Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Religion, Spirituality, And School Psychology: A National Survey Of Training Programs, Jessica Marie Bass

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

As school psychologists strive to become culturally competent in our growing diverse society, an important piece that seems to missing from the typically accessed conceptualization of culture is religion and spirituality. The focus of this study was to survey NASP approved training programs to determine how these programs intentionally incorporate knowledge and skills and determine the competence of their graduate students in matters of religion and spirituality. All NASP approved school psychology programs were sent a survey and the program director served as the sole participant. Most programs do not believe that their students have been involved in casework involving …

The Effects Of Mental And Physical Wellness Promotion Programs On Students’ Well-Being, Jamie Constantz

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

How an individual interprets past, present, and future situations contributes to their overall level of happiness and determines how they perceive themselves, their present life situations, and their view of the future. In addition, increased physical activity has been associated with improved physical health, mental health, and academic achievement in children and adolescents. Previous research has indicated the benefits of both mental health promotion and the engagement in physical activity for children and adolescents. The current study was designed to promote these aspects through a wellness program targeted for seventh grade students. This study focused on two areas of investigation: …

Gender Identity Construction With Transsexuals Experiencing Liminality: A Case Study And Considerations For Counselors, Sarah Miller Spence

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This paper presents a case study of Bethany, a Male to Female (MtF) transsexual, and her experience of gender reconstruction following sexual reassignment surgery (SRS) in 2003. A series of interviews and observations occurred with Bethany in 2004 and the concept of liminality is discussed in relation to various themes gathered from the interviews and observations such as rigidity versus openness of gender roles and sexuality, traditional versus progressive relationships, control versus submissiveness of gender construction and sexuality, fantasy versus reality in sexuality and transition, and passing. Considerations for counselors working with the transsexual and transgender populations are also discussed …

Teachers' Perceptions Of A Universal Screener And Progress Monitoring Tool Within An Rti Framework, Dale Bostwick

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The following study will report the findings from a survey and focus group conducted with teachers. The research findings will reflect the teachers' experiences using the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment, a social-emotional universal screener and progress-monitoring tool, within an RtI framework. The domain areas of perceived effectiveness, perceived need, motivation to implement, willingness to try the intervention, perceptions of the role compatibility, perception of relative advantage, skill proficiency, self-efficacy, buy-in, shared vision, and perceptions of intervention recipient influencing teachers' perceptions of the tool and implementation of the service model will be discussed. The information gathered in this study can assist …

Extra-Curricular Activity Participation And Psychological School Engagement In Ethnically Diverse Middle School Students, Andrew Intagliata

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Students of diverse populations have the highest risk of becoming disengaged from school and dropping out. This study investigated the relationship between extra-curricular activity participation and psychological school engagement among a group of fifty-three diverse middle school students. The sample studied mostly lived in the United States their entire lives, participated in extra-curricular activities, and reported being affectively “engaged” in school. Among the students studied, no correlation between participation in extra-curricular activities was observed. Students of all ethnicities reported similar levels of psychological school engagement. However, a difference was found in Hispanic/Latino students, in that those who had spent less …

Perceptions Of Acceptability And Effectiveness Of Interventions For Adhd: A Comparison Of Teachers And School Psychologists, Bradley Call

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This study compared school psychologists’ and teachers’ perceptions of classroom interventions for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants read vignettes of a student with ADHD. They then read descriptions of the Daily Report Card and Response Cost Techniques, two proposed interventions to help the student. They then rated the interventions using the Behavioral Intervention Rating Scale (BIRS; Elliot & Von Brock Treuting, 1991). Differences were observed between which intervention was rated as more acceptable and effective. School psychologists rated the Daily Report Card as less acceptable than teachers did. They also rated the Daily Report Card as less …

There Is No Such Thing As An Ex-Marine: Understanding The Psychological Journey Of Combat Veterans, Melinda A. Morgan

