Digital Commons Network^™

Relationship Between Neuropsychological Deficits And Cerebral Perfusion Abnormalities In Cocaine Abusers, Karen A. Tucker

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the severity of cocaine/alcohol use, neuropsychological functioning, and cerebral blood flow abnormalities. Cocaine users (n = 60) and control subjects (n = 13) were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests that yielded the following factors: Attention/Executive Functioning, Memory, Simple Motor, and Sensorimotor. Participants were assessed for decreased cerebral blood flow with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Examination of group differences indicated that cocaine users performed significantly worse than controls on the Memory and Sensorimotor factors. The frequency/duration of cocaine use, alcohol use, and a combination of both substances were …

The Effects Of Stimulant Medication On The Social Behavior Of Children With Adhd During Times Of Play, Robert, Jr. H. Larue

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Psychomotor stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of ADHD in children and adults. A vast literature has evolved concerning the efficacy and potential side effects of these drugs. Although stimulants are generally regarded as safe and effective, there is concern that potential problems may have been overlooked. Specifically, there is some literature indicating that, at least in some cases, stimulant medications may produce significant disruptions in social behavior. To investigate these effects, a number of different measurements were employed with preschool children, including direct observations during times of play, a social reinforcer assessment and a number …

Infertility And Marital Adjustment: The Influence Of Perception Of Social Support, Privacy Preference And Level Of Depression, Margaret Haviland Maillet

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of perception of social support, privacy preference and level of depression on marital adjustment for couples presenting for infertility treatment. Data was obtained from three infertility clinics in Louisiana from January 1, 2001 through October 1, 2001. Forty-seven couples presenting for infertility treatment completed four questionnaires measuring marital adjustment, perception of social support, privacy preference and level of depression. Demographic and descriptive information was gathered from an information sheet completed by the subjects. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which, if any, of the independent variables predicted the dependent …

Audience And The African American Playwright : An Analysis Of The Importance Of Audience Selection And Audience Response On The Dramaturgies Of August Wilson And Ed Bullins, Ladrica C. Menson-Furr

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this study I discuss the importance of audience selection and response upon the dramaturgies of African American playwrights August Wilson and Ed Bullins. Using the theories and criteria for African American art and theatre as espoused by Alain Locke, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Amiri Baraka, and created by the 1960s and 1970s Black Theatre and Black Aesthetic movements, I discuss the importance of audience selection to Wilson's dramas, especially given his tremendous success on Broadway. I also explore the claimed lack of importance of audience to Bullins's dramaturgy, particularly as demonstrated in those plays written during his brief tenure …

Attributional Style, Depression And School Mobility : Assessing The Impact On Academic Achievement, Anne Grey

Theses : Honours

Academic achievement can impact on psychological wellbeing and can have a profound impact on later educational and vocational opportunities. Failure to achieve well academically has been associated with a number of factors including depression, a pessimistic explanatory style and mobility. There is evidence too to suggest that the impact of these variables is greater on younger boys and older girls. One hundred and eight students (54 M, 54 F) from two Catholic metropolitan schools took part in this study into the impact of depressive symptomatology, attributional style and school mobility on academic achievement. It was hypothesised that lower levels of …

Mothers Coping With Multigenerational Sexual Abuse : Case Studies Within Feminist/Ecological Systems Frameworks, Tracey L. Caporn

Theses : Honours

This study aimed to identify the needs of mothers when they were indecisive (immobilized) about believing or protecting their child who had been sexually abused, taking into consideration that they had also been sexually abused in childhood (multigenerational abuse) and that their ecological contexts may have also played a role. Four Mothers were recruited from an agency dealing in abuse issues. Case studies were compiled after recording a qualitative conversational, semi-structured interview (Burgess-Limerick & Burgess-Limerick, 1998), using questions derived from the literature. Discourse analysis identified that abused mothers believe and act to protect their children within minutes to hours of …

The Effect Of Peer Collaboration On Children's Problem Solving Ability, Lillian M. Fawcett

Theses : Honours

Peer collaboration is a commonly used learning strategy, perceived by educators as a valuable educational activity. Studies do indicate a performance output benefit for children working collaboratively compared to children working individually. However, the longer term cognitive benefits of collaboration appear to be limited by a number of factors. It is suggested that cognitive change following peer collaboration is limited to children working with a more cognitively competent peer (or one with a different perspective), active participation and reasoned communication. This paper considers elements of Piaget's and Vygotsky's cognitive development theories in an attempt to explain some of the processes …

The Importance Of Gross Motor Coordination In Adolescent Boys Self-Perceptions And Level Of Physical Activity, Nick Sloan

