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1997

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A Descriptive Study Of The Use Of A Problem Solving Heuristic In A Cooperative Small Group Setting, Kim Pitts-Hill Jan 1997

A Descriptive Study Of The Use Of A Problem Solving Heuristic In A Cooperative Small Group Setting, Kim Pitts-Hill

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research is in the area of small group cooperative learning. Cooperative learning groups range in size from two to eight students and have, as a central focus, students working collaboratively to achieve common goals. Generally members of the group have their individual a:1d group responsibilities and the task is usually not completed unless every member participates in the activity. Exponents of cooperative learning methods claim that student achievement and understanding of the content is equal if not better than learning under traditional methods due to increased social skills, improved self esteem, and the reduced effects of ethnic differences or …

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Radio, Community And The Public : Community Radio In Western Australia, Bob Hope-Hume Jan 1997

Radio, Community And The Public : Community Radio In Western Australia, Bob Hope-Hume

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis examines community radio in Western Australia and its relationship to "the public sphere". The public sphere is that field in which private. persons interact with other private. persons and in so doing construct a 11public". Public opinion is formed through this interaction in the public sphere. The media provide a major part of that interaction. Moreover, the media determine which voices are privileged within the communicative sphere. Drawing from Jurgen Habennas I explore theories of the public sphere arguing that community radio constructs a new form of public sphere in contemporary culture. I explore notions of democratic radio …

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The Lived Experiences Of Single Teenage Mothers In Botswana : A Phenomenological Study, Tshepiso D. Mojapelo Jan 1997

The Lived Experiences Of Single Teenage Mothers In Botswana : A Phenomenological Study, Tshepiso D. Mojapelo

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study was designed to explore-the lived-experiences of single teenage mothers in Botswana, as perceived by them. The participants were teenage mothers who had to leave school due.to pregnancy. They had either completed year one in secondary school or were in year two. Their ages ranged between 16 and 19 years. The ages of their babies range from five to 10 months, with the exception of one child who was three years old. All teenage mothers came from low socio-economic backgrounds with families whose parents were either not working, or were working in the lowest paying jobs as cleaners or …

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An Investigation Of A Theoretical Model Of Willingness To Donate Blood, Douglas Adam Jan 1997

An Investigation Of A Theoretical Model Of Willingness To Donate Blood, Douglas Adam

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Australian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (ARCBTS) in Western Australian faces a major problem with periodic shortages of blood components. These shortages are expected to become more frequent and severe as demand continues to increase at a faster rate than supply. Given that only five percent of the population is registered as blood donors, clearly, the challenge for the ARCBTS is to encourage more people to become regular blood donors. The current study was undertaken to assist the ARCBTS in achieving this goal, by identifying and investigating the factors that influence people's willingness to donate blood. Based on the …

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Managing Change Without Changing Managers: An Investigation Of Influences On Decision Making Performance Of Public Sector Managers Within Novel And Complex Environments, David Clark-Murphy Jan 1997

Managing Change Without Changing Managers: An Investigation Of Influences On Decision Making Performance Of Public Sector Managers Within Novel And Complex Environments, David Clark-Murphy

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study examines relationships between the cognitive and decision making styles of individual managers, and their decision making performance , within public sector environments during structural and cultural reform. The main purpose is to develop a more effective means of matching managers to their novel and complex working environments, to minimise staff turnover and improve productivity.

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Student Violence And School Practice : Experiences Of A Lower Secondary Male Student Using The Methodology Of Participant Observation, Denese Shepherdson Jan 1997

Student Violence And School Practice : Experiences Of A Lower Secondary Male Student Using The Methodology Of Participant Observation, Denese Shepherdson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

School experiences are said to be a preparation for life. The experience of violence perpetrated against a male student over a period of years has resulted in wide reaching implications for him, his family, the perpetrators, his peer group and school staff. This case study examines the experiences of a provocative victim and his bullies.

