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Title: Suicide intervention training: Role-playing versus lecture methods for college students.
Creator: Abbey, Karen Jeanne., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The present study was designed to compare the relative effectiveness of two methods of presenting suicide intervention training to college students. Three experimental conditions were: (1) Modeling and Role Play, (2) Lecture and Handouts, (3) Control. The primary dependent measure was a Simulated Suicidal Interaction in which students interacted for 15 minutes with a confederate who was acting suicidal. Dependent measures also included two paper and pencil tests: (1) the Knowledge of Suicide...
Show moreThe present study was designed to compare the relative effectiveness of two methods of presenting suicide intervention training to college students. Three experimental conditions were: (1) Modeling and Role Play, (2) Lecture and Handouts, (3) Control. The primary dependent measure was a Simulated Suicidal Interaction in which students interacted for 15 minutes with a confederate who was acting suicidal. Dependent measures also included two paper and pencil tests: (1) the Knowledge of Suicide Test (KOST)--a 30 item, multiple choice test and (2) Suicide-Related Vignettes--five essay questions. It was predicted that those in the Role Play group would score significantly higher on the Simulated Suicidal Interactions--a prediction which was supported. It was also expected the Lecture group would score significantly higher on the paper and pencil measures. This was partially supported. On the KOST, the Lecture group scored significantly higher than the Role Play group, but on the Vignettes, the two experimental groups were not significantly different. The experimental groups scored significantly higher than the Control group on all dependent measures. Results suggest that the Role Play method of training may be superior to the Lecture method in teaching students to (1) recognize potentially-suicidal individuals, (2) ask that individual if they are feeling suicidal, and (3) act appropriately by referring the individual to a professional.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI9016478, 3161981, FSDT3161981, fsu:78180
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Factors affecting the attitudes of intermediate school students toward male and female roles in the family, education, and the professions in Iraq.
Creator: Abdulla, Sahira Rdha., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study examined whether students' actual opinions of traditional and modern roles for males and females in the school system was consistent with the policy of sex equity of the Ministry of Education in Iraq., More specifically, the study sought to determine the extent to which sex, age, family income, father's education, and mother's education affected students' attitudes toward male and female roles in the family, education, and occupations., The sample size was 720 subjects. A...
Show moreThis study examined whether students' actual opinions of traditional and modern roles for males and females in the school system was consistent with the policy of sex equity of the Ministry of Education in Iraq., More specifically, the study sought to determine the extent to which sex, age, family income, father's education, and mother's education affected students' attitudes toward male and female roles in the family, education, and occupations., The sample size was 720 subjects. A questionnaire was used to measure students' sex-role flexibility in relation to sex-role stereotype about occupations, home jobs, school jobs, work and family, education, and friends., The data were analyzed by analysis of variance in addition to descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and frequency distribution., The study results indicated the following: (1) Sex and age had significant effect on all the variables. (2) Socioeconomic status of the family had no significant effect on students' attitudes toward occupation, home jobs, school jobs, and work and family, but it had a significant effect on students' attitudes toward education and friends. (3) Fathers' educational levels had no significant effect on students' attitudes toward occupation, home jobs, and school jobs, but it had a significant effect on work and family, education, and friends. (4) Mothers' educational levels had no significant effect on students' attitude toward occupations and home jobs, but they had a significant effect on work and family role, education and friends., The findings of this study support part of the previous research on sex-role stereotype in three domains--education, family role, and occupations--in both Arab and non-Arab countries.
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Date Issued: 1990, 1990
Identifier: AAI9112085, 3162135, FSDT3162135, fsu:78333
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The relationship among cognitive complexity, oxygen, and activity level in older women.
Creator: Abourezk, Tamala Lee., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: Thirty-four older women (ages 60 to 75 years) were tested under 21% and 80% oxygen conditions, while they performed two tasks which varied in complexity (SRT and CCRT). During SRT the subject lifted her finger as quickly as possible when she saw a light. The CCRT task required the subject to determine which finger to lift based on a directional cue and a starting point in a sequence of three numbers. Based on exercise and aging studies in which exercised adults performed at a significantly...
Show moreThirty-four older women (ages 60 to 75 years) were tested under 21% and 80% oxygen conditions, while they performed two tasks which varied in complexity (SRT and CCRT). During SRT the subject lifted her finger as quickly as possible when she saw a light. The CCRT task required the subject to determine which finger to lift based on a directional cue and a starting point in a sequence of three numbers. Based on exercise and aging studies in which exercised adults performed at a significantly better rate than less active adults. A one-mile walking test was administered for each subject in order to determine her estimated VO max. A 2 x 2 x 2 (Active/Less Active x SRT/CCRT x Normal/Enriched Oxygen) ANOVA was performed. This analysis of variance revealed that the less fit subjects (M = 16.60ml/kg/min) reacted slower than the fit subjects (M = 34.40ml/kg/min) for both SRT and CCRT. This difference, however, was significant only for the most complex task. The greatest difference in time to respond when comparing SRT and CCRT was seen with the less active individuals. Additionally, providing the subjects with an enriched oxygen mixture did not compensate for the proposed hypoxic state. Likewise, oxygen saturation levels did not indicate a state of less oxygen. However, for the most complex task there was a trial effect across groups and oxygen. The oxygen saturation level for both groups was significantly higher after 30 and 60 trials in comparison to pre-trial saturation levels. When mean trial blocks (15 trials) were calculated, subjects appeared to improve with each trial block. This improvement was best demonstrated during CCRT for 80% oxygen. Thus it appeared, based on these results, that oxygen may have had some effect on performance. The lack of the oxygen main effect, however, contradicts this notion. According to these data it was concluded that some other, factor(s) besides, or in addition to, oxygen may be influencing the aging CNS. The significant fitness differences between the two groups suggests that one possible mechanism(s) of importance may be related to regular aerobic exercise. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)
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Date Issued: 1990, 1990
Identifier: AAI9023909, 3162063, FSDT3162063, fsu:78261
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A study of the satisfaction of participants in university-administered Elderhostel programs as related to selected personal variables.
Creator: Abraham, Sheila Clanton., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: Elderhostel, a new phenomenon in adult and continuing education, is a non-profit residential program for adults over the age of 60 years. The program offers a variety of short courses on a subjects ranging from the natural sciences to local history while combining leisure and education. This study investigated the satisfaction of former Elderhostel participants as well as several primary motivating factors for participation. The time frame for the study was one year and the universal...
Show moreElderhostel, a new phenomenon in adult and continuing education, is a non-profit residential program for adults over the age of 60 years. The program offers a variety of short courses on a subjects ranging from the natural sciences to local history while combining leisure and education. This study investigated the satisfaction of former Elderhostel participants as well as several primary motivating factors for participation. The time frame for the study was one year and the universal population included older adults who had attended Elderhostel more than one time. Survey forms were used to collect the data which were statistically analyzed and tested for validity and reliability., The survey questions were designed to provide data on the reasons for participation, the levels of satisfaction, and the expectations of the older adult participants. The results indicated that, for Elderhostel participants, intellectual and social motivation were strongly related to satisfaction. The results also indicated that satisfaction is highly related with expectation. Demographic characteristics and health of participants showed very little relationship with satisfaction levels of the participants., These results indicate that satisfaction of continuing higher education through Elderhostels can be maximized if Elderhostel hosts provide topics of intellectual interest. In addition, the course structure should also allow for plenty of social interaction.
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Date Issued: 1992, 1992
Identifier: AAI9222355, 3087757, FSDT3087757, fsu:76567
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Movement in marriage counseling as shown by five clients at the Florida State University Marriage Counseling Service, Tallahassee, Florida, September, 1956-June, 1957.
Creator: Abrams, Lewis Sherwin
Identifier: ahf7410, 164844, fsu:14816
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Using bibliotherapy with fourth grade children in a Florida school.
Creator: Abt, Sara
Identifier: akz5808, 164698, fsu:14744
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Media selection for knowledge transfer: Theory and practice among Malaysian agricultural extension agencies.
Creator: Abu Hassan, Musa Bin., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study examines the ways in which staff of communication units in agricultural extension agencies in Malaysia select communication media for the transfer of knowledge from the agencies to their target audiences. As noted in a number of media selection models, several elements would need to be considered when choosing the most appropriate media for a particular communication activity., Two methods of data collection were employed. First, heads of the communication units were interviewed in...
Show moreThis study examines the ways in which staff of communication units in agricultural extension agencies in Malaysia select communication media for the transfer of knowledge from the agencies to their target audiences. As noted in a number of media selection models, several elements would need to be considered when choosing the most appropriate media for a particular communication activity., Two methods of data collection were employed. First, heads of the communication units were interviewed in order to gather background information about the units. Second, the units' staff-members were asked to respond to a self-administered questionnaire that would generate data to answer the research questions. Mostly closed-ended questions and ratings of items for frequency and applicability on a scale were employed in soliciting answers from the respondents. Ninety-five staff-members from eleven agricultural extension agencies responded to the questionnaire., Results of this study reveal differences among agricultural extension agencies regarding their methods of selecting the most appropriate media for knowledge transfer activities. However, most of the staff-members of the communication units agree that the two most important elements to be considered in media selection are audience characteristics and the purpose of the communication activity., An overwhelming majority of staff-members indicated that they preferred media selection to be conducted in four or fewer steps, beginning with audience identification and followed in order by knowing the type of information, knowing the purpose of the communication activity, and knowing the media attributes. With regard to the type of media considered by staff-members to be most appropriate for knowledge transfer, this study finds that the actual objects are thought to be best, followed by media that convey reality with a high degree of fidelity., Based on the findings of this study, it seems that there is a need to develop a new set of guidelines for media selection in order to better facilitate information and knowledge transfer processes in the nonformal education sector.
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Date Issued: 1993, 1993
Identifier: AAI9334248, 3088138, FSDT3088138, fsu:76945
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Identification of self-mutilative behavior using selected measures from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2.
Creator: Acker, David William., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: A group of 30 self-mutilating patients in a large state mental hospital, was compared with a group of 30 nonmutilating patients at the same facility. The participants of the comparison group were matched on the basis of gender, race, and diagnosis, but who had not been identified as self-mutilators. A Multivariate Analysis of Covariance and a two group chi-square analysis were employed to determine if a selected set of variables from the MMPI-2 (Anger, Anxiety, and Depression content scales,...