Theses : Honours

To date there has been limited research addressing the psychosocial consequences of poor coordination in Australian adolescent boys. The implications of failing to meet the expected physical standards of their peers, teachers and parents, can result in low self-esteem and subsequent withdrawal from participation (Lintunen, 1995). According to Harter's (1981) Theory of Competence Motivation, low motor competence is likely to lead to low self-perceptions in the athletic domain. Research with children (Rose, Larkin & Berger, 1997) has demonstrated that poor coordination is more pervasive, influencing many aspects of children's self-esteem. However limited research has addressed the pervasiveness of poor motor …

Prisoners' Coping And Use Of Family Support, And Impact Of The Visiting Experience For Families, Lois F. Lange

Theses : Honours

This review was focussed on three areas (1) theoretical concepts of stress, coping and social support; (2) explanations for the patterns of prisoners' perceptions of their support-seeking behavior; and (3) the impact on families providing support. Prisoners' patterns of support seeking in the prison environment appear more consistent with hierarchical organisations than the domestication model of unit management. For stressful, uncontrollable situations, emotional support is sought from families, who are difficult to access. The family obligation to provide the free service of support to prisoners has implications for prison management and policy. Priorities for future research are (1) the impact …

'Bringing You Up To Speed' Challenges Of A Mother Using Amphetamines : A Case Study, Derek Bilton

Theses : Honours

The purpose of the current study was to explore the challenges of parenting from the perspective of a woman who uses amphetamines. The types of parenting challenge that arise as a direct result of both intoxication and a drug using lifestyle were examined. The study also investigated the types of coping strategies that the participant adopted in meeting her parenting challenges in conjunction with the factors that aided and impeded her preferred method of responding. The study extends onto the existing literature by drawing a participant from a non-clinical setting. The participant was recruited from word of mouth field recruitment. …

The Influence Of Students' Contextual Perceptions On Motivational Goal Pursuit In The First Year Of Middle School, Caroline Mansfield

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The nature of student motivation in schools, particularly during early adolescence, has been of interest and concern to educators and researchers alike. Particularly over the last 20 years, considerable technological advances, societal changes, changes in traditional family structures, and changes in educational structures and practice have seen the issue of student motivation emerge as a prime focus for educators and researchers. Simultaneously, developments in educational research and consequent understandings developed about student motivation in classroom contexts have revealed the complexity of students' motivational processes and served to inspire further research in this field.

Student Learning And Cognition In Cooperative Small Groups : Towards A Fourth Metaphor Of Human Learning, Scott C. Zehnder

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Research into the benefits of cooperative learning has focussed most attention onto a social psychological perspective with the result that the putative cognitive benefits of these strategies have not been thoroughly researched and clearly delineated. One consequence of this research focus has been that cooperative learning strategies are not always adopted by teachers and included permanently into their regular classroom practice, thereby possibly denying some students the potential for cognitive gain. This study was conceived originally as an investigation into the claimed cognitive benefits of small-group cooperative learning from a cognitive perspective but the investigation of the cooperative learning literature …

Development Of An Alternate Curriculum For Bachelor Degree Completion Students In The Lead Program At Ohio Dominican College, William A. Vensel

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

In the Learning Enhanced Adult Degree (LEAD) program at Ohio Dominican College (ODC), a cohort based accelerated delivery format, students who complete the Associate of Science (AS.) degree had only one bachelor's degree program to choose from, the B.S. in Business Administration. Because Ohio Dominican is a bachelor degree granting institution, classified as Baccalaureate General by the Carnegie Commission, it is desirable to see all enrolled students through to the bachelor degree. The problem addressed by this practicum was that with only one degree program to choose from at the bachelor level, retention of AS. students who desired the accelerated …

The Effect Of An Internship On Undergraduate Perceptions Of Career Related Skills And Interests At The University Of Connecticut, Cynthia F. Jones

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Career Resource Assistants (CRA's) deliver several of the comprehensive career services provided for students at the University of Connecticut through their participation in a structured internship program at Career Services. The literature in the field of career development shows that students usually gain crystallization of career interests and skills through participation in an experiential learning experience such as an internship.

