Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of Progress Toward Safe And Drug-Free Schools, Kristina A. Lorenzen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

No abstract provided.

Working With Gay And Lesbian Youth : The Counselor As Advocate, Kara L. Thompson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper addresses the challenges and barriers that gay and lesbian adolescent youth face during this period of t development. It specifically examines the feelings and stages of the coming out process and how gay and lesbian youth deal with this challenging time. The remainder of the paper outlines the role of the counselor in helping gay and lesbian youth. The paper addresses individual, group, and classroom interventions that may be used in assisting this marginalized population.

Body Image, Eating Disturbance And Estrogen Levels Across The Menstrual Cycle, Mei-Chuan Wang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The principal interest of the current study was to examine estrogen levels across the menstrual cycle related to body image and eating disturbance. Participants were undergraduate female students at a medium size Midwestern university. There were two phases of this study-a between-subjects aspect (N = 119) followed by a within-subjects aspect (N = 41 ). Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCO VA) were used to analyze the first phase data. Results showed that when eating disorders were viewed as a whole. eating patterns were stable across the menstrual cycle; but if looked at separately. symptoms of anorexia were worse when estrogen …

Understanding Grief And Loss With Children From Divorced Families, Angela C. Meyer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to present information about how grief and loss affect children from divorced families. Divorce can be just as traumatic as the death of a loved one, and the divorce rate continually increases every year. Two models of grief and how they apply to children of divorce are presented, as well as an explanation the process of grief in relation to divorce. Finally, this researcher identifies prevention and intervention techniques that schools and the whole community can use to aid children through the grief process of divorce.

How To Teach The Eight Multiple Intelligences Developed By Howard Gardner In An Elementary Classroom, Sarah Lyle

Graduate Research Papers

This project consists of research that supports Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory. Definitions for each type of intelligence and specific examples of people who might exhibit each type of intelligence are included in the introduction. Several strategies for teachers to use on a daily basis as well as a curriculum development for early elementary aged students are included in this project.

Reading Between The "Signs", Sarah Durchenwald/Williamson

Graduate Research Papers

Teaching reading to hearing students, with the supplemental support of American Sign • Language, is a relatively new concept. Many components associated with sign language reinforce basic concepts of English. It teaches individual letter sounds, and names, and many of the signs for words emphasize beginning sounds, as well as meaning. Another important component of sign language is its bodily kinesthetic form of learning. Many students in public schools today are not learning through traditional teaching strategies. Incorporating sign language provides a multi-sensory approach to literal hands-on learning.

The following research outlines the principles behind teaching effectively using sign language …

An Analysis Of Physical Activity And Two Forms Of Self Defense Training And Their Impact On Women’S Sense Of Self-Efficacy, Elizabeth Susan Guernsey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Since the mid-l 970s, incidences of rape in the United States have steadily increased. American females aged 16-24 are at the greatest risk to experience rape. This indicates that college-aged women have a high probability of experiencing a sexual assault during their college years. Women are at particularly high risk of being raped by an acquaintance or a date. This may be due to traditional social gender roles in American society. Rape Aggression Defense Systems is the largest self defense program for women that has become particularly popular on college campuses. Ozer and Bandura (1990) sought to study possible increases …

Recent Jewish Immigrants' Communication In Postville, Iowa: A Case Study, Anna I. Levina

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

For this paper the author researched Iowa's immigration history and modern day Postville, a small town that represents a tossed salad of cultural, religious, and linguistic diversities. The author analyzed the current effect of immigration as well as the process of integration and assimilation into the small town through the eyes of its immigrants. The major emphasis is placed on Postville located in northeast Iowa. For 150 years Postville was an all-white, all-Christian farming community of 1,000 souls, most of European ancestry. Today the population of Postville has doubled and of the 2,000 people who reside in Postville almost one …

Caring Teachers: An Ethnography Of Effective Teacher Communication In And Out Of The College Classroom, Jason J. Teven

