Social physique anxiety, pregnancy and exercise : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

The purpose of this study was to examine SPA and exercise during and after pregnancy. Women enrolled in community ante-natal classes participated in the investigation (Exercisers n = 36; Non-exercisers n = 17). Participants completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), Reasons for Exercise Inventory (REI), Exercise Behaviours and Preferences Scale and a modified Body Esteem Scale, and provided general demographic and exercise data during pregnancy and 6 weeks and 3 months post-pregnancy. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that participant reasons for exercise changed significantly over the course of pregnancy from intrinsic to extrinsic, reflecting self-presentational motives. SPA has been found to be positively related to self-presentational motives in previous research, although significant results were not replicated in this study

Decision style, ability and the effectiveness of a careers intervention : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a career decision-making exercise on decision-making skills in groups with different academic ability and career decision style. The study was conducted in a single sex female school using four classes (90 students in total) of Fourth Formers. Three separate phases were carried out within a two week period as part of the careers program. Phase one involved pretesting students using measures of knowledge of sources of careers information and actions to be used when making a careers decision. Career decision style, logical reasoning and demographic details were also obtained at this stage. During phase two students were either taught a specific decision-making exercise (Experimental intervention) or an exercise on women in the workforce (Placebo intervention). The final phase involved a post test and follow up career exercises. Results were analysed using 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 (type of intervention, career decision style, academic ability and pre/post test) way ANOVAs for each dependent measure. The group exposed to the career decision-making exercise did not show the predicted improved performance over those exposed to the placebo intervention. Gains were evident in the knowledge of career information sources but this was the same for both interventions. Academic ability and career decision style did influence the intervention outcomes but not in the predicted directions. Results are discussed in terms of the adequacy of the measures of career decision-making skills and the unexpected impact of the placebo activity. The importance of taking into account decision style and academic ability in designing careers interventions is high-lighted

Building and assessing subject knowledge in mathematics for pre-service students

In planning and teaching curriculum courses for pre-service primary teachers, both within a one-year Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) programme, and in a four-year undergraduate degree leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), we have always been aware that mathematics presents particular problems because of the experiences and attitudes students bring to the subject. We have always tried to balance students’ learning about how children learn mathematics in school, with reflection on their own experiences as learners, and with understanding of the mathematical content of the curriculum. In the past, mathematical content has generally been approached indirectly through discussion of activities and materials appropriate for the primary classroom. However the recent introduction in the U.K. of a National Curriculum for Primary Mathematics in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) which places considerable emphasis on students’ subject knowledge, has meant that we have had to rethink the balance within courses, and to place much more overt emphasis on developing students’ mathematical knowledge. In this paper we describe the way in which we have approached building and assessing mathematical knowledge during the pilot phase of the ITT National Curriculum, examine some of the students’ responses to our approach, and discuss the issues this has raised

An Investigation of Fraud in Nonprofit Organizations: Occurrences and Deterrents

Losses due to fraudulent activities are particularly troublesome in the nonprofit sector because they directly reduce resources available to address tax-exempt purposes. The ensuing bad publicity may also reduce contributions and grants in subsequent periods. This paper uses data provided by Certified Fraud Examiners to report on the types of fraud they identified in nonprofit organizations and the characteristics of both the victims and the perpetrators of the fraudulent activities. Based on the analysis of the data, the authors suggest ways that fraud losses can be prevented or mitigated. In particular, governing boards are urged to consider important controls in addition to the annual financial statement audit.This publication is Hauser Center Working Paper No. 35. The Hauser Center Working Paper Series was launched during the summer of 2000. The Series enables the Hauser Center to share with a broad audience important works-in-progress written by Hauser Center scholars and researchers

The Single Audit Act: How Compliant Are Nonprofit Organizations?

Audits are an important legal accountability tool used by resource providers (donors, grantors, and others) to assure that resources are spent by nonprofit organizations in accordance with the resource providers intentions. This paper reports on audits that are required by the government of the United States for organizations receiving large amounts of federal financial assistance. Since 1990, nonprofits receiving substantial federal funds are required to undergo this rigorous and expensive form of federal oversight. We report on 11,841 nonprofit entities that underwent such audits, and the 3,592 audit firms that conducted them, from 1997 to 1999. Overall, compliance with federal regulations appears to be high. Our study indicates that smaller nonprofits, those that are new to government grants, and those with prior audit findings have a significantly higher rate of adverse audit findings. Perhaps for cost or other reasons, these nonprofits are being audited by less experienced auditors. Current federal funding does not provide any additional funds for Single Audit Act compliance. One policy implication of our work might be to provide federal funding specifically for Single Audit Act compliance to these nonprofits.This publication is Hauser Center Working Paper No. 16. The Hauser Center Working Paper Series was launched during the summer of 2000. The Series enables the Hauser Center to share with a broad audience important works-in-progress written by Hauser Center scholars and researchers

