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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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Should Coaches Administer Psychological Interventions To Their Athletes?, Timothy Scott Rice Jan 1996

Should Coaches Administer Psychological Interventions To Their Athletes?, Timothy Scott Rice

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study's intents were two-fold: (1) to examine Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP) members' perceptions regarding the acceptability of coaches delivering psychological interventions (PI) to their athletes; and (2) to determine what PI, if any, coaches are administering to their athletes. AAASP members were mailed a survey with a 67.77% (N = 143) return rate. A separate questionnaire was mailed to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I baseball (N = 145; 37.08%), softball (N = 131, 60.37%), and tennis (N = 431; 65.11%) coaches. AAASP participants were mailed a second questionnaire (N = 106; 74%) …

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Allies, Adversaries Or Just Apathy? Social Work Licensure And Faculty Knowledge And Perceptions., Barbara Cox Matz Jan 1996

Allies, Adversaries Or Just Apathy? Social Work Licensure And Faculty Knowledge And Perceptions., Barbara Cox Matz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study explored the knowledge and perceptions of faculty of masters level schools of social work about social work licensure and the licensing examination and the interactions of social work faculty with boards of social work examiners. A questionnaire was mailed to 989 Council on Social Work Education members which queried their knowledge about licensure and the licensure examination and about their interaction with boards of social work examiners. 493 questionnaires were returned. Respondents thought licensure was important to the standing of social work as a profession, that licensure will have a long term impact on the profession and that …

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Performance Of College Students In An Introduction To Special Education Course With Collaborative Versus Traditional Method Of Instruction., Kevin Joseph Miller Jan 1996

Performance Of College Students In An Introduction To Special Education Course With Collaborative Versus Traditional Method Of Instruction., Kevin Joseph Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of collaborative small group method of instruction has received considerable attention at the elementary school level. However, little empirical data exists regarding the use of structured collaborative small groups at the college level. This study was designed to compare student performance in a structured collaborative small group method of instruction versus traditional whole class method of instruction. Specifically examined were data on student achievement, student behavior, and student perception collected immediately and one week after experiences within each method of instruction. There were 19 dependent variables in all. Twelve upper level undergraduate and four graduate students participated in …

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Regulatory Takings: Lobbying, Coalitions, And Influence., Randolph Rutherford Moffett Jan 1996

Regulatory Takings: Lobbying, Coalitions, And Influence., Randolph Rutherford Moffett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There is a substantial body of literature examining the role of interest groups and their influence in the policy process. What is less clear is the decision-making process of groups in selecting strategies to advance their goals and how the choice of tactics impacts the behavior of other groups within the policy area. This dissertation examines what influences the choice of lobbying strategies in an attempt to understand whether certain types of groups favor particular strategies, how they use the policy process to influence policy decisions, and how successful they are in their choice of strategy. This study examines the …

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Identification And Analysis Of Communication Patterns In An Ihe With A Downsized Unit., William Earl Noone Jan 1996

Identification And Analysis Of Communication Patterns In An Ihe With A Downsized Unit., William Earl Noone

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation is a case study of the University of Maryland at College Park for the purpose of analyzing the communication patterns that may have been responsible for the success of UMCP's downsizing process. On campus interviews with key persons were conducted to identify the flow of communication through the UMCP authority hierarchy. The findings of this study indicated that the communication, that appears to have had a positive effect on the success of the process at the UMCP, is manifest at the decision making level and between and among the decision making bodies that are in operation on the …

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Correlation Of In-Facepiece Sampling Methods Using A Simulated Health-Care Workplace Test., Christopher Charles Coffey Jan 1996

Correlation Of In-Facepiece Sampling Methods Using A Simulated Health-Care Workplace Test., Christopher Charles Coffey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

For a number of years, it was assumed that the protection measured during a laboratory fit test was indicative of the protection provided by the respirator during actual use in the workplace. Beginning in the early 1980's, workplace protection factor studies were conducted to validate this assumption. These studies indicated that quantitative fit test results did not correlate with actual workplace protection factors. A fit test that indicates the degree of exposure is especially important when Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) exposures are involved. This study tested the correlation of fit factors to the subject's actual exposure using biological sampling. Six quantitative …

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A Study Of The Relationship Between School And District Office Linkage Patterns And The Implementation Status Of Key Middle Level Practices., Michael Lee Cunningham Jan 1996

A Study Of The Relationship Between School And District Office Linkage Patterns And The Implementation Status Of Key Middle Level Practices., Michael Lee Cunningham

