Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-110).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves v. 3, 557-568).

Virginia and other states recognize the need for a technically trained workforce and have implemented directives that promote student credentialing. Certifications and other forms of credentialing are used to prove that the recipient has met a predetermined level of competence or mastery of a skill or subject. This study looks specifically at the automotive industry's Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. The primary research question is: Is there a perceived benefit of ASE certification? In addition, two subset questions are explored. The first subset question is (1) Does the ASE certification provide benefits to the employers? And second, (2) do the employers see a benefit of ASE certification to the technicians as compared to those without credentials? This study attempts to answer these questions by polling Virginia automobile service managers regarding their perceptions of the benefits of ASE certification. A sample of 130 dealership service managers was selected at random from the 2006 Virginia Automobile Dealer Association (VADA) Membership Directory. The VADA has 602 franchised dealerships within the Commonwealth of Virginia. A corresponding sample of 130 independent service managers was selected by matching the zip codes of chosen dealerships with an internet phone directory search. The dealership service manager group had four surveys returned as undeliverable or the dealership was out of business. This leaves them with 126 potential participants. The independent service manager group had seven surveys returned as undeliverable or the service center was no longer in business. This leaves them with 123 potential participants. One hundred seventy-eight surveys were returned giving a 71% overall return rate. Automotive technicians are employed at either dealerships or independent service centers. It is hypothesized that the perceptions of ASE certification benefits by the two groups are significantly different from each other. A t test was conducted regarding the difference between the unweighted composite mean scores of dealership service managers and independent service managers regarding both benefits to the employers and again regarding benefits to the technicians. The tests support the hypothesis that there was a significant difference between the perceptions of the two groups. The study concludes that these groups perceive there are moderate benefits to the employer and moderate benefits to the technician; however, the dealership and independent service managers differ in their level of agreement in both categories. Dealership service managers agreed more than independent service managers that there were benefits. / Ph. D.

Esta pesquisa analisou os Cursos de Enfermagem em Nível Técnico, localizados nas cidades da Regional de Saúde de Araraquara, com relação à Disciplina de Enfermagem Psiquiátrica e/ou Saúde Mental nos anos de 2003 e 2004. A constatação da inconstância dessa Disciplina na grade curricular dos referidos Cursos, especialmente na questão da prática, nortearam esta pesquisa. Para isso, depois de delimitado o universo de pesquisa, foi utilizado um instrumento em forma de questionário semi-estruturado, contendo perguntas fechadas e semi-abertas, o qual foi dividido para análise em três blocos, sendo o primeiro referente a escolas e aos Cursos, o segundo sobre o corpo docente e o terceiro sobre o conteúdo teórico e de estágio da Disciplina de EP/SM. Foi solicitado também o plano de ensino das referidas Disciplinas. A análise procedeu-se de forma qualitativa e quantitativa. Os resultados demonstraram dicotomia entre teoria e estágio, ausência de estágio em vários Cursos, conteúdo dos Planos de Disciplina voltados ao modelo médico-hospitalocêntrico, embora já apresente traços na Reabilitação Psicossocial. A maioria dos docentes trabalha em outros locais além da docência, nem sempre há formação específica na área, mantém-se na forma tradicional de ensino e parecem desconhecer a importância da Disciplina. Pelas indicações esta Disciplina existe apenas para constar na grade curricular dos Cursos. Concluise ser necessária uma mudança urgente neste ensino, além de qualificar e sensibilizar o quadro de docentes para a importância desta Disciplina. / This research analised the nursery courses in the technical level located in the cities of Health Brand in Araraquara, in relation to the subjects of Psychiatric Nursery and/or Mental Health in 2003 and 2004. This research was inspired by the fact that this discipline is not constantly given on the courses mentioned above, especially on the practical matter. So, after limited the universe of the research, an instrument in the form of a semi-structured questionaire was used , consisting of closed and semi-opened questions and it was divided to be analised in 3 categories: the first one referring to schools and the courses, the second about the group of professors and the third about the theorical and research content in the EP/SM discipline. It was also asked for the teaching plan of those mentioned disciplines. The analise was done in the qualitative and quantitative form. The results showed dicotomya between theory and research, lack of research in several courses, discipline plan content focusing the medical-hospitalocentric model, although it already presents traces of psychsocial reabilitation. The majority of the professors works in other places besides teaching, do not have specific learning in the area, keep the tradicional form of teaching and give the impression of not knowing the importance of the discipline. According to the facts, this discipline exists only to be counted as one more in the students´ grades reports. Therefore, it is necessary an urgent change on this course, besides improving and touching the group of professors to the importance of this discipline.

