Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Geography / Bimal Kanti Paul / Farm-to-school (FTS) programs are promoted as direct-marketing opportunities for farmers. As such, they are regarded by advocates and state and federal agencies as a pathway to rural economic development. The implementation of FTS food procurement poses significant challenges, however. Farmers make decisions regarding whether or not to market products to schools after learning about the program and considering an array of signals from multiscalar policies and governance structures. Research to date has left a gap in understanding farmers’ agency as it relates to governance structures and policy signals. This research on farmers’ engagement with the Oklahoma FTS Program contributes evidence to bridge this gap by examining the experiences not only of producers who participated in a FTS program but also of those who ceased participation or who chose not to participate. Employing a phronetic approach to social science, this explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods case study obtained quantitative and textual data from a mail survey, as well as data from two stints of qualitative fieldwork, in fall 2011 and fall 2012, which involved semistructured interviews and participant observation. Archival research completed the study methods used to gain a deeper understanding of farmers’ perspectives, practices, values, and experiences that informed their decisions to participate or not in a top-down-administered FTS program. Data collection was driven by the concept of farmers’ engagement. As such, eight categories of farmers’ engagement with the Oklahoma Farm to School Program emerged. This research answers these value-rational questions (Flyvbjerg, 2001): (1) Which farmers gain, and which farmers lose, by which mechanisms of power? (2) Is this desirable? (3) What should be done? Results provide evidence of geographically uneven development of a FTS program and incompatibilities between small- to midscale farming and the structure and governance of federal child-nutrition programs.

This study aims to investigate the relative contribution of tangible and intangible resources, and capabilities on firm performance based on the measures of market share, sales turnover and profitability and explore the complex interaction and foundation of different resource sets and capabilities in the process of performance creation within the context of resource-based theory. In order to address these objectives, a mixed-methods research approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative components was utilised. Hence, a sequential explanatory design is employed, commencing with qualitative methods including in-depth interviews along with the literature review to define and organise resources and capabilities in a coherent system that will form the basis of survey instrument, leading to quantitative methods which empirically test a series of hypotheses regarding the contribution of resources and capabilities on firm performance. Whilst qualitative data analysis indicated organisational culture, reputational assets, human capital, business processes and networking capabilities as the most important determinants of firm performance, the survey that was conducted on a total of 243 questionnaires obtained from 951 firms revealed that intangible resources and capabilities contributed more greatly to firm performance compared to tangible resources. However, in contrast to the proposition of resource-based theory that views capabilities as the most important skills that underpin the development and deployment of both tangible and intangible resources, capabilities offered rather limited additional explanatory power to the prediction of firm performance only with respect to profitability against the combined effects of tangible and intangible resources. All findings were explained especially within the context of Turkish business environment that shows typical emerging market characteristics. Moreover, some noteworthy results were elaborated based on the developed and emerging market differences. Overall, the study raises some questions with respect to resource contributions on firm performance and offers a fruitful avenue for further research.

Doctor of Education / Department of Educational Leadership / Sarah Jane Fishback / This study examined faculty self-efficacy beliefs at the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Faculty members at this military graduate degree-producing institution engaged in collaborative, student- centric, discussion teaching. The study considered how the independent variables of gender, age, ethnicity, academic title, leadership position, education level, and years of teaching experience affected faculty self-efficacy beliefs. Social cognitive theory provided the primary theoretical lens for the study. Discussion teaching and a framework for culturally responsive teaching formed part of the theoretical foundation. The goal included extending teacher self-efficacy concepts to higher education, further developing operational definitions, and providing an instrument suitable for measuring self-efficacy in higher education contexts. The study used mixed methods sequential explanatory research design with two data collection and analysis components: quantitative and qualitative. Faculty members (N = 417) received a 30-question Likert-type survey in December 2010. After quantitative data analysis concluded, in-depth interviews took place with 12 faculty members. A semi-structured interview of nine open-ended questions supported the qualitative portion of the study. Parametric analysis procedures examined the dependent variable, faculty self-efficacy beliefs, with respect to the independent variables. The results showed no significant differences in self-efficacy beliefs. Qualitative analysis using a computer-assisted program identified five themes: establishing a positive classroom environment, facilitating discussion, faculty and student preparation for discussion, questioning, and classroom sharing of combat and deployment experiences. Results of the study provided insights about faculty self-efficacy beliefs regarding facilitation of discussion that informed CGSC leadership decisions for future faculty development initiatives as well as insight for faculty to reflect on classroom best practices. The study contributed to the field of adult education by providing greater understanding of the faculty self-efficacy construct. Further research could examine faculty self-efficacy beliefs in non-military higher education contexts, among various faculty demographics and groups, and across higher education academic disciplines. Future studies could address how interventions such as faculty development or observation and feedback affect faculty self-efficacy beliefs in the classroom.

