JEFFREY LAMOND JONES, for the Master's degree of Science in Recreation, presented on April 6, 2009, at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. TITLE: Attitudes of Division I Athletes Concerning Their Collegiate Environment Major Professor: Dr. Regina Glover The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes of Division I student athletes concerning their university, coaches and athletic administrators, environment, and individual actions. The study consisted of student athletes from a Division I University during the Fall 2008 semester, a total of 117 questionnaires were distributed and 86 were returned. Sampling theses student athletes provided a diverse sample which included student athletes from different sports, ethnic background, gender, class rank, financial scholarship status, credit hours and weather study hall was mandatory. Surveys were placed with the Athletic department study table monitor who distributed the surveys from December 1 through December 12 to individual student athletes as they arrive to check-in from 8:00 am - 9:30 pm for study hall hours. A total of 117 questionnaires were distributed and 86 were returned. Of the 86 student athletes, 48(54.7%) were males and 38(45.3%) were females. This study included 34 (19.8%) freshmen, 17 (39.5%) sophomores, 15 (17.4%) juniors, and 20 (23.3%) seniors. The survey format and the 28 questions were based upon a panel of experts who were interviewed and participated in a pilot study to determine the number of items on the survey. A five point Likert-type scale was used to measure the perceived level of agreement in each of the areas. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percent were used for demographics to describe the sample overall mean which was computed for the 28 statements as well as individual mean. The results showed that only a small amount student athletes had a difference in attitudes in regards to the survey questions. The lowest mean score for any question on the questionnaire was 1.54. The highest mean score for any questions on the questionnaire was 4.25. Out of the 7 variables in which the study was based upon, student athletes indicated a difference in attitudes based upon weather study table hours were mandatory. There were no significant difference found between attitudes and year in school, sport, ethnicity, gender, financial scholarship, or credit hours. The study revealed that student athletes were more likely to have a difference in their attitudes based upon their study hall status, meaning student athletes with mandatory study hall will more likely have a different attitude than student athletes who are not required to attend study hall.

Master of Science / Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources / Ryan L. Sharp / Elk in Kansas were an abundant tallgrass prairie species prior to European settlement. Elk were extirpated in the 1870s and reintroduced in the late 1980s. After three decades, wild populations continue to be low in spite of good biological conditions. Broad, low stakeholder acceptance are a suspected limiting factor. Wildlife stakeholder acceptance capacity (WSAC) and tolerance models helped to frame results from an internet based survey (n=460) directed to all Kansas counties. Respondents reported high mean positive wildlife values, acceptance for elk population increase, and significantly (p<0.05) higher personal acceptance for elk than the level of acceptance they perceived in others. Encountering wild elk in Kansas was unrelated to acceptance but strongly predicted providing wildlife habitat on private land. Hunters reported the strongest wildlife attitudes but this result was not correlated with elk acceptance. Intangible benefits (e.g. positive meaningful experiences) strongly affected (p<0.00) wildlife attitudes and elk acceptance. Tangible benefits (e.g. money) was unrelated to wildlife values but respondents who reported tangible benefits from four or more wildlife species showed higher acceptance for elk on personal property than groupings based on other variables. WSAC theory suggests social carrying capacity for elk is significantly above the current population and Kansans are more accepting of wildlife than previously thought. Wildlife managers may be encouraged by these results to conduct their own social feasibility study regarding increasing the elk population to a more ecologically sustainable level.

Study done on 15 teachers in 2 counties in North Florida--P. xvi. / Kimberly R. Burgess. / Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 328-339).