A classic but unresolved debate regarding the American stratification system is the precise nature of the underlying causal processes by which education is associated with socioeconomic attainment. One traditional view of education is the technical-functional or human capital approach which posits that education augments productive capacities by imparting valuable analytic and cognitive abilities, technical competences, and significant social or communication skills. A contrasting view is the signaling approach, which downplays the intrinsic significance of schooling, and instead emphasizes the role of educational credentials in certifying, legitimating, and rationing employment in higher-paying jobs. As the labor market becomes increasingly polarized with the decline of unions and the downsizing of the traditional manufacturing sector, educational attainment is becoming increasingly significant for socioeconomic attainment, and this classic debate is thus becoming even more relevant to understanding inequality in contemporary America. To shed new light on this issue, this analysis investigates the 2003 National Survey of College Graduates, which includes data on workers’ assessments of the extent to which their educational background is utilized in their jobs and work activities. The results of this analysis indicate that individuals whose degrees are highly relevant to their current occupation have significantly higher salaries than individuals whose degrees are less relevant, controlling for the level of degree. These findings provide evidence for human capital arguments by showing that education which augments productive capacities has greater rates of return than education that simply provides one with higher levels of credentials. / text

This study examines how the credentialing process for foreign-trained engineers implemented by the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) affects newcomers from the former Soviet Union and Russia seeking to re-enter the profession. Applying critical sociological theory to its analysis of data generated through qualitative methods, it highlights how the ethnic, racial, and educational background of applicants shapes their encounters with the PEO and the outcome of their applications. It sheds light on the crises of identity and in social and family relations experienced by these individuals, as well as the lack of supporting services to address such crises. This study contributes to existing literature on the subject by taking a new approach to the credentialing of foreign-trained engineers in Ontario, focusing on the perspective of individual applicants rather than structural factors. It concludes with specific recommendations on how the process could be improved and the regulatory body itself reformed.

This study examines how the credentialing process for foreign-trained engineers implemented by the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) affects newcomers from the former Soviet Union and Russia seeking to re-enter the profession. Applying critical sociological theory to its analysis of data generated through qualitative methods, it highlights how the ethnic, racial, and educational background of applicants shapes their encounters with the PEO and the outcome of their applications. It sheds light on the crises of identity and in social and family relations experienced by these individuals, as well as the lack of supporting services to address such crises. This study contributes to existing literature on the subject by taking a new approach to the credentialing of foreign-trained engineers in Ontario, focusing on the perspective of individual applicants rather than structural factors. It concludes with specific recommendations on how the process could be improved and the regulatory body itself reformed.

Esta pesquisa analisou os Cursos de Enfermagem em Nível Técnico, localizados nas cidades da Regional de Saúde de Araraquara, com relação à Disciplina de Enfermagem Psiquiátrica e/ou Saúde Mental nos anos de 2003 e 2004. A constatação da inconstância dessa Disciplina na grade curricular dos referidos Cursos, especialmente na questão da prática, nortearam esta pesquisa. Para isso, depois de delimitado o universo de pesquisa, foi utilizado um instrumento em forma de questionário semi-estruturado, contendo perguntas fechadas e semi-abertas, o qual foi dividido para análise em três blocos, sendo o primeiro referente a escolas e aos Cursos, o segundo sobre o corpo docente e o terceiro sobre o conteúdo teórico e de estágio da Disciplina de EP/SM. Foi solicitado também o plano de ensino das referidas Disciplinas. A análise procedeu-se de forma qualitativa e quantitativa. Os resultados demonstraram dicotomia entre teoria e estágio, ausência de estágio em vários Cursos, conteúdo dos Planos de Disciplina voltados ao modelo médico-hospitalocêntrico, embora já apresente traços na Reabilitação Psicossocial. A maioria dos docentes trabalha em outros locais além da docência, nem sempre há formação específica na área, mantém-se na forma tradicional de ensino e parecem desconhecer a importância da Disciplina. Pelas indicações esta Disciplina existe apenas para constar na grade curricular dos Cursos. Concluise ser necessária uma mudança urgente neste ensino, além de qualificar e sensibilizar o quadro de docentes para a importância desta Disciplina. / This research analised the nursery courses in the technical level located in the cities of Health Brand in Araraquara, in relation to the subjects of Psychiatric Nursery and/or Mental Health in 2003 and 2004. This research was inspired by the fact that this discipline is not constantly given on the courses mentioned above, especially on the practical matter. So, after limited the universe of the research, an instrument in the form of a semi-structured questionaire was used , consisting of closed and semi-opened questions and it was divided to be analised in 3 categories: the first one referring to schools and the courses, the second about the group of professors and the third about the theorical and research content in the EP/SM discipline. It was also asked for the teaching plan of those mentioned disciplines. The analise was done in the qualitative and quantitative form. The results showed dicotomya between theory and research, lack of research in several courses, discipline plan content focusing the medical-hospitalocentric model, although it already presents traces of psychsocial reabilitation. The majority of the professors works in other places besides teaching, do not have specific learning in the area, keep the tradicional form of teaching and give the impression of not knowing the importance of the discipline. According to the facts, this discipline exists only to be counted as one more in the students´ grades reports. Therefore, it is necessary an urgent change on this course, besides improving and touching the group of professors to the importance of this discipline.