Show moreA group of 30 self-mutilating patients in a large state mental hospital, was compared with a group of 30 nonmutilating patients at the same facility. The participants of the comparison group were matched on the basis of gender, race, and diagnosis, but who had not been identified as self-mutilators. A Multivariate Analysis of Covariance and a two group chi-square analysis were employed to determine if a selected set of variables from the MMPI-2 (Anger, Anxiety, and Depression content scales, and Psychasthenia, Social Introversion, Psychopathic Deviance, Schizophrenia, and Hypomania) could effectively discriminate between the two groups. Neither procedure produced results of statistical significance. The results of the study are discussed in terms of individual differences and the difficulty of establishing a profile with the MMPI-2 predictive of self-mutilative behavior.
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Date Issued: 1992, 1992
Identifier: AAI9234204, 3087889, FSDT3087889, fsu:76699
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Early parental death as a psychogenic correlate in neoplastic disease.
Creator: Ackerman, Kenneth Albert., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study examined family psychological variables, specifically early parental death and subsequent cancer onset in adulthood. It was hypothesized that Cancer subjects would report higher levels of emotional closeness within their families of origin. The instruments used were the Personal Data Sheet, Weber-Breaux Family Well-Being Scale (FWBS), Life Experiences Survey (LES), and the Family Spatial Relations Inventory (FSRI). Hypotheses were tested using a sample of 84 adult women. Twenty...
Show moreThis study examined family psychological variables, specifically early parental death and subsequent cancer onset in adulthood. It was hypothesized that Cancer subjects would report higher levels of emotional closeness within their families of origin. The instruments used were the Personal Data Sheet, Weber-Breaux Family Well-Being Scale (FWBS), Life Experiences Survey (LES), and the Family Spatial Relations Inventory (FSRI). Hypotheses were tested using a sample of 84 adult women. Twenty-nine Cancer subjects were used along with two different control groups. One control group was an Illness/Non-Cancer group including 27 End Stage Renal Disease patients (Renal subjects). Twenty-eight Healthy/Normal women comprised the third control group., Following the admission and collection of testing materials, the data were first scored and analyzed. Statistical analyses included Chi Square, Pearson Product-Moment correlation, analysis of variance and analysis of covariance., Four hypotheses were examined: (1 & 2) Cancer subjects would have greater prevalence of parental death both prior to disease onset and in childhood than Healthy/Normals and (3 & 4) Cancer subjects would have greater prevalence of parental death both prior to disease onset and in childhood than Healthy/Normals where the parent-child relationship was characterized as emotionally close as determined by the FWBS and the FSRI., Overall the obtained data do not support the hypotheses. Cancer subjects are not characterized by a greater frequency of parental death occurring either before diagnosis or before the subject turned ten years old. In addition, the factor of greater parent-child closeness during early childhood is not a discriminating variable. In fact, Cancer subjects reported higher levels than both control groups on all three FWBS subscales--indicating poorer family functioning., The most significant difference observed concerned the Family Generated Chronic Anxiety subscale. Cancer subjects reported much higher levels of family anxiety during their childhood than both Renal subjects and Healthy/Normal subjects. This finding was reflected in the larger perimeter values in the FSRI for Cancer subjects.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI8915733, 3161813, FSDT3161813, fsu:78012
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effect of visual/aural conditions on the emotional response to music.
Creator: Adams, Bobby L., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of visual/aural conditions on the emotional response to music of musicians and nonmusicians. Subjects, musicians (n = 90) and nonmusicians (n = 90), were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: visual only, aural only, and visual/aural. The stimulus used for the experimental conditions was a taped excerpt (the final 8 minutes, 22 seconds) of a commercially recorded "live" concert of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "The Resurrection."...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of visual/aural conditions on the emotional response to music of musicians and nonmusicians. Subjects, musicians (n = 90) and nonmusicians (n = 90), were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: visual only, aural only, and visual/aural. The stimulus used for the experimental conditions was a taped excerpt (the final 8 minutes, 22 seconds) of a commercially recorded "live" concert of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "The Resurrection." Subjects were asked to indicate degrees of their felt emotional response by manipulating a Continuous Response Digital Interface (CRDI) dial during experimental conditions. Subject demographic data were collected by means of an exit questionnaire., Results indicated no significant difference between musicians and nonmusicians for the aural only and visual/aural conditions. A significant difference was found among musicians and nonmusicians for the visual only condition., A qualitative analysis of individual and collective response graphs revealed that all subjects differentiated across the music stimulus excerpt. Additionally, there were subtle differences among musicians and nonmusicians in response to listening to music and to listening/watching the video recording.
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Date Issued: 1994, 1994
Identifier: AAI9434127, 3088411, FSDT3088411, fsu:77216
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The development of an activites programs in Blountstown high school.
Creator: Adams, Geraldine Farrar
Identifier: ahh6011, 164794, fsu:14791
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An examination of the effects of three types of preinstructional strategies on field-dependent and field-independent college students' academic performance in an introductory biology course.
Creator: Adams, Paul Edwin., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study investigated the effects of three types of print-based preinstructional strategies: (a) advance organizer, (b) performance objectives, and (c) viewing focus questions utilized in conjunction with an expository segment of videotaped instruction on the learning performance of undergraduate biology students classified as having Field-dependent or Field-independent cognitive styles. The Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) was used to measure cognitive styles. The sample for the study...
Show moreThis study investigated the effects of three types of print-based preinstructional strategies: (a) advance organizer, (b) performance objectives, and (c) viewing focus questions utilized in conjunction with an expository segment of videotaped instruction on the learning performance of undergraduate biology students classified as having Field-dependent or Field-independent cognitive styles. The Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) was used to measure cognitive styles. The sample for the study consisted of 194 undergraduates enrolled in 3 sections of an introductory Biology 103 course. The instructional content used in the study was a sixteen-minute expository videotape entitled "Susumu Tonegawa: Keys to the Immune System.", Procedure. After having been classified as field-dependent or field-independent by means of the GEFT one week prior to the treatments, students were assigned by a stratified random sampling approach to one of three preinstructional strategies or to an alternate (control group) activity. Students participated in the study as intact classes. The print-based preinstructional strategy treatments were administered by means of booklets prior to the presentation of the instruction. An immediate posttest was administered following the instruction. One week after the treatments, an identical delayed posttest was administered., Method. A 4 x 2 factorial design was used for the study. The initial analysis of data was done using a two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to assess the effects of covariates and the interaction of treatments with cognitive styles. Covariates measured were: (1) gender, (2) GPA, (3) status (i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), and, (4) prior knowledge test score, and (5) scores on the first examination for the Biology 103 course. No effects were found for any of the covariates. No effect was found for cognitive style or for the interaction treatments and cognitive styles. Subsequent data analyses were done using a one-way analysis of variance (ANCOVA) and Duncan's Multiple Range Test., Results. Statistically significant effects were found at $\alpha$ =.05 relating to the effect of preinstructional strategies upon the immediate and delayed posttest performance of both field-dependent and field-independent students. Two preinstructional strategies resulted in statistically significant higher immediate and delayed posttest scores. They were (a) performance objectives, and, (b) viewing focus questions., Conclusions. This study supports the use of performance objectives and viewing focus questions as effective preinstructional strategies. No evidence was found for aptitude-treatment interactions.
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Date Issued: 1993, 1993
Identifier: AAI9320334, 3088064, FSDT3088064, fsu:76871
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Depression and marital satisfaction, among married women ages 25 to 44, as a function of intimacy, control, and interpersonal dependency.
Creator: Adams, Sheryl Lee., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study investigated the relative contributions and the potential interactive effects of interpersonal dependency, intimacy, and control, as they relate both to the initiation and maintenance of current and chronic depression, and to the perceived marital satisfaction, of wives between the ages of 25 and 44. Subjects included 89 married female volunteers employed by the school system of a rural southeastern town. Seven self-report instruments assessed the impact of eleven predictor...
Show moreThis study investigated the relative contributions and the potential interactive effects of interpersonal dependency, intimacy, and control, as they relate both to the initiation and maintenance of current and chronic depression, and to the perceived marital satisfaction, of wives between the ages of 25 and 44. Subjects included 89 married female volunteers employed by the school system of a rural southeastern town. Seven self-report instruments assessed the impact of eleven predictor variables on five criterion variables., Multivariate analyses consisted of seven canonical correlations and two separate causal models. Findings included the following: (1) Perceived discrepancies between actual and desired amounts of marital control did not contribute significantly to either depression or marital satisfaction. Gaps on the vacation decision, alone, were inversely related to marital satisfaction. (2) Perceived discrepancies between actual and desired levels of emotional, recreational, and intellectual intimacy were inversely related to marital satisfaction. (3) Wives who were interpersonally dependent upon their husbands were also more likely to experience depression. Emotional reliance was not significantly related to marital satisfaction. (4) The first path analysis demonstrated that the presence of emotional support is a critical causal factor for marital satisfaction, while its absence is critical in producing depression. Similarly, emotional reliance is a causal factor for depression. (5) The second path analysis separated out from emotional support the "Conventionality" or the "My relationship must look good" factor. The contribution of emotional support to either criterion variable diminished dramatically, while the relationship between emotional reliance and depression held. These findings and their implications for future research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI8915734, 3161820, FSDT3161820, fsu:78019
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Terror-rhetoric: An historical-critical account of Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's coercive and rhetorical responses to Shining Path's international terrorism campaign following the suspension of Parliament, April 1992-December 1993.
Creator: Adams, Tyrone Leman., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This dissertation is a detailed account of Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's use of coercion and rhetoric against Shining Path's international terrorism campaign. This work considers the spectrum of ploys--from his 5 April 1992 autogolpe to the 13 December 1993 reestablishment of significant international investment--used by Fujimori to create the perception that Peru was safe for international investment., Chapter One describes the social, political, and economic conditions that Fujimori...
Show moreThis dissertation is a detailed account of Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's use of coercion and rhetoric against Shining Path's international terrorism campaign. This work considers the spectrum of ploys--from his 5 April 1992 autogolpe to the 13 December 1993 reestablishment of significant international investment--used by Fujimori to create the perception that Peru was safe for international investment., Chapter One describes the social, political, and economic conditions that Fujimori faced, while pointing to the dearth of communication research concerning Shining Path and Fujimori. Chapter Two reviews the varied literature concerning nonviolent and violent rhetoric, leading to an explanation of the terror-rhetoric genre. Chapter Three presents the historical-critical methods and procedures used in this research. Chapter Four narrates the exchange between Shining Path's international offensives and Fujimori's use of force to contain the group's dissuasive power. Chapter Five then concludes this study by examining how Fujimori's use of terror-rhetoric affected its various audiences.