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have turned national attention to the prevalence of invisible wounds in service members returning from combat. This surge in mental health care needs has resulted in a shortage of mental health care providers in both military and veteran’s hospitals (Barlas, 2007). Clinicians in the civilian sector have an opportunity to help address this shortage by taking on service members and veterans as clients; however, they need to be prepared to work with such a specialized population. The entire process of being part of the armed forces - from the decision to join, to the …

The Relationship Between Acculturation Status, Goal Orientation, And Self-Efficacy In Adolescents, Thi Beam

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Current commentary on population growth in the United States more often than not includes phrases such as, "the increasing minority population”. While the composition of our overall population is evolving and changing, so does the makeup of our schools. As seen through the current state of the achievement gap, differences between cultures, ethnicities, and races are growing in relevance as we work to address educational shortcomings. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between acculturation status, achievement goal orientation, and self-efficacy. A sampling of 98 10th grade students was taken from a large and diverse school district in the …

Development And Validation Of The Preservice Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching Items (Pmkt): A Mixed-Methods Approach, Javarro Antoine Russell

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) is the knowledge required for teaching mathematics for understanding. Researchers suggest that this construct consists of multiple knowledge domains. Those domains include teachers’ knowledge of mathematical content and knowledge about teaching mathematics. These domains of MKT have been theoretically and empirically examined to determine their effects on K-12 student achievement. However, empirical evidence of this relationship is limited due to a lack of measures to assess MKT. Recently, researchers have constructed measures of MKT to evaluate the effectiveness of professional development activities with in-service teachers. These measures, however, lack validity evidence for use in teacher …

Giving A Voice To Adolescents Hip-Hop Therapy: “Music Expresses That Which Cannot Be Said And On Which It Is Impossible To Be Silent,”Victor Hugo., Amanda Gaye Francis

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Hip-hop therapy is a new, thriving therapeutic approach for adolescents and young adults. Extensive research is being done utilizing this approach with adolescents as a way for them to express their emotions and experiences. Through group counseling in a school, students can begin to express their experiences by learning to create their own emotional story through writing rap songs. The creation of their song can be accomplished in eight group sessions, starting with finding music that expresses who they are and ending with the creation of a song.

An Exploration Of Two Couples Workshop Approaches: Getting The Love You Want By Imago Relationships International And The Art And Science Of Love By The Gottman Institute, Dessie Morgan Canelakes

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The purpose of this project is to examine, compare, and evaluate two differing approaches to couples’ workshops. Chapter 1 will use one couple’s story to illustrate the epidemic of romantic relationship/marriage dissolution. Chapter 2, the literature review, will introduce two workshop approaches by Harville Hendrix and John Gottman. This chapter presents literature that supports the workshops and highlights couples’ therapy research. Chapter 3 will review each workshop separately with respect to their goals, structure, and how they express underlying ideas. Also, a comparison and evaluation will be provided for both. Chapter 4 will follow with a summative evaluation of my …

Tending To The Wound: Understanding The Functions Of Cutting As A Coping Mechanism For Adolescent Females, Lisa Anne Moore

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This research project details cutting as a coping mechanism for adolescent females, specifically looking at the functions of cutting, e.g. affect regulation, anti-dissociation, and self-punishment. Self-injury manifested in cutting is essentially different from suicidal gesturing in that the self-injurer is attempting to avoid death. Despite the vast amount of research encouraging therapists to hear the pain behind the scream, many clinicians focus on the behavior itself, neglecting the layers of meaning beneath the cutting. Paralleling the literature review is the case study of Artemis, an adolescent female. Presented in detail are her experiences and utilization of cutting. Implications and recommendations …

In The Trenches: Strategies For Effective Work With Troubled Youth, James Tavenner

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The overarching goal of this project is the compilation of a resource for those who have chosen to work with troubled youth. . Most workers in the field have a bachelor’s degree or less, and even those with a solid education may find themselves ill-prepared for the practical challenges of working with this difficult group. For that reason, it was necessary to create a resource increasing the practical knowledge base of workers in the field. Within this text, I have compiled and reviewed literature concerning practical interventions with at-risk adolescents, combined it with professional experience, and provided a guidebook which …

