A study of the functions of the educational administrator in selected hospital schools of nursing in Massachusetts

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Could time detect a faking-good attitude? A study with the MMPI-2-RF

Background and Purpose: Research on the relationship between response latency (RL) and faking in self-administered testing scenarios have generated contradictory findings. We explored this relationship further, aiming to add further insight into the reliability of self-report measures. We compared RLs and T-scores on the MMPI-2-RF (validity and restructured clinical [RC] scales) in four experimental groups. Our hypotheses were that: the Fake-Good Speeded group would obtain a different completion time; show higher RLs than the Honesty Speeded Group in the validity scales; show higher T-Scores in the L-r and K-r scales and lower T-scores in the F-r and RC scales; and show higher levels of tension and fatigue. Finally, the impact of the speeded condition in malingering was assessed. Materials and Methods: The sample was comprised of 135 subjects (M = 26.64; SD = 1.88 years old), all of whom were graduates (having completed at least 17 years of instruction), male, and Caucasian. Subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: Honesty Speeded, Fake-Good Speeded, Honesty Un-Speeded, and Fake-Good Un-Speeded. A software version of the MMPI-2-RF and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were administered. To test the hypotheses, MANOVAs and binomial logistic regressions were run. Results: Significant differences were found between the four groups, and particularly between the Honest and Fake-Good groups in terms of test completion time and the L-r and K-r scales. The speeded condition increased T-scores in the L-r and K-r scales but decreased T-scores in some of the RC scales. The Fake groups also scored higher on the VAS Tension subscale. Completion times for the first and second parts of the MMPI-2-RF and T-scores for the K-r scale seemed to predict malingering. Conclusion: The speeded condition seemed to bring out the malingerers. Limitations include the sample size and gender bias

An Embodied question answering system for use in the treatment of eating disorders

This paper presents work in progress on implementing an embodied question answering system, Dr. Cecilia, in the form of a virtual caregiver, for use in the treatment of eating disorders. The rationale for the system is grounded in one of the few effective treatments for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The questions and answers database is encoded using natural language, and is easily updatable by human caregivers without any technical expertise. Matching of users' questions with database entries is performed using a weighted and normalized n-gram similarity function. In this paper we give a comprehensive background to and an overview of the system, with a focus on aspects pertaining to natural language processing and user interaction. The system is currently only implemented for Swedish

An account of research into the anxiety pupils and students may experience when answering questions and presenting in whole class contexts, with a focus on the coping strategies the learners may employ

Paper that links with the powerpoint presentation given by Dr Julie Anderson at the ECER conference in Ghent (September 2007

How head nurses and clinical instructors see their own and each other's activities in relation to student nurse education

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Screening for Bulimia Nervosa in the Primary Care Setting: Educating Healthcare Providers on the use of the Most Valid and Reliable Screening Tools

Abstract There are currently no routine screening guidelines for eating disorders in the primary care setting, despite their high mortality rate. Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is one of the hardest eating disorders to diagnose due to the lack of physical features and its secretive nature. Primary care providers need to have knowledge of the most valid and reliable screening tools in order to better diagnose and treat BN. In order to assess the most valid and reliable screening tools for BN, current literature was appraised with the focus on tools specifically designed for detection of BN. The results of the literature were translated into an educational tool and presented to healthcare team members at a pediatric primary care office in Burlington, Vermont. Pre and post-presentation questionnaires were distributed to attendees to gauge current knowledge around BN screening tools and gauge the efficacy of the presentation