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Date Issued: 1995, 1995
Identifier: AAI9526482, 3088574, FSDT3088574, fsu:77376
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Comparison of the base compositions of the highly repetitive, the intermediate repetitive and non-repetitive DNA of Chinese hamster cells.
Creator: Adegoke, Joseph Adeleke
Date Issued: 1972
Identifier: 08716939, FSU_QP624A338
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: On Grant's Nose. (Original novel).
Creator: Adkins, Janet Marie., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: A Southern rite of passage novel that takes place in Venable, Georgia, during the summer of 1962, "On Grant's Nose" depicts the struggle of fifteen year old Marley Mason as she attempts to come to terms with the memories of her past and the frustrations of her present. Five years before the novel begins, Marley's mother left her and her younger brother, Huey, and went to Atlanta. Two weeks later she was killed accidentally. Marley believes that her mother would have returned, but her family...
Show moreA Southern rite of passage novel that takes place in Venable, Georgia, during the summer of 1962, "On Grant's Nose" depicts the struggle of fifteen year old Marley Mason as she attempts to come to terms with the memories of her past and the frustrations of her present. Five years before the novel begins, Marley's mother left her and her younger brother, Huey, and went to Atlanta. Two weeks later she was killed accidentally. Marley believes that her mother would have returned, but her family holds firmly to their condemnation of a woman who abandoned her husband and two small children. Marley learns to weave her own fabric of memory. She learns that truth is, at best, an individual fabrication based on a need for memory. The truth is never absolute and is always malleable.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI8921294, 3161823, FSDT3161823, fsu:78022
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effect of professionalism on police job performance: An empirical assessment.
Creator: Agyapong, Owusu-Ansah., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study addressed the contradictory results obtained in previous research regarding the relationship between professionalism and police job performance. Earlier studies have used parochial definitions of police job performance, whereas the present research used the following comprehensive measures that have both historical and theoretical significance for police professionalism: (a) self-initiated activity, (b) control of conflict, (c) rule of law, (d) police-citizen relationship, (e)...
Show moreThis study addressed the contradictory results obtained in previous research regarding the relationship between professionalism and police job performance. Earlier studies have used parochial definitions of police job performance, whereas the present research used the following comprehensive measures that have both historical and theoretical significance for police professionalism: (a) self-initiated activity, (b) control of conflict, (c) rule of law, (d) police-citizen relationship, (e) public safety and trust or commendation, (f) work attitude, (g) problem solving and decision making, and (h) task performance (non-stress and stress)., The study sample was 112 police officers who performed patrol duties from 1983 to 1986 at Panhandle Police Department, Florida. Professionalism was assessed by number of years of education and the occupational technique (training and incentive money) adopted by the department. Performance was measured by the rating of officers' performance by the supervisiors., Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, and Mallow's Cp within the framework of BMDP 9R were computed for multiple regressions., The research (a) failed to support the initial hypotheses that professionalism was related to self-initiated activity, control of conflict, rule of law, relationship with citizens, commendation, work attitude, problem solving and decision making, and task performance--non-stress and stress. (b) Professionalism is not associated with high performance ratings. These findings raise questions about the presumed impact of professionalism on law enforcement., This research considered professionalism, as an area of sociological investigation, as primarily concerned with stratification of occupational groups, like policing, geared toward the improvement of performance. Thus, the exchange--structural and power perspectives were used as this study's theoretical framework. The theoretical models helped only in variable conceptualization, not explanation., On the other hand, the significance of the study lies in its pioneering effort to utilize comprehensive measures to study police professionalism. The findings question the wisdom of equating professionalism and performance. Further refinement of theory and instrumentation for evaluating performance measured are recommended for futher study.
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Date Issued: 1988, 1988
Identifier: AAI8817356, 3086857, FSDT3086857, fsu:76329
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effect of Medicare DRG reimbursement on the structure of hospital costs.
Creator: Ahern, Melissa May., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: Purpose of study. This study is to determine whether DRG reimbursement has changed the structure of hospital costs. Due to incentives for greater output efficiency, inpatient per unit costs should fall, ceteris paribus. A countereffect for capital-intensive services is that hospitals may realize economies of scale to a lesser extent under DRGs due to inability to fully adjust in the short-run. Because outpatient services have remained under cost-reimbursement, per unit costs are not expected...
Show morePurpose of study. This study is to determine whether DRG reimbursement has changed the structure of hospital costs. Due to incentives for greater output efficiency, inpatient per unit costs should fall, ceteris paribus. A countereffect for capital-intensive services is that hospitals may realize economies of scale to a lesser extent under DRGs due to inability to fully adjust in the short-run. Because outpatient services have remained under cost-reimbursement, per unit costs are not expected to decrease, ceteris paribus. However, more emphasis on outpatient services under DRGs could cause per unit costs to decrease due to greater realized economies of scale., Procedure. A translog multiproduct cost function was used to estimate the structure of hospital costs in FY 1981-82 and 1985-86. The model included four outputs (medical-surgical discharges, outpatient visits, laboratory services, and ancillary procedures and treatments) and four annualized input prices. Other variables included fixed inputs (capital and physicians), casemix, payer mix, hospital ownership, and market structure. Product-specific economies of scale and average incremental costs were then calculated from estimation results., Findings. Results of a joint likelihood ratio test showed that the cost structure was not significantly different in 1981-82 and 1985-86. However, t-tests regarding the difference in predicted costs evaluated at constant independent variable levels revealed that predicted costs are significantly higher in 1981-82 as anticipated. Comparative results of estimated parameters in the two years suggest hospitals are employing less capital under DRGS and physicians are inducing less demand. Further, average incremental costs for out-patient visits and laboratory services appear to be decreasing, while the average cost of discharges and ancillary procedures and treatments are increasing. Finally, unrealized economies of scale appear to be decreasing in 1985-86 for outpatient services and ancillary procedures and treatments., Conclusion. The new DRG reimbursement system appears to have potential for reducing excess capacity, service intensity, and costs of services.
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Date Issued: 1988, 1988
Identifier: AAI8906209, 3161718, FSDT3161718, fsu:77917
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The origin and evolution of Islamic economic thought.
Creator: Ahghari, Zohreh., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This research is an attempt to clarify the confusion and controversy concerning the content and meaning of Islamic economics. The objective of this dissertation is two fold. The primary objective is to attain a definition for the term "Islamic economic system" based on a thorough investigation of the origin and the evolution of Islamic economic thought. The second objective is to examine the extent to which early Islamic economic thought or its ideological concepts compares to the medieval...
Show moreThis research is an attempt to clarify the confusion and controversy concerning the content and meaning of Islamic economics. The objective of this dissertation is two fold. The primary objective is to attain a definition for the term "Islamic economic system" based on a thorough investigation of the origin and the evolution of Islamic economic thought. The second objective is to examine the extent to which early Islamic economic thought or its ideological concepts compares to the medieval economic thought of the West., In order to identify what might be termed an "Islamic economy," this dissertation uses a Schumpeterian approach--that in order to understand the present, one needs to know the past. Apart from the importance of the Schumpeterian approach in economic analysis, the argument for pursuing the primary objective of this research is to recognize a neglected area in the field of economic thought., The dissertation reveals a basic continuity of ideas on various economic subjects by Islamic scholars during the ascendancy of Islamic civilization. This provides the basis necessary to refute the thesis propounded by Meyer that the "Arabic, Turkish and Persian speaking East has experienced no continuity of economic ideas such as those which come from the Judeo-Christian West." The study further points to a certain unity of economic thought between the medieval West and the Muslim East. Both systems were primarily concerned with the quality of life, which in turn depended on the moral and ethical character of the individual. Both also traced their origins to Greek philosophy, in particular Neo-Platonism., The study concludes with a discussion of the reasons for the divergence in economic growth observed in the Islamic East as compared to the Christian West in the period after the Renaissance. These reasons include a number of factors relating to socioeconomic and political institutions in the East, but do not arise from restrictions imposed by Islamic religious ideology.
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Date Issued: 1991, 1991
Identifier: AAI9209105, 3087681, FSDT3087681, fsu:76496
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The impact of information change upon congressional appropriations deliberation.
Creator: Ahmad, Alaa-Aldin A., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study tested the impact of information change, represented by reform in the budgetary system, on congressional behavior. While congressional attitudes toward budgetary reform are not well documented, the significance of member behavior should not be overlooked, as the information used during congressional hearings, as well as members' outlook, greatly influences the final outcome., The underlying premise was this: If program information were to be provided, would the participants in the...
Show moreThis study tested the impact of information change, represented by reform in the budgetary system, on congressional behavior. While congressional attitudes toward budgetary reform are not well documented, the significance of member behavior should not be overlooked, as the information used during congressional hearings, as well as members' outlook, greatly influences the final outcome., The underlying premise was this: If program information were to be provided, would the participants in the budget process utilize it in making their budgetary decisions rather than continuing to rely on the traditional, object-of-expenditure type of information?, The study focused on the House Appropriations Subcommittees because of their large role in budgetary matters and the impact of the subcommittees' decision-making processes on their members' behavior. Hearings transcripts for FY1964-FY1984 meetings of these committees were examined and content analyzed. Five federal agencies and their three corresponding appropriations subcommittees were the sample for this research. The Planning-Programming-Budgeting system and the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 are the two budgetary interventions examined in the study., The findings show that the congressional participants in the hearings were not impressed with new information, as there was no sudden increase in program-type inquiry; however, members also did not adhere solely to the traditional type of inquiry. During the period studied, there was no evidence that information reform influenced the subcommittees' orientation toward more questions related to program; nor did trends emerge in other types of inquiries. The three subcommittees chosen have found satisfactory patterns of inquiry over the period covered, with each subcommittee having its own orientation in gathering information appropriate for its members' behavior.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI8912110, 3161756, FSDT3161756, fsu:77955
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Pakistani observes welfare programs in the County of Buncombe, North Carolina, 1960.
Creator: Ahmed, Firoza
Identifier: AHK1921, 164938, fsu:14880
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The status of music education in the Christian day schools of Florida.
