Advancement Of Understanding In Physical Science And Reduction Of Mathematical Anxiety Through The Use Of Supplemental Mathematics Material

The purpose of this study was to determine if supplementary mathematics materials (created to be complementary to a physical science course) could provide a significant change in the attitudes and performance of the students involved. The supplementary text was provided in the form of a booklet. Participants were students in a physical science class. Students were given surveys to evaluate existing knowledge of physical science, mathematics skill, and mathematics anxiety in the context of a science class. Students were divided into control and experimental groups by lab section, with the experimental group receiving a supplemental booklet. At the end of the semester, another anxiety survey was given. The anxiety surveys and test grades were compared between groups. Anxiety scores were compared between the beginning and end of the semester within each group. Too few students reported using the booklets for a reliable statistical comparison (of grades) to be made. A statistically significant difference in mathematics anxiety levels was found between the groups

Elementary and secondary science teachers negotiation of controversial science content: The relationships among prior conception appropriation, thinking disposition, and learning about geologic time

A major component of the values people place on science and their attitude toward it is their openness to new ideas or overall open-mindedness. An individual’s values and attitudes become integrally connected to their prior knowledge and conceptions regarding science and science content. Sometimes the nature of a natural phenomenon and the scientific explanation for the phenomenon is controversial. A controversial scientific concept is one that evokes emotion and forces individuals to assess the values associated with this content and make assessments of their attitudes toward it. This is especially true during learning. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence on how prior knowledge and existing conceptions are related to open-mindedness when learning science content that is regarded as controversial. The participants for this study consisted of 7 elementary science teachers and 8 secondary science teachers. Data collected for the study included the determination of how individuals assessed and used their prior/existing conceptions when learning controversial science content based on individual interviews, an individual’s level of open-mindedness as measured by the Actively Open-minded Thinking scale (AOT) and determined through the interviews, and the assessment of the change in an individual’s level of knowledge regarding geologic time as measured by the Geoscience Concept Inventory (GCI). The investigation consisted of multiple case studies analyzed within cases and across cases. The teachers’ use of their prior conceptions was determined through the coding of interviews based on the four appropriation modes of Integration, Differentiation, Exchange, and Bridging. Results from the interview data showed that 53% of the teachers differentiated their existing conceptions from new geologic time conceptions, while 47% integrated new conceptions with their prior conceptions. In addition, 40% of the teachers exhibited a bimodal appropriation of their existing conceptions. Bridging and exchange were the secondary appropriation modes observed among bimodal appropriators. No relationships were found between the teachers’ thinking disposition (open-mindedness) and their level of geologic time knowledge, nor where there any relationships found between the teachers’ prior conception appropriation and their geologic time knowledge or their appropriation and thinking disposition

A study of techniques involved in the preparation and delivery of radio sermons

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2394/thumbnail.jp

Employee Perspectives on Reporting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Study of Lived Experiences and Outcomes

Despite numerous laws and policies, sexual harassment remains a significant public concern that has failed to be resolved through contemporary measures. This research study presents a comprehensive review and analysis of sexual harassment focusing on why employees who were victims of sexual harassment may not report such an incident and how reporting of these incidences subsequently impacted the workplace experiences of those who report the issue. The foundation of this qualitative study was feminist theory and twelve participants were recruited through a LinkedIn ad and semistructured interviews were conducted via Zoom or phone with audio-recording. Thematic analysis of the data revealed key factors in the decision to report that included fear of retaliation, mistrust in reporting mechanisms, and stigmas. Reporting sexual harassment revealed systemic organizational shortcomings that included inadequate follow-up, superficial resolutions, and insufficient accountability for perpetrators. Participants described profound emotional and professional impacts, including isolation and intent to leave. The study results indicate that organizational policies to prevent sexual harassment are not enough to ensure the safety of workers, and they fail to provide meaningful support for victims. The study identified pre-reporting factors of fear of retaliation, support or lack of support of colleagues, organizational conditions, and trust and post-reporting experiences of unclarity, negative responses, changes in perceptions of professionalism, and a lack of accountability. This study can contribute to positive social change by informing organizational auditing practices of sexual harassment policies and mitigation strategies

Aeroplastic, New Composite Materials with Reduced Heat Transfer and Increased Flame Retardancy

A new composite system formulated using commodity grade and engineered grade polymers. The composites can be fabricated into fibers, molded, or otherwise processed into useable articles. Use of this technology reduces the thermal conductivity and peak heat releases rates of the base polymer between 20%-50% while maintaining or enhancing the mechanical properties.

Letter dated from James W. Roberson to Colonel Thomas W. Harris. 14 March 1868

Letter sent from Cherry Creek, Mississippi to Holly Springs, Mississippi; regarding separation of Roberson and wife.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1338/thumbnail.jp

Adolescents' Perceptions of Their Consent to Psychiatric Mental Health Treatment

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a small-scale study in which the decision-making process of adolescents who consent to psychiatric mental health treatment was examined. Sixteen (16) adolescents were interviewed about their decisions related to initial and continued treatment, along with their understanding of minor consent laws. Interviews were audio-recorded, and transcripts were analyzed through concept analysis. Findings are presented in the context of the decision-making steps and research questions. Most adolescents did not recognize consequences related to psychiatric mental health treatment and did not assimilate and integrate information provided to them about treatment choices. Adolescents disagreed with current minor consent laws that allow minors to consent to certain healthcare treatments without the required consent of the parent. Further, adolescents reported that a collaborative approach in making decisions about the adolescent's psychiatric mental health treatment was most facilitative of achieving the goals of treatment

Workplace Contextual Supports for LGBT Employees: A Review, Meta‐Analysis, and Agenda for future Research

The past decade has witnessed a rise in the visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This has resulted in some organizational researchers focusing their attention on workplace issues facing LGBT employees. While empirical research has been appropriately focused on examining the impact of workplace factors on the work lives of LGBT individuals, no research has examined these empirical relationships cumulatively. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review and meta‐analysis of the outcomes associated with three workplace contextual supports (formal LGBT policies and practices, LGBT‐supportive climate, and supportive workplace relationships) and to compare the relative influence of these workplace supports on outcomes. Outcomes were grouped into four categories: (a) work attitudes, (b) psychological strain, (c) disclosure, and (d) perceived discrimination. Results show that supportive workplace relationships were more strongly related to work attitudes and strain, whereas LGBT supportive climate was more strongly related to disclosure and perceived discrimination compared to the other supports. Our findings also revealed a number of insights concerning the measurement, research design, and sample characteristics of the studies in the present review. Based on these results, we offer an agenda for future research