The purpose of this practicum project was to determine whether the internship experience for CRA' s at Career Services provides the benefits traditionally associated with internship experiences for students. The research questions for the study were: "Will there be a …

Development Of A Syllabus For A Beginning Clinical Course In A Ms Degree Program In Nursing Program At Dominican University Of Californiadevelopment Of A Syllabus For A Beginning Clinical Course In A Ms Degree Program In Nursing Program At Dominican University Of California, Ron Morrison

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

A new Master of Science in Nursing at Dominican University, a program preparing Registered Nurses to perform the duties of Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) was implemented in the fall semester, 2000. A unique feature of this program was the focus on the practice of integrative therapies, utilizing advanced clinical experiences. The purpose of this study was to develop the clinical course syllabus for the first clinical course in the program. The research question for the project was: What is the appropriate content for a clinical course syllabus for a beginning clinical course in a Master of Science in Nursing Program …

Comparison Of Scores Between Employees Who Ha Ve Taken The Safety Rescue Training Program Vs. Those Who Have Not Participated, Holly A. Word

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

A public utility was redefining employee safety training to achieve OSHA compliance standards. The problem was it was unknown if there was a difference in scores between employees who have taken the safety rescue training program and employees who did not participate.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in mean scores obtained on the employee questionnaire between those who participated in safety training and those who did not participate. The research question was: " Is there a statistically significant difference in the scores obtained on the Employee Safety Assessment Questionnaire between employees who …

Development Of A Management Course Syllabus For The Child And Family Development Program At Southwest Missouri State University-West Plains, Renee S. Moore

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The associate of applied science degree program in child development at Southwest Missouri State University-West Plains contains a management of early childhood programs course. The course is listed in the catalog and is required for successful completion of degree requirements. The problem was that the course had never been taught, did not have a course syllabus, and needed careful curriculum consideration prior to implementation.

The purpose of this study is to develop the course syllabus for an associate level management of early childhood programs course for delivery on the West Plains campus of Southwest Missouri State University. The research question …

Effect Of Applied Academics On The Final English Course Grade Of Associate Of Science Degree Students In Automotive Service Management Technology, Kathleen Habel

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Traditionally, students enrolled in two-year Automotive Service Management Technology degree programs, had a difficult time succeeding in required general education courses, especially math, English composition, and physics. They enrolled in classes open to the general student population but found that the material had little meaning or relevance to their chosen field of study. According to college records, the pass rate was less than the norm for liberal arts students. Because of this, faculty and staff decided that class material needed to be presented through applied academics. The new curriculum demonstrated the relevance of subject matter in general education classes to …

Development Of An Antiviolence Policy For Faculty Of Medcentral Hospital School Of Nursing, Nancy Martin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The faculty at MedCentral Hospital School of Nursing did not know how to handle incidences of hostility and violent behavior involving students. While some of the faculty ignored or minimized threats, some took them as a danger to their safety. A protocol did not 2 exist that would give direction to the faculty and the director of the school of nursing. The purpose of the study was to develop an antiviolence policy for faculty of MedCentral Hospital School of Nursing. The research question was: "What is the appropriate form and content for an antiviolence policy for faculty of MedCentral Hospital …

Development And Implementation Of An Occupational Safety And Health Administration Education Program For Healthcare Organizations Including A Plan For Evaluation, Anita L. Huse

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Today's healthcare organizations must comply with a myriad of laws, regulations, and other requirements governing the organization, delivery, and reimbursement of health care services (Ziel, 1998, p. 1032). The problem is that loss of educational support in the institutions as a result of cut backs often results in non-compliance with federal regulations. Many healthcare institutions are no longer meeting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) educational requirements (Peck, 1997, p. 20). These healthcare institutions must now outsource to educational consultants to provide programs to address this compliance issue.

The purpose of this project was to develop and implement an …

A Comparison Of Student Learning Outcomes In A Web-Based And Face-To-Face Applied Research Methods Course, Trula Morehead Nicholas

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem of focus in this study related to student learning outcomes in the Human Services Department, Bellingham campus at Western Washington University. The purpose of this study was to compare learning outcomes of students in a web-based applied research methods course to those of students in a face to- face applied research methods course.

The research question was "Do students who take the face-to face applied research methods class have higher quiz scores than students who take the web-based applied research methods class?" Using the research methodology literature focusing on distance education and web-based learning was reviewed.