Abstract This was a modified integrated mixed methods study of teachers’ perceptions of factors that influence transfer of research-based teaching strategies into classroom practice. Participants were made up of 66 respondents to a researcher made survey, “Survey of Teacher Attitudes toward Change and Classroom Implementation of Research–Based Strategies”. Respondents were divided into two groups based on participation in Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Programs (LaSIP): LaSIP, N= 39 and Non-LaSIP, N= 27. Answers to five research questions were based on analysis of quantitative data from a survey, recorded on a five-point Likert scale and qualitative data from analyses of transcripts of three personal interviews, two focus group discussions and five short-answer questions on the survey. SPSS software version 9 and Atlas.ti version 7 were used in quantitative and qualitative analyses, respectively. Concurrent quantitative and qualitative strands of data were integrated throughout the study. Findings from quantitative data included the following: (1) Teacher perceptions of features of the LaSIP were predictive of reported frequency of use of research-based teaching strategies (RBTS); (2) Reported frequency of use of RBTS was not significantly different in LaSIP versus non-LaSIP teachers, except in reported use of alternative assessments. (3) Both LaSIP and non-LaSIP teachers indicated that implementation of RBTS increased student achievement (4) LaSIP teachers identified factors such as opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, time to acquire content knowledge, practice with material and supplies as features of the LaSIP that influenced implementation of RBTS. (5) Perceived barriers to implementation of RBTS included lack of equipment and lack of teacher input into planning of professional development. and modeling of RBTS as factors that positively influence classroom implementation. Analyses of qualitative data supported many of the findings due to quantitative analyses. Additionally, qualitative data provided more in-depth information concerning teacher perceptions of barriers to implementation such as lack of teacher input into planning and implementation of professional development, and lack of time for in-depth learning during professional development activities. Key Words: Teacher Professional Development, Research-based Teaching Strategies, Classroom Implementation, Science Pedagogy, Mixed Methods, Student Achievement

The importance of addressing the topic of sustainable development has been widely acknowledged, and the researchers call for future studies that would develop new perspectives on integrating sustainability in the business context. Currently, most of such studies focus on large companies, whereas it has been shown that the impact of SMEs on the economy, the society and the environment is also significant. The present work aims at exploring the integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate sustainability (CS) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Nordic countries. Adopting a qualitative dominant mixed research method, the following objectives are achieved: using content analysis, we analyse the activities disclosed by SMEs and describe their type and focus. Further, the multiple case study of 13 SMEs operating in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland allows exploration of the process of CSR integration in companies in more detail. Using the abductive approach to analysis and systematically combining the existing approaches to analysing CSR integration with the empirical findings, we are able to distinguish several specifics of SMEs. Namely, the process of CSR integration in SMEs may be different due to increased role of the top management commitment and the varying degree of externally formalising CSR and CS through obtaining certifications. This allows us to design suggestions for the updated model of CSR integration, which would reflect these specifics of SMEs. The present work contributes to current research by exploring CSR and CS integration in the context of SMEs, which have been previously identified as research gaps. We develop suggestions for modifying an existing framework for analysing CSR integration that combines the focus on specific business operations and the stages that a company can undergo in implementing CSR. The developed model could be used as a practical tool for analysing the company and the potential areas that would lead to CSR integration on a more strategic level. The qualitative nature of the present work and supporting the theoretical reflections with quotes from SME managers and owners provides opportunities for naturalistic generalisations and gaining insights on what activities could be implemented in companies. We acknowledge that our work has several limitations. The qualitative nature of the study does not allow statistical generalisation; thus, further research is recommended to enhance the findings and test the developed model in different context and using different methods, as well as targeting not only managers and owners whose responsibilities are related to strategy and sustainability, but also employees from other functions. Quantitative and qualitative studies of SMEs in the analysed region conducted by native speakers are also recommended.