Creator: Ainsworth, Steven Hanna., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of music education in the Christian day schools of Florida; to determine the quantity and quality of music education, and the music teacher's philosophy of music education. A survey was mailed to 230 Christian day schools in Florida who were members of Christian Schools of Florida, Association of Christian Schools International, or Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. One hundred sixty-one (70%) schools responded.,...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the status of music education in the Christian day schools of Florida; to determine the quantity and quality of music education, and the music teacher's philosophy of music education. A survey was mailed to 230 Christian day schools in Florida who were members of Christian Schools of Florida, Association of Christian Schools International, or Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. One hundred sixty-one (70%) schools responded., Results of this study indicate that 32% of the Christian day schools in Florida do not have an organized music program. Results from Christian day schools that have a music program indicate that most offer general music, piano lessons, and band in the 1st through the 6th grades; most offer mixed choir and piano lessons in the 7th through the 12th grades; most schools do not require students in the 7th through the 12th grades to take any music course; most music teachers believe teaching for an aesthetic music education to be important; most music teachers have at least a bachelor's degree; and only 56% of the music teachers teach only music courses., Results of this study have led to the following recommendations: (1) Those schools that do not have a music program should initiate an investigation regarding the feasibility of starting one. (2) Additional music courses should be included at all grade levels so that students have a broader base of opportunities from which to choose. (3) Christian day schools should at least meet the Florida Department of Education's requirement that graduating high school students should have at least one-half credit in the fine arts. (4) Christian day school music teachers and administrators should work together and investigate possible ways to obtain the necessary funds to maintain a music program. (5) Christian day school administrators should make a concerted effort to employ music teachers who have earned at least a bachelor's degree in music. (6) The goals and objectives established by the Music Educators National Conference should be implemented in all Christian day schools.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI9004987, 3161874, FSDT3161874, fsu:78073
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The perceptions of education and satisfaction of Saudi graduates: A comparative study of Saudi graduates from American and Saudi universities.
Creator: Akhtarkhavari, Nesreen Badi., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study was grounded on the assumption that the native culture of a sojourner is the main parameter through which he functions whether in his country or abroad. With this in mind, the educational perceptions of 123 male Saudi graduates from American or Saudi universities were identified and compared for the main purposes and goals of higher education, reasons for students to attend university, and acceptance of staff teaching students of the opposite sex. Furthermore, graduates' level of...
Show moreThis study was grounded on the assumption that the native culture of a sojourner is the main parameter through which he functions whether in his country or abroad. With this in mind, the educational perceptions of 123 male Saudi graduates from American or Saudi universities were identified and compared for the main purposes and goals of higher education, reasons for students to attend university, and acceptance of staff teaching students of the opposite sex. Furthermore, graduates' level of satisfaction with their higher education, and the views of graduates from American universities regarding the effect of their education on their perceptions and values in general, were assessed., Their perceptions of the two groups were very similar for most items with only a few items displaying any significant difference. This reflected an "individual centered" ideology for Saudi graduates from American universities, and the "role of the national" by graduates from Saudi universities., "Enhancing one's religion" as a main purpose and goal of higher education, and a reason for students to attend university showed significant difference across groups with Saudi university graduates rating it higher than graduates from American universities. Graduates from Saudi universities did not perceive it acceptable for staff to teach students of the opposite sex in both countries, while American university graduates considered it more acceptable in American universities., Religion as a main purpose and goal of higher education, and a reason to attend university showed significant difference across groups with graduates from Saudi universities giving it a significantly higher rating., Saudi graduates from both countries were highly satisfied with their education, with considerable difference in their satisfaction with the development of their technical skills and religious knowledge, and enhancing their understand of other cultures and religious beliefs. Graduates from American universities stated their education had a very positive effect on their concept of education and values in general through learning a new methods and skills, and becoming more tolerant and understanding of other cultures. Perceptual differences were explained using respondents' comments and original culture., The results verified Schumann's Theory of Social Distance (1976) when extended to adopting a second culture.
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Date Issued: 1994, 1994
Identifier: AAI9514706, 3088521, FSDT3088521, fsu:77323
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effects of plyometrics on selected physiological and physical fitness parameters associated with high school basketball players.
Creator: Al-Ahmad, Ayed F., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: To examine the effects of a six week plyometric training program on selected physiological and physical fitness parameters, twenty four basketball players (14-18 yrs.) were utilized to perform anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity tests. In addition, subjects performed a vertical jump, standing long jump, 40 yard dash and one repetition maximum (1RM) squat. The subjects were randomly placed in an experimental group or control group, and the groups were randomly designated as experimental or...
Show moreTo examine the effects of a six week plyometric training program on selected physiological and physical fitness parameters, twenty four basketball players (14-18 yrs.) were utilized to perform anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity tests. In addition, subjects performed a vertical jump, standing long jump, 40 yard dash and one repetition maximum (1RM) squat. The subjects were randomly placed in an experimental group or control group, and the groups were randomly designated as experimental or control group. Before the treatment was given, a pre-test was conducted for both groups. Following the six week treatment, the subjects were tested once more on the previously mentioned tests. Following treatment the vertical jump (cm) and standing long jump of the plyometric training group increased (p $<$.05). Also, after treatment the vertical jump in kilograms meter/seconds was higher for the plyometric group when compared to the control group (130.3 vs 120.0 kgm/s). A significant change was seen in the 1RM squat for both groups (p $<$.05), with the experimental group increasing from 75.3 to 96.3 kg, while the control group increased from 81.1 to 96.0 kg. No significant effect of plyometric training on 1RM squat was seen. The experimental group decreased in the 40 yard dash time from 5.3 to 5.1 seconds and the control group decreased from 5.3 to 5.2 seconds. However, these changes were not statistically significant. Post-treatment anaerobic power (watts) for both groups was significantly different (p $<$.01). The experimental group increased from 559.3 to 619 watts and the control group increased from 516.9 to 579.7 watts. Also, a significant change was seen in the mean anaerobic power (watts/kg) for both groups after treatment (p $<$.01) with the experimental group increasing from 7.65 to 8.37 w/kg, while the control group increased from 6.97 to 7.79 w/kg. No, significant effects of plyometrics on anaerobic power was observed. Post-treatment anaerobic capacity (w/kg) for both groups was significantly different (p $<$.01). After treatment, post anaerobic capacity (watts) increased in the experimental group from 466.6 to 501.5 watts and for the control group from 414.3 to 456.2 watts. Also, following treatment there was a significant change in the mean anaerobic capacity (w/kg) for both groups (p $<$.05) with the experimental group increasing from 6.4 to 6.8 w/kg, while the control group increased from 5.6 to 6.2 w/kg. No significant plyometrics effect on anaerobic capacity was demonstrated. The results reveal that the plyometric training administered in this investigation can significantly improve the vertical jump and standing long jump abilities. Furthermore, the findings of this study suggest that plyometric training does not elicit alterations either improving leg muscle strength or in improving power output as measured by the WnAT compared to the control group.
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Date Issued: 1990, 1990
Identifier: AAI9016479, 3161969, FSDT3161969, fsu:78168
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Cultural and environmental influences reflected in children's drawings from urban and rural elementary schools in and around Baghdad, Iraq.
Creator: Al-Allaq, Talib Ali., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study was designed to determine the cultural, environmental, and political/military factors which influence the visual imagery drawn by Iraqi children. Additional factors examined were traditional and Western influences, gender, location, and socioeconomic levels. The subjects were 180 children of different socioeconomic levels in urban and rural (suburban) public elementary schools in Baghdad. It was hypothesized that there would be no significant differences in drawings of male and...
Show moreThis study was designed to determine the cultural, environmental, and political/military factors which influence the visual imagery drawn by Iraqi children. Additional factors examined were traditional and Western influences, gender, location, and socioeconomic levels. The subjects were 180 children of different socioeconomic levels in urban and rural (suburban) public elementary schools in Baghdad. It was hypothesized that there would be no significant differences in drawings of male and female children, those from urban and rural locations, and those from low-, middle-, and high-income levels regarding choice of topic (culture, environment, political/military themes), and source of influence (traditional or Western)., Significant differences were found between male and female children's drawings in both urban and rural areas. Females depicted environmental themes more often than did the males while males drew political and war images more often than did females. In general, children drew traditional themes more than Western themes. Western influences dominated the drawings of children from urban areas while traditional images appeared most often in the drawings of rural children. High-income children were more concerned with Western and political/military themes than were children from middle- and low-income backgrounds. However, traditional themes were more dominant among low-income children than middle-income children. Both male and female children depicted their own sex in their drawings., This study offers significant findings within the sphere of Arabic culture and cross-cultural studies. The findings also represent a case study of a nation that has undergone tremendous political, cultural, social, and economic changes in a relatively short period of time. It also adds a new dimension which has only limited representation in the literature--the element of political-military and war images--showing their influence to be as significant as those of culture and environment. Awareness of these factors should provide art educators with a better understanding of visual images children choose to draw.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI8915735, 3161795, FSDT3161795, fsu:77994
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Attitudes and personal fitness knowledge of elementary physical education teachers regarding health-related fitness.
Creator: Al-Aly, Mohamed M. S., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between knowledge of, and attitudes toward, health-related fitness among elementary physical education teachers. The relationship between teaching experience, age, and participation and attitudes toward health-related fitness among elementary physical education teachers was studied. Additionally, the study sought to determine whether elementary physical education teachers demonstrate a strong positive attitude toward...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between knowledge of, and attitudes toward, health-related fitness among elementary physical education teachers. The relationship between teaching experience, age, and participation and attitudes toward health-related fitness among elementary physical education teachers was studied. Additionally, the study sought to determine whether elementary physical education teachers demonstrate a strong positive attitude toward health-related fitness and whether elementary physical education teachers have a high level of knowledge regarding health-related fitness., Two instruments were selected for this study. The first instrument, the 55-item Personal Fitness Knowledge Inventory, was adapted by the researcher from an instrument designed by Rider, Imwold, and Johnson (1986). The second instrument (20 items) consists of a four-point modified Likert response pattern ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree and is designed to measure elementary-level physical education teachers' attitudes. The questionnaire was developed by Fischer (1983)., Content validity of the instruments was determined by a panel of experts in the field of physical education. Initial reliability of the instruments was tested in the pilot study using the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20., A random sample of 200 certified physical education teachers was selected from a list of 1,817 names from the State of Florida Department of Education in Tallahassee to serve as subjects for the study., Descriptive statistics were used to illustrate pertinent factors about the sample, and correlation coefficient procedures were calculated to determine the relationship between teacher knowledge and attitudes regarding health-related fitness., Therefore, to better understand the nature of the relationship between teachers' attitudes and their knowledge toward health-related fitness and the relationship between age, teaching experience, and participation and attitudes toward health-related fitness among elementary physical education teachers, simple linear regressions were calculated, which indicated a significant relationship between the teachers' attitudes and their knowledge (p $<$.05) and a significant relationship between teaching experience, age, and participation and attitudes (p $<$.05) regarding health-related fitness. Other findings of the study revealed that the teachers who participated have positive attitudes and a high level of knowledge regarding health-related fitness.