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the relationship between middle school principals' perceptions of the linkage patterns of their schools with the district office and the perceived degree of key middle level practices implementation by the school. To examine this relationship, the Survey of Middle Level Education was designed using measures related to the work of Fullan (1991) and Louis and Niles (1990) regarding change implementation in schools. The basis for the survey items related to communication and control linkage patterns were Likert's (1967) studies of organizational systems. This survey, which was sent to 600 middle school principals, was also designed to indicate …

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Behaviorological Analysis And Evaluation Of Functional Controls Over Verbal Behavior During Persuasive Argument., Barbara Ann Fallon Jan 1996

Behaviorological Analysis And Evaluation Of Functional Controls Over Verbal Behavior During Persuasive Argument., Barbara Ann Fallon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Both academic and business communities are concerned about how the conduct of argument affects decisions made by small groups. While most parties with experience in argument have intuitive ideas about why argument occurs as it does, empirical evidence is seldom available. This multi-subject single-case investigation identifies relations among kinds of statements made during persuasive argument. Argument was conducted during five separate experimental sessions between different pairs of people. The participants in the study were five native English speaking West Virginia University graduate students. The data sets from each argument allowed comparison of intervention effects within and across experimental sessions. Data …

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The Process Of Home-Based Early Intervention: A Case Study Of A Family Educator In An Appalachian Community., Carole Ann Gnatuk Jan 1996

The Process Of Home-Based Early Intervention: A Case Study Of A Family Educator In An Appalachian Community., Carole Ann Gnatuk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many parents need support and intervention from the community to realize their essential role as their young children's primary teachers. Home visitation is one type of family support program that supplies that need. Although some measurable outcomes for children and parents in such programs have been noted, the dynamics of the action between the catalyst for development, the family educator, and family members cannot be measured quantitatively. Programming and funding decisions can be made with more accuracy if the rich human interactions are systematically narrated and thus appreciated as essential data. The research literature contains few qualitative studies focusing on …

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Visual And Iconographic Design Principles: Implications For Computer-Assisted Instruction., Lindia Lee Gordon Jan 1996

Visual And Iconographic Design Principles: Implications For Computer-Assisted Instruction., Lindia Lee Gordon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to provide educators and developers of computer-assisted instruction with a validated, concise list of visual and iconographic design principles that should be considered when designing graphical icons to stimulate learning as a part of the user interface of their courseware packages in order to create more effective learning. A panel of 12 experts in a modified Delphi study identified and validated visual and iconographic design principles necessary in the development of icons for CAI. As a result of this study, 37 visual and iconographic design principles were identified and validated. The final conclusions of …

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Childhood Immunizations In Rural West Virginia: Identification Of Immunization Barriers And Development Of Persuasion Strategies., Prasanna Rameshchandra Gore Jan 1996

Childhood Immunizations In Rural West Virginia: Identification Of Immunization Barriers And Development Of Persuasion Strategies., Prasanna Rameshchandra Gore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite the availability of effective vaccines, immunization rates among two-year old children continue to be low in many areas of the United States including West Virginia. The overall goal of this study was to identify barriers to childhood immunization in rural West Virginia, determine factors that are important in the timely completion of the childhood immunization schedule, develop and validate immunization persuasion messages, and determine which message strategy, fear, motherhood-arousal or rational is most effective in attracting mothers' attention to their child's past-due immunization status. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase I, a telephone survey was used …

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Development Of Ultrasonic Techniques For Detection Of Internal Defects In Highway Concrete Structures., Allakbar Afshari Jan 1996

Development Of Ultrasonic Techniques For Detection Of Internal Defects In Highway Concrete Structures., Allakbar Afshari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of ultrasonic technique for detection of internal flaw and delamination in concrete structures is extremely difficult. In this research all traditional techniques were precisely studied and four new inspection techniques were developed which could be practically applied in testing concrete structures. The developed techniques are: (1) Detached Receiver Through Transmission technique(DRTT); (2) Direct testing of rebars in concrete structures; (3) Semi-Through Transmission Technique(STT); (4) Detached Receiver Pitch-Catch Technique(DRPC). All four of the developed techniques have low signal responses and resolution is critical. The detached receiver techniques have low responses because most of the signal is reflected at the …

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Silica-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation And Fibrosis: Toxicological Implications And Pharmacological Modulation., Michael Dimatteo Jan 1996

