Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Public Sector Reforms In Hong Kong In The 1990s, Kwun Hong Chan

Bachelor of Social Sciences – Senior Theses

1989 was the year Hong Kong echoed to the public-sector reform or New Public Management Reform (NPM-reforms) trend among the Western developed countries. (Cheung 1996a: 31, Lee 2001: 55) Since then, public sector had been injected the ingredient of the private sector management. Citizens started to be treated as paying customers for quality services rather than receiving “one size fits all” services. (Sankey 2001: 3) “Value for money” had been emphasized in this financial management reform launched by the Finance Branch of the Hong Kong Government.

Unlike the above reform, the public sector reform in 1992 had been more fundamental, …

Using Longitudinal Mean And Covariance Structures (Lmacs) Analysis To Assess Construct Stability Over Two Time Points: An Example With Psychological Entitlement, Bozhidar Mihaylov Bashkov

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The current paper reviewed two widely used approaches to assessing construct stability over two time points (rank-order and mean-level consistency), as well as common misconceptions about what each indicates. In addition, the application of longitudinal mean and covariance structures (LMACS) analysis as a modern approach to assessing construct stability was explained and demonstrated by assessing the stability of psychological entitlement over 1.5 years measured via the Psychological Entitlement Scale (PES). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a one-factor solution for the PES at both time points, and reliability of scores was adequate (ω = .88 and .89). Full configural and metric invariance …

Should We Change The Way We Model Change? Comparing Traditional And Modern Techniques In Modeling Change In Sense Of Identity Over Time, Kelli Marie Samonte

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) are two of the most common techniques employed in longitudinal data analysis. These methods, however, are extremely limited in the type of data permitted in analysis, the residual covariance matrices employed in analysis, as well as in the focus of the research questions. There are, however, modern techniques for analyzing longitudinal data that do not have the same limitations of repeated measures ANOVA and MANOVA. This study aims to compare traditional methods of analyzing longitudinal data with more modern techniques, including alternative covariance structure (ACS) modeling and multilevel …

Gathering Validity Evidence For The Community Service-Learning Assessment Test (Csat), Tanja N. Waugh

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Service-learning grew out of the philosophy that effective education should be experiential in nature (Giles & Eyler, 1994b). Alternative Break programs are steeped in this philosophy. Participation in many Alternative Break programs involves the immersion of students in a week-long service trip during academic breaks. Measurement of student learning outcomes is important in determining the effectiveness of these experiential programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Community Service-learning Assessment Test (CSAT) and to gather construct validity evidence for the CSAT’s five sub-scales: civic action, interpersonal problem-solving, social justice, interpersonal relationships, and personal competency. …

Intercollegiate Cross-Country Competition: Racing Is Associated With A Substantial Increase In Salivary Levels Of Cortisol And Testosterone In Men And Women, Kathleen Virginia Casto

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Athletic competition, containing both psychological and physical components, has been shown to be associated with levels of testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) in anticipation of, and during, competition. In the current research, 16 male and 22 female members of a collegiate cross country team gave saliva samples before warm-up, after warm-up, and immediately after the finish of an intercollegiate cross-country meet. Finish times were recorded as a measure of performance outcome. Participants also completed the Mental Toughness in Sport Questionnaire (MTSQ). For both men and women, after-race levels of salivary C and T were substantially elevated relative to before and …

Measuring Cost: The Forgotten Component Of Expectancy Value Theory, Jessica Kay Flake

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Abstract Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT) (Eccles et al., 1983) offers one of the most influential models for understanding motivation. One component of this theory, cost, can be defined as how much a student has to sacrifice to engage in a task. However, EVT researchers appear to have forgotten the component of cost. Though cost has been theorized as an important component of EVT, empirical work has neglected to measure and study it (Wigfield & Cambria, 2010). As a result, cost and its relationship with student outcomes is largely unknown (Wigfield & Eccles, 2000). The focus of the current study is to …

Formative Assessment: Comparing Immediate And Delayed Feedback, Jacob W. Williams

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The current study compared feedback via the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique to typical scantron with delayed feedback. Following students during the course of one semester in two introductory psychology courses, students alternated between using the IFAT and using a typical scantron with feedback for formative assessment before taking each exam. Summative examination (post-tests) performance on assessments containing questions comparable and identical to questions seen on formative pre-tests were compared in order to assess any differences in performance depending on type of formative assessment and feedback experienced. Results showed mixed findings as to whether the IFAT is more effective at increasing …