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Date Issued: 1994, 1994
Identifier: AAI9416141, 3088296, FSDT3088296, fsu:77100
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An investigation of the effect of block size on contextual interference.
Creator: Al-Ameer, Abdlhameed A., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The purposes of this study were (a) to determine whether contextual interference (CI) is viable for acquisition and retention when blocked practice is implemented within a random order, and (b) to determine what amount of repetition needs to be utilized in blocked practice within a random format in order to promote enough interference in acquisition to aid retention., Eighty-four male volunteer students enrolled in Florida State University during the 1992 summer session served as subjects for...
Show moreThe purposes of this study were (a) to determine whether contextual interference (CI) is viable for acquisition and retention when blocked practice is implemented within a random order, and (b) to determine what amount of repetition needs to be utilized in blocked practice within a random format in order to promote enough interference in acquisition to aid retention., Eighty-four male volunteer students enrolled in Florida State University during the 1992 summer session served as subjects for this study. They were randomly assigned to six groups. The blocked practice (BP) group practiced the circle target series in blocked order for 150 trials; the random group (RP) practiced the tasks randomly. The blocked practice within a random order groups (BPWRO3, BPWRO4, BPWRO5, and BPWRO6) differed in number of repetitions as indicated by the number for each group (3, 4, 5, and 6 repetitions), with a total of 150 trials for each subject in each group. After 10-minute intervals subjects performed 24 trials in the retention phase in random format in the circle target series. Eight dependent measures were utilized: reaction time (RT), movement time one (MT$\sb1$), movement time two (MT$\sb2$), total movement time (TMT), total performance response time (TP), accuracy for the first movement (AC$\sb1$), accuracy for the second movement (AC$\sb2$), and total accuracy (TAC)., The results of this study provide minimal support for contextual interference. According to the theory, the random practice should help the subjects to recall more than the other groups (the blocked and combined practice), since a deeper level of processing is required when the task is varied from trial to trial. The combined practice groups shared interference effects during acquisition for groups having both random and blocked features. These groups (BPWRO) also produced retention benefits in speeded movements and reactions but not in accuracy.
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Date Issued: 1992, 1992
Identifier: AAI9309715, 3087997, FSDT3087997, fsu:76804
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Expectations, values and norms as predictors of uses and gratifications of mass media in Saudi Arabia.
Creator: Al-Amoudi, Khaled Ahmed., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study combined the uses and gratifications approach with the Theory of Reasoned Action, an especially important combination because the study dealt with a non-Western culture. The results provide strong support for the two methods used in combination., The study sample were 317 randomly selected participants from the faculties of King Saud University and Imam Bin Saud Islamic University, both in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., The study tested five hypotheses for Saudi television and five for...
Show moreThis study combined the uses and gratifications approach with the Theory of Reasoned Action, an especially important combination because the study dealt with a non-Western culture. The results provide strong support for the two methods used in combination., The study sample were 317 randomly selected participants from the faculties of King Saud University and Imam Bin Saud Islamic University, both in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., The study tested five hypotheses for Saudi television and five for Saudi newspapers. A model to illustrate the relationship between predictor and predicted variables was proposed. All hypotheses regarding Saudi television and newspapers were statistically supported., The analysis of the proposed model reveals both direct and indirect relationships. In the case of television and newspapers, beliefs x evaluations and normative beliefs x motivations to comply were antecedent variables to the gratifications sought and media usage relationship. In both television and newspapers, media usage appears not to be an intervening variable between gratifications sought and gratifications obtained. This may suggest a third variable--habitual behavior or lifestyle behavior. A direct relationship was found between gratifications obtained and both beliefs x evaluations and normative beliefs x motivation to comply.
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Date Issued: 1990, 1990
Identifier: AAI9023910, 3162017, FSDT3162017, fsu:78215
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A study of supply and demand of library and information workers in Kuwait: Five-year projections and recommendations for human resources planning.
Creator: Al-Ansari, Husain Ahmed Ebrahim., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of library and information workers in Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion, to project future man-power requirements for the next five years (1997), and to propose recommendations for the future., Data were collected with (a) a questionnaire sent to respondents in five types of library and information centers and (b) interviews with key officials, head librarians, and directors of libraries and information centers. A manpower...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of library and information workers in Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion, to project future man-power requirements for the next five years (1997), and to propose recommendations for the future., Data were collected with (a) a questionnaire sent to respondents in five types of library and information centers and (b) interviews with key officials, head librarians, and directors of libraries and information centers. A manpower forecasting model was used to generate the projections. The findings of the study indicate that the current supply of library and information workers in Kuwait is deficient in number and necessary skills. The majority of library and information center staff are paraprofessionals., The study projects the manpower requirements for five types of library and information centers at three levels: high, middle, and low projections., According to the study findings, the shortage of library and information workers in Kuwait is very real and will increase sharply by 1997. To address this shortage a number of changes should occur: (a) The level of library and information science education should improve; (b) Current staff should be given intensive training; (c) Salaries and incentives should be improved; (d) Work conditions and environment should be improved; (e) Professionals and subject specialists from other fields should be recruited; (f) A national committee should be established for information manpower planning.
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Date Issued: 1992, 1992
Identifier: AAI9306023, 3087931, FSDT3087931, fsu:76741
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Strategic planning in university libraries in Saudi Arabia: An exploratory study.
Creator: Al-baridi, Saleh A., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: Recent research in the library and information fields highlights the concept of "strategic planning" as a possible framework for planning a library's future. This concept now is slowly emerging in many developing countries, as it emerged in industrialized countries several years ago., This study attempted to reveal insights into library planning initiatives. The major goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive exploration of library planning in university libraries in Saudi Arabia. The...
Show moreRecent research in the library and information fields highlights the concept of "strategic planning" as a possible framework for planning a library's future. This concept now is slowly emerging in many developing countries, as it emerged in industrialized countries several years ago., This study attempted to reveal insights into library planning initiatives. The major goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive exploration of library planning in university libraries in Saudi Arabia. The study was to determine the degree to which university presidents, library deans, and librarians understand strategic planning and the degree to which they report that their universities or libraries are practicing strategic planning. It also examined the relationships of some variables and the understanding and reporting of the practicing of strategic planning., A research survey design utilizing questionnaires was chosen as the most appropriate and effective method for gathering the data needed to answer the study's six research questions. Three different but related populations were queried. These groups were university presidents, library deans, and librarians employed in the seven Saudi university libraries. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, Analysis of Variance, and t-test procedures were used for data analysis., It was found that a majority of the respondents understand traditional planning more than strategic planning. Also, it was found that the majority of the respondents believe that they apply traditional planning more than strategic planning in their universities or libraries. Regarding the variables, some of them had a strong impact and some had a slight but not significant impact on the understanding and the practicing of strategic planning by the respondents. The findings of this investigation provided the means for the development of the suggested models of strategic planning for university libraries and universities presented in this study, and speak to the issue of diffusion of strategic planning innovation in these institutions.
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Date Issued: 1994, 1994
Identifier: AAI9514088, 3088499, FSDT3088499, fsu:77302
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The political economy of privatization: The case of Saudi Arabia.
Creator: Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah Jummaan., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: Over the last two decades privatization of public enterprises has achieved worldwide recognition. The objective of this study was to examine the suitability of applying privatization within the context of Saudi Arabia based on the hypothesis of privatization advocates that private sector employees have more efficient work values than their public sector counterparts. Therefore, this study examined the impact of sector type (public vs. private) on senior Saudi managers' work values of...
Show moreOver the last two decades privatization of public enterprises has achieved worldwide recognition. The objective of this study was to examine the suitability of applying privatization within the context of Saudi Arabia based on the hypothesis of privatization advocates that private sector employees have more efficient work values than their public sector counterparts. Therefore, this study examined the impact of sector type (public vs. private) on senior Saudi managers' work values of achievement, apathy, innovation, independence, centralization, responsibility avoidance, and job involvement. A questionnaire was developed to survey the whole population of senior Saudi managers working in private and public enterprise factories that employed more than 150 workers in the four cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Jubail., The results of the bivariate and multiple regression analysis indicated that sector type has a significant impact on Saudi managers' work values. However, that impact was limited only to achievement and innovation values. Private sector enterprise managers were found to be high achievers and to be more innovative than their public sector counterparts. This finding, thus, provided limited support to the behavioral or work values hypothesis of privatization advocates within the context of Saudi Arabia., The study concluded with an evaluation of the feasibility of applying privatization in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that a partial and incremental form of privatization could be a viable policy option if adapted to fit the unique Saudi Arabian environment. It also offered some suggestions for future research in this area.
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Date Issued: 1992, 1992
Identifier: AAI9306046, 3087943, FSDT3087943, fsu:76750
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The role of the ulama (Islamic scholars) in establishing an Islamic education system for women in Saudi Arabia.
Creator: Al-Hefdhy, Yahya Sullman., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the ulama (Islamic scholars) in establishing an Islamic educational system for women in Saudi Arabia, and to determine their perceptions of women's education and employment in the kingdom. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews from men and women in Saudi Arabia who had received an Islamic education--that is, they had been educated in Islamic universities and were knowledgeable of Islamic studies and law., Most of the...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the role of the ulama (Islamic scholars) in establishing an Islamic educational system for women in Saudi Arabia, and to determine their perceptions of women's education and employment in the kingdom. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews from men and women in Saudi Arabia who had received an Islamic education--that is, they had been educated in Islamic universities and were knowledgeable of Islamic studies and law., Most of the ulama are supportive of women's education. They have been influential in establishing policy for the women's educational system and they supervise this system in Saudi Arabia. They also play an important role in teaching the Saudi people that Islam encourages education for females, contrary to some of the prevalent tribal beliefs. The study also identified the respondents' opinions of the academic areas that are appropriate for women to study., Most are also supportive of women's working, but support was greater among the women respondents. All, however, insist that women work in only certain prescribed occupations and that they observe strict segregation from men in the workplace., Among the study recommendations are that there be more exchange of ideas among muslim countries so that the views of the Saudi ulama become better known and perhaps adopted by other muslims. More vocational education is needed for women, specifically targeted to available and appropriate employment. A separate university for women should be established as the number of girls graduating from high school is increasing rapidly and they need places in higher education. Also, a special system of transportation should be developed exclusively for women as they are not allowed to drive cars in muslim countries.
