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1
Scott, Denise Whittington. "An assessment of household hazardous waste collection." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44068.
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Many civic groups and local governments are involved in campaigns to safely collect and dispose of "household hazardous waste." Although it is difficult to define, household hazardous waste is generally considered to be any chemical waste generated in a family dwelling which, if disposed of improperly, may be harmful to human health or the environment. Growing concerns are centered around the disposal of these potentially toxic wastes by burying them in landfills or pouring them down drains or storm sewers.
The most popular method of addressing the problem of household hazardous waste is that of holding "collection days," at which householders are encouraged to bring their hazardous waste to some central location for proper handling by responsible authorities. Although the availability of information about the total costs of holding these collections days is presently limited, it is apparent that the expense per household served is quite high. Some people have questioned whether the expense is justified, since there has been little documentation of the risks associated with the handling of household hazardous waste in the municipal waste stream.
This thesis presents the findings to date of a study examining the quantities of household hazardous waste present in the municipal waste stream (in order to assess the risks associated with their disposal) and the costs associated with collection days. A telephone survey was used to develop a preliminary estimate of the nature and quantity of hazardous waste generated by households in a Virginia city. Cost data from collection days held in Virginia and elsewhere in the United States are documented and discussed.Master of Science
2
Singh, Lake Austin. "Very low earth orbit propellant collection feasibility assessment." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/53039.
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This work focuses on the concept of sustainable propellant collection. The concept consists of gathering ambient gas while on-orbit and using it as propellant. Propellant collection could potentially enable operation in very-low Earth orbits without compromising spacecraft lifetime. This work conducts a detailed analysis of propellant collection from a physics perspective in order to test the assertions of previous researchers that propellant collection can dramatically reduce the cost of propellant on-orbit. Major design factors for propellant collection are identified from the fundamental propellant collection equations, which are derived in this work from first principles. A sensitivity analysis on the parameters in these equations determines the relative importance of each parameter to the overall performance of a propellant-collecting vehicle. The propellant collection equations enable the study of where propellant collection is technically feasible as a function of orbit and vehicle performance parameters. Two case studies conducted for a very-low Earth orbit science mission and a propellant depot-type mission serve to demonstrate the application of the propellant collection equations derived in this work. The results of this work show where propellant collection is technically feasible for a wide range of orbit and vehicle performance parameters. Propellant collection can support very-low Earth operation with presently available technology, and a number of research developments can further extend propellant-collecting concepts' ability to operate at low altitudes. However, propellant collection is not presently suitable for propellant depot applications due to limitations in power.
3
Songar, Poonam. "Learning Assessment Data Collection from Educational Game Applications." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1353900797.
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Salman, Baris. "Infrastructure Management and Deterioration Risk Assessment of Wastewater Collection Systems." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1282051343.
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Bin, Tayib Mahamad. "The determinants of assessment tax collection : the Malaysian local authority experience." Thesis, University of South Wales, 1998. https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/the-determinants-of-assessment-tax-collection-the-malaysian-local-authority-experience(3353ad69-5fb6-4b06-99be-f98c72821789).html.
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The increasing level of non-compliance with payment demands for local property taxes by Malaysian local authority taxpayers over the past decade has given rise to the need to study the efficiency and productivity of the tax administration system a high priority. This important and sensitive issue has not been given the attention that it deserves. Little empirical research on the administration of, and voluntary compliance in, the Malaysian local taxation system been undertaken and this has shaped the motivation for this study, which represents the first detailed analysis of these issues. Studies on taxpayer compliance behaviour primarily centre on the income tax system and are mainly based on two models. Firstly, the financial self-interest model and secondly, a model that not only includes economic variables, but also other variables such as demographic, noncompliance opportunities, attitudes and perceptions of taxpayers and the structure of the tax system. The model designed in this work builds on this latter concept to include two further variables - namely quality of service and financial information. Two aspects of 'assessment tax 1 collection in Malaysian local authorities are explored in detail. These are, the efficiency and productivity of the assessment tax administration system, and assessment taxpayer compliance behaviour in a sample of Malaysian local authorities. The results of this study indicate that there is a significant difference in terms of the efficiency and productivity of the assessment tax administrative systems between local authorities. The study demonstrates that authorities with high collection performance are more efficient and productive when compared to authorities with medium and low tax collection performances. In general, many of the factors identified with efficiency and effectiveness of the assessment tax administration are consistent with the attributes found in the income tax system. In addition, new factors associated with a high-commitment work system approach (Beer ef a/., (1984) and Walton (1985)) are used in the study to explain the performance of local authorities with high tax collection rates. No previous study has combined all aspects of the above variables in investigating the efficiency and productivity of local tax administration systems. The findings support the model of taxpayer compliance behaviour designed in this work. These indicate that taxpayers in local authorities with high tax collection performance have positive perceptions towards the items listed in the model. In addition, importantly, the majority of the respondents to this study perceived that the presence of financial information might influence their compliance behaviour toward assessment tax. This research has revealed that the attributes of local authorities with high collection performance correspond to earlier studies based on income tax systems. In addition, however, the findings highlight the importance of such factors as the quality of service delivery to taxpayers and work system design in motivating employees to collect local tax revenues. Furthermore, it provides strategic information to all parties involved in the local taxation collection process, especially those local authorities, which are currently confronted with high levels of uncollected assessment tax revenue. Specifically the research has significant implications for the role of government in Malaysia (especially state government) in monitoring assessment tax systems, the work of local authorities and implications for taxpayers' voluntary compliance behaviour. This work is expected to make a significant contribution towards building a unified efficient theory of local taxpayer compliance.
6
Wallace, William. "Formative Assessment: Benefit For All." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5884.
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This study investigated how formative assessment implemented in a fifth grade mathematics classroom with a student response system and a student self-evaluative tool affected student self-assessment. Data were collected through individual student and focus group interviews, self-assessment sheets, and teacher reflections. Formative assessment is a low stakes classroom assessment that is an assessment for learning. This study used a student response system to convey feedback from the formative assessment to both students and teacher during instruction. The student self-assessment sheet was implemented to provide a more dynamic level of feedback for students than what could be provided through the student response system alone.M.Ed.
Masters
Teaching, Learning, and Leadership
Education and Human Performance
K-8 Mathematics and Science Education
7
Pinhanez, Monica F. (Monica Fornitani). "Reinventing VAT collection : industry vertical assessment, revenue increase, and public sector reliability." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/42417.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-221).
This dissertation shows how administrative reforms of the State Tax Administration Bureaus (STABs) in Brazil between 1997 and 2005 contributed to strengthening public sector bureaucracies and institutions at the sub-national level, while increasing tax revenues and compliance. STABs' administrative reform comprised changes in organizational structure (i.e. rationalization of procedures and processes), technological processes (i.e. computerization and on-line processes), and institutional arrangements (i.e. development of public-private sector relationships to improve tax collection and tax collector professionalization). Beyond the market-oriented reforms, these joint changes made possible to taxpayers and tax collectors to visualize the connections and functioning of the tax administration and collection process that they were not able to think about before, i.e., there is evidence for how the administrative reform facilitated the understanding of the links among the several processes in the tax collection, particularly the backward and forward linkages in each industry. The understanding of these linkages advanced a conceptual shift and the adoption of a new cognitive axis-the industry linkages that changed the way tax collectors envisioned the tax collection process. This dissertation shows that understanding these new connections led to increased efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and transparency, providing faster and more accurate information on taxpayers and tax returns. In addition, I show that in the case of tax administration reforms in the Brazilian STABs the conjunction of tailored organizational and technological changes influenced tax collectors' and taxpayers' compliance, cooperation, and adhesion to reform efforts.
(cont.) Technological change enabled the new understanding of the tax sector and enabled industry vertical assessment and functional specialization. The capacity to grasp the conceptual shift emerged from the joint efforts. In turn such efforts led to institutional change and the strengthening of public sector bureaucracies, particularly of the STABs. Through a multi-level methodology, I use quantitative and statistical analysis to show that separate and joint aspects of the administrative reforms had an effect on Value Added Tax (VAT) collection. Then, I carry out a qualitative analysis using case studies to evaluate the aspects of reform that had an impact on the changes in the STABs and how they acted together to create a shift in the conceptual understanding of taxations, of its relationship to industry structure, and of the identity of tax collectors. The choice of cases was structured to track public sector reform, development capabilities (e.g. public officials' capacity training), and the effectiveness of tax collection over time, specifically a period of eight years, between 1997 and 2005.
(cont.) The focus was on the local states system that implemented tax administration reforms, specifically related to the collection of the VAT. This data, presented in this dissertation, supports the argument that success is a function of technology, organizational changes, functional specialization, and institutional arrangements, which combined, led to envision a new way to achieve greater tax collection and compliance, a shift in tax-collectors identities, and the strengthening of public sector's institutions. Finally, the diversity of features in the chosen states range from wealth and industrialized, to rural and agricultural, to developing states. Yet, the same national policies cut across states, forcing less developed and active states to engage and catch-up with the reform plans. In this fashion, my findings can be applied to the most developed nations as well as to striving developing countries and poorer nations.
by Mônica de Maria Santos Fornitani Pinhanez.
