Class of 2007 Abstract / Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the demographics and attitudes of Arizona pharmacists regarding provision of smoking cessation services. Methods: Paper-based surveys were distributed to pharmacists attending the 2006 Arizona Pharmacy Alliance (AzPA) Annual Meeting in Tucson, Arizona. The instrument allowed collection of 12 demographic points from subjects for data cross-sectioning. Opinions of the pharmacists were collected for 35 statements of agreement level on a four-point Likert-type response scale. Association between the demographic and opinion variables was analyzed using either Kruskal-Wallis’ rank-sum or Spearman's correlation tests. Results: Of 350 surveys distributed, 78 subjects returned them and 63 (18%) met inclusion criteria. Respondents agreed to all barriers of smoking cessation, particularly lacks in time (82.5%), patient demand (79.7%), smoking cessation program availability (68%), and documentation system (56.6%). Participants’ demographics including age, gender, practice setting and position, time since completion of education, specific smoking cessation education received, time spent counseling a patient, and number of general and smoking cessation counsels were significantly associated with pharmacists’ perceived demand and resource barriers to provision of smoking cessation services, faith in a patient’s ability to quit or try, self-perception as a valuable and effective resource, comfort level approaching patients regarding smoking cessation, likelihood of intervention, and feelings of reward (all p-values < 0.05). Conclusions: This study identified several associations between pharmacists’ demographics and their thoughts towards provision of smoking cessation services, though causation is undetermined.

In order to equip teachers for the complexity of their job, teacher education programs have shifted away from training teachers in exactly what to do, focusing instead on how to approach the classroom. Teacher educators are working towards programs that develop beliefs that directly and positively affect the actions of teachers in the classrooms (Darling-Hammond, 2006). One particularly interesting case of teachers-in-training are graduate teaching assistants (GTAs), because they are both students and teachers simultaneously. In addition, GTAs are often learning how to teach while organizing, managing, and instructing classes, with varying levels of experience, training, responsibility, and support (Jordan & Howe, 2018; Patel, 2017). Although there is a body of work exploring the roles GTAs play as students and in institutions (Jordan & Howe, 2018; Park, 2004), GTAs have not generally been examined as classroom teachers. This study explores language GTAs’ beliefs about teaching, how their beliefs connect to their practice, and factors that affect their ability to implement their beliefs using data collected through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. The findings show that GTAs (1) describe, instead of state, their beliefs focusing on classroom atmosphere and communicative language teaching factors; (2) are able to demonstrate their beliefs at least some of the time in their teaching; and (3) report contextual factors, such as time constraints and departmental training, that both hinder and facilitate their ability to implement their beliefs in their practices. Based on these findings, it is suggested that GTAs be provided opportunities to explicitly identify and reflect on their beliefs, make clear and accurate connections between their teaching and their beliefs, and experience an appropriate balance of support and autonomy. These suggestions are made so that GTAs might be more successful in integrating their beliefs and practices in ways that allow them to fulfill their roles as students and teachers well.

This thesis addresses the internationally recognised problem of transforming classroom teaching that is underpinned by transmissionist epistemologies, especially in the field of mathematics education. A constructivist-related theory of pedagogical reform was derived from the research literature in the fields of teacher cognition and conceptual change theory for the purpose of facilitating the radical reconstruction of teachers' centralist classroom roles and the development of pedagogies aimed at enhancing students' conceptual development. The thesis reports a collaborative action research study which was conducted with a teacher of high school mathematics who attempted to develop a constructivist- oriented teaching approach in his Grade 12 mathematics class.An interpretive research approach (Erickson, 1986) was employed to generate an understanding of the complex network of teacher beliefs and their constraining influence on the radical reform of the teacher's centralist pedagogy. An emergent research focus was the efficacy of the theory of pedagogical reform, especially its underpinning constructivist theory which shaped my discourse with the teacher during the collaborative phase of the study. Data were obtained from classroom participant- observations, teacher and student interviews, the teacher's report on the study, and an application of the repertory grid technique that was designed to investigate the teacher's implicit pedagogical beliefs.The major pedagogical reforms that resulted from the collaborative phase of the study included (1) the teacher's adoption of the role of teacher as learner; and (2) the refinement, rather than radical reform, of his centralist classroom role of teacher as informer. Although the reforms provided enriched opportunities for the development of students' algorithmic abilities, they largely failed to enhance students' mathematical ++ / conceptual development.Interpretive analyses were conducted from multiple constructivist-related perspectives (radical constructivism, social constructivism, critical constructivism) in order to generate a better understanding of the narrow scope of the pedagogical reforms. These analyses revealed (1) that rationalist preconceptions of mathematics and mathematical cognition underpinned important aspects of both the theory of pedagogical reform and the teacher's refined centralist classroom role of teacher as interactive informer, and (2) that the teacher's technical rationality, which was buttressed by personally constraining beliefs, maintained the ascendency of his technical curriculum interests and sustained his centalist classroom role of teacher as controller.The results of this thesis suggest strongly, therefore: (1) that pedagogical reforms which are based largely on a cognitivist theory of constructivism are susceptible to being subsumed by a powerful technical-rationalist ideology, and (2) that the hegemonic nature of this ideology is capable of disempowering reform-minded teachers from realising the practical viability of their constructivist-related ideals.The thesis recommends that future constructivist-related pedagogical reform in high school mathematics be based on a critical constructivist perspective which focuses attention on the curriculum interests that govern teaching and learning activities. In particular, it is recommended that reform-minded teachers establish a Critical classroom discourse which aims to attain a balanced rationality by making visible and subject to critical examination the hidden frames of reference that constitute the prevailing rationality of the traditional mathematics classroom.