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Date Issued: 1994, 1994
Identifier: AAI9432610, 3088376, FSDT3088376, fsu:77181
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Managerial behavior in Saudi Arabia: Utilizing the temporal factor in the analysis of managerial behavior.
Creator: Al-Jeaid, Khalid Owaidh., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study examined the behavior of Saudi managers in public bureaucracies. The temporal factor was utilized to determine what managers actually do. Two major issues were investigated: the managers' temporal orientation and their behavior., A questionnaire, interviews, and observations were used in the study. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed to general, department, and subdepartment managers in 18 Saudi ministries and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency. The response rate was 70%....
Show moreThis study examined the behavior of Saudi managers in public bureaucracies. The temporal factor was utilized to determine what managers actually do. Two major issues were investigated: the managers' temporal orientation and their behavior., A questionnaire, interviews, and observations were used in the study. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed to general, department, and subdepartment managers in 18 Saudi ministries and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency. The response rate was 70%. Also, 20 interviews were conducted with general, department, and subdepartment managers in 15 ministries, and observations were made of an additional four managers., The findings suggest that Saudi managers have a moderate commitment to synchronization. They do not feel that their work time is scarce and valuable. Fearing responsibility, Saudi managers prefer to plan their work day in cooperation with their superiors. Attitudes toward and uses of time are greatly influenced by the monocratic Saudi culture., Because of the centralization of authority, the managers expend a major portion of their work day on routine work. Thus managers at higher levels are overburdened while managers in lower levels are underutilized. The work overload at higher levels leaves little time for developmental activities., Saudi managers are occupied with desk work, telephone calls, meetings (scheduled and unscheduled) and tour activities. They engaged in the 10 managerial roles identified by Henry Mintzberg., Saudi managers differ from others in that they have heavy religious, family, social, and educational responsibilities, on and off the job. Thus they have less time to perform their official work., Overall, the study of temporal orientations and behavior appears to provide a valid and realistic picture of problems of managing in the Saudi social system. Any changes in attitude and behavior in Saudi organizations must await transformations in the culture as a whole.
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Date Issued: 1991, 1991
Identifier: AAI9119923, 3162223, FSDT3162223, fsu:78421
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Toward a strategy for implementing discipline-based art education in Kuwait.
Creator: Al-Muhanna, Abdullah M., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study examined the feasibility of implementing discipline-based art education (DBAE), a Western-developed concept, in Kuwait. A survey was done to assess the current status of art education in Kuwait. With questionnaires and interviews, information was gathered from Kuwaiti art teachers and art supervisors at three levels. The findings showed the following: (a) Of the four components of DBAE--art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics--art production dominated the...
Show moreThis study examined the feasibility of implementing discipline-based art education (DBAE), a Western-developed concept, in Kuwait. A survey was done to assess the current status of art education in Kuwait. With questionnaires and interviews, information was gathered from Kuwaiti art teachers and art supervisors at three levels. The findings showed the following: (a) Of the four components of DBAE--art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics--art production dominated the curriculum. (b) Most respondents were dissatisfied with the current Kuwaiti art curriculum. (c) The majority of teachers and supervisors were enthusiastic about further training which would enable them to teach the four components of DBAE., For DBAE to be implemented successfully in Kuwait, a number of changes must occur. These are addressed in the following recommendations: (a) Preparation of new teachers must be expanded from two years to four. (b) Teachers in the field must be given extensive inservice training. (c) The curriculum must be revised to incorporate the four components of DBAE and to give teachers greater flexibility in teaching. (d) Textbooks, teachers' guides, and supplementary teaching material must be developed and made available to art teachers.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI9011336, 3161890, FSDT3161890, fsu:78089
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A study of the factors influencing the adoption of CD-ROM technology in libraries in Saudi Arabia.
Creator: Al-Musnad, Ibrahim Abdullah., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to establish baseline data on the use of CD-ROM technology in libraries and information centers in Saudi Arabia. This study examined the knowledge, experience, and attitudes of library directors in the country as well as selected demographic and financial data about the libraries., A descriptive survey research method utilizing a questionnaire was chosen as the most appropriate and effective method for collecting the data needed to answer the study's research...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to establish baseline data on the use of CD-ROM technology in libraries and information centers in Saudi Arabia. This study examined the knowledge, experience, and attitudes of library directors in the country as well as selected demographic and financial data about the libraries., A descriptive survey research method utilizing a questionnaire was chosen as the most appropriate and effective method for collecting the data needed to answer the study's research questions. Of the 68 libraries and information centers identified by the researcher, 66 (97%) provided usable responses. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were the statistical procedures used for the data analysis., It was found that 35% of the responding libraries were using CD-ROM technology and 32% were planning to acquire this technology in the future. The rest (33%) of the responding libraries were not using CD-ROM nor did they plan to acquire it in the future. Several reasons were given for not acquiring this technology: the library was too small, CD-ROM was never considered, CD-ROM costs too much in relation to the library budget, there was no user demand, and useful products were not available in Arabic., Institution control (public/private), student enrollment, library budget, number of professional librarians, respondents' level of education, and respondents' experience with online and CD-ROM searches were factors that significantly impacted the decision to acquire CD-ROM in a library., The study findings indicate that the majority (74%) ofthe libraries with CD-ROM employ additional security measures to protect their CD-ROM systems from damage and loss. Despite the large percentage employing security measures, fewer than 20% of the respondents believe that their libraries have serious security problems., The overwhelming majority (94%) of the respondents believe that CD-ROM use and evaluation should be included in the library school curricula. More than 85% of the respondents, whether their libraries have CD-ROM or not, believe that the availability of CD-ROM in libraries has a positive effect on librarians' image.
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Date Issued: 1994, 1994
Identifier: AAI9514707, 3088522, FSDT3088522, fsu:77324
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Punctuation and reading comprehension among seventh and eighth-grade students in a university lab school: An assessment.
Creator: Al-Mutib, Saleh M., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: The study was designed to investigate whether internal punctuation had any effect on reading comprehension of seventh- and eighth-grade students in the Developmental Research School of Florida State University. The study subjects were 94 male and female students who took the PUNC Test devised by Carr. The test consisted of a written passage, directions, and 40 multiple-choice questions. The passage was constructed so that selected sentences required the reader to interpret internal...
Show moreThe study was designed to investigate whether internal punctuation had any effect on reading comprehension of seventh- and eighth-grade students in the Developmental Research School of Florida State University. The study subjects were 94 male and female students who took the PUNC Test devised by Carr. The test consisted of a written passage, directions, and 40 multiple-choice questions. The passage was constructed so that selected sentences required the reader to interpret internal punctuation in order to understand the meaning of the sentence. The test also consisted of 20 sets of paired sentences: 20 punctuation-dependent and 20 non-punctuation-dependent items., The results showed that the students scored lower in the punctuation-dependent items than on the non-punctuation-dependent items. Analysis showed that internal punctuation had a statistically significant and very considerable main effect on reading comprehension of the seventh and eighth grade subjects., The results also indicated that punctuation is neither sufficiently taught nor viewed as a syntactic cue system when it is taught. It constitutes a relatively minor part of most school curricula today. Accordingly, certain instructional procedures for teaching punctuation to young students were suggested., Of secondary interest, there was an attempt to determine whether students' gender as well as CTBS reading scores interacted with punctuation to affect reading comprehension. Gender was found to be statistically insignificant. CTBS reading ability was found to be statistically significant yet of little practical importance. Finally, suggestions for teaching punctuation were offered.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI9004988, 3161875, FSDT3161875, fsu:78074
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Political development, bureaucracy, and Saudi culture.
Creator: Al-Otaibi, Saud Mohammed., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study examined the impact of Saudi cultural values, measured by masculinity, receptivity to change, and achievement values, on Saudi bureaucratic behavioral capacity as measured by four attributes: professionalism, innovation, flexibility, and public regard. A random sample of 630 Saudi middle bureaucrats working in five ministries--Finance and National Economy, Industry and Electricity, Education, Labor and Social Affairs, and Pilgrimage and Endowment--were surveyed with a self...
Show moreThis study examined the impact of Saudi cultural values, measured by masculinity, receptivity to change, and achievement values, on Saudi bureaucratic behavioral capacity as measured by four attributes: professionalism, innovation, flexibility, and public regard. A random sample of 630 Saudi middle bureaucrats working in five ministries--Finance and National Economy, Industry and Electricity, Education, Labor and Social Affairs, and Pilgrimage and Endowment--were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire., The bivariate correlation results between cultural values and bureaucratic behavioral dimensions indicated that Saudi cultural values had a limited impact on bureaucratic capacity. On the other hand, the bivariate test between bureaucratic climate and bureaucratic capacity indicated that bureaucratic climate had a strong impact on bureaucratic capacity. Finally, the bivariate tests between demographic variables and bureaucratic capacity indicated that the demographic variables had a limited impact on bureaucratic capacity., A multivariate analysis was used to assess the independent impact of Saudi cultural values along with bureaucratic and demographic variables. Although the results of the analysis showed that cultural values had an independent impact on bureaucratic capacity, cultural values were less important than bureaucratic climate and demographic variables in explaining bureaucratic capacity. The study concluded with theoretical implications of these findings and recommendations to help strengthen bureaucratic capacity.
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Date Issued: 1992, 1992
Identifier: AAI9306024, 3087932, FSDT3087932, fsu:76742
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Public-private partnerships in local government service delivery: The case of Saudi Arabia.
Creator: Al-Sawat, Talak Awadallah., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This research examined government officials' perceptions of the factors associated with contract service delivery. Open-ended interview questions and a questionnaire were developed to examine the viewpoints of those most involved in the process--the city officials. The major research objective was to determine the subjective importance of normative, legal, administrative, and economic factors on the decision to contract services., Thirty-seven interviews were conducted with regional directors...