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Teaching Visual Arts Through Distance Education : An Evaluation Of The Program Anyone Can Draw, Jane Whelan Jan 1997

Teaching Visual Arts Through Distance Education : An Evaluation Of The Program Anyone Can Draw, Jane Whelan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The problem under investigation is concerned with the teaching of drawing through distance education. Traditionally drawing has occupied a central position in visual art teaching and learning and is still regarded as a significant area of visual arts education. In the visual arts curriculum of Western Australia, drawing, which is included in the broader term visual inquiry, is regarded as the foundation for studio practice. It is therefore appropriate to include drawing as part of every visual arts teaching program. The correspondence mode of teaching, which has a text-base, is a more formal style of teaching art than the responsive …

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Dramatic Role-Play As A Process Of Exploration With Adolescents : A Phenomenological Study, P. R. Wearne Jan 1997

Dramatic Role-Play As A Process Of Exploration With Adolescents : A Phenomenological Study, P. R. Wearne

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this research study is to describe the lived experience of adolescents with dramatic role-play as a process of exploration. The responses of the participants are compared with the proposed learning objectives of the researcher. A comparison is provided which occasionally reflects a difference in actual or perceived learning and expected learning. The process of exploration about self and society is undertaken by using dramatic role-play as a specific methodology of process drama. The current theories of 'drama education', 'process drama' and 'role-play' are discussed and evidenced through the drama experience of the research participants. Although generalisations are …

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What Is The Intimate Experience Of Couples Following The Woman's Cancer-Related Breast Surgery?, Lynne Amor Jan 1997

What Is The Intimate Experience Of Couples Following The Woman's Cancer-Related Breast Surgery?, Lynne Amor

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe and interpret the experience of couples following the woman's surgery for breast cancer, in order to gain an in depth understanding of how this mutilating surgery affects their everyday lives. Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in Australian women, and in most industrialised nations. Women in Australia have a one in fourteen lifetime risk of developing the disease. Little is known concerning what meanings this surgery brings to the intimacy experienced between partners. It is important to seek knowledge of the phenomenon of intimacy, how the couples understand …

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Fear, Frustration And The Will To Overcome: A Social History Of Poliomyelitis In Western Australia, John H. Smith Jan 1997

Fear, Frustration And The Will To Overcome: A Social History Of Poliomyelitis In Western Australia, John H. Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates community responses to Poliomyelitis, and the Impact of the disease on those who experienced It, particularly during the epidemics that occurred In Western Australia between 1938 and 1956. The research sources an.: W.A. Health Department records, held mostly at the Battye Library, records held by Australian Archives and Royal Perth Hospital, newspaper reports, comparative studies from several states in Australia and overseas, oral history interviews, biographies and personal records. The history of polio has several layers and the presence or the disease In the community evoked varied and ambiguous reactions, summarised here as fear, frustration and the …

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A Neural Network Based Inference Engine Generator For Comprehension And Translation Of English And Spanish Commands To Unix "E-Mail" And "Vi" Editor., Mohammad Reza Moozoun Jan 1997

A Neural Network Based Inference Engine Generator For Comprehension And Translation Of English And Spanish Commands To Unix "E-Mail" And "Vi" Editor., Mohammad Reza Moozoun

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since the advent of computers, scientists have tried to use the human languages for communication with computers. This pursuit has led several scientists, such as Chomsky to establish that there must be a specific part of the brain adapted to language learning and processing genetically, namely the "language organ". Humans are able to understand and produce sentences that they may have never heard. This leads to the understanding that language must follow some strict rules of processing which is referred to as "grammar of a language". The Artificial Neural Networks (NN) inspired by the neural networks of biological systems have …

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An Exploration Of The Effect Of Attachment Style On The Conflict Dynamics Of The Long-Term Couple., Gloria Jean O'Donnell Jan 1997

An Exploration Of The Effect Of Attachment Style On The Conflict Dynamics Of The Long-Term Couple., Gloria Jean O'Donnell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Significant research literature supports the view that a couple's ability to resolve conflicts has a large impact on the stability of the relationship and the satisfaction of the members of the couple. Few studies have been conducted, however, to determine the relationships among the intrapersonal and interpersonal variables that affect the dynamics of conflict, in long-term couples. Consequently, this study explores the impact of the affective, cognitive, and behavioral correlates that accompany the internal working model, as described by attachment theory. Special attention has been given to the employment of defense mechanisms, style of conflict management, and defense-provoking behaviors. Participants …

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Post-Soviet Transitions In Policy And Management Of Zapovedniki And Lespromkhozi In Central Siberia., David Miller Ostergren Jan 1997

Post-Soviet Transitions In Policy And Management Of Zapovedniki And Lespromkhozi In Central Siberia., David Miller Ostergren

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 changed the government bureaucracy and dismantled the centrally controlled economic system. Directors of zapovedniki (strict nature preserves) and lespromkhozi (forest industry dependent communities) are experiencing a challenge to their ability to manage, protect and/or study the lands under their supervision. This study investigates how changes in the social-political system have affected the forests and protected areas in Central Siberia, and how managers have adapted to the current political and social climate. This investigation used case study methodology and three sources of empirical data; open-ended interviews, documentation from archival and secondary sources, and personal …

