UNT Theses and Dissertations - 92 Matching Results

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Aerospace and Defense Industries Online Recruiting of College and University Graduates: Strategies Toward Defining a Comprehensive Informational Benchmark
This qualitative, inductive study analyzed online recruiting information posted at the websites of five major aerospace and defense corporations to recruit college juniors, seniors, and recent graduates. Recruitment of this group is critical to staff the personnel for the scientific, technical, and management needs of aerospace and defense industries. The study sought: (1) to determine the use of multiple recruitment factors inferred from the literature and recommended for successful recruitment of college graduates, (2) to determine use of online social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) to recruit this population, and (3) to explore commonalities among these corporations regarding online recruiting information to determine if a model for online recruitment now exists. A matrix of recruitment factors was developed from a review of the literature on the personnel needs of this industry and on effective recruiting factors for this group. Content analysis involved filtering information at each website with the matrix. Conclusions of this study include: (1) the matrix of recruitment factors and the rating scale developed for the purposes of this study provide a tool for researching, documenting, and comparing recruitment information on the internet; (2) that while these corporations represent the latest applications in technology in their manufacturing processes and products, they do not use social networking technology to the extent the popular and scholarly literature indicate is typical for the target group. Given that the current generation exhibits extensive use of social media, several of these corporations’ websites appear not to utilize this networking technology. Informally, these corporations argue that cyber-security prevents extensive use of social networking sites. Thus, these corporations must determine how to maintain cyber-security while at the same time adopting more accepted use of social networking platforms.
African-American Senior Administrators of Colleges and Universities in American Higher Education: Identification of Characteristics in Their Career Progression
This study identified and compared characteristics in the career progression of African-American college presidents of institutions in the continental United States. The study was concerned with personal, educational and professional characteristics of these senior level administrators. From a population of 141 individuals, 73 presidents participated in this study. Frequencies, means, percentages, chi-square, crosstabulations and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed in the analysis of data. The level of significance was set at 0.05.
AIDS and Higher Education in Texas: Policies at Accredited Institutions
This study of all of the post secondary institutions accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools which were located in Texas determined the number that had policies regarding persons with AIDS. The study determined how long policies had been in effect and analyzed policies in order to determine commonalities and differences. An additional purpose was to examine relationships between five major variables and 18 topics which were identified as being issues likely to be addressed in institutional AIDS policies.
An Analysis of Goals in Post-Primary Institutions in Nigeria with Special Reference to Kaduna-State
The problem addressed in this study is the identification of perceived and preferred goals in post-primary educational institutions in Kaduna-State, Nigeria. The purposes of the study are to identify and analyze the most important goals and to make recommendations for improvements based on these findings. Chapter I discusses the background and significance of the study and the procedures used in collecting and analyzing data; Chapter II surveys related literature. Methodology and analysis of data are presented in Chapters III and IV. Chapter V offers the study's findings, summary, conclusions, and recommendations.
An Analysis of Higher Education in Iran and a Proposal for Its Improvement
The problem with which this study is concerned is the development of a plan to reform the structure of the current system of Iranian higher education, both quantitatively and qualitatively. These goals have been set by the Charter of Educational Revolution and coincide with the Development Plans of the nation which have aimed to bring about a fundamental change in society. Educational history of Iran since ancient times is discussed, with special emphasis on higher education, and the religio-cultural influences in shaping the organization of educational institutions and curricula are overviewed. The nation developed one of the world's oldest scholastic centers of higher learning, Gondi-Shapur Academy, whose international faculty contributed significantly to the advancement of knowledge. Iranian culture was exposed to Islam following the Arab invasion; and Islamic doctrine, which has been opposed to secular education, has dominated the educational philosophy of the country. Western education came to Iran through military institutions and religious institutions. Modern schools increased during the last decades of the nineteenth century; however, their progressive development can be traced only from the reign of Reza Shah, beginning in 1925. The first modern university of Iran was established forty years ago. The provincial universities and other institutions of higher learning came into existence in following years. After adopting the Charter of Educational Revolution in 1968, Iran experienced a rapid expansion of its institutions of higher learning. The percentage of total student enrollment in these institutions has never exceeded 0.37 per cent of the population, however, because the institutions could not expand rapidly enough to accommodate the students who applied for admission. Graduate education is also in the primary stages of development, currently comprising 2.4 per cent of the college students of the nation. To cope with these shortcomings, the study has come to the following conclusions: 1. …
An Analysis of the Dartmouth College Case with Respect to Its Impact Upon the Evolution of Higher Education
The problem with which this study is concerned is that of determining the effect of the Dartmouth College case on the evolution of higher education. The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of the Dartmouth College decision upon the evolution of higher education by (1) the investigation of the historical sequence of events leading up to the decision, (2) the study of the legal proceedings as they led to the actual decision in 1819, (3) the inspection of subsequent court decisions involving higher education which have cited the Dartmouth case as a point of reference, and (4) the organization of this information into an analysis of impact to show the probable effect upon higher education.
