identifier: Coupal, Alain Marcel <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Coupal=3AAlain_Marcel=3A=3A.html>   (1982) A study of helping behavior between French and English individuals in Canada.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This research was concerned with the influence of the cultural identity of a person on the level of help received. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment two experimenters, one French and one English, randomly selected subjects from the streets of 2 cities and 8 towns in New Brunswick and Quebec. Three hundred and eighty-four people were selected. They were asked questions about their language usage and about their place of residence. The dependent measure of helping was the willingness of the people to spend 15 to 20 minutes answering the questions. Subjects were adults, males or females, by themselves, getting out of a car. To be included as subjects they had to 1) speak either French or English most often at home, 2) live in the locale in which the interview was conducted, and 3) have the same home language as the majority for the location. The second experiment had the same independent variables but used a non-reactive dependent measure, the lost letter technique. To represent cultural identity, letters bearing either French or English adresses where lost in the same areas were the interviews took place. The results of the live interviews were not as anticipated, i.e., there was neither ingroup favoritism nor equal level of help for both experiments. The English experimenter obtained more help than the French from both populations and also obtained significantly more help from the English population than from the French population. The French experimenter received significantly less help overall and for him there were no significant differences between the populations. A number of possible explanations are proposed for these results. The first ones are methodological. Since only one experimenter of each cultural identity was used the personality effects were weakly controlled. The experimenters might also have applied, differentially, the sampling procedure. A second reason is a cultural one. It could be that both populations perceived the English as a higher status person. Urban size influence the level of help differentially, the French population was more helpful in cities, the English population in towns. For equally urbanized populations this particular pattern in hard to explain. The lost letter technique failed to provide significant results. This was probably because the control over the cultural identity of the subjects was weak. The difficulty of arriving at a strict definition of cultural identity and of finding representative members of each identity (French or English) are proposed for the equivocal results.


identifier: Mercer, Paul <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mercer=3APaul=3A=3A.html>   (1978) A bio-bibliography of Newfoundland songs in printed sources.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

type: Thesis NonPeerReviewed

format: application/pdf application/pdf

abstract: Although it is well known that western folk song traditions have been strongly influenced by popular printed literature, folklorists have paid relatively little attention either to the particular literary forms involved, or the traditional uses of these documents. -- This thesis consists of a detailed descriptive bibliography of the major sources of printed song in Newfoundland, as well as a series of biographical sketches of individuals involved in the publication of these songs. Its purpose is to bring together some of the basic data necessary to an understanding of the dynamics of the printed song tradition in Newfoundland. -- The bibliography is based mainly on research in the major libraries and archival facilities in St. John's. Materials have been added from several private libraries, including that of the compiler. The biographies have also been researched in private libraries and archives, as well as in the course of fieldwork in and around St. John's in the period from 1973-1978. -- As a background to the bibliographical and biographical sketches, the major theoretical approaches to printed song are reviewed in the Introduction. It is seen that print, once viewed as an intrusion on the 'natural' processes of oral transmission and variation, has only recently been widely accepted as a normal means of folk song transmission. Folklorists who have adopted this view have found that printed texts provide an original, against which variations can be closely measured. Recent studies of printed song have either treated particular types of popular print, such as broadsides or sheet music, or else they have focused on individual songs which have at one time or another been circulated in printed form. There have been no studies such as the present one, which examines a variety of types of song literature from a particular geographical area. -- The history of printed songs in Newfoundland from the early nineteenth century down to the present, as well as the traditional uses of printed songs in Newfoundland, are discussed in Chapter II. Since the establishment of the first local printing facilities in 1807, print has served as one of the chief means by which songs are circulated in Newfoundland. As well, printed documents have functioned as artifacts within local musical traditions. -- The biographical sketches and bibliographical descriptions occupy chapters III and IV, respectively. The twelve biographies include scholarly and amateur folk song collectors, broadside poets, publishers, and recording artists, in an attempt to provide information on the persons who have most influenced the printed song traditions of Newfoundland. The 208 bibliographical entries cover broadside ballads, popular songsters, sheet music, scholarly folk song collections, and a host of miscellaneous publications. -- In the concluding chapter the bibliographical entries are analysed to show how they reflect the development of printed song in Newfoundland. The potential impact of the various types of publication on local folk song traditions is discussed.


identifier: Mercer, John Almore <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Mercer=3AJohn_Almore=3A=3A.html>   (1979) A study in economic psychology: achievement motivation and economic performance in the Newfoundland dairy industry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: After two and one-half decades as a province of Canada, during which many attempts have been made at stimulating economic development, politicians, administrators, and economists alike are faced with the disconcerting reality that their various schemes and plans have generally turned out to be much less successful that was initially anticipated, Newfoundland is still one of Canada’s least developed provinces. -- The author of this thesis believes that, in attempting to explain the specific characteristics of Newfoundland’s persistent retardation in economic development, it is useful to depart from the usual trodden paths of development economics and directly examine the psychological aspect of the development problem. David C McClelland’s concept of achievement motivation is chosen as the point of departure. -- The idea that achievement motivation, a psycho-econometric indicator of entrepreneurial success, might be significant in explaining the retarded level of economic progress in Newfoundland, led to a research plan which it is hoped will give some indication as the relationship between levels of achievement motivation and occupational performance for one particular sector of the Newfoundland economy - the dairy industry. -- The thesis reviews previous research into the relationship between achievement motivation and occupational performance. It also examines the role of technology and entrepreneurship in the various theories of economic development and notes the increasing emphasis on these factors in recent economic development literature. -- The thesis goes on to measure achievement motivation levels in the Newfoundland dairy industry. Findings obtained from a survey of forty-four of forty-seven dairy farmers in Newfoundland indicate that there is a highly significant relationship between levels of achievement motivation and such indicators of occupational performance in the dairy industry as the number of acres farmed, the number of acres owned, the number of acres of forage crops grown, the number of cows in the dairy herd, average milk production per cow, total annual milk production (gross income), the amount of initiative shown in farm acquiral and the degree of success in subsequent farm development, breeding innovativeness, and the level of investment in improvements during the two years preceding the interview.