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Chiropractic in Israel has become a more integrated part of many aspects of health care policies, in that it is practised in multidisciplinary medical teams, is now included in HMOs and hospitals services, and has contributed to research and military programmes. However, the chiropractic profession still has its problems. Without laws or legitimate recognition to protect chiropractors, the playing fields could never be levelled for all chiropractors in Israel. Patient use and demand for complementary and alternative practitioners, including chiropractors, is gradually increasing. However, there has been no research to investigate the perceptions of chiropractors, medical doctors and chiropractic patients (i.e. key stakeholders) regarding the integration of the chiropractic profession in the Israeli health care system. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of a selected group of stakeholders about the integration of the chiropractic profession in the Israeli health care system. Such an exploration might help the profession to secure its position and claim a higher status in society. This is desirable to educate the public and the authorities on the many positive advantages of chiropractic, include access to chiropractic services for people who traditionally have not been able to use these services because of economic barriers or internal government and authorities limiting laws, as well to enhance its public image such as honesty, integrity and objectivity in the health care, and to avoid any criticism of organized medicine. It therefore stands to reason that the factors that might contribute to this type of development should be considered as soon as possible in those countries where chiropractors practise. This type of investigation is important not only in the Israeli setting, but indeed in every country where the profession is aiming toward increased recognition and awareness of the contribution of chiropractic to health care. Chiropractic now has the opportunity to expand its influence and take a more active role in health care issues. Therefore, although geographically removed, South Africa stands to gain interesting and useful information from an investigation of this nature. The investigation was carried out within a post positivist approach close to that of critical realism, using an interpretive methodology. The sampling was purposive as individuals were targeted for their knowledge in three main topics, these being the scope of chiropractic practice, inter-professional relations between Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) and Medical Doctors (MDs), and developmental issues. The participants included five chiropractors, three medical doctors and three chiropractic patients, who all resided in the metropolitan area of Tel Aviv. were presented in tabular form in order to facilitate analysis and interpretation. Although there were some discrepancies regarding the knowledge and background of the participants about the topics discussed, all the participants met the inclusion criteria. The results show that chiropractic stands at the crossroads of mainstream and alternative medicine. Therefore it is important to establish a leading statement on identity, which must be clear, concise and immediately relevant to both the public and the profession. Although inter-professional relations between MDs and DCs in Israel are improving, further research should be conducted to provide suggestions on how chiropractors can overcome barriers and improve communication with MDs and other health care professionals in the Israeli health care system. In general, the participants agreed that governmental legislation, recognition and support are important endorsements with respect to the societal relevance and development of the profession. Therefore issues such as public awareness of chiropractic education and scope of practice, research and evidence-based practice must be emphasized accordingly in order to facilitate the development of chiropractic practice in Israel. / M

D.Ed. / The White Paper on Education and Training (RSA, 1995:12) states that in many schools serving the majority of the population, there has been a precipitous decline in the quality of educational performance. The decline, amongst other things, is the result of ineffective school management and negative educators' work attitudes. Perhaps the most important challenge in improving the quality of education in South African schools is to prepare school managers and educators effectively to carry out their responsibilities in order to ensure that effective teaching and learning takes place. The White Paper on Education and Training (RSA, 1995:22) stresses the necessity of developing expertise and skills that will enable educators to stimulate learning. South Africa has introduced a new education system, Outcomes Based Education, that forms part of the government's plan to transform the country's education. In this way, the new generation will be better equipped for life (Lister, 1997:8). This means that educators need to adjust to a completely new way of teaching and school managers need additional skills and knowledge to manage the new education system effectively in their schools. Further, the new system of education, termed Curriculum 2005, gives an educator the room to create the kind of lessons that any creative educator would like to teach, and lessons should be designed to suit the learners. Curriculum 2005 introduces a remarkable amount of flexibility into the teaching process. 'Creativity' is the word that best encapsulates the new curriculum, which means that educators will have to be creative and committed (Lister, 1997:9). Whilst the new education system presents an exciting and stimulating challenge for educators and school managers, an inordinate amount of its success, rests on the positive work attitudes of educators, and effective school management.