An Analysis of the Elderhostel Experience at One University
This ethnographic, descriptive case study is concerned with an analysis of the Elderhostel experience at one specific university. Questionnaires, evaluation documents, observations, phototographs, and interviews were used in this study to describe the 1988 Elderhostel experience at North Texas State University. Thirty-three persons were initially asked to participate in this study. Twenty-nine agreed and actually completed the questionnaires, and 26 completed the program evaluation. The study is organized and presented in the following manner: Chapter I introduces the study. Chapter II presents a review of related literature addressing those studies directly concerned with the Elderhostel experience, those addressing motivational reasons for participation in adult education, and those dealing with learning abilities, interests, and goals of the elderly in general. Chapter III includes the methods and procedures used to collect and analyze the data. Chapter IV presents the descriptive and statistical analysis of the data, and Chapter V includes the summary, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations that were derived from the analysis. Major findings of this study include a description of the organization and administration of the program, a description of the educational and co-curricular activities offered and how they were evaluated by the participants, and demographic and motivational data of the participants involved. The "average" participant can be described as white, married, female, retired, white-collar background, from an urban community, a mean age of 70, a mean educational level of 16.5 years, and an income in excess of $20,000 annually. The most frequent reason given for attending Elderhostel was "program content," and for attending North Texas State University, the "International Focus." On the basis of the findings of this study it can be concluded that the characteristics of older adults most likely to enroll in educational programs can be identified; the North Texas State University Elderhostel program is meeting the needs …
An Analysis of the Environmental Attitudes of University Faculty and Administration
This study is concerned with the problem of analyzing the attitudes of the faculty and administration of North Texas State University. The purposes of this study are to describe the North Texas State University campus environment as perceived by the faculty and administration through responses to the CUES II questionnaire, and to compare selected subgroups of the faculty with regard to their perceptions of the campus environment. The questionnaire used in this study is the College and University Environment Scales: Second Edition. The questionnaire consists of 160 items or statements about facilities and conditions that may or may not be characteristic of a particular campus. There are seven different scores on the scales for the measurement of campus environmental characteristics. These scales are Practicality, Scholarship, Community, Awareness, Propriety, Campus Morale, and Quality of Teaching and Faculty-Student Relations.
An Analysis of the Teaching of Religion in the State Universities of Texas
The problem of this study was to analyze the teaching of religion in the state universities of Texas. The purposes of the study were (1) to describe instructors of religion, (2) to describe programs of chairs of religion, and (3) to examine the points of view of administrators who regulate Bible Chairs. The findings of the study are presented in five chapters. Chapter I is an introduction delineating the procedure taken in the study. Chapter II is an historical review of the literature and supplemental data. Chapter III outlines the process of data collection. Chapter IV contains a presentation of findings from university catalogs, instructors' information sheets, and data from questionnaires.
An Analysis of the Treatment of Work Modes in Elementary Basal and Supplementary Reading Textbooks
The purposes of this study are to (1) determine the extent of bias in elementary textbooks in terms of frequency of reference to various work modes, and (2) to determine if qualitative bias exists in the portrayal of work modes.
An Analysis of Trends in Higher Education and Their Perceived Probability and Desirability by Leaders in Higher Education in Texas
This study is an analysis of trends in public higher education and their probability and desirability for the 1970's as perceived by persons in positions of leadership in public higher education. The purposes of this study were (1) to identify the major trends in public higher education in the United States, (2) to assess the opinions of persons in positions of leadership in the public four-year colleges and universities in Texas, (3) to determine if there were significant differences in opinions of the probability and desirability of trends for the 1970's, and (4) to develop projections of the most probable and the most desirable trends for the 1970's.
The Arnspiger Value-Oriented Rationale and General Education for Student Self-Understanding and Continuous Self-Development
The problem of this study was to describe a conceptual design for general education with interdisciplinary qualities leading to student self-understanding and continuous self-development. This study emerged out of the need to gain some insight into the causes of decline and/or abandonment of general education programs during periods of social disorganization, and to determine whether a relationship.exists between mounting social problems and the more intense kinds of problems experienced by college-age youth during these periods.
Assessment of the North Texas State University Campus Environment Through Perceptions of Institutional Characterisitcs Held by Selected Subgroups of the Student Body
The purposes of this study were to describe the North Texas State University campus environment as perceived by the students, to compare perceptions of certain of the campus environmental characteristics with those of other colleges and universities throughout the nation, and to compare selected subgroups within the student body with respect to their perceptions of campus environmental characteristics.
Attitudes of Faculty Members in Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Thailand, Toward the Implementation of Computers
This study explored the attitudes and perceptions of faculty members in Rajamangala Institute of Technology (RIT), Thailand. The purpose of this study was to (a) determine which demographic variables are associated with faculty members attitudes toward the implementation of computers in higher education in Thailand, and (b) determine perceptions among faculty members toward barriers to the widespread use of computers.
Campus Activities Middle Managers as Change Agents in Higher Education
The purpose of this study is to determine to what extent the individuals in middle management positions in campus activities perceive themselves to be effective as change agents. A thirty-three item survey was mailed to 315 directors. A total of 199 usable returns were received. The problem was investigated in terms of perceptions of (a) individual adequate training and competency to provide new and expanded service for today's student body, (b) individual influence on upper-level policy and decision making within their own reporting structure, and (c) commanding enough influence on campus to effect significant change.