identifier: Lawlor, Denise E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Lawlor=3ADenise_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1982) Yalom's 60 item Q-sort of curative factors in group therapy applied to parent training groups.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This quantitative-descriptive study reports data regarding the nature of curative factors existing in parent training groups. The group therapy was administered in the form of Parent Training (PT) groups in seven sessions. The study sample was composed of 21 parents who all participated in the PT. Three PT groups were held consecutively between the months of May and November, 1981 at the Planned Parenthood Association office in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire administered individually to all group members. The major component of this instrument was the Q-sort Analysis of Curative Factors (Yalom, 1975), which was a forced choice rank ordering of 60 items which pertained to 12 specific outcome or curative factors. -- Analyses indicated: 1) that these parents were predominately middle aged females of middle-lower class socioeconomic status, 2) they had at least one child between the ages of 5-12 years and 3) each parent came to group therapy with specific problems related to parenting with the hope of finding help. -- The Q-sort questionnaire provided evidence that specific curative factors were more helpful than others to parents who attended PT. The factors deemed as most helpful were: 1) ‘Instillation of hope’, 2) ‘Altruism’, 3) ‘Group cohesiveness’, 4) ‘Catharsis, 5) ‘Universality’, and 6) ‘Guidance’. The factors deemed as less helpful were: 1) ‘Interpersonal learning “output”’, 2) ‘Self-understanding’, 3) ‘Identification’, 4) ‘Family reenactment’, 5) ‘Existential factors’ and 6) ‘Interpersonal learning “input”’.


identifier: Dass, Kewal K. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Dass=3AKewal_K=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1979) A study of the ability of primary and elementary school children to generalize selected science concepts.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The study investigated the ability of primary and elementary school subjects to generalize two science concepts, Insect and Animal with and without instruction in the form of a mental set. It also examined the effects of age, IQ and sex on the ability of the children to generalize these concepts. Two instruments measuring the ability to generalize the concepts Insect and Animal were developed. Each instrument contained three sets of instances, each set displaying a progressively reduced number of attributes of the concept under study. The total number of instances from which a subject could generalize a given concept was taken as an index of his ability to generalize. The scores of the ability to generalize were analysed using multiple regression analysis. -- The results indicate that of the independent variables investigated, only age and mental set significantly affected the ability to generalize the concepts Insect and Animal. It was found that the younger children's concepts were least developed and with age these concepts became more developed and more conceptual in nature. The ability to use information given in a mental set was found to be a function of age. The children in this study were more able to generalize the concept Insect than the concept Animal. This was because the concept Insect contained instances more perceptually homogenous in nature than that of the concept Animal, whose instances were more perceptually diverse and therefore afforded a great difficulty to the children to generalize. -- The children's concepts of Insect and Animal were both undergeneralized and overgeneralized. The kindergarten children undergeneralized the concept Insect more than the older children by not including peripheral instances of the concept. These younger children were not able to benefit from a mental set. The result being that their concept of Insect was undergeneralized to the same extent with or without a mental set. The control group of subjects in each grade overgeneralized the concept Insect to the same extent by including non-instances perceptually similar in general appearance to instances of the concept. Only the older children (11-12 years) were able to benefit from the mental set. This suggests that the younger children were more perceptually bound than the older children. -- In the control group the younger kindergarten subjects included more non-insect animals as instances of the concept Insect than the older children. No subject was able to benefit from a mental set for the concept Insect. As a result, the younger children's concept of insect was more overgeneralized than that of the older children suggesting that the older children had a better notion of the criterial attributes of insects than the younger children. -- The concept Animal was undergeneralized to a small extent by the control group of subjects in each grade, by not including peripheral instances of the concept. Only the older children benefitted from a mental set. It was found that the subjects in this study had some idea of the characteristics of animals as none selected a plant or an inanimate object as instances of the concept. In the control group, the kindergarten and grade three subjects' concept of Animal was overgeneralized more than that of the fifth grade subjects. The fifth grade subjects rarely selected non-instances perceptually similar in general appearance to instances of the concept Animal. Unlike the younger Kindergarten children, the older grade three subjects were able to make use of the information given in the mental set and thus overgeneralized to a lesser extent. It was suggested that the younger children's concept of animal was more overgeneralized as they were more perceptually bound then the older children. --  The results suggest that children are better able to master less general concepts than more general ones. As such it was suggested that curricular materials especially in the science should be sequenced from the simple to the more complex. In addition, the study demonstrated that children are able to improve their learning of general concepts provided a great number and variety of instances and non-instances of the concept are used in instruction.


