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2012

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That's A Wrap! The Organizational Culture And Characteristics Of Successful Film Crews, Lisa C. Cook Jan 2012

That's A Wrap! The Organizational Culture And Characteristics Of Successful Film Crews, Lisa C. Cook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study seeks to determine through survey research what characteristics film production crews possess that makes them so successful as an organization. The factors of age, gender, years of professional experience and education level were tested for their significance on how the respondents view their culture. Hofstede's six dimensions of organizational culture survey questions were rewritten to be applicable to the freelance film crew sample. The presentation of findings focuses on the resultant organizational profile of a film production crew, the workplace values of this group and the influence that the education level of the participants had on responses. The …

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Career Decision-Making Patterns Of Undecided African-American Male Transfer Students: A Qualitative Approach, Lavious Felix Daniels Jan 2012

Career Decision-Making Patterns Of Undecided African-American Male Transfer Students: A Qualitative Approach, Lavious Felix Daniels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The career development and career decision-making needs of African-American males have generated much inquiry. Two year colleges currently serve as the predominant point of entry for many African-American male students seeking baccalaureate degrees. However, the transition to and eventual success at the four-year institution is often met with challenges. The inability to choose a major that may lead to a desired career has the potential to serve as a barrier for some students. From the lens of social cognitive career theory, this qualitative study was conducted to examine the experiences of undecided, African-American male transfer students at a large, four-year …

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Examining Gender In Pharmaceutical Rhetoric Through A Cultural Studies Lens: A Case Study On The Gardasil Vaccine, Jennifer Fickley-Baker Jan 2012

Examining Gender In Pharmaceutical Rhetoric Through A Cultural Studies Lens: A Case Study On The Gardasil Vaccine, Jennifer Fickley-Baker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

On June 8, 2006, Merck announced the debut of Gardasil, the world's first vaccine found successful in preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, a sexually transmitted infection that is one of the main causes of certain cancers in men and women, including cervical, vulvar, penile and anal cancers. To promote the vaccine's release, Merck launched Gardasil's "One Less" advertising campaign that included television commercials, print ads and a consumerfocused website (www.Gardasil.com), each promoting the message that "you" could now be "one less woman" affected by cervical cancer ("One Less" campaign). The vaccine, tested and approved only for females age 9-26, was …

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Counselor Education Students' Ethnic Identity And Social-Cognitive Development: Effects Of A Multicultural Self-Awareness Group Experience, Jennifer Marie Johnson Jan 2012

Counselor Education Students' Ethnic Identity And Social-Cognitive Development: Effects Of A Multicultural Self-Awareness Group Experience, Jennifer Marie Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the impact of a multicultural self-awareness personal growth group on counselor education students (n = 94) and group leaders (n = 10) and their ethnic identity development scores, social-cognitive maturity levels, and presence of group therapeutic factors. Findings from the study identified no statistically significant differences in ethnic identity development and social-cognitive maturity scores between treatment group and comparison group participants, or as a result of multiple measurements throughout the semester. However, a statistically significant effect was identified for time (pre-test, M = 91.94, SD = 5.33; mid-semester, M = 90.32, SD = 6.43; post-test, M …

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Deconstructing Disability, Assistive Technology: Secondary Orality, The Path To Universal Access, Tara Prakash Tripathi Jan 2012

Deconstructing Disability, Assistive Technology: Secondary Orality, The Path To Universal Access, Tara Prakash Tripathi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When Thomas Edison applied for a patent for his phonograph, he listed the talking books for the blind as one of the benefits of his invention. Edison was correct in his claim about talking books or audio books. Audio books have immensely helped the blind to achieve their academic and professional goals. Blind and visually impaired people have also been using audio books for pleasure reading. But several studies have demonstrated the benefits of audio books for people who are not defined as disabled. Many nondisabled people listen to audio books and take advantage of speech based technology, such as …

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Affirmative Action In Higher Education And The Talented Twenty Program In Florida, Miguel Ubiles Jan 2012

Affirmative Action In Higher Education And The Talented Twenty Program In Florida, Miguel Ubiles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Affirmative action in higher education is a necessary component for ethnic minorities to be afforded postsecondary educational access and opportunities to improve their socioeconomic status. The ban of affirmative action in undergraduate admissions, wherever instituted, has decreased the undergraduate enrollment of ethnic minorities. The broad objective of this research is to demonstrate how the elimination of affirmative action has lessened postsecondary educational access for minorities, who presently account for the majority or near-majority population in several states and will soon account for a much larger segment of the national population. This study will use two series of multiple regression models …

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The Relationship Among Student Demographic Variables And Reported Discipline Referral Categories, Timothy A. Bair Jan 2012