Classified Staff Decision Making in Policy Determination, Administrative Practices, and Working Conditions in Texas Public Junior/Community Colleges
The problem of this study was the status of classified staff decision making participation in policy determination, administrative practices, and working conditions in Texas public junior/community colleges as reported by their presidents and those persons, chief personnel officers, on each campus who have responsibility for classified staff employees. The conclusions to the study, with respect to Texas public junior/community colleges, were (1) the classified staff employees may not be aware of the total college goals, (2) classified staff employees may have little motivation to perform their jobs effectively, (3) future turnover rates among classified staff employees could increase, (4) the classified staff employees' input appears to have a low priority in the area of decision making, (5) classified staff employees may be seeking jobs with open participation in decision making, and (6) the exclusion of classified staff employees from participation in decisions could lead to formal bargaining in the future.
A College of Education Students' Attitudes Toward Selected International Problems
An investigation of attitudes toward selected international problems and issues, and the relationship between attitudes and some independent variables was conducted among 234 graduate and undergraduate students in the College of Education at North Texas State University, Denton, Texas. Attitudes toward Chauvinism, World Government, Cooperation, War, and Human Rights were measured by thirty-two Likert-type items developed by Educational Testing Service. The 234 returned, useable responses were tabulated according to each attitude scale and educational level. The attitude scales enumerated above were all correlated with students' backgrounds, educational experiences, and political attitudes.
A Comparative Study of Communication Skills in Technical-Vocational and College Parallel Students
This study is an investigation of: the communication skill proficiency of two-year technical-vocational students; the effects of age, ethnic background, and socio-economic index on standardized reading and writing test performance; and of communication skill priorities with respect to content emphasis as perceived by technical-vocational teaching personnel within the Tarrant County Community College system. The purpose of this study is to provide information pertinent to; the development of a functional communication skills program which will complement the occupational student's trade skills; the further development of a pre-technical program currently in operation at Tarrant County Junior College; and the construction of similar programs in other community college systems. This study concludes that the research evidence warrants unique support curriculum programs designed to provide compensatory work and specific training for terminal students in general academic skill areas such as communications.
A Comparison of Certain Factors in Students with and without Financial Aid at Austin College
This study compares certain factors of Austin College financial aid recipients to the same factors in their classmates who received no financial assistance. First, this study attempts to determine whether there are significant differences in selected variables between these two groups. Second, the study seeks to identify the causes for students' withdrawing from the College. Subjects were randomly selected from two groups: (l) 100 subjects receiving financial assistance; and (2) 100 subjects not receiving such assistance. The sources of data for this study were students'. records located in the Educational Advising Center, the Records Office, and the. Counseling Center.
A Comparison of Opinions of Institutional Leaders Concerning the Goals of Independent Senior Colleges and Universities in Texas
The purposes of this study were (1) to identify the major goals of independent senior colleges and universities in Texas, (2) to survey the opinions of persons in positions of leadership in independent senior colleges and universities in Texas with respect to existing and preferred goals, (2) to determine if there are significant differences of opinion among these persons, and (4) to develop projections of the probably priorities for goals of independent senior colleges and universities in Texas, based upon the expressed opinions of these persons in positions of leadership. According to the opinions of institutional leaders, the major goals pertain to quality faculty and academic freedom, to areas which are directly related to the personal, social, and intellectual development of students, and to the continuance of quality academic programs. Based on the opinions of these groups, plans and decisions in independent higher education in Texas over the next decade will be influenced more by financial matters than by any other factor. Other goals which will be important include continued development of strong academic programs, spiritual and moral growth of students, stabilization of enrollment, and development and retention of quality faculty.
A Comparison of the Actual and Suggested Philosophical Considerations and Practices of Residential Life Discipline
The purposes of this study were to determine the current philosophical considerations and practices of Residential Life disciplinarians in the United States and to compare these to the philosophical considerations and practices suggested for current use by experts in the field.
Competency Needs of Administrators in Teacher Training Colleges in Kenya As Perceived By Administrators and Faculty
The problem of this study was the needed administrative competencies of administrators in teacher training colleges in Kenya as perceived by administrators and faculty. A questionnaire (Inventory of Administrative Competencies) was mailed to principals, vice-principals, and four faculty members selected at random from sixteen teacher training colleges in Kenya. Ninety-six questionnaires were returned, yielding a return rate of 100 percent. Responses were analyzed using t-tests and one-way analyses of variance utilizing the F-test of the statistical test. A series of post hoc comparisons was made using Duncan's New Multiple Range Test to locate significant differences. Based on the analysis of data, it was concluded that both administrators and faculty considered the desired status of the competency very high. The administrators were performing below the desired status. Size of college was the major factor for the differences in perceptions of the respondents. Years of experience and educational background had little or no effect on the respondents' responses to the questionnaire. The following recommendations were made: A future study should investigate the perceived desired status and present performance ratings assigned to a validated set of competency statements of those levels of administrative activities not included in this study. Such a study would involve school inspectors, provincial education officers, deans of students, and heads of departments. A study should be made to investigate the current methods of evaluating administrative competence in teacher training colleges in Kenya. The results of this study should be analyzed by the Ministry of Education teacher college program developers responsible for conducting administrative workshops or in—service training in Kenya. This study could provide developers with additional information for improving the adequacy and relevance of both pre—service and in-service programs for practicing administrators.