identifier: Boone, Aldwin Hayward <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Boone=3AAldwin_Hayward=3A=3A.html>   (1978) A simulation study of the dynamic behavior of a Newfoundland seasonal fish processing operation.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In today's highly competitive fishing industry, a fish plant manager must operate his plant to maximum efficiency and take whatever action he deems necessary to keep ahead of his fellow competitors. There are limited fish resource and markets available and if he doesn't remain competitive, other fish processing plants will force him out of business. The supply of fish to the Newfoundland processing plants has been one of the major factors in determining the production patterns. Besides the problem of the supply of fish, there are other variables which the plant manager encounters, such as changes in prices of raw material, labour rates, equipment breakdowns, selling price fluctuations and market demands, etc. -- Other requirements for an efficient plant operation are related to the managerial skills, mainly one of predicting or forecasting what actions need to be taken. These skills relate to the extent to which management is able to quickly and accurately analyse and establish the best course of action. -- The objective of this study was to develop a computer model, which would be able to simulate a fish processing operation with various input parameters. These parameters would relate to raw material quantities and prices, finished product order demands, selling prices, labour productivity, labour rates, plant and equipment capacities and other variables of the processing operation. -- The study undertook to develop a systems dynamic model of a Newfoundland inshore fish processing plant. The procedure of systems dynamics was based on Forrester's works in industrial dynamics, (Forrester 1960). A model logic was developed based on the actual physical observations of the plant. After the model logic had been tested on the computer, simulations were performed based on the initial data input of the plant. The model was built to simulate every day operation for a 300 working day year. Various computer simulations were performed for a selected number of changes in the initial data input and possible economic and production outcomes were compared. -- These comparisons relate to profits, cash flows, sales revenue and costs, assets and liabilities, profit return ratios, production rates, freezing rates, inventory holdings, employment, etc. The exercise of developing a systems dynamic model and its subsequent use as a simulation tool to assist management in decision making has been adequately demonstrated.


identifier: Brown, Sheila MacKenzie. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Brown=3ASheila_MacKenzie=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1981) The church bell tradition in Newfoundland : a reflection of culture change.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Based on the premise that customs are adopted to meet recurring needs, that the needs of one culture are not the same as those of another, and that needs change within a developing culture, this study looks at the way in which the customs associated with the church bell tradition are reflective of the societal changes which have occurred in Newfoundland. -- The data for this work was obtained primarily from personal interviews and field research conducted between January 1980 and July 1981 on the south Coast of Newfoundland, the Northern Peninsula, the Port-au-Port Peninsula, and the Bonavista Peninsula, in Central Newfoundland, and the City of St. John's and its environs. Further information was obtained from questionnaires distributed to the clergy of the province, and from library and archive research, particularly the Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and Language Archive collection. -- The purchase of church bells in Newfoundland, spanning a period of some 140 years, was tied to the prosperity of the fishing industry. With the influx of electronic systems in the mid-twentieth century, the purchase of church bells per se died out. -- With a long history of development in Great Britain the tradition was altered substantially when transferred to Newfoundland. Change ringing, requiring several bells, was not continued because the bells were too expensive, and the wooden church towers were not strong enough to support the weight of more than one bell. Many ringing customs associated with large-scale agriculture were inappropriate in the fishing-oriented society of this province, and others, such as the use of the bell as a directional guide, were given a new emphasis--in this case, guiding men across water rather than land. -- Church bell inscriptions, one of the more stable aspects of the tradition, are expressive of ideals and values in Britain and Newfoundland alike. The structures built to house the bells, however, have changed in recent times under the influence of North American culture. This same influence, as well as the general development of Newfoundland, has led to a decline in the use of church bells as audible communicators, and to the introduction of a secondary display function. -- The customs and changes associated with this tradition can be seen not only as a reflection of the needs of Newfoundland society, but also of the early influences of Great Britain, the break of colonial ties with the "Mother Country", the later influences of North American culture, and the subsequent political and economic attachment to Canada.


identifier: Strong, Elizabeth Lee <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Strong=3AElizabeth_Lee=3A=3A.html>   (1978) The use of children's literature to foster positive reading attitudes in primary children with reading difficulties.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Children's attitudes toward reading and their personal motivation to read are very powerful influences in their learning to read. It is, therefore, the responsibility of teachers to foster in all children desirable attitudes toward reading while giving them adequate and efficient command of reading skills. -- The purpose of this internship was to select and to implement challenging and enjoyable reading activities for children who had encountered difficulties in learning how to read during their first three years of school. The function of these reading activities was to stimulate and to develop in these children positive attitudes toward reading. -- The literature reviewed was related to ways of fostering in children an interest in and love for reading. It affirmed that the use of children's literature can exert a positive effect on the development of children's reading attitudes and habits. The more exposure children have to good books and the more opportunities they have to interpret and to share their reading experiences, the greater is the probability that they will develop an interest in and a love for reading. -- Procedurally, the internship project involved the following: the identification of the sample, the creation of the reading environment, the organization of group and individual instruction, the sharing and interpreting of children's literature, and the expansion of interests in children's literature. -- The nine six-and seven-year-old children selected for this project were identified by standardized tests and classroom observations. The project was carried out over an eight-week period in an elementary school. -- Evaluation was based on the children's reactions to the project and their comments about their own involvement in it, the classroom teacher's impressions of the project and its effect on the children, and the intern's observations of the project. The evaluation indicated that the three objectives of the internship project had been successfully fulfilled. The books selected were accepted and enjoyed by the children and were suited to their diverse needs, interests and abilities; the reading activities proved to be both challenging and pleasurable and were effective in the development of reading interests and habits; the books and the related activities together were instrumental in developing and fostering in all the children a positive attitude toward reading.


identifier: Pynn, Rosalind Ann. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Pynn=3ARosalind_Ann=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1978) The usefulness of behaviour sampling and selected psychometric measures as predictors of success in training child therapists at Exon House.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The present study investigated the usefulness of several predictor variables for the selection of effective child therapists working with mentally and physically handicapped people. Several hypotheses were tested: (a) the personality dimensions of neuroticism and introversion are inversely related to success in that those persons high on those dimensions would tend to be the less successful child therapists on the outcome measures of job performance; (b) people with higher expressed social values and (c) more post-secondary education both acquire more knowledge during training and better apply this knowledge on the job; (d) measures obtained from behavioural observation in a pretraining test of application of behaviour modification procedures predict scores on the measures of success, posttraining; (e) knowledge of behaviour modification principles as measured by scores on a written test at pretraining predict scores on measures of success at posttraining. -- Subjects who participated in the study were 24 females who had been selected for summer relief work at Exon House. All candidates completed the Eysenck Personality Inventory and the Allport/Vernon/Lindzey Study of Values tests. The behaviour sampling observations were obtained by having each subject attempt to teach two self-help skills to a resident. The outcome measures obtained following formal training were repetitions of the (a) written test of behaviour modification principles and (b) the behaviour sampling. The results were: (a) years of education was significantly correlated with job success for both outcome measures (p < .01), (b) the more introverted person did better on the written test (p < .05), (c) the ratings from one of the behaviour sampling tasks (dressing) correlated with scores on the posttraining written test (p < .05), (d) the lower a person's religious value scores, the more effective she was on job performance (p < .05). -- The implications of these findings and the failure to find support for several of the hypotheses are discussed in terms of the limitations on experimental control and suggestions for future research.