This mixed methods research study used a QUAN-QUAL Model to examine the impact that various factors have on student persistence to graduation in postsecondary education. A documentary research approach was used to collect secondary or existing data from the student information system for first-time full-time freshmen in the Fall 2008 Cohort who graduated within six years. The size of the sample for the quantitative inquiry was 211. A correlational research design was employed to determine if a significant relationship existed between the dependent variables—Persistence to Graduation within Six Years (YEAR) and Final GPA at Time of Degree Completion (FIN GPA)—and the independent variables, Financial Aid Awarded (FINAID), High School GPA (HSGPA), ACT Composite Score (ACT COMP), SAT Combined Score (SAT COMB), First-Year First-Semester GPA (FYFS GPA), First-Year Cumulative GPA (FY GPA), Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), and On-Campus or Off-Campus Housing (ON-OFF CAMP). Descriptive statistical analyses were used to describe, summarize, and interpret the data collected. A case study research approach was used to gain an in-depth understanding into the real-life experiences of a small group of students who did not graduate within six years and who were still persisting toward degree attainment. The Graduation: Survey of Undergraduate Persistence questionnaire was distributed to the participants to gain a holistic understanding of the impact that family, faculty, peers, financial resources, and other environmental influences had on their experiences while persisting toward a college degree. Four questionnaires were completed and returned, followed by three in-depth interviews. The findings from the survey and interviews on the role of financial aid supported the quantitative findings on the relationship between financial aid awarded and persistence to graduation. In the quantitative data analysis, persistence to graduation within six years was significant and positively related to the number of occurrences of financial aid awarded. As the number of financial aid occurrences decreased, the number of years to graduate decreased. Alternatively, an increase in the number of financial aid occurrences resulted in an increase in years to graduate. Postsecondary educational leaders and P-12 educational leaders can utilize the study in forming partnerships to foster collaboration and a “move to action” in preparing students to do college-level course work upon graduating from high school.

Abstract This study explores the phenomenon of humor in advertising in the context of recruitment advertising and answers the research question: How can humor in recruitment advertising on the Internet be approached from communication perspectives? The study is positioned on humor in advertising literature, particularly incongruity theories of humor, and it approaches the context of recruitment advertising by utilizing employer brand message conceptualization. Motivation for the study was to understand poorly investigated phenomenon of humor in recruitment advertising; observations were collected in a small company’s Internet communication channel. Theoretical motivation was rooted in the lack of earlier studies on humor in recruitment advertising within the literature of humor in advertising. Earlier studies on humor in advertising have been dominated by experimental quantitative studies, and this study provides methodological novelty by using a mixed methods research approach. The study had different data collection methods: A between-subject experimental design with a quantitative approach and case studies with content analysis and qualitative analysis methods. The phenomenon were investigated on different empirical levels (both recruitment ads and recruitment campaign) and collecting evidence from a setting of a small company’s Internet communication channel. The dissertation is based on a compilation and published research papers, three journal articles and one book chapter, which are able to create new perspectives related to the phenomenon of humor in recruitment advertising. A framework on humor in recruitment advertising on the Internet will be developed by focusing on different communication perspectives: investigating the use of humor in the employer brand message, the job seekers’ response to humor, moderator (this study: congruence) effects of humor, and the managerial challenges and opportunities of humor. The potential of humor was identified as working as a device for a person-organization fit and offering the potential for social media marketing by increasing the sharing intentions of recruitment ads. The challenges of humor are related to negative intermediate advertising effects and negative word-of-mouth. This dissertation contributes to the advertising literature by developing new research approach on humor in recruitment advertising and extending the body of research on humor in advertising empirically in recruitment advertising on the Internet. / Tiivistelmä Tämä tutkimus tarkastelee huumorimainonnan ilmiötä rekrytointimainonnan kontekstissa ja vastaa kysymykseen, miten huumoria rekrytointimainonnassa voidaan lähestyä viestinnän eri näkökulmien kautta Internetissä? Tutkimus on asemoitu huumorimainonnan kirjallisuuteen, erityisesti huumorin inkongruenssiteoriaan ja se tarkastelee rekrytointimainonnan kontekstia hyödyntäen työnantajan brändiviestin määritelmää. Tutkimuksen lähtökohtana ovat yksittäiset havainnot olemassa olevasta mutta vähän tutkitusta ilmiöstä, huumorista rekrytointimainonnassa pienen yrityksen Internet-viestintäkanavassa. Huumorimainonnan kirjallisuudesta puuttuvat toistaiseksi huumoria rekrytointimainonnassa käsittelevät tutkimukset. Aikaisempia huumorimainonnan tutkimuksia ovat hallinneet kokeelliset kvantitatiiviset tutkimukset. Tämä väitöskirja on menetelmällisesti uutuusarvoinen, koska tutkimuksessa lähestyttiin ilmiötä monimenetelmätutkimuksen kautta. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin erilaisia tiedonkeruumenetelmiä: kokeellisia tutkimusasetelmia kvantitatiivisella lähestymistavalla ja tapaustutkimuksia, jotka hyödyntävät sisällönanalyysia sekä kvalitatiivisia analyysimenetelmiä. Ilmiötä tutkittiin sekä rekrytointimainoksien että rekrytointikampanjan empiirisillä tasoilla ja aineistoa kerättiin pienen yrityksen Internetin viestintäkanavasta. Väitöskirja koostuu yhteenveto-osuudesta sekä julkaistuista tutkimuspapereista, kolmesta journal-artikkelista ja kirjan kappaleesta, jotka tuovat kukin eri näkökulmia huumoriin rekrytointimainonnassa. Tutkimuksen tuloksena rakennetaan viitekehys rekrytointimainonnan huumoriin Internetissä. Se keskittyy viestinnän eri näkökulmiin: määrittelee huumorin osaksi työnantajabrändiviestiä, tutkii työnhakijoiden vasteita huumoriin, huumorin moderaattori (tässä tutkimuksessa: kongruenssi)-vaikutuksia sekä huumorin käyttöön liittyviä liikkeenjohdon haasteita ja mahdollisuuksia. Huumorin potentiaali tunnistettiin siinä, että huumori testaa henkilön ja organisaation yhteensopivuutta ja tarjoaa mahdollisuuksia markkinointiin sosiaalisessa mediassa lisäämällä muun muassa aikomuksia rekrytointi-ilmoituksen jakamiseen. Keskeiset haasteet liittyvät mainonnan negatiivisiin vaikutuksiin ja negatiiviseen word-of-mouth-ilmiöön. Tämä väitöskirjatyö kontribuoi mainonnan kirjallisuuteen kehittämällä uuden tutkimusnäkökulman huumoriin rekrytointimainonnassa ja laajentamalla huumorimainonnan tutkimusta empiirisesti rekrytointimainontaan Internetissä.

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a transferência da política do Tratamento Diretamente Observado (TDO) da tuberculose, em sua fase de manutenção e expansão, nas unidades de Atenção Primária à Saúde em municípios prioritários para o controle da tuberculose no estado do Amazonas. Trata-se de um estudo de métodos mistos, do tipo convergente, com a combinação das vertentes quantitativa e qualitativa, realizado em cinco municípios: Itacoatiara, Manacapuru, Parintins, Tabatinga e Tefé. Na etapa quantitativa participaram 138 profissionais de saúde e na etapa qualitativa sete enfermeiros e quatro Agentes Comunitários de Saúde. O estudo quantitativo foi caracterizado como um estudo tipo inquérito epidemiológico, sendo aplicado o instrumento \"Avaliação da Transferência de Políticas - Inovação, Informação e Conhecimento em Tuberculose - ATP-IINFOC-TB\" agrupado em sete domínios de análise. Para a etapa qualitativa foi utilizado um roteiro para entrevista, previamente testado, composto por questões semiestruturadas relacionados às informações gerais do TDO. A coleta dos dados foi realizada no período de janeiro a abril de 2016. A análise dos dados quantitativos foi realizada por meio de técnicas de estatística descritiva e multivariada, utilizando o software Statistica 12, da Statsoft.Inc e programa R versão 3.2.3. Para a organização dos dados qualitativos utilizou-se o software Atlas.ti 7.0., e a análise dos dados foi realizada por meio do referencial teórico metodológico da Análise de Discurso, em três etapas: Passagem da superfície linguística para o objeto discursivo; Passagem do objeto discursivo para o processo discursivo; Delineamento da formação discursiva e sua relação com a ideologia. Os resultados apontaram que, dos sete domínios avaliados, cinco (ações da gestão, ações da equipe de saúde, recursos para o desenvolvimento do TDO, prática do TDO e percepção sobre estratégias para melhorar o TDO) apresentaram diferença estatística significante para média, apresentando os menores valores na avaliação dos profissionais de saúde. Na análise exploratória dos domínios com menores valores e mediante as sequências discursivas analisadas identificou-se uma infraestrutura deficitária; escassez de recursos humanos; necessidade e dificuldade de adaptação do TDO à realidade local; necessidade de potencializar o processo de discussão entre a equipe; dificuldades que permeiam o processo de tratamento da pessoa com TB; a falta de treinamentos e a necessidade do uso de estratégias de sensibilização para melhorar a prática do TDO. Conclui-se que, para avançar na transferência da política do TDO, os municípios necessitam investir em infraestrutura adequada; disponibilização de materiais educativos; recursos humanos suficientes e qualificados e estratégias que atendam aos indivíduos na sua singularidade, como orientações individuais, acolhimento, uso de figuras, roda de conversa e projetos terapêuticos singulares, considerando as características de cada