identifier: Lane, Barbara Ann <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lane=3ABarbara_Ann=3A=3A.html>   (1985) A survey of the leisure reading of junior high school students in the province of Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study was designed to gather information on the leisure reading habits and interests of junior high school students in the province of Newfoundland. The population surveyed was randomly selected from four Newfoundland School Boards considered to be representative of the Newfoundland school population. The questionnaire method was used to collect the necessary information from the students and one hundred percent return was achieved. -- Results showed that a high percentage of the students surveyed enjoyed reading in their leisure time, although girls were more likely than were boys to read for enjoyment. Although there were some interests common to both sexes, there was a marked difference between reading choices of boys and girls. -- Both boys and girls indicated a strong interest in mystery/adventure stories and stories about young people. With respect to the genres, girls reported a preference for novels and boys a preference for short stories. Poetry was of little interest to either sex.  Both sexes preferred fiction to fact, prose to poetry, plays to essays and magazines to newspapers. -- The students reported that the greatest deterrents to their leisure reading were lack of time and the lack of interesting books. The books on the supplementary reading list were not widely read by the students of either sex. The book's title and the influence of movies and television were the two greatest influences on students' choices in books. -- A number of recommendations for improvement in the leisure reading programs in Newfoundland are presented as a result of the conclusions reached in this study.


identifier: McCarthy, Jerome J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/McCarthy=3AJerome_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1985) An evaluation of Career Education 3101, a course option of the Newfoundland high school program, from a cognitive developmental perspective.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

format: application/pdf application/pdf

abstract: Career Education 3101, a course option of the reorganized high school program in Newfoundland, was examined from a predominantly cognitive developmental perspective using both student and teacher questionnaires. Course and noncourse students were compared using traditional indices of program success as well as measures of students' levels of complexity of career conceptualizations. Comparisons were also made on other variables including: academic stream, level in school, whether students were taught by a teacher or counsellor, extent of process employed by the instructors of the course, sex, age, and demography. Finally, questionnaire items permitted both students and teachers an opportunity to evaluate and indicate their perceptions of Career Education 3101. -- Results showed the variables which most influenced students' responses to traditional career questions were: level in school, academic stream, and the course-noncourse variable. Sex and academic stream proved to be the two major indicators of the complexity of students' conceptualizations of careers. Finally, results showed that students' rating of the course and their perceptions of their teachers for the course varied strongly with the demographic variable and the extent of process variable. -- The major weaknesses of Career Education 3101, as identified by the teachers, included a very poor text, the method used to evaluate student success, lack of resource materials and persons, and the fact that the course was being offered too late to be of maximum value to students. -- Results of the study provided much support for cognitive developmental theory (e.g., Level III students, compared to Level I and Level II students, and students taught by teachers who employed a high degree of process, compared to those of low process teachers, demonstrated more complex conceptualizations of careers). Significant implications are identified (e.g., male and female students appear to require differential intervention strategies) and recommendations for programming and future research (e.g., examination of a major rural-urban difference) are offered.


identifier: Carlson, Terry Maxwell <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Carlson=3ATerry_Maxwell=3A=3A.html>   (1984) An assessment of factors related to recidivism among adult ex-offenders residing in a community-based residential centre in St. John's, Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This quantitative-descriptive study reports data on ex-offenders who resided at a community-based residential centre (CRC) in St. John's, Newfoundland. This study, the first formal research about correctional treatment programs in Newfoundland, describes background characteristics and program factors related to recidivism over a two year follow-up period. --  The study sample was composed of 172 males who stayed at Howard House between April, 1977 and May, 1981. Parolees and mandatory supervision cases under the jurisdiction of the Correctional Service of Canada (C.S.C.), and Temporary Absence (T.A. cases along with probationers referred through the provincial Department of Justice, comprised the sample. --  Data were collected from individual Howard House files and Finger Print Serves (FPS) records obtained through the Canadian Police Service Information Centre (CPSIC). Four study instruments were developed and used in this study: 1) The Program Participation Scale (PPS), 2) the Alcohol and/or Other Drug Problem Scale, 3) the Employment History Scale, and 4) the Family Support Scale. In regard to the PPS, two independent raters assessed Howard House files and rated program participation according to the criteria of the scale; and there was a 74% degree of congruence between their ratings. --  The study sample was composed of men who were primarily young, single, from rural Newfoundland, with generally poor educational backgrounds, and lacking in family support. Almost half had an observed alcohol problem, while more than half had been previously incarcerated. The large majority were employed (74.1%) or attending an educational institution (6.4%) while residing at Howard House. --  Eighty-two percent of those in the study sample successfully completed the Howard House program, which compares with other CRC study findings, while the reconviction rate of 32.6% after two years compares favourably with other Canadian recidivism studies. More specifically, the following variables were found to be significant and related to recidivism: 1) poor program participation, 2) the greater the number of occasions convicted two years prior to Howard House, 3) the greater the number of occasions convicted as an adult, 4) the shorter the period of time "on the street" without a conviction two years prior to Howard House, 5) previous incarcerations, 6) alcohol/drug problems, 7) poor family support, 8) property offender status, and 9) unemployed on the day of departure from Howard House. --  Implications of the study are directed toward: 1) understanding how certain factors can predict recidivism, 2) future research and, 3) program planning and treatment recommendations.


identifier: Legge, James Charles <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Legge=3AJames_Charles=3A=3A.html>   (1984) A study of the effectiveness of an uninterrupted sustained silent reading program as conducted in a Newfoundland school setting.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Many young people lack a quiet place to read or have no adult model to foster a desire to read. S.S.R. attempts to provide both. (Moore, 1980, p.446) -- The need identified by Moore supplied the impetus for this study.  Young people are not always given an opportunity at home or at school to experience the pleasure and value of reading. When this problem was recognized at Hollands Memorial, a  solution was sought. A program of Uninterrupted Sustained Silent Reading was introduced and it was decided to study the program in depth. -- After a year of U.S.S.R. the students' attitudes towards reading were measured and changes noted. The findings confirmed that positive attitude change had occurred. How much of the change was a result of U.S.S.R. is difficult to estimate but it is felt that U.S.S.R. had a significant role to play in that change.


identifier: Guy, Eugene Victor <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Guy=3AEugene_Victor=3A=3A.html>   (1985) An analysis of multi-year ice distributions occurring in the Saglek Bank region of the Labrador Sea during 1979.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Air photographs taken during six overflights of the Labrador marginal ice zone over Saglek Bank, during the 1979 ice season, have been visually examined to isolate the occurrence of multi-year floes. Along the flight lines, with extended seaward from the coast, the floes were significantly grouped into zones of high concentration with areas of few or zero occurrences lying between. Correlation between floe frequency  and sum of diameters indicated that greater amounts of multi-year ice did exist in these groups and that a higher frequency was not due to an occurrence of smaller pieces. -- For flights of April 25, May 01, and May 12 most floes were observed in bands which crossed the flight line from top to bottom and which were deflected progressively shoreward through time. By May 26 individual bands had disappeared and the floes were found to occur in two main groups, while the center of the distribution had attained its farthest measured shoreward advance. On May 31 and June 07 the distribution was mainly scattered, however a return to the banded effect was observed near the ice edge. -- The banding phenomenon observed in the distribution of multi-year floes is thought to be a product of differential shear across a horizontal velocity gradient, occurring in a current regime dominated by laminar flow. Under these conditions, individual constituent floes of a hypothetically uniform floe field, which are located at opposite ends of an axis orthogonal to the direction of current flow, are moving in a common direction at unequal velocities. This creates differential rates of shear across the initially uniform field and causes it to elongate into a band. During this process, the originally orthogonal axis is progressively re-oriented until it is parallel to the direction of laminar flow. The subsequent attenuation of this banding phenomenon is probably due to a temporary transition from the laminar to a turbulent mode of flow within which random cross-flow components disperse the bands. -- The landward deflection of the centers of the multi-year floe distribution was probably due to a meandering of the thermal front which separates the cold water of the Labrador Current core from the warmer water offshore. The most severe disruption of banding, on May 26, was probably due to the passage of a cyclonic eddy along the frontal zone. A re-emergence of bands which occurred near the seaward ends of the May 31 and June 07 flight lines is considered normal because current velocities are greatest near the seaward edge of the bank, and the effects of turbulent events would be expected to disappear most quickly in this region. -- Seasonal trends in floe size occurrence suggest that larger floes deteriorate into smaller pieces by fracturing, which increases as the floes become weaker due to higher temperatures. Beyond a lower size limit fracture ceases and melt processes are dominant.