Longitudinal Invariance Of The Scale Of Ethnocultural Empathy, Jerusha Joy Gerstner

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy (SEE; Wang et al., 2003) was developed to measure ethnocultural empathy and is a promising tool for assessing change in the construct over time. However, no prior study examines the functioning of the SEE over time. The purpose of the study was to examine the invariance of the SEE utilizing a modified factor model that included a negative wording effect. The SEE was found to exhibit longitudinal measurement invariance over a two-year time span in a sample of undergraduate students. Change over time was examined at the error-free, latent level and only one subscale (EPT) …

Measuring Employability Among College Students: A Validity Study, Megan Rodgers

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The practice of assessment in higher education is often focused on measuring outcomes of student success. However, the potential for a student to obtain a job (i.e., their employability) after graduation is often not directly measured. This reality is unfortunate given the competitive job market and rising cost of an education. One scale, the Employability Skills Inventory (ESI) has been identified as a potential assessment instrument that purports to measure skills necessary for employment in most occupations. Before deciding to use any scale for a particular purpose, one must establish that the scale is both reliable and valid. The focus …

Perceived Responsibility For Learning In College Students: A Construct Validity Study, Matthew S. Swain

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Responsibility for learning is an important, foundational construct for students in higher education. Because of its importance, higher education officials often design programs to inform students of their academic responsibilities. In order to assess these programs, a valid measure of responsibility for learning must be selected. In order to assess program effectiveness, measurement specialists collect validity evidence to support score interpretations. The current study focuses on the validity evidence of the Perceived Responsibility for Learning (PRL) scale. Benson’s (1998) framework for construct validation was used to examine current validity evidence and direct the study. Competing factor structures of the PRL …

Assessing The Utility Of A Brief Abstinence Test For Initiating Caffeine Abstinence, Bradley T. Joachim

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Caffeine is the most commonly consumed drug in the world. Although its effects are relatively mild when consumed in moderate amounts, there exist cases where caffeine use is problematic. Currently no behavioral intervention for problematic caffeine consumption exists in which caffeine use is verified beyond self-reports. No measures of caffeine dependence and withdrawal exist either. The current study examined the viability of contingency management, an empirically supported behavioral intervention for reducing drug use, for initiating abstinence from caffeine consumption among college students of varying levels of use, as well as validity evidence for novel measures of caffeine dependence and withdrawal. …

The Role Of Country Music In Homonegativistic Aggression, Alex Manuel Borgella

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This study examined the relationship between exposure to country music and homosexual aggression. A total of 44 male and female participants (N = 23 and N = 21, respectively) filled out scales relating to attitudes toward homosexuality (Kite & Deaux, 1988), gender role beliefs (Kerr & Holden, 1996), and social conservatism (Henningham, 1996). Participants were then introduced to either a homosexual (N = 19) or heterosexual (N = 29) confederate and were exposed to either country music with patriotic and socially conservative lyrical content (N = 17) or pop music with neutral lyrical content (N = 27). Participants then ostensibly …

Individual Differences And Basic Logic Ability, Christopher R. Runyon

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The study of reasoning and information processing in cognitive science has often used problems derived from classical propositional logic inference rules in order to see how people make decisions, often comparing the qualities of those that can and cannot successfully complete these tasks. However, the majority of research that has been done has only focused on one inference rule: the material conditional. This narrow focus does not allow for inferences to be made about the role of logical ability simpliciter in cognitive science research. In order to better understand the relationship between cognitive ability and successfully completing tasks based on …

Interaction Between Source And Filter In Vowel Identification, Christopher James Becker

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Speech sounds can be modeled as a product of two components: the source and the filter. The effects of filter manipulations on speech perception have been studied extensively, while the effects of source manipulations have been largely overlooked. This study was an attempt to assess the impact of source manipulations on vowel identification. To this end, two source manipulations were conducted prior to filtering. First, several harmonics of the source sawtooth wave that were located near formant peaks were mistuned, either towards or away from the peaks. Mistuning towards formant peaks was expected to facilitate vowel identification by helping to …

Training Practicum Students In Child-Directed Interaction: Efficacy Of Modeling Versus Bug-In-The-Ear Feedback, Sarah Elisabeth Vasquez