A Construct of Organization for Higher Education
In developing a construct of organization for higher education, this study is designed to describe the historical development of college and university organizational structures and supporting theory, to describe higher education's contemporary organizational structures and supporting theory, to determine from writings on complex organizations their applications to organizational structures and supporting theory in higher education, to synthesize from the search of literature a consistent theory of organizational structures and supporting theory for higher education institutions, and to develop a higher education organizational construct composed primarily of principles of organizational structure. This study explores theory of organization as it pertains to colleges and universities. Heuristically conceived, the study is reflective and developmental in nature.
Curriculum Analysis of Content Related to Rural Nursing in Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Nursing Programs in Texas
The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which rural nursing content is included in the curricula of baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs in Texas. Additional purposes include determining the association between the emphasis on rural nursing content perceived by curricular chairpersons as ideal and current content emphasis, examining the difference in rural nursing emphasis between the two program levels, determining variables predictive of rural nursing emphasis and determining efforts to recruit students from rural areas. Data were collected by means of a mailed questionnaire developed by the investigator. Statistical analyses of these data were then conducted. Major findings include the determination of current and perceived ideal emphasis of rural nursing content, the difference in rural nursing emphasis between baccalaureate and associate degree nursing schools in Texas, the association between perceived ideal and actual content emphasis, those variables which are predictive of rural nursing emphasis in undergraduate curricula in Texas and the recruitment efforts from rural areas made by each level of program.
A Descriptive Analysis of Dissertations in the Department of Education, North Texas State University
The basic purpose of this study is to provide an analysis of the doctoral dissertations written in the Department of Education, North Texas State University, from the first one in 1953 through those written in 1974. Specifically, one purpose is to develop, validate, and then use a format to describe the dissertations. The second purpose is to analyze the descriptive information in terms of changes in the Department of Education and in trends associated with the dissertations.
A Descriptive Profile of Freshman Student-Athletes on a Division IAA University Intercollegiate Football Team for Consideration in General Administrative Decision Making Processes
The purpose of this study is to identify which characteristics of student-athletes are most helpful in making administrative decisions about intercollegiate athletic programs, and then to develop a descriptive profile of a group of student-athletes at a particular university. Additional purposes include comparing these descriptive data with other group data and with perceptions of the same group of student-athletes by faculty administrators at the same university. Data were collected in four phases. First, a jury of three experts developed a list of student-athlete characteristics they believed to be helpful in making administrative decisions regarding those athletes. Next, information was gathered to develop a descriptive profile of a selected group of eighteen student-athletes based on the identified characteristics. Next, statistical comparisons were made with available data from other groups of students and from the eight Athletic Council members' perceptions of the study group. Major findings include the identification of useful characteristics, inconsistencies between student-athlete high school ranks in class and SAT scores, high scores in hostility, and accurate perceptions of student-athletes by Athletic Council members.
A Descriptive Study of Returning Student Services and Programs in Public Four-Year Colleges and Universities in the United States
Since the end of World War II, the number of returning college students aged twenty-five years or older has increased so rapidly in American colleges and universities that college administrators, either through lack of interest and understanding or through failure to function as proactive change agents, have not kept pace with the needs of older student populations. In recent years, as enrollment among traditional younger students has declined, enrollment among mature returning students has grown to the extent that they presently constitute more than a third of all college and university students in the United States. As a result of findings obtained in the study, the following recommendations are offered for consideration; (1) institutions of higher learning should place major emphasis upon development of Services and Programs for Returning Students; (2) colleges and universities should give greater priority to orientation program(s) for returning students; (3) returning students should be given credit for life experience and independent learning; (4) financial resources for returning student services should be standardized as line items in the institution's budget; (5) existing programs should be evaluated in order to determine their effectiveness; and (6) a follow-up study should be conducted in five years to provide statistical data for trend analysis.
A Descriptive Study of the Trend of Contraceptive Services Available to College Students
This study investigated the perceptions of college student health center administrators concerning the availability of contraceptive services to college students. The major purposes of the study were (1) to determine the extent to which specific contraceptive services were available to college students from various sources, (2) to determine the extent and effectiveness of any opposition or support from various pressure groups concerning the provision of contraceptive services by student health centers, and (3) to describe the trend, as .perceived by student health center directors, of student access to contraceptive services from 1970 to 1975 and to project the trend to 1980. The findings indicated that pressure activity supporting the provision of contraceptive services by student health centers arose mostly from institutionally related student groups and was considered to be "effective" (i.e., influenced administrative decision making). Pressure which arose from other groups was found to be slight and of little effectiveness.
