nonrealist perspective as part of a holistic paradigm was suggested as more appropriate for the conceptualization of learning disabilities.

Self-Directed Teams: A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Autonomy Level, Jennifer L. Duncan

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

This paper will present a review of current SDT literature. First, characteristics of SDTs as well as their benefits, costs, and barriers will be examined. The importance of planning for appropriate autonomy levels will follow. Cost-benefit analysis as a planning instrument will be presented. A case study of a U.S. assembly plant having performed a cost-benefit analysis prior to instituting an SDT organizational structure--John Deere Commercial Products, Inc.--will be provided. Finally, a discussion of how the case study findings can be applied to other organizations will conclude.

The Moral Reasoning Of Males And Females In Response To Hypothetical Dilemmas Involving The Care Of Elderly Family Members, Denise Litterer

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Twenty Midwestern Caucasian college students, ten males and ten females, were tested on justice and care orientations when reasoning about hypothetical moral dilemmas involving the care of elderly family members. A slightly modified version of the dilemma developed in Stack's (1990) study was used along with a new dilemma developed by the author of this study to further clarify the coding process. Lyons' (1983) scoring method and Gilligan's (1982) guidelines were used to code subjects' responses. No sex differences in the type of moral reasoning were found. The results of this study did not support Gilligan's theory that there are …

An Analysis Of Social Cognition And Health Insurance Cost-Benefit Analysis, S. Christian Wheeler

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

There are many types of social cognition which may affect one's health insurance cost-benefit analysis. Similarly, many situational variables could influence the desirability of condition inclusion. The present study examines the effect of cost and condition type (physical or psychological) upon health insurance decision-making. In addition, the effects of Perceived Health Competence, Health Locus of Control, Belief in a Just World, and religious orientation on willingness to insure are examined. Results indicate that, of these variables, the biggest predictor of insurance desirability is the PHLC, or belief in ''powerful others" in determining one's health state. In addition, the type of …

Selected Papers Of The Academy Of Youth Leaders, Susan R. Edginton, Christopher Edginton, Wendy L. Walser

Faculty Book Gallery

The provision of high quality, high impact services is the quest of all youth service organizations. Selected Papers of the Academy for Youth Leaders presents a series of presentations from the U.S. Army Youth Services 25th anniversary celebration conference--A Silver Salute: A Journey into Excellence--held at the University of Northern Iowa.

There are a number of national trends impacting youth today that reinforce the need for strong, well-managed youth services in our communities. For example, it has been reported that over 40% of a youth's day is discretionary or leisure time and much of this time is spent without adult …

Proceedings Of The 1993 International Symposium On Language Teaching Methodology, Beijing-Hohhot, Fritz KöNig, Stephen J. Gaies, Gao Yuan, Li Baokun, Tang Dexin

Faculty Book Gallery

On October 4-13 an international symposium on language teaching methodology was held in Beijing-Hohhot, People's Republic of China. The symposium was jointly sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), USA, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA), PRC, Inner Mongolia Engineering College (IMEC), PRC, and Richmond College (RC) of the United Kingdom. 38 non-Chinese from 8 countries of the world and over 40 Chinese scholars from all parts of the country made the symposium a truly international gathering of linguists and language teachers; the presentations and discussions were full of insight and variety. It was decided then to compile …

Justifications Of Intentional Aggression In Sport, Joseph Kwame Mintah

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which athletes in selected contact and semi-contact sports commit intentional acts of violence during competition. A second purpose was to determine how athletes justify or rationalize the use of intentional violent behavior. The subjects (N = 85) for this study were all male athletes from one mid-western University (age 18-42): football athletes (n = 31), basketball athletes (n = 12), wrestling athletes (n = 14) and soccer athletes (n = 28). Subjects responded to a modified form of the Bredemeier Athletic Aggression Inventory (BAAGI) and a researcher generated questionnaire …

Britain’S Only Offensive: An Assessment Of The Influence Of Bomber Command On British Morale, 1939-1942, Brian Keith Gulick

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The assumptions historians make regarding their subjects can prove weak. This study considers one assumption made by historians studying the British bombing offensive against Germany during the first three years of World War II. Scholars, in their attempts to justify an expensive, dangerous and morally questionable strategic attack against Germany, have related the first three years of the air war to British home front morale. They make general statements linking the bombing of Germany to the status of home morale, concluding that the offensive boosted British spirits. However, no real evidence has been presented to either support or deny this …

The Influence Of Relative Campus Prestige Between Dating Partners On Dating Behaviors, Jennifer Meehan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Social exchange theory suggests that when dating people with higher prestige, persons of lower prestige will need to compensate for the lack of prestige through their dating behaviors. The present study partially replicated and extended research that examined the effect of social prestige on the date selection process. It looked at the dating behaviors of college students in regard to the social prestige of each of the dating partners. Alcohol use, sexual permissiveness, sexual behaviors, and the amount of money spent on dates were examined with data from self-administered questionnaires.

Although dating among young adults is a common occurrence, little …

The Gifted Female: The Endangered Species, Sue Coleman Griswold

Graduate Research Papers

This paper presents the findings of a literature review that focused on gifted females and their inability to achieve in mathematics-based careers on a level equal to gifted males. The gifted female precedes the gifted male in intellectual development at an early age. However, she appears to fall behind as the years progress. The reasons why these women do not achieve levels of career attainment commensurate with their ear1y abilities, specifically internal barriers and societal factors are discussed. The writer concludes with implications for future education.

