Abstract This study asks if an interactive school-based HIV/AIDS prevention/education program for multi-ethnic urban seventh and eighth graders can increase their knowledge about HIV/AIDS, promote positive attitudes towards people with AIDS and encourage the desire for changes in the high risk behavior. The paper states that this research is based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), introduced by Fishbein in 1967 and suggests that a person's attitude toward any object is a function of his or her belief about the object and the evaluative aspects of those beliefs. The author proposes that an HIV educational program intervention will be used with a design consisting of a pre-test and post-test evaluation of an educational intervention on HIV/AIDS prevention to seventh and eighth grade students.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Conceptual Framework
Framework
Research Question/Hypothesis
Methodology
Research Design
Research Sample
Independent Variable
Research Results
Implications for Family/
Community Health Nurse Practitioners
Implications for Target Population/Community
Summary
Appendix
From the Paper "In the United States, HIV/STD infections are prevalent among the African Americans, and the Latinas in urban and rural areas especially in districts where the unemployment rate is high and impoverished families cannot send their children to school. Out-of-school youth ages 12-19 are most stricken and while efforts are being heightened and the federal government and other funding organizations are helping, HIV/STD cases still exist and programs don?t seem to work out at all."
Abstract This paper explains quantitative and qualitative research methods. It also discusses their uses and in what type of research they are most valuable. The paper also looks at some of the shortcomings associated with each type of methodology and what might motivate a researcher to favor one method over another.
From the Paper "To count or not to count. That is the question. And a question of as great importance to many social scientists and humanists as was Hamlet's question to himself on the nature of suicide and the value of life. One of the most important choices that a researcher makes in designing a research project is to make a choice between qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Although the two can certainly be used together, most research projects rely far more heavily on one than on the other either because of the nature of the data themselves or because of personal preferences by the researcher. That is certainly true of this research, which could only effectively have been carried out through the use of a statistical methodology."
Abstract The author hypothesized that, by watching the way people shop, she would find some correlation between the way adults act towards their children while shopping and the sort of shopping decisions they themselves make as they trained their children to be consumers. The author staked out a local Wal-Mart in the most culturally and racially diverse part of town to control for any sort of racial or class distinctions. Whenever the author saw two or more adults accompanied by one or more young children, she discreetly tailed them and observed their behavior. The paper relates that the observations showed the author's original hypothesis regarding shopping as an educational experience was somewhat erroneous; with one exception (Case #2), the author did not observe any parents who were actively educating their kids concerning value judgments and purchasing choices. Observation notes included.
From the Paper "Impulsive shoppers had several aspects in common. First, they seemed to consistently purchase expensive items they didn?t necessarily need because they were a "good deal" or "really cute" while complaining about the cost of more basic items. This aspect cut across boundaries of financial security. Secondly, they seemed to view shopping as more of a social and emotional experience than non-impulsive shoppers did and were guided by peer pressure into shopping choices. Additionally, every impulsive shopper I noticed seemed to have some sort of emotional alienation issue, which particularly manifested itself in their relationship to their children and to their purchased products."
Abstract This paper focuses on the Kansas City Preventative Patrol Study and the statistical validity of the findings. The experiment was conducted in 1972 by the Kansas City Police to test the effects of police patrol on the incidence of crime. The study lasted over a year and was evaluated by the Police Foundation, which also provided funding and technical assistance for the study. The purpose of the study was to test the assumption that police patrolling the streets in marked cars can prevent individuals from committing crimes. This paper discusses why the results of the Kansas City Preventative Patrol Study are not statistically valid. The paper is divided into three sections: a brief introduction of the study, the results, and why these results lack statistical value.
From the Paper "Conducting the study in Kansas City does not provide an adequate testing ground. In other cities where there is high crime, high unemployment and a substantial homeless population, patrolling would prove beyond a doubt to be effective. Because the study was so limited in scope, it cannot be considered statistically valid that a high visible police presence has no impact on crime in select circumstances. Had the study been conducted across the country in rural and major metropolitan areas in different regions and then compared, there might have been sufficient data to validate the results."