The Development and Validation of an Inventory of Academic Requirements for Criminal Justice Education
The purpose of this study was to develop a concept of higher education which would be responsive to the needs of criminal justice. The study sought first to identify from both the popular and professional literature the principal roles of the three main component areas of criminal justice (police, courts, and corrections). Second, the study sought to identify those fundamental areas of knowledge which would support the common criminal justice roles; and, finally, the study sought to formulate the essential items of knowledge thus developed into an inventory of academic requirements for criminal justice education and to validate that inventory by subjecting it to the scrutiny of a panel of experts for their evaluation.
Development of Cooperative Education at the University of North Texas, 1976-1988
The main purpose of the study is to describe the developmental story of one of the larger university cooperative education programs in the United States to provide the evidence of outcomes and to utilize selected elements of the program in other colleges and universities. The study utilizes historical methodology with a descriptive approach to investigate and analyze the program's establishment, its development of staffing, organization, students, employers, funding, and its evaluation by using primary and secondary sources, annual reports, federal grant request proposals, evaluation reports, and the on-campus newspaper. The information for this study was also gathered through personal interviews with previous and present staff members of the program. The study shows that the program was established in the dean of students' office, but in order to get more support from the faculty, the program was moved to the academic affairs office. As a result of the academic support by the faculty, the program expanded. The findings show that the federal grant, Title VIII, contributed significantly to the initiation and growth of the program. The investigator observes that the director's leadership and the staff members' commitment to the program were two of the most important factors in the continued growth of the program. Strong commitment by the chief executive officer of the institution has also been a strong factor in the continuous growth of the program. The study indicates that close affiliation with professional organizations has benefited the program by influencing the development of quality and effective, diverse employers. The results show that the cooperative program significantly aided the students, institutions, and employers annually by placing approximately 1,200 students in their major-related working places.
A Developmental Model for the Reduction of Undergraduate Attrition at State-Supported Senior Colleges and Universities of Texas
The problems with which this dissertation is concerned are undergraduate student attrition and ways to reduce it. This study describes the problem of undergraduate student attrition by presenting an overview of the extent of such attrition. As a result of this study, the following conclusions, among others, are advanced: 1) Approximately 50 per cent of those who undertake a baccalaureate degree program complete their programs within four years. 2) Attrition data provide a measure of efficiency of higher education. 3) Undergraduates who do not complete course or degree requirements in either attendance or academic performance contribute to and constitute a measure of waste in the economic sense of (a) the labor of teachers, (b) the use of classrooms, laboratories, and equipment, (c) the failure of colleges and universities to achieve educational objectives, and (d) the competent individuals who never enter college. 4) Attrition is a distinct, interactive process. 5) Institutions of higher learning are responsible for changing their characteristics and environments when such variables adversely affect congruence of otherwise qualified and competent students. 6) Texas' senior college presidents who were surveyed believe that an extremely important variable in reducing attrition is the establishment of a relationship between the student and the institution through a competent, concerned faculty or staff member or peer.
Developmental Recommendations for a Selected Texas Black College
The problem of this study is the design of a comprehensive developmental profile for a Texas black college, based upon qualitative academic and nonacademic differences evident through comparison with a predominantly white institution of similar size and purpose. The purposes of the study are first, to identify features which differ between the selected black institution and the more highly rated white college. Second, to analyze differences discovered, and recommend a comprehensive program for upgrading the excellence level of the substandard institution.
The Doctoral Program in Higher Education at North Texas State University: An Appraisal
Doctoral graduates of the program in Higher Education, Division of Higher Education, North Texas State University, from the fall of 1969 through spring, 1973, were selected as subjects for an evaluation of the program. To appraise the effectiveness of the program, the evaluation attempted to: (1) determine how the graduates viewed various aspects of their doctoral program and experiences at North Texas State University; (2) appraise the effectiveness of the doctoral program in Higher Education in light of the career goals and needs of the graduates and how the program served those needs; (3) present conclusions and recommendations based on the findings of the study which could aid in the administration of the program, provide information for planning new programs and policies, or in supporting those already in existence. A questionnaire was developed and used as the data-gathering instrument, after being revised according to suggestions given by a jury. The questionnaire was mailed to graduates on August 17, 1973, and a follow-up letter was mailed on September 19, 1973, to those non-respondents who could be identified. Of the total number of graduates who received the questionnaire, 69 (71 per cent) responded. Data contained in the questionnaires were numerically coded and recorded on keypunch worksheets. With the aid of the staff from the N.T.S.U. Computing Center, print-outs were produced from the worksheets which contained tabulated data. Tables were made from the data for analysis and interpretation. Analysis of the data led to the following conclusions. The program is producing graduates who have a marketable education with most of them teaching in four-year colleges and universities. The emphases on college teaching and administration are major strengths of the program and graduates rate a strong degree of satisfaction with the major program components, structure and curriculum. Competencies gained in educational research and statistics …