This action research study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of a constructivist approach to the training of first-year Chinese student mathematics teachers in the Hong Kong Institute of Education where I am employed. A four-stage teaching model was designed, based on the learning theory of constructivism and taking into particular consideration the characteristics of Chinese learners: the maintenance of hierarchical and group harmony and high achievement motivation. In order to determine whether the application of this model in a methodology could alter the teaching beliefs of newly enrolled students, a two-phase procedure was employed. First-year students in each phase of the study were involved in solving a teaching problem. Through self-articulation, group- and class-discussions and self-reflection, the students were examined to determine any change in their beliefs about teaching mathematics. Prior beliefs about mathematics teaching, and beliefs held at the end of the methodology module were determined and compared in order to determine if new learning was in evidence. The creation of an authentic interactive learning environment to foster the kind of learning desired - a potentially safe, trusting and non-judgemental environment for free disclosure of students' opinions and feelings about mathematics teaching - was investigated. Data was generated by different quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings were cross-checked by a critical colleague and through my observation and reflections, and these were recorded as clearly, orderly, and accurately as possible. The first phase results were employed to inform and to improve the teaching of the same methodology module in the second phase. / Findings in the two phases were indicative of the creation of a genuine social constructivist learning environment in which student teachers enjoyed their learning. Student teachers in the second phase implementation of my study indicated an understanding of their role in a constructivist classroom - to construct their own theories of teaching mathematics, to assist their peers in knowledge construction and to learn to learn. Student teachers in the two cohorts were found to hold entrenched constructivist beliefs about teaching mathematics. They agreed that the teacher's role was a facilitator of learning and that persistent questioning could alter knowledge about mathematics. However, at the conclusion of the module, the Phase I students seemed to re-adopt traditional approaches to teaching, whereas the Phase II students exhibited two different perspectives - an indication of the instability of their teaching beliefs. The Phase II student teachers, nevertheless, showed that they became more aware of sequencing the various interactive activities for their pupils in secondary schools. In the actual teaching, they professed their inability to realise their teaching ideals because of their inexperience in teaching and of the unexpected situations in the school settings. The present research study adds to the paucity of literature in two areas. First, the employment of a constructivist approach in the preparation of teachers of junior secondary mathematics (for pupils of age between twelve and fifteen), especially in the training of Chinese student mathematics teachers. / Second, the study of a higher education lecturer conducting research to improve his/her own practice. Undeniably, further research on models to change student teachers' prior knowledge (about mathematics, about the nature of mathematics, and about the teaching and learning of mathematics), on factors affecting the instability of beliefs, and on models to facilitate continuous development of the teaching professionals are necessary if not exigent.

Summary: The thesis is advanced that there are clinical states which are interpreted by Maoris as Makutu or Bewitchment. These are not rare, although not commonly recognised by Medical Practitioners. The thesis is advanced, from a historical survey and clinical experience, that although the clinical manifestions of the syndrome of Makutu have altered over the last one hundred years, the essential nature has not changed, and that it is at all times the explanation of natural phenomena in supernatural terms. This thesis attempts to contrast and discuss the nature of Makutu, past and present and to describe the clinical manifestations as they exist in the present day in the North Island of New Zealand and to show there are public and social aspects of Makutu not usually appreciated. Some of the factors which have led to the perpetuation of Makutu are discussed. Except where otherwise specified, Makutu is used as a general term for Witchcraft and sorcery. Makutu also has a specific meaning for a certain type of Witchcraft.

