This study employs the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to understand the role of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on students’ intent to orally cite sources using complete, rather than partial, citations. Undergraduates (N = 326) enrolled in general education oral communication courses completed a self-report survey testing the TPB variables and students’ citation intentions. Findings demonstrate that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control predict student intention to cite sources and do so completely. Tensions between credibility gains and time constraints are also evident. Implications for teaching students in basic courses about oral citations are discussed.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore how consumers experience green marketing within the fast fashion industry. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a foundation for a conceptual framework. A qualitative approach was used, and the empirical data was gathered through three semi-structured focus groups with a total of 17 participants. Participants were acquired through a convenience sampling method, influenced by purposive sampling. Firstly, we concluded that some consumers believe that green marketing within the fast fashion industry is a positive trend that contributes to a more sustainable industry, while some believe it is false, a facade and a sales ploy. Secondly, we found that important reference groups who influence consumers’ experience of green marketing within the fast fashion industry are social norms, trend, social media and influencers. Lastly, consumers sometimes choose to believe in green marketing campaigns since it is too time consuming to check the validity and it eliminates the search for further information. Due to the daily exposure of these campaigns, some consumers associate these with sustainable collections. However, some are more critical toward the use of green marketing within the fast fashion industry and believe that it contradicts sustainability. Previous scandals within the industry are also affecting consumers’ experience of fast fashion in relation to sustainability. The findings have contributed to understanding of how consumers experience green marketing within the fast fashion industry. Also, it provides useful insights that fast fashion companies can use to conduct a more trustworthy and genuine green marketing.

Medical errors have been detrimental in the field of medicine. They have impacted both patients and doctors. While physicians recognized that error disclosure was an ethical and professional obligation, most remained silent when mistakes happened for different reasons. Guided by the theory of planned behavior and Kant's deontological theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the perceived barriers affecting physicians' willingness to report major medical errors. An association was tested between the independent variables physician fear of disclosure of errors, organizational culture toward patient safety, physician apology, professional ethics and transparency, physician education, and the dependent variable physician willingness to disclose major medical errors. Using a cross-sectional method, 122 doctors out of 483 surveyed, completed the online and paper-based survey. Multiple linear regression and descriptive statistics models were used to analyze and summarize the data. The results showed there was a statistically significant relationship between the independent variables organizational culture toward patient safety, physician apology, professional ethics and transparency, and physician education and the dependent variable physician willingness to disclose major medical errors. There was no relationship between the independent variable fear of disclosure of errors and the dependent variable. The findings added to the knowledge base regarding barriers to physicians' medical errors disclosure. The results and recommendations could provide positive social change by helping hospitals raising doctors' awareness regarding major medical errors disclosure.

According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is natural and the most effective way of nourishment to feed infants and young children to ensure child health and survival. Currently, the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life. Although exclusive breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the occurrence of adverse health outcomes to the infant and mother, the duration of exclusive breastfeeding remains relatively low in the United States. The theory of planned behavior was used as a theoretical framework for this study. The purpose of the project was to identify the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among mothers during the first four weeks after delivery. A descriptive research design and a convenient sampling method were used to conduct this study. A questionnaire was used to collect the data from 75 mothers who met the inclusion criteria and who attended 3 selected obstetric and gynecologic private practice physicians' offices. Data analysis was performed by using descriptive and correlational statistics. The findings showed that only 8 mothers continued exclusive breastfeeding during the first 4 weeks postpartum. The major maternal problems identified for not continuing exclusive breastfeeding were (a) insufficient breast milk, (b) sore or painful nipples, (c) return to work or school, and (d) poor latching. Findings suggested that healthcare professionals use the model of the theory of planned behavior to develop interventions that promote a positive attitude toward breastfeeding. A positive attitude toward breastfeeding will create a social change within the community to promote exclusive breastfeeding.

Low consumer loyalty threatens the sustainability of the fair trade (FT) coffee market and corporate social responsibility investment. To provide business owners with strategies and decision-making processes to market FT coffee products successfully in the United States, this phenomenological study explored the lived experiences, perceptions, and insights of 20 FT coffee marketing managers. Planned behavior theory served as the conceptual framework. Face-to-face or Skype interviews were conducted with each of the 20 purposefully sampled FT coffee marketing managers. The data from these interviews were analyzed using Moustakas' modified van Kaam method and qualitative analytic software to collect, group, reduce, validate, and organize the interview data into themes. Nine themes emerged from the analyses. The theme analysis revealed the importance of including consumer education as a part of a marketing strategy to improve consumer understanding of the FT label and to catalyze demand. Based upon the topics participants emphasized during the interviews, another principal theme was the importance of establishing a direct relationship with a farm. Furthermore, 2 of the 20 participants provided unique insights on achieving consumer trust and the importance consumers attribute to consistent taste. Educating consumers on the effects and implications of the FT label is instrumental in increasing profits from FT coffee. The findings could catalyze beneficial social change by enabling business owners to educate consumers through marketing communications, which increase their market share of FT coffee and thereby enhance the lives of third-world farmers.