The Relationship Among Student Demographic Variables And Reported Discipline Referral Categories, Timothy A. Bair

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to investigate the disproportional distribution of subjective and objective discipline referrals to the different student groups’ gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity for the 6th through 12th grade students in a central Florida public school district for the school year 2009-2010. The relationship of the disproportional distribution of subjective and objective discipline referrals between gender and socioeconomic status was analyzed. In addition, the relationship of the disproportional distribution of subjective and objective discipline referrals between ethnicity and socioeconomic status was analyzed. Analysis of the discipline referral data from the central Florida public school district for the school …

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Classroom Based Substance Use Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis, Alyssa R. Boucher Jan 2012

Classroom Based Substance Use Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis, Alyssa R. Boucher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper reports on a meta-analysis performed on forty one studies evaluating classroom-based substance abuse primary prevention programs. Studies included were delivered in a classroom to the general student body, had a primary focus of substance abuse prevention, measured behavior change, and were published in peer-reviewed outlets between 2000 and 2011. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis was used to calculate a random effects Cohen’s d and moderator analyses. Results indicated a significant effect for alcohol (d=0.10) and tobacco (d=0.09) in multi-target interventions. Specific program components and characteristics associated with more effective prevention programs are discussed. Despite the best efforts of those who develop …

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An Analysis Of Teacher Tenure Legislation In The United States, Barbra Finegold Bruckmeyer Jan 2012

An Analysis Of Teacher Tenure Legislation In The United States, Barbra Finegold Bruckmeyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the legal issues of teacher tenure in public K-12 schools in the United States. Included in this study is a review of the pertinent case law as it pertains to teacher tenure as well as a conclusive review, analysis, and summary of all relevant state statutes concerning teacher tenure in the United States. The federal statutes that influence state teacher tenure laws are also included in this study. Teacher tenure in public K-12 schools was originally derived from the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, which provided job protections to federal civil service employees. The National Education …

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Johnson & Johnson's Recall Debacle, Lashonda Louallen Eaddy Jan 2012

Johnson & Johnson's Recall Debacle, Lashonda Louallen Eaddy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has been viewed as a role model by many organizations for its successful handling of a 1982 crisis involving cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules that resulted in seven deaths. The public relations community applauded J&J for a swift response and for promptly implementing actions to prevent a similar crisis from occurring in the future. However more recently, J&J has become a poster child for poor crisis communications amidst a flood of recalls that started in November 2009. The present study used concepts from Coombs’ (2004) Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) and media framing research to develop a coding …

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Infrared Tapered Slot Antennas Coupled To Tunnel Diodes, Louis A. Florence Jan 2012

Infrared Tapered Slot Antennas Coupled To Tunnel Diodes, Louis A. Florence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tapered slot antennas (TSAs) have seen considerable application in the millimeter-wave portion of the spectrum. Desirable characteristics of TSAs include symmetric E- and H-plane antenna patterns, and broad non-resonant bandwidths. We investigate extension of TSA operation toward higher frequencies in the thermal infrared (IR), using a metal-oxide-metal diode as the detector. Several different infrared TSA design forms are fabricated using electronbeam lithography and specially developed thin-film processes. The angular antenna patterns of TSA-coupled diodes are measured at 10.6 micrometer wavelength in both E- and H-planes, and are compared to results of finite-element electromagnetic modeling using Ansoft HFSS. Parameter studies are …

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The Impact Of Timed Versus Untimed Standardized Tests On Reading Scores Of Third Grade Students In Title I Schools, Ruth Elizabeth Haniff Jan 2012

The Impact Of Timed Versus Untimed Standardized Tests On Reading Scores Of Third Grade Students In Title I Schools, Ruth Elizabeth Haniff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the performance of Title I third grade students in a central Florida School District differed on tests administered under timed and untimed conditions. Further examined was the literature on reasons for the achievement gap which centered around seven different themes: (a) standardized testing, (b) achievement gap data and identified factors (c) deficit theory, (d) cultural mismatch theory, (e) extended time accommodations, (f) test anxiety and stress, and (g) timed versus untimed tests. Six Title I schools participated in this study by assigning 194 students to take the 2006 …

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An Investigation Of Master's Level Counselor Education Admissions Criteria: The Predictive Validity Of Undergraduate Achievement And Aptitude On The Attainment Of Counseling Competence., Emma L. Kendrick Jan 2012