Communication in clinical practice: critical success factors for ESL students : a thesis completed in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy at Massey University, Palmerston North

This study investigates the factors most likely to support effective communication in clinical placements for ESL nursing students in New Zealand. The experiences of ESL students as they complete a clinical placement are examined and compared with data from the students‟ clinical lecturers and preceptors. Data for the study was collected through interviews with individual students before, during and after their Transition to Practice placement. Interviews were also held with two of the students‟ preceptors, and a focus group was held with clinical lecturers who had experience of working with ESL students. Results from the study underline the importance of facilitating students‟ entry to the placement community of practice, and access to its interactions. A number of factors supported or inhibited students‟ participation and learning within the placement community. The study identified two critical factors intrinsic to the student, and two extrinsic to the student. Intrinsic factors included the student‟s proficiency with English language: in particular, the sophisticated sociopragmatic language skills used by nurses in their daily interactions. The student‟s use of learning strategies, including the proactive approach best suited to learning on placement, was also critical. Extrinsic factors likely to support the student‟s integration within the community of practice were the quality of the preceptor, in terms of attitude to and training for the preceptoring role, and the tone of the placement environment. The major outcomes of this study point to the importance of providing direct instruction for ESL students in the kinds of language and learning styles required for placement. There are also implications for the selection and training of preceptors and for the placing of students in appropriate clinical environments. The study concludes with suggestions for a specific communication programme for ESL students

The French background of Middle Scots literature

We have now made a survey of Scottish literature throughout the Middle Ages, bringing together the work or the editors of the middle Scots texts, and of the scholars who have written on various parts of the subject. AL the same time we have tried to indicate, more roughly, the course of the contemporary literature in France. We find that Scotland, like England, looked to France as the chief source of literary culture. The imitation was not always direct; England, and especially Chaucer, made a bridge between France and the North. Political circumstances tended to increase the direct influence, which culminated in the reign of James V and the regency of Mary of Guise - in Lindsay and "The complaynt of Scotlande ". Yet there is no intrinsic bond between the two literatures. Scottish authors borrowed their materials and forms from France, but they were never very deeply influenced by the spirit of French courtly poetry, nor by that subtler essence defying analysis, the "esprit gauloise". Scotland is in the position of a pupil, but of a fairly independent pupil. No French writer ever inspired the admiration and reverence which the Makars accorded to Chaucer.The connection with France enabled the Scottish poets to be more independent of English influence and to take their place in European culture, as James IV enabled his country to do politically. This place they held till the end or the Middle Scots period.We can look back on the Scottish Middle Ages as a literary period in many ways imitative, yet fully alive, and richly representative of mediaeval culture; as a period characteristically Scottish in spite of .its literary borrowings, and worthy of the nation to whose life it gave expression

The conservation and ecology of the heath lobelia, Lobelia urens L.

Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/801 on 08.20.2017 by CS (TIS)This programme of research examines the ecology of the threatened perennial Lobelia urens L. (the heath lobelia) which reaches the northern limit of its distribution in the southern coastal counties of England. A survey of the historical evidence of the distribution of the species in England is presented. Restricted to such a small area, L. urens has always been rare in Britain. The six remaining populations were surveyed to describe the phytosociology of communities containing L. urens and the variability of the environmental factors controlling its distribution. L. urens is shown to be a member of rough grass-heath communities dominated by Molinia caerulea and situated on seasonally waterlogged, moderately acidic, nutrient-poor soils. Studies of the demography of L. urens focused on two extant populations. Experimental research was carried out to support these demographic studies both in the field, on plants grown in a common garden, and under the controlled conditions of the glasshouse and laboratory. This information on the ecology of L. urens was used to construct stage-structured population matrices. Recruitment success in L. urens is shown to be very low in Britain and results suggest that this controls the density of British populations. The availability of seed does not regulate the rate of germination. Instead, recruitment of L. urens at the northern edge of its range is restricted by its specific habitat requirements, along with low summer temperatures and the short growing season. Establishment from seed is facilitated by micro-habitats that provide high light intensities and, more importantly, protection against soil moisture loss. Whilst winter disturbance by herbivores is shown to be essential for successful recruitment, adult growth and survival is better in ungrazed communities. However, even the small plants of the grazed areas are very fecund. The seed forms a large persistent bank that embodies a reserve of individuals and genetic variability which offers protection against extinction. The thesis concludes that the soil moisture status and disturbance regimes at Redlake and Andrew's Wood are limiting the growth rates of the L. urens populations. In order to maintain populations, the redirection of drainage water is prescribed to increase the soil moisture status. L. urens is suited to intermittent soil disturbance, the timing and intensity of which was shown to be important, whilst the duration between grazes was seen to be less critical. Results suggest that the habitat created by occasional heavy winter grazing of fattening cattle would be very favourable to L. urens