identifier: Steckley, John Lawson <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Steckley=3AJohn_Lawson=3A=3A.html>   (1978) The soul concepts of the Huron.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

title: The soul concepts of the Huron

abstract: This thesis has no abstract


identifier: MacLeod, John Robert <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/MacLeod=3AJohn_Robert=3A=3A.html>   (1981) The teaching of metaphor in the junior high school.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: All curriculum materials involving the teaching of language arts at the junior high level in the schools of Newfoundland and Labrador were surveyed. All materials related to metaphor and the instruction of metaphor were studied, and certain conclusions were drawn. -- First, there is a distinct lack of organization of materials related to metaphor. Second, no attempt is made in any of the texts to provide a sequential development of instructional materials. Third, since most material is found in anthologies devoted to a number of topics, the consequence is that treatment of the topic is often superficial and repetitive. -- These conclusions prompted the author to construct two units of lesson plans which were subsequently taught in two separate grade nine academic classes. The majority of the exercises were based upon ideas found in the research literature. Having assessed these lessons the author developed a final unit in metaphor which could be offered to grade nine students.


identifier: MacDonald, Martha LaSalette <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/MacDonald=3AMartha_LaSalette=3A=3A.html>   (1983) The treatment of select social issues in contemporary children's literature.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The inclusion of all kinds of social issues in children’s literature is a relatively recent phenomenon. It is important, therefore, that all who are involved in bringing children and books together be cognizant of how specific social issues are treated in contemporary children’s books. As well, all who have responsibility for the selection of such books must have knowledge of comprehensive criteria for the evaluation of literature which deals with these social issues. -- This study was designed to examine a select number of social issues in children’s books and to determine if these issues were presented honestly, realistically and in the context of good children’s literature; and on the basis of this examination, to compile an annotated bibliography of recommended books which display literary quality and social concern. The particular social issues selected for study were death, handicapism, racism and sexism. -- As a preliminary step in the process all available critical literature on the depiction of these social issues in books for children was reviewed and a list of guiding principles was identified. -- Following this, an initial list of books was compiled using all appropriate standard bibliographic tools. Items in this initial list were examined for their suitability for inclusion in the annotated bibliography. Items chosen for inclusion were those books which: -- a) meet the general criteria for excellence in children’s literature; -- b) have been personally examined by the writer; -- c) have been recommended in at least one reputable selection aid; -- d) are presently in print of because of their interest appeal and popularity are available in the existing collection of many schools.  -- The annotated bibliography, which makes no attempt to be exhaustive, does include a recommended core of books on each of the issues under study: death, handicapism, racism and sexism. -- Based on the review of related literature and the compilation of the annotated list of contemporary children’s books which reflect social issues, the writer has made a number of recommendations related to the selection, for children, of books which depict contemporary social issues without sacrificing literary merit.


identifier: Brown, Cyril George <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Brown=3ACyril_George=3A=3A.html>   (1979) Thirty years of social studies in the senior high schools of Newfoundland : an examination of certain aspects of social studies as taught in the high schools from 1949-1978.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to trace the historical development of the social studies curriculum in Newfoundland senior high schools from 1949 to 1978, and (2) to ascertain the development of and the current state of social studies in Newfoundland senior high schools from 1949 to 1978 by examining developments in curriculum, courses of study, audio-visual aids, textbooks, evaluation policies and teacher training. -- The first purpose of the study was fulfilled by recording information taken from Department of Education Newsletters, N.T.A. Bulletins and Journals; The Books of Newfoundland and The History of Education in Newfoundland. -- The second and main purpose of the study was fulfilled in two ways: (1) by sending a questionnaire to one social studies teacher in each senior high school in the province of Newfoundland which resulted in a 60.27 per cent return of questionnaires. The report of findings took the form of a numerical analysis with the help of tables using percentages given to the nearest hundredth. (2) by comparing this writer's findings with those of Glenda Redden, "Fifty Years of Social Studies in the High Schools of Nova Scotia", and A.H. Roberts, "A  Study of the Methods and Techniques Used by Elementary Teachers in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada in Their Teaching of Social Studies" by using tables and a written explanation. -- Those findings were tabulated, were explained, and deductions and inferences were made covering all three studies. -- This survey best expresses the feelings of our high school social studies teachers regarding the present situation, as they see it and know it.


identifier: Bill, Roger Dyke <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Bill=3ARoger_Dyke=3A=3A.html>   (1974) An ethnography of the People's Planning Programme.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The People's Planning Programme (PPP), an advocacy planning organization, operated in St, John's, Newfoundland for a sixteen month period during 1972 and 1973. It was involved in community action, it experimented with urban planning techniques, it served as a major opposition to specific municipal development proposals, and it evolved as a distinctive form of citizen's organization. -- The purpose of this thesis is to describe, in the context of a reconstruction of the career of the PPP, its experiences in community action, its experiments in planning technique, and the evolution of its organization as a response to an idealized composite of town planning, town planners, and the public bureaucracy. -- The method of study was participant observation. The design of the study was ex post facto in that the PPP as an event had concluded before it was applied as data for the purposes of this thesis. -- The data gathered was interpreted and analyzed in the context of a model of public decision making where town planning, town planners, and the public bureaucracy function to limit public control and public scrutiny of that policy making. Control and scrutiny of public planning policy is limited to l) those who can perceive and manipulate their universe in a rational and systematic manner, 2) move through the professional culture of town planners, and 3) move through the public bureaucracy.