população e os determinantes sociais de saúde / This study aimed to analyze the transfer of the policy of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) for tuberculosis, in its phase of maintenance and expansion in the Primary Healthcare Units in priority municipalities for tuberculosis control in the state of Amazonas. This was a mixed methods, convergent study, with a combination of quantitative and qualitative aspects, carried out in five municipalities: Itacoatiara, Manacapuru, Parintins, Tabatinga and Tefé. A total of 138 health professionals participated in the quantitative stage and seven nurses and four community health agents in the qualitative stage. The quantitative study was characterized as a epidemiological, inquiry study, with the application of the instrument \"Policy Transfer Evaluation - Innovation, Information and Knowledge in Tuberculosis - ATP-IINFOC-TB\" covering seven analysis domains. For the qualitative step, a pre-tested script, consisting of semi-structured questions related to general information about DOT, was used for the interviews. Data collection was carried out from January to April 2016. The analysis of the quantitative data was performed through descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques, using the Statistica 12 software, Statsoft. Inc, and R version 3.2.3 program. For the organization of the qualitative data the Atlas.ti 7.0 software was used, and data analysis was performed using the methodological theoretical framework of Discourse Analysis in three stages: Passage from the linguistic surface to the discursive object; Passage from the discursive object to the discursive process; Design of the discursive formation and its relation with the ideology. The results showed that, of the seven domains assessed, five (management actions, health team actions, resources for the development of DOT, practice of DOT and perception of strategies to improve DOT) presented statistically significant differences for the mean, presenting the lowest values in the assessment of the health professionals. In the exploratory analysis of the domains with lower values and through the discursive sequences analyzed, the following factors were identified: a deficient infrastructure; shortage of human resources; need and difficulty to adapt DOT to the local reality; need to enhance the process of discussion among the team; difficulties that permeate the treatment process of the person with TB; lack of training; and need to use awareness strategies to improve the practice of DOT. It was conclude that, to advance in the transfer of the DOT policy, the municipalities need to invest in adequate infrastructure; provision of educational materials; sufficient and qualified human resources; and strategies that contemplate individuals in their uniqueness. such as individual guidance, acceptance, use of figures, wheel of conversation and individual therapeutic projects, considering the characteristics of each population and the social determinants of health

O tratamento quimioterápico para o câncer de mama está relacionado a alterações do paladar, do hábito alimentar e ao ganho de peso, embora a relação entre estes três aspectos ainda não seja elucidada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e compreender como a alimentação é vivenciada e significada pelas mulheres em tratamento quimioterápico para o câncer de mama e avaliar as possíveis mudanças alimentares e como estas se relacionam à sensibilidade e preferência ao gosto doce, ao peso e a composição corporal. Utilizou-se metodologia mista, com emprego de abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa para coleta e análise dos dados. Foram avaliadas 31 mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama e indicação para quimioterapia em esquema contendo antraciclinas, em dois momentos: antes do início (T0) e após a quarta sessão de quimioterapia (T1). Em T0 e T1, foram avaliados dados antropométricos (peso, altura e composição corporal a partir de bioimpedância elétrica), consumo de alimentos e bebidas de gosto doce (divididos nas categorias: \"doces saudáveis\" para frutas e sucos naturais e \"doces não saudáveis\" para bolos, bolachas, balas, sorvetes, refrigerantes, sucos artificiais, doces caseiros e chocolate), sensibilidade à sacarose e concentração preferida de sacarose em suco de caju. Em T1 foi também aplicada uma entrevista a partir de roteiro semi estruturado. Os resultados da etapa quantitativa mostraram que entre os tempos avaliados as pacientes apresentaram ganho médio de peso de 2,1 Kg (p = 0,00) e aumento do IMC, que passou de 29,3 Kg/m2 em T0 para 30,1 Kg/m2 em T1 (p = 0,00), embora sem variações dos parâmetros referentes à composição corporal (p >= 0,05). A avaliação do consumo de alimentos e bebidas de gosto doce mostrou aumento do consumo de \"doces saudáveis\" (p = 0,00), diminuição do consumo de refrigerantes (p=0,04) e manutenção dos demais produtos avaliados (p >= 0,05), com correlação positiva entre a variação do consumo de \"doces saudáveis\" e variação de peso (r = 0,38; p = 0,04). A avaliação sensorial apontou para a manutenção da sensibilidade e da concentração de sacarose preferida, embora diminuição da sensibilidade entre T0 e T1 esteja associada a maior