Early Identification of Dropout-Prone Students and Early Intervention Strategies to Improve Student Retention at a Private University
The problem of this study was first year student retention at a private university. The purpose of the study was to identify high risk students (dropout prone) by use of the Stratil Counseling Inventory -_ College Form (SCI-C) in order to initiate early intervention counseling and advising. Intrusive counseling was started within the first six weeks of the 1984 fall semester to facilitate the students' transition to college. The population of the study was first-time full-time freshmen students in attendance at Freshmen Orientation the week prior to the beginning of the 1984 academic year. SCI-C instrument consisted of six scales designed to elicit attrition-related information about the firsttime, freshmen students. The scales identified students who were in need of assistance, and they provided a profile of their problem areas. This information, available within ten days after the beginning of classes enabled Student Development personnel to select the students out of the freshman class who needed help and to refer them to university resources for assistance. The conclusions drawn from the analysis of the SCI-C data were: (1) students who needed assistance to integrate into the academic and social envrionment of the university were identified by the SCI-C; (2) students at Hardin-Simmons University value adult/student relationship outside of the classroom; (3) attitudes of caring service creates a "staying environment;1* (4) although the SCI-C indicates students' interests in support services, not all students who request assistance, avail themselves of the opportunities provided for them; (5) a relationship seems to exist between the intervention strategies provided particular freshmen and their succesful performance in the classroom (CPA of 1.60 or greater) and their persistence at the university for their second year; (6) the SCI-C provides attrition-related counseling information about students rather than predicting college academic success; and (7) the SCI-C i s a valid …
The Economic Feasibility of Utilizing Computer-Assisted Instruction as a Primary Teaching Strategy in Schools of Vocational Nursing in Texas
Each vocational nursing program in Texas was surveyed to determine the faculty and media costs per student classroom instructional hour. Data were obtained from 131 schools, or 99 per cent of the population. These schools taught a total of 4,718 students. The average faculty cost was $1.72 per hour. Faculty cost ranged from $0.17 to $7.75. The average media cost was $0.12 per student hour with a range from no media expenditure to $7.55. The reliability of these costs was not demonstrated. Each program director was asked to identify a principal textbook representing the content taught for each content area in their program. A total of 75 textbooks were identified by two or more programs. A cross tabulation analysis procedure yielded 1,582 combinations of 2 or more textbooks from 2 or more schools. Twenty-five per cent of the schools used the most frequently identified combination of two textbooks. Computer hardware and operating expenses were subtracted from the combined faculty and media cost per student classroom instructional hour. The amount remaining for software purchase was identified as $1.61 with a range of from $0.03 to $7.85 per hour for teaching the required 600 hours. The twenty textbook combinations with the greatest remainder for software utilization were identified. The combination with the largest arithmetic mean remainder was used by 624 students. It was $1.61 per hour. This combination consisted of Ingalls and Salerno's Maternal and Child Health, used to teach maternal and child health, and Hood and Dincher's Total Patient Care, used to teach Medical-Surgical Nursing.
The Educational Contributions of Dr. W.A. Criswell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, 1944-1987
Dr. W. A. Criswell is the well known pastor of the twenty-seven thousand member historic First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas, Texas. He has held the position for the past forty-three years. Until now no one has attempted an in-depth study of Criswell's educational contributions to the First Baptist Church (which have also been adopted into the Southern Baptist denomination, America's largest Protestant religious organization). Although Criswell has been the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas for many years, this was by no means his introduction to the pastorate. In 1928 he was ordained as a seventeen year old minister of the gospel in Amarillo, Texas. He has been a pastor for over sixty years. Criswell has made a lasting impact on the church staff, school staff (Criswell College and First Baptist Academy), students in those schools, the Southern Baptist denomination and also the city of Dallas. He has been one of the key figures in evangelical national movements. Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Senators, and Governors are no strangers to a Sunday morning service held in the large sanctuary in downtown Dallas. Much of the research for this project originated from the Oral Memoirs of W. A. Criswell. a program for oral history done by two professors (Charlton and Spain) from Baylor University. The study begins with a historical review of the setting of the First Baptist Church in 1944 when Criswell came to be pastor. Next there is a review of Criswell's early life that reveal influences which molded his educational philosophies. The body of knowledge is then presented which points out significant events, contributions, institutions and associations provided by Criswell. Finally, seventeen conclusions are drawn from the data presented. The study provides helpful information to pastors, church administrators, seminary students, theological professors and other individuals involved in …
The Effect of a Special Orientation Program for Entering Freshmen on Attrition, Satisfaction, and Grade Point Average
This study was initiated to assess the effectiveness of a special orientation program with the purpose of reducing the anxiety of entering freshmen and easing their adjustment to the campus environment. The criteria of evaluation were retention, satisfaction, and academic achievement. The 468 subjects were first-time freshmen from outside Tarrant County entering Texas Christian University in the fall of 1980. Half of the subjects participated in the experimental program, Operation Welcome, and the other half served as a control group. Those in Operation Welcome were grouped in teams with eight other freshmen, two upperclassmen serving as a big brother and big sister, and a local alumni family. Each of the freshmen in the program received letters of welcome prior to leaving home and participated in special events upon arrival on campus.
