Digital Commons Network^™

Gaining Balance: Toward A Grounded Theory Of The Decision-Making Processes Of Applicants For Adoption Of Children With And Without Disabilities, Philip Burge, Margaret Jamieson

The Qualitative Report

A grounded theory is presented of the decision-making processes among applicants when considering available children with and without disabilities for domestic public adoption. Using grounded theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1998), data from 15 adoption applicants were analyzed followed the traditional three coding phases. The central category of Adoption Decision Making is labeled Gaining Balance and was the underpinning concept to all categories and sub-categories (i.e., in parentheses) of the theory: Commitment (e.g., motivation, financial considerations), Persistence (e.g., coping with emotions, counteracting pessimism), and Evaluation (e.g., assessments of personal abilities and resources, assessments of knowledge of potential adoptees' needs). The …

Weekend Warriors: Autonomy-Connection, Openness-Closedness, And Coping Strategies Of Marital Partners In Nonresidential Stepfamilies, Becky L. Degreeff, Ann Burnett

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this study was to examine the classic and unique relationship tensions marital partners of non-residential stepfamilies experience. Grounded in relational dialectical theory, transcripts from interviews of five non-residential stepfamily couples were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to search for and identify autonomy-connection and openness-closedness dialectical tensions and coping strategies utilized by the participants. These relational dialectical tensions were illustrated in every interview. Tensions were present not only between the relationship partners, but also in regard to the non-residential children. Participants utilized a variety of coping strategies to deal with the relationship tensions experienced in their marriage within …

Psychosocial Factors Influencing Promotion Of Male Circumcision For Hiv Prevention In A Non-Circumcising Community In Rural Western Kenya, Alfredo F. X. O. Obure, Erick O. Nyambedha, Boniface O. Oindo, Hezborn M. N. Kodero

The Qualitative Report

Male circumcision (MC) is now recommended as an additional HIV preventive measure, yet little is known about factors that may influence its adoption, especially in non-circumcising communities with generalized HIV pandemic. This qualitative study explored factors influencing MC adoption in rural western Kenya. Twenty-four sex specific focus group discussions were conducted with a purposive sample of Luo men and women (15-34 years). Perceived barriers to circumcision were pain and healing complications, actual and opportunity costs, behavioral disinhibition, discrimination, cultural identity, and reduced sexual satisfaction; perceived facilitators were hygiene, HIV/STI risk reduction, ease in condom use, cultural integration, and sexual satisfaction. …

Using Literary Ethnography As A Form Of Qualitative Document Synthesis To Explore The Maltreatment Of Vulnerable Populations: An Examination Of Verbal Neglect And Abuse In Nursing Homes, Jason S. Ulsperger

The Qualitative Report

Studying vulnerable populations can be highly problematic. This is especially true when they are located in institutional settings. When gatekeepers block access and a researcher wants to examine a delicate topic, one ethical, feasible way to paint an interpretive picture of everyday life involves the use of a literary ethnography. With data on the verbal neglect and abuse of elders in United States nursing homes, this paper details the six-stages of a literary ethnography. It includes a discussion of identifying sources, reading and interpreting the documents, identifying textual themes, classifying themes, developing a set of analytic constructs, and re-reading documents …

Discovering Emerging Research In A Qualitative Study Of Esl Academic Writing, Jim Hu

The Qualitative Report

This article focuses on the complexities of the qualitative methodology employed in my doctoral study of the academic writing experiences and perceptions of Chinese graduate students in sciences and engineering at the University of British Columbia. In particular, I explain the emerging nature of the study by relating how and why I repeatedly revised the research questions, modified the research locations, re-selected the participants, adjusted the data collection methods, and amended the data analysis coding system. The study concludes that research designs should be elastic to accommodate the dynamic and emerging nature of qualitative studies.

