Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph.D) -- European Business School Oestrich-Winkel, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--West Virginia University. / Spine title: The Delphi method of forecasting to nursing education planning in West Virginia. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-129).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-235).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-137). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 155 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 107-116).

The purpose of this study was to explore the practices of multiage instruction with experts who have best practice knowledge or practitioner expertise in the multiage classroom. This investigation provided a foundation of knowledge on multiage instruction regarding strategies and challenges, the pros and cons of multiage instruction, and training and resources needed for the successful implementation of multiage instruction. A Delphi methodology was utilized which consisted of three rounds of surveys. The population comprised two panels of experts, multiage theory experts and multiage practitioner experts, based on required criteria for each panel set. A total of 21 experts completed Round One, which consisted of 55 Likert scale statements. A total of 20 experts completed Round Two, which consisted of 31 statements/questions. A total of 20 experts completed Round Three, which consisted of 29 statements. The panel experts in this study agreed that multiage instruction remains a credible practice today that should be recognized and supported by state boards of education. They also agreed that once oriented to the philosophy and after their child has spent time in the classroom, parents tend to be generally excited about the practice of multiage instruction. The experts further agreed that children of all abilities and needs can be successful in the multiage classroom. In terms of training and preparation, experts agreed that parents, teachers, school boards, principals, and superintendents all should receive training on the philosophy and strategies of multiage instruction in order for it to be a successful practice. They further agreed that it is difficult to find regular training and conferences geared for elementary teachers who work in multiage settings. In this study, panel experts identified strategies that multiage teachers use including how the room is arranged, flexible grouping, theme-based learning, collaborative learning, and peer mentoring. Through open-ended questioning, panelists also identified challenges as well as training and resource needs.

Technology-based economic development has been a highly sought-after objective for regions in developed and developing countries alike. The wealth created by regional knowledgebased economies like Silicon Valley is an attractive outcome. Without understanding clusterbased economic strategy, the different types of technology-based economic development approaches, the factors that dictate success or failure, and how those factors interrelate within a particular region, then the probability of success is minimal at best. Economic Development is a process and hence lends itself to a Systems Engineering approach, which was chosen as the methodology for analyzing and designing a better model for studying regions around the world to identify Factors that were both common and key to successful regional development. Each region was viewed as a system with inputs and outputs. The challenge in developing a useful system model is the development of the required Factors and Processes to be used. In the development of the model most of the Factors are internal to the system, but many may be affected by external events. The weighting (importance) of these Factors is the topic of much debate. To develop a baseline of Factors the Delphi method was used. Fortunately, a number of world-wide experts agreed to participate in one on one interviews to analyze these Factors, which in itself added a great deal to the body of knowledge of economic development beyond just the Factors. One obvious result was the essentially unanimous opinion of the group that leadership was the most important factor. A less obvious outcome, but one of equal importance was that there are two classes of regional economic development: one for mass job creation and another for the creation of a knowledge-based regional economy. Often regions undertake economic development without understanding this significant difference. While the model developed can be used for either goal it is extremely important that developers know in advance which goal is being pursued, which is also one of the critical outcomes of strong leadership. While all indications are that this model is a major improvement over current approaches, because this is a new approach until this research is followed by additional interviews, and by applying the model to actual regional technology-based economic development environments it's validity remains unproven.

The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between selected ministry factors and effective youth evangelism in the local church. Youth ministers of churches in the top 100 churches in youth baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention in 2008 served as the population for the study. This researcher used a three round delphi technique to discover the relationship between essential ministry factors and effective youth evangelism in the local church. The first round of the delphi study involved contacting the youth ministers of the top 100 churches in youth baptisms and inviting them to be a part of a study on youth evangelism. In the first round, the youth ministers were instructed to answer the question, "In your experience, what are the ministry factors you consider to be effective in evangelizing young people?" The answers for all the respondents were then compiled and the unique ministry factors among the answers were used in round 2. A total of 41 youth ministers responded to the rOlmd 1 survey. Round 2 utilized the unique ministry factors from round 1 and asked the youth ministers to score the individual ministry factors in terms of effectiveness from 1 to 4 with 1 being "somewhat effective" and 4 being "extremely effective." The 15 highest scoring ministry factors carried over to round 3. A total of33 participants completed round 2 of the survey. Round 3 presented the respondents with the task of rank-ordering the list of the top 15 ministry factors from round 2. Overall, 31 youth ministers completed all three rounds of the study. Follow-up interviews were also conducted with the youth ministers to add breadth and depth to the insight gained from the list of the top 15 ministry factors. The number one ministry factor in evangelizing young people, according to the respondents in the research project, was "prayer and reliance upon God to work in the hearts of students." A close second was" a youth pastor who is passionate about evangelism as an example to students." One overarching conclusion of the study was that the ministry factors that were most effective were not necessarily specific programs or reproducible activities. Rather, the most effective factors were intangible qualities centered upon a dependence on God and a passion to reach people. The researcher concluded that the most effective ministry factors in reaching young people evangelistically centered upon leadership, drive, passion, and vision. Keywords: Delphi, youth ministry, evangelism, best practices, baptism, student

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on December 13, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.