Abstract This paper examines how, when conducting research into human behavior, practitioners have long been attached to quantitative methodologies. It explores how the last two decades of research have increasingly brought into question the ability of researchers to be able to obtain an objective viewpoint and whether or not quantitative research has validity.
Outline
Introduction
Qualitative Research
Quantitative Research
Ethical Considerations
From the Paper "A qualitative, naturalistic approach is used when observing and interpreting reality. For this reason, this style of is most often used when studying human relations. When measuring people's perceptions of a situation, such as an organization's culture, or in order to understand an organization's behavior, the qualitative research will allow the researcher to guide the research toward unearthing the underlying causes of human behavior in addition to simply measuring the human behavior. This research method is used when the researchers need to / want to develop a theory that will explain what was experienced. For example, a young child may avoid dark rooms as a matter of habit. His behavior may be a simply anxiety avoidance on the part of the child."
Abstract The nursing shortage in the U.S. is indicative of a number of significant forces, including changing demographics, decreasing resources, and increased demands on the health care system. The paper shows that, while work force shortages occur cyclically in other professions, this increasing shortage of nurses appears to be more severe and complex. The paper argues that the results of this trend, if left unchecked, will pose a significant threat to the overall well-being and health of the nation. In order to investigate this trend and create a hypothesis as a means for reversing the shortage, this paper proposes to investigate how creating a mentoring approach to recruit nurses could increase the number of nurses applying to nursing programs, improve the a retention rate of nurses entering the field, and increase the level of job satisfaction among nursing professionals.
From the Paper "The US General Accounting Office (2001) reported similar concerns regarding the aging of the nursing population. As noted by GAO, multiple factors influence recruitment and retention of nurses. One of which is the reduced entry of younger people into the profession. Job dissatisfaction has been identified as an additional factor contributing to the nursing shortage. On the basis of a survey sponsored by the Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (2001), one-half of the currently employed, surveyed RNs have considered leaving the patient-care field for reasons other than retirement."
Abstract This paper not only evaluates and critiques the article, "The Stem Cell Challenge" by Nadia Rosenthal and Robert Lanza about stem cell research, but also evaluates whether the article's format was research-correct, data-supportive, and topically appropriate and sustainable. The author points out that, once the research goal is identified, the investigator must abandon all forms of bias and look at the research situation as a controlled, rational process of reflective inquiry. The paper relates that this article presents the reader with an excellent opportunity to understand clearly the benefits of stem cell research with respect to diseases that currently lack a cure, namely, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and cancer.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Investigative Research Requirements
Article Overview Evaluation and Problem Statement
Research Data Reporting
Study Limitations
From the Paper "In the article, Rosenthal and Lanza go on to explain to the reader that in the stem cell process, stem cells are generally extracted from surplus frozen embryos that are left over from in-vitro fertilization procedures. Once extracted the cells can be grown in a laboratory and subjected to medical application. In addition to the frozen embryo procedure, stem cells also can be extracted from adult tissue without any harm being inflicted upon the patient."
Abstract This paper aims to demonstrate exactly how teachers can become effective at classroom management and what skills are necessary for them to be effective at managing the classroom. To accomplish this, it examines classroom management from an open-minded perspective. The study also incorporates an exploratory approach with regard to examining how effective management skills can be adopted.
Outline
Abstract
Synopsis
Chapter 1
Introduction
Problem Statement
Importance of Study
Background to Study
Chapter 2
Literature Review
Classroom Management Defined
Why is Classroom Management Important?
Classroom Management in Action
Developing Classroom Skills
Factors Contributing to Teacher Strategies
Teaching and Classroom Management Models
Summary of Literature
Proposed Strategies for Success
Chapter 3
Methodology
Theory Building Process
Data Collection and Sample
Population Sample
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Ethics
Implications
References
From the Paper "The need for better instruction regarding how to effectively manage a classroom is evidenced in a majority of the literature available (Biggs, Hinson & Long, 1999; Placek & Dodds, 1988; Dembo & Gibson, 1985). Whether an education major or an experienced teacher, individuals are still attempting to identify the factors they believe to influence classroom management. Many are still struggling to define a successfully managed classroom, while others are working to identify factors that contribute to successful classroom management (Biggs, Hinson & Long, 1999). Surveys of teacher's beliefs about classroom management suggest that numerous factors may play into classroom management and the ability of teachers to manage classrooms effectively."