An Investigation Of Master's Level Counselor Education Admissions Criteria: The Predictive Validity Of Undergraduate Achievement And Aptitude On The Attainment Of Counseling Competence., Emma L. Kendrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to examine the relationship between the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) admissions criteria and the prediction of future counseling competencies in four domain areas; knowledge, counseling skills, professional dispositions, and professional behaviors. The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) provided the measure for knowledge, paired with the Counseling Competencies Scale (CCS), measuring counseling skills, professional dispositions, and professional behaviors. Three types of correlational analyses (Multiple-linear Regression, Pearson Product Moment, and Canonical) were used to test the relationships between the variables and subscales. Overall, significant models were produced in areas consistent …

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Italian-American Ethnic Concentration, Informal Social Control, And Urban Violent Crime: A Defended Neighborhoods Approach, Hollianne Elizabeth Marshall Jan 2012

Italian-American Ethnic Concentration, Informal Social Control, And Urban Violent Crime: A Defended Neighborhoods Approach, Hollianne Elizabeth Marshall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the impact of white ethnic concentration on robbery and homicide in Chicago and New York City. As one of the first to disaggregate white ethnic populations, this study has the expectation that Italian-American concentration will have a stronger influence on robbery and homicide than any other white ethnic concentrations. This study is founded on prior qualitative research suggesting that the reputation of Italian-Americans influences the behavior of outsiders in their communities. The data show there is a significant and negative relationship between Italian-American concentration and the violent crimes robbery and homicide. This relationship only exists for white …

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Application Of Modeling And Simulation To Reduce Costs Of Acquisition Within Triple Constraints, Syed N. Mohammad Jan 2012

Application Of Modeling And Simulation To Reduce Costs Of Acquisition Within Triple Constraints, Syed N. Mohammad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A key component of defense acquisition programs operating using the Integrated Defense Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Life Cycle Management System is the reliance on the triple constraints of cost, schedule, and performance. While the use of Modeling and Simulation tools and capabilities is prevalent and well established in the Research and Development, Analysis, and Training domains, acquisition programs have been reluctant to use Modeling and Simulation in any great depth due to inaccessibility of tools, Subject Matter Experts, and implications to cost and schedule. This presents a unique Simulation Management challenge which requires an in-depth understanding of the technical capabilities …

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Comorbidity Of Psychopathy In Schizotypy: Skin Conductance To Affective Pictures, Kathleen A. Ragsdale Jan 2012

Comorbidity Of Psychopathy In Schizotypy: Skin Conductance To Affective Pictures, Kathleen A. Ragsdale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prior research substantiates a relationship between psychopathy and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, which has begun to elucidate why some individuals with schizophrenia are violent. Unfortunately, this relationship has been limited to self-report. To objectively corroborate this finding, undergraduate students were recruited from an online screening administration of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. This resulted in 56 participants (52% male) with a mean age of 20.37 (SD = 4.74) and a wide range of schizotypy scores who participated in the experiment. Following completion of self-report measures, participants viewed 15 pictures (five neutral, five threatening, and five of others in distress) from the International Affective …

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Analyzing Action Game Players' Performance During Distracted Driving, Michael Rupp Jan 2012

Analyzing Action Game Players' Performance During Distracted Driving, Michael Rupp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Driving is a complex task that is highly reliant on attention. Research states that distractions cause performance errors thus it is important to find ways to reduce driver distraction or assist drivers with ways to improve their cognitive resources if distraction is unavoidable. Moreover, research indicates that action video game players outperform non-players on labbased tests of visual and cognitive abilities. However, research also exists that is contrary to these findings. Some researchers suggest that methodological deficiencies could be the cause of the significant findings in the literature. With such fervor of debate on the subject, the question remains of …

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The Effects Of Phosphatidylserine On Reaction Time And Cognitive Function Following An Exercise Stress, Adam John Wells Jan 2012

The Effects Of Phosphatidylserine On Reaction Time And Cognitive Function Following An Exercise Stress, Adam John Wells

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an endogenously occurring phospholipid that has been shown to have cognition and mood enhancing properties in humans, possibly through its role as an enzyme co-factor in cellular signal transduction. Specifically, PS has been identified as activator of classical isoforms of protein kinase C, an enzyme known to be involved in the growth and differentiation of neural cells, and is therefore thought to play a role in the protection of neurons. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of supplementation with PS and caffeine on measures of cognition, reaction time and mood prior to and …

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Thematic Patterns In Millennial Heavy Metal: A Lyrical Analysis, Evan Chabot Jan 2012