identifier: Gillespie, Roberta Anne Kennedy <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Gillespie=3ARoberta_Anne_Kennedy=3A=3A.html>   (1978) Alienation and other factors affecting the senior high school dropout in St. John's, Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The 'school dropout' appears to be one of the most widely researched individuals in education. Yet, despite all the research and findings, there are still dropouts. Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the lowest retention rates in Canada. This study investigates many of the traditional variables affecting the high school dropout. These variables are grouped under five categories: individual factors, family, school, peer group, and community. A further category, alienation, is examined as a possible broader framework or context into which the "dropping out" phenomenon can be placed. -- Methodologically this research differs from other Newfoundland studies in that a personal, in-depth approach was used. Thirty senior high school dropouts and a control group of twenty-nine non-dropouts were interviewed at length by the researcher. This method allowed for clarification of the questioning when necessary, and removed possible ambiguity in participants' answers. In order to measure the degree of alienation experienced by the participants, and to determine whether dropouts differed from non-dropouts, an attitude questionnaire was administered to the fifty-nine young people. -- The findings of the study show that the dropouts exhibited some of the characteristics of the 'classic' dropouts of previous studies. The dropouts were older than 'normal' for their grade; they tended to be enrolled in 'General' rather than 'Academic' programs of study. The dropout group had had more of their brothers and sisters leave school before graduation than did the non-dropouts. Peer group influence also seemed to be evident. More of the dropouts closest friends were dropouts themselves than were the friends of non-dropouts. The two 'classic' variables, parental schooling and occupation, were not the discriminating factors in this study that they have been in previous research. -- One of the more conclusive findings was in the area of alienation. Dropouts exhibited a significantly greater degree of alienation from the school organization than did non-dropouts. This, coupled with the fact that dropouts consistently gave 'school'-related reasons for 'dropping out', focuses attention on the school as the area for attention and action. -- The recommendations of the study emphasize the need for the schools to capitalize on the interests and aptitudes of students so that the latter can feel a sense of success and achievement. The importance of dropout prevention programs, vocational games, and extra-curricular activities are stressed as meaningful participation for students who often feel they are misfits in the educational system. The role of educational administrators is seen as critical in alleviating the situation.


identifier: Parsons, Robert James <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Parsons=3ARobert_James=3A=3A.html>   (1979) An approach to the teaching of poetry to the student in junior high school : using Newfoundland authors exclusively.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This investigation was primarily motivated by the desire to develop a solution to the problem of student disinterest in poetry. -- Since a poetry unit is part of the compulsory core to be studied in order to attain promotion to grade nine, and since student achievement in this core had been consistently low for several terms, it was felt that a workable solution to the problem would be of immediate benefit to both students and teacher. -- A review of literature and research related to the problem revealed that the apparent causes of student disinterest and low achievement are many and varied. Of the causes noted in the research conducted, several were adopted as being pertinent to the study reported here. -- The investigator formulated the framework of the proposed instructional approach to derive a proposed solution. The investigator used his two grade eight classes as an experimental and a control group respectively. Selected local Newfoundland writings formed the content of the program for the experimental group, while the control group studied the poetry section in the prescribed literature text. Serving as an advance organizer, a worksheet containing definitions of various literary terms to be encountered at the grade eight level was given to both groups. -- Several pretest and post-test instruments were administered to the students in both groups. As a further means of evaluation, the raw scores obtained on the poetry question of the teacher-made final exam were analyzed. Permission to conduct the investigation was obtained from the Superintendent of the Avalon North Integrated School District. The investigation was conducted with the cooperation of the principal, of St. Peter's Elementary School. -- The limitations and findings of the study are listed, and suggestions for additional research are duly noted. While the results of the pretest and post-test of students' listening and reading abilities showed no significant differences, the analysis of the raw scores obtained on the teacher-made poetry question indicates that the experiment had merit and that certain realistic gains were achieved.


identifier: Coady, John Patrick <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Coady=3AJohn_Patrick=3A=3A.html>   (1980) A survey of the English communications program in Newfoundland and Labrador vocational schools to ascertain the content and the degree of importance placed upon the different components of the program by English communications instructors and members of industry.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to survey all English Communications instructors in Newfoundland and Labrador Vocational Schools to ascertain what is being taught and the degree of importance placed upon the different components of the English Communications program. The study was also designed to survey members of industry which Newfoundland vocational graduates serve, in order to ascertain how they would rate the components of the English Communications program. -- The data for the study was collected by means of mailed questionnaires on which instructors and members of industry were asked to rate topics as to degree of importance. Instructors were also asked to state the number of hours spent on each topic. -- Mean importance ratings were obtained for each topic and the topics were then classified as being of major, moderate or minor importance. Mean time spent was also obtained for each topic. -- It was concluded that: -- 1. There exists a significant variation in the time spent on the specific topics in the English Communications program by the various vocational school instructors. -- 2. There is considerable variation in the English Communications program among the sixteen vocational schools in the province. -- 3. Members of industry do not perceive all the topics presently offered in the English Communications program to be of major importance to the tradesman. -- 4. As perceived by members of industry, a working knowledge of the fundamentals of the English language is a desirable skill for any tradesman. -- 5. As perceived by members of industry, the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing are necessary skills for the tradesperson. -- 6. Given English Communications instructors and members of industry, there exists a significant difference in the rating of the specific topics as to the degree of importance. -- A number of recommendations were made by the researcher for the improvement of the English Communications program in Newfoundland and Labrador vocational schools. There is, too, the need for further research.