Curriculum For Parents Of Children In Foster Care Who Are Working To Achieve Reunification, Andrea Lynn Skaflen

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This review considers the reasons for the disconnect between what has been identified as best practice and what is routinely practiced regarding services to biological parents of children in foster care. As well it synthesizes the current data regarding what practices are most effective in working with biological parents of children in foster care in achieving the goal of family reunification to create a curriculum for parents of children in foster care who are working to achieve reunification. It also synthesizes current data regarding best practices and presents a curriculum for parents of children in foster care who are working …

Comprehensive Directory Of Mental Health Services 2010: A Tool For Collaboration In Providing Services, Glennys Heatwole Shouey

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The purpose of this project was to update the 2007 edition of the Comprehensive Directory of Mental Health Services and to expand the geographical areas covered. The directory was first published in 1990 and, with regular updating, has continued to provide helping professionals with resources for making referrals and for working in a collaborative framework to meet the mental health needs of our communities. All information included in the 2007 edition was verified and updated and new listings were added. The directory is available in printed form and online at http://www.psyc.jmu.edu/counseling/servicesdirectory.html.

The Increasing Rate Of Undergraduate Male Attrition: What The Men Tell Us. A Qualitative Case Study., Monika Neelam Kushwaha

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The current study explores the factors that may contribute to undergraduate male attrition and ways of improving retention at James Madison University (JMU) using qualitative case study methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five men who were currently enrolled at JMU, six men who had previously been enrolled at JMU but who had left before completing a degree, and two university administrators who work closely with students at risk of dropping out. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. They were analyzed using QSR’s N-Vivo 9, a qualitative data management software package. Themes and sub-themes emerged around two major categories: factors that …

Examining The Bricks And Mortar Of Socioeconomic Status: An Empirical Comparison Of Measurement Methods, Ross Markle

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on educational outcomes has been widely demonstrated in the fields of sociology, psychology, and educational research. Across these fields however, measurement models of SES vary, including single indicators (parental income, education, and occupation), multiple indicators, hierarchical models, and most often, an SES composite provided by the National Center for Educational Statistics. This study first reviewed the impact of SES on outcomes in higher education, followed by the various ways in which SES has been operationalized. In addition, research highlighting measurement issues in SES research was discussed. Next, several methods of measuring SES were used …

Introducing The Unified Measure Of University Mattering: Instrument Development And Evidence Of The Structural Integrity Of Scores For Transfer And Native Students, Megan Katharine France

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The psychological construct university mattering is defined as the feeling that one makes a difference and is significant to his or her university’s community. University mattering emerged from the theory of general mattering, which describes mattering as a complex construct consisting of the facets awareness, importance, ego-extension and reliance. The Revised University Mattering Scale (RUMS), created by writing items to represent these facets, was developed for use in the current study. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the model-data fit of the RUMS was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Five a priori models were tested using two …

An Evaluation Of A New Method Of Irt Scaling, Shelley Ragland

Dissertations, 2014-2019

In order to be able to fairly compare scores derived from different forms of the same test within the Item Response Theory framework, all individual item parameters must be on the same scale. A new approach, the RPA method, which is based on transformations of predicted score distributions was evaluated here and was shown to produce results comparable to the widely used Stocking-Lord (SL) method under varying conditions of test length, number of common items, and differing ability distributions in a simulation study. The new method was also examined using actual student data and a resampling analysis. Both the simulation …

The Beacon - Vol 9 No. 12 - May 6, 2011, Merrimack College

The Beacon

The Beacon - the student newspaper of Merrimack College. Volume 9, Number 12 - May 6, 2011. 12 pages

The Digital Migration Of Research Dissemination In Aviation Psychology Disciplines, Brent D. Bowen, Erin E. Bowen, Henry R. Lehrer Ph.D., John H. Mott, Charles Watkinson, Mark P. Newton, Jennifer Kirschner

