The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Cultural Awareness and Beliefs Inventory (CABI). The CABI consist of forty-six items that measures urban teachers’ cultural awareness and beliefs on a Likert-type four-point scale. In addition, this study also examined the extent the CABI determined statistically significant differences by demographic characteristics, such as teachers’ ethnicity or years of teaching experience. During the 2005–2006 academic year, data for this study was collected from the Cultural Awareness and Beliefs Inventory (CABI). Approximately 1873 Prekindergarten through Grade 12 teachers, employed by an urban public school district located in southeastern Texas, completed the survey. Construct validity was determined by internal consistency, content validity, convergent and divergent validity. To investigate the internal structure, an exploratory factor analysis, EFA, yielded an eight-factor, 36-item inventory. The eight factors, Factor I: Teachers’ Beliefs, Factor II: School Climate, Factor III: Culturally Responsive Classroom Management, Factor IV: Home Community School, Factor V: Cultural Awareness, Factor VI: Curriculum and Instruction, Factor VII: Cultural Sensitivity, and Factor VIII: Teacher Efficacy were examined by a jury of experts to establish the content validity of the eight-factor, 36-item inventory. Convergent and divergent validity was established for six of the eight constructs by conducting a Pearson product moment correlation. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was conducted to measure the internal consistency reliability of the 36-item CABI. The reliability was established at .83. Further, the alpha for the eight factors, or scales, ranged from 46 percent for TE to 88 percent for CRCM. Differences in the teachers’ perceptions by teachers’ ethnicity were determined for TB, CRCM, CS and TE. Follow-up Scheffe post hoc analyses indicated that African American teachers had significantly more positive perceptions of TB, CRCM, and CS. Hispanic American teachers had significantly more positive perceptions of TE. Differences in the teachers’ perceptions by years of experience were determined for CRCM and HCS. Follow-up Scheffe post hoc analyses indicated that teachers with more years of experience had significantly more positive perceptions of CRCM than first year teachers. First year teachers had significantly more positive perceptions of HCS.

The thesis examines the living conditions of low-income households in Hanoi during a period of economic, social and political change. The aims are viewed in the context of rapid urbanisation. The study further considers how factors associated with low-income have affected the perceptions of respondents in regards to their domestic environments and to the environment at varying spatial levels. These perceptions are then compared to the contributions made by the State, non-governmental organisations and international donors to reveal that although information exists this rarely reaches those in low-income neighbourhoods. A number of research methods revealed that an econometric approach alone does not reveal the true characteristics or diversity of living conditions in the areas studied. Conditions varied within and between study areas highlighting the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and how, while lack of income can contribute to lack of environmental conditions, it is not the only factor. Education, political affiliation and age in particular are of crucial importance in explaining living conditions and attitudes to the environment. As a result the thesis contributes to the growing literature on sustainable urbanisation and illustrates the importance of adopting holistic and participatory approaches. By focusing on Vietnam during the 1990s, this thesis has revealed the importance of considering macro-level economic and political structures in the development of theory and policy during processes of transition.

The changing and growing student population in the U.S. demands well-equipped and trained teachers who have the adequate preparation and pedagogical tools to fully meet their diverse needs. This research study examined the perceptions of teachers’ preparedness and their efficacy beliefs for teaching English Language Learners. A mixed-method was carried out to address four research questions: 1) What perceptions are held by in-service teachers about teaching practices for ELLs? 2) What is the relationship, if any, between teacher knowledge about teaching ELL students and the instructional practices employed by teachers when instructing ELL students? 3) How effective do in-service teachers feel in teaching ELL students? 4) What factors influence teachers’ perceptions of self-efficacy about teaching ELL students? Over 144 teachers participated in the survey questionnaire along with five teachers who participated in focus-groups, interviews, and classroom observations to identify in-depth analysis on their feelings of perceptions and efficacy beliefs. Results from the quantitative study revealed differences in perception and efficacy beliefs for teachers who are bilingual in a second language, teachers who hold a bilingual/ESL certification, and the route in which teachers receive their certification. Qualitative results included the methodologies and cultural competencies that teachers employed in their classroom for English Language Learners. Additionally, participation in professional development activities was found to have an effect in teachers’ instructional decisions for teaching ELLs. / text

This mixed method study examined perceptions and experiences of secondary school administrators in Texas regarding cyberbullying. It was designed to gather quantitative information related to cyberbullying in secondary school campuses in Texas as well as descriptive details from the qualitative portion of the survey and follow up interviews. Data were collected from an electronic survey and follow up interviews. The results were analyzed statistically and for emerging themes. Six themes emerged from the qualitative survey questions and interviews. These themes were: 1) common definitions and descriptions, 2) target on individuals, 3) effect on school climate, 4) speed of replication and permanence of information, 5) difference between public and private information, and 6) need for education. The perception from secondary school administrators was that cyberbullying incidents are appearing in the majority of secondary schools in Texas and it is important for administrators to understand and respond to cyberbullying.