identifier: Crewe, Donald M. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Crewe=3ADonald_M=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1982) An annotated bibliography of published materials supplemental to the high school English program in Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This report was prepared as an aid to students, teachers and library resource personnel in search of useful materials to supplement the high school English program. It contains an annotated bibliography of print materials and a section discussing how the bibliography was researched and put together. In addition it contains sections discussing the development and current status of libraries in Newfoundland high schools, the objectives of an effective library program, and a list of recommendations for further study. -- The directory itself is arranged in three priorities and listed as an appendix to the study. -- Priority I lists all those items which should be on the shelves of all high school libraries where English is to be taught effectively. -- Priority II recommends items for continuing development of the collection to provide for a broad range of needs in the English program. -- Priority III identifies items whose cost, limited usage or appeal to special audiences makes them less important for all schools although their value and significance for some schools may be equally as great as those in Priorities I and II. -- The main purpose of the directory is to give students and educators, at the high school level, access to suitable instructional print materials to supplement the English curriculum. -- It will be necessary to update this directory annually as curricula change and newer materials flood the markets. This annual revision should ensure maximum effectiveness of this directory as an initial selection aid.


identifier: Wiseman, Thomas Joe <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wiseman=3AThomas_Joe=3A=3A.html>   (1980) Acculturation, family factors and schooling in the Central Arctic.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Using a locally adapted version of ten measures of attitudes which Joseph Kahl (1965) felt contributed to an accurate measure of achievement orientation, the value orientations of 57 students, both Inuit and White, in two Central Arctic communities, Cambridge Bay and Pelly Bay, were investigated. As well, the effects of ethnicity, year in school, father's occupation, sex and self-concept of academic ability upon verbal ability and four value orientations - orientation towards accomplishment, orientation towards achievement, orientation towards the future, and orientation towards integration with relatives - were investigated. -- Pearson correlation coefficients were used to estimate the parameters of the models. Regression analysis was used to determine the effects of the independent upon the intervening and dependent variables. -- Ethnicity, year in school and father's occupation all were found to have moderate effects upon verbal ability with White students having a higher verbal ability than Inuit students, students who had been in school longer having higher verbal abilities, and students whose fathers had higher status occupations having higher verbal ability. -- For the orientation towards accomplishment, it was found that White students were less modern than Inuit students. For the orientation towards integration with relatives, White students were found to be more modern than Inuit students. -- Students who had been in school longer than other students were found to be more modern in their orientations towards achievement and integration with relatives and less modern in their orientation towards the future. -- Students whose fathers had a higher status occupation than other students were found to be more modern in their orientations towards achievement and integration with relatives and less modern on their orientation towards accomplishment. -- Girls were found to have a more modern orientation towards achievement and a less modern orientation towards the future than boys. -- Students with a higher self-concept of academic ability than other students were found to have a more modern orientation towards accomplishment and less modern orientations towards achievement and integration with relatives. -- Students with a higher verbal ability than other students were found to have a more modern orientation towards integration with relatives and less modern orientations towards achievement and the future.


identifier: Wheeler, John Paul <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Wheeler=3AJohn_Paul=3A=3A.html>   (1980) Age Determination and Biological Studies of Northern Pike Esox Lucius Linnaeus 1758 from Lobstick Area, Smallwood Reservoir, Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: A sample of 415 northern pike was taken from below Lobstick structure, Smallwood Reservoir, during the summers of 1977 and 1978. Four methods of age determination, scales, opercula, cleithra and otoliths, were compared to determine if different methods provided comparable ages for the same fish. Analysis of covariance showed significant differences between empirical and back-calculated age-length regressions using scales, opercula and cleithra; there were no differences using otoliths. Otoliths were used to study age and growth of pike from Lobstick. The maximum age recorded was 15 years, with 49% of the fish in the 7 and 8 age-groups. The fish ranged in length from 9.3 to 87.5 cm, with a mean fork length of 62.0 cm. The weight increased as the 3.0634 power of the length. Coefficient of condition values of mature fish, sampled from June to September, were highest in early June and lowest in late June. Instantaneous total mortality rates, calculated from a catch curve, were higher for females (0.37) than for males (0.32). The overall sex ratio was close to 1:1. Males were predominantly (50%) mature by age 5, or at 40 cm, females by age 8, or at 60 cm. Observation of ovaries of mature pike indicated that all pike did not spawn each year. Fecundity estimates of fish 51.0 to 87.5 cm in length ranged from 5732 to 62,000 with a mean of 28,016. Of the 86 stomachs examined for food contents, 62% were empty. Whitefish was the principal item (64%) where food was present.


identifier: Darby, Herbert Kelvin <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Darby=3AHerbert_Kelvin=3A=3A.html>   (1978) A survey of the lexicon of fishing, farming and carpentry in the French community of Cape St. George, Port-au-Port Peninsula, Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This work is a survey of three areas of the lexicon of the French dialect spoken at Cape St. George, on Newfoundland's Port-au-Port Peninsula, as seen through the ideolects of three of the community's male residents. The three areas examined are the important and typical occupations of fishing, farming and carpentry. -- Until recently, little research had been undertaken among Newfoundland's French minority and its culture. This survey is a small contribution to the growing number of studies devoted to the language and folklore of French Newfoundlanders. In a broader context, it can be seen as part of the on-going study of French as it is spoken in Canada and North America in general. -- The introductory chapter contains brief notes on the origins of French-speaking Newfoundlanders, and discusses the broad aims of this survey, attempting to show how it fits into both local and national concern of scholars with French as a North American language. Further, a biographical note is provided on each informant, mainly to suggest the Acadian and metropolitan (Breton) French origins of French Newfoundlanders. This may be of value to future students interested in comparative matters. In the same vein, the introduction discusses the collector's experiences and methodology, suggesting some of the problems encountered, and possible lacunae in this study. -- Chapters two, three and four present the material on the subjects of fishing, farming and carpentry respectively. Each topic is presented following a logical order, with processes, material and methods described in the words of each informant. The advantage of lengthy quotations is that they provide lexical data in context. Each technique is summarized in general fashion, in English. Non-standard pronunciations are noted in the alphabet of the International Phonetic Association. -- Following the chapters on the techniques and methods of the three occupations examined is a lexicon of over seven hundred words, each of which is given a phonetic transcription and a list of meanings or expressions in which each item appears. The survey concludes with a bibliography of works relating to the French language in North America.


