Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Wandering The Web -- Subcultures: Ghost Hunting: A Passion For The Paranormal, Lesley Montgomery

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

Wandering The Web -- What's In Your Toolbox?: Online Resources Keeping Lis Professionals Informed, Africa S. Hands Ma, Mlis

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

Wandering The Web -- Business Research On The Open Web, Served 10 Ways, John Gottfried

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Prayer And Health Research: An Exploratory Inquiry On Prayer’S Psychological Dimension, Adrian Andreescu

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

A brief literature review of cancer survival trials is employed by the author to raise questions

on their design and to bring speculatively into discussion concepts such as “worldview”,

“intentional normative dissociation”, and “psychosomatic plasticity-proneness”. Using prayer’s

psychological dimension as a way to unite such elements opens new fertile perspectives on

the academic study of prayer and health. In this context, it is suggested that a consistent

interdisciplinary research agenda is required in order to understand those biopsychosocial

factors interconnected within the process and outcome of prayer before attempting to

decipher the big answers laying dormant probably within the transpersonal …

Gender Difference In Perceiving Aggression Using The Bobo Doll Studies, Dorothy Altin, Jessica Jablonski, Jennifer Lyke, Marcello Spinella

Modern Psychological Studies

The general conclusion of Albert Bandura's Bobo Doll studies was that the children learned aggression through watching an adult hit an inflatable doll. Other researchers have questioned whether the behavior demonstrated in these studies was actual aggression or just simply imitation. This study examined the perceptions of male and female observers when viewing original footage of the Bobo Doll Studies, specifically if the observers interpreted the child's behavior as aggression or simply imitation and if the sex of the observer or sex of the child in the video affected these ratings. The participants completed both a Likert scale rating of …

Retention Among First Year College Students: An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Jose A. Cantt, Guillermo Wated

Modern Psychological Studies

It was proposed that attitudes toward college, subjective norms (pressure from family and important others) and perceived control over the ability to succeed in school influence students' intention to stay in school. Forty-seven students (39 females) completed an 88-item survey. Results indicated that students' attitudes and social pressure were the most important predictors of intention to stay in school. These findings suggest that active family involvement in students' education, as well as the incorporation of information regarding the value of a college education into programs such as freshman experience, could aid efforts in helping students succeed at staying in school.

Eyes, Eyebrows And Their Effect On The Facial Perception Of Hostility, Bradford L. Schroeder

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of the eyebrows and the eyes on the perception of the emotion of hostility through facial expressions. Eighty-six participants were randomly selected as a convenience sample from Tennessee Technological University. Images of the eye and eyebrow region of the face were projected in front of the class and participants rated each image on hostility, friendliness, and happiness, scaled from 0-5. The specific dependent measures were only hostility ratings. Results supported each of the proposed hypotheses. It was found that inward eyebrows, less open eyes, and the combination of inward …

Does Environmental Enrichment While Studying Improve Recall?, Jade-Isis A. Lefebvre, Jordan S. Lefebvre, Lionel G. Standing

Modern Psychological Studies

Previous research suggests that studying audio and visual stimuli in two different rooms increases verbal recall, as compared to studying twice in only one room (Smith, Glenberg, & Bjork, 1978). The present study utilized this paradigm, and also separated the room and modality factors as sources of environmental enrichment. In Experiment 1, subjects learned a list of 40 common English words twice, in either one or two different rooms, and were tested in a third room (N = 60). In Experiment 2, subjects learned the same word lists, using either one or two modalities (audition and vision), and again were …

Hyperfeminity And Body-Related Constructs, Breanne R. Forrest, Suzanne L. Osman

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between hyperfemininity and body esteem, body shame, and surveillance. Participants were 130 female undergraduate students taking an introductory psychology course. They were administered the Hyperfemininity Scale, the Body Esteem Scale and two subscales of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (Surveillance and Body Shame). As expected, hyperfemininity was positively associated with surveillance and body shame. Unexpectedly, hyperfemininity was not associated with body esteem. These findings suggest that hyperfeminine women may be at greater risk than non-hyperfeminine women to objectffr themselves and feel shameful when they compare their bodies to internalized …

Examining The Rapid Non-Classical Effects Of 17 Beta Estradiol On Sexual Advertisement Behavior Of The Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), John T. Garretson, Spencer L. Gobbel, Christine M. Lewis, Luis A. Martinez, Aras Petrulis

