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Self-Assessed Dakota Language Fluency And Suggested Strategies For Language Revitalization On The Spirit Lake Nation, Ruth Ellen De Larios

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides a background of the status of the Dakota language as it is spoken on the Spirit Lake Nation in northeast North Dakota. The study examined Dakota language fluency, environments where the language is used, and suggested strategies for revitalization. In order to determine the aforementioned, a brief Survey for Grant for Revitalization of Tribal Languages (Survey) was implemented. This assessment of community fluency and interest was essential to obtaining an Administration for Native Americans grant to develop a language revitalization effort that came to be known as the Dakota la UnspepHLanguage Preservation Program.

The Survey for Grant …

Persistence In Higher Education: Student And University Characteristics, Clint Bueling

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A History Of "Especially For Youth" - 1976-1986, John Bytheway

Theses and Dissertations

The summer of 2002 marked the 26th anniversary of the youth camp “Especially for Youth” (EFY). Over 34,000 teenagers from across the United States, Canada and several foreign countries gathered on thirty-one different college campuses to attend one of the sixty-four sessions of the five-day program. Since the first session in 1976, Especially for Youth has enjoyed steady increases in attendance and popularity. Beginning in the early 1980s, the program's success reached the point that applicants were turned away because there was not enough space to house all those who wanted to attend.

EFY is sponsored by Brigham Young University …

Latter-Day Saints In Popular National Periodicals 1970-1981, Adam H. Nielson

Theses and Dissertations

The public image of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the product of several factors. This thesis investigates that image as presented in national periodicals from 1970 to 1981. During this time "Mormons" and "Mormonism" was a popular topic as the religion gained notoriety, and as an awareness of its peculiar beliefs and practices increased.

The rationale for using national magazines to assess public image is the assumption that they "reflect prevailing points of view" and help "formulate public opinion." Since popular attitudes are one of the factors that influence how the Church is accepted in the …

Mathematics Instructional Methods And Their Effects On Student Mathematics Scores, Ruth Huovinen

Theses and Dissertations

Mathematics instruction is undergoing an evolution in the United States. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) advocates a change from the previous emphasis on computational skills to a greater emphasis on problem solving. The pre-service training most teachers completed did not include extensive exposure to strategies of this type. For that reason, school districts may choose to utilize staff development programs to assist teachers in acquiring these new strategies. This study examined one such staff development program, Developing Mathematical Ideas (DMI), and its effects on the mathematics achievement scores of the fourth grade students in a school district. …

Childhood Emotional Deprivation And Neglect As Predictors Of Adult Perfectionalism, Heather M. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between emotional deprivation and neglect experienced as a child, and the development of perfectionistic qualities as an adult. One hundred undergraduate college students, at the University of North Dakota, ages ranging from 18 to 26, were administered the Parental Bonding Inventory (PBI, Parker, Tupling, & Brown, 1979), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ, Bernstein et al., 1994), and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS, Frost, Marten, Lahart, & Rosenblate, 1990). It was hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between an individual's experience of emotional deprivation and neglect as a child, and the development of perfectionistic …

An Exploratory Study Of Student Satisfaction Of The Rowan University Recreation Center, Joseph J. Dougherty Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to explore the extent of student satisfaction with the Rowan University Recreation Center. A convenience sample of 151 students who frequented the recreation center was used to determine students' perceptions of the facility on a number of factors. The study showed that the recreation center rated higher than all other comparable student services both in importance to the student and satisfaction with the service provided. The recreation center was also very successful in terms of getting students involved, much more so than any other campus group or activity. The results showed that the recreation …

Characterization Of Environmentally Friendly Polymers: Amylopectin And Its Blends, Mohammad Osman Melibari

Theses and Dissertations

Biodegradable polymers are desirable for a variety of applications, such as in packaging, agriculture, and medicine. Its biological degradation by microorganisms accelerated the interest in biodegradable polymers during the last decades. Within this group of innovative environmentally friendly biodegradable polymers, starch or Amylpectin plays a predominant role, due to their potential biodegradability. This research was attempted to characterize Amylopectin to obtain its physio-chemical properties. In addition, characterizations were extended to include blends of Amylopectin and biodegradable diluents. Blends of Amylopectin with biodegradable diluents including Polycaprolactone, Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide), and Poly(3- hydroxybutyric acid) were prepared. The physical properties and the thermodynamic characteristics of …

The Use Of Incentives In Increasing Survey Participation, Anne Glowacz

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides information on the effectiveness of incentives in increasing survey participation.

