1941 research outputs found
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The Effect of Instruction on the Perceived Degree of Liking for Opera in Upper Elementary Music Students
Get PDFix, 125 leaves. Advisor: James CoxThis study examined the effect of instruction on upper elementary music students' degree of liking for opera. Twelve intact music classes were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. All students were administered a pretest, utilizing a five-point Likert-type scale, to determine initial degree of liking for each musical excerpt. Following the pretest, experimental subjects (n=134) received twelve
periods of opera instruction. Control subjects (n=130) received regular music instruction. Following the treatment period, all subjects were
administered a posttest.
Statistical t-tests were utilized to investigate significant gain differences (p=.05) between experimental and control groups. Overall,
results indicate a significant increase in degree of liking for the Italian and English operas. Analysis by student gender shows no significant
gain differences between male and femaie students. Analysis by grade levels shows no significant gain differences for fourth-grade students,
significant gain differences for the Italian opera with fifth-grade students, and significant gain differences for the English opera with sixth-grade
students. Additional research possibilities and educational implications have been included
Effects of Minimal Group Identity on Processing of Evaluative Information
Get PDF58 leaves. Advisor: Judith Allen.The Problem:
The purpose of this study was to assess whether minimal group identity,
as established through a minimal group paradigm, could influence processing of
evaluative information. Minimal group identity was measured through a series
of trait scales on which subjects were asked to rate own group and out group
members. Processing speed was measured through a semantic priming
paradigm previously used with stereotyped primes and traits. It was predicted
subjects would rate own group members higher than outgroup members.
Additionally it was predicted that subjects' reaction times would be faster to
positive character traits after their own group label than the outgroup's label.
Procedure:
Seventy-two Drake University students (36 female and 36 male) were
randomlydivided into one of two groups by a dot estimation task and assigned
a group label (YOF or LAJ). Subjects performed the semantic priming task
with minimal group labels serving as primes of positive and negative character
traits. Evaluative trait scales were used as dependent measures of ingroup
bias.
Findings:
Analysis of trait scales revealed that the minimal group paradigm, as
presented in this study, failed to establish ingroup bias as predicted.
Unexpectedly, subjects consistently rated outgroup members higher than
ingroup members across all evaluative traits. Results of reaction time
analyses were contingent upon the establishment of minimal group identity;
therefore those results can not be interpreted as supporting or refuting the
main hypothesis of this study.
Conclusions:
Because minimal group identity was not established in this study, it
should not be concluded that minimal group labels cannot be reference points
that would facilitate processing of positive and negative information. A test
of this hypothesis requires clear determination that the minimal group
paradigm formed group boundaries and established ingroup bias.
Recommendations:
In a future replication the minimal group paradigm could again be used
in conjunction with a semantic priming task, but with an experimental
population of either all male or all female subjects. Additionally, a mixed
gender population should be used, but with more interaction between and
within groups, a competitive element or a self esteem manipulation. It is
possible that the results of this study are not a reflection of the inability of
this paradigm to work, but rather an establishment of the lower limits of
group identification necessary to influence processing of evaluative
information
Evaluation of Transmissible Gastroenteritis and Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus Immunologic Interaction in Seronegative Pregnant Gilts
Get PDF19 leaves. Advisor: Mark WelterThe primary objective of this study was to determine if Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus (PRCV) sensitized gilts responded to intranmuscular (IM) vaccination with
Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV) in a similar fashion as gilts sensitized to TGEV alone. It was demonstrated that pregnant gilts sensitized to PRCV, prior to TGEV vaccination, do not produce significantly higher TGEV serum neutralizing antibody titers when compared with gilts sensitized to either PRCV or TGEV alone, Anti-TOEV IgG and IgA levels were assayed for in post-farrow milks from all gilt groups. Only IgG was
detected which indicated a lack of mucosal priming. The second objective of this study was
to determine if animals, which have recovered from a TGEV infection, can be infected with PRCV. TGEV antibodies circulating in these exposed piglets prevented PRCV infection as demonstrated by the absence of PRCV shedding during the post-challenge period. It was found that these piglets had an eight-fold boost in TGEV serum neutralizing antibody titers 21-days post PRCV challenge. Piglets that had not been exposed to TGEV significantly shed virus during this same post-challenge period and exhibited a three-fold boost in TGEV neutralizing antibody titer. Piglets that had suckled TGEV immune dams were also, for the most part, protected from PRCV shedding but exhibited no boost in TGEV serum neutralizing antibody titer
A Comparison of Perceived Job Satisfaction Levels Among Shared and Nonshared Superintendents in Iowa
Get PDFiv, 110 leaves. Advisor: Michael JohnsonThe problem. The problem of this study is to compare job satisfaction levels of superintendents within Iowa. The study is designed to ascertain if there are differences in perceived job satisfaction levels between current shared
superintendents, nonshared superintendents, large school district superintendents, and shared superintendents of 1988.
