Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2008

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 51121 - 51150 of 51275

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Racial Disparities In The Us Healthcare System, J. Paul Nielsen Jan 2008

Racial Disparities In The Us Healthcare System, J. Paul Nielsen

Quill & Scope

Provider mentality regarding minorities, both overt and subconscious, likely affects the quality of healthcare delivered. Survey research suggests that most (between 50-75%) Caucasian people believe minorities are less intelligent, more prone to violence, and less likely to be employed. More physicians identify themselves as Caucasian than all other races combined. One in five Spanish-speaking Latinos reports not seeking healthcare due to language barriers. Even when they have overcome barriers to getting healthcare, minority populations are still less likely than Caucasians to receive certain common medical procedures.


The Effects Of Children's Perceptions Of Attachment Security And Emotion Regulation On School Disengagement Among Elementary School Truants, Heeyoung Kim Jan 2008

The Effects Of Children's Perceptions Of Attachment Security And Emotion Regulation On School Disengagement Among Elementary School Truants, Heeyoung Kim

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The major focus of this study was to examine how children’s perceptions of attachment security and children’s emotion regulation predict school disengagement among elementary school truants. This study utilized an exploratory, cross-sectional survey design. Data collection was accomplished with four standardized survey instruments, completed by 74 truants (ages 7 to 12 years) and their parents and teachers, and secondary data collected by the East Baton Rouge (EBR) Truancy Assessment and Services Center (TASC), Louisiana during the 2006-2007 academic years. The school disengagement model was tested with three latent variables (children’s perception of emotional bonds, emotion regulation, and school disengagement) using …


The Great Reading Project (Gifted Readers Enhance Academic Talent): A Gifted-On-Gifted, Cross-Age Tutoring And Mentoring Intervention, Douglas Scott Samson Jan 2008

The Great Reading Project (Gifted Readers Enhance Academic Talent): A Gifted-On-Gifted, Cross-Age Tutoring And Mentoring Intervention, Douglas Scott Samson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The GREAT (Gifted Readers Enhance Academic Talent) Reading Project is a quasi-experimental, between-group study that evaluated a 13-week before-school student tutoring/mentoring reading and literacy program. The study examined the effects of the intervention on reading achievement for each group involved, including high-ability gifted fifth grade mentors, high-ability gifted first grade protégés, and above-average first grade “Scholastic Academy” protégés. Its primary goal was to improve academic achievement for above-average students in order to help them formally qualify for gifted services. The secondary goal was to promote and assess academic growth for high-ability students already in the gifted program. Mentor/protégé pairs met …


The Anomaly Of Racial Variance In Female Perpetrated Spousal Killing: A Structural Explanation, Mark Melder Jan 2008

The Anomaly Of Racial Variance In Female Perpetrated Spousal Killing: A Structural Explanation, Mark Melder

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT Research investigating the relationship of structural factors to homicide abounds in the literature. There is also extant research on female perpetrated intimate partner killings (IPK). However this literature for the most part has examined the phenomenon itself, or has disaggregated the rates by race, where it was discovered that there is a racial anomaly in intimate killings, Black females kill their partners at a higher rate than White females. This research sought to determine how structural factors function to differentially amplify this rate, using classic controls for homicide and adding measures for the presence of female kin, the presence …


Cause Of Hispanic Homicides In Major Metropolitan Areas, Michael Gregory Bisciglia Jan 2008

Cause Of Hispanic Homicides In Major Metropolitan Areas, Michael Gregory Bisciglia

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Research investigating the relationship between segregation and crime has been extensively examined in the literature. Although numerous studies have looked at segregation’s influence homicides, most have focused on African Americans. This study extends current research by focusing on Hispanic segregation and homicide victimization. Using a 236 city sample, homicides are shown to rise when Hispanics are segregated from Whites. In comparison, a 208 city sample finds that segregation also contributes to a rise in African American homicides. It was also expected that the more homogeneous Hispanic population would reduce homicides, but such an association was not present in the full …


Africanisms And Cultural Modifications: A Study At Southall Quarter, Williamsburg, Virginia, Jessie Chaiya Cohen Jan 2008

Africanisms And Cultural Modifications: A Study At Southall Quarter, Williamsburg, Virginia, Jessie Chaiya Cohen

LSU Master's Theses

Archaeological studies at sites of enslaved Africans and African-Americans have been intensely undertaken in recent years. In particular, the search for Africanisms and cultural processes has become a common trend within these studies. I analyzed previously recorded investigations of Southall Quarter (44JC969), an eighteenth-century enslaved African and African-American site in James City County, Virginia. Dominating anthropological themes of slave resistance, owner-imposed hegemony, and agentic actions guided my search for Africanisms at Southall Quarter. I hoped to prove that the distance of the quarters from Southall’s residence and therefore the lax owner supervision provided the enslaved inhabitants with opportunities to express …


Titian, The Pesaro, And The Frari: Different Strokes For Different Folks, Carl Edward Blyskal Jan 2008

Titian, The Pesaro, And The Frari: Different Strokes For Different Folks, Carl Edward Blyskal

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis parses two early paintings by the Venetian High Renaissance artist Titian. The discussions analyze the circumstances and patronage, compositional elements, iconography, and meanings of each work that lead through a maze of often contradictory art historical scholarship. This journey concludes by my proffering greater insights for each extraordinary painting by this internationally renowned artist. The earliest extant work by Titian--St. Peter Enthroned, with Donor and Pop--is a wonderful, if somewhat awkward, completion of a commission begun by Giovanni Bellini. Dating controversies over the centuries are examined, and a secure time-frame of 1506 to the first half of 1507 …


Brief Alcohol Interventions For College Drinkers: How Brief Is Brief?, Magdalena Kulesza Jan 2008

Brief Alcohol Interventions For College Drinkers: How Brief Is Brief?, Magdalena Kulesza

LSU Master's Theses

Brief interventions for college student drinkers have been shown to be effective in reducing the amount of alcohol consumed as well as the number of alcohol-related problems. However, the duration of brief interventions varies substantially across studies. In the present study 22 undergraduate students who drank alcohol heavily were randomly assigned to a 10-minute brief intervention, a 50-minute brief intervention, or a six week wait-list control group. The content of the active interventions was based on the same concept, and both interventions incorporated motivational interviewing components. As hypothesized, there was a significant difference between participants in the two active interventions …


Inventory And Mapping Of Aquatic Plants At Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Mark D. Sytsma, Rich Miller Jan 2008

Inventory And Mapping Of Aquatic Plants At Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Mark D. Sytsma, Rich Miller

Center for Lakes and Reservoirs Publications and Presentations

Lake Roosevelt is a large reservoir in northeast Washington State formed by the Grand Coulee Dam. The reservoir, which inundates portions of the Columbia River, the Spokane River, and other rivers and streams, is the focus of the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO) that is managed by the National Park Service. LARO encompasses 100,390 acres (40,625 ha) and includes significant cultural and recreational resources. The surface area, volume, and shoreline length of Lake Roosevelt at full pool is 82,691 acres (33,490 ha), 9.41 × 1010 acre-ft (1.16 × 1010 m3) (Nigro et. al. 1981), and …


Thermomechanical Interaction Analysis Of Bodies Subjected To Oscillatory Heat Source, Jun Wen Jan 2008

Thermomechanical Interaction Analysis Of Bodies Subjected To Oscillatory Heat Source, Jun Wen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Surface heating by application of a moving heat source is a common problem in most manufacturing processes as well as in many tribological applications. The existing literature on studies of moving heat source problems primarily concentrates on unidirectional moving heat sources. Yet, a more complete analysis requires understanding of thermal behavior of bodies in relative sliding contacts subjected to oscillatory heat sources and thermomechanical interaction. In this dissertation, two analytical models are developed for rapid evaluation of the transient temperature in solids undergoing oscillatory heat source. In the first model, an analytical technique is presented to treat oscillatory heat source …


Transition Experiences Of Selected Emerging Adults With Emotional And Behavioral Difficulties In Higher Education, Kathleen M. Fowler Jan 2008

Transition Experiences Of Selected Emerging Adults With Emotional And Behavioral Difficulties In Higher Education, Kathleen M. Fowler

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Transitioning into adulthood is an exciting and challenging time for emerging adults, and is even more difficult for young adults with emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBD). Even though the number of transition-aged individuals with EBD is significant, few studies have explored the experiences of this population engaged in educational activities, and there is limited information regarding the personal experiences of emerging adults with EBD. The purpose of the study is to acquire a better understanding of the experiences of young adults diagnosed with an EBD who are working toward their academic goals. Further, this study may give voice to individuals …


Adapting Information Operations To A Changing World: Future Options For The United States Government, Edwin L. Armistead Jan 2008

Adapting Information Operations To A Changing World: Future Options For The United States Government, Edwin L. Armistead

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In 1998, the Department of Defense in the United States released the first of a series of seminal policies on Information Operations (IO). Entitled Joint Publication 3-13, this instruction laid out for the first time, in an unclassified format, how the American military forces could utilise this particular element of power. As a relative newly defined activity, this publication proposed to revolutionise the manner in which warfare, diplomacy, business and a number of other areas are conducted. However, this radical transformation in the United States government with regard to IQ has not occurred over the last decade and a significant …


Exploring The Relationship Between Organisational Culture And Planning Processes In Selected Western Australian Sport Associations, Sooyoung Sul Tcha Jan 2008

Exploring The Relationship Between Organisational Culture And Planning Processes In Selected Western Australian Sport Associations, Sooyoung Sul Tcha

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study explored the effects of organisational culture on the planning processes of three state sport associations in Western Australia. Using the competing values framework of organisational culture and Chapman' s planning model, this study aimed to explore three research questions: (i) What are the demographic and organisational cultural profiles of the selected sport organisations? In particular, do professionals and volunteers share similar or different perceptions of the organisational cultures?; (ii) Wh~t are the development planning processes for each sport association? How does each association perceive the development planning processes?, and; (iii) How does organisational culture influence planning processes? To …


Performance Enhancement Of The Task Assessment Process Through The Application Of An Electronic Performance Support System, Alistair B. Campbell Jan 2008

Performance Enhancement Of The Task Assessment Process Through The Application Of An Electronic Performance Support System, Alistair B. Campbell

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Higher education in Australia, as for many other countries, has changed greatly over the last 20 years at all levels and in many areas of operation including teaching, learning and assessment. The driving forces for these changes have been both internal and external, and have included factors such as: the increasing student population; the increasing use of part-time staff; a reduction in government funding; an increased expectation of institutional accountability; and the growing access and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in teaching and learning. Assessment has not escaped these changes but in many cases has not kept up …


Old Company Records: The Effect Of Custodial History On The Arrangement And Description Of Selected Archival Collections Of Business Records, Donna Leanne Holmes Jan 2008

Old Company Records: The Effect Of Custodial History On The Arrangement And Description Of Selected Archival Collections Of Business Records, Donna Leanne Holmes

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis takes up Terry Cook's idea that through their work, archivists are active shapers rather than passive keepers. In taking this idea further, this thesis discusses case studies comparing the custodial history of the records of four companies that were created in the seventeenth century. Consideration is given to how archival practitioners influenced the arrangement and description of the records of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the English East India Company (EIC), the Royal African Company (RAC) and the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) during critical periods of their custodial history.


Determining Standard Criteria For Endotracheal Suctioning In The Paediatric Intensive Care Patient: An Exploratory Study [Thesis], Kylie Davies Jan 2008

Determining Standard Criteria For Endotracheal Suctioning In The Paediatric Intensive Care Patient: An Exploratory Study [Thesis], Kylie Davies

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Endotracheal tube (ETT) suction is a common nursing procedure within the paediatric intensive care (PIC) setting. Significant side effects associated with this procedure can dramatically affect the stability of the critically ill ventilated paediatric patient. A comprehensive literature review failed to establish clear standards for determining when the procedure is warranted, especially in the paediatric population. This can present difficulty for the inexperienced paediatric intensive care nurse when assessing a patient's need for ETT suction. The aim of the research was to design an evidence based endotracheal suction assessment tool (ESAT) for use by nurses caring for paediatric patients. The …


A Study Of Compliance In Aged Care Facilities With Regards To Australian Standards 1851:2006 Maintenance Of Fire Protection Systems And Equipment Section 17, Robert Doleman Jan 2008

A Study Of Compliance In Aged Care Facilities With Regards To Australian Standards 1851:2006 Maintenance Of Fire Protection Systems And Equipment Section 17, Robert Doleman

Theses : Honours

The management of risk within a nursing home environment is widely viewed as an undertaking perfom1ed by the owners or managers of nursing homes. The residents of these homes are reliant upon the owners and managers to keep them safe, due in part to a traditional belief that they are the experts and have a greater understanding of risk. To establish risk it is first a requirement to have an understanding of levels of risk and risk management techniques. Risk appreciation is often influenced by heuristic representativeness, as well as social and cultural influences. The higher level of risk within …


Exploration Of The Authentic Apology Theory: An Examination Of The Reasons Why People Reject An Apology, Stephenie Bruce Jan 2008

Exploration Of The Authentic Apology Theory: An Examination Of The Reasons Why People Reject An Apology, Stephenie Bruce

Theses : Honours

The aim of the present literature review was to explore the reasons why people reject an apology. A search of the literature revealed virtually no research focusing specifically on apology rejection, therefore, it was proposed that this lack of research may be due to the general reluctance of apology recipients to respond with rejection (Bennett & Dewberry, 1994; Bennett & Earwaker, 1994; Risen & Gilovich, 2007). Given the dearth of literature on apology rejection, it was imperative that the review also examined the literature on apology in general, in addition to literature on apology and forgiveness, in order to discover …


Exploring The Pap Smear Experiences Of Women Aged 18 To 25 : Moving From Intention To Action, Gemma Malatesta Jan 2008

Exploring The Pap Smear Experiences Of Women Aged 18 To 25 : Moving From Intention To Action, Gemma Malatesta

Theses : Honours

The aim of this research was to explore the Pap smear experiences of young women aged 18 to 25. The effectiveness of Pap smear screening and the barriers to obtaining one have been well researched. However, there is limited information in the literature on young women's experiences of Pap smear screening and the context in which they move from intending to be screened to actually undertaking the screening. This qualitative study, underpinned by a constructivist paradigm informed by a feminist epistemology, consisted of eight semi structured interviews with young women who had participated in Pap smear screening. Data analysis using …


A Parental Perspective: The Role Of Companion Animals For Children During Separation And Divorce, Jessica Michel Jan 2008

A Parental Perspective: The Role Of Companion Animals For Children During Separation And Divorce, Jessica Michel

Theses : Honours

Children grow up in interdependent family systems, where transitions affect all members. A prevalent transition in Australian families is divorce. When divorce occurs children are exposed to significant risk factors that have the potential of affecting many developmental outcomes. However, certain protective factors may reduce the impact of life stressors and a pivotal protective factor is social support. Companion animals have been recognised as beneficial to adults and children alike for many years, however, recent research has highlighted the fact that pets may also serve as sources of social support. The current paper will review relevant literature to determine the …


The Effects Of An Offender's Ethnicity As Well As The Type Of Crime Committed, On Public Perceptions Regarding Seriousness, And The Sentencing Principles Seen As Most Appropriate, Andrea Kysely Jan 2008