The author searched the online databases of Rowan University's Campbell Library as well as Internet search engines in an effort to locate secondary research on the topic.

The author collected and analyzed data from eight online surveys concerning the use of incentives. The surveys were completed by market research professionals.

Research indicated that the use of incentives is widespread and has become virtually necessary as the public increasingly realizes the value of providing personal information to survey administrators. Recommendations regarding the use of incentives were compiled based …

A Public Relations Approach To Recruiting Studio Audiences For Start-Up Shows, Chekesha K. Bunch

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis sought to determine the methods audience coordinators used to recruit studio audiences. This portion of the thesis included a ten-question interview emailed to audience coordinators for current daytime talk shows in New York City. Interviews were also conducted with production executives and a director to determine the purpose and significance of audience as well as audience-related costs.

Second, the thesis sought to answer what audiences like and dislike, what they have done, what they will do, and what they believe as it pertains to studio attendance. This portion of the thesis included a fifteen-question survey addressing incentives, show …

A Study Of Student Recruitment Practices At Rowan University, Daniel P. Reigel

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides advice to admissions counselors at Rowan University so they can better recruit prospective students.

For secondary research, the author did an online search of Rowan University's Campbell Library databases, an Internet search and a book search at Gloucester County Library.

The author collected data from 269 surveys distributed to prospective students at one of seven open house events at Rowan University during the 2002/2003 academic school year.

Surveys showed that students visiting Rowan University's one of seven open house events were happy with the overall program. Financial aid sessions proved to be the only part of the …

Public Perception: Comparing Tobacco Industry Public Relations Campaigns Of Today And Yesteryear, Cristin E. Kastner

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared public perception of tobacco industry public relations campaigns of today and yesteryear. Little study has been devoted to the public's changing perception of tobacco public relations since the Master Settlement Agreement changed tobacco public relations efforts in 1998.

Written history of tobacco industry public relations served as the base of determining perception of yesteryear. Surveying 281 undergraduate Rowan University students determined today's public perception of tobacco industry public relations.

Significant survey findings include:

• 80 percent felt the tobacco industry is not honest about the products it sells
• Half said the tobacco industry should not run its own …

Perceptions Of Public Relations: Key Communicators Share Their Opinions, Kamali A. Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

This study had three main purposes: first, determine how key communicators (those who talk to many people on a daily basis and share their opinions with others) in today's society feel about the public relations field; second, show that positive public relations does take place; and third, change the negative perceptions society holds for public relations, so that public relations will lose its negative image.

The author used many sources to obtain research for this thesis, including Rowan University's on-line databases, the University of Delaware's on-line databases, Internet searches, the Rowan catalogue, DELCAT and Temple University.

The author collected data …

Internal Communication: The Changing Roles Of Human Resources And Public Relations, E. Morgan Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides public relations and human resource professionals with information on which office is communicating to employees.

For secondary research, the author did an online search of Rowan University's Campbell Library databases and an Internet search.

The author collected data from 51 online surveys distributed to public relations, human resources and communication professionals.

Surveys indicated that the human resource office deals largely with communicating training, policy and management decisions to employees. Survey responses indicated that the public relations office reports new product/service updates and community involvement/activities to employees.

The author also conducted an e-mail interview with an internal communications …

Aids In The African-American Community: Celebrities As An Ineffective Communication Strategy, Wendy A. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine whether using celebrities to deliver HIV/AIDS prevention awareness messages to the African-American community is an effective public relations strategy.

Celebrities are used to persuade people to buy shoes, cars, toothpaste, etc., but can they persuade people to change risky behavior: protecting themselves and others from the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases?

Research conducted for this thesis found celebrities to be effective tools when their actions coincide or mirror the message. Celebrities that are perceived to be irresponsible or whose lyrics and/or actions do not coincide with safe-sex aren't taken …

Transition From School To Adult Life: What Have We Done To Support Students With Disabilities?, Ann Theresa Adams

Theses and Dissertations

As a legal component of an individual's IEP, a transition plan essentially should represent and include activities to prepare individuals with disabilities for postgraduate experiences. Activities should be individualized and relevant to each individual intended post school environments. Though a legal requirement, much research reports negatively on transition planning implementation. Some negative findings listed in research are as follows: lack of collaboration among individuals involved in the transition process; lack of student involvement in planning; ineffective design of students' goals and objectives; lack of linking students with adult agency providers for post graduate support services, and overall negative post school …

State Of The Union Addresses And Their Impact On Popularity And Credibility, Lea L. Shapiro

Theses and Dissertations

This is a study of the impact of presidential messages and style upon the American public following the annual State of the Union address. This researcher focused on two similar presidents, Ronald Reagan and William J. Clinton. The State of the Union addresses used were for the years 1982 and 1994, respectively. The impact was measured by the poll results taken before and after each State of the Union speech.

A content analysis of each address was done to determine the major themes and messages and to determine which of those messages resulted in increased poll numbers.

Additionally, this researcher …

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With Non-Ambulatory Clients In The Treatment Of Depressive Symptoms, Kevin C. O'Leary

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to expand the current research on the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the treatment of depressive symptoms with a non-ambulatory client experiencing dysthymic depression. Using a single subject AB design, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was implemented during weekly sessions with Beck Depression Inventory and the Leahy Anxiety Checklist for Patients as outcome measures. Results suggest that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be used in the treatment of depressive symptoms in non-ambulatory clients. Clients with physical disabilities who experience mental illness have unique requirements suggesting the need for additional research.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Peer Mediation Program In An Elementary School Setting, Theresa M. Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a peer mediation program on students with behavioral problems and conflicts using an action research design. Further, it informed teachers, administrators, parents, and the guidance department as to the progress of the program.

All students at Mennies Elementary School in Vineland had, if needed, the opportunity to be involved in the conflict resolution program. The participants in the program were in traditional, bilingual, and special education classes. All stakeholders served as the primary data-gathering instruments in the research. To determine if peer mediation improved the climate in …

The Effect Of Social Skills Training For Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities, Patricia M. Swenson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the social skills program "Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child" for elementary children with learning disabilities. Two first grade and two second grade students participated in the study. All students were classified as specific learning disabled and were included in the general education classroom with instructional support from a resource room. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions, using the "Skillstreaming" program 20 minutes per day, four days a week for 3 weeks, and weekly follow-up of review for 4 weeks with a total of 7 weeks.

A multiple baseline design …

An Exploratory Study To Determine Procedures For Implementation And Evaluation Of Pupil Assistance Committees, Joyce E. Klemic

Theses and Dissertations

Literature related to Pupil Assistance Committees indicates they were established to increase the capacity of regular education to serve pupils with learning and behavior problems without labeling them as handicapped. New Jersey mandates the establishment of Intervention and Referral Services which are "a coordinated system in each building for the planning and delivery of intervention and referral services designed to assist students who are experiencing learning, behavior and health difficulties and to assist staff who have difficulties in addressing students' learning, behavior or health needs." (N.J.A.C. 6A: 16-7.1)

The purpose of this study was to identify an effective model of …

Effective Vocabulary Development For Secondary Students In Weekly Small-Group Sessions, Susan L. Lange

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quasi-experimental one group study was to (a) ascertain the vocabulary acquisition of low-achieving language students in grades 9-11 (n = 14), and (b) to determine if implementation of a program of explicit instruction would lead to a significant improvement of the volume of knowledge of a controlled list of vocabulary words. Results revealed that all participants showed positive change in the number of vocabulary items answered correctly from initial pretest to final posttest (M = +15 items), with an average 97% improvement. The time to acquire one new vocabulary word was approximately 10.6 minutes. Implications for …

A Study To Determine How Many Person Hours Are Expended By Learning Consultants And School Psychologists To Complete An Evaluation From Initial Referral To Final Placement, Maria Mercedes Styron

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted in order to determine the number of hours that are necessary to complete an initial evaluation by a Learning Consultant and a School Psychologist. Surveys were distributed to a random sample of Learning Consultants and School Psychologists in South Jersey. The survey consisted of eighteen areas which are a part of an initial evaluation. Participants were asked to report the amount of time spent on each area in minutes. Fifty questionnaires were mailed out and 33 were returned. Of the completed questionnaires 15 were from School Psychologists and 18 were from Learning Consultants . Twenty six …

Cancer Cluster Communications: Bridging The Gap Between Science And Public Perception, Loretta A. O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the increasing request for cancer cluster investigations and the challenges in communicating the complexities of the studies and results, the author conducted case studies of childhood cancer cluster investigations in Dover Township, New Jersey and Fallon, Nevada to review state government communication and responses from residents. The purpose was to assess the residents' understanding and acceptance of the communication and to recommend guidelines for similar investigations based on lessons learned by officials and on recommendations by health risk communication experts in the public and private sectors. The study included content analyses of newspaper articles, intercept surveys, mail …

A Case Study Of The Efficacy Of Community Policing In Camden, New Jersey, Sophia L. Peele

Theses and Dissertations

Community policing initiates a valuable relationship between police and residents. It is often viewed as a problem-solving method of policing. Many police departments across the country have instituted this philosophy into one unit. However, some police administrators have found ways to implement community policing throughout the department.

This study was developed to determine the attitudes of both the patrolling community policing officers and the residents to evaluate the efficacy of community policing. The study was also used to determine if the uses of public relations skills increase the officers' ability to communicate effectively with residents of the community. Patrolling officers …

How To Recruit More International Students, Chien-Wen Huang

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to determine international students' perspectives regarding the (U.S.) school application process, and 2) to compare recruiters' perspectives regarding the application process. Results indicated affordable tuition and alumni's satisfaction greatly influenced potential students' willingness to seriously entertain matriculation at U.S. schools. Major findings from the study included: Asian students represent over half (55%) of all international students on U.S. campuses; the United States remains the preferred destination for the vast majority of international students (80%) due to its advanced educational system; and recruiters, by a wide majority, chose paper-based application forms over online …

Evaluation In-Service Program For Professional Development, Aida Colon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if an in-service would help the staff gain knowledge and experience in dealing and interacting with different languages and cultures that are represented in the school.

The staff was given an in-service, part of which placed them in different situations and required them to think and react to how they felt in that situation. There was a group of twenty students from different languages and cultures. The students spoke on how they felt being in a country where they did not understand the new culture and language. There was also a question …

Using Background Music To Reduce Off-Task Behaviors Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Lesa Deshield Givens

Theses and Dissertations

Many children with learning disabilities (LD) frequently exhibit attention and motivational problems as well as impulsive and physically aggressive behaviors (Hoy & Gregg, 1994). Thus, learning, for these students, is a great challenge and for teachers, providing effective instruction is a great challenge too. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of background music on the classroom behavior of students with learning disabilities. A sample of 7 students with learning disabilities from grades 4 and 5 participated in this study. They received instruction in the language arts and math in two (2) special education resource classrooms. A …

The Effects Of The Development And Implementation Of The School Sanctuary Program On Safety And The Climate Of Safety At Egg Harbor Township High School, Theodore Pugliese

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the school sanctuary program on safety and the climate of safety at Egg Harbor Township High School (EHTHS), Using a case-study design, 56 teachers were first surveyed to provide a description of the climate of safety in the high school. It was found that, on average, the staff felt physically, psychologically, socially, and morally safe. Teachers also used the word safe to describe the overall climate of safety at school. Furthermore, this data would be used as a baseline for further comparisons and was to help the …

Evaluating The Effectiveness And Use Of The Peer Mediation Program In The Galloway Township Middle School, Susan Kerrigan

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and use of the peer mediation program in the Galloway Township Middle School in order to improve the program and increase its use.

Data was gathered using four separate research instruments. These instruments included a survey, monitoring the Peer Mediation Reports and interviews with the building administrators and the schools peer mediators. These methods were used to obtain the students' and staff members' perceptions of the process regarding its use and ways to improve the program.

It was concluded that peer mediation is used and supported by the teachers and administrators, however, …