Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Identity On Public-Organization Relationships: A Case Study Of Student-University Relations, Nadezhda Olegovna Bocharova

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The study tested the applicability of identification theory for diagnosing relationship quality between organizations and their publics in PR. A survey was posted on-line in a mid-Western university; 377 students of all classifications filled out the questionnaire. Factor analysis produced one-dimensional identification scale and three-dimensional relationship scale: reciprocity, commitment, and exchange. There were significant positive correlations between identity, reciprocity, and commitment, whereas exchange part of relationship negatively related to the above dimensions. Discussion of student publics was developed along with analysis of factors related to university life. Analysis of variance revealed that identity, reciprocity, and commitment decline with tenure in …

The Effect Of Three Rest Intervals After A High Intensity Training Protocol On Speed And Strength Variables In Division I Track And Field Sprinters And Jumpers, Eric Lee Hanenberger

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of three different recovery periods (2, 4 or 6 days) after a high intensity strength training protocol on speed and strength variables in Division I track and field sprinters and jumpers. Methods: Research participants (RP) were assessed in a lower body strength test using a back squat one repetition maximum (lRM). A week of recovery was administered following the lower body strength test. A pre-test was administered to establish baseline values on speed and strength variables. Speed variables included 18.3, 36.6 and 54.9 m sprint times and SPLIT 1 (18.3 …

An Evaluation Of Appearance, Fitness, Health, Illness, And Body Satisfaction Levels Plus Overweight Preoccupation Of Female Fitness Instructors In Cedar Falls And Waterloo, Ia, Catherine M. Zubrod

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to compare the researcher's results to published norms. This study investigated appearance, fitness, health, illness, and body satisfaction levels plus overweight preoccupation of female fitness instructors in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, IA. The respondents for the study were 41 female group fitness instructors. They responded to the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (Godin & Shephard, 1985) to determine leisure-time activity levels, the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ; Cash, 2000) to determine appearance levels, fitness levels, health levels, illness levels, body satisfaction levels, and overweight preoccupation, and a self-developed questionnaire to acquire demographic data. The study …

Employee Engagement As A Mediator Of The Relationship Between Management Support And Job Performance And Turnover, Liliya Akbulatova

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

"Employee Engagement", a new motivational construct, has become popular in recent years. Most of the definitions of engagement formulated in different time periods share the understanding of engagement as a three dimension construct consisting of vigor, dedication, and absorption. Motivation is an important determinant of employee performance. Through the study contained in this paper, I aim to find out whether employee engagement mediates a relationship between management support (as one of the specific antecedents of employee engagement) and employee performance and turnover, as specific consequences of employee engagement. It appears that there is a full mediation between an antecedent variable …

Motor Learning And Its Application To Accent Modification, Lindsey Nicole Clark

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As the numbers of immigrants and non-native speakers of English continue to be high in the United States, there will also continue to be those who wish to alter their manner of speaking. Currently, there is little research discussing the effectiveness of traditional therapy techniques (i.e. auditory training, drill, and phonetic placement; Schmidt and Meyers, 1995). However, in recent years, research has shown high success rates in therapies based on motor learning principles ( e.g. Backer, 2003; Mueller, 2004; Nelson, 2004). By definition, motor learning is "a set of processes associated with practice or experience leading to relatively permanent changes …

Surviving Katrina: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry, Farren Keith Clark

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Using ethnographic methodology, the experiences, opinions, emotions and interaction of 12 participants of different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds who survived Hurricane Katrina were explored through the analysis of their narratives. Narratives were analyzed through interactive interviews that were transcribed and organized by themes. Both family group and individual interviews were conducted and supported by field notes. Inquiry was focused upon the experiences of Katrina survivors before, during and after the storm made landfall in order to explore how survivors characterized their lives in the face of disaster. Participants described the powerful impact Katrina made upon their family's lives following an …

The Effects Of Service Learning On Children, Cedilia R. Corken

Graduate Research Papers

Service learning is a teaching strategy used to connect classroom curriculum with service projects in the community (Skinner & Chapman, 1999). These opportunities enrich educational goals and enable students to apply what is learned in the classroom to meaningful service opportunities in their communities (National Commission on Service Learning, 2007). Service learning opportunities require a specific process in which students prepare and participate in the service opportunity as well as reflect and connect what was learned to classroom content (Eyler & Giles, 1999).

Education is changing and evolving. Educators are responsible for meeting the needs of all students, with various …

School Psychology Shortage And Urban/Rural Differences, Melissa Marie Hickman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

There is a documented shortage of school psychologists. Various factors contribute to this shortage including: (a) attrition, (b) the public's lack of knowledge about the profession, and ( c) stressors on the job. A continued shortage could have negative implications for the profession as well as students and schools by lowering standards for credentialing school psychologists. This paper will review literature on several factors that may influence the shortage. Historical trends and demographics of school psychologists will also be addressed. In particular, research and speculations concerning differences between the practice of rural and urban school psychologists will be discussed.

Mental Health Services In Schools: School Psychologists' Current Practices And Perspectives, Nicole Carlson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It is estimated that approximately 7 .5 to 9 million children and adolescents are in need of mental health services, but that only 20% of these youths actually receive the services they need (National Association of School Psychologists [NASP], 2002). Because of this, schools across the nation have begun to take preventative measures, specifically school-based mental health services. School psychologists are uniquely prepared to provide these services, but little attention has been paid to their needs and concerns regarding such services. Therefore, members of NASP were given a survey to assess current practices and perspectives regarding mental health services in …

Sexual Minority Youth In The Research Literature: The Invisible Students, Kelly J. Beck

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research examines the topics addressed in the School Psychology literature and specifically looks at the amount of coverage the topic of sexual minority youth has received in the research literature in the last 15 years. A content analysis of research articles published in two prominent school psychology journals, School Psychology Review and School Psychology Quarterly, from 1990 to 2005 was conducted. The topics that received the most coverage included: (1) intervention, (2) assessment, and (3) ethical, legal and professional issues. Nine articles out of 901, less than 1 %, included the topic of sexual minority youth. The sub-groups, such …

A Case Study Using Guided Reading And Teacher Read-Alouds While Monitoring English Language Learners' And Native English Speakers' Reading Achievement, Kelsey M. Baker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States continues to increase (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002); therefore, schools and educators are affected by the growing differences in students' language skills, prior experiences, and progress. This research addresses the need for understanding ELLs and how ELLs benefit from adults effectively reading aloud to them. Further research is needed on effective reading instruction for ELLs for several reasons. First, teachers are becoming ELL teachers by default and feel overwhelmed because of the responsibility to teach both language and content (Gersten, 2002). Second, an achievement gap exists between ELLs and native …

Addressing The School Psychologist Shortage : Past Trends And Implications For The Future, Erin Delaine Mccoy

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis begins with a brief history of the field of school psychology, starting with the Hybrid years and continuing through to the present day. Research on the trends that have occurred in the field of school psychology are reviewed. Past trends discussed include: demographics, personnel needs, function and roles, employment conditions, and job satisfaction. This study examined reasons why school psychologists in Iowa left their positions and, specifically, what effect job satisfaction played in their decision to leave. Results indicated two reasons Iowa school psychologists left their positions: role restrictiveness and lack of building support. School psychologists in Iowa …

Examination Of The Major Factors Contributing To The School Psychology Shortage, Sara Ann Recker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The shortage of school psychologists in the United States has been an issue for many years. Though research has been done to address regional shortages, no research has addressed the shortages in each state. Furthermore, little research exists that examines the settings in which the practitioner shortage is most critical. This study utilizes survey research to examine the current shortage in each of the 50 states (and the District of Columbia) and also to determine whether the shortages exist in urban, suburban, or rural areas. Additionally, this study begins to examine possible reasons the shortage exists in the different states. …

An Analysis Of Students' Perceptions Of Online Multimedia Tutorials To Assist Classroom Instruction, Alex A. Goerdt

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Multimedia has become the new learning environment. As technology advances and becomes more prominent, traditional education needs to adapt and utilize all the benefits that can be achieved with computer-assisted instruction. Awareness of students' attitudes toward multimedia-based education is critical in the evaluation of multimedia courses and development of multimedia-based curriculum. The purpose of this study was to examine students' perceptions of multimedia-based instruction. Educational institutions are faced with the challenges of delivering valuable training options to meet the varying needs of students and staff; computer technology has become and will continually be integrated into the classroom to make learning …

The Effects Of The Nutriactive Healthy Experience Intervention On Nutrition Knowledge In Kindergarten And First Grade Students, Jennifer Marie Bruss

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Over the past 30 years obesity in elementary school age children has gone from almost non-existence to common place. With obesity on the rise, the occurrence of diseases associated with it such as Type II diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia have also risen for children. These diseases are often carried into adulthood since overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese adults. This will create another generation of obese children, continue to strain a failing health system, and add additional problems to our economy as the current obese generation heads into retirement.