<p>Under de senaste decennierna har intresset för matematikinlärning intensifierats och särskilt fokus har ägnats åt metakognition och mer specifikt i en riktning mot lärares och elevers uppfattningar. Åtskilliga studier har sagt sitt och det råder numera vetenskaplig konsensus kring att uppfattningar spelar en betydelsefull roll i matematikundervisning och för utfallet avelevers lärande. Sett till en sådan bakgrund har syftet för den förevarande studien varit att undersöka gymnasieelevers matematikrelaterade uppfattningar som en ansats till att erhålla en inblick i om eleverna omfattar uppfattningar som kan påverka den beteendemässiga relationen till det matematiska lärandet. I ett led att finna svar på det eftersökta har sju kvalitativa intervjuer med fenomenografisk ansats utförts tillsammans med en enkätundersökning på ett större urval. Studiens resultat indikerar att eleverna uppfattningsmässigt förhåller sig till den egna inlärningen på kvalitativt skilda sätt, att många elever har felaktiga uppfattningar och att det är möjligt att urskilja passiva och aktiva attityder till det matematiska lärandet.</p>

The purpose of this ethnonursing study was to discover, understand, describe, and explicate the emic expressions, meanings, beliefs, practices, and experiences of postpartum Mexican American women living in a Passaic, New Jersey, community and to gain an understanding of any phenomena in the postpartum period. Leininger's culture care diversity and universality theory was utilized as the undergirding framework for this study. Eight key and 15 general informants participated in this study. The ethnodemographic interview guide, a qualitative enabler, was used to assist with the collection and analysis of data. NVivo 8.0, a qualitative software program, was used to assist with data management and organization. The data were analyzed and interpreted into categories, patterns, and themes that were confirmed through multiple interviews. Through face-to-face interviews and field notes, the researcher discovered, understood, described, explicated, and analyzed the cultural expressions, meanings, beliefs, practices, and experiences of Mexican American women during the postpartum period. The findings from this study focus first on nursing knowledge development, pointing the direction for future research to determine effective nursing care actions. Early interventions assist in providing culturally congruent care to postpartum Mexican American women. Implications for nursing research, theory, education, and practice are offered. / School of Nursing / Nursing / PhD / Dissertation

Thesis (Ph.D. (Sociology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2005

Under de senaste decennierna har intresset för matematikinlärning intensifierats och särskilt fokus har ägnats åt metakognition och mer specifikt i en riktning mot lärares och elevers uppfattningar. Åtskilliga studier har sagt sitt och det råder numera vetenskaplig konsensus kring att uppfattningar spelar en betydelsefull roll i matematikundervisning och för utfallet avelevers lärande. Sett till en sådan bakgrund har syftet för den förevarande studien varit att undersöka gymnasieelevers matematikrelaterade uppfattningar som en ansats till att erhålla en inblick i om eleverna omfattar uppfattningar som kan påverka den beteendemässiga relationen till det matematiska lärandet. I ett led att finna svar på det eftersökta har sju kvalitativa intervjuer med fenomenografisk ansats utförts tillsammans med en enkätundersökning på ett större urval. Studiens resultat indikerar att eleverna uppfattningsmässigt förhåller sig till den egna inlärningen på kvalitativt skilda sätt, att många elever har felaktiga uppfattningar och att det är möjligt att urskilja passiva och aktiva attityder till det matematiska lärandet.

“Homeostatic beliefs” (HBs) denote a sense that one’s life path will remain stable in the long-term despite short-term disruptions. Two studies have been undertaken to explore whether HBs exist independent of other constructs, and to develop a scale with which to measure them. In Study 1, 158 undergraduate students completed a draft HB scale and theoretically related scales. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed with correlational and regression analyses: HBs are most strongly related to, but not redundant with, optimism, trait extraversion, and satisfaction with life. Using exploratory factor analysis, a six-item HB scale was derived. Study 2 is in progress, and will assess the construct validity of the HB scale by attempting to manipulate HBs to possibly influence individuals’ reactions to a mortality salience manipulation. We hypothesize that high HBs may buffer individuals from transient disrupting stimuli such as a mortality salience cue.