Procedure. Four independent samples of superintendents in Iowa were developed. The samples included shared superintendents in Iowa in 1993, nonshared superintendents serving districts with less than 1,950 students, nonshared
superintendents serving districts with more than 1,950 students, and finally, shared superintendents in Iowa in 1988. The Job Descriptive Index (JDI) was used to quantify
perceived job satisfaction levels regarding wosk itself, pay, promotion, supervision, and coworkers. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to identify significant differences in perceived job satisfaction levels
in each of the five components of the JDI among the groups.
Findinqs. The research indicated that the 1993 shared superintendents were significantly less satisfied with the work itself than any of the other three groups. The 1993 shared superintendents were less satisfied with their
chances for promotion than superintendents of large school districts. Finally, the 1993 shared superintendents were found to be significantly less satisfied with their salary than were the shared superintendents of 1988.
Conclusions. The research illuminates some of the
problems associated with the position of shared
superintendent in Iowa. Districts that are considering sharing the services of a single superintendent need to carefully plan the relationship. A person that is considering serving in the shared position should have a clear understanding of the shared vision of the position.
Furthermore, the shared superintendent could experience greater levels of perceived job satisfaction if serving in a nonshared position
The Longitudinal Effects of Preschool on Rural Iowa Children
Get PDFvi, 123 leaves. Advisor: Susan S. SmithThe purpose of the study was to determine whether students who participated in the preschool program for rural, four-year-olds differed significantly from other students of the same age who did not attend any formal early education
program. Sixty students were selected for the study; 30 formed the experimental group and 30 formed the control group. The two groups were compared in the number of specia! education placements, the frequency of grade level
retention, and in academic achievement as evaluated by the standardized test scores in reading and math. Results of the present study indicated that there was no significant difference between groups in the measures of achievement in math and reading through sixth grade. However, there were significant
differences favoring the control group in the number of special education placements and in the frequency of grade level retention through sixth grade.
Specifically, 23 percent of the preschool students were retained by sixth grade;
no controls were retained. Of the preschool group, 30 percent were placed in special education; only 7 percent of the controls were placed in special education.
The results did not corroborate many of the findings reported in previous studies of disadvantaged, urban populations. The current study raises questions about the effectiveness of preschool programs. Further study is needed to determine whether the critical aspects in present models can replicate the quality preschool education that produced positive results
Hollywood and History : Spike Lee's "Malcolm X"
Get PDF121 leaves. Advisor: Michael CheneyThe debate between historical fiction and historical fact has long been an issue of film and television theorists in relationship to
historical representations in film and television productions. Recently, films such as Oliver Stone's "JFK" have raised questions on the concept of "truthtelling" in historical films produced by Hollywood that are aimed at mainstream audiences.
The concept of "truthtelling" has become further clouded by Hollywood filmmakers who are using documentary film techniques in their recreations of historical events and figures. This master's
thesis uses Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" as a case study on historical filmmaking in Hollywood. This thesis focuses on Lee's recreation of the life of Malcolm X in relationship to historical accuracy in a big budget Hollywood film.
In order to assess Lee's film within a proper context, this thesis first gives an introduction to the techniques of documentary and historical filmmaking. Next, Lee's personal history, film career, and the events leading up to the production of "Malcolm X" are presented.
Then, the historical and cultural context of Malcolm's life in the present and past is discussed. Finally, Lee's "Malcolm X" is examined
from a critical standpoint.