The Effects Of An Offender's Ethnicity As Well As The Type Of Crime Committed, On Public Perceptions Regarding Seriousness, And The Sentencing Principles Seen As Most Appropriate, Andrea Kysely

Theses : Honours

Public opinion has been evidenced as exerting significant influence over the development of, and alteration to, policies dealing with offenders (Roberts, 1992). Research suggests that an offender's ethnicity, as well as the seriousness of a crime, have a significant effect on public opinion regarding the appropriateness of an imposed sentence, and the goals of sentencing seen as most important (Herzog & Rattner, 2003). However whilst research in the United States and Europe has continued to expand, there is a significant lack of research directly related to the Australian context. The significant over-representation of Indigenous Australians in Australian prisons, potentially reflects …


Dancing On The Edge Of Silence : Steps Towards Articulating The Experience Of Childhood Rape, Brenda Joy Downing Jan 2008

Dancing On The Edge Of Silence : Steps Towards Articulating The Experience Of Childhood Rape, Brenda Joy Downing

Theses : Honours

The experience and aftermath of male sexual violence is a lived reality for many girls and women. This qualitative study explores the subjective experience of childhood rape and its long-term impact focusing in particular on the implications of the silencing that continues to surround what is a deeply-felt and traumatic experience with profound life-altering consequences. The study thematically and theoretically reads the subjective experience of childhood rape within current feminist understandings of rape as a crime of violence and form of social control through the use of evocative autoethnographic writing and an exegesis.


Developing New And Alternative Quality Of Life Indicators For Older People: A Case Study From Community Vision And A Cohort Of Their Aged Clients In Perth, Wa, Jonathan Georgiou Jan 2008

Developing New And Alternative Quality Of Life Indicators For Older People: A Case Study From Community Vision And A Cohort Of Their Aged Clients In Perth, Wa, Jonathan Georgiou

Theses : Honours

This Honours thesis explored the highly debated construct of Quality of Life and in particular, how this concept was perceived amongst a small cohort of aged clients from Community Vision, a peak Non-Government Organisation operating in the northern suburbs of Perth, W A. The Analytical Framework utilised in this Honours study consisted of two phases; an analysis of existing academic literature and the development of a new qualitative inquiry. Semi-structured interviews and electronic surveys were conducted with a group of aged clients, staff and managers from Community Vision and key informants representing three peak W A aged care service providers. …


Factors That Influence Perception Of Seriousness Of Crime : The Application Of Race, Type Of Offence And Dispositional Empathy To An Australian Context, Giselle Larkins Jan 2008

Factors That Influence Perception Of Seriousness Of Crime : The Application Of Race, Type Of Offence And Dispositional Empathy To An Australian Context, Giselle Larkins

Theses : Honours

The perception of seriousness of crime may be altered by numerous extra-legal factors within the criminal justice system. It is of significant importance to understand the ways in which various factors contribute to the differential treatment of defendants. Prejudicial attitudes towards Indigenous people pervade all areas of Australian society, including the criminal justice system (Paradies, 2005). For instance, although Indigenous people form approximately 2.4% of the general Australian population, they contribute to 24% of the total prison population (ABS, 2007; Paradies). Despite this, few studies have actively sought to better understand the factors that may contribute to varied perceptions of …


Exploring Young Adult Conflict Management Skill Development, Pauline Marcoux Jan 2008

Exploring Young Adult Conflict Management Skill Development, Pauline Marcoux

Theses : Honours

This paper explores conflict management skill development of young adults. Although conflict management is a life-span issue, conflict management skills are of particular importance to young adults as they develop their identity and explore romantic relationships. The study of conflict management skills is complex and is underpinned by different theoretical approaches. These complexities and theories are presented. Findings from childhood to young adulthood are reviewed and summarised. Marital conflict, parent-child interactions, family-of-origin characteristics and attachment orientation are all factors that influence the development of conflict management skills. The family-of-origin characteristics seem to provide the most meaningful results in relation to …