Aviation Technology Faculty and Staff Publications

Innovations in research dissemination have emerged over the last decade in the movement toward on-line digital materials and distribution by increasingly environmentally-friendly processes. The access to scholarship has often been limited to major research organizations capable of funding subscriptions that have escalated to prohibitive values. Demonstrated herein is a model for world-wide Open Access to the latest contributions to the foundations of our discipline. The development of a systemic process to cross boundaries so that overall progress can result through the integration of research and industry practice at the individual level is provided. The foundational relationships and targeted outcomes are …

The Influence Of Regret Proneness, Evidence Strengthening, And Perceived Responsibility On Verdict Preference, Stephanie L. Oglesby

Psychology Theses

In the present study, we investigated perceived responsibility, evidence strengthening, and defendant gender in the context of a criminal trial involving DNA. Evidence was introduced post-trial and varied as strengthening the defendant’s guilt v. innocence. We also examined perceptions of perceived responsibility for verdict in order to more closely evaluate the role of regret in decision-making. Results indicated that DNA evidence is perceived as reliable, regardless of whether it strengthened guilt or innocence. In addition, greater confidence in verdict was observed when evidence strengthened the guilt of a female defendant vs. a male defendant. Finally, jurors experiencing high levels of …

Zach's News, Georgia Southern University, Zach S. Henderson Library

Library Publications (1999-2023)

• Invitation to a Center for research Libraries Collection and Services Webinar
• Center for Research Libraries
• Cool Tools for Copyright Clearance

Chimes: May 6, 2011, Calvin College

Chimes

US finds Bin Laden by Griffin Jackson

Buck Fridays change by Hayley Cox

Band wins battle by Jon Behm

Tuition prices due to spin out of control, change needed by Andrew Steiner

Second US face transplant a success by Allison Schepers

Chimes seniors reminisce about their college years by Andrea Baas

Calvin crew strives for recognition by Josh Yonker

The Detroit Food System Report 2009-2010, Kameshwari Pothukuchi

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Research Publications

Assesses the state of the city’s food system, including activities in production, distribution, consumption, waste generation and composting, nutrition and food assistance program participation and innovative food system programs.

A New Paradigm: Brazilian Catholic Eco-Justice Activism In The Neoliberal Age, Lena R. Connor

Environmental Analysis Program Mellon Student Summer Research Reports

This paper analyzes how traditional liberation theology in Brazil has been adapted in the neoliberal age to encompass ecological goals and rhetoric. In this research report, I first examine the work of prominent Brazilian ecotheologians, Ivone Gebara and Leonardo Boff. I then look into the applications of such ecological liberation theology in Catholic activism in Brazil, focusing on the role of religious advocacy in dam controversies, land reform, and mining.

Spartan Daily May 5, 2011, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 136, Issue 50

The Effect Of Music On The Social Behavior Of A Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rachel Weinzapfel

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association as a developmental disability that causes problems with social skills and communication. The principle objective of this case study was to determine whether or not listening to music affects the social behaviors of a child with ASD. In addition, this study sought to determine if listening to different types of music caused a difference in the social behaviors of the child. Two types of music, nursery rhymes and classical instrumental, were used and four specific social behaviors; eye contact, joint attention, facial expressions, and attention seeking; were examined. …

Upper Pleistocene Human Dispersals Out Of Africa: A Review Of The Current State Of The Debate, Amanuel Beyin

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Although there is a general consensus on African origin of early modern humans, there is disagreement about how and when they dispersed to Eurasia. This paper reviews genetic and Middle Stone Age/Middle Paleolithic archaeological literature from northeast Africa, Arabia, and the Levant to assess the timing and geographic backgrounds of Upper Pleistocene human colonization of Eurasia. At the center of the discussion lies the question of whether eastern Africa alone was the source of Upper Pleistocene human dispersals into Eurasia or were there other loci of human expansions outside of Africa? The reviewed literature hints at two modes of early …

Public Health Finance Management Needs And How Public Health Agencies Are Funded., F. Douglas Scutchfield Md

Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health Presentations

No abstract provided.