consumo \"doces não saudáveis\" em T1, enquanto aumento da concentração de sacarose preferida esteja associada ao maior consumo de \"doces saudáveis\" em T1. A partir da análise das entrevistas, emergiram os temas: doença e tratamento, ganho de peso, a relação com a alimentação e alimentação como o que foge ao alcance. Constata-se que o tratamento quimioterápico para o câncer de mama foi acompanhado de mudanças alimentares que estão relacionadas ao ganho de peso observado. As mudanças alimentares podem estar associadas à mudanças no paladar, mas são mais fortemente relacionadas às representações, crenças e expectativas construídas em torno do diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama. / Breast cancer chemotherapy can be related to taste disorders, food behavior and weight changes, although the relation between these aspects is not yet elucidated. The aim of this work was to identify and comprehend how food experience is meant by woman following breast cancer chemotherapy and to assess the extent between possible food behavior change, sweet taste sensibility and preference, body weight and body composition. It was used mixed method approach with quantitative and qualitative approach for data collecting and analysis. 31 woman with breast cancer diagnosis and anthracyclines chemotherapy scheme indication were evaluated at two time points: before the first (T0) and after the fourth (T1) chemotherapy session. At T0 and T1 it was evaluated: anthropometry (body weight, height and composition by electric bioimpedance), sweet taste food and beverage consumption (spread in two groups: \"healthy sweets\" for fruits and natural juices, and \"unhealthy sweets\" for cakes, cookies, candies, ice cream, soft drinks, artificial juices, homemade sweets and chocolate), sucrose sensibility and preferred sucrose concentration in cashew juice. At T1, it was also applied a semi-structured script interview. Quantitative results show that between assessed time points, patients gained 2,1 Kg average (p = 0,00). Increased body weight led to BMI increase, from 29,3 Kg/m2 at T0 to 30,1 Kg/m2 at T1 (p = 0,00), although without body composition parameters change (p >= 0,05). The assessment of sweet taste food and beverages consumption show increase of \"healthy sweets\" consumption (p = 0,00), decrease of soft drinks consumption (p = 0,04) and maintenance of others evaluated products (p>=0,05), with positive correlation between \"healthy sweets\" consumption variation and body weight change (r = 0,38; p = 0,04). Sensorial evaluation shows maintenance of sweet taste sensibility and preferred sucrose concentration, though decreased sensibility between T0 and T1 is associated to higher \"unhealthy sweets\" consumption at T1, while decreased of preferred sucrose concentration between T0 and T1 is associated to higher \"healthy sweets\" consumption at T1. The following themes emerged from interview analysis: sickness and treatment, weight gain, the relationship with food and food consumption as what is out of touch. It is noted, that breast cancer chemotherapy brings food behavior changes related to observed body weight gain. Food behavior change can be associated to taste disorders, but it is more strongly related to representations, beliefs and expectations about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Thesis advisor: Dorothy Jones / The importance of the nurse-patient relationship to the overall well- being of the person has been explored extensively by nurses. What is largely missing from this knowledge developed to date is the patient's perspective. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid measure of patients' perceptions of feeling known by their nurses during an acute, surgical, hospital admission. The development of the PPFKN Scale was guided by Newman's theoretical framework of Health as Expanding Consciousness (1994) and data from a qualitative descriptive study conducted in 2003 (Somerville). The current investigation focused on the development and psychometric testing of the PPFKN Scale. The four themes that emerged from the earlier qualitative study were used to guide the development of the 85-item scale. This scale was exposed to a panel of nurse experts to establish inter-rater agreement and content validity, item understandability and readability. The revised scale was piloted with five participants who had experienced an inpatient, surgical admission to determine content validity, item readability and understandability. The revised 77-item scale was then administered to 327 surgical inpatients across seven general care units at a large academic urban medical center. A sample size of 296 completed surveys was analyzed. A four-component solution was devised using Principal Components Analysis with Varimax rotation. This four-component solution accounted for 63.3% variance, with a total scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.99. A component loading cut-off was set at 0.3 and items not loading at this value on the expected component were dropped. This process resulted in a reliable and valid 48 item PPFKN Scale with four components and a total scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.98. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.