Poor eating habits and insufficient physical activity …

Differences In Junior High, High School, And College Coaches’ Self-Perceptions Of Behavior, Scott D. Salthun

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine coaches' self-perceptions of their competence in (a) training and instruction, (b) positive feedback, and (c) social support. Also, differences in coaches' gender, competitive level, leadership style, gender of athletes, age, and number of years coaching were investigated in relation to their self-perceptions. A modified questionnaire from Ipinmoroti (2002) was used as the instrument in this study. The questionnaire included three of the five subscales of the leadership scale for sport: (a) training and instruction, (b) positive feedback, and (c) social support. A total of 85 coaches participated in this study. A series …

The Role Of Interpersonal Communication As A Branch Of Relationship Management In Law Enforcement, Nermin Ferkic

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Police officers are often recognized as tough action figures whose only job is to fight ruthless criminals. A highly rated TV show called "Cops" presents police officers as such figures. Police officers drive noticeable squad cars with top lights and a printed motto reading "to protect and serve." They are well known for their work equipment, such as: night sticks, pepper sprays, armor, handcuffs, and most noticeably, guns. This, of course, easily confirms people's idea that police officers' jobs are all about using their physical abilities. However, while working as a police officer and with police officers I realized that …

Validation Of The Suicide Resilience Inventory-25 (Sri-25) With African American High School Students, Stephanie Elizabeth Gantt

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Suicide is the cause of death for nearly 30,000 deaths per year in the United States (Henkel, 2005). Studies show that rates of suicide have increased dramatically among African Americans ages 10-19 years, yet the overall suicide rate of African American adolescents is still lower than that of their Caucasian counterparts (Gould & Kramer, 2001 ; Greening & Stoppelbein, 2002). Some researchers have begun to study protective factors, particularly resilience, as one of the factors that should be maximized to reduce the rate of adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In particular, resiliency is an adaptive, stress-resistant personal quality that allows …

Assessment Of The Source And Transformation Of Nitrate In The Cedar River Watershed By Using Stable Isotopes Of Nitrogen, Sushil Gautam

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Stable isotopes of nitrogen were used to assess the source and fate of nitrate in the Cedar River Watershed, Iowa. Ground water samples from 20 private wells and surface water samples from 10 sites in the Cedar River and its tributaries were collected. A total of 90 samples were collected during the growing season from May through September 2006. In 35% of the wells, nitrate concentration exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 45 mg/1 (as NO3-) for drinking purposes. Eight (8) out of 10 samples exceeded MCL for nitrate in the first set of …

Parental Divorce, Family Conflict, And The Well-Being Of College Students: Forgiveness As A Protective Factor, Kimberly Jorgensen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Current literature cites that children with divorced parents are susceptible to maladjustment. This outcome is especially likely when family conflict exists. One purpose of the current study was to examine and clarify the relationships between parental divorce, interparental and parent-child conflict, and the health and well-being of children as they reach college age. Extant literature also supports the notion that interpersonal forgiveness has a special association with divorce, parent-child relationships, conflict, and mental health. This study therefore purported to examine the role of state and trait forgiveness with respect to the associations between parental divorce status, family conflict and college …

"Feelin' Blue, Oh What To Do?": Coping With Negative Emotions, Jana L. Brinkman

Graduate Research Papers

Over the past five years I have had the opportunity to work with children and youth, ages birth to eighteen, in a variety of environments. The settings in which I have interacted with children include nonprofit agency environments, after school programs, church environments, parks and recreation programs, individual and small group counseling sessions, classroom guidance settings, and home environments. My own observations and experiences along with those of parents, school staff, university faculty, fellow undergraduate and graduate students, and co-workers have supported my conclusion that children from early childhood to high school youth struggle with knowing how to appropriately respond …

Home And School Literacy Partnerships : Building Stronger Tomorrows Hand In Hand, Tera Bockenstedt

Graduate Research Papers

This project aims to bring quality literacy interactions into homes of young children. These literacy interactions are important because research has shown that quality literacy experiences during the early childhood years impact a child's emergent literacy learning. Because children are not yet in formal schooling, many of these interactions can take place in home so family involvement is critical. The project is threefold: (a) to increase the quantity and quality of literacy interactions in the home, (b) to help parents become more informed contributors of their children's emergent literacy development, and (c) to promote more family involvement and two-way communication …

Practice What You Preach : A Look At Retention Research And Classroom Practice, Angela R. Carpenter

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examines the subject of grade level retention. A comprehensive overview of the history, trends, and current practices involving retention will provide the background to the research base. Looking at the common reasons students are retained and the short and long-term effects of retention decisions will help answer the question of whether retention research guides school practice. Alternative solutions that can be implemented in lieu of grade level retention or social promotion practices will also be addressed. The majority of grade level retention and social promotion researchers found the practices of retention and social promotion to be unfavorable. …

Motivation For Leisure Reading : A Model Camp Adventure Curriculum, Nicole Beth Geopfert

Graduate Research Papers

Much research has consistently revealed that the percentage of young children choosing to engage in leisure reading is declining. Instead, potential young readers are consumed many other forms of leisure activity such as video games, Internet, computer games, movies, and more. To become lifelong learners, children ought to be motivated to read. The questions explored in this paper are: what are the obstacles to developing avid independent readers and how can we help young children become engaged, recreational readers? This paper presents a review of the literature on reading motivation, reading attitude, and the gender gap in reading.

The information …

Adult Learners : Who Are They, And What Do They Need To Succeed?, Antoinette Givens

Graduate Research Papers

The unique learning needs of adults are important. Adult education as identified by the literature is a change of knowledge, attitude, or skill of an individual that performs ,, social roles assigned to the adult population. This literature review addresses the question: (a) who is the adult learner? (b) What are the learning needs of adult learners? (c) What are effective strategies for teaching adult learners?

The adult learner is not fully understood without examining education, andragogy and pedagogy, instructional strategies, motivation, and barriers to learning in adults. This area of research is important to the development of effective adult …

Reading Aloud To Children : Is There A Relationship To Reading Achievement?, Stephanie Gierstorf

Graduate Research Papers

This qualitative participant research paper focuses on the importance of reading aloud to children at a young age. Results indicated that being read to at an early age was not enough, in and of itself, to predict reading achievement. However, the amount of parental interaction between the parent, child, and text can affect a child's reading achievement. Children who were exposed to dialogic read-alouds tended to become more independent readers, who chose to read on their own, later in elementary school. It is hoped that educators and parents will understand the importance of including children in a dialogic reading approach …

Effects Of Digital Storytelling In A Language Arts Classroom, Joseph J. Hegland

Graduate Research Papers

Digital storytelling is a process of writing a story using technology to create a movie of a personal story. The purpose of the review is to explore whether or not digital storytelling is an effective way for students in the language arts classroom to connect their writing with technology. The review begins with how technology is used with writing in the classroom·. Then the process of digital storytelling is reviewed to understand the multiple steps: (a) pre-production, (b) production, (c) post-production and (d) distribution. The use of digital storytelling in the classroom and how teachers have used digital storytelling is …

Inclusion Of Special Needs Students Into The Regular Education Classroom, Jennifer S. Hemann

Graduate Research Papers

Is inclusion really the best environment for students with disabilities? Inclusion remains a controversial topic of discussion in the world of education. Since the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), discussing the idea of inclusion has become more acceptable as school personal become willing to create inclusive classroom settings. This paper will examine the ideas behind inclusion including the history and evolution of inclusion. Throughout this paper the focus will be placed on inclusion issues in the classroom, as well as present various perspectives from individuals involved in the inclusion process. Research cited in this review suggests …

Reading Comprehension : What Strategies Make A Difference?, Jill Helgerson

Graduate Research Papers

A literature review was conducted on comprehension strategies. The comprehension strategies that are being reviewed were chosen based on past research of reading comprehension.This literature review will explore six comprehension strategies that have been found to improve students' comprehension abilities.

Building Relationships To Support Self-Regulation, Sherice Hetrick-Ortman

Graduate Research Papers

Discouraged students come to school unable to learn. Emotional and social factors affect their intrapersonal and interpersonal awareness and place them at high risk for school failure. This paper discusses the application of strategies influenced by; sociomoral atmosphere, trust development, self regulation, emotional intelligence, attachment theory, and cultural awareness.

The research addresses the question: Will emotionally discouraged children be able to regulate their emotions through positive relationship building with the classroom teacher? The results contribute to our knowledge of how to support children's ability to regulate themselves in the absence of external devices.