identifier: Cole, Roy <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Cole=3ARoy=3A=3A.html>   (1980) A study to compare the effects of discovery teaching and expository teaching upon the achievement and retention levels of matriculation grade ten students being taught some aspects of the quadrilateral.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of the study was twofold. It compared the effects of two different methods of teaching, namely discovery teaching and expository teaching, on the achievement and retention levels of two groups of students. -- A unit of work on some aspects of the quadrilateral was taught to two classes of grade ten matriculation students at Clarenville Integrated High School. Each class consisted of 30 students. One group was taught using the discovery package developed by the investigator; the other group was taught in an expository manner using the textbook. -- Three tests were used throughout the study--a pretest, a posttest and a retention test. The posttest was a parallel form of the pretest; the retention test was the same as the pretest. The pretest was administered to each group four days prior to the start of the study. A posttest was administered one day after completion of the instructional unit and the retention test was administered three weeks after the posttest. -- From the analysis of covariance using the pretest scores as the covariate, no significant difference in achievement on the posttest was found between those students being taught using the discovery method and those students taught using the expository method. However, a significant difference in retention in favor of the discovery treatment was found.


identifier: McGurk, Michael Douglas <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/McGurk=3AMichael_Douglas=3A=3A.html>   (1979) An energy budget of the Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The study analyzes the seasonal energy flows within adult Atlantic herring. The seasonal cycles of the condition indices, the lipid and water content and the energy densities of the body and the gonads were measured for a stock complex off the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland. -- The conditions indices and the energy densities were combined in a simulation model to calculate a seasonal energy budget for herring of ages 3-11⁺. The model was validated by comparing the seasonal and annual rations rates, the exponent of the fecundity-length equation and the gross growth efficiencies with values reported in the literature. -- A sensitivity analysis of the model revealed that the model output is most sensitive to variation in the metabolic rate parameters and least sensitive to variations in the data on the conditions indices, the energy densities and the annual growth increments. -- The model was used to examine the consequences of three strategies of energy allocation between the soma and the gonads. There is a tradeoff between the fecundity and the body condition index but the exact form of the relationship is unknown and so the optional strategy cannot be identified.


identifier: Ryan, James J. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Ryan=3AJames_J=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1983) An analysis of teacher and principal perceptions of principals' administrative authority bases in a selected Newfoundland school district.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The study was conducted to investigate teacher and principal perceptions of administrative authority bases in schools in Newfoundland and Labrador. Whereas Isherwood (1973) confirmed the existence of formal and informal authority, questions regarding the unique nature of his finer components remained.  This study sought to explore this issue and in doing so gave priority to the development of an instrument. -- Two versions of the original instrument utilized by Isherwood (1973) were sent to 192 teachers and 21 principals of a selected school district in Newfoundland and Labrador. The final response rate was 70 percent. -- Upon exploration of a number of techniques designed to determine the best number of factors, it was decided that four would produce optimum results. Factor analysis facilitated the identification of four bases of authority designated as: authority of administrative skills; deferent authority; legal-positional authority; and charismatic authority. Although this model did not match that of Isherwood (1973); there were many similarities. As well, elements of components identified here were evident throughout the literature. -- Pair-wise T-tests were employed to diagnose any differences that teachers of principals attached to the effectiveness of the respective authority bases in eliciting teacher compliance. Both teachers and principals perceived authority of administrative skills to be most effective in eliciting teacher compliance. Whereas teachers perceived deferent authority as least effective, there was no statistically significant differences between their perceptions of the effectiveness of legal-positional and charismatic authority. No statistically significant differences were found to exist between principal perceptions of the effectiveness of legal-positional, charismatic and deferent authority. -- Recommendations for action suggested that attention be accorded human relations and technical expertise by administrators and those responsible for the training of administrators. A number of areas for further research in the area of authority were suggested as well.