Silica-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation And Fibrosis: Toxicological Implications And Pharmacological Modulation., Michael Dimatteo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Human exposure to silica is of great occupational concern as it is marked by pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. The present work was performed to investigate, characterize, and modulate the responses that occur as a result of silica exposure. The intratracheal instillation of silica to rats results in pulmonary fibrosis but the cellular processes involved in the development of the chronic disease have not been well characterized. The hypothesis of this study was that pharmacological intervention early in the silica-induced inflammatory cascade will attenuate fibrosis development. The acute phase response to silica appears by 2 hours after instillation as evidenced by …

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The Role Of The President At Small Religious Colleges., Mark Alan Smith Jan 1996

The Role Of The President At Small Religious Colleges., Mark Alan Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to compare the perceptions of small religious college presidents and board chairpersons with regard to twenty one selected presidential roles. Presidents and board chairpersons from one hundred and fifty (150) small religious colleges and universities were randomly selected to respond to the Presidential Roles Survey. Usable survey instruments were returned by 91 of the 150 presidents (61%), and 75 of the 150 board chairpersons (50%). These responses came from 100 of the 150 institutions (66%) that were surveyed. This study showed that presidents and board chairpersons of small religious colleges were a very educated …

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A Comparative Study Of The Strategies To Maintain Enrollments At Japanese And American Private Institutions Of Higher Education As A Response To Decline In The Population Of Traditional-Age Students., Gregory Alan Snoddy Jan 1996

A Comparative Study Of The Strategies To Maintain Enrollments At Japanese And American Private Institutions Of Higher Education As A Response To Decline In The Population Of Traditional-Age Students., Gregory Alan Snoddy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Japanese higher education institutions obtain 90% of their enrollments from the traditional age student population, yet this population will decrease by 26% between the years 1992 and 2000. With approximately 75% of all Japanese students attending private higher education institutions, there exist the possibility for an adverse impact on the private sector. U.S. institutions have addressed decreasing traditional age student populations by diversifying enrollments to include substantial numbers of non-traditional and part-time participants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the types of strategies being considered or used by Japanese private higher education institutions to maintain enrollments, and to …

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Assessment Of Adolescent Quality Of Life: Development And Preliminary Validation Of A Self-Report Measure., Leslie E. Spieth Jan 1996

Assessment Of Adolescent Quality Of Life: Development And Preliminary Validation Of A Self-Report Measure., Leslie E. Spieth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Assessing the impact of chronic illness on child and adolescent functioning has become increasingly important as mortality rates associated with chronic illness have decreased and survival rates have increased. With improvements in prognosis, greater emphasis has been placed on the assessment of acute and residual dysfunction caused by chronic illnesses and their treatment. The multiple dimensions of functioning and well-being are commonly referred to as "quality of life" (QOL). The assessment of patient QOL provides an important outcome measure that complements the physiological outcome measures which are typically obtained. Patient reports of QOL are particularly important as the dysfunction caused …

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High School Principals' Perceptions Of Selected Middle School Preferred Practices Applied At High Schools Within West Virginia, Washington, And Indiana: Relationship To Student Dropout Rate, Attendance, Disciplinary Actions, And Academic Achievement., Patrick Jay Tray Jan 1996

High School Principals' Perceptions Of Selected Middle School Preferred Practices Applied At High Schools Within West Virginia, Washington, And Indiana: Relationship To Student Dropout Rate, Attendance, Disciplinary Actions, And Academic Achievement., Patrick Jay Tray

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since the early 1970's increasing research has been conducted concerning more effective education of middle school students (Ages 10-14). Over the years a number of preferred practices (19) have been identified which promote a learning environment that more effectively meets the academic, social, and emotional needs of that transitional age as opposed to the more traditional, high school like, practices found within the junior high school setting. It has been concluded by most middle school practitioners and researchers that the more extensive the application of these (19) preferred practices within the Middle School the more improved student performance would be …

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Families Of Premature Infants: An Analysis Of Physical Abuse Risk Factors., Kimberly J. Ujcich Jan 1996

Families Of Premature Infants: An Analysis Of Physical Abuse Risk Factors., Kimberly J. Ujcich

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Physical abuse of children is a major social issue affecting families. Children under the age of three, children with disabilities, and those born prematurely have each been shown to be high risk populations for experiencing physical abuse. This study investigated several child, family, and environmental factors associated with physical abuse within a population of children born prematurely. Forty-five mother-child dyads from each of three chronological age groups (6 months, 12 months, and 18 months) participated. Home sessions were conducted in which mothers completed questionnaires, children were assessed for developmental abilities, and mother-child dyads were observed during feeding interactions. Demographic and …