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This research focused on assessing the perception of student´s at Umeå School of Business and Economics towards entrepreneurial success. Moreover this research focused on comparing student’s perception and perception of importance of entrepreneurial success, which has been defined three dimensionally. The conceptual definition of entrepreneurial success has emerged from the existing literature and could be explained as follow: entrepreneurial success is a cluster of financial performance, operational performance and Satisfaction (which refers to the entrepreneur’s satisfaction. We identified that the literature was remaining in some ways nebulous when it was to officially define the notion of entrepreneurial success. This notion has been somehow associated to the perception of entrepreneurial success, because of the approach or methods that have been used to assess it. Moreover, we have identified that some factors have been confirmed as influencing the perception of entrepreneurial success, however these results were not targeted students, but mainly entrepreneurs. We formulated the following research question: Which factors influence the perception and the perception of importance of entrepreneurial success, among Umea University‘s students? This research has been conducted by including all master program students and bachelor students in graduating class at Umeå School of Business and Economics, to examine their perception of entrepreneurial success generally and additionally compare their perception in order to determine whether some factors were influencing their perceptions. The conceptual model has been created in order to determine whether the selected variables: Gender, age, background and perception of entrepreneurship as a culture is influencing two aspects: the perception of entrepreneurial success and the perception of importance of the entrepreneurial success. These two aspects have been underlined by the two first questions of our questionnaire, and have been defined according the same dimensions: Financial performance, Operational performance and satisfaction These previous four variables have permitted to form groups in order to attest of potential differences of perceptions. From all the analysis that have been proceeded. It has been found that not all the components from the conceptual model were likely to be considered as influencing the perception of entrepreneurial success and the perception of importance of entrepreneurial success.

This research falls within the scope of the Thusano project to evaluate families concerning a variety of aspects of which this research specifically focuses on crime. Crime therefore is an act that must take place contradictory to the judicial system. The aim of the research is to determine the causes of the perceptions of the community with regard to crime, to identify the crimes that occurs most and to determine how crime in this community can be reduced. Through this research it was found that an increase has occurred with reference to certain crime categories, such as violent crime, women abuse and house theft. The community is of opinion that heavier punishment will lead to prevention of crime and to more job opportunities. Alcohol abuse also plays a large role in the assaults that take place during weekends. Furthermore they believe that, with the assistance of the police and the community, crime can decrease. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Customer perception and the way this phenomenon impacts customers' choices when purchasing products is an extremely significant marketing aspect in any industry. In a competitive market and economy, understanding and being able to predict consumer perceptions and responses is a crucial competitive factor that all suppliers should have an in–depth knowledge and understanding of. This applies especially to the South African beer market with more than forty competing beer brands. This study examines the aspect of customer perception in terms of the three central variable perceptions of price, taste and brand image. Furthermore, the study takes into account the interaction between these variables and attempts to ascertain whether one is more significant than the other. To this end an empirical research study was undertaken by means of a questionnaire that examined the responses from 225 participants. These responses were analysed in terms of a number of significant variables in relation to perceptions of price, taste and brand image. The results were also compared to the literature and theory on the subject. Among the findings from this research was that while all variables were important, price was considered by the participants to be a constant factor in the decision–making process. However, it was also found that price as a perception could not be viewed in isolation as a separate and autonomous variable. It was found that aspects such as brand image could have a significant impact on other perceptual factors such as taste. The study concludes with the recommendation that the perceptions of price, taste and brand image should be considered in terms of their affect on each other and should be further researched in terms of a more holistic understanding of their interconnections. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Customer perception and the way this phenomenon impacts customers' choices when purchasing products is an extremely significant marketing aspect in any industry. In a competitive market and economy, understanding and being able to predict consumer perceptions and responses is a crucial competitive factor that all suppliers should have an in–depth knowledge and understanding of. This applies especially to the South African beer market with more than forty competing beer brands. This study examines the aspect of customer perception in terms of the three central variable perceptions of price, taste and brand image. Furthermore, the study takes into account the interaction between these variables and attempts to ascertain whether one is more significant than the other. To this end an empirical research study was undertaken by means of a questionnaire that examined the responses from 225 participants. These responses were analysed in terms of a number of significant variables in relation to perceptions of price, taste and brand image. The results were also compared to the literature and theory on the subject. Among the findings from this research was that while all variables were important, price was considered by the participants to be a constant factor in the decision–making process. However, it was also found that price as a perception could not be viewed in isolation as a separate and autonomous variable. It was found that aspects such as brand image could have a significant impact on other perceptual factors such as taste. The study concludes with the recommendation that the perceptions of price, taste and brand image should be considered in terms of their affect on each other and should be further researched in terms of a more holistic understanding of their interconnections. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

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