Show moreThis research examined government officials' perceptions of the factors associated with contract service delivery. Open-ended interview questions and a questionnaire were developed to examine the viewpoints of those most involved in the process--the city officials. The major research objective was to determine the subjective importance of normative, legal, administrative, and economic factors on the decision to contract services., Thirty-seven interviews were conducted with regional directors, mayors, and other local officials; 200 questionnaires were distributed to directors of municipal branches, directors of local ministerial offices, and members of bid committees in these organizations. The response rate for the questionnaire was 60%., A number of factors are seen to affect the feasibility and attractiveness of contracting for public services--most notably, avoidance of government rules and regulations. Other equally important issues addressed include the efficiency and effectiveness of contracted services, the ability of the contracting agency to monitor the process, the availability of providers, the potential for corruption, service output measurability, and the ability to create and sustain competition. Other factors such as city size, location, and type of service provided were found to be associated with the perceived desirability of contracting. Benefits and difficulties common to the practice of contracting are identified and reforms suggested., Overall, the results show that government officials believe that contracting public goods and services to private firms can be beneficial only under certain conditions: (a) competition among private providers, (b) use of appropriate contracting procedures by the government, and (c) effective governmental oversight and monitoring.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI9014595, 3161943, FSDT3161943, fsu:78142
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Attitudes and perceptions about television advertisements among women in Saudi Arabia.
Creator: Al-Yusuf, Ahmed Abdullah., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This field study examines attitudes and perceptions of Saudi women regarding television commercials and correlates findings with the values and norms of Saudi society. A questionnaire was administered to members of several women's clubs--177 Saudi women from 24 to 82 years in age, with a mean age of 32 years--during 1993 in the city of Jeddah. The study's importance derives from the relative newness of television advertising in Saudi Arabia and a subsequent need to understand the attitudes...
Show moreThis field study examines attitudes and perceptions of Saudi women regarding television commercials and correlates findings with the values and norms of Saudi society. A questionnaire was administered to members of several women's clubs--177 Saudi women from 24 to 82 years in age, with a mean age of 32 years--during 1993 in the city of Jeddah. The study's importance derives from the relative newness of television advertising in Saudi Arabia and a subsequent need to understand the attitudes and perceptions of Saudi women toward television commercials--perceived by many as serious threatening the cultural identity of developing countries., Nine hypotheses test Saudi women's attitudes and perceptions regarding television advertising. The first hypothesis--that women with higher incomes and higher education are less likely to find television advertising entertaining produced significant results. Hypothesis two examines the time spent watching television advertisements and attitudes toward advertisements and was found to be supported. Hypothesis three resulted in no significant relationship between the number of children in the household and women's attitudes toward advertisements. Hypothesis is supported by a positive relationship between education and women perceiving advertising as being essential to the society, although no relationship was found between income and perceptions of advertising as essential to the society. Hypothesis five resulted in a significant finding, a positive relationship between those who perceive advertising as essential and their attitudes toward advertisements. Hypothesis six resulted in a significant finding between those who believe that advertisements are in conflict with religion and the appearance of women in ads., The last three hypotheses are based on the Fishbein model, and motivation to comply. Hypothesis seven resulted in a statistically significant relationship between beliefs/evaluation and attitudes toward advertising. Hypothesis eight was statistically significant in support of the proposition that there is a positive relationship between beliefs/evaluation of advertisements and their perceptions of advertisements as entertainment. Hypothesis nine, which predicts the relationships between attitudes toward advertising and women's motivation to comply with husband's, children's, and friends' expectations, was found to be significant.
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Date Issued: 1994, 1994
Identifier: AAI9511339, 3088485, FSDT3088485, fsu:77290
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Characterization of nicotinic acetylcholine-activated channels in larval insect neurons.
Creator: Albert, Jennifer Lynn., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: A characterization of nicotinic acetycholine-activated ion channels in insects was carried out in dissociated neurons in primary culture from the central nervous systems of the larval fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, larval and embryonic house fly, Musca domestica, and the nymphal locust, Schistocerca gregaria using whole-cell and cell-attached patch-clamp techniques. The single ion channel currents observed in cell-attached patches were very similar between the four insect preparations....
Show moreA characterization of nicotinic acetycholine-activated ion channels in insects was carried out in dissociated neurons in primary culture from the central nervous systems of the larval fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, larval and embryonic house fly, Musca domestica, and the nymphal locust, Schistocerca gregaria using whole-cell and cell-attached patch-clamp techniques. The single ion channel currents observed in cell-attached patches were very similar between the four insect preparations. These channels exhibited characteristics similar to channels described in both vertebrate neurons and muscle, as well as other invertebrate preparations., There were two major classes with average single channel conductances of 32 pS and 57 pS. The 32pS insect channel had longer open times than the 57 pS channel. The channel activity occurred in bursts (openings separated by brief closures) lasting from 1 to 5 ms. The 57 pS channel openings also occurred in bursts, though they were more frequently isolated fast openings of less than 1 ms duration., Activation of fly 32 pS acetylcholine channels was examined more closely by looking at their concentration- and voltage-dependence. The open and closed interval durations of this channel were independent of voltage. Two separate types of dose-response experiments were performed. Both sets of curves indicated multiple ligand binding steps for the activation of insect acetylcholine channels. Analysis of closed intervals and clusters (groups of bursts separated by long closures) across a concentration series revealed an unusual inactive state and heterogeneous kinetic behavior within the 32 pS channel class. Tentative estimates of rates for the channel conformational changes were made., Insect neuronal acetylcholine channels were affected by several established nicotinic pharmaceutical agents. However, the pharmacological profile of these channels showed some unique features. They were resistant to activation by the nicotinic agonist suberyldicholine, though both carbachol and nicotine were capable of opening these channels. Hexamethonium and decamethonium were approximately equi-effective. The insect channels were also blocked by both $\alpha$- and $\kappa$-bungarotoxin.
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Date Issued: 1991, 1991
Identifier: AAI9123525, 3162285, FSDT3162285, fsu:78445
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The texts of teaching: A study of the conceptualization and practice of college composition instruction using a literary theory model of educational research.
Creator: Albritton, Thomas Wellington, Jr., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: It was argued (with support from literature on observational classroom research and literary criticism) that understanding data collected during classroom observations--transcripts, fieldnotes, etc.--requires one to interpret the language of teachers, students, and researchers, and that such a process might be well guided by a method of textual criticism., To test the strength of this argument, the researcher studied a set of data, consisting of transcribed audiotaped interviews (conducted...
Show moreIt was argued (with support from literature on observational classroom research and literary criticism) that understanding data collected during classroom observations--transcripts, fieldnotes, etc.--requires one to interpret the language of teachers, students, and researchers, and that such a process might be well guided by a method of textual criticism., To test the strength of this argument, the researcher studied a set of data, consisting of transcribed audiotaped interviews (conducted with two college composition teachers, both before and after instruction) and of transcribed instruction of those same teachers. The purpose of this research was to devise and attempt a critical analysis of the data modelled on literary theory., A critical work, J. Hillis Miller's The Linguistic Moment, was selected as the model for interpreting the data described above. This model guides readers' interpretations by alerting them to "linguistic moments" in literature, points at which readers' theories about literature are contradicted by what the page presents, and which are reconciled by the language that readers bring to bear during interpretation., So that linguistic moments in teaching could be studied, the teachers' preliminary references to teaching, learning, students, and writing were recorded and categorized. Those categories, termed "operational theories" of instruction, were compared with the actual processes of the classroom., When perceived as textual, the data from each class portrayed many voices and contexts. The teachers occasionally responded to this multiplicity in a way which disregarded the voices (the assumptions, goals, needs) of students, in favor of the voices of their own preliminary plans or assumptions. At other times, however, the classroom language was co-authored by students and teacher; educational goals and assumptions were regularly and mutually expressed, monitored, and revised., Conclusions emphasize the role of multiple contexts in the planning, practicing, or studying of classroom instruction. They also reiterate the demonstrated textuality of teaching and the value of critical theory as an educational research tool.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI9012905, 3161906, FSDT3161906, fsu:78105
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The cabinet system in Florida.
Creator: Albtitton, Dallas
Identifier: aku8495, 164587, FSDT164587, fsu:14691
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Competencies needed by vocational and technical education administrators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Creator: Aldekhyyel, Nasser A., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: Saudi Arabia is experiencing swift development in all economic and social sectors. However, manpower development and employment are among the highest priorities of the Saudi government in order to reduce the influx of skilled expatriates into the country. The educational objectives of the fourth five-year plan (1985-1990) are directed toward increased productivity, improved efficiency, and higher quality; therefore, the challenge to educational leadership is great., The General Organization...
Show moreSaudi Arabia is experiencing swift development in all economic and social sectors. However, manpower development and employment are among the highest priorities of the Saudi government in order to reduce the influx of skilled expatriates into the country. The educational objectives of the fourth five-year plan (1985-1990) are directed toward increased productivity, improved efficiency, and higher quality; therefore, the challenge to educational leadership is great., The General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (GOTEVOT) is among the governmental agencies challenged to provide skilled Saudi manpower for the country. A major problem facing GOTEVOT is the lack of managerial and administrative personnel who are well-trained and experienced in technical and vocational education and competent to provide a framework for planning, guiding, directing, and evaluating such programs, The purpose of this study was to identify and verify competencies needed by vocational and technical education administrators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to determine whether there were differences in perceptions of their importance among (a) vocational training center administrators, (b) industrial, commercial, technical, and agricultural secondary institute administrators, and (c) postsecondary commercial institute and college of technology administrators/deans. The entire population of administrators was surveyed; 49 survey instruments were returned, representing a return rate of 84%., The list of competency statements was developed from several sources and classified under eight categories. Respondents were asked to indicate the level of importance of each specific competency to their job performance., All administrators rated the 153 competency statements valid and important, and therefore necessary for vocational and technical education administrators. Postsecondary and college of technology administrators (group three) were somewhat similar to the other two groups in their ranking of the eight major competency areas but different from them in their perception of the level of importance of the eight categories.
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Date Issued: 1988, 1988
Identifier: AAI8905733, 3161675, FSDT3161675, fsu:77874
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effects of hurricane winds and associated salt spray on the growth and developmental anatomy of secondary xylem in slash pine (Pinus elliottii) from Cape Saint George Island, Franklin County, Florida, United States of America.