Iowa Journal of Communication

This ethnographic study investigated teachers' perspectives on caring and effective teaching both in and out of the college classroom. Students in a large mid-Atlantic University were asked to list instructors who they have had in either previous or present classes that they perceived to be the most "caring" and most "effective." Three university instructors were identified, observed in their respective classes, and interviewed with the purpose of exploring three broad categories relating to teacher effectiveness: (1) the definition of a "caring" teacher; (2) the definitions of "good" and "effective" teaching, and (3) how effective teachers motivate students. The findings of …

Childhood Depression And Resiliency : An Evaluation Of The Devereux Early Childhood Assessment Program, Sarah Carroll Jones

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Some researchers have investigated the use of resiliency-building programs to prevent childhood depression in at risk populations (Comer, 1985; Gladstone & Beardslee, 2000; Seligman, 1995). The following study investigates the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment Program (DECA). The DECA Program is designed to build resiliency in preschool children by increasing factors that have been found to be related to resiliency: initiative, self-control, and attachment. The study evaluated the short-term effectiveness of the DECA Program. Two Head Start Centers participated in the study. Pretest DECA rating scales were completed by the classroom teachers. For the next three months the experimental classrooms used …

Depression And Cognitive Changes In Dementia Of The Alzheimer’S Type And Normal Aging, Emily A. Carr

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Past research has identified a relationship between depression scores and memory functioning in "normal" populations. However, findings in the dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (DAT) population have been inconsistent, at best. The purpose of the present study was to further investigate whether Depression affects cognitive functioning in individuals with DAT to the same extent as it affects those without DAT. Depression and cognitive functioning was investigated in two groups of subjects: individuals diagnosed with DAT (N = 27), and older normal controls (N = 24). Cognitive functioning was operationalized as scores achieved on recent memory measures. Each group was assessed …

Effects Of Pesticides And Their Combinations On Human Fibroblast Cells, Yijun Deng

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Pesticides are widely used in Iowa due to its primarily agricultural economy. Many studies have shown that the water sources in Iowa are contaminated by multiple pesticides. Most of the information about the adverse human health effects due to such environmental contaminants comes from studies that focus on exposure to single rather than multiple pesticides. Additionally, many of the environmental regulations regarding levels of pesticide contamination refer only to single, individual pesticides. Many questions remain about the human health effects of exposure to pesticide combinations. This study attempts to understand the effects of pesticide combinations on human cells. A cell …

A Question Of Sanity: Women And In/Sanity In Bessie Head’S A Question Of Power And Sylvia Plath’S The Bell Jar, Amanda Lynn Graeber

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The use of female mental illness in fiction has previously been characterized as a subversive act. Theorists such as Juliet Mitchell, Susan Gubar, and Sandra Gilbert have advocated the use of madness as a way of protesting patriarchal systems and language. Female madness in many cases has been viewed not only as a conscious choice, but as an option that is preferable to sanity. In their view, mental illness is an embodiment of a woman's rejection of the patriarchal order. I would suggest that mental illness is actually about powerlessness. The madwoman is placed in a space outside of normal …

Negotiating Voices: Ethnography Of Interactive Theatre Techniques Within A Classroom, Jana Gymer-Koch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

During the Spring 2001 semester I had the opportunity to conduct an ethnography of Dr. Karen Mitchell's course "Texts and Contexts: Performance and Social Change" at the University of Northern Iowa. This course is designed to link performance with social change issues, by utilizing personal narrative and Augusto Boal' s Theatre of the Oppressed techniques: forum theatre, image theatre, and invisible theatre. These techniques were chosen by Dr. Mitchell on the basis of their capacity to involve both actors and audiences in the issues to be addressed and because they are based on Paulo Freire' s principles of liberatory education. …

Predicting Ghanaian Pre-Service Teachers' Intention To Teach High-Risk Sexual Behavior Prevention From Teaching Efficacy And Prevention Approach, Joseph Kwesi Ogah

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Youth and adolescents in African Countries have been experiencing high prevalence levels of the outcomes of high-risk sexual behavior (HRSB), such as HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, illegal abortions, and dropping out of school. Education is one means by which HRSB can be reduced among adolescents, but the sensitive nature of sex education and the controversy over which prevention approach to use have made the teaching of HRSB prevention in schools a cautious undertaking. The purpose of this study was to describe (a) pre-service teachers’ efficacy beliefs for teaching HRSB prevention and (b) pre-service teachers’ preferred approach to HRSB prevention, as determinants …

