VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Singh, Kusum"

Browsing by Author "Singh, Kusum"

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Adolescent Girls' Body-Narratives and Co-Constructed Critical Interpretations
Oliver, Kimberly L. (Virginia Tech, 1996-06-05)
Narrative analysis, a form of narrative inquiry, uses stories to frame and describe how people interpret and construct the meanings of their lives. Stories connect us with our past, help us to understand our present, and offer vision of possible futures. People live and create their lives through the stories they see, hear, tell, internalize, and hope for. The interpretation of narrative is not about certainties or standards, but rather about the multiplicity of perspectives and possibilities that can be constructed to make experience understandable. Critical interpretation of narrative can thus be a transformative process; a process being so crucial to the health of adolescent girls in Western culture. This study explores how four adolescent girls, and one researcher, together, interpreted and constructed the meanings of their bodies. The journey connects the researcher's struggle to find more democratic and empowering forms of inquiry, with the stories four eighth grade girls, diverse in race, social class, religion, and skin color, tell about how they experience and see their bodies in culture, in relation to others, and as them selves. All four girls are learning to create and desire an "image" of an ideal woman, and thus are beginning to objectify their bodies to be "looked at" by others. Image was a predominant interpretive frame for constructing meaning of the body for all four girls. Yet race, particularly visual racial representations, was also a predominant interpretive frame for the two African American, and one African American-Indian girls.
Adolescents' Social Capital Resources, Future Life Expectations, and Subsequent Citizenship Participation as Young Adults
Mottley, Eugenia L. (Virginia Tech, 2007-12-03)
In this study, conceptual models of young adult citizenship participation eight years post high school using Putnam's (1993) theory of social capital are tested. This study uses a longitudinal database. Specifically, the models posit that accumulation of more social capital resources during adolescence will be associated with more positive future life expectations related to educational, occupational, and family life outcomes. Subsequently, these more positive future life expectations and social capital resources will be associated with a higher degree of citizenship participation (as measured by voting behavior, community integration and volunteerism) as young adults. Measures from the 1990, 1992 and 2000 waves of the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS:88) dataset were used. The models were examined using structural equation modeling procedures. Findings indicate that school and community social capital had mixed results regarding their effects on the final outcome variables. Teacher interactions were not found to have a statistically significant direct effect on any of the three citizenship participation outcome variables. But this result should be viewed with caution due to possible measurement problems with the construct of teacher interactions. Peer interactions did have a statistically significant, direct, effect on community integration and volunteerism, but it did not have a direct effect on voting behavior. Participation in extracurricular school activities did have a small, direct, effect on all three outcome variables. Participation in community sports activities had a positive direct effect on community integration, a small negative effect on voting behavior, and no statistically significant effect on volunteerism. Finally, participation in other types of community activities had the largest direct effects on all three citizenship participation outcome variables. The adolescent social capital variables of teacher interactions, peer interactions, and participation in other types of community activities for tenth graders did have positive, direct effects on future life expectations for twelfth graders. Extracurricular activities participation and community sports participation were not found to have an effect on future life expectations. Future life expectations were found to have a very small, but statistically significant, positive, direct effect on all three citizenship participation variables. These findings indicate that some adolescent social capital resources can have positive direct effects on the long term, young adult, educational outcome of citizenship participation. But it varies by type of social capital resource and by the particular aspect of citizenship behavior being measured.
Analysis of an adventure-based marriage enrichment program
Hickmon, William Adrian Jr (Virginia Tech, 1993-08-05)
The effectiveness of an adventure-based marriage enrichment program in increasing marital intimacy was studied. Thirty seven married couples from a relatively conservative Protestant religion composed the sample. The sample was composed of volunteer participants ranging in age from 21-47. The participants were randomly assigned to two treatment groups and a control group. The Waring Intimacy Questionnaire, a participants' Self-Rating of Intimacy Scale, a participants' Intimacy Change Scale, and an open-ended questionnaire were used to collect data. Analysis of Covariance was use to determine differences in post-test scores using the pre-test as the covariate. The findings showed statistical significance for group post-test scores on the WIQ Total Intimacy Scores, E (2,70)= 3.96, p < .05. Significance was shown for group post-test scores on the WIQ cohesiveness subscale, F (2,70) = 8.71, p < .001.