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Examination Of A Common Conceptual And Treatment Model For Ptsd In Vietnam Veterans, Rape Survivors, And Victims Of Child Abuse: A Clinician Survey., Josephine A. Ridley Jan 1997

Examination Of A Common Conceptual And Treatment Model For Ptsd In Vietnam Veterans, Rape Survivors, And Victims Of Child Abuse: A Clinician Survey., Josephine A. Ridley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The present study examined biases in diagnosing, treating, and conceptualizing PTSD based on clinician variables, such as theoretical orientation, and patient population characteristics, such as type of trauma, patient gender, and patient age. Surveys were mailed to members of APA and AABT containing case descriptions of a child sexual abuse victim, an adult rape survivor, and a Vietnam combat veteran, each meeting criteria for PTSD, and five questions requesting: (a) working diagnoses, (b) target symptoms, (c) treatment goals, (d) recommendations for treatment, and (e) etiology. A total of 126 completed surveys were returned from an equal number of male and …

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Performance-Tunable Distributed Execution Of Object-Based Software., George Braden Rinard Jan 1997

Performance-Tunable Distributed Execution Of Object-Based Software., George Braden Rinard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The central challenge in software engineering research and practice is to improve the quality and performance of software systems, while decreasing the cost for producing such systems. While the combination of parallel execution with component-based software construction provides opportunities for addressing the software development challenge, it also raises a fundamental distributed software engineering dilemma, not adequately addressed in the literature. This dilemma is a result of the following two observations: (1) The quality and productivity benefits of reusability accrue only when reusable components are used without modifications. (2) For improved performance in a distributed environment, it must be possible to …

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Postsecondary Persistence Of Ged Students., Maria C. Rose Jan 1997

Postsecondary Persistence Of Ged Students., Maria C. Rose

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

More nontraditional students are attending college, and many of these students are enrolled with GED certification. The validity using GED certification as postsecondary admission criteria has been questioned. Participants included 251 students enrolled with GED certification as admission criteria to a small Mid-Atlantic college in the Spring 1997 semester. The influence of ACT, GED, literacy scores, learning and study skills, and the number of successfully completed developmental classes on grade point averages was researched. Students were interviewed to gain insight into students' perceptions of factors contributing to persistence in college. ACT scores were found to be good predictors of grade …

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Recruiting Retirees For Economic Development: A Public Policy Perspective., Michele Louise Kreidler Jan 1997

Recruiting Retirees For Economic Development: A Public Policy Perspective., Michele Louise Kreidler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This paper examines retiree recruitment as a strategy in state economic development policy. The study employs a theoretical framework of policy adoption and lesson-drawing to answer the questions (1) why would a state adopt the policy of retiree recruitment and (2) how is the policy adopted. Three states in different stages of retiree recruitment policy adoption were selected as case studies. Results show that different strategies in policy adoption were operating in each case study state. In each state development of retiree recruitment was in response to a need to diversify the state economy. The idea of retiree recruitment originated …

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An Exploration Of Critical Thinking, Learning Style, Locus Of Control, And Environmental Perception In Baccalaureate Nursing Students., Sandra Elizabeth Marra Jan 1997

An Exploration Of Critical Thinking, Learning Style, Locus Of Control, And Environmental Perception In Baccalaureate Nursing Students., Sandra Elizabeth Marra

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This descriptive correlational study was conducted to explore the relationships among the constructs of Critical Thinking (as measured by the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal), Learning Style (as measured by the Kolb Learning Style Inventory), and Locus of Control (as measured by the Adult Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Scale) in baccalaureate nursing students. A convenience sample (n = 68) of senior students from two classes was recruited to represent the last group graduating before (n = 47) and the first group graduating after (n = 21) curricular revision generated to better facilitate Critical Thinking. A subsample (n = 20) described their perceptions of …

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A Recorded Tape Analysis Of The Types And Frequencies Of Decisions Made By West Virginia School Boards From August 1990 To August 1995., Linda K. Mccall Jan 1997