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Reform Of Higher Education In West Virginia: A Bicameral System Of Governance, 1989-1994., Richard Domenick Cupelli Jan 1995

Reform Of Higher Education In West Virginia: A Bicameral System Of Governance, 1989-1994., Richard Domenick Cupelli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In 1989 the West Virginia Legislature established a bicameral governance system for the state's higher education institutions. The Board of Trustees governs the University System of West Virginia while the Board of Directors governs the State College System. They have general management and control over the financial and educational policies of all public institutions. The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze the perceived effectiveness of the bicameral system of governance in West Virginia public higher education during the first five years of its existence. Assessment involves a survey and analysis of perceptions of those individuals instrumental in …

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The Effects Of Lupus On Flannery O'Connor And Some Of Her Works., Elizabeth Deidre Davis Jan 1995

The Effects Of Lupus On Flannery O'Connor And Some Of Her Works., Elizabeth Deidre Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study is to show the influence of lupus on the life and selected works of Flannery O'Connor. Through reading O'Connor's manuscripts, letters, and books, correspondence with Nancy Bray, curator of the Flannery O'Connor collection, and Sally Fitzgerald, and visiting Milledgeville, Georgia, the author has been able to describe O'Connor's life before and after she was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Because the author is also a victim of a connective tissue disease, similar to lupus, she has shared many of the same symptoms of O'Connor which are also detailed. O'Connor's two novels, some of her short …

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Integrated Reliability, Availability, Maintainability Cost Modeling For The Manufacturing System Design/Operation Problem., Yavuz Goktas Jan 1995

Integrated Reliability, Availability, Maintainability Cost Modeling For The Manufacturing System Design/Operation Problem., Yavuz Goktas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The level of production at a manufacturing system is limited by this system availability. Stage or component failures will decrease the available production time which in turn decrease the system throughput rate and increase the production cost. A problem that faces system designers is the need to adopt design and operating policies to enhance system availability economically to achieve their goals. This problem raises two major questions to study: (1) How to go about comparing different design and operating policy alternatives? (2) What kind of criteria should be used to pick a cost-efficient design and operating policy to satisfy the …

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Even Start Parents' Practices And Views Of Literacy With Preschool-Aged Children., Diane E. Karther Jan 1995

Even Start Parents' Practices And Views Of Literacy With Preschool-Aged Children., Diane E. Karther

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The family's influence on children's learning has been well documented in the literature. Early literacy experiences in the home can facilitate children's acquisition of reading and writing skills and impact school achievement. A lowered socioeconomic level and low educational achievement challenge parents' abilities to provide literacy experiences for their children. The purpose of the present study was to examine the literacy practices of families who participated in an Even Start Family Literacy program and to describe parents' views of education and role of teacher of their children. Data for three case families were collected by semi-structured interviews of five parents …

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Visionary Leadership And Total Quality Management In Higher Education Administration., Larry Dusten Kyle Jan 1995

Visionary Leadership And Total Quality Management In Higher Education Administration., Larry Dusten Kyle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Higher education is facing an enrollment crisis as well as reduced funding. Higher education is being asked to do more with less. Add to this increased demands for accountability plus increased competition for students and higher education is faced with the same situation American industry faced in the 1980's. This study seeks to determine if the tools and techniques of Total Quality Management (TQM) can help higher education as it helped American industry regain its competitiveness in the world market. To examine TQM in higher education, the effect of the visionary leader on the TQM culture was studied. The visionary …

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The Use Of An Instrumented Breast Model Of The Examination Of Patterns Of Search In Breast Self-Examination., Susan Bragg Leight Jan 1995

The Use Of An Instrumented Breast Model Of The Examination Of Patterns Of Search In Breast Self-Examination., Susan Bragg Leight

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this descriptive pilot study was to evaluate two patterns of search in breast self-examination for the thoroughness of search they engender. An instrumented breast model was developed and piloted for this study. Eight LVDT's were embedded in a silicone breast model. Downward pressure on the breast model resulted in displacement measures which were converted to digital signals through the use of an M102 module. A command software program recorded these displacement measures in a series of files. The research questions for the study addressed the following issues: what was the effect of the vertical strip pattern as …

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Evangelism And Western Education In Western Kenya: Church Of God (Anderson, Indiana), 1905-1949., Dorothy Ann Smith-Akubue Jan 1995

Evangelism And Western Education In Western Kenya: Church Of God (Anderson, Indiana), 1905-1949., Dorothy Ann Smith-Akubue

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This is a study of the impact of the evangelistic approach to western education by the Church of God Mission of Anderson, Indiana, U.S.A. on the Luyia of Western Kenya. It describes the types of schools initiated, their strengths and weaknesses, as a result of this missionary endeavor. The focus of this study also reveals new insights as to the social, religious and political impact of mid-western evangelism and education on the Luyia. Through the use of extensive oral interviews and questionnaires from Western Kenya, this study is able to provide a unique African voice in the assessment of the …

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The Quantification Of Dynamic Parameters That Affect Eccentric Contraction Induced Injury In An In Vivo Rodent Model., Robert Gregory Cutlip Jan 1995

The Quantification Of Dynamic Parameters That Affect Eccentric Contraction Induced Injury In An In Vivo Rodent Model., Robert Gregory Cutlip

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Musculo-skeletal injury is a major occupational concern in the modern workforce. To date, the mechanisms responsible for muscle injury are not clearly understood. The objective of this research was to quantify the effect of dynamic parameters such as strain, strain-rate, number of repetitions, and loading cycles in muscle injury. A computer-controlled rodent dynamometer was designed and fabricated at WVU to facilitate the systematic investigation of eccentric-contraction induced muscle injury. An in vivo rodent model was used to study the effects of velocity and continuous versus intermittent loading on the rat plantarflexor group. The experimental results indicated that injury was independent …

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Leadership Of Behavior Disorders Programs In West Virginia., Carol J. Graham Jan 1995

Leadership Of Behavior Disorders Programs In West Virginia., Carol J. Graham

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was designed to examine the relationship of principal leadership and teacher behavior on the movement of students to a lesser restrictive environment. The specific lesser restrictive environment studied in this paper was the regular education program. The relationship between principal leadership through teacher behavior and the movement of the behavior disorders student from the behavior disorders classroom to the regular education classroom were examined in this study. The two hypotheses that guided this study were as follows: (1) the movement of behavior disorders (B.D.) students does not significantly regress on factors of the principal leadership; (2) there is …

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Political Culture And The Coal Economy In The Upper Monongahela Region: 1776-1933., Michael Edward Workman Jan 1995

Political Culture And The Coal Economy In The Upper Monongahela Region: 1776-1933., Michael Edward Workman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The industrialization of Appalachia traditionally has been understood in terms of the penetration and exploitation of the region by outside capitalists. The role of indigenous capitalists in the development of the coal and other industries has been neglected. Most development studies have focused on the Central portions of Appalachia, virtually ignoring the northern parts of the region, including the Upper Monongahela region of Northern West Virginia. Moreover, most studies of industrialization have focused on the rural, rather than the urban, parts of the region. Furthermore, the study of the role of coal miners and the miners' union (United Mine Workers …

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Ain't Misbehavin' : A Study Of Teacher Misbehaviors, Related Communication Behaviors, And Student Resistance, Danielle J. Dolin Jan 1995

Ain't Misbehavin' : A Study Of Teacher Misbehaviors, Related Communication Behaviors, And Student Resistance, Danielle J. Dolin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This examined teacher misbehaviors' relationships to student cognitive and affective learning, student liking of the instructor, and student resistance. Socio-communicative style, nonverbal immediacy, and behaviors characteristic of communication anxiety were examined as possible predictors of learning, liking, and misbehaviors. Factor structures of the resistance behaviors and of the teacher misbehaviors were explored. Data were collected both at the beginning of a semester and at the end of a semester survey. Results suggest consistency with previous models. Responsiveness, nonverbal immediacy. and teacher misbehaviors all contribute a significant amount of variance to learning. New dimensions for the teacher misbehavior and student resistance …

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Alcohol Treatment Issues: Professional Differences., Stella Y. Hshieh Jan 1995

Alcohol Treatment Issues: Professional Differences., Stella Y. Hshieh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The current practice of alcohol treatment in many agencies implies the distinction between addiction treatment and mental health treatment. This study attempted to investigate how the psychologists and addiction counselors might possess different philosophies and treatment approaches. It also attempted to examine how the differences might affect linkages across service system boundaries. Subjects were professionals who were actively involved in the treatment of problem drinking. Samples were selected from psychologists affiliated with the American Psychological Association (APA) and alcoholism counselors affiliated with the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). A survey questionnaire was sent to each subject, …

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