Analysis of Clothing Websites for Young Customer Retention based on A Model of Customer Relationship Management via the Internet
Seock, Yoo-Kyoung (Virginia Tech, 2003-07-31)
In today's era of intense competition for acquiring and retaining customers, customer retention has become a major issue and a key objective in modern retailing. With the emergence of new information technologies, the Internet offers new possibilities for customer retention through the management of relationships between marketers and consumers. Little empirical research has addressed the role of Internet websites in retaining customers for particular brands or at particular stores. The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of the attitudes of a sample of young consumers aged 18 to 22 toward their favorite websites on intentions to purchase through the Internet and channels other than Internet clothing websites. The data were collected using an online survey with a structured questionnaire. The subjects of the study were 414 male and female undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech and The Ohio State University, who were aged 18 to 22 and non-married. Several hypotheses were put forward and results except for one hypothesis were supported. Factor analysis, cluster analysis, factorial MANOVA, canonical correlation analysis, multiple regression, path analysis, and t-tests were employed to test the research hypotheses on the relationships among the variables. The factorial MANOVA results showed that shopping orientation and previous online shopping experience affected the evaluation of general clothing website characteristics, as well as the evaluation of favorite clothing websites. The canonical correlation results revealed that the product information, customer service, and navigation factors represented the favorite clothing website characteristics and were well predicted by the same constructs of the general clothing website characteristics. The path analysis revealed that attitudes toward favorite clothing websites were positively related to intentions to search for information at favorite clothing websites, and that intentions to search for information at those websites were positively related to intentions to purchase from those websites as well as from channels other than Internet clothing websites. Attitudes toward favorite clothing websites were directly and positively related to intentions to purchase clothing items from favorite clothing websites, and were not directly related to intentions to purchase clothing items from channels other than Internet clothing websites. The results also showed that shopping orientation affected intentions to search for information on one hand, and intentions to purchase clothing items from favorite clothing websites on the other. The online information search and purchase groups were significantly different in their intentions to purchase clothing items from their favorite clothing websites. From the results of the present research, it is concluded that Internet websites play a pivotal role in forming consumersï¿½ attitude toward the websites, which eventually lead to their information search and purchase intention from the websites. In addition, consumers' online information search intentions influence their purchase intention at channels other than Internet. Thus, by establishing effective websites, marketers can retain their customers through multiple channels including the Internet, brick-and-mortar stores, and catalogs.
An analysis of current wellness trends on United States public community college campuses
Fuller, Barbara J. (Virginia Tech, 1994-04-05)
This study analyzed the characteristics of United States public community college wellness programs to determine the relationship of institutional size or line item budgeting on (a) staffing, (b) departmental affiliation, (c) programming, and (d) facilities. Data were collected via mail surveys from 156 public community colleges within the United States. The population consisted of United States public community colleges with wellness programs. Two purposeful samples were utilized: a conference based sample consisting of those institutions which were represented at the 1993 Sixth Annual Community College Wellness Conference and a director identified based sample of community colleges which had been identified by state directors as having a wellness program. The review of literature examined (a) definitions of wellness, (b) goals/objectives of wellness programs, (c) components of wellness programs, (d) corporate wellness programs and, (e) wellness programs in educational settings. Methodological procedures included development of a 46 item survey instrument which consisted of 43 forced choice items, and three open-ended questions. Data did not support line item budgeting significantly relating to staffing, departmental affiliation, or programming, however. there was a significant relationship concerning facilities. Data also revealed there was no significant relationship between institution size and staffing, departmental affiliation, programming, or facilities. Final analysis includes a descriptive profile of community college wellness programs which should be useful to decision makers and advisory boards who are involved in planning and evaluation.
Analysis of school board policies relating to the Establishment Clause
Perry, Charlie Jeff (Virginia Tech, 1994)
The purpose of this study was to analyze the current school board policies within the Commonwealth of Virginia to determine if they were consistent with the federal judicial system's interpretation of the Establishment Clause. Twenty-four federal district, circuit and Supreme Court cases were analyzed to determine the court's interpretation of the Establishment Clause as it relates to the public schools. Twenty-one criteria were developed from this analysis and the criteria were used to evaluate the school board policies of Virginia school divisions. The criteria were separated into five categories to provide greater clarity and organization. The five categories include general, prayer, Bible reading, release time programs and equal access. Approximately 91 percent of the schools in the Commonwealth responded to this study. Approximately 55 percent of the schools returned policies which governed at least one Establishment Clause issue. Approximately 36 percent of the schools responding to this study declared that they had no policies relating to any issues as defined by this study. The data from this study demonstrated that the majority of school board policies throughout the Commonwealth are not consistent with the judicial system's interpretation of the Establishment Clause. The policies which were returned and evaluated satisfied only 35 percent of the criteria within the general category; 12.83 percent of the criteria within the prayer category; 24.34 percent within the Bible reading category; 16.58 percent within the release time category; and 21.05 percent within the equal access category. Overall the policies which were analyzed satisfied only 22.74 percent of the entire set of criteria. The most successful school division satisfied only 52 percent of the criteria and over 61 percent of the policies failed to satisfy more than 27 percent of the criteria.