A total …

Evaluation Of An Outreach Packet For Clinicians On Smoking Cessation, Patricia L. Harper

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Clinical practice guidelines are designed to assist clinicians in making the transition from research findings to evidence based practice and treatment. Many busy clinicians, however, do not have the time to read the many clinical practice guidelines available for a variety of disease and preventive Interventions. An easily accessible packet of information to promote implementation of the PHS Clinical Practice Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence was piloted In the fall of 2001. These packets were introduced to clinicians in Wisconsin clinics using an academic detailing model by the University of Wisconsin Medical School's Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention …

Comparison Of Grade Equivalents Of Participants And Non-Participants In The Summer Bridge Program, Burchell Love

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation was that a large percentage of eighth grade students in the Chicago Public Schools System were unsuccessful in scoring the minimum required score of7.0 on their year-end standardized achievement tests. A new promotion policy with pre-established criteria for promotion, required students that failed to meet the minimum requirements to attend a summer remediation program. At the end of the summer program, test scores would determine if a student is promoted to high school. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a summer remediation program and to compare year-end grade equivalents of participants …

Analyzing Participant Confidence Levels To Deliver Brief Tobacco Cessation Interventions Post Training At The University Of Arizona, Louise J. Strayer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Pregnant, postpartum and lactating women who are clients of the Arizona Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program have a 22% rate of tobacco use. This is 8% above the national average for this population. The purpose of this study was to measure changes in training curriculum participants' reported levels of self-confidence to deliver brief tobacco cessation interventions before and immediately after participation in the WIC tobacco cessation training curriculum. The research question investigated was: Does participation in a one day, six hour training curriculum designed to teach the skills necessary to deliver brief tobacco cessation interventions increase the participant' s …

Development Of A Curriculum In Interdisciplinary Studies And Communication Skills For The Doctor Of Philosophy In Biblical Studies Degree At Baptist Bible Seminary, Lee D. Kliewer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem for this study was that the Doctor of Philosophy degree curriculum at Baptist Bible Seminary does not develop communication skills and theological studies integration in its graduates. The purpose of this study was to develop a curriculum in interdisciplinary studies and communication skills for this program.

Two research questions were addressed in this study. What are the objectives, form, and content that should be included in an interdisciplinary studies and communication course curriculum for the Doctor of Philosophy program at Baptist Bible Seminary? What delivery system of this curriculum would best serve the students in this degree program? …

An Evaluation Of The Availability Of Courses At Bevill State Community College, Teresa L. Johnson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to determine whether courses are offered at Bevill State Community College (BSCC) to allow a student to complete an associate degree within two years. The problem was that a significant number of students transfer to four-year institutions without completing an associate degree at BSCC.

There was one research question for this study: "Does the schedule of courses at BSCC allow students to complete an associate degree within two years?''

The procedures consisted of a literature review, establishment of criteria, selection and validation of evaluation model, selection and administration of a needs assessment instrument to …

Development Of Adapted Yoga Program For Symptom Relief Of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome With Plans For Implementation And Evaluation, Wendy Lou Gross

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to develop an adapted yoga program for chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) and to plan for the implementation and evaluation at the Community Wellness Center of the Palm Beaches. The problem is that a significant number of men a re suffering from CPPS.

Five research questions were addressed. What are the appropriate contents of an adapted yoga program for relief of symptoms associated with CPPS? What is the appropriate design? What are effective methods to raise awareness? How should the proposed program be implemented? What are the appropriate criteria for an evaluation of the …

Evaluation Of Adventure-Based Training Programs For Adult Learners, Jean Mee

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The nature of the problem was a lack of data supporting the validity of the adventure education movement; it was not known whether various adventure-based programs and experiences are teaching what they claim to be teaching. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of adventure-based training programs for adult learners. The study addressed several research questions. First, "Are existing adventure-based training programs utilizing adult learning principles?" Second, "Are existing adventure-based training programs 3 for adult learners effective in meeting the learning needs of program participants?" Third, "What are the goals of adventure-based training programs, and are those …

Fostering Deep Connection: Emotional Learning, Spiritual Education, And Peer Mentoring For Adolescents, Johh A. Venturella

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes an intervention in a Catholic, college preparatory junior-senior high school of 700 students designed to help students connect with other members of the school community and with God.

A survey of the 553 students in Grades 7 through 11 was administered in May 2000 to determine whether students were experiencing a lack of connection to the school community and to God that would warrant intervention. Participating in the student survey were the following groups: (a) 110 Grade 7 students, (b) 121 Grade 8 students, (c) 119 Grade 9 students, (d) 126 Grade 10 students, and (e) 77 …

Narratives Of Workers On The Crisis Line: Dialogic Conversations About Domestic Violence, Elizabeth A. Curry

Library Faculty Presentations & Publications

This paper is my exploratory study of the interpersonal communication between domestic violence workers who answer crisis calls and the callers who seek help. I am focusing on the perception of those who answer the crisis lines. This is part of my on-going research into the meaning and experiences of the women who work against domestic violence. There are approximately 1,900 local domestic violence programs and state coalitions in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This paper is based on the experiences of women working in one local program, CASA. I will briefly compare the CASA advocates …