Culture From Chaos: The Formation Of Social Norms From The Dynamic Self-Organization Of Individuals' Attitudes And Behavior, Jerry G. Cullum

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Top-down models of culture provide a useful although limited understanding of cultural content, formation, and change. Previous theorizing using bottom-up models help to explain why cultures exist and explain some of their content. Dynamic social impact theory (DSIT; Latane, 1996) expands on previous bottom-up models by proposing a concise mechanism for cultural content transmission and the dynamic outcome of this process. Furthermore, the catastrophe theory of attitudes (Latane & Nowak, 1994) suggests that the level of involvement of an issue will modify attitude change and therefore modify DSIT's predictions. The present study expanded on previous research to offer a more …

Selected Influences On The Smoking Behavior Among Female And Male College Students Of The University Of Northern Iowa, Evelyn Adom-Boateng

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study primarily, was to investigate and identify the influence of the four focus areas (media, family, peer, and psychological coping technique) on the smoking behavior among female and male college students of the University of Northern Iowa. A description of differences in the influences of the focus areas on the smoking behavior on gender was included in the study. A non-random (convenient) sample of 100 students was drawn from the various Departments and Schools from five colleges in the University (57% males and 43% females).

The Sample responded to a 44-item self-report (survey) questionnaire. Overall means …

Relationship Between The Knowledge Of Sexually Transmitted Disease And Sexual Behavior, Kong Chen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Undergraduate college students, despite widespread prevention and education efforts, still engage in sexual behaviors that place them at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The hypothesis of the study was that higher levels of knowledge of STDs were associated with positive sexual behavior. Thus, sexual behavior, knowledge of STDs, and the relationship between those two aspects among 103 undergraduate students (70 women and 33 men) at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) were examined in the study.

No statistical significance was found in terms of college students' knowledge of STDs and their sexual behavior. This study showed that female students …

Adsorption And Reaction Of Benzaldehyde On Porous Glass Studied By Ftir And Tpd, Steven Michael Badger Ii

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Benzaldehyde was dosed onto porous borosilicate glass in order to better understand the catalytic behavior of the surface of the porous glass. 18,000 L of benzaldehyde was dosed onto the porous glass at approximately 50 K and heated to a temperature of 470 K. The reactions that occurred were studied using FTIR spectroscopy and Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD). The FTIR spectrum of the porous glass confirmed the presence of isolated surface hydroxyl groups (Si-OH), seen in the spectrum at 3750 cm1 , and the presence of isolated boron-OH groups, seen in the spectrum at 3700 cm1 . Neighboring surface hydroxyl …

The Effects Of Student Manipulated Lewis Structure Models On Chemistry Achievement According To Cognitive Level, Kimberly M. Ross

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between teaching method or cognitive development and achievement in a unit on Lewis electron dot structures. Forty-six students were taught a unit on Lewis electron dot structures using the traditional paper and pencil method. Thirty-eight students were taught the same unit using a manipulative model instead of the traditional method. Both groups of students were given pre and post-tests on Lewis electron dot structures and their gains after instruction were measured. The Group Assessment of Logical Thinking measured student's cognitive level. Students were categorized as concrete, transitional …

A Review Of Separation Anxiety Disorder With A Focus On Research Based Intervention Strategies, Lauryn C. Kittleson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to discuss what Separation Anxiety Disorder is, what causes SAD symptoms in some children, successful assessment methods, and finally treatment and intervention options available and the efficacy of each one. The focus of this paper is on research based interventions with the intention of finding the most successful and empirically based intervention available. The most widely used and empirically based intervention available at this time is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Alternative methods of treatment include psycho-education for mild cases and CBT plus medication for severe cases.