An Analysis of the Administrative Behavior of Three Female High School Principals
Walker, Lorraine W. (Virginia Tech, 2000-08-28)
For many decades, school leadership has been conceptualized in a variety of ways attempting to identify the critical elements necessary for effective school leadership. The expertise required for today's schools appears to be different from that required in the past, particularly as school leaders are expected to initiate change and "restructure" in order to obtain new and improved educational results. Traditional managerial skills, once deemed appropriate and effective for school administration, are now being replaced by styles that focus on cooperation and consideration, community building, open communication, and involvement with others. These behaviors appear to be present in women as they demonstrate their effectiveness in leadership roles as principals and superintendents. This descriptive study offers an in-depth look at the administrative behavior of three women. It documents their experiences and perspectives as high school principals. The purpose of the study is to contribute to the growing body of research on female leaders necessary to challenge the existing theories on school administration, which are based on traditional business management theory and formulated using an androcentric conceptual framework. Naturalistic inquiry guided the present study, which employed qualitative research methodology. Participant observations, complemented by interviews and reflective conversations, provided the data for analysis using grounded theory. A computer software program Ethnograph (Qualis, 1998) facilitated the organization and analysis of data. Case narratives, case reports, and a cross-case analysis report three women's behavior in their role as high school principals. Major conclusions include: (a) Each principal demonstrated a unique style of administrative behavior which seemed effectively matched to the needs of the school organization; (b) Each principal demonstrated a strong set of collegial or relational behaviors that focused on building community in order to support the school programs; and (c) Each principal demonstrated an ethic of care informed by a sense of fairness and loyalty to the policies and procedures associated with their bureaucratic organizational environment. The ethic of care that guided each principal's style suggests that these principals exercise a kind of power associated more with "effective agency" than with "command and control" power typically associated with traditional leadership. Additional research is needed to document the female leadership experience in schools in order to challenge and transform current administrative theory; research is also needed to explore the notion of "effective agency" as power. Practitioners, researchers, and other interested educational professionals are invited to use the behaviors identified in this study to reflect upon their own styles, because changing our schools is inevitably bound up with changing ourselves.
Assessing Student Perceptions of High School Science Classroom Environments: A Validation Study
Luketic, Christine Dorothy (Virginia Tech, 2008-01-25)
The purpose of this study was to assess the measures of the Science Laboratory Environment Inventory (SLEI), an existing classroom environment measurement instrument, to provide up-to-date norms and validation evidence for a U.S. secondary school population. This instrument’s measures were established as a means of examining students’ perceptions of their learning environment in science classrooms, and subsequently providing indicators of performance. Pedagogical changes have taken place in the science classroom fostered by the National Science Standards. This study included an examination of the SLEI measures using Mesick’s validity framework including an in-depth analysis of the instrument’s content, substance, structure, generalizability and external validity. Rasch measurement theory was employed to investigate specific components of the instrument including item fit, rating scale function, dimensionality and individual performance information. Three hundred and fifty five high school science students completed the SLEI. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the dimensional structure of the measures of the instrument. Analyses revealed that a multi-dimensional model encompassing five distinct factors and excluding negatively worded items best characterized the SLEI measures. Multidimensional measures created by scaling the data to the Multidimensional Random Coefficients Multinomial Logit (Rasch) Model exhibited suitable rating scale structure, item quality, and reliability of separation. Analyses by academic grouping revealed that students in high achieving courses had a more favorable perception of all aspects of their learning environments when compared to students in the regular courses. In addition, student perceptions of the lab were influenced by the extent of students’ experience learning science. To determine whether differences observed by grade level could be attributable to biology learning experience versus experience in school, additional analyses were completed. The analysis revealed that differences in perception were consistent across academic achievement groups as well as experience level by first year and beyond (course level) rather than by grade level. This validation study has provided additional and up-to-date evidence concerning the validity of SLEI measures. Coupled with the existing research revealing positive correlations between student perceptions of their learning environments and their academic achievement, the outcomes reported here provide a foundation for future assessment of the relationship between classroom environment and student achievement.