The Jewish Gifted Child: Family And Educational Considerations, Gail E. Kenkel

Graduate Research Papers

Through a review of the literature, this study examined two areas of Jewish life which affect the development of giftedness: family values and evidence of educational excellence. The Renzulli Triad, a model of gifted education, was then examined as to the extent to which it would match and meet the specific needs of Jewish children as identified in the literature. From this study it can be concluded that cultural groups with strong family values can influence the talent development of their children.

College And University Marketing Strategies: In Search Of A Sense Of Community, Boyd Sherbet

Graduate Research Papers

Many institutions of higher education are undergoing an identity crisis. In years to come, such a crisis may be viewed as a salient force in the historical evolution of American higher education. The 1980s and 1990s eventually may be acknowledged as the era when colleges and universities began to pursue their unique identities in an aggressive way. The purpose of this paper is to review the marketing strategies used by institutions of higher learning to communicate their unique identities and to review the elements essential to building organizations with a sense of community.

Communicating Across Cultures: Multicultural And International Education, Ella A. Sweigert

Graduate Research Papers

Not too long ago, international and intercultural relations was a topic that affected mainly the federal government, and not university campuses across the United States. Foreign student advisers and study abroad coordinators were concerned about the issue but it rarely affected the entire campus. Recently, however, university administrators frequently use terms like "valuing diversity," "multiculturalizing the curriculum," "promoting cultural pluralism," "reducing racism," or "internationalizing the campus" (Bennett & Bennett, 1994, p.145). Intercultural relations was recently listed among the top five campus-life issues by presidents in the Carnegie Foundation's study, Campus life (Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1990).

The Effects Of The Computer In The Writing Process, Wade S. Andersen

Graduate Research Papers

Since the early 1970's, composition theory has shifted from writing as a product to writing as a process {Costanzo, 1990). Instead of focusing on problems and triumphs of the completed paper, teachers work with students on the act of composing essays from beginning to end. Strategies for prewriting, writing, 4 revising, editing, proofreading, and publishing are emphasized. Teachers also stress that these activities occur recursively and not sequentially (Costanzo, 1990).

The Effect Of Self-Care Information On Intentions To Engage In Preventive Health Behaviors Of Healthy And Ill College Students, Barbara Jane Houle

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether health condition affects the impact self-care information has on intentions to engage in preventive health behaviors. The concept of creating a "teachable moment" toward selfcare information based on health condition was also investigated. The theoretical model used in the study was the Health Belief Model (HBM). Participants (N = 202) were recruited from a health center at a midwestern university. The intervention used in the study was a self-care booklet. Participants were randomly assigned to either receive an envelope containing survey materials plus a self-care booklet and information sheet (n …

The Effect Of High-Dose Ephedrine Hydrochloride On High-Intensity Treadmill Performance, John T. Voelz

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

To determine the effect of a greater than therapeutic dose of ephedrine HCl on short term high-intensity running, 10 University Division I male track athletes (mean age 22.9 ± 1.8 years) were tested on two occasions. The study was double-blind and placebo controlled. Subjects ingested a capsule containing ephedrine HCl (75 mg/70 kg body weight) on one test date and alternately ingested a placebo capsule on the opposite test date. Subjects then sat quietly for 60 min while measurements of heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiographic response were taken at 20 min intervals. A sample of blood was taken from …

Lexical Learning As A Function Of Categorization Training In Young Developmentally Delayed Children, Deanna L. Coffin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Lexical training is often the focus of young developmentally delayed children's early intervention programs, yet little is known about the most efficient way to train new vocabulary items with this population. Current literature links categorization skills to the rapid increase in normal developing children's vocabulary. The present study attempts to address the issue of whether or not taxonomic or thematic categorization training is an effective means of enhancing lexical learning. Subjects were 12 developmentally delayed children ages 2:8 to 5:11. They participated in four or five separate sessions: (a) pretesting session(s), (b) thematic categorization training, (c) taxonomic categorization training, and …

Children’S Interactions With Peers Before And After Participating In A Positive And Negative Peer Nomination Technique, Elizabeth Ann Barton

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Positive and negative peer nomination techniques are essential to the identification of children with social skills deficits. Some researchers, school administrators, teachers, and parents view the administration of peer nomination techniques as harmful to children. The present investigation examined the effects of positive and negative peer nomination techniques on children's peer interactions and on Unpopular peers; (i.e., Rejected and Neglected) interactions. Fourth graders (n = 54) completed nomination techniques, the children's Loneliness Questionnaire, and the Children's Friendship Questionnaire. The experimental group (n = 26) completed positive and negative peer nomination techniques, and the control group (n = 28) completed positive …

Contribution Or Contradiction: Feminist Philosophy And Feminist Practice Through The Eyes Of Young Women Activists, Margaret Ann Fox

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of my research was to identify how young women activists interpret the purpose of their work on a clinic defense project, defending abortion clinics during protests. Each young woman had expectations of her work as a feminist activist. When her experiences were similar to what she envisioned as the purpose of feminist activism, she felt a sense of empowerment because she felt she was contributing to the "cause." Examples of contributing experiences included clinic defense trainings, lobbying, opposition research, grassroots organizing, and the physical defense of abortion clinics. However, when her experiences did not match her definition of …

Origins Of The Kennedy Assassination Controversy, Scott Kauzlarich

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Problem studied: The controversy surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was examined in an effort to determine the roots of this debate and identify the factors which led to the growth of the controversy. The study was primarily limited to the years 1963-1967. This time span adequately covered the birth of the assassination debate and its flowering into a widespread controversy. Research plan: The earliest critics of the official government explanation for the assassination were studied in an effort to discover the origins of the controversy. In particular, the viewpoints of those critics which most shaped the debate …