Mathematical Skill Acquisition: Transfer Effects Of A Computer Game Based On The Components Theory Of Skill Acquisition, Jenny Kessell Jan 2008

Mathematical Skill Acquisition: Transfer Effects Of A Computer Game Based On The Components Theory Of Skill Acquisition, Jenny Kessell

Theses : Honours

Research within the field of mathematical learning has often focused on the extent to which knowledge of particular mathematical skills can facilitate the learning of new and unpracticed mathematical skills. Additionally, it has examined the influence of context on learning and the amount of practice necessary for complex skill acquisition to result. This paper provides a review of the research examining mathematical learning, skill acquisition and transfer of skills in a mathematical context. Pertinent theories in the field of cognitive skill acquisition are examined for their ability to explain transfer of skill. The review focuses on factors that influence the …


The Leadership Characteristics Registered Nurses Perceive As Important In Their Clinical Nurses, Linda May Aitken Jan 2008

The Leadership Characteristics Registered Nurses Perceive As Important In Their Clinical Nurses, Linda May Aitken

Theses : Honours

Limited research exists about the leadership attributes registered nurses (RNs) want from their clinical nurses (CNs). This study explored the leadership attributes Western Australian RNs considered important in CNs and determine if there were differences in the choice of preferred CN attributes according to RNs years of experience; types of nursing education; level of seniority and nursing specialty. A modified version of the Emerging Workforce's Preference Survey was distributed to 403 RNs with a 30% response rate. The respondents ranked their top three preferences from 4 clusters of traits. S.P.S.S. 15.0 was used to summarise demographic data and then analyse …


The Effects Of Oxidative Stress And Age On Human Spermatozoa, Taryn Mcandrew Jan 2008

The Effects Of Oxidative Stress And Age On Human Spermatozoa, Taryn Mcandrew

Theses : Honours

Male infertility is now recognised as a significant factor in couples having difficulty conceiving. The impact of maternal age has long been known as a limiting factor, however recent research indicates that advancing paternal age can also negatively impact on a couple's chances of conception. One of the major contributing causes of male infertility has now been linked to spermatozoa exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Such exposure induces oxidative stress when coupled with reduced total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Measures of both ROS and TAC are used as tests of oxidative stress status (OSS) which are used together to give …


Knowledge And Perceptions About Hepatitis C Among Police Undertaking Training At The Western Australia Police Academy, Cerissa Papanastasiou Jan 2008

Knowledge And Perceptions About Hepatitis C Among Police Undertaking Training At The Western Australia Police Academy, Cerissa Papanastasiou

Theses : Honours

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a significant health issue in Australia with approximately 90% of new cases attributed to injecting drug use (IDU). With no vaccination for this infection it is important that preventive methods are utilised to reduce the likelihood of it being transmitted from the IDU community into the wider community. Research has suggested that people's beliefs, which are influenced by the knowledge they have, play an important role in influencing the action people take in protecting and promoting their health. While there are numerous studies which have measured the HCV-related knowledge and perceptions of other professions in the …


Factor Structure Of The Life Orientation Test And Life Orientation Test- Revised: The Influence Of Item Framing, Jamie Moore Jan 2008

Factor Structure Of The Life Orientation Test And Life Orientation Test- Revised: The Influence Of Item Framing, Jamie Moore

Theses : Honours

Historically psychological scales have used a mix of positively keyed and negatively keyed items (balanced scales) to control for the effects of response sets. While it has been established that the use of balanced scales does effectively control for response sets such as acquiescence, issues relating to the psychometric properties of these scales emerge. The following review investigated issues surrounding the reliability, validity and factor structure of balanced scales by considering whether these issues were caused by positively and negatively keyed items measuring different aspects of a construct or whether they emerged simply due to measurement error. Both these positions …