Assessing treatment effects of a psychoeducational group on thoughts, feelings and actions of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Wiggins, David R. (Virginia Tech, 1995)
The purpose of this action study was to assess effects of a psychoeducational group on thoughts, feelings and actions of adults with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specifically this study was designed to change organizational skills of ADHD adults using the TFA System and Group Pentagon. Three groups were evaluated during this study. Nine adults with ADHD in the treatment group participated in all of the pretesting, treatment and posttesting. Eight adults with ADHD served as a control group and participated in all of the pretesting and posttesting but received no treatment. Sixteen normal adults served as a second control group and were administered some evaluation instruments as a pretest in order to compare their scores to the two ADHD groups. Pre and posttest assessments consisted of: TFA self-assessments, a seven item checklist of organizational skills and a seven scale inventory of adult ADHD behaviors. A four session psychoeducational group was constructed using information from literature, assessments and Group Pentagon. Specific interventions were designed to improve individual behavior related to time management and task completion. Results showed that the TFA and Group Pentagon models had both statistical and practical effects in improving organizational skills of the treatment group. Participants were able to examine and change their thoughts, feelings and actions to improve time management and task completion skills. The ADHD control group showed no statistically significant changes.
Bulimic Symptomatology in College Women: To What Degree are Hypnotizability, Dissociation, and Absorption of Relevance?
Galper, Daniel I. (Virginia Tech, 1999-04-08)
Bulimia is often viewed as an extreme expression of eating concerns and body image disturbances that afflicts many adolescent and adult women. The cognitive strategies employed by individuals to inhibit eating and facilitate bingeing and purging are thought to include disattending internal sensations of hunger and satiety while sustaining attention on food, distorted beliefs, and interoceptive experiences (e.g., Heatherton & Baumeister, 1991). To the extent that these attentional and perceptual shifts mediate bulimic symptomatology, individuals with bulimic tendencies should exhibit certain cognitive attributes. Because hypnotizability, dissociation, and absorption have each been invoked (either directly or indirectly) as explanatory constructs for clinical and subclinical bulimia, the present study evaluated the absolute and relative effects of these factors on bulimic symptomatology in a large sample of undergraduate women (N = 309) using structural equation modeling. Following 2 assessments of hypnotic susceptibility (Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A [Shor & Orne, 1962] & Group Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C [Crawford & Allen, 1982]), participants completed measures of eating disorder symptomatology (Eating Disorders Inventory-2 [Garner, 1991]; Three Factor Eating Questionnaire [Stunkard & Messick, 1985]), dissociation (Dissociative Experiences Scale [Carlson & Putnam, 1986]; Dissociation Questionnaire [Vanderlinden et al., 1993]), and absorption (Tellegen Absorption Scale [Tellegen & Atkinson, 1974]; Differential Attentional Processes Inventory [Crawford, Brown, & Moon, 1993; Grumbles & Crawford, 1981]). A final model including the latent constructs Hypnotizability, Dissociation, Absorption, and Bulimic Symptomatology provided a very good fit to the data (X 2 (58, N = 309) = 31.09, NFI = .932, CFI = .967, & RMSEA = .053). As hypothesized, dissociation was found to a have moderate effect (Standardized coefficient = .32, p < .01) on Bulimic Symptomatology when controlling for Hypnotizability and Absorption. Moreover, contrary to past research, the path between Hypnotizability and Bulimic Symptomatology and the path between Absorption and Bulimic Symptomatology were not significant. Based on these finding, we can now speak with increased confidence of a meaningful link between dissociation and the continuum of bulimic symptomatology. A pathological dissociative style appears to contribute to the development of bulimia.