identifier: Cody, Ann <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cody=3AAnn=3A=3A.html>   (1983) A report on the development of an instructional unit on the Norse people and their settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: With the pressure on educational institutions to become more effective and more relevant to the demands of society, there is a need to present content in an organized and concise manner using such techniques as task analysis, behavioural objectives and the gamut of available technology in an attempt to maximize student learning. The purpose of this project has been to develop an instructional unit on the Norse People and their settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows. -- The instructional unit consists of: -- 1. A slide tape on the Norse settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows; -- 2. Overhead transparencies dealing with explorations leading to the establishment of a settlement, and with the physical features of the settlement; -- 3. A teacher handbook containing a set of instructions to be followed in the application of the instructional unit along with lists of objectives to be given to the students, and a test designed to meet the needs of this project; -- 4. A student handbook containing information on the early explorations of the Norse People. -- Following the development of the instructional unit it was tested and found acceptable.


identifier: Coles, Ellis S. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Coles=3AEllis_S=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1995) A comparative study of the experiences of specialist and nonspecialist teachers of physical education in elementary schools.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The main focus of this study involved a comparison of the teaching experiences of eight specialist and eight nonspecialist elementary physical education teachers. An interview was conducted with participants to ascertain their experiences in physical education. -- A literature review specifically dealing with specialist and nonspecialist educators found that in most facets of teaching physical education, specialists outperformed nonspecialist teachers. Most of these studies involved a comparison of either skill development or a comparison of physical education programs; rarely did studies examine actual teaching experiences. -- Findings from the study revealed that teachers of physical education shared many similar and different teaching experiences. These included their experiences with physical education as a student, as a teacher in training, and as a teacher. Similar viewpoints were expressed on topics such as teaching strategies and instruction, evaluation, and staff support. One noticeable difference was the enthusiasm and confidence displayed by specialist teachers, compared to nonspecialists, in the actual planning and implementation of their total physical education programs. The obstacles expressed by both groups of teachers in the teaching of physical education were also quite different. -- Based on the findings from this study, recommendations were made for additional support and assistance to all teachers of physical education in the elementary school setting.


identifier: Lee, Patricia Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lee=3APatricia_Anne=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A report on the development of an instructional unit entitled Elliot Lake, our community.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this project was to develop an instructional unit on the community of Elliot Lake, Ontario for use in the Grade Two environmental studies course in that community. -- Filmstrips with an accompanying audiotape and teacher's guide were chosen as the media of presentation to the intended learners. -- Various developmental stages were involved in the completion of the instructional package. At certain stages content and media experts and teachers were consulted informally and formally for the purpose of evaluating the content and technical qualities of the instructional materials. Based upon the recommendations of these evaluations, changes were made in the instructional package. -- Two experimental groups were used in piloting the instructional package. Two Grade Two classes of environmental studies and their teachers took part in the study. -- Statistical analyses of the pretest/posttest results showed that significant learning had taken place between the administration of the two tests. It was reasonable to conclude the this learning was brought about by the intervening use of the instructional package. A questionnaire was also used to evaluate the instructional unit. The Grade Two environmental studies teachers and the chairman of the school board's committee on environmental studies who evaluated the instructional package, Elliot Lake, Our Community, highly recommended it for use in the Grade Two environmental studies course.


identifier: Hicks, Benvie Earl <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hicks=3ABenvie_Earl=3A=3A.html>   (1972) The preparation of instructional materials for orientation of Grade VIII students to the Conception Bay South pre-vocational courses : a project report.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The objective of this project was to devise materials and bring together information that could be used by guidance personnel and teachers to help the grade eight student make pre-vocational course choices for grade nine at the Conception Bay South District Vocational School. -- Out of this overall objective there developed three sub-objectives which were as follows: -- 1. The development of an information package to be used by guidance personnel and teachers to help the grade eight student make pre-vocational course choices for grade nine at the Conception Bay South Pre-Vocational Pilot Project. -- 2. The development of an annotated bibliography on the pre-vocational courses and related areas that could be drawn on by teachers and counsellors to provide readily available career guidance information for grade eight students. -- 3. The development of ten slide-tape presentations, one on each pre-vocational course, to be used by teachers and counsellors to give the grade eight student an insight into what is involved in each course offered by the Conception Bay South Pre-Vocational Pilot Project. -- The achievement of each of objective resulted in three products as follows: -- 1. An information package for teachers and counselors. -- 2. An annotated bibliography. -- 3. Ten slide-tape presentations. -- This project took approximately six hundred and ten man hours to complete, and its approximate cost was $533.88 for materials. -- The overall evaluation of the three products was carried out by teachers, counsellors, a panel of experts, grade eight students, and grade nine students. All evaluators determined the that products were suitable for the purposes for which they were designed. -- The limiting factors in this project were as follows: -- 1. The amount of time that was available if the products were to be ready for the school year beginning in September of 1973. -- 2. Because of the time factor involved, the slides in some of the presentations do not completely cover the course. -- 3. The technical quality of the slide-tape presentations is limited in some cases. -- 4. The amount of money that was available for the preparation of the project. -- 5. Pre-vocational course content can be expected to change, and more up to date materials will be brought into the Department of Education, Audio-Visual Division. These factors may cause the present materials to become outdated. -- As a result of the project a number of recommendations were made. For use, the recommendations included getting the products into the schools where they can do the most good, using the information package and the slide-tape presentations for public relations purposes, having the information package drawn up into a handbook for students, having the information in the annotated bibliography distributed to guidance counsellors for use in their guidance programs, and having the materials examined for use elsewhere if the pre-vocational program is extended to other areas in Newfoundland. For improvement of the products, the recommendations included having the slide-tape presentations made over in other forms if the appropriate equipment cannot be made available, making improvements in the technical quality of the slide-tape presentations, having people in the actual occupations filmed for inclusion in the career areas discussed on the tape, having the materials on the typing course revised subsequent to the implementation of the new business fundamentals course, and having the electronics slide-tape presentation re-edited before it is presented to students. The general recommendations included having the three products brought up to date when they become obsolete, and having provision made for updating of the guidance materials available from the Department of Education, Audio-Visual Division.


identifier: Dyer, Alison K. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Dyer=3AAlison_K=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A palynological investigation of the late Quaternary vegetational history of the Baie Verte Peninsula, northcentral Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Palynological studies of peat and lacustrine sediments in Atlantic Canada have provided outlines of the late- and postglacial development of the vegetation. Furthermore, these vegetational changes have permitted researchers to interpret late-glacial and Holocene climatic changes. On the Island of Newfoundland, however, the relative paucity of palynological work has hampered the development of a regional synthesis of vegetational and climatic history. This thesis examines the sequence of vegetational changes in northcentral Newfoundland in order to add to the knowledge of late Quaternary palaeoenvironments of this province. --  Duplicate cores from two lakes on the Baie Verte Peninsula were obtained for pollen analysis, radiocarbon dating, and loss-on-ignition analysis. The results indicate that the Peninsula was ice-covered during the Late Wisconsin and that the ice limit probably extended at least to the northern terminus. The northern highlands were deglaciated by 11,800 BP and dissipation of the ice progressed by downwasting and ice recession toward the interior of the peninsula. --  Pollen percentage, concentration and influx diagrams are presented and a tentative regional pollen zonation for the northern Baie Verte Peninsula is proposed as follows: (I) Gramineae-herb zone, before 11,800 BP; (IIa) Betula-Cyperaceae subzone, 11,800 to 10,000 BP; (IIb) Shrubs-Picea subzone, 10,000 to 8500 BP; (IIIa) Alnus-Abies subzone, 8500 to 6700 BP; (IIIb) Betula-Picea-Alnus subzone, 6700 to 3200 BP; (IV) Picea-Betula-Alnus zone, 3200 BP to present. --  Pioneering communities were replaced by a dwarf-shrub tundra after 11,800 BP. A prolonged shrub-tundra phase was probably a result of residual ice in lowland areas which acted as a physical barrier to tree migration and which may have affected the local climate. Arboreal immigration commenced after 9500 BP with Picea. The closing of the forest canopy and the development of a white birch-black spruce forest occurred after 6700 BP. From that time to about 3200 BP the climate was warmer and drier than at present. A subsequent cooling trend is inferred primarily from a resurgence of black spruce at the expense of white birch. A significant decline in total pollen abundance after 2000 BP is attributed to a decrease in the density of the regional vegetation and decreased sediment focussing.