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Training direct-care paraprofessionals to work with children who have developmental disabilities has been a prevalent concern among researchers and practitioners. Although behavioral interventions are designed by professionals, they are generally implemented by paraprofessionals. Therefore, the accuracy of program implementation by paraprofessionals depends on the quality of the training provided. In the present study, two female undergraduate practicum students were recruited through a public four-year university in Virginia to obtain training in child-directed interaction (CDI). The purpose of CDI is to help build rapport between the adult and child by teaching the adult to provide positive attention to a child’s desirable …

A Public Dialogue On Child Sexual Abuse: Hope For Healing And Prevention, Hanna Louise Foster

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This paper describes the problem of child sexual abuse (CSA), including the prevalence, associated outcomes for survivors, and the importance of prevention in addition to treatment. The author reviews the current literature on three types of child sexual abuse prevention programs: criminal justice initiatives, educational programs for children, and community-based programs. The author examines a public dialogue approach that aims to engage adults in the prevention of child sexual abuse. An analysis of one dialogue project is provided, including the history of the panel and evaluation information. The author discusses the value of the project in terms of both prevention …

Response To Intervention (Rti) Implementation In The Social-Emotional Domain: A Survey Of Available Resources In Schools, Marissa Ann Madalis

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

School-based mental health is gaining increasing attention based on the number of children in need of these services. In addition, the strong link between social-emotional competence and academic achievement is forcing schools to integrate a more comprehensive system of service delivery. One way schools are working to integrate these areas is through the implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI). The purpose of the present study is to investigate the identifiable resources within schools for implementing interventions for the social-emotional domain within an RTI framework. One hundred and two schools that have been identified as RTI sites by the Virginia Department …

Examining The Efficacy Of The Same Sky Sharing Program On Worry And Academic Performance In Military Children Experiencing Parental Deployment, Francine E. Torres

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of the Same Sky Sharing Program on decreasing anxiety and academic difficulties in students experiencing parental deployment. Student participants completed the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale, Second Edition prior to participation in the Same Sky Sharing program, and then completed it once again following completion of the program. Teachers of participating students provided information regarding student performance in the classroom, including any academic strengths or difficulties. An analysis of pre and post RCMAS-2 scores indicated that the mean student anxiety scores remained in the average range after participation in the Same Sky Sharing …

Program Evaluation Of A Suicide Prevention Walk: Finding Postvention Opportunities For Promoting Resilience In Survivors Of Suicide Loss, Lisa A. Cooper Ellison

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Each year more than 34,000 people die by suicide leaving between 6 to10 survivors of suicide loss behind for every person who dies. The risk of suicide for these survivors is between 2 to 10 times the general population. It is imperative that postvention efforts target vulnerable individuals grieving suicide losses. Recent studies have examined the efficacy of postvention supports for these survivors, such as counseling and survivors of suicide support groups; however, little is known about the vast majority of survivors who do not seek services. Each year, large numbers of survivors of suicide loss attend community suicide prevention …

Supporting A Parent Driven Video Self Modeling Intervention For A Student With Autism, Lindsey Visbaras

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a parent implemented video self modeling intervention for a middle school student with autism. The targeted behaviors included slowing the rate of the student’s eating and reducing the number of times the student touched her food with her hands during a meal. A series of parent interviews and home visits were conducted in order to collect data about the parents’ experience of involvement in the intervention and to help ensure intervention integrity. A parent training manual was provided as a resource. Qualitative data collected through parent interviews …

Brains, Beads And Boulders: Trauma-Informed Sensory Interventions For Adolescents, Gini Christine Trotter

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

For beginning counselors there was minimal training in academic programs to address client experiences with trauma and the value of sensory interventions in treatment. The purpose of this literature review and compilation of adventure-based and creative arts interventions was to provide an understanding of trauma for adolescents from a neurobiological perspective, to provide assessment tools, a selection of sensory-based interventions for use within counseling sessions, and resources relevant to the beginning counselor. Steele and Kuban (2011) describe the experience of trauma as feeling completely unsafe and powerless. Interventions, then, should focus on repairing a sense of safety and power. To …

Women And Military Sexual Trauma, A Resilience Study, Lauren Sloan Zapf

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Women have served in the military for decades, playing integral roles in both war and peacetime operations. However, at no time in history have women service members sacrificed more than in the past decade, when the many counterinsurgency operations that the nation has fought have forced women to participate directly in combat. With the population of women veterans continuing to rapidly grow, it has become crucial to examine these women’s mental health needs. One of these needs includes addressing the epidemic of military sexual trauma. This Ed.S. research paper examines the nuances of military sexual trauma, including the implications that …