Credentialing in hospitals is the first line of defense for improving patient safety and reducing medical errors by verifying a physician's medical knowledge and skills. There is no single set of standards for physician credentialing followed by all hospitals in the United States. Using May's normalization process theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to survey medical services professionals (MSPs) to determine which physician credentialing standards were being used, the sources being used, and the frequency of standards used. The dependent variables in this study were the 13 ideal credentialing standards developed by the National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS). The independent variables were the methods MSPs use to satisfy the credentialing standard, or the way in which a hospital performs this function. The independent variables were measured using Likert-scale responses (always, almost always, sometimes, almost never, and never) and the dependent variables were measured by frequency of responses to each standard. A questionnaire was sent to 5,634 members of NAMSS. Findings from 364 responses indicated every facility had at least 1% of MSPs who almost never or never performed a particular standard in accordance with the ideal credentialing standards. A distribution table was used to measure the results, both individually and percentages of the total. To determine if there was a difference in credentialing standards based on hospital size or geographic location, a chi square was used. The results of this study demonstrated there are areas for improvement in physician credentialing. Results may be used to safeguard the public from fraudulent representation through implementation of a national credentialing standard.

Cooperative Extension (CE) is a nationwide system that addresses leading concerns for United States residents from agricultural production to healthy youth development. As 80% of Americans are not meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG), promoting physical activity is a recent addition to CE priority areas. To build capacity of CE to offer physical activity, training on physical activity within the system is needed. Since yoga is a public health intervention growing in popularity due to its link to flourishing and mental well-being, this is a holistic practice that may target physical and mental health in the United States. Due to the variety of yoga practices one could engage with it is important to clarify the link between physical activity and yoga. This dissertation included four studies to promote physical activity and yoga within CE. Study one established the efficacy of a virtual micro-credentialing program for CE professionals (N = 64) that increased their knowledge about physical activity programming and increased their own physical activity levels. The second study was an iterative and pragmatic investigation of wellness initiatives for CE professionals to increase flourishing and physical activity within themselves. The third study explored the degree to which temperature and tempo of yoga classes impacted measured heart rate and rate of perceived exertion. Preliminary evidence suggests that ~30% of the yoga class contributed to moderate-vigorous physical activity, regardless of the temperature and speed. The fourth study was a systematic appraisal of urban and rural yoga studio offerings. The results included that most studios offer 60-minute classes, focused on asana (movement) rather than the other limbs (components) of yoga. This work also resulted in a studio audit form for CE professionals to assess yoga studios for appropriateness to recommend to their participants. Future work includes scaling out the micro-credentialing program and determining the degree to which knowledge of physical activity leads to physical activity program adoption (study 1); ensuring CE professionals have access to wellness initiatives to avoid burn out (study 2); ongoing investigation of the physiological benefits of yoga (study 3); and testing the utility of the studio audit form (study 4). / Doctor of Philosophy / Physical activity is an important part of living a healthy life and can look different for everyone. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend for people to get 2 days of full body strength training along with 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity each week. Aerobic activity is activity that gets your heart rate up. In the first manuscript of this dissertation, Cooperative Extension professionals were trained in how to promote physical activity and physical activity programming. Cooperative Extension is a nationwide program that helps get research knowledge from the universities to the public. The second manuscript looks at how Cooperative Extension professionals were able to incorporate more mindfulness, yoga, and self-care for themselves through employee wellness programs, and which programs worked best in a practical way. The third manuscript looks at if the physical practice of yoga can increase heart rate to moderate to vigorous intensity zones in order to determine if a typical community-based yoga flow could contribute to meeting the aerobic components of the Physical Activity Guidelines. Based on this study, yoga can help participants get into the moderate intensity aerobic activity zone. The fourth manuscript explores the research and development of a yoga studio audit tool. This tool helps assess yoga studios so that public health professionals can recommend the studio that is the right fit for their clients.