Thematic Patterns In Millennial Heavy Metal: A Lyrical Analysis, Evan Chabot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research on heavy metal music has traditionally been framed by deviant characterizations, effects on audiences, and the validity of criticism. More recently, studies have neglected content analysis due to perceived homogeneity in themes, despite evidence that the modern genre is distinct from its past. As lyrical patterns are strong markers of genre, this study attempts to characterize heavy metal in the 21st century by analyzing lyrics for specific themes and perspectives. Citing evidence that the “Millennial” generation confers significant developments to popular culture, the contemporary genre is termed “Millennial heavy metal” throughout, and the study is framed accordingly. Utilizing prominent …

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Detecting And Characterizing Exoplanets: The Gj 436 And Hd 149026 Systems, Kevin Stevenson Jan 2012

Detecting And Characterizing Exoplanets: The Gj 436 And Hd 149026 Systems, Kevin Stevenson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates two stellar systems known to contain extrasolar planets. It is comprised of five chapters that are readily divided into three independent but related analyses. Chapter 1 reports on the analysis of low signal-to-noise secondary-eclipse observations of the Neptune-sized exoplanet GJ 436b using the Spitzer Space Telescope in multiple infrared channels. The measured wavelength-dependent eclipse depths provide constraints on the planet’s dayside atmospheric composition and thermal profile. The analysis indicates that GJ 436b’s atmosphere is abundant in carbon monoxide and deficient in methane relative to thermochemical equilibrium models for the predicted hydrogen-dominated atmosphere. Chapter 2 discusses the techniques …

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The Relationship Between Incivility And Engagement In Nursing Students At A State College, Cheryl Cicotti Jan 2012

The Relationship Between Incivility And Engagement In Nursing Students At A State College, Cheryl Cicotti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between engagement, as measured with the Community College Student Survey of Engagement Course Feedback Form, and incivility, as measured with the Incivility in Nursing Education Survey, in 268 nursing students at a state college. A significant relationship was identified between the composite variables representing engagement and incivility. Specifically, the composite engagement variables representing active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, student effort, and academic challenge were positively related to the composite incivility variable reflecting the consideration of disruptive student behavior. Data analysis determined that the most disruptive classroom behavior reported were students holding distracting conversations. The …

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Expression Of Lipase From Mycobacterium Tuberculosis In Nicotiana Tobacum And Lactuca Sativa Chloroplasts, Bethany Lloyd Jan 2012

Expression Of Lipase From Mycobacterium Tuberculosis In Nicotiana Tobacum And Lactuca Sativa Chloroplasts, Bethany Lloyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), is a global threat and the leading cause of death among individuals infected with HIV. TB treatment requires multi-drug cocktails, due to the increasing rates of drug resistance of the bacterium. With multi-drug cocktails, strains have been documented to be resistant to all major drugs in the fight against TB. Since the strains are drug resistant, it calls for an increasing need for vaccine and treatment development for the purpose of preventing and managing the disease. The most widely distributed vaccine against TB is Bacillus Calmette-Gue´rin (BCG). Apart from being …

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Selective Multivariate Applications In Forensic Science, Caitlin Rinke Jan 2012

Selective Multivariate Applications In Forensic Science, Caitlin Rinke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A 2009 report published by the National Research Council addressed the need for improvements in the field of forensic science. In the report emphasis was placed on the need for more rigorous scientific analysis within many forensic science disciplines and for established limitations and determination of error rates from statistical analysis. This research focused on multivariate statistical techniques for the analysis of spectral data obtained for multiple forensic applications which include samples from: automobile float glasses and paints, bones, metal transfers, ignitable liquids and fire debris, and organic compounds including explosives. The statistical techniques were used for two types of …

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Structure, Stability, Vibrational, Thermodynamic, And Catalytic Properties Of Metal Nanostructures: Size, Shape, Support, And Adsorbate Effects, Farzad Behafarid Jan 2012

Structure, Stability, Vibrational, Thermodynamic, And Catalytic Properties Of Metal Nanostructures: Size, Shape, Support, And Adsorbate Effects, Farzad Behafarid

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent advances in nanoscience and technology have provided the scientific community with new exciting opportunities to rationally design and fabricate materials at the nanometer scale with drastically different properties as compared to their bulk counterparts. A variety of challenges related to nanoparticle (NP) synthesis and materials characterization have been tackled , allowing us to make more homogenous, well defined, size- and shape-selected NPs, and to probe deeper and more comprehensively into their distinct properties. In this dissertation, a variety of phenomena relevant to nanosized materials are investigated, including the thermal stability of NPs and coarsening phenomena in different environments, the …

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A Study Of The Degradative Capabilities Of The Bimetallic System: Mg(Pd/C) As Applied In The Destruction Of Decafluoropentane, An Environmental Contaminant, Douglas Tomlin Jan 2012