Modern Psychological Studies

Female Syrian hamsters engage in vaginal scent-marking (VM) to advertise their sexual receptivity. VM is facilitated by estrogen; however, the hormone's mechanism of action is unknown. Classically, estrogen binds to intracellular receptors and promotes gene transcription to eventually affect behavior. Estrogen may non-classically and rapidly affect behavior via binding to membrane localized receptors. In order to determine how estrogen modulates VM, VM levels were examined in 10 female hamsters across several hormone conditions. Levels of VM were assessed across 3 trials in intact, normally-cycling subjects. These trials were repeated following ovariectomy. A final set of trials were conducted in ovariectomized …

Anxiety, Knowledge And Help: A Model For How Black And White College Students Search For Hiv/Aids Information On The Internet, Kim Smith

The Qualitative Report

Using the "think aloud" protocol, which allows for the collection of data in real time, the researcher audio taped comments from 13 white college students from a predominately white university in the Southeastern United States and 15 black students from a predominately black university, as they explained how they searched for HIV/AIDS information on the Internet. A grounded theory analysis of the tapes revealed a three-stage model that students progressed through as they searched for HIV/AIDS information on the Internet. That model also revealed that all of the white students searched for general information about HIV/AIDS on the Internet, while …

Communicating Qualitative Analytical Results Following Grice's Conversational Maxims, Jan S. Chenail, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Conducting qualitative research can be seen as a developing communication act through which researchers engage in a variety of conversations. Articulating the results of qualitative data analysis results can be an especially challenging part of this scholarly discussion for qualitative researchers. To help guide investigators through this difficult communicative process, the authors suggest Grice's (1989) Conversational Maxims of Quantity, Quality, Relation, and Manner as general guidelines to follow when formulating and presenting findings in qualitative research products as well as basic assumptions to guide readers when judging the quality of result representations.

Utilizing Microsoft® Office To Produce And Present Recursive Frame Analysis Findings, Ronald J. Chenail, Maureen Duffy

The Qualitative Report

Although researchers conducting qualitative descriptive studies, ethnographies, phenomenologies, grounded theory, and narrative inquiries commonly use computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) to manage their projects and analyses, investigators conducting discursive methodologies such as discourse or conversation analysis seem to find such software packages not as useful. In our work with Recursive Frame Analysis (RFA), a systemic approach to the analysis of text and talk, we have taken a slightly different route by utilizing Microsoft® Office applications to produce and present our RFA findings. In the paper we describe RFA, explain how we use Word and PowerPoint to carry out RFA's …

A Cross-National Examination Of Body Image And Media Exposure Comparisons Between Jordanian And American Women, Kaitlyn Baptista

Undergraduate Review

Body image, defined by Cash and Pruzinsky (2002), as “the multifaceted psychological experience of embodiment,” is a combination of attitudes, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors regarding one’s body. Of particular interest to this study are the concepts of evaluation of appearance and investment in appearance. Appearance evaluation refers to one’s feelings of how attractive they consider their body to be, and how satisfied they are with their believed level of attractiveness (Cash, 2000). Appearance orientation refers to how much importance an individual places on attractiveness and how invested that individual is in appearance, often measured by grooming behaviors (Cash, 2000). Body …

Psychotherapeutic Techniques And Play Therapy With Children Who Experienced Trauma: A Review Of The Literature, Julia Lamotte

Undergraduate Review

This research examined the use of Play Therapy with children who have experienced emotional, physical or psychological trauma. Past research supports other therapeutic modalities as being effective with children after a traumatic experience, though the validity of play therapy lacks comprehensive quantitative and qualitative support. Based on the concept that play is the natural language of children, this form of treatment is developmentally appropriate, specifically with children under the age of twelve. For the purposes of this research, trauma was categorized in to Type 1 (single occurrences) and Type 2 (recurring trauma). A review of the literature found that although …

Exploring Recovery Experiences Of Women In Alcoholics Anonymous, Linda Myllmaki

Undergraduate Review

Twelve step recovery programs are prevalent in the United States, however, there is relatively little empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of these programs for female alcoholics or addicts. How women experience the process of recovery within the twelve-step model is critical to our overall understanding of the recovery process. This article reports the results of an exploratory qualitative study of women in Alcoholics Anonymous. Through the use of semi-structured interviews, nine women were asked to discuss their personal experiences of recovery in the AA program. Grounded theory methodology was utilized to analyze the data. Reasons for joining AA, meeting attendance, …

Culture For Sale? An Exploratory Study Of The Crow Fair, Thomas D. Bordelon, Marie Opatrny, Wendy G. Turner, Steven D. Williams