The Effects of a Peer-Taught Freshman Seminar Course on Grades and Retention
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a peer-taught freshman seminar course on the grade point averages and retention rates of freshman students. Freshman students who entered the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall 1989 and fall 1990 semesters and enrolled in the voluntary 1 credit hour course "College Adjustment" were matched with freshman students who did not enroll in the course. Matched pairs were formed based on orientation attendance, college major, gender, and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. For both years, the Freshman Seminar Group was similar to the group of All Other Freshman Students regarding the following characteristics: college major, age, gender, ethnicity, SAT scores, and number of first semester hours completed. Analysis of variance was used to determine if statistically significant (p < .05) differences existed between the first semester and first year grade point averages for the Freshman Seminar Group and Freshman Seminar Matches. Chi-square analysis was employed to determine if statistically significant (p < .05) differences existed between the second semester and sophomore year retention rates for the Freshman Seminar Group and Freshman Seminar Matches. The freshman seminar course was more beneficial to African American students, as evidenced by statistically significant first year grade point averages and sophomore year retention rates. Males who enrolled in the freshman seminar course appeared to benefit more than males who did not enroll in the course, as shown by statistically significant sophomore year retention rates. Students with low SAT scores appeared to benefit from the freshman seminar course, as evidenced by statistically significant second semester and sophomore year retention rates.
The Empirical Examination of Classified Staff Participation in Decision-Making with Regard to Policy Determination, Administrative Practices and Influence on Working Conditions in Nigerian Universities
The primary purposes of this study were (1) to investigate the current and preferred extent of non-supervisory classified staff employees' participation in university decision-making in Nigeria, as viewed by Nigerian higher level university administrators; (2) to investigate their current level of satisfaction with participation, and (3) to investigate the future trend of their participation in university decision-making. A three-part questionnaire developed by Allen L. Christian at North Texas State University in 1980 was slightly modified and used in this study. The respondents were 19 higher level university administrators at six Nigerian universities. The data were analyzed using frequency, t-test for related samples, one-way analysis of variance and the Scheffe' procedure used to test all possible comparisons among the means of the independent variables.
An Examination of Higher Education in the Process of Economic Development and Social Change in Nigeria
The problem of this study was to describe higher education in relation to economic development and social change in Nigeria. The purposes of this study were (1) to identify the needs for economic development and social change in Nigeria; (2) to relate higher education goals to the identified needs; (3) to determine the perceptions of the participating groups of students, faculty members, academic administrators, and government officials about what priority of importance is being placed and should be placed on higher education goals to achieve the national needs; (4) to formulate recommendations for the future development of higher education in relation to economic development and social change in Nigeria.
Expanding the Notion of Campus Climate: the Effect of Religion and Spirituality on the Perception of Campus Climate
Religion/spirituality is a salient facet of identity for many college students, yet addressing issues related to spirituality/religion is contentious in many higher education institutions. Prior research has shown that various other facets of identity, including race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, affect a student’s perception of campus climate, but religious/spiritual identity has not been examined in the same manner. Using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, this study empirically tests the addition of religion/spirituality to the campus climate theory developed by Hurtado et al. (1999). Data came from the 2010 College Senior Survey administered by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. Results indicate that religious and spiritual identity have significant direct effects on the perception and other aspects of campus climate. Future research is needed to extend the understanding between religious and spiritual identity and the perception of campus climate.
An Exploratory Study of Faculty Perceptions of Teacher Evaluation Criteria
The problem with which this investigation was concerned was the determination of group perception profiles of selected higher education faculties. These group perception profiles were based upon faculty perceptions of the ten most important criteria considered in evaluating faculty members for purposes of rank, promotion, salary, and tenure. Also, the study determined whether or not cluster profiles existed at three levels or types of institutions-- university, liberal arts, and junior college--and how such profiles differed between levels. This study had several purposes. The first was to determine how group perception profiles of higher education faculties clustered in response to perceptions of criteria considered in evaluating faculty members. The second was to determine if similar clusters existed at three types of institutions. A third was to determine differences in the proportion of teachers belonging to each identifiable cluster at each level of institution. The fourth was to determine differences in profiles according to proportions of teachers across common clusters. And finally, the fifth was to determine differences in profiles among faculty members in identified clusters at each institutional level according to biographical characteristics: age, rank, teaching experience, seniority, and highest degree held.
Factors Involved in the Selection of Medical Technology as a Major Field
The problem of this study concerned the factors involved in the selection of medical technology as a major. The purposes of the study were to determine (a) the most influential factors in the selection of medical technology as a career, (b) which sources of career information were the most frequently utilized and most influential in the choice of medical technology as a major, (c) the most common misperceptions of the field at the time of selection of the major, and (d) the relationship between accurate perceptions of the field at the time of major selection and satisfaction with the choice of major after employment.