identifier: Johnson, Arlene R. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Johnson=3AArlene_R=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1985) A counselling internship at the Memorial University diagnostic and remedial unit and the development of a computer based WISC-R test analysis worksheet and program.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This report consists of two parts. The first is a description of an internship completed in the Diagnostic and Remedial Unit at Memorial University. The second part describes the project which was completed as the research component of the internship. The description of the internship consists of the rationale, a description of the setting, the activities which were performed during the internship to meet nine goals set by the intern and concluding evaluative remarks. The research project, its rationale, description, and limitations are provided in the second part of the report. The project consists of the development of two aids for the analysis of the Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children-Revised (WISC-R). A WISC-R Test Analysis worksheet was designed to guide examiners through an individualized WISC-R analysis and record pertinent data for an individualized test interpretation. A computer program for the Texas Instrument TI-99 4A was also developed to accompany the WISC-R Test Analysis Worksheet and aid in the analysis. The primary method of analysis is based on the WISC-R analysis method of Alan Kaufman.


identifier: Kean, Kenneth Thomas <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kean=3AKenneth_Thomas=3A=3A.html>   (1985) A study of pseudocholinesterase in obesity, diabetes, and nutrition: studies using experimental models.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Human serum pseudocholinesterase (PChE) has been widely studied for its genetic polymorphism, but studies defining its physiological role have not been successful. The origin of plasma PChE is the liver. Human serum PChE has been reported to be increased in hyperlipoproteinemia and obesity. -- A relationship between food assimilation and PChE was proposed on the basis of dietary experiments in mice. Further studies in hyperphagic obese mice showed that both serum and liver PChE activity increased in response to overeating. However, adipose tissue PChE activity is decreased in obese mice. -- Whether such alterations are evident in genetically (Zucker) fat (fa/fa) rats is not known. What is the age of obviously altered PChE activity in the liver and adipose tissue of the postweanling genetically obese (ob/ob) mouse? What is the sub-cellular location of PChE in the liver of ob/ob mice? Whether dietary protein, carbohydrate, or fat influences PChE induction in the liver is not clear. What effect does specific inhibition of PChE have on epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis? -- Male fa/fa rats and ob/ob mice were used as experimental models of obesity and diabetes. Dietary studies were done in male Swiss-Webster mice. Isolated rat adipocytes were used to study the effect of specific inhibition of PChE on epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis in vitro. -- PChE was determined by a colorimetric method. Sub-cellular changes in liver PChE of ob/ob mice were analyzed by a cytochemical method for electron microscopy. Rate of glycerol release was used as an indicator of rate lipolysis. Glycerol was determined by a colorimetric enzymatic method. -- Serum and liver PChE activity is significantly higher (P<0.01) in fa/fa rats when compared to lean rats. Adipose tissue PChE activity was not significantly different between the two groups. Linear regression analysis showed that serum PChE activity has a good positive correlation with liver PChE activity, serum triglycerides, body weight and food intake. -- Liver PChE activity was significantly higher (P<0.05) in ob/ob mice than in lean littermates as early as 23 days of age. Adipose tissue PChE activity was, on the other hand, significantly lower (P<0.05) in ob/ob mice than in lean littermates as early as 23 days of age. By cytochemical electron microscopy, increased staining for PChE was observed in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of ob/ob mice. Albino mice with different diets showed that high protein diets produced the greatest increase in PChE activity in the liver compared to high carbohydrate or high fat diets. Mice fed a normal mouse diet ad libitum had significantly higher (P<0.05) liver PChE activity than those fed a restricted diet of 2g of normal mouse chow per day. In albino mice, liver PChE activity varied directly with the protein content in the diet. -- A significantly higher (P<0.05) release of glycerol from rat adipocytes was observed, as expected, in the presence of epinephrine when compared to basal conditions. Propranolol, a beta-adrenoreceptor blocker, decreased the release of glycerol significantly (P<0.05) and also inhibited PChE. The specific PChE inhibitor tetramoneisopropylpyrophosphoramide (Iso-OMPA) also significantly decreased (P<0.05) the epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis. Purified horse serum PChE showed no lipase activity and Iso-OMPA had no significant effect on the lipase activity of purified triacylglycerol acylhydrolase (lipase) in vitro. -- Genetically obese (fa/fa) rats show alterations in PChE activity similar to that observed in obese human beings and mice. Liver and adipose tissue PChE activity are altered in ob/ob mice before frank expression of obesity is evident. Increased synthesis is the apparent cause of increased liver PChE activity in the ob/ob mouse. Further confirmation requires studies using immune-precipitation techniques. Dietary studies suggest that liver PChE induction is a function of the level of protein in the diet. Specific inhibition of PChE causes a decrease in epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis. The effect of propranolol and Iso-OMPA suggest a relationship between PChE and the beta-adrenoreceptor in adipose tissue.


identifier: House, William Gary. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/House=3AWilliam_Gary=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1975) A report on the development, teaching and revision of multimedia package consisting of 35 mm. slides, audiotape and booklet entitled Teaching and resources for use in the preservice and inservice education of Canadian teachers in the preservice and inservice education of Canadian teachers in the utilization of resource centers at the school building level.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis has no abstract


identifier: Bissell, Betty A.(Betty Ann) <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bissell=3ABetty_A=2E=28Betty_Ann=29=3A=3A.html>   (1981) The effect of a literature enrichment program on the vocabulary and reading comprehension of grade one students.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study was designed to set up a literature enrichment program in which grade one children were read to on a regular basis and involved in related activities. The main purpose of the investigation was to determine if children exposed to the literature program would have significantly higher achievement in reading comprehension and vocabulary than children who were not involved in such a program. Two statistical hypotheses and four substantive hypotheses were tested. They were as follows: -- Statistical Hypotheses -- 1. H₀: M₁ = M₂  (in comprehension) - Reject or not? -- 2. H₀: M₁ = M₂  (in vocabulary) - Reject of not? -- Substantive Hypotheses -- 1. The treatment group will have significantly higher achievement in comprehension than the control group. -- 2. The treatment group will have significantly higher achievement in vocabulary than the control group. -- 3. The treatment group will show a greater interest in books. -- 4. The treatment group will show an increased desire to read independently. -- The study consisted of an experimental group and a control group. At the outset all subjects were administered a pretest to determine their level of reading comprehension and vocabulary. For a period of eight weeks the experimental group was involved for approximately one hour each day in a planned literature session which included listening to both a story and a poem being read aloud. After the listening experience, students participated in a follow-up activity such as drama, art, crafts, or creative writing. Parents of children in the experimental group were asked to participate in the study by sharing a daily read-aloud session with their child. Books for these sessions were selected at the school and taken home by the children. -- At the conclusion of the eight week period, both groups were given a posttest and the data from that test as well as the pretest were analyzed statistically using an analysis of covariance. The analysis revealed that the experimental group made greater gains in both areas. The gain in comprehension, however, was not significant at the .05 level so the null hypothesis No. 1 was not rejected, but the null hypothesis No. 2 was rejected because the treatment group made gains in vocabulary which were significant at the .05 level. -- The two null hypotheses were also presented as substantive hypotheses and tested statistically through the analysis of covariance. This resulted in substantive hypothesis No. 1 being rejected and substantive hypothesis No. 2 being accepted. the substantive hypotheses No. 3 and No. 4 did not lend themselves to statistical treatment, but observational assessments, teachers' comments, and anecdotal records collected during the investigation provided the necessary data for a descriptive analysis. There was strong evidence to support the idea that children in the treatment group showed a greater interest in books and an increased desire to read independently, so the substantive hypotheses No. 3 and No. 4 were accepted.


identifier: Goulart, Kenneth F. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Goulart=3AKenneth_F=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1983) The dictionary as an English language teaching resource within the reorganized high school program.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Traditionally, the dictionary in the classroom has been too often the arbiter of "correct" spellings and "correct" meaning for students. The perception, however, of the dictionary should be that of a depository of current language usage. This teaching module has as its major premise the belief that dictionary study, and its complement, vocabulary development, should provide the student with a dynamic reflection of the energy of our English language. -- As it is the responsibility of the teacher to provide his students with a word consciousness, the provincial curriculum should reflect a such a desired outcome. Though there are teaching modules on the dictionary focusing on American English usage, there has been very little developed concentrating on Canadian English usage, and more specifically on the uniqueness of our own Newfoundland English. Emphasis is placed in the module on the teacher as a facilitator of learning, not merely as a dispenser of information.


identifier: Strong, Charlotte <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Strong=3ACharlotte=3A=3A.html>   (1983) A comparison of good and poor readers' ability to utilize contextual information while reading.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This investigation set out to discover whether good and poor reading comprehenders utilize semantic and syntactic information to facilitate word recognition. Current reading theories range from "bottom-up" models, in which precise word identification is a prerequisite to accurate comprehension, to "top-down" psycholinguistic models, in which identification of each letter or even each word is not only unnecessary for comprehension to take place, but also, act to impede reading fluency. Prediction of upcoming material, grounded in an implicit knowledge of grammatical constraints and the redundancy of the English language is an essential component of psycholinguistic theory. No consensus has yet been reached on the respective importance of visual and contextual information to proficient reading. -- In this investigation, sixty grade four subjects from ten schools were selected on the basis of their grade equivalent scores on the Gates-MacGinitie reading test, so that they were all average in word recognition ability but either high or low in comprehension. The subjects were asked to orally read a set of forty-five sentences selected from the third, fourth, and fifth grade Evaluation Manuals of the Nelson Reading Program. Two forms of each sentence were presented to the subjects: a) as it appeared in the story, and b) altered semantically, or semantically and syntactically simultaneously, the verb having been replaced by another verb which changed the meaning of the sentence only, with an alternate type of verb, or with another part of speech. -- If proficient reading could be characterized by minimal attention to visual information and a strong reliance on contextual cues, good comprehenders could have been expected to overlook the deliberately inserted anomalies, substituting words which would be acceptable semantically and syntactically. However, the results showed that the investigative technique did not differentiate good and poor readers on any measure of dependence on contextual information. Level of difficulty of the material had the effect of reducing the semantic and syntactic acceptability of substitution errors, as expected, but graphemic and phonemic similarity scores did not increase correspondingly. The low comprehenders made slightly fewer unacceptable errors than those which were semantically and syntactically acceptable in the sentence. High comprehenders, however, corrected more than twice as many unacceptable errors as those which were acceptable, even when the correction resulted in an accurate rendering of a violated sentence, which was, by its nature, anomalous. This finding was taken to indicate that good comprehenders were better able to utilize visual information than poor comprehenders, as the contextual information was unsupportive of the correction. -- The failure of the instrument to differentiate good and poor readers raised serious questions concerning the validity and reliability of the error detection paradigm, and of oral reading error analysis. For this reason, case studies were undertaken of four subjects, two scoring at each end of the range of comprehension scores. Observations arising from the case studies showed good readers to be more reliant on contextual information than poor readers. Both reader types displayed an awareness of the contravention of linguistic rules, by making significant pauses before or after a target word, in the case of the good readers, or by saying the altered word more slowly than others in the sentence, in the case of the poor readers. Only the high comprehenders repeated portions of the sentence in order to resolve the anomaly, and the length of their pauses suggested that even when they did not repeat the context aloud, they were reviewing it silently. -- In summary, results of the error analysis showed good readers to be better users of visual information than poor readers, and observations arising from the case studies showed them to be better users of contextual information. Both groups displayed an awareness of the inserted anomalous words, but the unrelated sentences did not provide sufficient context to enable them to demonstrate their ability to utilize contextual information to facilitate word recognition. The findings led to two main suggestions: a) that the "disruptive effect" not be used in further research, and b) that educational programs and. methods should stress the development of both bottom-up and top-down abilities.


identifier: Woodford, Anne <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Woodford=3AAnne=3A=3A.html>   (1981) The development of a reading program and its effect on listening, reading, and writing skills in grade seven French.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of the present study was to design a program for Grade VII students using a more balanced skills approach, by the addition of a reading program to the existing audio-lingual program, Le Francais Partout Deux. -- Reading passages with related activities were developed by the investigator to accompany the Grade VII French program, Le Francais Partout Deux. The question of whether there was a relationship between the introduction of these reading passages and achievement in the skills of listening, reading, and writing was investigated. The hypotheses stated that the achievement of students who use a reading program to accompany Le Francais Partout Deux do not differ significantly from the achievement of students who do not use the reading program, in the areas of listening, reading, and writing skill development. -- To eliminate teacher differences, the investigator was responsible for teaching Le Francais Partout Deux to two groups of Grade VII girls--the experimental group (the Reading group) and the control group (the Non-reading group). A uniform presentation of the program was ensured. The only difference was the addition of the reading passages with follow-up activities to the Reading group's French program. -- After 14 weeks of instruction, the students were given tests on each of the skills of listening, reading, and writing. The instruments used to evaluate the students were teacher-made tests developed to evaluate student progress in Le Francais Partout Deux program. Three tests were given--one for each of the skills of listening, reading, and writing. The tests were previously checked for validity and reliability. -- The data collected from these tests were analyzed by finding the mean, variance and standard deviation for each group. To determine if differences between the two groups were significant, a series of t-tests for independent samples was carried out. A 0.05 level of significance was used. -- The major findings of the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between the introduction of a reading program to Le Francais Partout Deux French program and achievement in the skills of listening and reading. No significant relationship was found between the introduction of a reading program and achievement in the writing skills.


identifier: Pickett, Stanley Clayton <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Pickett=3AStanley_Clayton=3A=3A.html>   (1983) The role of the parent in the school reading program.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A major impetus for this study has been the need to enlighten both parents and teachers with respect to parent involvement in reading, regarded as prerequisite to assessing the feasibility of involving parents locally. To this end this study first surveyed the literature pertaining to parent involvement in children’s reading, simply to inform parents and teachers of the extent of activity in this area and to make this information available to them. A second purpose was to identify program features and other aspects of parent involvement that appeared to be effective in improving children’s reading. A third purpose of the study was to review the Newfoundland rural educational scene with respect to identifying factors that may be considered facilitative to future activity in this area. -- This survey uncovered forty projects that matched the criteria for selection. Identifiable among these are a number of trends related to program planning and implementation. First, the greater number of projects were initiated by university personnel or by university related personnel, although school district and teaching personnel were active as well. Second, the projects most often involved parents in one or more of the following: learning about reading and how to use this knowledge to help children at home; learning about, and how to use, a previously prepared program at home; and learning how to improve the home environment to make it more conducive to helping children learn to read. Third, these projects involved children and parents of all socio-economic levels. However, a large percentage of the projects involved low socioeconomic parents and children. Fourth, most projects involved children who were receiving remedial instruction. Finally, although most projects were implemented during the school year eight were conducted or implemented during the school year eight were conducted or implemented during the summer. -- An analysis of the projects revealed several important finding. With respect to goals, the greater number of projects aimed to measure children’s reading gains attributable to parental involvement. Largely ignored were several other worthwhile goals. With respect to program effectiveness in attaining the goals set forth, twenty-six of the twenty-seven projects that measured children’s reading reported reading gains, with twenty of these reporting that reading gains reach significance. Other reported benefits of parental involvement in reading included: -- (1) a positive change in children’s attitude toward reading, -- (2) a positive change in children’s behavior in class, -- (3) increased amount of reading at home, -- (4) improved parental attitude toward the child, toward reading, and toward participation, -- (5) improved teacher attitude toward the child and toward parent participation, (6) improved relationships between the parent and child and between parents and teachers. -- A  most interesting finding related to the effect of programs implemented during the summer. Instead of a decrease in their reading level over the summer, as is usually the case, the children whose parents were involved in the summer reading programs began school in the fall reading better than they had been reading at the end of the previous school year. -- The recommendations resulting from this study pertaining to future endeavours in the area of parent involvement in children’s reading are concerned with improving such observed weaknesses as: -- (1) poorly designed studies, many failing to evaluate the effect of parental involvement on children’s reading, -- (2) studies whose goals were defined in such narrow terms as measuring reading gains only, and -- (3) a lack of attention to the home environment in terms of ascertaining the presence of factors negatively influencing the effectiveness of parental help in reading.


identifier: Jesso, Jeremiah Joseph <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Jesso=3AJeremiah_Joseph=3A=3A.html>   (1981) The effects of concrete materials on attitude and attainment of objectives of students taught a unit on measurement in mathematics.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purposes of this study were to develop and evaluate activities to supplement a unit on 'measurement' in mathematics from the textbook School Mathematics I. The effects of the unit and the supplementary activities on student achievement and attitude toward mathematics were investigated. To do this, four questions were considered: -- 1. Can students attain competence with the mathematical concepts of 'measurement' in mathematics taught by an activity oriented approach? -- 2. What are the effects of the activity approach to instruction on student attitude toward mathematics? -- 3. What are the attitudes of teachers toward the activity oriented approach? -- 4. What are the problems encountered in teaching 'measurement' by the activity oriented approach? -- The study involved teaching an eleven-topic unit on 'measurement to 30 students in two grade seven classes in a high school in western Newfoundland. The unit was taken from the textbook School Mathematics I and each topic was supplemented by activities developed by the investigator or selected from various mathematics education sources. The activities involved the use of concrete materials which the students manipulated. -- To answer question (1), two achievement tests constructed by the investigator were administered to the students. Question (2) was answered by administering to the students the Aiken (1979) 'Scale of Attitudes toward Mathematics' as a pretest and as a posttest. Question (3) was answered by administering to the teachers involved in the study, a ten-point questionnaire developed by the investigator. To answer question (4), the teachers were asked to keep a record of the problems encountered with the unit and the activities. -- Analysis of the achievement test results indicated that the student achieved the 80% criterion on only one objective. The 80% criterion was also reached on two comprehension items and four computation items. Less than 80% was achieved on all of the application items. A dependent t-test for means was performed on the pretest-posttest attitude scores. A t-value of 3.51 indicated a significant positive change in student attitude toward mathematics at the .01 significance level. -- Responses to the teacher questionnaire indicated that the teachers enjoyed teaching the material in the unit. They felt that the supplementary activities were particularly useful in getting the students involved in doing mathematics. They noted that one problem encountered was the students' lack of experience in working with concrete materials. -- The results of the study were inconclusive since no control group was used. Nor was there control for such extraneous variables as student background and differences in teacher and student abilities. It was recommended that further studies be conducted in which these variables are controlled.


identifier: Plaice, Evelyn Mary <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Plaice=3AEvelyn_Mary=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A native game : settler perceptions of Indian/settler relations in central Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis explores Settler perceptions of Indian/Settler relations in a Labrador community and interprets these perceptions as statements about Settler identities and social characters. Analysing the causes of changes in perception, the thesis demonstrates the operation of various influences, historical, economic, and political, in the creation of these identities and perceptions. Finally, it shows how ethnicity becomes fluid with the fragmentation of social experience caused by these influences, and how this fluidity makes it possible to manipulate ethnic identity in pursuance of various goals.


identifier: Reddin, David. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Reddin=3ADavid=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1973) The ecology and feeding habits of the American lobster (Homarus Americanus (Milne-Edwards, 1837)) in Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The feeding habits, energy intake, and prey preferences of Homarus americanus were examined in the laboratory. Preference was determined by placing various animals in tanks with lobsters. This confirmed that sea urchins, crabs, mussels and periwinkles are readily eaten by lobsters. Feeding was observed at night using an infrared light and the feeding actions were described. The caloric intake of four lobsters maintained for one year, two at 15ﾟC, were measured. It varied directly with fluctuations in the water temperature. It was learned that a sea urchins ability to grip its substrate depends directly on the sea water temperature. Thus as lobster food they are more easily acquired during the colder winter months. -- A distribution study considered both food and bottom type. It indicated a direct correlation between landings and distribution of lobsters; and between lobsters, bottom type and food.


identifier: Coombs, Wayne Charles. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Coombs=3AWayne_Charles=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A report on the development of an instruction unit entitled Trinty - an early trading centre.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this project was to develop an instructional unit on the history of the town of Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland to supplement the Grade Five social studies program in Newfoundland schools. A needs assessment was the first step in the design model that was used to develop the unit. The results of this assessment indicated that a need existed for the production of materials on this topic. A slide-tape format was chosen as the preferred medium. --  The instructional unit was evaluated by media specialists, learner specialists, and a content specialist. As a result of their criticism and suggestions, revisions were made at various stages of development. The project was then piloted in two schools. The results of the pretest and posttest were analyzed using three forms of data analysis. The results of this analysis were positive and indicated that the slide-tape presentation, Trinity - An Early Trading Centre, is ready for utilization in the Grade Five Social Studies program throughout the province.


identifier: O'Rielly, Kevin Patrick. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/O=27Rielly=3AKevin_Patrick=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1978) The effects of sex, level of ability, and differential amounts of practice on immediate and delayed achievement in mathematics.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of drill and practice to mathematics achievement in skill and concept acquisition in grade five. To do this the experimenter examined the following major questions. Do any of the variables of sex, level of ability, and amount of practice result in significantly different achievement on an immediate posttest of concepts and skills or on a delayed posttest? In addition, are there any significant interactions among any of these variables on the immediate or delayed posttests? -- To investigate these questions a unit on addition of fractions for grade five was developed, implemented, and evaluated. The study was conducted using 140 grade five students in five classes from both urban and rural Newfoundland communities. Students in each class were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: five practice exercises, ten practices exercises, or fifteen practice exercises. Classes were held once a day for a total of fifteen class sessions. -- To determine the students' achievement on the unit, two tests were administered. The first, the immediate posttest, was given at the end of the fifteen class sessions following a review session. The second, the delayed posttest, was given one month later to test retention of the material covered in the class sessions. Both of these tests were constructed by the experimenter and were designed to test whether the behavioral objectives of the unit had been achieved. In an attempt to eliminate inadequacies, both the addition of fractions unit and the tests were piloted in a grade six classroom prior to conducting the study. -- The data were collected and analyzed using a three factor analysis of variance procedure. Treatment differences were significant at the .05 level of significance on the immediate posttest, but not on the delayed posttest. To determine where the significant differences lay specifically, a Scheffé test was performed on the data. The results of the test indicated that students receiving fifteen practice exercises achieved significantly higher than those receiving five or ten. Achievement of students receiving five and ten practice exercises was not significantly different. -- There were significant sex differences in achievement on both the immediate and delayed posttests with females scoring significantly higher than males. In addition, high ability students scored significantly higher than lower ability students on both tests. -- There was no significant "sex by treatment" interaction on either the immediate or delayed posttests. In addition, there was no significant "ability by treatment" interaction on either of the tests. There was, however, a significant "sex by ability" interaction on both the immediate and delayed posttests. High ability males and females obtained approximately equivalent results, whereas lower ability females scored considerably higher than lower ability males on both tests. As indicated by the "sex by ability" interaction, the obtained sex difference in achievement occurred mainly in the lower ability groups. -- Following the Scheffé procedure finding, students receiving the five and ten practice exercises were collapsed into one group and the data were reanalyzed. The results of this further analysis were similar to those of the initial analysis. Notable exceptions were that the treatment differences were significant at the .05 level on both the immediate and delayed posttests. Students receiving fifteen practice exercises achieved significantly higher than students in the combined five and ten practice groups on both tests. Also, the "ability by treatment" interaction on the immediate posttest was significant. High ability students achieved approximately the same results whether they received five, ten, or fifteen practice exercises. Lower ability students receiving five and ten exercises achieved approximately the same results, however, those receiving fifteen practice exercises achieved considerably higher results. -- On the basis of these findings it was concluded that for grade five students practice does have an effect on mathematics achievement. However, the ability of the student must be considered in assigning that practice. The researcher recommended that further research be conducted at other grade levels and in other areas of the curriculum.


identifier: Scheffel, David <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Scheffel=3ADavid=3A=3A.html>   (1980) The demographic consequences of European contact with Labrador Inuit, 1800-1919.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study is concerned with the demographic situation of Labrador Inuit between the years 1800 and 1919. It is shown that the acculturation process initiated by Moravian missionaries had an adverse influence on the balance between population and resources and the physical health of the Inuit. The missionaries discontinued aboriginal population controls, and destroyed the traditional health care system. However, due to the particular characteristics of the Moravian Church, suffering and death were viewed as desirable and the physical state of the Inuit was not given much attention. Therefore, overpopulation, epidemics, and the lack of health care led to a demographic disaster, characterized by falling fertility levels, decreasing expectations of life, and increasing infant and child mortality. It is claimed that although all the Labrador Inuit were subjected to this development, a correlation can be found between the gravity of the demographic disaster and the degree of acculturation of particular populations of Labrador Inuit. Less acculturated settlements were characterized by healthier inhabitants. --  It is shown that whereas the acculturative process had a tremendous impact on the lives of the Inuit, the very basis of their society, kinship, continued as such despite the Moravians' attempts aimed at reducing its importance. It is claimed that a new marriage form, cousin marriage, emerged as an institutionalized response to acculturative forces. -- The bulk of this study is based on previously unknown data, extracted from Moravian church books.  Due to the richness of the material, this work might be the most comprehensive reliable historical analysis of demographic processes in a non-western society.


identifier: Major, Maureen Mary. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Major=3AMaureen_Mary=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A study of inferencing activities in selected basal series at the primary level in Canadian schools.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the three most commonly used basal reading series for the primary in Canadian schools to identify: (i) whether inference is prescribed for teaching? (ii) if so, to what extent?  and (iii) what methodologies are utilized. -- A survey of the Department of Education for each province and territory revealed the most widely used programs were Expressways by Gage (1977); Starting Points in Language Arts by Ginn (1977); and Language Development Reading by Nelson (1977). -- Teachers' manuals, student reader texts and student workbooks for each series were examined to determine the frequency of reference to the process of inference, to the use of pre and post-reading questions, and to the nature of the inference-making activities. Inferential questions required children to integrate background knowledge and text information to derive plausible inferences, whereas non-inferential questions required children to locate explicit information from the text. Analyses revealed that inference is prescribed for instruction mainly through the use of pre and post-reading questions and inference-making activities. -- An overview of the results are as follows. The Gage series presented 10 pre-reading questions, 2516 post-reading questions of which 1105 (43.9%) were inferential. It provided 19 inference-making activities. The Ginn series presented pre-reading questions and encouraged children to formulate pre-reading questions for each basal selection.  Post-reading questions totalled 3191 of which 914 (28.6%) were inferential. It provided 54 inference-making activities. The Nelson series presented pre-reading questions for approximately fifty percent of the basal selections. Post-reading questions totalled 1492 of which 354 (23.7%) were inferential. It also included 57 inference-making activities.  There were many examples throughout the three basal series where teacher guidelines designed to develop children's inferencing abilities were unclear. -- These findings justify the following conclusions.  First, the amount of pre and post-reading questions as well as the number of inferencing activities provided in these three series is consistent with what has been reported for American basal series. This means that the Canadian basal series also appears to be weak in the important reading process of inference. Second, non-inferential questions take precedence over inferential questions in terms of the total questions asked in the teaching manuals.  Third, guidelines to teachers, if and when provided, are often vague, sketchy and misleading.


identifier: Macneill, James Donald <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Macneill=3AJames_Donald=3A=3A.html>   (1980) A report on the development of an instructional unit entitled Newfoundland railways.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this project was to develop an instructional unit on the history of Newfoundland railways for use as supplementary material in the Grade Nine Canadian history course. -- A slide-tape format was chosen as the medium of presentation of the material to the intended learners. -- Various development stages were involved in the completion of the slide-tape presentation. At various stages of development content and media experts, teachers and students were consulted informally and formally for the purpose of evaluating the content and technical qualities of the slide-tape presentation. -- A nonequivalent control design was used in piloting the slide-tape presentation. Two Grade Nine history classes and on Grade Nine history teacher took part in the study. Statistical analyses of the pretest/posttest results of both classes showed that learning had taken place in the class which had viewed the slide-tape presentation. A resource materials form was also used to evaluate the content and the technical qualities as well as the suitability of the instructional unit. Grade Nine history teachers who used this form highly recommended the slide-tape presentation, Newfoundland Railways, for use in the Grade Nine Canadian history course.


identifier: Johnston, Kenneth Brian. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Johnston=3AKenneth_Brian=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1977) The development of a program for resident assistants in Paton College including role definition, selection procedures, training program and written materials.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This project was conducted in the undergraduate residences of Paton College. The project dealt with the student assistants who work in these residences as part time helpers. The project employed an interviewing process and a pilot training workshop and an evaluation of the workshop to gather data on the various aspects of the present system. Also a new system was developed which included the following components:- -- (1) A new role definition (and a change in name) from prefect to resident assistant -- (2) A new selection procedure with the change from "election" to "application, screening, and appointment" -- (3) A training program which emphasized communication skills and leadership development -- (4) Written materials which include the newly developed "Handbook for Resident Assistants" in addition to the university calendar, the Guide to Junior Division Courses and Guide to Self-Improvement.


identifier: Murray, Murdo. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Murray=3AMurdo=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1969) The atmospheric electric field and its measurement.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The variables encountered in atmospheric electricity are discussed and the theoretical model as proposed by Kawano developed to show that the vertical distribution of the air resistivity is influenced by the eddy diffusion. Using this vertical distribution, the local characteristic of the electric field is derived. Instrumentation for the measurement of the electrical potential gradient was developed and subsequently a series of observations was conducted to measure the electrical phenomena associated with various conditions in the atmosphere. The response time of the instrument is about one millisecond. The use of 30 dB of negative feedback in the main amplifier ensured a stable output with a low noise level.  Indication of the polarity of the field was provided by employing a phase sensitive detector.


identifier: Glascow, Conrad Burton <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Glascow=3AConrad_Burton=3A=3A.html>   (1981) The development and reliability testing of a procedure to observe and record teacher motivation of pupil on-task behavior.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was the development and reliability testing of a classroom observation coding scale. -- The observation scale focused simultaneously on the on- or off-task activity of the student and on the motivational aspect of teacher behavior. The various categories of student and teacher behavior were presented along with an outline of the training program developed for the preparation of classroom observers. -- Two dimensions of the reliability problem were addressed in this study. First, eleven observers were trained in the use of the observation instrument, with the trainees given varying amounts of training time. Training was carried out using a video-tape package prepared for use with the instrument. The degree of agreement for each observer with the coding scheme for the instrument was determined using a video-taped criterion test containing samples of pupil-teacher behaviors. -- The second aspect of the reliability study addressed the reliability of observations made using the coding scale. This involved an examination of the generalizability of the behavior categories used to actual classrooms. The two most highly trained observers were employed in live observations of nine different classrooms on several occasions for each classroom. An analysis of variance of the data furnished by these observations produced generalizability coefficients for each of the categories of the observation scale. -- The study concluded that the behavior categorizations employed permitted an acceptable level of criterion agreement. Generally, the pupil-focus categories produced higher agreement levels than did the teacher-focus categories. However, the data indicated that additional observer training might overcome any deficiencies in coding skills on either aspect of the instrument. -- The coefficients of generalizability provided by the classroom observation data indicated that the categories of the scale are generalizable  across teachers. Observations recorded using the observation instrument would therefore appear to be reliable.


identifier: Hewitt, Benson L. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Hewitt=3ABenson_L=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A study of the independent reading preferences of intermediate grade children in three selected areas of Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the independent reading preferences of children in grades four, five, and six, in three selected areas of Newfoundland, and to determine whether there were significant relations between these preferences and the grade level, sex, and geographical locations of the students. -- The instrument used in this survey was identical to that used by Drs. Edward G. Summers and Ann Lukasevich of the University of British Columbia in a survey they did of the reading preferences of intermediate-grade children in three Canadians cities in 1978. Fourteen representative categories of reading were included in the inventory, and following the paired comparison format were organized so that each category appeared first and second about an equal number of times, and a total group of ninety-one pairs was presented in random order. -- The sample consisted of 747 grade four, five, and six classes from areas of the province; namely, Gander, Glovertown, and Fogo Island.  Whole classes, irrespective of ability, were included in the study. Testing was done within a six-week period during the fall term of the 1984-85 school year. -- An analysis of the rank order of reading preferences indicated that the most popular categories for students in this survey were mystery, adventure, romance, fantasy, and humour. The survey indicated, however, that reading preferences are affected by the variables of sex, grade level, and to a lesser extent, geographical location. An analysis of variance results (ANOVA) indicated highly significant preference difference for seven of the fourteen categories for the three communities; for five of the fourteen categories for grades four, five, and six, and eleven of the fourteen categories for boys and girls. Significant interactions were also found in combinations of community, grade, and sex for many of the fourteen categories. The survey indicated that Gander students and Glovertown students were fairly similar in their reading preferences, but that Fogo students varied significantly in their reading preferences, when their reading preferences were compared with either the reading preferences of Gander students of Glovertown students. There were also clear maturational changes in reading preferences for the three grades. The reading preference inventory (RPI) and the related index of reading preference (IRP) proved to be useful and reliable tools for measuring and ranking reading preferences in the intermediate grades, and could be used by teachers, librarians, and reading specialists, to help identify, develop and stimulate reading interests.


identifier: Cuff, Douglas <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cuff=3ADouglas=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A report on the development and evaluation of a slide/tape program entitled psychosocial needs of the elderly.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The psychosocial needs of our elderly population are often unintentionally neglected in favour of treatment of the more obvious physical needs. This is of interest to all health professionals, but particularly those actively involved with geriatric patients and those involved with the education of student nurses, who must prevent this imbalance in the nurses of tomorrow by introducing them to the psychosocial context of the elderly individual. Such health professionals recognize that while the need is there for informational-educational packages which introduce one to the psychosocial needs of the elderly, few such packages exist. If student nurses were exposed to such packages, it is felt that they would become versed not only in the early prevention and curing of psychosocial problems, but also experienced in teaching the elderly themselves to prevent and cure such problems. Thus this holistic approach would result in an elderly individual who was healthy both in body and spirit. At St. Clare's Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, the lecturers and administration were aware of their responsibility to educate their novice students to the psychosocial context of the elderly, but were unable to review the problem due to lack of introductory material, heavy workload and time constraints. Such factors did not permit them to either conduct an exhaustive search for, or design, develop, and implement a program of the type and depth required.  The solution to this problem was that an informational / attitudinal package in the form of a slide-tape presentation be developed by someone with a knowledge of educational technology. The ultimate objective of this package was to make student nurses, and other health professionals connected with geriatric patients, aware of the psychosocial nature and needs of the elderly.  Such a package was produced with an instructional development model in mind, said model consisting of four major steps - defining the problem, designing the presentation, evaluating the presentation, and developing a dissemination plan. The evaluation of the package produced a satisfactory result, and the dissemination plan is being applied as of this writing.


identifier: Morgan, George M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Morgan=3AGeorge_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A report on the development of an instructional unit entitled Designing book pages.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a self-instructional learning activities package about book design, and to test it on a group of vocational students, in order to identify problem areas in the development of this type of instructional material and to construct a model for systemic development. -- The unit consists of a booklet containing about forty pages of information interspersed with review questions and practice exercises. It was tested on two classes at the College of Trades and Technology in St. John's, Newfoundland. The formative evaluation was performed by the Commercial Art class of 1983, the summative evaluation by the Printing Class of 1985. -- The students wrote a pre-test before studying the material and a post-test afterwards. In the course of the formative evaluation, the unit was revised and retested when the survey of student attitudes and an item analysis indicated that parts of it were confusing to the students. -- Statistical analyses of the pre-test, post-test and retest scores were attempted, but were inconclusive because of the small number of students involved. -- The developer concluded that the self-study method works well for imparting cognitive skills, but that the learning of psychomotor skills is dependent upon the live presence of a skilled expert. -- The instructional unit has been used as a model for the revision of the entire sixty-six module Printing curriculum, at the College of Trades and Technology.


identifier: Wicks, Rene <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wicks=3ARene=3A=3A.html>   (1981) A report on the development and evaluation of a television program entitled No place like home - a look at home care, a public information program.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Hospital-based home care is a practise that has become prevalent in North America within the last fifteen years, stemming from the belief that hospital personnel should be responsible for patient care beyond the confines of the hospital building. An outgrowth of the philosophy has been the establishment, in many hospitals, of personnel whose responsibility is to assess patients upon admission and to plan immediately for discharge. It is maintained that discharge planning can reduce the length of stay for the many individuals and that full recovery can be achieved at home. Essential to home care are the services of a number of community-based agencies whose efforts can be coordinated by the hospital's referral nurse. Such agencies meet a variety of needs, including nursing care, physiotherapy, socialization, and basic homemaking. -- At St. Clare's Mercy Hospital in St. John's, Newfoundland, attempts were being made to achieve optimum utilization of the community's home care services. The referral personnel, however, due to heavy workload and constraints of time, were unable to review thoroughly the cases of all potential patients for home care. One solution was to have the patients or members of their families take the initiative. Unfortunately, a large majority of individuals knew little about home care, and were certainly unaware of the varied services available. Consequently, many of the services were being underutilized. -- As a solution to the problem, a television program was developed, its broad objective being to increase the number of referrals to home care by broadening the knowledge base of the public. The program was designed to provide a basic overview of home care, as well as descriptions of the community agencies available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Through implementation of such a program, patients and family members were encouraged to contact the referral nurse of any member of the health team to obtain a personal assessment for a home care option. -- The program was produced following thorough analyses of needs, intended audiences, and a delineation of tasks and objectives.  Formative evaluation was conducted following completion of the script and the feedback resulted in a number of alterations. Following production and post-production, the completed program was summatively evaluated through implementation of three techniques.


identifier: Kinsella, Angela A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kinsella=3AAngela_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1984) A report of the development of a handbook for the use of school library assistants and teacher/librarians.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The school library situation in the schools of Newfoundland is far from ideal. Many school libraries are staffed by teacher/librarians who are also responsible for teaching and supervisory duties. There is little or no free time for the many tasks which must be carried out routinely if the school library is to function efficiently. Many of these tasks require little or no professional training and can be carried out by trained library assistants. -- The aim of this project was to prepare a simple handbook for the use of teacher/librarians and library assistants. The handbook was designed to be used by the teacher/librarian for instructional purposes during the initial stages of the training programme and by the library assistants themselves during and after the training period is completed. Accompanying the handbook is an introductory section for teacher/librarians. The teacher/librarian section outlines the philosophy behind the use of student assistants in the school library, establishes general guidelines for the setting up of a library assistants programme and introduces the student handbook. -- A preliminary draft of the library assistants' handbook was sent to professional people directly involved in school library service. These individuals were asked to examine the handbook, respond to the accompanying questionnaire and suggest changes. -- All of those contacted were favourably impressed with the handbook. All agreed that it would benefit both teacher/librarians and library assistants. There were no substantial changes suggested. -- In order to obtain student response to the handbook, specific sections were used with a group of Junior High students. Exercises which presented some difficulty for the students were revised. -- Based on a search of related literature, the handbook reflects the opinions of school library consultants, teacher/librarians and students of the age group for whom it is intended. Designed for Junior High School students, it can be adapted to meet the needs of individual teacher/librarians in specific school situations.


identifier: Barry, Wayne A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Barry=3AWayne_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1983) A report of a counselling internship and associated research undertaken in Harlow, England.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this internship was to provide an opportunity for the intern to further his skills in guidance and counselling. The internship was undertaken at West Hatch High School, Chigwell, Essex, Great Britain during the spring school term. It began in April, 1980 and concluded in July of that year. -- During the internship, opportunities were provided for the intern to: a) acquire a detailed knowledge of the British school system and in particular the role of guidance and counselling within the system; b) develop the competence to counsel school children; c) explore his personal feelings about the role and function of a guidance counsellor in a school; d) become familiar with community services and resources which exist in support of schools and students; and e) learn to develop sound working relationships with other professionals in the helping fields. -- The purpose of the research component of the internship was to assist the headmaster in assessing the effectiveness of his school in achieving its objectives. Using a questionnaire, designed by the intern during the internship and completed by over 60% of the school faculty, information was collected for and discussed with the headmaster concerning a number of key areas relating to the education and welfare of students.


identifier: Cooke, Brendan A. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cooke=3ABrendan_A=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1985) A comparison of three levels of diagnostic-prescriptive remediation of student misconceptions relating to stoichiometric calculations.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare three levels of diagnostic-prescriptive treatment for the remediation of students' misconceptions relating to a hierarchy for stoichiometric calculations. This hierarchy was validated by a previous research (Whelan, 1982). -- The sample consisted of 220 subjects drawn from 13 intact Level II chemistry classes in five Newfoundland high schools. Following regular classroom instruction in stoichiometry, a diagnostic test was administered. Three treatment groups were formed in each class by stratified random assignment based on ranked scores from this test. Each student was remediated on skills which he/she had failed on the pretest. Remediation was through an individualized student booklet, a difference version of which was administered to each group. One level of remediation (treatment A) consisted of instructional content sequenced in the order that skills in the hierarchy appeared on the pretest (non-hierarchical arrangement). A second level of remediation (treatment B) involved an instructional booklet in which direct reference to the learning hierarchy was made throughout, and instructional content was sequenced in the order of skills in the hierarchy. The third level of remediation (treatment C) consisted of the hierarchical arrangement of treatment B, with an additional feature - the identification of specific student misconceptions as part of the remediation. A posttest, parallel in construction and content to the first, was administered 1-3 days after the remedial session. -- Two null hypotheses were tested. Hypotheses 1 relates to hierarchical versus non-hierarchical arrangement of remedial content, in effect comparing treatments A and B with regard to achievement gains following remediation. Hypothesis 2 relates to remediation employing the identification of specific student misconceptions, in effect comparing treatments B and C. Analysis of covariance revealed that there was no significant difference in achievement gains among the three treatment groups (p > .05). However, post hoc analysis yielded a group of non-remediated students whose achievement gains were significantly less than those of the treatment groups. -- Patterns of responses on the pretest and posttest were also analyzed and reported with regard to misconceptions and overall improvement on specific skills. Again no significant differences in treatment groups were found, but group C consistently showed the greatest gains in the analyses based on treatment.


identifier: Payne, Wayne Howard <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Payne=3AWayne_Howard=3A=3A.html>   (1980) A study of some selected family variables and their relationship to the satisfaction of parenthood.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The general intentions of this study were to indicate the prevalence of parent satisfaction, to validate a proposed model of parent satisfaction, and to provide answers to a number of important questions such as: Will parents be satisfied with their roles in child-rearing?  What factors will determine satisfaction levels? -- Statistical data showed that marriage and parenthood are common occurrences among adults although there is a continual decline in fertility rates. Through an extensive review of the literature, the variables of major importance were delineated as being relevant to parent satisfaction. Following a social exchange theoretical approach, these variables were combined with a proposed model of parent satisfaction. -- The research instrument, a standardized questionnaire, was administered by means of a personal interview to 100 couples randomly selected from the St. John's telephone directory (both husband and wife were interviewed simultaneously but separately). Data analysis utilized beta coefficients obtained through multiple regression techniques. -- The general findings of this study provided support for the three research propositions and validated the proposed parent satisfaction model. From a total of seventeen hypotheses which were tested, fifteen were confirmed for males and eleven confirmed for females. The findings of this study show that the explanatory power of the parent satisfaction model is stronger for females (R²=.24) than for males (R²=.16). A number of male and female differences emerge from these research findings.


identifier: Withers, George <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Withers=3AGeorge=3A=3A.html>   (1983) A report on the development of a handbook on computer literacy for teachers and principals.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The handbook stresses the need for teachers and administrators to prepare themselves for teaching in the age of computers. Teachers and administrators must be willing to become computer literate to provide a relevant education for the present or future generations of students. The students of today need to prepare for jobs in the "Information Age" or "Information Revolution" which will transform society in the next twenty years. -- The main purpose of this handbook is to make educators aware of the need for computer literacy and provide an opportunity for them to acquire a general knowledge of computers, their uses in society, as well as applications in education. All teachers regardless of subject speciality need to become computer literate in order to integrate computers into their teaching strategies. -- The handbook is divided into ten chapters. The first six chapters introduce the reader to the term computer literacy, defines it, and presents basic information about computers, computer languages, programming and some social problems that have arisen or are being exacerbated by the widespread use of computers. The remaining four chapters are designed to inform the reader about the educational applications of computers - their uses and limitations. The writer recognizes the need for in-service education to precede the introduction of computers into schools. If computers are to be utilized to the fullest extent and today's students are to become computer literate citizens, then teachers and administrators must become knowledgeable of computers, their uses in society and their educational applications. -- The writer believes that this handbook will offer teachers and principals an opportunity to acquire a general knowledge of computers and their use.


identifier: Husk, Gordon Stephen <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Husk=3AGordon_Stephen=3A=3A.html>   (1977) A methodological and developmental study of personal space.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The main purpose of this experiment was to assess the validity of the simulation and laboratory methods of measuring interpersonal distance (IPD) over a broad age range. Male dyads from five Grade levels (K, Grades 3, 6, 9 and Adult) were asked to perform a skit, the preparation of which was surreptitiously video-taped and later assessed for IPD and three other components of personal space (orientation, looking and talking). The comparison of this field method IPD with laboratory and simulation IPDs at each Grade level demonstrated little validity for the latter two methods below the Adult level. Using the simulation method, the consistent findings of closer spacing for friends than strangers (at most levels) led the author to conclude that it should be used to asses relative spacing than for determination of absolute IPD. -- Components of personal space assessed from the video-tapes yielded low multiple correlations of IPD as a function of the other components. Although there was a marked increase in multiple correlations for the Adult group from the other Grade levels, this was not supported by both judges. More elaborate research procedures using the field method were advocated, with the purpose of examining a greater variety of potential components of personal space.


identifier: Lau, Matthew Beng <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lau=3AMatthew_Beng=3A=3A.html>   (1987) A simple technique for surface modeling.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: A simple technique for surface modeling

abstract: Traditionally, a single unique curve or surface is generated by an algorithm for each set of control points, with Bezier and B-spline being two of the famous techniques used. -- Recently, there has been increasing interest in the generation of many different curves or surfaces by a single technique for a set of control points. The Beta2-spline technique is a recent example of this idea. It uses a parameter called β₂ to act as a pulling agent, or tension, on the B-spline curve or surface. However, the curves or surfaces lose their smooth appearance as they are pulled closer to the set of control points. This could be an undesirable feature when smooth interpolation of the control points is desired. -- The Bezier technique has been one of the most famous techniques in the computer aided design industry. It is capable of representing most of the geometric entities of practical interest. However, it has a shortcoming: the Bezier curve or surface bears little resemblance to the shape of the control polygon or the net respectively. -- This paper proposes a simple technique which serves to overcome the two disadvantages mentioned above. The proposed technique employs a parameter called ℸ, to act as a pulling agent on the Bezier curve or surface. The pulled curves or surfaces have better mimicking properties than that of the Bezier. They always have a smooth appearance, even when interpolating the set of control points.


identifier: Moir, Antony Jonathan Gordon <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Moir=3AAntony_Jonathan_Gordon=3A=3A.html>   (1976) The structure of, and preliminary electrophysiological investigation upon, ciliated receptors in the Giant scallop, Placopecten maqellanicus (Gmelin).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Studies have been carried out on the regeneration of the excised mantle eyes of the scallop Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin). Many of the experiments performed by Butcher (1930) were repeated.  The tentacles and the mantle cavity of the scallop have been examined for the occurrence of ciliated sense organs. When found these have been described anatomically. Preliminary physiological investigations have been made on the sense organs from the long tentacles. -- Results from the regeneration studies were negative. Two reasons have been suggested to explain the failure of these experiments; the water temperature was too low thus preventing regeneration, the species used in the present study is different from that used by Butcher. -- Examination of the tentacles has revealed a number of ciliated structures. A ciliated papilla found on both the long tentacles, in large numbers, and on the short tentacles, in small numbers has been extensively examined. Anatomical investigations in conjunction with preliminary physiological investigations suggest that the papillae subserve a sensory function and possibly respond to mechanical stimuli. A preliminary investigation of other ciliated structures on the short tentacles and the abdominal sense organ have been made. A chemosensory function is suggested for the structure of the receptors on short tentacles. The abdominal sense organ has no known function; several hypotheses are offered. -- A brief histological study of the anatomy of the circumpallial nerve has been made. The nerve displays a structure similar to that of the visceral ganglion.


identifier: Adey, Elizabeth <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Adey=3AElizabeth=3A=3A.html>   (1986) A study of the administration and benefits of a nursing preceptorship program.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of preceptorship program in reducing reality shock by easing the transition of inexperienced nurses into the work environment; and to examine nurse administratorsâ€™ perspectives in designing and implementing preceptorship programs for nurses. The conceptual model utilized for this study was the preceptor model as delineated by Morrow (1984). -- Data for this study were obtained by means of questionnaires completed by nursing students (preceptees), preceptors and faculty liaison members; and from structured interviews conducted with head nurses, nurse administrators and nursing education administrators during an internship spent at four well recognized schools of nursing in Canada and the United States. Additionally, informal discussions held with key personnel throughout the internship provided valuable insights and information utilized in compiling data and in drawing conclusions in this study. Information gathered dealt with the effectiveness of preceptorship programs in easing transition of inexperienced nurses into the work environment, the administrative and financial support available for preceptorship programs, the benefits of such programs to hospitals and nursing schools, the most suitable nursing units for the conduct of preceptorships, roles and responsibilities of those involved in such programs, the selection of preceptors and problems encountered in preceptorship programs. Through frequency distributions, patterns of the data were examined and displayed. -- The overall findings indicated that preceptorship programs are very successful in easing the transition of the inexperienced nurse into the work environment. Specific benefits to hospitals and nursing schools were delineated. It was further revealed that administrative support exists for preceptorship programs. However, inadequate financial support exists for such programs in Canadian hospitals. With respect to problems associated with preceptorship programs, unions have complained about non-payment of preceptors for their role. However, funds are unavailable for such remuneration and, moreover, professional nursing organizations believe that socialization of new nurses into the work environment is a professional responsibility which should not be remunerated. -- Several recommendations were made including the introduction of preceptorship programs in Newfoundland nursing schools, and that financial support for such programs be provided to hospitals and nursing schools by the provincial government.