M.A. (Sociology) / An analysis of the position of women in the labour field prior to the Industrial Revolution, indicates the important role she fulfilled and the active participation she had in the economic life of the community. The dual role of caring for the family and economic activity was fused into one and exercised at home. The Industrial Revolution coupled with the technological development of that era resulted in pertinent changes which affected all facets of society. One of the more important changes which greatly influenced female labour proved to be the separation of labour and the family. Although, initially women and children worked in factories, their labour was exploited and in due course a movement was started to phase the women and children out of the factories and to relocate the women and children in the home. As a result of the foregoing, women lost an important part of their participation in economic activities which essentially relocated their activities to that of homemaker and childcare. The women of the middle class developed a sense of futility as a result of inter alia the decrease in the number of children and the development of household appliances, which drastically reduced her home workload and eased her homework. These events resulted in the development of the emancipation movements whereby women again regained amongst others a bigger share in economic activity. Through this movement the women in the first instance succeeded at reinstating the unmarried women into the labour field and thereafter the married women. In the South African context too, the women increasingly entered the labour field. It appears from statistical data that not only is there an increase in the number of women in the labour field but a further increase of married women to the labour field. The married woman who returns to the labour force experiences a number of problems, one of which, is as a result of the addition of a work role to her existing roles. This assumption of the additional role influences her work sphere, the husband-wife relationship, the parent-child relationship as well as external relationships beyond the family core, all which may become problematic and could influence marital integration negatively. Research in other countries indicate that the support which the husband gives to the wife forms an important aspect .of the manner in which the wife deals with the aforementioned problems and which may effect the marital integration. Further studies indicated that a more equalised division of the home workload results in better time management by the wife. As a result of these findings the question arose as to the position in this regard within the Republic of South Africa. The data were gathered by means of a questionnaire, which included biographical information and Likert type questions with the view to measuring work involvement and work satisfaction, marriage integration, time management and support of husband to working wife. It was completed by 250 respondents, who were working married mothers with dependent children and who were selected by means of snowballing.The questionnaires were completed by the respondents on their own and the data obtained were statistically analysed. Five instruments were developed which together with the biographical data were subjected to hypothesis tests, with the following results: There is a high correlation (r= ,7556; P= ,000) between the support of the husband for the working wife and the quality of marital integration which is experienced indicating that an increase in support increases the level of marital integration. The support of the husband for the working wife (r= ,1651; P= ,009) together with the marital integration scale (r= ,1692; p= ,007) correlates positively with time management. These variables, showing a high positive correlation namely positive time management (r= ,3813; p= ,000), support of the husband for the wife (r= ,1599; p= ,011) and marital integration (r= ,1533; p= ,015) further correlate positively to work involvement and work satisfaction. The findings reflect that the more positive the support of the husband is, the better the quality of marital integration appears to be as well as time management together with increased work involvement and work satisfaction. It appears therefore that there are a number of interwoven variables which indicate that the working life of the wife is not fully detached from her family life and the relationship between the husband and the wife.

M.Com. (Business Management) / The current competitive climate within the South African banking industry has put pressure on banks to either find new revenue streams mainly through innovation, or to achieve existing cost efficiencies. South African banks have increasingly looked to advancements in new technology, innovation and service distribution channels as a solution for attaining sustainable competitive advantage. The primary objective of this study was to investigate and assess the independent variables (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived cost, perceived privacy/ security and knowledgeability/ awareness) that influence the adoption of electronic banking channels in order to inform banks’ channel migration strategy decisions. The study attempts to close the gap in electronic banking adoption theory that exists within a South African context. The significance of the study is that due to a majority of electronic banking adoption research and models being conducted internationally, an attempt is made to investigate and apply these models within a South African context. Based on a survey conducted among 211 respondents, the above mentioned independent and dependent variables under study were examined. The analyses revealed significant demographic and behavioural findings between the independent variables that influence consumer adoption of electronic banking channels. The perceived privacy/security variable was found to be responsible for the highest frequency of branch visits by clients mainly due to the perception that electronic banking channels are not safe to use. The independent variable, perceived usefulness, was found to have the strongest positive correlation with the adoption of electronic banking channels. These results imply that in addition to the importance of addressing privacy and security concerns associated with electronic banking, banks need to focus on improving consumer usefulness and value perceptions in their electronic banking offerings.