The Qualitative Report

This paper describes an ethnographically-oriented participant-observation study conducted during the annual Crow Fair, held in south central Montana. Data collected included audio-recorded interviews with participants, participant observations, photographic and video recordings. Narrative interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparison method. Multiple data sources improved the veracity of this study through triangulation, and four themes emerged from the data: commercialization, alcohol abuse, spirituality, and community. The researchers discuss these themes and their conclusions regarding the "selling" of Native American culture as a form of cultural transmission. Theme analysis revealed the researchers recognized that the principal researcher had changed his …

Career Paths, Images And Anchors: A Study With Brazilian Professionals, Zélia Miranda Kilimnik, Anderson De Souza Sant'anna, Luiz Claudio Vieira De Oliveira, Delba Teixeira Rodrigues Barros

The Qualitative Report

This article analyses career anchors changes associated to images and professionals trajectories. Its main question: Do anchors careers change through time? We conducted twelve interviews involving professionals from the Administration Area, applying Schein's Career Anchors Inventory (1993). We did the same two years later. In both of them, the Lifestyle anchor was the most found, reflecting the need of a balance between family life and work. It was observed that the main anchors tend to remain as such, but in some cases, it is possible to observe changes which are associated to career transitions. The reapplication of the Inventory supports …

Work Experiences Of People With Mental Illness In Malaysia: A Preliminary Qualitative Study, Su-Lyn Boo, Jaymee Loong, Wai-Sheng Ng

The Qualitative Report

This is a preliminary qualitative study, using a basic interpretive approach, to investigate the work experiences of people with mental illness in Malaysia. Six females and four males (aged 30-70) from a residential home for the mentally ill participated in semi-structured interviews. Three inter-relating themes emerged, namely the experience of self at work, perception of work, and experience of others at work. All participants reported problems in either work or family relationships; most of which interfered with their work. In addition, findings suggest that the participants' self experience may be related to the extent of one's illness integration, experience of …

Interviewing The Investigator: Strategies For Addressing Instrumentation And Researcher Bias Concerns In Qualitative Research, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Instrumentation rigor and bias management are major challenges for qualitative researchers employing interviewing as a data generation method in their studies. A usual procedure for testing the quality of an interview protocol and for identifying potential researcher biases is the pilot study in which investigators try out their proposed methods to see if the planned procedures perform as envisioned by the researcher. Sometimes piloting is not practical or possible so an "interviewing the investigator" technique can serve as a useful first step to create interview protocols that help to generate the information proposed and to assess potential researcher biases especially …

Embracing The Visual: Using Timelines With In-Depth Interviews On Substance Use And Treatment, Lynda Berends

The Qualitative Report

People typically seek treatment for addiction only when faced with a major crisis. Understanding the trajectory of substance use and treatment seeking may assist in identifying points for intervention. In this study I explored the use of visual methods with in-depth interviews to represent people's substance use, critical events, and treatment pathways. Ethics approval was granted with the condition that only aggregate findings would be presented, although occasional quotes could be used for illustration. Typical timelines were developed, along with text vignettes describing hypothetical participants whose experience matched that shown in these timelines. Benefits of the timelines include the combination …

Risk Of Nursing Home Admittance Among Working Age Residents With Mental Illness, Stephanie Jones Bernard

The Qualitative Report

The number of working age (18-64) nursing home (NH) residents with a mental diagnosis at admission rose from 70,600 in 1997 to 97,200 in 1999 (Jones, 2002). Utilizing the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations (Gelberg, Andersen, & Leak, 2000), I examined factors associated with NH admittance in a sample of working age residents with mental illness. I conducted a qualitative analysis of 20 residents' healthcare and social experiences leading to NH admittance. Data came from semi-structured interviews, medical records, and clinicians. Results showed that homelessness, drug abuse, and low functional status were perceived by residents to play a role in …

Comprehensive Treatment Of Women With Postpartum Psychosis Across Health Care Systems From Swedish Psychiatrists' Perspectives, Inger Engqvist, Arne Åhlin, Ginette Ferszt, Kerstin Nilsson

The Qualitative Report

Studies concerning the psychiatrist's experiences of treating women with postpartum psychosis (PPP) or how they react to these women are limited in the literature. In this study a qualitative design is used. Data collection includes semi-structured interviews with nine Swedish psychiatrists working in psychiatric hospitals. The audio-taped interviews are transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. The findings consist of the categories: Protection, Treatment, Care, and Reactions. The psychiatrists describe emotions such as compassion, empathy and distress. A conclusion is that the psychiatrists focus on protecting the women from suicide and/or infanticide. Given the degree of stress the psychiatrists can …