Abstract This paper explains that both ethnographic and grounded-theory research seek to find a scientifically valid and effective way of conducting research on a variety of subjects. Ethnographic research tends to be more of a mixture of qualitative and quantitative measures, whereas, grounded-theory research tends to be more purely quantitative. The author points out that ethnographic research is a naturalistic, observational method, which elicits rich descriptions of context and culture, alternating between a narrow and a broad focus. The paper relates that, because it deals with an explicitly theoretical research problem, grounded-theory methodology is more direct, more rationalized and quantitative in nature, and primarily seeks to answer research questions through the proposition that scientific research cannot be proposed without substantive or grounded data to back it up.
From the Paper "There are many approaches to conducting research, some qualitative and some quantitative, and some which have facets of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative research designs serve the purpose of showing causal motivations, observing present conditions and longitudinal comparisons, and establishing relationships with evidence from a sample size that is generally large or, in some cases, deferred to a larger statistical research body. Qualitative designs, on the other hand, focus more on specifics than the
generalities suggested by these tendencies towards large sampling groups in quantitative research."
Abstract The paper discusses the quantitative research methodology tool ANOVA, the analysis of variance. To illustrate this particular research tool, an article employing ANOVA is examined in detail with its component sections reviewed, with a critical eye towards the use of ANOVA. The paper concludes that ANOVA is a valid and highly important statistical research device that allows the researcher to better understand the character of the topic at hand.
From the Paper "The problem posed in Spitzner's, Marron's, and Essick's (2003) article, "Mixed-Model Functional ANOVA for Studying Human Tactile Perception," is that traditional two-dimensional approaches to quantitative statistical analysis fail to take advantage of advances in graphical applications that extend statistical analysis into a the realm of three-dimensionality. The study is necessary to illustrate how some of these graphical statistics programs can, "permit subjects to draw some aspect of the sensory experience without the constraints of numerical scales or experimenter-defined categories" (Spitzner, Marron, & Essick, 2003, para.2). The authors wish to accomplish this by employing ANOVA (analysis of variances) techniques mediated through graphical statistical analysis."
Abstract This paper uses the hypothesis statement, "The typical American drinks on average 3 or more 8 oz. caffeine beverages a day" to demonstrate hypothesis testing. The author points out the steps in the five-step hypothesis test: (1) formulate a null and an alternative hypothesis; (2) select a level of significance or risk for the research; (3) identify the test statistic; (4) formulate a decision rule and (5) do the calculations and make a decision. The paper relates that hypothesis testing can be used to test any claim about a parameter.
Table of Contents:
Research Issue
Hypothesis
Five-Step Hypothesis Test
Results
Other Uses of Hypothesis Testing
Excel Spreadsheets
Hypothesis Test: Mean vs. Hypothesized Value
From the Paper "A one-tail test is a test that indicates a direction. This direction can be indicated by the use of words such as less than or more than, or it can be indicated by the use of the greater or less than mathematical signs. The direction of the tail is determined by which direction the alternate hypothesis points. A two-tail test is needed when the words or signs equal and not equal are used. By looking at the hypotheses, Team B determined that they will be conducting a one-tail test to the right."
Tags: tail, test, test, alternative, null, population
Abstract This essay briefly discusses the concept of ethics and specifically the Society of Professional Journalists? Code of Ethics. The author then describes the process of applying this code to his own campus's publication- the different considerations and decisions involved.
From the Paper ""The usability factor of any website is a crucial element in determining whether it is to be a success or failure. There have been numerous, well documented cases recently, of dot com failures, undoubtedly, some of these could have been prevented if the sites had made more of an effort to be more user friendly, clear and concise."