The critical analysis centers on how faithful Lee recreates the story of Malcolm X's life and he uses documentary and other film techniques in Malcolm X. The analysis also gives consideration to the financial demands of Hollywood and how they directly affect Lee's film
A Model of Excellence for Weekly Newspapers in Iowa
Get PDF[ii], 105 leaves. Advisor: Herbert Strentz.Weekly newspapers are what people read to find out their local news. While The Des Moines Register and the like cover the "big" news of the day - Haiti, Somalia, health care -it is the weekly newspapers that bring people the most local news - city council reports, the features on local heroes and the information on how the "big" news affects their small communities. But there is little in existing research to tell us what exactly is the charge of weekly newspapers, and even less telling us how well they live up to this charge.
This thesis starts by reporting the results of a survey of 100 editors of Iowa weekly newspapers to determine which weekly newspapers in Iowa are considered the best, what the best weekly newspapers in Iowa do well, and what all weekly newspapers in Iowa do well. From the responses to this survey, it is easy to determine that Iowa weekly editors believe that weekly newspapers should present mostly local news, they should do it honestly and accurately, and they should package it attractively.
But while this offers a snapshot of what the quality weekly should strive for, it provides little information on how weekly newspapers achieve those goals. The second portion of the thesis, consisting of visits to four of Iowa's top weekly newspapers as identified in the first part of the thesis and surveys of their staffs, illuminates the path those four newspapers have taken to excellence.
Generally, these papers rely on strong staffs with college educations in journalism to lead their newspapers. Their newsrooms are independent operations, supported by management and protected from the influence of powerful people and advertisers in the community. At the same time, they exist primarily in well-educated communities and have tried to educate their readers, as well as themselves, to recognize and appreciate good
journalism
The Perceptions of Organizational Climate of Nursing Faculty Members and Nursing Education Administrators in Selected Diploma Schools of Nursing
Get PDFvi, 93 leaves. Advisor: Mary C. HansenProblem: Nursing education administration in diploma schools of nursing must recognize that the organizational climate can affect the unity of the team as a whole. This team unity can affect nursing faculty's behavior, feelings, morale, well-being, job performance and satisfaction, and adaptation to srressors. These factors are instrumental in the achievement of organizational
goals and must be considered by both nursing education administrators and faculty. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions
regarding organizational climate of nursing faculty and administration in selected diploma schools of nursing. Using the results of this study, administration can identify areas needing intervention and implement and monitor changes in the work environment. If the climate of the organization and environment are understood, nursing education administration can create a structure and develop a climate that stimulates faculty achievement while maintaining satisfaction with the organization.
Sample: Nursing faculty and nursing education administration from NLN-accredited diploma schools of nursing in the midwestern states of Illinois,
Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin were invited to participate in this study. Work Environment Scale (WES) questionnaires and demographic tools were mailed to all nursing faculty members and nursing education administrators identified through an initial contact letter sent to nursing administrators in twenty-one schools of nursing. Sixty-seven percent of invited diploma schools of nursing agreed to participate in the study. There was greater than 92% response rate from nursing education administrators and a greater than 62% response rate from nursing faculty members.
Findings: 70% of the WES subscales yielded above average scores for perceptions of the work environment. Nursing education administrators'
scores were generally higher than nursing faculty members with the exception of the subscale Work Pressure. A t-test of the means of the subscale
scores yielded three areas of significance in perceptions of the work environment between nursing faculty members and nursing education
administrators: supervisor support, clarity and innovation.
Conclusions: Differences in perceptions of organizational climate between nursing education administrators and nursing faculty members were
identified. These areas provide useful information to improve the working environment in diploma schools of nursing
Effect of an Outpatient Education Program on Knowledge and Healthy Behavior Change of Patients Who Have Undergone Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
Get PDF72 leavesAn outpatient education program for patients who have undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was evaluated to determine if there was an increase in knowledge of a change in healthy behaviors as a
result of the program. The sample consisted of 48 patients; 24 who experienced an outpatient
education program and 24 who did not. Three instruments developed by the investigator were used. Both groups completed a demographics form, a knowledge assessment form and a lifestyle assessment form before the program
began. The knowledge assessment form and lifestyle assessment form were completed again six weeks after the program.
Both groups showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge
(p<.05). The experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in
exercise behavior (p<.05). Because both groups showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge, this change could not be attributed to the program. Only the experimental group showed an increase in healthy behaviors, however. Therefore, the education program was effective in influencing patients to become more responsible for their treatment and care