A Study Of The Degradative Capabilities Of The Bimetallic System: Mg(Pd/C) As Applied In The Destruction Of Decafluoropentane, An Environmental Contaminant, Douglas Tomlin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pollution from hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) poses a serious challenge to the environmental community. Released from industrial operations, they have contaminated both the atmosphere and groundwater and are considered persistent in both media.1 For over the past 20 years, the practice of synthesizing hydrofluorocarbons as alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) has been conducted in an effort to reverse the effects of stratospheric ozone layer depletion. 2,3 However, in doing so these new fluorinated compounds exhibited an unexpected property as a potent global warming greenhouse gas (GHG) with radiative forcing potentials in the range of 100 to 10,000 equivalents greater than carbon dioxide.4 Conversely, …

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Probing Space: Formative Assessment In A Middle School Inquiry-Based Science Classroom, Clinton W. Anderson Jan 2012

Probing Space: Formative Assessment In A Middle School Inquiry-Based Science Classroom, Clinton W. Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This action research thesis was performed to explore the research questions: How did the use of formative assessment affect student performance data in understanding the concepts of the Sun-Earth-Moon system?, How did the use of learning scales as formative techniques impact student self-assessment of their knowledge of the Sun-Earth-Moon system?, How did the implementation of formative assessment techniques affect student discourse on the topic of the Sun-Earth-Moon system? Formative assessment techniques including "talk-friendly" probes, sticky bars, and agree-disagree statements were used in the classroom to expose gaps in knowledge, to facilitate discourse, and promote self-assessment. A triangulation of data included …

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The Utility Of Verbal Display Redundancy In Managing Pilot's Cognitive Load During Controller-Pilot Voice Communications, Daniela Kratchounova Jan 2012

The Utility Of Verbal Display Redundancy In Managing Pilot's Cognitive Load During Controller-Pilot Voice Communications, Daniela Kratchounova

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Miscommunication between controllers and pilots, potentially resulting from a high pilot cognitive load, has been a causal or contributing factor in a large number of aviation accidents. In this context, failure to communicate can be attributed, among other factors, to an inadequate human-system interface design, the related high cognitive load imposed on the pilot, and poor performance reflected by a higher error rate. To date, voice radio remains in service without any means for managing pilot cognitive load by design (as opposed to training or procedures). Such an oversight is what prompted this dissertation. The goals of this study were …

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The Influence Of Components Of Positive Psychology On Student Development, Yo Sang Ha Jan 2012

The Influence Of Components Of Positive Psychology On Student Development, Yo Sang Ha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Considering a wide range of student's delinquencies and problems, preventive intervention in school is strongly required for healthy student development. American School counselor Association (ASCA) has focused on three areas, academic development, career development, and personal/social development to provide various skills and learning opportunities for the successful life of students. During the past 50 years, psychologists have concentrated on the disease treatment model. However, unlike this psychological trend, positive psychology has paid attention to prevent school violence and delinquency. Further, Positive psychologists have discovered not only to prevent problems but also to facilitate human strengths and virtues to live successful …

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Conservation And Population Biology: Genetics, Demography And Habitat Requirements Of The Atlantic Coast Beach Mice, Haakon Myklevoll Kalkvik Jan 2012

Conservation And Population Biology: Genetics, Demography And Habitat Requirements Of The Atlantic Coast Beach Mice, Haakon Myklevoll Kalkvik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The conservation biology field seeks to preserve biodiversity and the processes shaping that variation. Conservation biology is intimately tied to evolutionary research, in order to identify evolutionary distinct lineages that may be in danger of disappearing. Interestingly, patterns and processes of lineage divergence and persistence change with respect to spatial and temporal scale. I seek to evaluate biodiversity, the factors that have shaped this heterogeneity, and how this variability persists. To accomplish this I used a phylogeographic approach as well as niche and population modeling on the Peromyscus maniculatus species group found widely distributed in North America. My emphasis was …

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The Antecedents And Consequences Of Teacher Professional Discretion Over Curriculum And Instruction: A Grounded Theory Inquiry, Marc Spittler Jan 2012

The Antecedents And Consequences Of Teacher Professional Discretion Over Curriculum And Instruction: A Grounded Theory Inquiry, Marc Spittler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the ever-changing requirements of a secondary level of education and the application of standardized testing criteria to determine proficiency in mastery of the subject matter, the attempt to create a standard and acceptable curriculum for all school sites has left the control of the schools. Now classrooms are scrambling for focus, guidance and support with curriculum development and implementation. Over the last three decades, there have been numerous research studies that have examined the place of the classroom teacher in the process of creating curriculum for their classroom with mixed results. The efforts to reform secondary education, from the …

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