Female Drug Offenders Reflect On Their Experiences With A County Drug Court Program, James C. Roberts, Loreen Wolfer

The Qualitative Report

This paper examines the experiences of a group of female drug offenders who successfully completed a county drug court program in northeast Pennsylvania. Using the constant comparative method, we analyzed interviews with these women for thematic patterns in order to provide an evaluation of this program based on participants' subjective perceptions of its strengths and weaknesses. While other drug court evaluations identify rewards for good behavior and compassionate program staff as important contributing factors to participants' success, women in this study credited their recovery and successful completion of the program primarily to fear of punishment and program structure. Our analysis …

Teaching Qualitative Research For Human Services Students: A Three-Phase Model, Ruhama Goussinsky, Arie Reshef, Galit Yanay-Ventura, Dalit Yassour-Borochowitz

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative research is an inherent part of the human services profession, since it emphasizes the great and multifaceted complexity characterizing human experience and the sociocultural context in which humans act. In the department of human services at Emek Yezreel College, Israel, we have developed a three-phase model to ensure a relatively intense exposure to and practice in qualitative methodology. While in the first phase students are exposed to the qualitative thinking and writing, they are required in the second phase to take a Qualitative Research Methods course that includes practice. The third and final phase includes conducting a qualitative research …

Mandatory Identification Bar Checks: How Bouncers Are Doing Their Job, Elizabeth Monk-Turner, John Allen, John Casten, Catherine Cowling, Charles Gray, David Guhr, Kara Hoofnagle, Jessica Huffman, Moises Mina, Brian Moore

The Qualitative Report

The behavior of bouncers at on site establishments that served alcohol was observed. Our aim was to better understand how bouncers went about their job when the bar had a mandatory policy to check identification of all customers. Utilizing an ethnographic decision model, we found that bouncers were significantly more likely to card customers that were more casually dressed than others, those who were in their 30s, and those in mixed racial groups. We posit that bouncers who failed to ask for identification did so because they appeared to know customers, they appeared to be of age, or they took …

The Lived Experience Of Late-Stage Doctoral Student Attrition In Counselor Education, Brad Willis, Karla D. Carmichael

The Qualitative Report

Doctoral student attrition occurs across academic disciplines and presents problems for noncompleting students and the programs from which they withdraw. The following research question guided the present study, "What is the experience of doctoral attrition in counselor education?" Six late-stage doctoral noncompleters from counselor education programs participated in research interviews that were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results showed two distinct types of attrition. Five participants reported a negative experience of encountering barriers that acted against the internal desire of the participants to obtain the doctorate. One participant reported a positive experience of an internal change that altered the …

The Quipped Project: Exploring Relevance And Rigor Of Action Research Using Established Principles And Criteria, Christine Chapman, Margo Paterson, Jennifer M. Medves

The Qualitative Report

This paper is the last in a series of three manuscripts published in the TQR journal over the past few years. This work is part of a larger program of research that has been carried out by a team of researchers detailing various aspects of a three year action research project carried out from 2005 and 2008. This particular paper addresses issues of quality in action research by critiquing our research against five interdependent principles and criteria raised in the literature specifically by Davison, Martinson and Kock which was published in 2004. Our action research project aimed to facilitate interprofessional …

Youtube As A Qualitative Research Asset: Reviewing User Generated Videos As Learning Resources, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

YouTube, the video hosting service, offers students, teachers, and practitioners of qualitative researchers a unique reservoir of video clips introducing basic qualitative research concepts, sharing qualitative data from interviews and field observations, and presenting completed research studies. This web-based site also affords qualitative researchers the potential avenue to share their reusable learning resources for all interested parties to use.

Learning To Appraise The Quality Of Qualitative Research Articles: A Contextualized Learning Object For Constructing Knowledge, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Helping beginning qualitative researchers critically appraise qualitative research articles is a common learning objective for introductory methodology courses. To aid students in achieving competency in appraising the quality of qualitative research articles, a multi-part activity incorporating the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme's (CASP) Making Sense of Evidence Tool: 10 Questions to Help You Make Sense of Qualitative Research to evaluate the articles is shared. A Contextualized Learning Object for Constructing Knowledge or CLOCK approach is used to represent the appraising activity in terms of its context, content, evaluation components, exemplary outcomes, and options for customizing parts of the assignment.