Business-industry-education involvement in tech prep programs in Virginia
Lachowicz, Thomas (Virginia Tech, 1993-11-05)
Although Business-Industry-Education (B-I-E) involvement in Tech Prep programs is frequently discussed and encouraged in the literature, there was little information which identified what is meant by involvement. This study determined what constitutes B-I-E involvement in Tech Prep programs in Virginia's community colleges and secondary schools. At the time of this study there were forty-four (44) Tech Prep projects in Virginia. Each Tech Prep project had at least one key person at the community college and at least one key person at the secondary schools in the community college service area. There are twenty-three (23) community colleges in Virginia with at least one Tech Prep project at each community college. Each community college in the consortium had at least one secondary school associated with it. In most instances, there were several secondary schools associated with each community college. The sample consisted of 23 key persons at the community colleges and 23 at the secondary schools.
Calibration Efficacy of Three Logistic Models to the Degrees of Reading Power Test Using Residual Analysis
Granville, Monique V. (Virginia Tech, 1997-11-18)
The publisher of the Degrees of Reading Power test of reading comprehension (DRP) calibrate their test using an item response model called the Rasch or one-parameter logistic model. The relationship between the use of the Rasch model in calibration of the DRP and the use of the DRP as a component of the Virginia Literacy Passport Testing Program (LPT) is addressed. Analyses concentrate on sixth grade students who were administered the DRP in 1991. The question that arises is whether the Rasch model is the appropriate model to use to calibrate the DRP in this high-stakes setting. The majority of research that has been reported by the publisher of the DRP to assess the adequacy of the Rasch model have not included direct checks on model assumptions, model features or model predictions. Instead, they have relied almost exclusively on statistical tests in assessment of model fit. This study will assess the adequacy of fitting DRP test data to the Rasch model through direct examination of the assumptions, features and predictions of the IRT model. This is accomplished by comparing the Rasch model to the less restrictive two- and three-parameter logistic models. Robust IRT-based goodness-of-fit techniques are conducted. When the DRP is used in a high stakes setting, guessing is likely for those in jeopardy of failing. Under these circumstances, we must attend to the possibility that guessing may be a factor and thereby calibrate the DRP with the three-parameter model, as this model takes guessing into account.
A Causal Model of Linkages between Environment and Organizational Structure, and Its Performance Implications in International Service Distribution: An Empirical Study of Restaurant and Hotel Industry
Kim, Seehyung (Virginia Tech, 2005-04-14)
This research develops and tests a model of the service unit ownership and control patterns used by international service companies. The main purpose of this study is to investigate trivariate causal relationships among environmental factors, organizational structure, and perceived performance in the internationalization process of service firms. A service firm operating in foreign soil has a choice of three general entry mode strategies offering different degrees of ownership and control of its remote operating units located in foreign countries -- full ownership arrangement, joint venture arrangement, and franchising arrangement. The entry mode strategies chosen depend on the factors relating to internal environment of a specific firm, industry related factors in which the firm operates, and external environment of the operating units at national context. This study identifies these factors, investigates how they affect the firm's choice of entry modes, and finally examines the impact of entry mode on firm's performance. The overall model has been explained by contingency theory that conceptualizes optimal level of ownership and control mode as a response by the firm to the interplay of environmental factors and as a determinant of firm's performance. To this core can be added complementary theories which are borrowed from agency theory, transaction cost theory, and resource dependence theory. These theories explain the linkages between market entry mode and each type of environmental factors. In order to empirically test the hypotheses, data were collected from hospitality firms regarding the ownership structure of subsidiaries located in foreign countries. As a whole, the conceptual model developed in the study received strong support from the empirical study. This study found a positive impact of contingency fit on performance and so support contingency theory in which some combinations of the environmental dimensions and organizational structure will lead to better organizational performance. Another finding of this study indicates that the increased level of ownership and control will result in enhancing the level of perceived performance. It should be noted that contingency model-based mode choice would provide managers with the optimal performance because there is not one best performing mode choice in volatile international market. Next, the relationship of market environment with organizational structure was examined through three different perspectives. Market environment was investigated at firm, industry, and national context, which includes five factors -- monitoring uncertainty, asset specificity, cultural distance, political uncertainty, and economic uncertainty. The model is suggestive of a picture in which five environmental factors vie for affecting the choice of market entry modes. All five environmental factors were found to be significantly related to firms' organizational structure. Among five environmental factors, cultural uncertainty has the largest effect on the choice of entry mode followed by monitoring uncertainty, political uncertainty, asset specificity, and economic uncertainty. One of the important implications of this research is the inclusion of franchising as an actual management strategy and competitive business practice that is related to international ownership and control strategy. Higher degrees of uncertainty associated with the foreign market encourage external dependence of the venture, in which the operation depends more heavily on local relationships. Franchising substitutes the loss of ownership by an increase of external relationships and it takes without losing control on retail operation. Resource exploitation depends on the local market for either inputs or outputs for better performance. Understanding the fit between the each set of contingent variables and the elements of ownership and control strategy will allow marketers to determine when franchising is the suitable mode of operation in global markets. Collectively, these results suggest that the choice of an organizational form for international service firms involves a complex balance of firm, industry, and country level factors. Managers can maximize performance by aligning entry mode strategy with external contextual circumstances as well as internal resources. Managers may also be able to make better mode choice decisions using the theory-driven criteria examined in this study, increasing their chances for financial and non-financial success.