Older People With Complex Health Needs Desire For Change: A Qualitative Study, Diane Jorgensen, David R. Thoman, Matthew Parsons

The Qualitative Report

As a sub study of another study we examined older people with complex health and disability support needs' desire for change. The aim was to compare this across different ages, residence, and gender. Semi-structured interviews were held with 129 participants and the data were analyzed using a General Inductive Approach. Six themes emerged, Health, No Change, Personal Changes, Family, Housing, and Services. The two most popular themes were a desire for health changes and to have no change. Health professionals might note that older people in their 80s with significant health and disability impairments have a decrease in both the …

Elements Of Engagement For Successful Learning, Amy Schweinle, Marcy F. Reisetter, Valerie Stokes

The Qualitative Report

In this research we sought to understand student practices, beliefs, and behaviors that led to positive engagement on campus. More specifically, we studied student engagement as a function of the individual within the contexts of classroom and university environment using a basic interpretive approach. First year students from a medium-sized, public, Midwestern university participated in interviews on engagement, the classroom, university, and community contexts. Results suggest that both personality and a sense of self influence students' levels of engagement. Students who had identified life goals and who sought related activities and relationships made greater use of university resources and felt …

Montana Kaimin, December 4, 2009, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Festival Of Christmas: Heavenly Peace (2009), St. Norbert College Music Department

Music Performances

See Program

A Christmas Carol, 2009, Parkland College

Parkland Theatre

By Charles Dickens
Adapted by Nick Schneider
Original Music by Tim Schirmer
Original Song Lyrics by Seamus Reilly and Cheri Coons

Director: Michelle Mills
Scenic Designer: Lee M. Boyer
Sound Designer: Jon Schoenoff
Musical Director: Tim Schirmer
Costume Designer: Barbara T. Schoenoff
Technical Production Supervisor and Design Coordinator: Thomas V. Korder
Technical Director: David G. Dillman
Lighting Designer: Sean Murphy
Hair and Make-Up Designer: Rene Chadwick

December 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 at 7pm
December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 at 2pm
Fall 2009

Produced by the Parkland College Fine and Applied Arts Department and Bah Humbug …

Facilitating The Generalization Of Social Skills With Bibliotherapy And Positive Peer Reporting, Angelina C. Krieger

Theses and Dissertations

Social competence is needed for interaction among peers, teachers, and families in order for children to be successful in school. Children enter school with various levels of social competence. Social skills training is an effective method for building social skills; however, many programs fail to generalize these skills across settings and time. This study investigated the effects of a social skills training intervention for first and second grade students with emotional and behavioral problems. The intervention blended direct instruction, role-plays, and children's literature, with peers supporting both the acquisition and generalization of the social skills through positive peer reporting (PPR) …

Factors Affecting Youth Voice In Decision-Making Processes Within Youth Development Programs, Todd Tarifa, Krisanna Machtmes, Janet Fox, Earl Johnson

Journal of Youth Development

Results of a study aimed at determining the factors affecting the level of inclusiveness of youth voice in the decision-making process of the 4-H youth development program are discussed in this paper. State and field level 4-H professionals identified potential factors which affect youth voice in the decision-making process. The information gathered was utilized to identify the degree to which youth voice was incorporated in the decision-making process, to better understand how to suit youth’s needs, identify promising practices, and diagnose barriers towards fostering youth voice within the 4-H youth development program. This feature article presents the findings of the …

Washington Pension System Review, H. Allan Hunt, Peter S. Barth, Heather Grob, Henry George Harder, Michael Silverstein

Testimonies

No abstract provided.

New Mexico Labor Market Review 12-04-2009, New Mexico Department Of Workforce Solutions

Historic Publications

This issue of the New Mexico Labor Market Review presents October 2009 employment, unemployment, wage, and economic activity data for New Mexico, its counties, and metropolitan areas.