Validity Of The Paths Student Evaluation As A Universal Screener: Utilization Within A Social-Emotional Response To Intervention Framework, Emily Anne Smithson

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Student mental health is essential to academic functioning, with social-emotional competency being a specific area that is related to student success. A relatively new approach for addressing students’ social-emotional competencies is Response to Intervention (RTI). Despite being widely utilized in the academic domain, a limited amount of research has been conducted on RTI in the social-emotional domain. The research that does exist lacks a standard approach for universal screening and identification of at-risk students. To address these shortcomings and the limitations of a public school system’s implementation of RTI, the current study will investigate the validity of using the Promoting …

Evaluating Contemporary Sources Of Stress In Middle School Teachers, Erin Thompson

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Teacher stress is a concern for modern day school systems because of the relationship between teacher stress and negative outcomes such as absenteeism, poorer work performance, and increased likelihood of physical and mental illness (Joseph, 2000). Teaching is reported to be one of the top highest stressful professions (Kyriacou, 2001). Much of the research identifying sources of stress is out of date when compared to the changes in education over the past ten years. Middle school has been under researched in the previous literature because the concept of the middle school is more recent compared to elementary and high school. …

Advantages And Challenges Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Autonomy In The Postheroic Age, Nathan Richards Fields

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Over the past decade, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have revolutionized how the U.S. engages elusive militants in low-intensity conflicts by allowing the U.S. to project continuous military power without risking combat casualties. While UAV usage promises additional tactical advantages in future conflicts, little agreement exists regarding a strategic vision for UAV research and development, necessary for the U.S. to allocate limited resources among UAV development programs that address national security objectives. The present research makes the case for a future UAV technology evolutionary path leading to fully autonomous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)/strike UAV systems for the United States Air …

Political Globalization And Civil War In Former British Colonies, Luke O. Feltz

Student Publications

The purpose of this paper to determine why civil war onset reduces political globalization in former British colonies. I set out by testing the relationship between being a former British colony and civil war presence, demonstrating a positive, though not statistically significant, relationship. I also examine the history of British colonialism. Through setting up specific system of indirect rule, British colonizers created conditions that contributed to intra-state conflict. Furthermore, through constructing a unique institutional system and maintaining ties to its former colonies, the British have created an atmosphere conducive to international political engagement after the onset of civil war. Yet, …

"You Just Know": A Phenomenological Study Examining How To Recognize When You Are Called, Kevin L. Warneke

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This phenomenological study describes the experiences of 12 residents of a Midwestern community who were identified by their peers as possibly possessing a calling. The central research question was: What are the experiences that lead to feelings of strong commitment in their lives? Calling was defined as a summons, which originates outside of one’s self, to serve a cause that betters humanity. Participants described the strong commitments they felt in their lives and explained their origins. Five themes emerged from the semi-structure interviews: (a) “You have to be asked and respond to being asked” – the role of a mentor …

Chimes: May 4, 2012, Calvin College

Chimes

All-campus lunch celebrates Byker's contributions by Abby Zwart

Josh Garrels weaves story and song by Will Montei

Prof of the year named by Allysa Metzner

Don't worry, be happy by Marissa Beversluis

Leader of WWII rescue mission dies by Lauren De Haan

Baseball prepares for Hope by Josh Yonker

Hathitrust -- A Gov Docs Repository?, Brian Vetruba

WashU Libraries Presentations

A brief overview of the HathiTrust Digital Library and its government document holdings. Vetruba will demonstrate to search for these and other public domain materials in it. He will note steps libraries can take to make these materials more readily discoverable by patrons and discuss possible impacts HathiTrust could have on physical collections in libraries.

Evaluation Of Psychological Services Provied In A University-Based Primary Care Clinic, Elizabeth Sadock

Theses and Dissertations

Primary care clinics are increasingly integrating psychological services into their service programs; however few studies have provided quantitative data to support these services. This study served as a program evaluation of the psychological services provided at the Ambulatory Care Clinic at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. It includes: 1) a description of the program, including types of patients served, their presenting problems, and treatments administered and 2) evidence of the impact of mental health services on primary care patients’ emotional adjustment and progress on behavioral goals. Data on exposure to stressful life events and intake and …