Ph.D.
8
Hartz, Adam J. (Adam John). "CAT-SOOP : a tool for automatic collection and assessment of homework exercises." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/77086.
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Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-103).
CAT-SOOP is a tool which allows for automatic collection and assessment of various types of homework exercises. CAT-SOOP is capable of assessing a variety of exercises, including symbolic math and computer programs written in the Python programming language. This thesis describes the design and implementation of the CAT-SOOP system, as well as the methods by which it assesses these various types of exercises. In addition, the implementation of an add-on tool for providing novel forms of feedback about student-submitted computer programs is discussed.
by Adam J. Hartz.
M.Eng.
9
Wicks, Keisha. "USING A CONTINGENCY-BASED METHOD FOR COMBINING INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT CENTER DIMENSION RATINGS INTO OVERALL ASSESSMENT RATINGS." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2008. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3969.
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The current study applies a newly proposed mechanical combination method along with four traditional mechanical combination methods to assessment center scoring. These comparisons were made for two job levels (Fire Lieutenant and Fire Captain). The study further assesses the level of adverse impact for the various methods at three cut-off scores. Results indicated that the new contingency-based scoring method was successfully implemented in the assessment center. Results were mixed regarding whether the contingencies developed for the two job levels were different. Further, results indicated that although the various combination methods were highly correlated as expected, there were clear distinctions in the decisions made based on the different combination methods. Specifically, the various combination methods resulted in different candidates comprising the qualifying cut-off ranks. Finally, results showed that the contingency-based method had less adverse impact overall when compared to the other four methods. Future research is proposed in addition to a discussion of the limitations of the study. The main limitation was a lack of criterion data.Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Sciences
Psychology PhD
10
Betz, Jennifer. "ASSESSMENT PRACTICES INELEMENTARY VISUAL ART CLASSROOMS." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2009. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2625.
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The purpose of this research study was to investigate the attitudes and usages of assessment methods by elementary visual art teachers in two southeastern school districts. Data consisted of responses to a mailed survey instrument that included relevant demographic information pertaining to respondent’s educational preparation experiences, tabulation of classroom activities, assessment usage, and a construct set of questions which addressed an attitudinal scale about the effectiveness of evaluation and measurement within their visual art classrooms. The primary focus of attitudinal orientation toward assessment centered upon the types of role models respondents encountered regarding assessment during initial teacher preparation and the resulting paradigm of belief concerning measurement art teachers experienced in varied educational settings. Results indicate that study respondents had a strong positive response to the construct attitudinal statements about accepting evaluation as a normative practice in their classrooms. The survey item "multiple choice tests are appropriate to use in visual art classrooms" had a strong relationship to the total reliability and had the greatest impact on the factor analysis. Further relationships were identified in the use of newly adopted textbook curricula to the acceptance of the statement "learning could be measured in visual art," suggesting that if art teachers embraced a textbook curriculum (developed through an outside, expert entity) they were more likely to accept the possibility that learning in elementary visual art classrooms was possible to be measured.
The relationship between the statements regarding the acceptance of multiple choice tests as a valid method of assessment and the recentness of either graduation from teacher preparation coursework or specific in-service professional development about assessment also suggests that pedagogy at the university and district level after The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 was more likely to include instruction or role models in the practical use of assessment techniques for respondents.Ed.D.
Department of Educational Studies
Education
Curriculum and Instruction EdD
11
Reid, Christopher. "Occupational Lower Extremity Risk Assessment Modeling." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2009. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/4111.
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Introduction: Lower extremity (LE) work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are known to occur with cumulative exposure to occupational and personal risks. The objective of this dissertation study was to find if creating a quantifiable risk detection model for the LE was feasible. The primary product of the literature review conducted for this study resulted in focusing the attention of the model development process onto creating the initial model of the LE for assessing knee disorder risk factors. Literature Review: LE occupational disorders affect numerous industries and thousands of people each year by affecting any one of the musculoskeletal systems deemed susceptible by the occupational and personal risk factors involved. Industries known to be affected tend to have labor intensive job descriptions. Some of the numerous industry examples include mining, manufacturing, firefighting, and carpet laying. Types of WMSDs noticed by the literature include bursitis, osteoarthritis, stress fractures, tissue inflammation, and nerve entrapment. In addition to the occupationally related disorders that may develop, occupationally related discomforts were also taken into consideration by this study. Generally, both the disorders and the discomforts can be traced to either a personal or occupational risk factor or both. Personal risk factors noted by the literature include a person's physical fitness and health history (such as past injuries). Meanwhile, occupational risks can be generalized to physical postures, activities, and even joint angles. Prevalence data over a three year interval (2003-2005) has found that LE WMSDs make up on average approximately 7.5% of all the WMSD cases reported to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). When the literature is refined to the information pertaining to occupational knee disorders, the mean prevalence percentage of the same three year range is about 5%. Mean cost for knee injuries were found to be $18,495 (for the year between 2003 and 2004). Methodology: Developing a risk model for the knee meant using groups of subject matter experts for model development and task hazard analysis. Sample occupational risk data also needed to be gathered for each of a series of tasks so that the model could be validated. These sample data were collected from a sample aircraft assembly plant of a US aerospace manufacturer. Results: Based on the disorder and risk data found in the literature, a knee risk assessment model was developed to utilize observational, questionnaire, and direct measure data collection methods. The final version of this study's knee model has an inventory of 11 risk factors (8 occupational and 3 personal) each with varying degrees of risk exposure thresholds (e.g., high risk, moderate risk, or minimal risk). For the occupational risk assessment portion of the model, the results of task evaluations include both an occupational risk resultant score (risk score) and a task risk level (safe or hazardous). This set of results is also available for a cumulative (whole day) assessment. The personal risk assessment portion only produces a risk resultant score. Validation of the knee risk model reveals statistically (t (34) = 1.512, p = 0.156), that it is functioning as it should and can decide between hazardous and safe tasks. Additionally, the model is also capable of analyzing tasks as a series of cumulative daily events and providing an occupational and personal risk overview for individuals. Conclusion: While the model proved to be functional to the given sample site and hypothetical situations, further studies are needed outside of the aerospace manufacturing environment to continue testing both the model's validity and applicability to other industrial environments. The iterative adjustments generated for the occupational risk portion of the model (to reduce false positives and negatives) will need additional studies that will further evaluate professional human judgment of knee risk against this model's results. Future investigations must also make subject matter experts aware of the minimal risk levels of this knee risk assessment model so that task observational results are equally comparable. Additional studies are moreover needed to assess the intimate nature between variable interactions; especially multiple model defined minimal risks within a single task.Ph.D.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
Engineering and Computer Science
Industrial Engineering PhD
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Okrutny, Elizabeth Carol Joann. "Postcranial Osteometric Assessment of Korean Ancestry." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2012. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5359.
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The determination of ancestry is an important part of an individual's identification when creating a biological profile. This thesis scrutinizes postcranial variation using over 65 osteometric sorting measurements in an attempt to identify those measurements that display the most significant differences among Koreans, Africans, and Europeans. Data was collected from four American skeletal collections and one South Korean skeletal collection for a total sample population of 306 individuals: 24 of Korean ancestry, 66 of African ancestry, and 216 of European ancestry. In an effort to minimize the number of measurements needed for ancestral assessment, stepwise discriminant analysis was performed for measurements of each skeletal region and region combinations. Initial findings highly misclassified Africans, so the results of this study were separated into two parts: Koreans from Africans/Europeans and Africans from Europeans. A majority of the functions developed in the first part of the analysis resulted in cross-validated classifications of 80% and greater for Koreans and 77% or greater for Africans/Europeans with the highest classifying function for both ancestral groups being composed of upper limb measurements. Most of the discriminant functions from the second part of the analysis correctly differentiated Africans with 70% or greater accuracy and Europeans with 72% or greater accuracy with the highest classifying function for both groups consisting of pelvis, lower limb, and foot measurements. These functions indicate that ancestry can be determined successfully from postcranial elements; that certain skeletal regions are better indicators of ancestry than others; and that osteological remains do not need to be complete to develop an informative biological profile.ID: 031001568; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Adviser: Tosha Dupras.; Title from PDF title page (viewed August 26, 2013).; Thesis (M.A.)--University of Central Florida, 2012.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 110-115).
M.A.
Masters
Anthropology
Sciences
Anthropology
13
Fouskakis, Dimitris. "Stochastic optimisation methods for cost-effective quality assessment in health." Thesis, University of Bath, 2001. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.341107.
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Davidson, Michael. "Assessment of Passive Fire Protection on Steel-Girder Bridges." TopSCHOLAR®, 2012. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1213.
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Bridges in the US are severely damaged or suffer collapse from fires at significant rates, even when compared to other hazards such as earthquakes. Fire-induced bridge collapses are perpetuated by the general lack of installed fire protection systems. Therefore, new materials and applications are needed to mitigate structural damage that can be caused to civil infrastructure by severe fires. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to further the development of new fire protection applications in transportation structures. Specifically, the investigation centers on the development of new applications in passive fire protection materials, within the context of shielding steel-girder bridges against severe fire effects. A steel-girder bridge has been selected for study, and a high-resolution finite element model has been formed based on the corresponding bridge structural drawings. Temperature-dependent structural material properties and thermal properties have been synthesized and incorporated into the model. Additionally, a representative fire scenario has been formed (in part) based on a recent fire incident that occurred at the selected bridge site. The fire scenario also incorporates the characteristics of a fully loaded gasoline tank truck fire, where a means of incorporating the severe fire into the finite element model (as thermal loading) has been identified and enacted. Coupled thermal-mechanical finite element analyses have been carried out using the (unprotected) steel-girder bridge model. An additional finite element simulation has been carried out, where the steel-girder bridge model has been fitted with a refractory cement material that insulates the underside of the bridge spans. Also, a finite element simulation has been carried out where the steel-girder bridge model has been fitted with intumescent coating material as insulation against fire effects. Both the refractory cement and the intumescent coating materials have been found to possess robust insulation characteristics from the simulation results. Namely, the finite element analysis results indicate that, in the event of a bridge fire, both materials are capable of preventing the buildup of damaging temperatures in underlying structural members. Accordingly, the refractory cement and intumescent coating materials have been identified as successful passive fire protection materials for the fire scenario and bridge case considered.
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Stoffle, Richard W., Vlack Kathleen A. Van, Phillip Dukes, Sola Stephanie De, and Hannah Johnson. "Solar PEIS Native American Ethnographic Study Photographic Collection." Bureau of Applied Anthropology, University of Arizona, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/301158.
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Noori, Mehdi. "Sustainability Assessment of Wind Energy for Buildings." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5995.
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Due to increasing concerns for global climate change, onshore and offshore wind energy technologies have stimulated a tremendous interest worldwide, and are considered as a viable solution to mitigate the environmental impacts related to electricity generation. Although wind energy technologies have been considered as one of the cleanest energy sources, they have a wide range of direct and indirect environmental impacts when the whole supply chain is considered. This study aims to quantify the direct and indirect environmental impacts of onshore and offshore wind power technologies by tracing all of the economy-wide supply chain requirements. To accomplish this goal, we developed a comprehensive hybrid life cycle assessment (LCA) model in which process-based LCA model is combined with the economic input-output (EIO) analysis. The analysis results show that on average, concrete and steel and their supply chains are responsible for 37% and 24% of carbon footprint, consequently. On average, offshore wind turbines produce 48% less greenhouse gas emissions per kWh produced electricity than onshore wind turbines. For the onshore wind turbines, concrete, aggregates, and crushed stone approximately consume 95% of total water in this construction phase. On the other hand, concrete, lead, copper, and aggregate are responsible for around 90% of total water for the offshore wind turbines. It is also found that the more capacity the wind turbine has, the less environmental impact the wind turbine generates per kWh electricity.
Moreover, based on the economic and environmental impacts of studied wind turbines and also three more nonrenewable energy sources, this study develops a decision making framework to understand the best energy source mix for a building in the state of Florida. This framework accounts for the uncertainty in the input material by deploying a Monte Carlo simulation approach. The results of decision making framework show that natural gas is a better option among nonrenewable sources. On the other hand, V90-3.0 MW offshore wind turbine is the best source of energy among renewable energy sources for a building.
The findings of this research are critical for policy makers to understand the direct and indirect environmental impacts of different onshore and offshore wind energy systems. Also this study furnishes the decision maker with a range of possible energy mixes based on different economic and environmental weights.M.S.C.E.
Masters
Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Civil Engineering
17
Sun, Zhi. "Wavelet packet based structural health monitoring and damage assessment /." View Abstract or Full-Text, 2003. http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/thesis.pl?CIVL%202003%20SUN.
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Shmerling, Robert Zachary. "STRUCTURAL CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TRANSIT GUIDEWAYS." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2005. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3529.
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Objective condition assessment is essential to make better decisions for safety and serviceability of existing civil infrastructure systems. This study explores the condition of an existing transit guideway system that has been in service for thirty-five years. The structural system is composed of six-span continuous prestressed concrete bridge segments. The overall transit system incorporates a number of continuous bridges which share common design details, geometries, and loading conditions. The original analysis is based on certain simplifying assumptions such as rigid behavior over supports and simplified tendon/concrete/steel plate interaction. The current objective is to conduct a representative study for a more accurate understanding of the structural system and its behavior. The scope of the study is to generate finite element models (FEMs) to be used in static and dynamic parameter sensitivity studies, as well load rating and reliability analysis of the structure. The FEMs are used for eigenvalue analysis and simulations. Parameter sensitivity studies consider the effect of changing critical parameters, including material properties, prestress loss, and boundary and continuity conditions, on the static and dynamic structural response. Load ratings are developed using an American Association for State Highway Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Rating (AASHTO LRFR) approach. The reliability of the structural system is evaluated based on the data obtained from various finite element models. Recommendations for experimental validation of the FEM are presented. This study is expected to provide information to make better decisions for operations, maintenance and safety requirements; to be a benchmark for future studies, to establish a procedure and methodology for structural condition assessment, and to contribute to the general research body of knowledge in condition assessment and structural health monitoring.M.S.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Civil Engineering
19
McGann, Debra. "NAEP-Related Visual Arts Assessment in Classroom Applications." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5988.
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This action research study investigates classroom visual art assessments and their potential to improve teacher instruction and student learning. In order to examine this topic more thoroughly, a National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)-related classroom assessment was designed and administered to the researcher's Drawing and AP Art History classes. Students were also asked to fill out a questionnaire that asked about their past art experiences and motivation to participate in art activities such as creating art work outside of the school setting or attending an art museum. Students observed, described, and analyzed contemporary artwork, and they created and wrote about their own original works of art. The use of contemporary art exemplars led to some of the most interesting findings; namely, that students felt free to create their artwork in a contemporary style that was less about technical elements and more about the meaning they wished to convey.
In general, the AP Art History students' written contemporary art criticism scores were significantly higher than the scores of both of the studio drawing classes. Artwork scores of AP Art History, Drawing I, and Drawing II students showed no significant difference. Interestingly, all three groups indicated they were highly motivated to look at works of art, create art in school, and make artwork outside of the school setting. Also noteworthy was the relatively high number of students who indicated that the contemporary artwork they analyzed influenced the mother and child artwork they created. It could be surmised by this study that a NAEP-related assessment is a beneficial method for improving teacher instruction and student learning in visual arts education.Ed.D.
Doctorate
Dean's Office, Education
Education and Human Performance
Education
20
Craddock, Jason. "INTERRATER RELIABILITY OF PSYCHOMOTOR SKILL ASSESSMENT IN ATHLETIC TRAINING." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2009. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3322.
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Assessment in athletic training education is an evolutionary process that is determined by each individual Athletic Training Education Program. The autonomy authorized by national accreditation standards allows academic programs to determine the appropriate assessment practices that facilitate the meeting of student learning outcomes. Even with autonomy, formative and summative techniques are to be employed in both the didactic and clinical arenas of athletic training education programs. The major objective of athletic training education is to prepare students for entry-level practice in athletic training. The purpose of this study was to assess interrater reliability of athletic training faculty and approved clinical instructors in their rating of athletic training student performance on four psychomotor skills. A total of 115 individuals participated in this study. Thirty two faculty and 83 approved clinical instructors completed the online survey The results of this study indicate that the overall reliability was high for the entire population as well as the subgroups analyzed. Even though the overall reliability was high, three specific criteria out of a total of 29 criteria had lower reliability scores. These findings may indicate that there may be a high degree of agreement between academic faculty and approved clinical instructors in the rating of athletic training students in their performance of psychomotor skills.Ed.D.
Department of Educational Studies
Education
Curriculum and Instruction EdD
21
Abou-Senna, Hatem. "Microscopic Assessment of Transportation Emissions on Limited Access Highways." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2012. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5090.
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On-road vehicles are a major source of transportation carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gas emissions in all the developed countries, and in many of the developing countries in the world. Similarly, several criteria air pollutants are associated with transportation, e.g., carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). The need to accurately quantify transportation-related emissions from vehicles is essential. Transportation agencies and researchers in the past have estimated emissions using one average speed and volume on a long stretch of roadway. With MOVES, there is an opportunity for higher precision and accuracy. Integrating a microscopic traffic simulation model (such as VISSIM) with MOVES allows one to obtain precise and accurate emissions estimates. The new United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) mobile source emissions model, MOVES2010a (MOVES) can estimate vehicle emissions on a second-by-second basis creating the opportunity to develop new software “VIMIS 1.0” (VISSIM/MOVES Integration Software) to facilitate the integration process. This research presents a microscopic examination of five key transportation parameters (traffic volume, speed, truck percentage, road grade and temperature) on a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 4 (I-4) test bed prototype; an urban limited access highway corridor in Orlando, Florida. The analysis was conducted utilizing VIMIS 1.0 and using an advanced custom design technique; D-Optimality and I-Optimality criteria, to identify active factors and to ensure precision in estimating the regression coefficients as well as the response variable. The analysis of the experiment identified the optimal settings of the key factors and resulted in the development of Micro-TEM (Microscopic Transportation Emissions Meta-Model). The main purpose of Micro-TEM is to serve as a substitute model for predicting transportation emissions on limited access highways to an acceptable degree of accuracy in lieu of running simulations using a traffic model and integrating the results in an emissions model. Furthermore, significant emission rate reductions were observed from the experiment on the modeled corridor especially for speeds between 55 and 60 mph while maintaining up to 80% and 90% of the freeway's capacity. However, vehicle activity characterization in terms of speed was shown to have a significant impact on the emission estimation approach. Four different approaches were further examined to capture the environmental impacts of vehicular operations on the modeled test bed prototype. First, (at the most basic level), emissions were estimated for the entire 10-mile section “by hand” using one average traffic volume and average speed. Then, three advanced levels of detail were studied using VISSIM/MOVES to analyze smaller links: average speeds and volumes (AVG), second-by-second link driving schedules (LDS), and second-by-second operating mode distributions (OPMODE). This research analyzed how the various approaches affect predicted emissions of CO, NOx, PM and CO2. The results demonstrated that obtaining accurate and comprehensive operating mode distributions on a second-by-second basis improves emission estimates. Specifically, emission rates were found to be highly sensitive to stop-and-go traffic and the associated driving cycles of acceleration, deceleration, frequent braking/coasting and idling. Using the AVG or LDS approach may overestimate or underestimate emissions, respectively, compared to an operating mode distribution approach. Additionally, model applications and mitigation scenarios were examined on the modeled corridor to evaluate the environmental impacts in terms of vehicular emissions and at the same time validate the developed model “Micro-TEM”. Mitigation scenarios included the future implementation of managed lanes (ML) along with the general use lanes (GUL) on the I-4 corridor, the currently implemented variable speed limits (VSL) scenario as well as a hypothetical restricted truck lane (RTL) scenario. Results of the mitigation scenarios showed an overall speed improvement on the corridor which resulted in overall reduction in emissions and emission rates when compared to the existing condition (EX) scenario and specifically on link by link basis for the RTL scenario. The proposed emission rate estimation process also can be extended to gridded emissions for ozone modeling, or to localized air quality dispersion modeling, where temporal and spatial resolution of emissions is essential to predict the concentration of pollutants near roadways.ID: 031988296; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2012.; Includes bibliographical references.
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Civil Engineering
22
LaPorte, Elizabeth N. "Psychosocial assessment and support for women grieving post abortion." Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida, 2010. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETH/id/1441.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.Bachelors
Nursing
Nursing
23
Underwood, Marilyn. "The Relationship of 10th-Grade District Progress Monitoring Assessment Scores to Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Scores in Reading and Mathematics for 2008-2009." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2010. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3845.
Full textAbstract:
The focus of this research was to investigate the use of a district created formative benchmark assessment in reading to predict student achievement for 10th-grade students on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in one county in north central Florida. The purpose of the study was to provide information to high school principals and teachers to better understand how students were performing and learning and to maximize use of the formative district benchmark assessment in order to modify instruction and positively impact student achievement. This study expanded a prior limited study which correlated district benchmark assessment scores to FCAT scores for students in grades three through five in five elementary schools in the targeted county. The high correlations suggested further study. This research focused on secondary reading, specifically in 10th grade where both state and targeted county FCAT scores were low in years preceding this research. Investigated were (a) the district formative assessment in reading as a predictor of FCAT Reading scores, (b) differences in strength of correlation and prediction among student subgroups and between high schools, and (c) any relationships between reading formative assessment scores and Mathematics FCAT scores. An additional focus of this study was to determine best leadership practices in schools where there were the highest correlations between the formative assessment and FCAT Reading scores. Research on best practices was reviewed, and principals were interviewed to determine trends and themes in practice. Tenth grade students in the seven Florida targeted district high schools were included in the study. The findings of the study supported the effective use of formative assessments both in instruction and as predictors of students' performance on the FCAT. The results of the study also showed a significant correlation between performance on the reading formative assessment and performance on FCAT Mathematics. The data indicated no significant differences in the strength of correlation between student subgroups or between the high schools included in the study. Additionally, the practices of effective principals in using formative assessment data to inform instruction, gathered through personal interviews, were documented and described.Ed.D.
Department of Educational Research, Technology and Leadership
Education
Education EdD
24
Yousefi, Gharebaghi Farzad. "Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopic Assessment of Engineered Cartilage." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2017. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/477078.
Full textAbstract:
BioengineeringPh.D.
Articular cartilage has limited intrinsic healing capacity due to its dense and avascular structure. Clinical approaches have been developed to address the limitations associated with the poor ability of articular cartilage to regenerate. Current clinically approved techniques, however, can result in repair tissue that lacks appropriate hyaline cartilage biochemical and biomechanical properties, which lead to uncertain long-term clinical outcomes. Using tissue engineering strategies and a range of scaffolding materials, cell types, growth factors, culture conditions, and culture times, engineered tissues have been produced with compositional and biomechanical properties that approximate that of native tissue. In these studies, a considerable number of samples are typically sacrificed to evaluate compositional and mechanical properties, such as the amount of deposited collagen and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) in the constructs. The number of sacrificed samples, as well as the amount of time and resources spent to evaluate the sacrificed samples using current gold standards, motivates an alternative method for evaluation of compositional properties. Vibrational spectroscopy, including infrared, has been considered as an alternative technique for assessment of tissues over the last 15-20 years. Infrared spectroscopy is based on absorbance of infrared light by tissue functional groups at specific vibrational frequencies, and thus, no external contrast is required. Vibrational spectroscopy is typically performed in two frequency regions, the mid infrared region (750-4000 cm-1), where penetration depth is limited to approximately 10 microns, and the near infrared (NIR) region (4000-12000 cm-1). In the NIR region, penetration of light is on the order of millimeters or centimeters, which makes it ideal for obtaining data through the full depth of engineered constructs. Here we employ NIR spectroscopy to nondestructively monitor the development of tissue-engineered constructs over culture period.
Temple University--Theses
25
Miller, Kathleen. "SERVICE QUALITY IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: AN ANALYSIS OF LIBQUAL+™ SCORES AND INSTITUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2008. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3465.
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This exploratory study considered the problem of assessing quality in academic libraries. The research question that framed the investigation asked whether service quality scores from the LibQUAL+™ instrument were related to the following college or university characteristics: institutional type, enrollment level, or the level of investment made in libraries. Data regarding Carnegie classification, FTE enrollment, and library expenditures were collected for 159 college and university libraries that participated in LibQUAL+™ during 2006. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and regression analyses were calculated and the Bonferroni adjustment was applied to significance levels to compensate for errors caused by repeated calculations using the same data. Several statistically significant relationships were found; notably, negative correlations were found between each of the LibQUAL+™ scores and total library expenditures. The study suggested that higher expectations among library users in large, research libraries led to slightly lower LibQUAL+™ scores. Implications for practice included that survey results should only be used as one component of an assessment strategy, and practitioners might consider the potential role of library marketing or public relations efforts to influence user expectations. Recommendations were made for future research including replicating some aspects of this study with a more representative sample, analyzing respondent comments as well as score data, and exploring whether there are reliable differences in results for different types of institutions or among groups of respondents (students and faculty, or faculty by discipline).Ed.D.
Department of Educational Research, Technology and Leadership
Education
Educational Leadership EdD
26
Nazneen, Fnu. "Supporting in-home behavior specimen collection and sharing for diagnostic assessment of children with autism." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/53466.
Full textAbstract:
Direct observation of the child remains an essential part of the gold standard clinical practice in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment planning for children with Autism and related developmental conditions. Clinical professionals acknowledge that observing behavior in the natural environment is crucial to obtain an accurate and comprehensive assessment of child behavior. However, direct observation in the natural environment is not feasible for wide-scale implementation into clinical practice. Another key challenge with respect to autism diagnosis is that there is significant time lag (about 20-60 months) between age at which parents first get concerned and the age at which the child finally gets diagnosed. Delay in diagnosis can lead to delay in invaluable early interventions which could impact a child’s future developmental outcomes.
A capture and access solution can play a role to fill these gaps. This thesis presents the design, development, and evaluation of a Clinician-directed Capture and Access System that can enable parents to easily collect in-home behavior specimens that have clinical utility and clinicians to use this data to complete a diagnostic assessment for autism. Analogous to a traditional lab specimen collection and assessment procedure, this approach involves three steps: 1) the clinician’s prescription of behavior specimens to be collected; 2) in-home collection and remote sharing of prescribed behavior specimens by parents; and 3) diagnostic assessment of behavior specimens by a remote and qualified clinician.
The contributions of this thesis are as follows: a) identified potential opportunities and challenges specific to the design and adoption of a technology solution that enables in-home behavior specimen collection and diagnostic assessment for autism; b) identified key features and functionalities of a smart-phone based Capture System that can enable parents to easy collect in-home behavior specimens that have clinical utility; c) identified key features and functionalities of the web-based Access System that facilitate clinicians to complete remote diagnostic assessment based on in-home behavior specimens.; d) demonstrated through an end-to-end study with parents and clinicians that parents can easily capture behavior specimens through the Capture System and clinicians can complete remote autism diagnostic assessment based on in-home behavior specimens via the Access System.
27
Ganey, Harriss. "THE EFFECTS OF SECONDARY TASK DEMANDON THE ASSESSMENT OF THREAT." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2006. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3722.
Full textAbstract:
Threat perception is an important issue in today's world. As the line between hostile and non-hostile entities is blurred, it becomes more important for individuals to clearly distinguish between those who would present danger and those who would not. This series of experiments tested whether observers engaged in a dual-task paradigm perceived a greater amount of threat from target stimuli than they did when they were engaged in the threat task alone. The first experiment revealed that observers rated targets as more threatening when they were engaged in the additional task than when they only rated the targets themselves. Response time to the targets was also slower when a secondary task was present. This difference was more pronounced when the secondary task was presented via the auditory channel. Participants also rated overall workload higher when performing a secondary task, with the highest ratings being associated with the dual-task auditory condition. In the second experiment, the design crossed sensory modality with the presence or non-presence of threat. Inter-stimulus interval was also manipulated. The presence of threat was associated with faster response times, though when both tasks had threat components, response time was not the fastest. Additionally, when images came first in the stimulus pairs, observers were slower to respond to the first stimulus than when the sounds were presented first. Results supported the conclusion that additional task loading can affect the perception of threat. The modality of the additional task seems to also play a role in threat assessment performance. Results also led to the conclusion that threat-related visual stimuli are more challenging to process than threat-related auditory stimuli. Future research can now investigate how different types of tasks affect the threat perception task. Implications for better training of soldiers and for the design of automated systems are presented.Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Sciences
Psychology
28
Kucukvar, Murat. "Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment Framework for the U.S. Built Environment." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5965.
Full textAbstract:
The overall goals of this dissertation are to investigate the sustainability of the built environment, holistically, by assessing its Triple Bottom Line (TBL): environmental, economic, and social impacts, as well as propose cost-effective, socially acceptable, and environmentally benign policies using several decision support models. This research is anticipated to transform life cycle assessment (LCA) of the built environment by using a TBL framework, integrated with economic input-output analysis, simulation, and multi-criteria optimization tools. The major objectives of the outlined research are to (1) build a system-based TBL sustainability assessment framework for the sustainable built environment, by (a) advancing a national TBL-LCA model which is not available for the United States of America; (b) extending the integrated sustainability framework through environmental, economic, and social sustainability indicators; and (2) develop a system-based analysis toolbox for sustainable decisions including Monte Carlo simulation and multi-criteria compromise programming.
When analyzing the total sustainability impacts by each U.S. construction sector, “Residential Permanent Single and Multi-Family Structures" and "Other Non-residential Structures" are found to have the highest environmental, economic, and social impacts compared to other construction sectors. The analysis results also show that indirect suppliers of construction sectors have the largest sustainability impacts compared to on-site activities. For example, for all U.S. construction sectors, on-site construction processes are found to be responsible for less than 5 % of total water consumption, whereas about 95 % of total water use can be attributed to indirect suppliers. In addition, Scope 3 emissions are responsible for the highest carbon emissions compared to Scope 1 and 2. Therefore, using narrowly defined system boundaries by ignoring supply chain-related impacts can result in underestimation of TBL sustainability impacts of the U.S. construction industry.
Residential buildings have higher shares in the most of the sustainability impact categories compared to other construction sectors. Analysis results revealed that construction phase, electricity use, and commuting played important role in much of the sustainability impact categories. Natural gas and electricity consumption accounted for 72% and 78% of the total energy consumed in the U.S. residential buildings. Also, the electricity use was the most dominant component of the environmental impacts with more than 50% of greenhouse gases emitted and energy used through all life stages. Furthermore, electricity generation was responsible for 60% of the total water withdrawal of residential buildings, which was even greater than the direct water consumption in residential buildings. In addition, construction phase had the largest share in income category with 60% of the total income generated through residential building's life cycle. Residential construction sector and its supply chain were responsible for 36% of the import, 40% of the gross operating surplus, and 50% of the gross domestic product. The most sensitive parameters were construction activities and its multiplier in most the sustainability impact categories.
In addition, several emerging pavement types are analyzed using a hybrid TBL-LCA framework. Warm-mix Asphalts (WMAs) did not perform better in terms of environmental impacts compared to Hot-mix Asphalt (HMA). Asphamin&"174; WMA was found to have the highest environmental and socio-economic impacts compared to other pavement types. Material extractions and processing phase had the highest contribution to all environmental impact indicators that shows the importance of cleaner production strategies for pavement materials. Based on stochastic compromise programming results, in a balanced weighting situation, Sasobit&"174; WMA had the highest percentage of allocation (61%), while only socio-economic aspects matter, Asphamin&"174; WMA had the largest share (57%) among the WMA and HMA mixtures. The optimization results also supported the significance of an increased WMA use in the United States for sustainable pavement construction.
Consequently, the outcomes of this dissertation will advance the state of the art in built environment sustainability research by investigating novel efficient methodologies capable of offering optimized policy recommendations by taking the TBL impacts of supply chain into account. It is expected that the results of this research would facilitate better sustainability decisions in the adoption of system-based TBL thinking in the construction field.Ph.D.
Doctorate
Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Civil Engineering
29
Stinson, Loma. "Diversity Curricula Mandates in Higher Education: A Student Impact Assessment." Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida, 2004. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETH/id/729.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.Bachelors
Arts and Sciences
Psychology
30
Sharma, Carthik. "SUSTAINABLE FAULT-HANDLING OF RECONFIGURABLE LOGIC USING THROUGHPUT-DRIVEN ASSESSMENT." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2008. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3559.
Full textAbstract:
A sustainable Evolvable Hardware (EH) system is developed for SRAM-based reconfigurable Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) using outlier detection and group testing-based assessment principles. The fault diagnosis methods presented herein leverage throughput-driven, relative fitness assessment to maintain resource viability autonomously. Group testing-based techniques are developed for adaptive input-driven fault isolation in FPGAs, without the need for exhaustive testing or coding-based evaluation. The techniques maintain the device operational, and when possible generate validated outputs throughout the repair process. Adaptive fault isolation methods based on discrepancy-enabled pair-wise comparisons are developed. By observing the discrepancy characteristics of multiple Concurrent Error Detection (CED) configurations, a method for robust detection of faults is developed based on pairwise parallel evaluation using Discrepancy Mirror logic. The results from the analytical FPGA model are demonstrated via a self-healing, self-organizing evolvable hardware system. Reconfigurability of the SRAM-based FPGA is leveraged to identify logic resource faults which are successively excluded by group testing using alternate device configurations. This simplifies the system architect's role to definition of functionality using a high-level Hardware Description Language (HDL) and system-level performance versus availability operating point. System availability, throughput, and mean time to isolate faults are monitored and maintained using an Observer-Controller model. Results are demonstrated using a Data Encryption Standard (DES) core that occupies approximately 305 FPGA slices on a Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA. With a single simulated stuck-at-fault, the system identifies a completely validated replacement configuration within three to five positive tests. The approach demonstrates a readily-implemented yet robust organic hardware application framework featuring a high degree of autonomous self-control.Ph.D.
School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Engineering and Computer Science
Computer Engineering PhD
31
Gariepy, Laura W. "Undergraduate Students' Attitudes About the Collection, Use, and Privacy of Search Data in Academic Libraries." VCU Scholars Compass, 2019. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/6077.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to understand undergraduate students’ attitudes about search data privacy in academic libraries and their preferences for how librarians should handle information about what students search for, borrow, and download. This is an important area of study due to the increasingly data-driven nature of evaluation, accountability, and improvement in higher education, along with libraries’ professional commitment to privacy, which has historically limited the amount of data collected about student use. Using a qualitative approach through the lens of interpretive description, I used the constant comparative method of data collection and analysis to conduct semi-structured interviews with 27 undergraduate students at a large, urban public research institution. Through inductive coding, I organized the data into interpretive themes and subthemes to describe students’ attitudes, and developed a conceptual/thematic description that illustrates how they are formed.
Students revealed that a variety of life experiences and influences shaped their views on search data privacy in academic libraries. They viewed academic library search data as less personally revealing than internet search data. As a result, students were generally comfortable with libraries collecting search data so long as it is used for their benefit. They were comfortable with data being used to improve library collections and services, but were more ambivalent about use of search data for personalized search results and for learning analytics-based assessment. Most students expressed a desire for de-identification and user control of data. Some students expressed concern about search data being used in ways that reflect bias or favoritism. Participants had moderate concern about their library search data privacy being used by government agencies to protect public safety. Although some disagreed with the practice in concept, most did not feel that the search data would be useful, nor would it reveal much about their personal interests or selves. Students who were not comfortable with the idea of search data collection in academic libraries often held their convictions more strongly than peers who found the practice acceptable.
The results of this study suggest that academic libraries should further explore student perspectives about search data collection in academic libraries to consider how and if they might adjust their data collection practices to be respectful of student preferences for privacy, while still meeting evaluation and improvement objectives. This study achieved the intended purpose of contributing a foundational body of knowledge about student attitudes regarding search data privacy in academic libraries. It positions librarian-researchers to develop studies that further this line of inquiry in an area that has significant implications for both user privacy and libraries’ practices for assessment and evaluation.
Limitations of this study include its limited generalizability as a result of the qualitative research design, and the fact that it relied primarily on a convenience sampling method.
32
Snyder, Mark Richard. "INVESTIGATING THE LINK BETWEEN CURRENT CLASSROOM TEACHERS’ CONCEPTIONS, LITERACY, AND PRACTICES OF ASSESSMENT." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2017. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/446445.
Full textAbstract:
Educational PsychologyPh.D.
Teachers’ assessment conceptions, assessment literacy, and self-reported assessment practices were investigated using a single administration survey of U.S. classroom teachers. These phenomena were investigated both individually and in there inter relationships. Assessment conceptions were measured with the Teachers’ Conceptions of Assessment III – abridged survey and assessment literacy with the Assessment Literacy Inventory. Self-reported classroom assessment practices were analyzed with factor analysis to determine a set of five assessment practice factors that indicate a set of classroom assessment practice behaviors. Analysis suggested certain assessment conceptions held by teachers and aspects of their assessment literacy were significant predictors in their loadings for certain assessment practice factors. One of these significant relationships was that the degree to which the teachers held the conceptions that assessment holds schools accountable and that it aids in student improvement predicted the frequency with which they reported using tests and quizzes in their classroom. There were also significant differences in the assessment practices self-reported based upon the grade level of student instructed, years of teaching experience, as well as other demographic variables. These findings suggest that study and use of the three assessment phenomena would inform practitioners about what may influence classroom teachers’ assessment practices, and how they can best be remediated.
Temple University--Theses
33
Sarit, Eliana. "Assessment of Mandibular Surface Changes During Growth and Development." Master's thesis, Temple University Libraries, 2017. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/466246.
Full textAbstract:
Oral BiologyM.S.
Growth of the mandible affects the outcome of orthodontic treatment in children. Traditionally, evaluation of mandibular growth uses 2D cephalometric analyses. While still used by orthodontists today, these 2D analyses are fraught with errors in measurement associated with interpreting 2D projections of 3D structures. Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) provides a means to study craniofacial structures in 3D. The objective of this study is to identify 3D topographical changes of mandible during the period of growth and development in orthodontic patients. Ten subjects with serial CBCT images were selected from the Bolton-Brush collection. The age of the subjects ranged from 8 to 14 years-old. Mandibular growth is evaluated using serial pairs of CBCT images which are segmented, superimposed using regional voxel-based mutual information, and quantitatively evaluated in AmiraXImage®. Surface topography changes over time in these 19 subjects are reported as follows: 56% of surface remodeling at a threshold of 0.5mm, median remodeling of 0.6mm, 0.8mm 0.6mm SD. Intra- and inter-rater ICC reliability for for surface generation (0.82 and 0.90, respectively) and superimpositions (0.94 and 0.93, respectively) demonstrate the reliability of the technique. The findings of this study support theories of bone remodeling reported in histological and radiographic studies of mandibular growth.
Temple University--Theses
34
Farmer, Brooke Michael. "Wake Forest University Art Collection: Current State and Recommendations for Future Use." VCU Scholars Compass, 2005. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd_retro/19.
Full textAbstract:
The Wake Forest University Art Collection consists of nearly 1300 works of art of various media dating from the fifteenth century to today that are divided into nine distinct collections. Assessing the current state of the Collection, this thesis project evaluates the art historical significance of the Collection using select museum quality works of art and then proceeds with a discussion of collections management, including the topics of acquisition, accession, and risk management. Environmental conditions in Collection facilities are measured against widely accepted museum standards. Use of the Collection as an educational resource by the University and surrounding community is compromised by a variety of factors, including issues of accessibility and security. General recommendations to improve the current state of the Collection include adapting collections management policies and procedures to standard museum practices and the creation of a permanent museum space and staff.
35
Camci, Alper. "AN ASSESSMENT OF ALIGNMENT BETWEEN PROJECT COMPLEXITY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT STYLE." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2006. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2501.
Full textAbstract:
The main drivers for this research are the complexities associated with the project management and an organization's project management style in dealing with these complexities. This research aims to demonstrate that alignment between project complexity and project management style increases project performance and decreases project issues, and also, with increased project issues, project performance deteriorates. In order to test these claims, this research developed measures for assessing project complexity, project management styles and project issues by employing a survey of project management professionals. The measure for project complexity is based on a taxonomy with four categories: organizational complexity, product complexity, methods (process) complexity and goal complexity. Project management style is defined as the management paradigm that guides the managers of an organization in perceiving and dealing with management problems. The measure for project nagement style is based on the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycle and the Newtonian and complexity paradigms. Also the measures for project issues are developed after an extensive content analysis on the literature on project issues, risks and success factors. A self-administered survey instrument (paper-based and on-line) with 40 questions (seven point Likert scale) was utilized. The respondents were the project management professionals from different industries in the Central Florida region. Each respondent was asked to answer questions for two different kinds of projects: a successful project and a challenged project. Based on the data collected by the survey instrument, the results of confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses provide strong evidence that the final measures for project technology complexity, project management styles, project issues and project performance have adequate validity and reliability. Results of the hypothesis tests demonstrate that increased alignment of project complexity and project management style leads to increased project performance and decreased project issues, and also increased project issues leads to project decreased performance. From the perspective of project management, the results of this study have illustrated the importance of aligning a project's complexity and management style. These results suggest that project or program managers can improve the performance of their projects by any attempt to increase the alignment between project complexity and project management style. Project management professionals and theoreticians can use the methodologies provided in this dissertation to assess project complexity, project management style and alignment.Ph.D.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
Engineering and Computer Science
Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
36
Johnson, Gary. "DEFINING RISK ASSESSMENT CONFIDENCE LEVELS FOR USE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATIONS." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2008. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2801.
Full textAbstract:
A review of the literature regarding risk management and effective risk communications identified that very few researchers have addressed risk assessment confidence levels when using risk scoring methods. The focus of this research is to develop a definition of risk assessment confidence levels for use in internal project management communications and to evaluate its usefulness. This research defines risk assessment confidence level as "The degree of certainty that the likelihood or consequence score (assigned by the risk assessor) reflects reality." A specific level of confidence is defined based on the types of analyses that were conducted to determine the risk score. A survey method was used to obtain data from a representative sample of risk assessment professionals from industry and academia to measure their opinion on the usefulness of the defined risk assessment confidence levels. The survey consisted of seven questions related to usefulness--four questions addressed the importance of stating confidence levels in risk assessments and three addressed the usableness of the proposed confidence level. Data were collected on the role and experience level of each of the respondents and the survey also included a comment section to obtain additional feedback. The survey generated 364 respondents representing a broad variety of roles associated with decision making and risk management with experience levels from fairly new to experienced risk assessors. The survey data were analyzed by calculating the proportion of respondents who gave negative, neutral and positive responses to the survey questions. An examination of the roles of the survey respondents indicated that no single group was dominant. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test generally failed to reject the hypothesis that the means of the survey response distributions were identical. There was one exception which indicated that there are differences based on role and by inspection of the responses, it appears that decision makers, academics, and others more strongly support the need for confidence level information to reduce the difficulty in making risk based decisions in projects. The survey responses at a confidence level of 95% have a range of errors from 3.84 to 4.97%. Based on the results of the survey, 77 – 83% of those surveyed indicated agreement that knowing the confidence the assessors have in their assessment is important and would improve a management decision. The survey showed that 60 – 86% of the respondents agreed that the confidence levels and their definitions as presented in the survey were usable. The question with the lowest agreement (60%) was related to the way in which the individual levels were defined. The ad-hoc comments provided in the survey were divided into eleven groups based on similarity of the subject of the comment and then examined for common themes. These added additional insight into the results and useful information for future research efforts. This research validates that the use of risk assessment confidence levels is considered to be useful in project risk management. The research also identified several potential areas for future work, including determining the appropriate number of confidence levels that should be defined, refining the definition of the individual confidence level definitions, examining historical perspectives of whether the risk assessments were accurate, examining the concept of shiftability of risk assessments, further research on communication of variability of risk assessments, and research into the usefulness of risk matrices.Ph.D.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
Engineering and Computer Science
Industrial Engineering PhD
37
Chaoulov, Vesselin. "DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT OF COMPACT OPTICAL SYSTEMS TOWARDS SPECIAL EFFECTS IMAGING." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2005. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2811.
Full textAbstract:
A main challenge in the field of special effects is to create special effects in real time in a way that the user can preview the effect before taking the actual picture or movie sequence. There are many techniques currently used to create computer-simulated special effects, however current techniques in computer graphics do not provide the option for the creation of real-time texture synthesis. Thus, while computer graphics is a powerful tool in the field of special effects, it is neither portable nor does it provide work in real-time capabilities. Real-time special effects may, however, be created optically. Such approach will provide not only real-time image processing at the speed of light but also a preview option allowing the user or the artist to preview the effect on various parts of the object in order to optimize the outcome. The work presented in this dissertation was inspired by the idea of optically created special effects, such as painterly effects, encoded in images captured by photographic or motion picture cameras. As part of the presented work, compact relay optics was assessed, developed, and a working prototype was built. It was concluded that even though compact relay optics can be achieved, further push for compactness and cost-effectiveness was impossible in the paradigm of bulk macro-optics systems. Thus, a paradigm for imaging with multi-aperture micro-optics was proposed and demonstrated for the first time, which constitutes one of the key contributions of this work. This new paradigm was further extended to the most general case of magnifying multi-aperture micro-optical systems. Such paradigm allows an extreme reduction in size of the imaging optics by a factor of about 10 and a reduction in weight by a factor of about 500. Furthermore, an experimental quantification of the feasibility of optically created special effects was completed, and consequently raytracing software was developed, which was later commercialized by SmARTLens(TM). While the art forms created via raytracing were powerful, they did not predict all effects acquired experimentally. Thus, finally, as key contribution of this work, the principles of scalar diffraction theory were applied to optical imaging of extended objects under quasi-monochromatic incoherent illumination in order to provide a path to more accurately model the proposed optical imaging process for special effects obtained in the hardware. The existing theoretical framework was generalized to non-paraxial in- and out-of-focus imaging and results were obtained to verify the generalized framework. In the generalized non-paraxial framework, even the most complex linear systems, without any assumptions for shift invariance, can be modeled and analyzed.Ph.D.
Other
Optics and Photonics
Optics
38
Horne, Adrienne. "The Effect of Relative Deprivation on Delinquency: An Assessment of Juveniles." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2009. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3667.
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This study examines the impact of relative deprivation on juvenile delinquency. Though this topic has been explored by several researchers, there has not been much consistency in the research due to the operationalization of key variables. Traditionally, relative deprivation has been referenced in relation to Merton's Classic Strain Theory, using economic indicators to measure relative deprivation. Webber and Runciman however, expanded upon Merton's original premise and integrated more diverse measures of relative deprivation into their research. The current study utilizes Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST) as a means to measure relative deprivation as a broader and more subjective topic. This unique approach in the study of relative deprivation utilizes aspirations as a primary measure of relative deprivation.M.A.
Department of Sociology
Sciences
Applied Sociology MA
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Fidopiastis, Cali. "USER-CENTERED VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT AND DESIGN FOR COGNITIVE REHABILITATION APPLICATIONS." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2006. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3968.
Full textAbstract:
Virtual environment (VE) design for cognitive rehabilitation necessitates a new methodology to ensure the validity of the resulting rehabilitation assessment. We propose that benchmarking the VE system technology utilizing a user-centered approach should precede the VE construction. Further, user performance baselines should be measured throughout testing as a control for adaptive effects that may confound the metrics chosen to evaluate the rehabilitation treatment. To support these claims we present data obtained from two modules of a user-centered head-mounted display (HMD) assessment battery, specifically resolution visual acuity and stereoacuity. Resolution visual acuity and stereoacuity assessments provide information about the image quality achieved by an HMD based upon its unique system parameters. When applying a user-centered approach, we were able to quantify limitations in the VE system components (e.g., low microdisplay resolution) and separately point to user characteristics (e.g., changes in dark focus) that may introduce error in the evaluation of VE based rehabilitation protocols. Based on these results, we provide guidelines for calibrating and benchmarking HMDs. In addition, we discuss potential extensions of the assessment to address higher level usability issues. We intend to test the proposed framework within the Human Experience Modeler (HEM), a testbed created at the University of Central Florida to evaluate technologies that may enhance cognitive rehabilitation effectiveness. Preliminary results of a feasibility pilot study conducted with a memory impaired participant showed that the HEM provides the control and repeatability needed to conduct such technology comparisons. Further, the HEM affords the opportunity to integrate new brain imaging technologies (i.e., functional Near Infrared Imaging) to evaluate brain plasticity associated with VE based cognitive rehabilitation.Ph.D.
Other
Engineering and Computer Science
Modeling and Simulation
40
Smar, Daina. "An assessment of ecological processes in the Apalachicola estuarine system, Florida." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2012. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5506.
Full textAbstract:
The following is a compilation of field data collected in 2011 and 2012 in Apalachicola, FL as part of a five year study assessing the ecological effects of sea level rise in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Many coastal communities, both natural and developed, will soon be working to mitigate the effects of sea level rise, if they are not already doing so. This thesis investigates the natural patterns of the Apalachicola estuarine system through the collection and analysis of in situ water, sediment, and biomass samples. Additionally, results of the field samples are presented and recommendations for additional sampling are given. The field methods and procedures developed in this study were designed to be repeated in other estuaries to build upon the work that has been conducted in Apalachicola. Water samples were tested for total suspended solids (TSS) and compared against hydrodynamic (tidal circulation and streamflow) and meteorological (wind and precipitation) characteristics. Streamflow was determined to influence a seasonal base level concentration of TSS. Wind strength and direction consistently influenced small TSS concentration fluctuations, an effect amplified by the shallow nature of the estuary. Tidal circulation appeared to have minor influences on TSS concentration fluctuations within the base level concentration range. Precipitation appeared to influence large TSS concentration fluctuations; however, due to limited data collection during storm events, more data is required to conclusively state this. Sediment cores throughout the lower Apalachicola River revealed that coarse particles settled out in upstream areas while fine particles tended to stay in suspension until low energy areas in the lower portions of the river or marsh system were reached. Finally, biomass samples were used to develop regression models utilizing remotely sensed data to predict biomass density in marsh areas with unprecedented accuracy. The documented patterns of this system are to be used as inputs and validation points to update an existing hydrodynamic model and to aid in the coupling and development of sediment transport and marsh equilibrium models. The field campaign developed and implemented here provides a foundation for this novel coupled modeling effort of estuarine systems. From the 2011 and 2012 sampling conducted, it is apparent that Apalachicola can be modeled as a closed system with river inflow and sediment influx as boundary conditions. Forcing local conditions should accurately represent the system. Ultimately, these models will be used to simulate future sea level rise scenarios and will provide useful decision making tools to coastal managers. Future work will include replicating water sampling in subsequent wet and dry seasons in Apalachicola, FL to confirm observed trends, in addition to implementing this sampling in Grand Bay, MS and Weeks Bay, AL. Additional biomass samples will be taken to validate the strong correlations found between remotely sensed data and in situ samples. In similar studies, it is recommended that water samples be taken to adequately represent influences from tidal cycles and riverine inflow. It is also recommended that spatially distributed biomass samples be taken to validate regression models.M.S.
Masters
Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Civil Engineering; Water Resources Engineering
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Shorter, Nichole. "COMPARING ASSESSMENT METHODS AS PREDICTORS OF STUDENT LEARNING IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2008. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2729.
Full textAbstract:
This experiment was designed to determine which assessment method: continuous assessment (in the form of daily in-class quizzes), cumulative assessment (in the form of online homework), or project-based learning, best predicts student learning (dependent upon posttest grades) in an undergraduate mathematics course. Participants included 117 university-level undergraduate freshmen enrolled in a course titled "Mathematics for Calculus". Initially, a multiple regression model was formulated to model the relationship between the predictor variables (the continuous assessment, cumulative assessment, and project scores) versus the outcome variable (the posttest scores). However, due to the possibility of multicollinearity present between the cumulative assessment predictor variable and the continuous assessment predictor variable, a stepwise regression model was implemented and caused the cumulative assessment predictor variable to be forced out of the resulting model, based on the results of statistical significance and hypothesis testing. The finalized stepwise regression model included continuous assessment scores and project scores as predictor variables of students' posttest scores with a 99% confidence level. Results indicated that ultimately the continuous assessment scores best predicted students' posttest scores.M.S.
Department of Mathematics
Sciences
Mathematical Science MS
42
Kellermeier, Grace Kerr. "Foreign language oral assessment practices in Florida middle and high schools." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2010. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/4588.
Full textAbstract:
Current foreign language pedagogy encourages a communicative approach to language learning. Instead of the reading and writing focus of the past, this communicative approach requires instruction in all skills, which include reading, writing, listening, speaking and having knowledge of associated cultures. A random sample of Florida foreign language teachers was surveyed to establish whether or not the goals and actual instructional practices were aligned. Respondents were asked to identify how much of a typical class period is dedicated to each of the five skills, and how much of a typical unit test is dedicated to the same five skills. The findings showed that only the instruction and assessment of writing were aligned. Instruction and assessment of the other skills were unequal. A comparison of the means revealed that listening was actually instructed much more than assessed. The other means were similar, including writing. Reading was found to be the only skill that was assessed more than instructed. The variables examined in this study included the level of fluency, level of education, and amount of experience of the teacher, available resources, amount of the target language used in the classroom, as well as demographic information. The interaction of the level of education and experience of the teacher was significant. Teacher gender was also significant, although the disparate gender groups made it difficult to compare means. The other variables revealed no statistical significance. Slightly less than half of the respondents stated that they do not believe that they include enough oral assessment as a part of instruction. They reported a lack of time, student resistance, class size and unreliable technology as reasons for not including what they perceived to be enough oral assessment.ID: 030423347; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (Ed.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2010.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-145).
Ed.D.
Doctorate
Education
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Weaver, Allyson F. "Pediatric pain assessment : the role of the parent at the bedside." Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida, 2010. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETH/id/1522.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.Bachelors
Nursing
Nursing
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Sweeney, Rebecca Elizabeth. "Integrated software system for the collection and evaluation of wellness information." [Johnson City, Tenn. : East Tennessee State University], 2002. http://etd-submit.etsu.edu/etd/theses/available/etd-0717102-071055/unrestricted/SweeneyR072902.pdf.
Full text
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Dwyer, Theodore James. "An Assessment of Paired Similarities and Card Sorting." [Tampa, Fla.] : University of South Florida, 2003. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/SFE0000158.
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Seager, Kimberly. "An exploratory data collection approach for the assessment of level of service from a traveler's perspective." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2004. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0003401.
Full text
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Armbruster, Michael Dennis. "A study of student achievement in Florida high schools receiving Department of Education smaller learning community grants 2006-2009." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2010. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/4522.
Full textAbstract:
The focus of this research was to analyze the impact of the United States Department of Education's Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) Grant Program on student achievement in 17 schools in the state of Florida that were issued three-year grants during the school years 2006-2009 as compared to 17 similar schools in the state of Florida that did not receive grant funding. Base-line data for each of the 34 schools consisted of student performance in 2006, one year prior to SLC schools receiving the grant. Student achievement data from the base-line through the three-year grant period for the 17 grant recipients were compared with that of 17 similar Florida schools that were not grant recipients in 2006. Student data were collected from the Florida Department of Education. The data subjected to analyses were comprised of student achievement on the ninth and tenth grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in the areas of reading and mathematics, the graduation rate, and the dropout rate. The data showed an overall improvement in the SLC schools' student achievement based on the six areas analyzed. The data collected were then compared to the 17 similar schools to identify any significant differences in the achievement gains in those schools. Although both the SLC schools and the control schools showed overall improvement, no statistically significant relationship was discovered in the achievement of students in SLC schools versus students in similar schools that did not receive the grant dollars during the defined time periods. The overall trend for all 34 schools was similar improvement in student achievement.ID: 029049618; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (Ed.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2010.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-80).
Ed.D.
Doctorate
Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership
Education
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Jones, Gareth James. "INTEGRATING EVALUABILITY ASSESSMENT IN AFTER SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING RESEARCH." Master's thesis, Temple University Libraries, 2013. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/216574.
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Tourism and SportM.S.
This thesis provides a review of after school research with a special focus on selected research methods. It identifies several important methodological issues in the literature which have contributed to a sometimes confusing body of research for after school program coordinators and service staff to interpret. The potential utility of evaluability assessment (EA) in the field of after school program research is discussed, and EA is proposed as a pre-evaluation method to be adapted as the first step in the scientific process for subsequent evaluative research. EA techniques are then applied in the initial phase of a partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation's after school program. Structural and theoretical recommendations are provided, and specific topics for future research initiatives are identified. The incorporation of a specified EA criteria into the evaluative process is recommended, so as to provide timely, relevant, and useful information for both practitioners and academics. This thesis aims to further reduce the disconnect between research and practice in the field of after school, out-of-school-time, and youth recreation research.
Temple University--Theses
49
Iwamoto, Noriko. "Effects of L2 Affective Factors on Self-Assessment of Speaking." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2015. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/317188.
Full textAbstract:
Teaching & LearningPh.D.
This study was an investigation of the validity of students' self-assessment of L2 oral performance, the influences of L2 affective variables on their self-assessment bias, and the degree to which the influences of L2 affective variables differ between high and low proficiency learners. The participants were 389 science majors from two private Japanese universities. A questionnaire was administered using items based on the Attitude/Motivational Test Battery (Gardner, 1985), the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (Horwtiz et al., 1986), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), Sick and Nagasaka's (2000) Willingness to Communicate Scale, and items designed to measure motivation adapted from Gardner, Tremblay, and Masgoret (1997), Yashima (2002), Irie (2005), and Matsuoka (2006). A factor analysis identified seven factors in the questionnaire data: Self-Esteem, L2 Speaking Anxiety, L2 Willingness to Communicate, Attitude Toward Learning to Speak English, L2 Speaking Motivational Intensity, Desire to Learn to Speak English, and L2 Speaking Self-Confidence. The scales were further validated using the Rasch rating scale model. Student oral interviews were recorded and rated by five English teachers using an oral assessment scale based on the Kanda English Proficiency Test (Bonk & Ockey, 2003).Immediately after the interviews were completed, the participants were asked to consider how they perceived their own speaking performance and they rated their own performance from their memory using the same oral assessment scale that the teacher raters used. The oral assessment scale included the descriptions of the oral performances that match each level. The participants read the descriptions of each level and chose a level that they thought matched their own performance. The study produced four main findings. First, a multi-faceted Rasch analysis revealed that the participants rated their own L2 speaking more severely than the teacher raters and that the students' self-assessments were neither reliable nor consistent. Second, self-assessment bias measures were calculated and used to test a hypothesized structural model of how affective factors influenced self-assessment bias. The hypothesized model showed poor fit to the data, possibly due to the poor reliability of the self-assessment measures. Multiple regression analyses conducted as a follow-up analysis revealed that participants with greater Desire to Learn to Speak English tended to underestimate and those with greater L2 Speaking Self-Confidence tended to overestimate their own speaking performance. Third, 106 participants whose self-ratings were similar to the teachers' ratings were compared with other students in order to examine their distinctive features. However, no significant differences in L2 oral proficiency or affective variable measures were found between the two. Therefore, those whose self-assessments agreed with teachers could have resulted in some agreements that occurred by chance alone. Finally, 100 higher proficiency students were compared with 100 lower proficiency students and the results showed that the higher proficiency students with greater Desire to Learn to Speak English generally underestimated their L2 speaking proficiency, while those with higher Self-Esteem and greater L2 Speaking Self-Confidence tended to overestimate it. Lower proficiency students with greater L2 Speaking Self-Confidence tended to overestimate their L2 speaking proficiency. The results suggest that the self-assessment of L2 speaking might not be a sufficiently reliable or consistent assessment tool. Therefore, if teachers are considering including self-assessment in a speaking class, self-assessment training should be conducted. Additionally, giving L2 learners more opportunities to speak the L2 can help them notice gaps between their productions and those of proficient speakers, which might lead to more accurate self-assessment. Second, although some studies utilized only one teacher-rater, five teacher raters in this study displayed a great deal of diversity and exhibited unique bias patterns, so multiple raters should be employed and Facets analyses should be employed because the multi-faceted Rasch model provides person ability estimates that are adjusted for rater bias. Finally, the use of multi-faceted Rasch analysis is useful for examining oral data because unlike raw scores, multi-faceted Rasch analysis provides detailed information concerning speaker ability, rater severity, and category difficulty. Moreover, while most researchers have utilized self-assessment raw scores, in this study bias measures of self-assessment were calculated using Facets, which indicated that the bias measures produced different outcomes compared with self-assessment scores.
Temple University--Theses
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Hall, Ashley. "ASSESSMENT AND IN VITRO REPAIR OF DAMAGED DNA TEMPLATES FROM FORENSIC STAINS." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2005. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2621.
Full textAbstract:
DNA extracted from biological stains is often intractable to analysis. This may due to a number of factors including a low copy number (LCN) of starting molecules, the presence of soluble inhibitors or damaged DNA templates. Remedies may be available to the forensic scientist to deal with LCN templates and soluble inhibitors but none presently exist for damaged DNA. In fact, only recently has the biochemical nature, the extent of DNA damage in physiological stains and the point at which the damage inflicted upon a particular sample precludes the ability to obtain a genetic profile for purposes of identification been examined. The primary aims of this work were first to ascertain the types of DNA damage encountered in forensically relevant stains, correlating the occurrence this damage with the partial or total loss of a genotype, and then to attempt the repair of the damage by means of in vitro DNA repair systems. The initial focus of the work was the detection of damage caused by exogenous, environmental sources, primarily UV irradiation, but also factors such as heat, humidity and microorganism growth. Results showed that the primary causes of the damage that resulted in profile loss were strand breaks, both single and double stranded, as well as modifications to the DNA structure that inhibited its amplification. Armed with this knowledge, the next focus was the repair of the damage by means of in vitro DNA systems. Efforts have been concentrated on single strand break/gap repair and translesion synthesis assays. By modifying the assays and employing various combinations of the systems, a genetic signature has been recovered from previously intractable samples. Additionally, the effects that various storage conditions have on the DNA in physiological stains stored in a laboratory were examined. The optimal long term storage conditions for biological evidence has been a matter of debate in the forensic community for some time. But, no comprehensive study had previously been undertaken to describe the effects of dehydration and temperature on degradation and the ability to obtain a genetic profile on bloodstains kept in different types of storage media at a range of temperatures. To examine this, bloodstains were either allowed to dry overnight or placed in the storage medium while still wet and were stored at room temperature, 4oC or 30oC for up to four years. Results showed that specimens dehydrated prior to storage were very stable, and these bloodstains showed no degradation or loss of a genetic profile for up to four years.Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry
Arts and Sciences
Biomolecular Sciences: Ph.D.