Many areas need further research and future studies …

The Introduction Of Interactive Multimedia Dvd To The Electronic Media Studies, Randal L. Lau

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project is to show how technology is able to improve student achievement and increase student productivity. Finding new and exciting ways to integrate technology into today's classrooms is a challenge. The use of an interactive DVD will be introduced to the students in the Electronic Media Studies classes in the fall of 2003. The project was based upon the research reviewed and documented within this literature review. Students will no longer be listening to the instructor lecturing in front of the classroom, they will be actively involved in an interactive multimedia presentation, where they are free …

The Effects Of Hands-On Science On Student Achievement, Christopher Andrew Gersitz

Graduate Research Papers

In recent years, many major science curriculum development projects have promoted hands-on, practical activities as an effective and an enjoyable way for students to learn science content (Hodson, 1990). After a quarter of a century, the phrase "hands-on science" is part of the everyday vocabulary of science educators, particularly those at the elementary and middle school levels (Flick, 1993).

The Effects Of Aerobic Activity On The Self-Stimulating Behaviors Of Children Diagnosed With Autism, Jason Lee Witte

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

No abstract provided.

Diabetes Education: Overview, Obstacles, And Opportunities, Mary Ann Steffensmeier

Graduate Research Papers

The slogan "if you build it they will come" became a popular marketing phrase in Iowa after the movie "Field of Dreams." One area of health education that would like to see this type of business growth in Iowa is diabetes self-management education. In Iowa, thirty-eight state certified self-management programs exists (Iowa Department of Public Health, 2001a). These programs have been built to meet the standards of the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) for providing quality diabetes education programs. The IDPH's standards are quite similar to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) standards. The ADA has 65 certified programs ("Education …

Factors Related To Physical Activity Behaviors In Young People, Julie Simonson

Graduate Research Papers

Physical activity behaviors in young people are complex and multi-dimensional in nature. The number of children meeting minimum physical activity standards is low, and the prevalence of overweight among youth in the United States is rapidly increasing. This is true in spite of published research showing the positive psychological and physical health benefits of regular physical activity. Reasons for the declining number of children meeting minimum physical activity standards vary widely, and include both demographic and environmental factors. Subsequent knowledge gained through additional research on these determinants and improved educational programs could prove beneficial in increasing physical activity levels in …

Effects Of Nitrates/Nitrites On Lymphocyte Proliferation And Cytokine Production, Lu Fang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Approximately 3 million people may be exposed to high nitrate levels(>10 ppm) in the United States, especially in Iowa and other agricultural states. The concern regarding usage of groundwater with excessive concentrations of nitrates is related to human health effects. The toxicity of nitrate to humans is due to the body's reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Nitrate/nitrite impair public health with consequences such as gastric cancer, methemoglobinemia and other diseases. Currently, based upon human case studies, the drinking water quality standard in the U.S. is 10 ppm nitrate-N (MCL). Little work has been done on the effects of nitrate/nitrite …

Deterrence Rhetoric In A Post-Cold War Security Environment, Michael D. Griffin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis examines changes in United States deterrence policy from a communications perspective. The shift in policy was first made public in national strategy documents released in the fall of 2002. Using Kenneth Burke's dramatism, both the Cold War and the current security environment are examined. The pentadic analysis provides a better understanding of how the Bush administration views the world, unmasking motives for the shift in deterrence policy. The new policy of deterrence is examined to determine if it functions effectively as a persuasive argument. This analysis will then look at the implication of the new policy in addressing …

Criticism Of Middle School Curriculum Integration : A Review Of The Literature, Carrie Even

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review looks at curriculum integration at the middle school level. The literature predominantly has reflected curriculum integration as a practice that benefits middle school students, but it has received criticism as well. Some of the criticism includes the following: time needed for planning, teaming of teachers, student interest, standards and benchmarks being subject specific, and the lack of critical information in specific content areas. This review of the literature examines the criticism to understand whether curriculum integration is beneficial for students.

Recommendations about the continued use of curriculum integration at the middle school level include the following: continued …

Adolescent Depression : Implications For The High School Counselor, Mary C. Zierke

Graduate Research Papers

For many teenagers, today depression is more thanjust a case of the blues. An estimated 6 - 30% percent of teenagers suffer from clinical depression. Life is not always happy and carefree, and for many adolescents, these are not the best years of their lives. Given the prevalence and seriousness of adolescent depression, it is important that teenagers suffering from this disorder receive quick and effective treatment. Since most teenagers spend a majority of their day in schools, school counselors play a critical role in addressing teenage depression. The importance of this paper was to examine the causes for depression …