Dental decay is a preventable disease, but it remains the most unmet healthcare need of American children. Untreated dental decay has adverse and long-lasting effects on a child's quality of life. Healthy oral habits among preschool children are essential for a healthy permanent dentition and are achieved primarily by 3 oral health related behaviors: proper dental hygiene, a healthy noncariogenic diet, and regular dental visits. This quantitative study, based on the theory of planned behavior, explored the relationship between these 3 oral health behaviors and 4 determinants: attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention, using a 71-item questionnaire. The study utilized convenience sampling. A total of 436 parents or caregivers of children enrolled in the North East Independent School District Early Childhood Education program participated in this study; 81.5% were low-income, and 66% reported Hispanic identity. The relationship between variables was evaluated using multiple regression analysis. This study indicated that attitude alone toward a healthy diet and dental hygiene was not a significant predictor of behavior, but the attitude toward dental attendance was significant. Subjective norm, perceived behavior control, and intentions individually and combined were significant predictors of all 3 behaviors, except for subjective norm towards hygiene. Meaningful social change can be achieved by identifying and understanding the underlying motives that evoke planned and deliberate oral health behaviors among parents of preschool children. Targeted messages and cost-effective early interventions can be developed to prevent the onset of dental disease and improve the quality of life for low-income children.

Although efforts have been made towards improving the health of children across the globe with notable results, neonatal tetanus (NNT) remains a major contributor to the neonatal death rates in Nigeria. This problem calls for a concerted effort by the government to achieve the revised global NNT elimination deadline of 2015. The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative study using secondary data was to establish the prevalence of NNT in Nigeria's northeast region and to ascertain if there was any significant difference in frequency of antenatal care (ANC), trained traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and umbilical cord treatments, using single sample proportions test and chi-squared tests of independence. The framework for this research was the theory of planned behavior. The participants (N = 312) were mothers of NNT babies. In spite a continual decline in the NNT cases between 2010 (26%) and 2013 (9%), the prevalence rate of NNT was unacceptably high at 28.815%. Also, significant differences existed as mothers who gave birth to NNT babies received significantly fewer or no ANC (p < 0.001), received significantly fewer or no attention from TBAs (p < 0.001), and reported significantly fewer incidences of proper umbilical cord treatments (p < 0.001). The chi-squared tests of independence resulted in significant differences in the frequencies of mothers who received ANC between Nigerian provinces (p < 0.001) and mothers who had their baby's umbilical cord treated (p = 0.005). This study will contribute to social change by guiding health care policy makers and immunization program managers on maternal and newborn health care services and indicate ways to build capacity of the TBAs for safe home delivery/hygienic handling of umbilical cord of newborns.

Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used to help predict and explain human behavior in specific situations. According to the TPB model, behavior is based on behavioral intention and the three determinants to behavioral intention include attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. According to TPB, perceived behavioral control moderates the effect of behavioral intentions on behavior. Previous research has focused on the application of TPB to health behaviors, although some research has been done in educational situations. In addition, dual language immersion (DLI) programs are increasing in popularity, particularly in Utah. The Utah model begins in first grade, and follows a 50/50 model. Because of its researched based program, Utah has become a recognized leader in the field of DLI through its focus on sufficient instruction time, active cognitive engagement, motivation, continuity of learning, and cultural interaction. However, little is known about the factors that motivate parents to enroll their children in DLI. The current study uses longitudinal survey methodology to evaluate how the TPB applies to parents’ intentions and behavior of enrollment in DLI (N = 74). Approximately one third of participants took steps towards enrollment. Results indicate that parental attitudes significantly influenced behavioral intentions to enroll. In addition, for every one-unit increase in behavioral intentions, there was a 2.78 greater likelihood in enrollment. Limitations of sample size and difficulties of recruitment are discussed. Implications of the findings and areas for future research are also presented.

Background: During a woman's pregnant state, a diet that is adequate in nutrition is critical to the developing fetus, especially in the lower socioeconomic status population. The healthcare provider is charged with the acute fundamental awareness of this additional factor that can grossly impact pregnancy. Nutritional advice from the health care provider is one of many key points that contribute to the successful outcome of the pregnancy. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop a standardized, evidence-based practice (EBP) protocol for the management of maternal nutrition, gestational weight gain, and physical activity for provider use at an LSE community clinic. Theoretical Framework: Theory of Planned Behavior Methods: After receiving institutional support for the implementation of the protocol presentation and instruction of the Maternal Nutrition Guideline, pre- and post-surveys were administered to eligible participants. A quantitative descriptive design was used for the project. Results: There were twenty-six respondents for both the pre-and post-survey. The data analysis revealed that two questions revealed the most significant increase between the pre-and post-survey occasions utilizing the Mann-Whitney test and related to physical activity during pregnancy and dietary intake. An independent sample t-test was performed to compare the two occasions. There was a tendency for an increase in the the total score between the pre-and post-surveys, but the difference did not reach statistical significance, which may be related to sample size (t24df = 1.782, p =0.087). Conclusion: A standardized, evidence-based nutritional guideline is a necessary tool to serve as a consistent resource and empower all health care providers to bring awareness and understanding to facilitate positive outcomes to the obstetric patient population for which they care.

Background: Implementation of evidence-based knowledge in healthcare is challenging with success rates less than optimal at times. This is particularly true in the area of pressure ulcer prevention. Attention to use of the affective domain in educational interventions to implement best practices may be part of the solution. Purpose: The ultimate purpose of this study was to compare the use of two different educational interventions on medical-surgical nurses' behavioral intent to use evidence-based practice in preventing pressure ulcers. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework for this study was the theory of planned behavior. Methods: This study proceeded in three phases and collected both qualitative and quantitative data for instrument development and instrument testing. The resultant instrument was used to collect data for hypothesis testing in a cluster randomized experiment. Results: The theory of planned behavior was not fully supported in this study. Attitudes toward pressure ulcers were predictive of behavioral intent. Nurses who experienced the affective domain educational intervention showed significant improvements over the control group on attitude and perceived behavioral control. Behavioral intent and subjective norm were not impacted. Conclusions: A reliable and valid theory of planned behavior derived instrument was created. The theory of planned behavior was partially supported. An affective domain intervention has the potential to favorably impact nurses in valuing pressure ulcer prevention, despite any barriers.