A Recorded Tape Analysis Of The Types And Frequencies Of Decisions Made By West Virginia School Boards From August 1990 To August 1995., Linda K. Mccall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the relationship between the types of school board decisions identified by the Hange and Leary study (1996) and the duration of time spent on these decisions. The source of information for this study was electronically recorded minutes of selected West Virginia school board meetings during the time period of August 1990 to August 1995 and the types and frequencies of decisions identified by the Hange and Leary study (1996) of the same period. The duration of time spent on each decision type was determined by reviewing videotapes or audiotapes of meetings which corresponded to the selected written …

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Increased Exposure To Specific Types Of Narrative As A Mechanism Of Change In Theory Of Mind Development., Nicole Marie Ruther Jan 1997

Increased Exposure To Specific Types Of Narrative As A Mechanism Of Change In Theory Of Mind Development., Nicole Marie Ruther

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Over the past decade, researchers have become increasingly interested in children's developing "theories of mind," the attribution of thoughts and beliefs to both themselves and others, and the description of relations between mental states and actions. Although earlier work was focused on identifying the age at which children obtain such knowledge, more recently researchers have begun to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the development of a child's theory of mind. The purpose of the present study was to experimentally examine the importance of narrative as a mechanism through which children come to understand relations between people's thoughts and actions. Thirty-seven …

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A Program For Educating Parents About The Effects Of Divorce And Conflict On Children., Kelly Dawn Shifflett Jan 1997

A Program For Educating Parents About The Effects Of Divorce And Conflict On Children., Kelly Dawn Shifflett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Based on empirical research in the area of parental conflict and child adjustment and evaluations of several existing programs available to separated/divorced families, a parent education program was developed to address the relationships between parental conflict, divorce, and child adjustment. The present study explored the impact and consumer satisfaction associated with participation in the k.i.d.s.: kids in divorce and separation program, a 4-hour psychoeclucational program for parents that is specifically focused on divorce and parental conflict. The impact and consumer satisfaction associated with participation in the k.i.d.s program were examined by comparing a treatment group of parents who participated in …

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The Relationship Of Leadership Styles Of Selected West Virginia College Deans And Department Chairs To Job Satisfaction Of Departmental Faculty Members., Debra Simon Jan 1997

The Relationship Of Leadership Styles Of Selected West Virginia College Deans And Department Chairs To Job Satisfaction Of Departmental Faculty Members., Debra Simon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was conducted to determine if there was a relationship between the independent variable, leadership styles of deans or department chairs and the dependent variable, faculty job satisfaction. The population of the study included all instructional faculty at 11 public institutions of higher education in the state of West Virginia which grant baccalaureate degrees and beyond (N = 2,279). An appropriate random sample (n = 328) of the total number of instructional faculty was selected. The data collection instruments in this study include: The Leadership Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ), the Mohrman-Cooke-Mohrman Job Satisfaction Scale (MCMJSS) and a demographic survey. …

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The Medical Treatment Preferences And Values Of Nursing Home Residents., Natalie Dawn Staats Jan 1997

The Medical Treatment Preferences And Values Of Nursing Home Residents., Natalie Dawn Staats

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was designed to accomplish seven goals. First, the preferences of nursing home residents for life-sustaining treatments and less acute medical problems were examined. Second, analyses were conducted to determine whether specific variables differentiated between participants' patterns of treatment preferences. Third, participants' medically-related values were examined. Fourth, the factors believed to play a role in the formation of participants' treatment preferences and values were examined. Fifth and sixth, the temporal stability of participants' treatment preferences and values was examined. Seventh and eighth, factors associated with the instability of participants' treatment preferences and values were studied. To accomplish these goals, …

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The Characterization Of Pulsed Glow Discharge Phenomena By Mass Spectrometry And Optical Spectroscopies., Robert Ernest Steiner Jan 1997

The Characterization Of Pulsed Glow Discharge Phenomena By Mass Spectrometry And Optical Spectroscopies., Robert Ernest Steiner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

From lightning in the summer sky to the neon lamp outside of the department store, electrical discharges have become commonplace fixtures in many aspects of everyday life. Although these devices have been present for a significant time period, their principals of operation are still only vaguely understood. The focus of these studies is to characterize a particular analytical plasma, the glow discharge, and more specifically, to develop a better understanding of the fundamental processes that occur during power modulated operation. The characterization of both power modulated r.f. and d.c. glow discharge plasmas was performed using mass spectrometry as well as …

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The Nature Of Supported Reflection Of Novice Graduate Teaching Assistants Of Spanish., Ruth A. Supko Jan 1997

