The effects of systematic and explicit morphologic instruction of prefixes on vocabulary acquisition and comprehension

This study investigated the effects of a systematic and explicit morphological intervention of prefixes on the vocabulary and comprehension performance of fifteen fourth grade students in an urban primary school in the Midwestern United States. The intervention focused on systematic and explicit instruction, practice, and review of the 20 most commonly used prefixes in the English language (Stahl, 1999). A variety informal vocabulary and comprehension assessments were administered and used to analyze the effects of the intervention. Although the data demonstrated mixed results, the morphologic intervention greatly improved students understanding of the 20 most common prefixes and showed promising students growth in both vocabulary and comprehension

Lowering global consumption of petroleum, while increasing profit: Tesla Motors ridesharing

Demonstrating profitability has been a major challenge for Tesla Motors. This research explored the creation of a rideshare service as a short-term and long-term instrument for growth. Information was gathered and analyzed from successful and unsuccessful businesses to determine viability and potential for success. The research question asked, what are the existing technologies, services, and or business models that can be implemented by Tesla Motors to both innovate and improve profitability? This study used a qualitative research approach to assess available published data and to evaluate possible options to answer the research question. The findings conclude that Tesla should enter the rideshare industry; it would be feasible and attractive in terms of ROI, and require minimal initial investment. Further suggestions outline disruption and encroachment into the multibillion dollar healthcare industry

The use of sitters in healthcare facilities: An integrative review

Purpose: Review literature and evaluate strategies that may be effective alternatives to sitters in healthcare settings. Design: Integrative literature review and synthesis. Methods: Comprehensive research review exploring alternatives to the use of sitters in health care facilities. Findings: Alternatives include meaningful engagement, staff education, safe environments and equipment e.g. video monitoring or alarms. Conclusion: Sitter use is not cost effective and does not provide freedom from injury for patients in healthcare facilities. Challenging nurses to institute more effective ways of keeping vulnerable patients safe and generating additional evidence about alternatives to sitters is needed. Relevance to Nursing: Evaluation of current practice to ensure nurses are providing evidence based care to patients and their families

Strategic management of nonprofit resources: expanding perspectives in the nonprofit sector

Research was conducted on the area of nonprofit management of resources as it pertains to strategic governance models, stakeholder expectations, and the current climate of the nonprofit sector. Leadership trends in conjunction with data obtained from the nonprofit organization, The Wounded Warrior Project, demonstrated contrasts between stakeholder perceptions of program expenditures and funds spent in varying overhead allotments. The importance of nonprofit governing procedures is relevant to donor beliefs and the generation of continued financial support. However, data and research obtained demonstrated the need for the nonprofit organization to embrace proven business models that rely on necessary expenditures to ultimately sustain the mission and serve a public benefit. Recommendations posited focused on a renewed embrace of for-profit patterns of success adopted by nonprofit strategic management scenarios. While the nonprofit sector holds a unique and indispensable role in domestic models of business governance, the tools and approaches largely adopted by the for-profit arena can benefit the nonprofit sphere and promote sustainability

Equal employment opportunities for veterans with mental illness vs. non-veteran individuals

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the potential for biases during hiring processes, pertaining to current Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With an understanding of how current mental health stigma affects those with mental illness in America, and past studies of discrimination of Vietnam veterans during employment interviews, this current study was formulated to identify if the term “veteran” was a contributing factor in an individual with PTSD not receiving a job offer. Methods: Participants were able to view 1 of 2 hypothetical scenarios and resumes for a hypothetical job seeker via the Internet site Reddit.com. Both scenarios and resumes were identical in all facets except that one individual was a veteran and the other was not. Participants read through the scenario/resumes and then answered a survey regarding their perception of that individual. Results: Comparing the likelihood of being hired showed no significant difference between the veteran (M=4.00, SD=.736) and nonveteran (M=3.84, SD=.850) groups, t(96)=1.016, p=.312. This suggested that there was no difference in the potential to be hired between the veteran and non-veteran candidate

Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing and Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony - May 2016

Pinning ceremony took place on May 12, 2016.https://digitalcommons.stritch.edu/conhs_pin/1006/thumbnail.jp

Dramatic play and its effects on math achievement and student outlook in an early childhood classroom

This quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of purposefully framed dramatic play on math achievement and outlook on self and community for kindergarteners. The quasiexperimental study used convenience sampling from an urban school in the Midwest. The findings of this research indicated that children who took part in the dramatic play center had a more positive outlook on both themselves and their school community than those who did not participate in the intervention. In regards to math achievement, the scores of the children who took part in the intervention increased by a slightly higher percentage and those that did not take part in the intervention. The research indicated that children who take part in dramatic play centers had the opportunity to solve problems more productively, think more abstractly, use multiple methods to understand math concepts, and had a more positive view on themselves and school

Effects on reading comprehension using a four square vocabulary design

The purpose of this study was to determine if utilizing a four square vocabulary box when presented with difficult science text would improve student reading comprehension. Three high school students who receive special education services participated in the eight week study. Participants received explicit instruction from the author on how to use a four square vocabulary box when reading expository text. In addition, participants were presented with an overview of lesson objectives, background knowledge was introduced, comprehension of text was assessed, and vocabulary was reviewed. Pretest and posttests were given to indicate if the use of a four square vocabulary box would increase student reading comprehension. Results indicated student reading levels did not increase. This study raises the question about ways to instruct students with disabilities on how to understand difficult vocabulary found in expository text and if more practice time is needed for students to improve reading comprehension

The effects of iPad applications as an instructional tool for mathematical achievement and motivation

The purpose of this research and intervention was to determine if the use of iPad technology during mathematical instruction would increase student achievement and motivation. During the five-week intervention, the participant was taught strategies for solving double and triple digit addition and subtraction equations. Those strategies were paired with the use of iPad technology. By the end of the five-week intensive intervention, the participant made large gains on the post-test as well as maintaining more consistent scores on the progress monitoring probes throughout the length of the study. Furthermore, the participant’s motivation and excitement of learning mathematics also increased by the end of this five-week study. Increasing the intensity of the intervention, adding engaging iPad technology and providing immediate feedback were some of the strengths of this study. Some of the limitations were providing a clear understanding of the Math Attitudes Survey to the participant as well as only working with one student in the study. Some of the recommendations made for classroom teachers in general from this study were coupling traditional mathematic instruction with specific technology and giving students a second chance to answer problems that were solved incorrectly the first time. Some of the recommendations made for teachers working with the participant specific to this study included allowing the student to use his own dry/erase whiteboard to solve problems, encouraging him to pay careful attention to the problems instead of focusing on how fast he can work, providing immediate feedback for the student and working to build a good relationship with him so he feels supported and confident with his work

The influence of structural empowerment on nurses\u27 job satisfaction : An integrative literature review

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between structural empowerment and nurse job satisfaction. Structural empowerment is an essential component of a healthy workplace enabling nurses to provide quality care and feel satisfied in their roles. This integrated literature review included twelve quantitative research studies identified in CINAHL, Medline, and SAGE. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. There is a strong, positive relationship between structural empowerment and nurse job satisfaction. Nursing leaders must promote healthy work environments built on structural empowerment to increase job satisfaction and retain a solid nursing workforce for the future