Changing taxpayer attitudes and increasing taxpayer compliance: the role of individual differences in taxpayers
McClenny, R. Lorraine (Virginia Tech, 1992)
The level of taxpayer compliance has steadily decreased over the years. Individual taxpayers failed to report approximately $100 billion in federal taxes due on legal income received in 1989. The compliance gap is large enough to greatly reduce the federal government deficit. Studies employing psychological cognitive structure approaches to analyzing taxpayer compliance and attempting to increase taxpayer compliance employ theories related to equity sensitivity, attitude formation, and change. These studies generally examine relationships between compliance and socioeconomic and situational variables. Appeals to a taxpayer's moral obligation to pay taxes have been studied as a means to change taxpayer attitudes and intentions and thereby increase compliance. The present study sought to determine if taxpayer compliance could be enhanced by sanction threats or by appeals to conscience. The study also endeavored to discover if compliance differed between various types of taxpayers. These individual differences were posited to cause taxpayers to react differently to alternative types of interventions aimed at increasing compliance to income tax law. A laboratory study was designed to gauge a subject's sensitivity to equity, administer intervention techniques, and measure compliance and attitude toward taxation. The data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Although the results of the study showed no significant main effect for treatment type, a significant main effect (p = .0075) was found for Equity Sensitivity type when the scenario depicting Overstating Business Expenses was the dependent variable in the design. There were no significant main effects for Equity Sensitivity type or treatment type when the six attitude items were used as the dependent variables in a MANOVA.
Characterization of a Creosote-Contaminated Tie Yard Site and the Effects of Phytoremediation
Fetterolf, Glendon J. IV (Virginia Tech, 1998-06-15)
A creosote treatment facility was active during the 1950’s and 1960’s at a railroad tie yard site. In 1990, creosote contamination was discovered along a creek bank at the site. Phytoremediation was selected as the remedial technology and hybrid poplar trees were planted at the site in 1997. A research project was designed to: 1) characterize the site through collection of soil and ground water samples; 2) assess phytoremediation effects of 3 grasses, clover, fescue and rye, in creosote-contaminated surface soils; 3) perform assessment of the hybrid poplar tree phytoremediation system; 4) develop a hybrid poplar tree evapotranspiration model. This thesis is focused on the first and second items on the research agenda. Soil and ground water samples were collected and analyzed for 6 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and chrysene. Site characterization revealed multiple creosote sources. Areal subsurface bedrock DNAPL distribution, approximately 6500 ft², was much greater than previously reported. Total PAHs (Σ 6 PAHs) in the soil and ground water ranged from below detection limits (BDL) to 8,276 mg/kg and BDL to 1.58 mg/L, respectively. Aqueous phase PAHs should be available for hybrid poplar tree and microbial uptake. Dissolution and diffusion of PAH constituents from the free product phase to the aqueous and soil phases contaminated both matrices. PAH cosolvency effects were also evident. The presence of more soluble PAHs in the aqueous phase enhanced the solubility of two hydrophobic PAHs, chrysene and benzo(b)fluoranthene. Phytoremediation effects of fescue, rye, and clover grasses were assessed in creosote-contaminated surface soils. Over the 9 month period, clover grass growth was very poor. Clover data was not used in comparative analyses. Rye and fescue grasses exhibited acceptable growth. In planted and control (unplanted-amended) plots, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene soil concentrations were reduced 72, 50, 73, 55 and 49 percent, respectively. Chrysene reduction was not statistically significant. During the first 4 months of the study, dry site conditions limited grass growth and subsurface biological activity. The site received approximately 16 inches of precipitation during the last 3 months of the study, including multiple, intense precipitation events. The subsurface was saturated for prolonged periods of time and oxygen transfer to indigenous microorganisms was likely limited. The root structures of fescue and rye grasses were neither dense nor complex enough to promote phytoremediation effects. PAH reductions were generally greater for constituents with higher aqueous solubilities. It is thought that PAH losses were primarily due to solubilization and/or microbial uptake.