The Nature Of Supported Reflection Of Novice Graduate Teaching Assistants Of Spanish., Ruth A. Supko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This qualitative study examined the nature of reflection engaged in by four beginning graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) of Spanish in a large university foreign language department during a semester of professional development cycles, based on Cogan and Goldhammer's original models of clinical supervision. Data were collected by audiotaping the pre- and post-observation conferences of four professional development cycles as well as two espoused platform interviews and three critical incident recall sessions with each participant. During these discussions, which could be characterized as collaborative analyses of each GTA's teaching practice, the role of the author resembled that of a non-directive professional …

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Isolation And Characterization Of The 22 Kd Subunit Of Gluconate Dehydrogenase Derived From Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pao1., John David Gordon Jan 1997

Isolation And Characterization Of The 22 Kd Subunit Of Gluconate Dehydrogenase Derived From Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pao1., John David Gordon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Approximately 95-99% of soil phosphorous is unavailable to plants, with {dollar}\\sim{dollar}90% of phosphate fertilizers also being rendered unavailable upon application. 2-Ketogluconate (2KG) has been shown to solubilize insoluble phosphates in vitro. If plants themselves could solubilize the insoluble phosphate in the soil, this would greatly reduce the need for phosphate fertilizers. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to examine in vitro and in situ solubilization of insoluble phosphates (calcium phosphate, RP, and iron phosphate, IP) with increasing concentrations of 2KG, as seen through plant (Lycopersicon esculentum) growth and Pi uptake. In the first experiment (in situ solubilization), water alone showed a …

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The Relationship Between Adult Attachment And Reactions To Familial Conflict., Edie Jo Hall Jan 1997

The Relationship Between Adult Attachment And Reactions To Familial Conflict., Edie Jo Hall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the relationship between mother-daughter attachment relationships and their reactions to conflict and other emotional exchanges. Fifteen young adults ("young generation" daughters), thirty middle-aged adults (15 "middle generation" mothers and 15 "middle generation" daughters), and fifteen older adults ("older generation" mothers) were assessed for the quality of their attachment to each other as well as their attachment to a romantic partner. Participants viewed a videotape in which a female actor, representing the participating family member, engaged in various emotional discussions (positive, neutral & negative). Participants were asked to imagine that the attachment figure was speaking directly towards her. …

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A Qualitative Assessment Of Spirituality And Its Impact On The Final Life Stage For A Sample Of Older Adults., Robert P. Heck Jan 1997

A Qualitative Assessment Of Spirituality And Its Impact On The Final Life Stage For A Sample Of Older Adults., Robert P. Heck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The problem being addressed through this study is the need to adequately understand the significance of the spiritual experience for older adults, especially as related to their resolution of the final life stage of integrity versus despair as conceptualized by Erikson (1963). Qualitative research methods were utilized to conduct and analyze structured interviews with six older adults. Interview questions were validated by past research efforts on spirituality and on integrity versus despair. Research questions addressed in this investigation include the following: (a) Does Erikson's theory of integrity versus despair adequately explain the data and provide an appropriate framework for conceptualizing …

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Research Experiences In Teacher Preparation: Effectiveness Of The Green Bank Preservice Teacher Enhancement Program., Debra A. Hemler Jan 1997

Research Experiences In Teacher Preparation: Effectiveness Of The Green Bank Preservice Teacher Enhancement Program., Debra A. Hemler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the preservice teacher component of the Research Experiences in Teacher Preparation (RETP) project aimed at enhancing teacher perceptions of the nature of science, science research, and science teaching. Data was collected for three preservice teacher groups during the three phases of the program: (I) a one week institute held at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia where teachers performed astronomy research using a 40 foot diameter radio telescope; (II) a secondary science methods course; and (III) student teaching placements. Four Likert-type instruments were developed and …

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The Effects Of A Parental Life-Threatening Illness On Children's Adjustment., Christa M. Holland Jan 1997

The Effects Of A Parental Life-Threatening Illness On Children's Adjustment., Christa M. Holland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mental health professionals are increasingly examining psychosocial issues of individuals with medical illnesses. Research has demonstrated that when the medical patient is a parent, the entire family experiences the crisis and impact of the diagnosis and treatment. Despite these findings, few studies have examined the impact of a parental life-threatening illness on children. The psychological and behavioral adjustment of children with a parent receiving a bone marrow transplant (BMT) was compared to that of children in a matched community group. Forty child-parent dyads (20 BMT and 20 Community) completed three self-report measures at pre and post-BMT to assess children's behavior, …

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