Creator: Alden, Harry Arthur., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: Trees of Slash pine showed reduced growth, by an order of magnitude, following exposure to two hurricanes (Elena and Kate) in 1985. The reduced growth is caused by salt spray chlorosis and/or defoliation from high winds. Ring width, radial tracheid diameter, radial cell number, tracheid length and microfibril angle were measured for samples from before and after major storms. Data for ring width, earlywood radial cell diameter and cell number were not normally distributed, while data for...
Show moreTrees of Slash pine showed reduced growth, by an order of magnitude, following exposure to two hurricanes (Elena and Kate) in 1985. The reduced growth is caused by salt spray chlorosis and/or defoliation from high winds. Ring width, radial tracheid diameter, radial cell number, tracheid length and microfibril angle were measured for samples from before and after major storms. Data for ring width, earlywood radial cell diameter and cell number were not normally distributed, while data for latewood radial cell diameter, tracheid length and microfibril angle showed normal distributions. There were significant statistical differences for all main effects for ring width, earlywood radial cell diameter, cell number and tracheid length. The data for latewood radial cell diameter show significant differences for effects of time and height, but not for compass direction. There are significant differences in earlywood cellulose microfibril angle for height effects, and no difference for time and direction effects. Data for latewood cellulose microfibril angle show significant differences for the effects of time and height.
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Date Issued: 1993, 1993
Identifier: AAI9416140, 3088288, FSDT3088288, fsu:77092
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The "noble experiment" in Tampa: A study of prohibition in urban America.
Creator: Alduino, Frank William., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: Prohibition sprang forth from the Progressive Era--the widespread reform movement that swept across the United States at the turn of the century. Responding to the dramatic changes in American society since the end of the Civil War, the Progressive movement encompassed a wide array of individuals and groups advocating a far-reaching program of economic, political, and social reform. For over forty years temperance zealots strived to impose their values on the whole of American society,...
Show moreProhibition sprang forth from the Progressive Era--the widespread reform movement that swept across the United States at the turn of the century. Responding to the dramatic changes in American society since the end of the Civil War, the Progressive movement encompassed a wide array of individuals and groups advocating a far-reaching program of economic, political, and social reform. For over forty years temperance zealots strived to impose their values on the whole of American society, particularly on the rapidly expanding immigrant population. These alien newcomers epitomized the transformation of the country from rural to urban, from agricultural to industrial., Rapidly-expanding urban centers were often the battleground between prohibitionists and supporters of the whiskey traffic. European immigrants, retaining their traditional values, gravitated to metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York, and Chicago. With the opening of the cigar industry in the mid-1880s, Tampa, Florida also began attracting large numbers of immigrants. Because of its pluralistic composition, the city might serve as a microcosm of the national struggle between the "wet" and "dry" forces., Using newspapers, oral interviews, and other primary materials, this study traces the various aspects of the prohibition movement in the city of Tampa. In addition, it details other peripheral areas associated with the advent of the Eighteenth Amendment including the drug and alien trades. Finally, this study examines the lengthy efforts to repeal the "Noble Experiment" and return legalized drinking back to Tampa.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI8915736, 3161760, FSDT3161760, fsu:77959
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The emergence of repair strategies in chronologically and developmentally young children.
Creator: Alexander, Dianne G., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This paper described the emergence of communicative repairs in the prelinguistic, early one word, late one word, and multiword stages of language development. The communicative repair is a necessary skill for successful social and communicative functioning. Previous research has investigated the conversational repairs of children in linguistic stages of development. This study identified the point of emergence of repairs and the rates, patterns and means used by very young communicators.,...
Show moreThis paper described the emergence of communicative repairs in the prelinguistic, early one word, late one word, and multiword stages of language development. The communicative repair is a necessary skill for successful social and communicative functioning. Previous research has investigated the conversational repairs of children in linguistic stages of development. This study identified the point of emergence of repairs and the rates, patterns and means used by very young communicators., Videotaped samples of communicative repairs, taken from the administration of the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (Wetherby & Prizant, 1993) with 120 typically developing children and 12 children with communicative impairments, were coded to identify the components of their repair behaviors. Data were collected on repair form (gestures and vocalizations), content (words and phrases) and use (interactant and prosodic changes) and to determine whether repair attempts were repetitions or modifications. Modified repair components were further described as changes, additions, reductions or omissions., The two primary findings from this study were that communicative repairs emerge at the same time that a child develops the ability to communicate intentionally and that gestures are integral to preconversational repairs. Descriptions of repair behaviors revealed several developmental patterns. Repetition as an exclusive strategy for repair was rarely utilized. At all stages, children repeated their gestures to repair to a greater extent than they modified their vocalizations to repair more than they repeated them. Repairs containing words and phrases increased as a reflection of the child's acquisition of words and word combinations. Changing communicative partners and prosodic features as a means of repair appeared to be secondary repair strategies for small numbers of children., Finally, it was determined that with minor additions the research protocol provided an adequate measure of the repair behaviors of children with pervasive developmental disorder and hearing impairment. The addition of coding categories for manual words separately from spoken words and for gestural prosody was needed to accurately describe their repair behaviors.
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Date Issued: 1995, 1995
Identifier: AAI9529597, 3088657, FSDT3088657, fsu:77459
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Earnings expectations and the market reaction to earnings surprise.
Creator: Alexander, John C., Jr., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This dissertation provides an investigation of the earnings surprise associated with the quarterly earnings announcement. The examination of a wide variety of forecast models allows insight into the ability of these models to capture the earnings expectations of the market., The analysis addresses two issues. The first issue is the value of the earnings surprise. Among the forecasts models considered in the examination of forecast accuracy are: (1) a random walk model; (2) the standardized...
Show moreThis dissertation provides an investigation of the earnings surprise associated with the quarterly earnings announcement. The examination of a wide variety of forecast models allows insight into the ability of these models to capture the earnings expectations of the market., The analysis addresses two issues. The first issue is the value of the earnings surprise. Among the forecasts models considered in the examination of forecast accuracy are: (1) a random walk model; (2) the standardized unexpected earnings (SUE) model; (3) three autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models; (4) an autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) model; (5) a generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model; (6) a price-based model; and (7) four analyst models., The ARIMA models produce more accurate statistical forecasts than the random walk, SUE, ARCH, GARCH, or price-based models. Further, the analysts' forecasts are more accurate than any statistical alternative. The broader set of information considered by analysts gives them an advantage over statistical models. Further, the ability of the analysts to incorporate recent information gives them a timing advantage., The second issue is the market response to earnings surprise, where surprise is defined by the different forecast models. The correlation between the forecast errors of the different models and the announcement period response provides evidence of the model that best captures the earnings expectation. The highest correlation is associated with the forecast errors of the most recent analyst forecasts., Further analysis of the market response forms portfolios based on the most positive and negative earnings surprise securities. This provides insight into the value of the earnings announcement. Positive announcement period abnormal returns are associated with the positive surprise portfolios. In contrast to previous work, the abnormal returns associated with the negative surprise portfolios seldom differ from zero. With respect to the post-announcement period, positive abnormal returns are associated with both the positive and negative earnings surprise portfolios. This anomalous behavior is inconsistent with previous findings. Regardless, the introduction of round-trip transaction costs may eliminate any economic motivation to trade on this information.
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Date Issued: 1991, 1991
Identifier: AAI9132964, 3087607, FSDT3087607, fsu:76423
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The use of the personal reflexive journal in the adult literacy tutorial: The case of Jane.
Creator: Alexander, Mary M. Cozean., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This ethnographic, single-case study was conducted over a two-year period. It documents the changes that occurred in the life of a forty-two year old female as she gained reading and writing skills in a literacy tutorial. This documentation was based on numerous personal journals that she dictated and wrote., Although her income level or economic status did not change significantly during the period of the study, her individual reading scores rose from lower elementary to post-secondary level...
Show moreThis ethnographic, single-case study was conducted over a two-year period. It documents the changes that occurred in the life of a forty-two year old female as she gained reading and writing skills in a literacy tutorial. This documentation was based on numerous personal journals that she dictated and wrote., Although her income level or economic status did not change significantly during the period of the study, her individual reading scores rose from lower elementary to post-secondary level. In addition, according to her, what changed in her life was her self-concept with respect to reading and writing, and her insight into the historical value of what she had learned outside of any educational setting. This change or growth process was paralleled to the Kubler-Ross model (1975), and was compared to the Belenky, et al. model (1986)., A ten-step program and process model for the Personal Reflexive Journal was developed and is included in this study for use with adult literacy students who are learning to express themselves through writing.
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Date Issued: 1989, 1989
Identifier: AAI9014594, 3161942, FSDT3161942, fsu:78141
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Chemistry teaching practices and the social construction of teachers' professionalism in Costa Rica.
Creator: Alfaro-Varela, Gilberto., Florida State University
Abstract/Description: This study explores the way a group of chemistry teachers in Costa Rica construct themselves as professionals. This is a preliminary study on the issue of teachers' professionalism in Costa Rica from a perspective other than salary. The intention was to explore how a group of eight chemistry teachers set up situations to interact among themselves as well as with other teachers and professionals in the school system as the basis to generate collaboration and autonomy. Two chemistry teachers...
Show moreThis study explores the way a group of chemistry teachers in Costa Rica construct themselves as professionals. This is a preliminary study on the issue of teachers' professionalism in Costa Rica from a perspective other than salary. The intention was to explore how a group of eight chemistry teachers set up situations to interact among themselves as well as with other teachers and professionals in the school system as the basis to generate collaboration and autonomy. Two chemistry teachers participated in an in-depth analysis of their life histories as professionals. The teachers set up situations for interaction with others. These include students, colleagues, parents and members of the community. Content programs and regulations for evaluation were explored as part of the aspects that influence teachers' actions in the school culture., As an interpretive study, data were constructed from school setting observations, personal life histories as told by chemistry teachers, interviews with school system participants and documents from which teachers defined their roles in school. The findings of the study are categorized as they relate to the following: (1) chemistry teachers, (2) teacher unions, (3) policy mediators, (4) principals, (5) colleagues, (6) students, (7) teacher educators, and (8) content programs and evaluative regulations., From this study it is inferred that the professional actions of teachers are not strongly supported in the school system. Thus, the construction of professional identity is a lifelong process for which teachers need to interact with others on a permanent basis.
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Date Issued: 1993, 1993
Identifier: AAI9334238, 3088131, FSDT3088131, fsu:76938
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A study of the legal aspects of tax assessing in Florida.
Creator: Alford, Roberta Sue
Identifier: ahm6815, 164710, FSDT164710, fsu:14750
Format: Document (PDF)

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