Policing The Good Guys: Regulation Of The Charitable Sector Through A Federal Charity Oversight Board, Terri Lynn Helge

Faculty Scholarship

Recently, public confidence in the charitable sector has eroded due to a barrage of media reports on scandals and abuses. The principal parties charged with regulation of the charitable sector, the Internal Revenue Service and state attorneys general, are saddled with bureaucratic constraints that make it difficult to enforce the laws governing the fiduciary responsibilities of charity managers. Substantial reform in the regulation of charitable organizations is necessary to curb the reported abuses that have undermined confidence in the charitable sector.

Some advocate expanding private regulation of the charitable sector to improve enforcement of the fiduciary responsibilities of charitable managers. …

Geithner Slams Bonuses, Says Banks Would Have Failed, Robert Schmidt

Documents

No abstract provided.

Cal Poly Records Highest Number Of Applicants, Public Affairs Office

Press Releases

No abstract provided.

Reading Round-Up: December 3, 2009

China Beat Blog: Archive 2008-2012

1. We’ve discussed Lu Xun quite a lot lately, and more great Lu Xun-related stories keep coming our way. At Inside-Out China, Xujun Eberlein writes about her own memories of reading Lu Xun as a high-school student during the 1970s. Eberlein also comments on Lu Xun’s work as a translator, as well as the fact that “His scathing style was extensively mimicked by the Red Guards for faction fighting during the Cultural Revolution, a consequence he wouldn’t have dreamed of.”

A diary kept by Chinese writer Lin Yutang between 1929 and 1932 has just come to light, and provides insight …

Genetic Variations In Three Interacting Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms And The Risk Of Preterm Birth In Black Families, Margaret Steinbach

Open Access Dissertations

Preterm birth, defined as birth prior to 37 completed weeks gestation, is a serious health concern. Despite advances in health care screening and interventions, the rate of preterm birth in the United States has risen more than 30 percent since 1981. In 2006, Menon and associates reported the first multilocus genetic interaction in three single nucleotide polymorphisms predictive of spontaneous preterm birth in a population of White mothers. A gene association study using a case-control design was conducted to determine whether the results of the Menon study were also true for Black women and their infants. The case group included …

Phoenix, 2009-12-03, Student Life

Phoenix

The Phoenix is a student newspaper published at Governors State University since August 2002. The newspaper features student reporting, opinions, news, and photos.

Senate Minutes 12-3-09, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

(Review) The Illusion Of Civil Society: Democratization And Community Mobilization In Low-Income Mexico, Robert Gay

Sociology Faculty Publications

The article reviews the book "The Illusion of Civil Society: Democratization and Community Mobilization in Low-Income Mexico," by Jon Shefner.

12-03-2009 Swosu Theatrical Productions Nominated For Regional Competition, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

THE BARK ARCHIVE 2009

Southwestern Oklahoma State University Theatre on the Weatherford campus was recently honored by receiving nominations for the Regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) for both of its fall productions.

12-03-2009 Swosu Art Students Showing Paintings, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

THE BARK ARCHIVE 2009

Southwestern Oklahoma State University art students have an exhibit of works currently on display on the Weatherford campus.

Chapman School Of Law “Rocks” In 2010 Princeton Review Rankings, Chapman University Media Relations

Chapman Press Releases 2003-2011

No abstract provided.

Engaging With Higher Education – Employer Perspectives, Roadmap For Employment Academic Partnerships., Niamh Corcoran, Michelle Bradley

Reports

No abstract provided.

Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes 2009-12-03, Bowling Green State University

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

The official meeting minutes of Bowling Green State University's Board of Trustees.

Capturing The Elusive Government Document Before It Disappears: The Chesapeake Project, Katherine Baer, Mary Jo Lazun

Digital Preservation Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Tale Of Three Libraries: Key Factors In Successful Online Collaborative Projects, Dee Dee Dockendorf, Mary Jo Lazun, Sarah Rhodes

Digital Preservation Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Chesapeake Project: Preserving “Born Digital” Documents, Dee Dee Dockendorf

Digital Preservation Publications

No abstract provided.