Co-alignment between Environment Risk, Corporate Strategy, Capital Structure, and Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation of Restaurant Firms
Chathoth, Prakash K. (Virginia Tech, 2002-05-02)
The importance of testing the co-alignment model has been emphasized by several researchers in the past. The present study is an attempt to test the model using theories in corporate finance and strategic management, which will also prove the commonalties that exist between these domains of business research. This will help support the arguments of some researchers in the hospitality industry who have stressed the importance of assessing the firm's strategies using concepts in finance. The overall objective of this study is to test the viability of the co-alignment model using strategic management and corporate finance theory. The present study identifies the dimensions and variables using prior research within each of the constructs studied under the management and corporate finance domains, vis-a-vis environment risk, corporate strategy, capital structure and firm performance. The relationship between the constructs and dimensions were tested for the dependencies between them using surrogates used in prior research through a priori hypothesized relationships. The unit of analysis was the corporate level, and hence, the study included corporate level data of restaurant firms. The research design included cross-sectional data of restaurant firms that were averaged across an a priori defined time period. These firms were selected based on certain criteria that helped control for country effects and industry effects. Therefore, the publicly traded firms selected as part of the sample were based in the U.S. serving markets predominantly within the country. The statistical analysis was conducted using cross-sectional regression. Results indicate that a high variance in firm performance is explained by the co-alignment between environment risk, corporate strategy, and capital structure. Furthermore, the hypothesized relationships between variables that represent the constructs hold good while using accrual and cash flow returns as surrogates of firm performance. This key finding provides the base for future research efforts, which could focus on developing the model through the use of surrogates that are used in both strategic management and corporate finance research. Also, the sample could be extended to include privately owned restaurant firms that serve markets within the U.S., which will help improve the generalizability of the co-alignment model.
Cognitive Diagnostic Model, a Simulated-Based Study: Understanding Compensatory Reparameterized Unified Model (CRUM)
Galeshi, Roofia (Virginia Tech, 2012-09-24)
A recent trend in education has been toward formative assessments to enable teachers, parents, and administrators assist students succeed. Cognitive diagnostic modeling (CDM) has the potential to provide valuable information for stakeholders to assist students identify their skill deficiency in specific academic subjects. Cognitive diagnosis models are mainly viewed as a family of latent class confirmatory probabilistic models. These models allow the mapping of students' skill profiles/academic ability. Using a complex simulation studies, the methodological issues in one of the existing cognitive models, referred to as compensatory reparameterized unified model (CRUM) under the log-linear model family of CDM, was investigated. In order for practitioners to implement these models, their item parameter recovery and examinees' classifications need to be studied in detail. A series of complex simulated data were generated for investigation with the following designs: three attributes with seven items, three attributes with thirty five items, four attributes with fifteen items, and five attributes with thirty one items. Each dataset was generated with observations of: 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 examinees. The first manuscript is the report of the investigation of how accurately CRUM could recover item parameters and classify examinees under true QMattrix specification and various research designs. The results suggested that the test length with regards to number of attributes and sample size affects the item parameter recovery and examinees classification accuracy. The second manuscript is the report of the investigation of the sensitivity of relative fit indices in detecting misfit for over- and opposite-Q-Matrix misspecifications. The relative fit indices under investigation were Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and sample size adjusted Bayesian information criterion (ssaBIC). The results suggested that the CRUM can be a robust model given the consideration to the observation number and item/attribute combinations. The findings of this dissertation fill some of the existing gaps in the methodological issues regarding cognitive models' applicability and generalizability. It helps practitioners design tests in CDM framework in order to attain reliable and valid results.