M.Ed. (Education Management) / In this dissertation it is endeavoured to explore and discuss the problem of student alienation from an educational management view point. Such perspective inevitably aims at the special task of the management team and particularly to that of the management leaders of schools up to counteraction of student alienation. At first the question of the necessity of successful management for meaningful educational instruction and study events is raised. It is also indicated that student alienation and organization climate fall within the field of educational management because they link with staff-student and classroom- affairs as management areas. Management committees are ever conscious of the alarming trend of alienation in schools. By clearing up this trend it is not only endeavoured to point out how it is manifested at school, but to draw the attention of management committees to the importance of creating a healthy climate for counteracting student alienation in the school environment. One dimension of organization climate that is particularly connected with student alienation is the reigning discipline policy. Specific accent is put on democratic ideas of co-responsibility and involvement of management committees, staff and students by discipline policy development. Odd basic-, organizational and operational principles that can be taken as guide lines for management leaders. are discussed. In totality, management committees and -leaders are to be made conscious of the urgent problem of student alienation by means of this dissertation.

No description available.

This study was designed to investigate the relative contributions of cognitive level, age, and verbal ability to the prediction of children's concepts of health and illness. The rationale for the study was based on the premise that children's cognitive developmental level would have relevance when preparing programs for child health education. The sample consisted of 40 subjects ranging in age from 5 to 13 years who were already participants in the Preadmission Preparation Programs Study, a research project being conducted at B.C.'s Children's Hospital in Vancouver. There were 10 children selected from each of four age groups: 5-6; 7-8; 9-10; and 11-13. The subjects were administered a Health Questionnaire and a battery of Piagetian tasks representing both the concrete operational and formal operational stages of cognitive development. Verbal ability was measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test - Revised (PPVT-R). In a stepwise multiple regression equation, with level of health concept as the criterion variable and cognitive level, age, and verbal ability as the predictor variables, it was hypothesized that, (1) cognitive level would be a stronger predictor of level of health concept than the predictors of age and verbal ability, (2) cognitive level together with age would be a stronger predictor than either index on its own, and (3) verbal ability would account for a significant portion of the variance with regard to level of health concept over and above that already accounted for by cognitive level and age. The expected entry sequence into the prediction equation was cognitive level on step 1, age on step 2, and verbal ability on step 3. The results indicated that all three predictor variables, taken individually, were significantly correlated with the criterion variable; however, the expected entry sequence of variables into the prediction equation and the expected net effect of combined variables were not supported by the data analyses. Age was selected for entry on step 1 and verbal ability was selected for entry on step 2; cognitive level was not selected to enter the prediction equation. When forced into the equation on step 3, cognitive level contributed a negligible additional amount of variance to the efficacy of prediction. Although cognitive level correlates highly with level of concept, when the effects of age are partialed out, the contribution of cognitive level is not significant. Given some of the limitations of the study, small sample size and restricted range of scores for level of health concept and for the Piagetian assessment, it was suggested that in a further study with a greater representation of formal operational thinkers, there may be more support for the hypotheses. Directions for future research were discussed in terms of conducting a similar study with a sample that has a good representation of both concrete and formal operational thinkers so that the prediction strength of cognitive level can be tested within a restricted age limit. Another suggestion was that research focus on the interaction of specific cognitive concepts with health concepts to provide a greater understanding of the developmental sequence of conceptualization of health and illness. Implications for child health education were discussed in terms of knowledge of cognitive developmental level enabling medical personnel to communicate more effectively with children and plan appropriate intervention strategies for them. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate