Digital Commons Network^™

Death And Identity: Consumer Behavior In Asante Death Rituals, Samuel Kwaku Bonsu

Open Access Dissertations

Poorer societies have been ignored in scholarly dialogue on consumer behavior and consumption. The globalization of markets and consumption makes it imperative for marketing and consumer researchers to pay attention to these societies. This dissertation, therefore, explored the dynamics of consumer product decisions and how choices are used by the bereaved to negotiate identities for themselves and the deceased among the Asante people of Ghana. The study focused on the increasingly important role of the ritualized consumption of death ritual products among the Asante people of Ghana. West Africa, and examined the socio-cultural sources of influence on death product choices …

Dialogue In The Development Of A Consilience Index: A Quantum Approach To Integrating Qualitative And Quantitative Practices In The Social Sciences, Kathleen S. Cady-Webster

Open Access Dissertations

The social sciences are seeking expanded methodological models that go beyond significance testing for the assessment of theoretical efficacy (Cohen, 1984; Harlow, Muliak & Steiger, 1997; Meehl, 1997). Faust and Meehl (1992) contend that the social sciences are lacking in the integration of data, while Miller and Burbank, (1994) call for models that offer congruency in theory and practice. In response, this dissertation presents an ontological model that embraces the epistemological views of both quantitative and qualitative researchers. It builds on a previous longitudinal study (Webster, 2000) involving outcomes for 32 juvenile delinquents in Alaska. Results from a qualitative thematic …

The Speed Of Money: Investment As Consumption In Age Of Computer-Mediated Communication, Detlev Zwick

Open Access Dissertations

Using the tools of interpretive consumer research my dissertation explores individual online investing in stocks and mutual funds. Investing in the stock market means more to the individual than the pursuit of a rational financial strategy. Approaches to study investment behavior developed by disciplines such as finance and economics have produced subject-specific but from a marketing perspective empty knowledge. An analysis informed by marketing and consumer theories is able to construe investing as consuming and bring into being a richer and more contextualized description of the lived experience of online investing. Based on a hermeneutic reading of 30 in-depth one-on-one …

Cultural Predictors Of Asian/Pacific Islander Women’S Hiv/Aids Protective Behaviors, Jennifer C. Huang

Open Access Master's Theses

Understanding the HIV/AIDS risk behaviors among heterosexual Asian/Pacific Islander (API) women requires an examination of the circumstances which place heterosexual women at risk of AIDS, as well as the cultural factors which affect API sexuality. Research has been conducted on samples of women, one of the fastest growing populations to be infected with HIV/AIDS, as well as API populations, who are susceptible to HIV infection as any other ethnic group. There is, however, a paucity of research concerning the sexuality of API women. Previous research regarding HIV/AIDS risk factors for women may not be culturally sensitive. Additionally, research pertaining to …

The Effectiveness Of Transitional Bilingual Education On The Reading Performance Of Cape Verdean Students From Crioulo-Speaking Homes, Kay Helene Wood

Open Access Dissertations

This research examines the reading performance in English of Cape Verdean students who received three years of Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) in comparison to the performance of Cape Verdean students who did not receive TBE or other bilingual language services. It also compares the performance of Cape Verdean students in grade five to their performance in grade six. Lastly, it compares the students' performance with that of the district-wide population at the same grade levels. Results on the reading subtest of the California Achievement Test, Fifth Edition (CAT/5) administered in grades five and six are used for comparisons. ANOVA is …

Piety And Intolerance: A Rhetorical Inquiry Into The Constituting Of Christian Fundamentalist Identity, Mary K. Cardinale

Open Access Dissertations

"Piety and Intolerance: A Rhetorical Inquiry Into the Constituting of Christian Fundamentalist Identity" explores the connection between fundamentalist texts and the promotion of prejudice--prejudice defined as intolerance, discrimination, and "negative intergroup attitude[s]" toward outsiders. Studies suggest a relationship between religious fundamentalism and prejudice; however, no study has found conclusively what links them. In response, this study analyzes and interprets passages from two fundamentalist texts in order to locate link/s between the texts' rhetorical elements and their effects on constituting an exclusive fundamentalist identity that positions outsiders as God's enemies. I argue that epideictic rhetoric and the enthymeme, employed as a …

Nonviolence Training Program Evaluation, Maram Hallak

Open Access Dissertations

There has been much recent attention given to conflict resolution and nonviolence training programs in the face of problems of violence in our society. The Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island was founded to provide nonviolence training to students of the university and community members. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Center's Nonviolence Training Program, based on Martin Luther King's approaches, designed to teach participants nonviolence methods as a way of life. A qualitative study gathered information and established the overall expectations of the parties involved. Focus groups …

The Three Hundred And Ninetieth Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curricular Affairs Committee Report #390, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Committee Reports and Appendices

No abstract provided.

The Three Hundred And Eighty-Ninth Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curricular Affairs Committee Report #389, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Committee Reports and Appendices

No abstract provided.

Collection Development Annual Report 1999-2000, William T. O'Malley

Collection Development Reports and Documents

Annual report of collection development activities for 1999-2000 in the University Library, University of Rhode Island.

The Three Hundred And Eighty-Second Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Council For Research Report #99-00-1: Proposed Policy On The Administration Of Grants, Contracts, And Gifts, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

The Freshman Record : The University Of Rhode Island, The Interfraternity/Panhellenic Councils

Freshman Record

No abstract provided.

Assessing Chinese Conflict Management Styles In Joint Ventures, Shuang Liu, Guo-Ming Chen

Communication Studies Faculty Publications

The nationwide economic reform in China has increased the opportunities for the study of intercultural understanding. However, currently very few studies examine the issue from conflict management perspective. It was the purpose of this study to apply existing literature on conflict management to assess Chinese conflict behaviors in joint ventures. The results indicated that Chinese managers and employees tended to adopt collaboration strategy more frequently than control strategy, and control strategy more frequently than non-confrontation strategies. The findings as well revealed that status and gender have a significant impact on the choice of conflict strategies. Implications and limitations were also …

The Determinants Of Conflict Management Among Chinese And Americans, Guo-Ming Chen, Kristen Ryan, Chaichin Chen

Communication Studies Faculty Publications

This study investigated the determinant of conflict management through a comparison of 50 Americans and 48 Chinese students who reflected low-context and high-context cultures respectively. The results, based on in-depth interviews, indicated differences and similarities among factors pertaining to conflict management in the two groups.

Are Iq Discrepancies Between Ses Groups Primarily The Result Of Verbal Scale Differences?, Carol Lee Macnaught

Open Access Dissertations

Historically, comparison groups of children from low socioeconomic status (SES) have done less well on intelligence tests than their more well-to-do counterparts. This study was undertaken to explore the contribution of verbal ability to general intelligence and to consider the possibility of developmental change in the relative contributions of the verbal and performance scales. The analyses used verbal, performance, and full scale scores of a subgroup of the standardization sample of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition (WISC-III). The scores used were attained by children in three age groups (7, 11, and 15 years) with four levels …

Uri Undergraduate And Graduate Course Catalog 2000-2001, University Of Rhode Island

URI Course Catalogs Archive

This is a digitized, downloadable version of the University of Rhode Island Course Catalog.

A Study Of Language Used In Magazine Reports Of Rape And Sexual Assault Trials, Laura B. Chorbajian

Open Access Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the descriptors used to describe victims and alleged perpetrators in recent articles about rape trials and sexual assault trials in popular U.S. magazines to determine whether they were significantly different in connotative meaning as perceived by the respondents. Forty-four articles were examined for descriptors. The ten most commonly used descriptors for the victims and the ten most commonly used descriptors for the alleged perpetrators were then rated on Osgood's semantic differential by 107 undergraduates from the University of Rhode Island. Results showed that descriptors for the victims and alleged perpetrators were found …

Renaissance 2000, University Of Rhode Island

URI Yearbooks

This is a digitized, downloadable version of the University of Rhode Island yearbook.

Studies Of Grief: Narratives Of Incarcerated Women Who Experienced The Death Of A Significant Person While In Prison, Ginette Gosselin Ferszt

Open Access Dissertations

One of the most important issues that an individual confronts during one's life is the death of a significant person. Given the contextual nature of grief, incarcerated women are faced with unique challenges when the death of a person occurs during their imprisonment. Yet, little is known about grief experiences under these circumstances.

The research questions guiding this qualitative study were: What are the meanings of the grief experience of incarcerated women? How does their grieving process compare with images of grief depicted as a normal process? To what extent do the women perceive incarceration influencing their grief? In-depth interviews …

Emergent Readers' Joint Text Construction: A Descriptive Study Of Reading In Social Context, Mary Lee Prescott Griffin

Open Access Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Three Hundred And Seventy-Eighth Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

The Three Hundred And Seventy-Second Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

The Three Hundred And Sixty-Eighth Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Renaissance 1999, University Of Rhode Island

URI Yearbooks

This is a digitized, downloadable version of the University of Rhode Island yearbook.

Dimensions Of Difficulties Mainland Chinese Students Encounter In The United States, Wei Sun, Guo-Ming Chen

Communication Studies Faculty Publications

This study was designed to investigate the difficulties Mainland Chinese students encountered in the process of adjusting to American culture. In-depth interviews were conducted in this study to collect information from 10 Mainland Chinese students. From the recurring themes of answers of each question three dimensions of difficulties Mainland Chinese students encountered in the United States were identified: language ability, cultural awareness, and academic achievements. Directions for future research and limitations of the study were discussed.

Uri Undergraduate And Graduate Course Catalog 1999-2000, University Of Rhode Island

URI Course Catalogs Archive

This is a digitized, downloadable version of the Undergraduate and Graduate course catalog.

A Descriptive, Exploratory Study Of Knowledge Utilization Among Experienced Staff Nurses In An Acute Care Setting, Marilyn Eliza Asselin

Open Access Dissertations

No abstract provided.