Faculty Perceptions of Institutional Needs and Goals in an Osteopathic Medical Education Program
The purpose of this study was to determine and compare faculty perceptions of areas of concern that have been identified by osteopathic medical education administrators as having a relationship to institutional needs and goal setting. Specifically, a Delphi research technique was used to examine faculty perceptions of osteopathic perspective in relation to (a) the philosophical and functional orientation of the curriculum; (b) actual design, structure, and implementation of the curriculum; (c) location and design of the physical facilities and the campus environment; (d) faculty issues of tenure, promotion, salary, and merit; (e) teaching, and the evaluation of teaching; (f) student characteristics and admissions policies; and (g) administrative structure and communication networks.
Female Athletic Directors' Perceptions of Position Power
This study sought to determine female college and university athletic directors' perceptions of position power according to selected job-related characteristics, through development and use of a nineteen-item survey instrument. The study was conducted during the 1991-1992 academic year and consisted of an initial study to determine content validity of the survey instrument, followed by construct validity and reliability determination utilizing a pilot study group of twenty female intercollegiate athletic directors.
The Formulation of a Theoretical Construct and the Development of an Instrument for the Evaluation of Curricula in Nursing
The problem of this investigation was the development of a systematic method for the evaluation of curricula in baccalaureate nursing programs. The literature in nursing and general education was used to extrapolate theories and concepts for the formulation of a theoretical construct. This construct served as the basis for the evaluation instrument. The major concepts were identified as (1) underlying structure, (2) content of courses within the curriculum, and (3) methods and activities. Elements and components were chosen to clarify and extend the concepts. The literature and experts in nursing were both instrumental in the selection of weights. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions are made. (1) A faculty member's ability to use a systematic evaluation instrument does not depend upon years of teaching experience or prior experience as a National League for Nursing visitor. (2) The Evaluation Index appears capable of meeting the criteria for a more systematic method of curriculum evaluation. (3) A theoretical construct appears conducive to theory development as it is directed toward an approach which is more scientific than intuitive. (4) The inclusion of clarifying components within the instrument provides for the evaluative effort to be distributed across the entire curriculum and indicates the scope of the evaluation effort, which apparently contributes to increasing the precision of evaluation. (5) Clarification of concepts and pre-established weights apparently contributed to the differences in the scores assigned by evaluates. (6) Predetermined weights for each element may contribute to more precise evaluation. (7) Limits on the possible value of each element may contribute to more precise curriculum evaluation.
Functions and Objectives of North Texas State University, Division of Higher Education as Perceived by Selected Graduate Students, Faculty Members, and Administrators
The purposes of this study were (1) to identify the major functions and objectives of the Division of Higher Education at North Texas State University, (2) to determine the degree of importance of the functions and objectives as perceived by selected graduates, faculty, and administrators, and (3) to determine the perceived degree of financial support for these functions and objectives. Fourteen functions and objectives of the Division of Higher Education at North Texas State University were included in a questionnaire validated by a panel of five judges. The questionnaire was mailed to each of the respondents consisting of 151 graduates, fourteen faculty, and thirteen administrators randomly selected from the Division of Higher Education.
Goal Identification and Systematic Instruction in Private Voice Lessons
The problem of this study was to measure the effect upon the tone quality of singers resulting from identifying a specific goal, modeling with a cassette tape of the student's own voice, prescribing practice, and giving verbal approval. On the basis of the findings, these conclusions are drawn. (1) There is no significant difference in prescribing practice of an identified goal, utilizing a model or giving verbal approval. (2) Higher gain in pretest - posttest scores for the experimental groups while the control group showed the lowest gain suggests these teaching methods may be effective. (3) A high correlation of raters can be attained by the training method used in this study.
Government and Private Funding of Nonprofit Visual Arts Organizations in the State of Texas: An Analysis
The problem addressed in this study is the administrative process and criteria used by nonprofit visual arts organizations in the State of Texas in acquiring government and private funding. The purposes of the study were to examine the organization and administrative process of the nonprofit visual arts organization, to determine the criteria utilized by government and private funding sources for distribution of funds to nonprofit visual arts organizations, and to examine the process used by nonprofit visual arts organizations when acquiring funds from government and private sources. The data were obtained by means of a descriptive survey questionnaire which was mailed to 336 selected nonprofit visual arts organizations in the State of Texas. These organizations represent the following six areas of visual art: foundations, galleries, museums, associations, photography, and schools. From these areas the population was further refined to include only museums and associations, which represent the extreme diversity of administrative processes used. The resulting subpopulation was comprised of forty-six organizations which had filed for grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts within the past three years. Thirty research questions were answered from the results of the questionnaire. Research questions one, and three through thirty were analyzed and presented in narrative discussion with the results. Categorical data were listed to show range. The second research question was analyzed using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. On the basis of the literature review and the survey responses received, an authentic problem exists in the funding process of these organizations. The organizations surveyed appear to recognize the funding problems, but the results of the study reveal that many have yet to develop effective and efficient strategies to solve several of these problems.
The Historical Development of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine as a State Medical School, 1960-1975
This study is a historical analysis of the significant events from 1960 leading to the establishment of Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) in 1975 and a depiction of the actions of key individuals contributing to the development of the College. Included is a description of the environment and the controversy between the allopaths and osteopaths that resulted in a request in 1961 by the American Osteopathic Association to establish more osteopathic medical schools.
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