Collaborative Study and Paired Test Taking in Collegiate Level Linear Programming Instruction
Angel, N. Faye (Virginia Tech, 1998-09-16)
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of collaborative learning strategies on formulating solutions to linear programming word problems that were designed to incorporate problem-solving skills. Forty-six students majoring in business at a small southwest college in Virginia participated in the study. After an instruction session, a study period, and a question and answer discussion, participants completed the test instrument based upon random assignment to three treatment groups. These included individual study with individual test taking (control), paired study with individual test taking, and paired study with paired test taking. All participants returned in 17 days to complete a posttest individually having received no further instruction in linear programming theory. The following null hypothesis was examined: No differences in treatment means measuring problem-solving abilities would be found based on students' test and posttest scores using two treatment groups of collaborative study, with collaborative or individual test taking, and a control group of individual study with individual test taking. After satisfying the assumptions of no difference in ability in the treatment groups, establishing significant influence of ability on test score and posttest score variables, and establishing homogeneity of regression, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the null hypothesis. The null hypothesis was rejected. Treatment had a significant effect on the variance for the test score variable, F = 3.92, p < .05, and for the posttest score variable, F = 4.44, p < .05. Newman-Keuls post hoc test showed significant differences in the adjusted means of the test score variable between the individual study with individual test taking group (72.22) and the paired study with paired test taking group (87.86). For the posttest score variable, the Newman-Keuls post hoc test revealed significant differences between the adjusted means of the individual study with individual test taking group (36.25) and the paired study with individual test taking group (59.20), and between the adjusted means of the individual study with individual test taking group (36.25) and the paired study with paired test taking group (55.77). Implications of findings and recommendations for further research were discussed.
A comparison of achievement and attendance of fifth grade African American male and female students attending same-gender classes and coeducational classes in two inner city schools
Mitchell, Ethel Whitfield (Virginia Tech, 1993)
This quantitative study compared achievement and attendance of fifth grade African American males and females attending same- gender classes and coeducational classes in two inner-city schools in Virginia. The population of the study was ninety African American students. Fifty-two students were in same-gender classes and thirty-eight students were in coeducational classes. The students were from very similar socio-economic neighborhoods. The lowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the students’ final grades in grades four and five were used to obtain quantitative data. Achievement and attendance information was reported in mean scores and percentages. Charts and tables were used where appropriate for purposes of comparison and clarification. Descriptive statistics were used for means, standard deviations, and percentages. A separate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test was performed for achievement grades in math, science, reading, and social studies and standardized test scores. An ANCOVA also was done on attendance. The fourth grade ITBS’s test scores in reading, math, science, and social studies served as covariates. A separate analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was run on each ANCOVA for the purpose of comparison. Significant main effects and interactions were analyzed. Number Cruncher Statistical System software was used for all computations. A probability level of .05 was selected as the level of significance. The analysis of the data for both groups revealed that students in the same-gender group showed higher achievement and improved attendance than the coeducational group. Grades for males and females were better in all subjects in same-gender classes. However, improved standardized test score results were divided. The results of this study can provide data to school districts interested in comparing same-gender schooling and coeducational schooling. It contributes to the growing body of research in same-gender schooling as an educational alternative.
A Comparison of Discrete and Continuous Survival Analysis
Kim, Sunha (Virginia Tech, 2014-05-08)
There has been confusion in choosing a proper survival model between two popular survival models of discrete and continuous survival analysis. This study aimed to provide empirical outcomes of two survival models in educational contexts and suggest a guideline for researchers who should adopt a suitable survival model. For the model specification, the study paid attention to three factors of time metrics, censoring proportions, and sample sizes. To arrive at comprehensive understanding of the three factors, the study investigated the separate and combined effect of these factors. Furthermore, to understand the interaction mechanism of those factors, this study examined the role of the factors to determine hazard rates which have been known to cause the discrepancies between discrete and continuous survival models. To provide empirical evidence from different combinations of the factors in the use of survival analysis, this study built a series of discrete and continuous survival models using secondary data and simulated data. In the first study, using empirical data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97), this study compared analyses results from the two models having different sizes of time metrics. In the second study, by having various specifications with combination of two other factors of censoring proportions and sample sizes, this study simulated datasets to build two models and compared the analysis results. The major finding of the study is that discrete models are recommended in the conditions of large units of time metrics, low censoring proportion, or small sample sizes. Particularly, discrete model produced better outcomes for conditions with low censoring proportion (20%) and small number (i.e., four) of large time metrics (i.e., year) regardless of sample sizes. Close examination of those conditions of time metrics, censoring proportion, and sample sizes showed that the conditions resulted into high hazards (i.e., 0.20). In conclusion, to determine a proper model, it is recommended to examine hazards of each of the time units with the specific factors of time metrics, censoring proportion and sample sizes.

Browsing by Author "Singh, Kusum"

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