identifier: Fagan, Bonaventure <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Fagan=3ABonaventure=3A=3A.html>   (1980) A survey of writing practices in English, mathematics, social studies, science, and religious education in high schools, grades VII-XI, of Newfoundland & Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Writing is more than the automatic implementation of a series of discrete skills. Rather, it is an active relationship of mind, language and pen. The more one uses the pen, the more is one’s thought fostered through the written word. One very large active body of writers comprises the students who attend high school. -- The purpose of this thesis was to describe the ways in which high school teachers and students use writing as part of the instructional programme in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Religious Education. Examination of the raw data provided by teachers and students revealed that while there are a variety of uses to which writing is put in Newfoundland high schools, not all foster the development of student thought. -- Data was collected through the use of tightly-structured questionnaires and open-ended interview questions in a replication of studies by Dan Donlan and Nancy McGee in the United States. -- A seventy percent return of the teacher questionnaires generally supported the findings of Donlan and McGee. Of the four areas producing different results, three (length of assignments, the method of teaching writing, and the question of responsibility for teaching writing) may be said to be positive and encouraging signs of the use of writing in Newfoundland schools. -- The teacher interviews indicated that teachers in all subject areas (1) considered the ability to write a very important and necessary skill, (2) expected students to use writing as a means of processing new information, (3) thought students wrote best when given time and guidance, (4) felt strongly about the need for a school language policy, and (5) found textbook assignments less than adequate. -- Analysis of the student surveys and interviews with first year Memorial University students revealed that writing techniques such as rewriting and revision had not been used much in their high school years. Note taking and outlining had been used, with testing and teacher insistence being the major motivators. Students were more concerned with writing now that they were university students than they had been while attending high school. -- Recommendations arising from the study were directed to three groups: i) provincial educational bodies; ii) local school districts; and iii) high schools. Some of these recommendations were: -- 1. the establishment of professional and academic courses devoted exclusively to writing; -- 2. the provincial adoption of a “Language Across the Curriculum” policy; -- 3. the development of an inservice programme with the aim of fostering greater student cognitive and affective growth; -- 4. the promotion of local research; -- 5. the adoption by schools of their own language policy for all teachers; and -- 6. the need to increase student writing activity. -- This investigation concludes that, while there are areas needed for immediate attention in writing in Newfoundland high schools, there is much to be optimistic about. In particular, the attitude of teachers towards a common responsibility for teaching writing indicates their willingness to face the challenge of fostering this skill.


identifier: King, Eldon Stanley <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/King=3AEldon_Stanley=3A=3A.html>   (1981) An assessment of Akenside's role as a precursor of romanticism : a study of the poetry of Mark Akenside (1721-1770).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The traditional manner of assessing Akenside's role as a precursor of Romanticism has been to select certain isolated passages from The Pleasures of Imagination which may be seen to anticipate the work of the great Romantic poets, rather than to treat the poem as a unified argument. Owing to this kind of disregard for the unity of Akenside's poem, its full significance as an eighteenth-century exercise in poetics is often missed. Furthermore, Akenside's considerable contribution to the development of the English ode has been virtually neglected by the critics. A complete and accurate assessment of Akenside's place in the history of English literature can be made only by considering his lyric poetry in relation to the theory of aesthetics found in The Pleasures of Imagination. -- In his poem Akenside presents a theory which may be seen as an important apology for poetic fancy and enthusiasm. Applying his own deistic beliefs to Shaftesbury's theory that beauty, truth, and goodness are identical, Akenside claims that beauty in the physical realm is an outward expression of divine Beauty. He also asserts that imagination is mysteriously receptive of the divine semblance which exists in the natural world. Highly imaginative individuals are therefore justified in their enthusiasm for beauty, since whatever imagination perceives as beautiful will also be morally beneficial. In its justification of the poet's love of beauty and its complete faith in imagination's ability to detect truth on a symbolic level, the theory of aesthetics in The Pleasures of Imagination is Romantic in its outlook. -- Akenside's lyric poetry represents his attempt to write the kind of verse which is prescribed by his Pleasures of Imagination. Many of his odes may be seen to reflect Akenside's struggle to attain a truly lyrical poetic style. The inability to find renewed lyric inspiration is a theme which recurs often in Akenside's odes. Much of Akenside's lyric verse may be seen to reflect those concerns which affected him as a man, but more significantly it represents the dilemma which all lyrists experienced in an age unfavourable to lyric poetry. From this point of view, Akenside played a significant role in the development of the English ode. -- The great admiration which Wordsworth and Coleridge had for The Pleasures of Imagination is an indication of the innovative nature of the theory which the work embodies. Wordsworth may be seen to be indebted to Akenside for a great deal of the moral philosophy in The Excursion, as well as for much of his theory regarding the mystical significance of the natural sublime found in The Prelude. While the critics generally consider Akenside's influence on Coleridge's early poetry to be considerable, they have failed to see any significant connection between the earlier poet's speculation on imagination and fancy and Coleridge's celebrated theory. In The Pleasures of Imagination, however, it is possible to find many ideas which are central to Coleridge's mature theory of imagination and fancy. Akenside's discourse on the nature and function of imagination is undoubtedly a close forerunner of the Romantic concept of the imaginative faculty. -- Akenside's contribution to the development of the English Romantic movement is greater than the critics have traditionally acknowledged. While the sensual appeal of Akenside's poetry may leave much to be desired, his poetic doctrine was a significant early reaction against neo-Classical literary convention. The theory of aesthetics in The Pleasures of Imagination had special significance in an age when all kinds of "enthusiasm" were anathema. And Akenside's odes, taken in their proper context, may be seen to represent his dissatisfaction with the poetic creed of his age. The fundamental influence which Akenside had upon the theories and practice of Wordsworth and Coleridge attests to his importance as a precursor bf Romanticism.


identifier: Pack, Russell <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Pack=3ARussell=3A=3A.html>   (1979) An assessment of selected geographic skills attained by grade five students in Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the attainment of grade five students in eight geographic skills. -- Six grade five classes involving 199 students were chosen from the Avalon North Integrated School District. Students were tested early in their grade five year on skills which were included in the grade four geography course. A forty-item, four-foil, multiple choice test was developed by the researcher. The test attempted to assess student attainment in determining location, scale direction and elevation on maps, reading a grid map, reading horizontal and vertical graphs, and interpreting information from maps and diagrams. A level of attainment of 80 percent was selected as being acceptable for each skill area. -- Analysis of the test results involved computing the mean percentage scores of all students in each skill area. Using a t-test, an analysis was made of the differences between the mean scores of boys and girls in each of the skill areas. -- The results indicated that the students’ level of attainment was well below the 80 percent level in all skill areas with the exception of reading a grid map. The analysis of the differences between the mean scores of boys and girls found a significant difference in only one skill area - reading horizontal graphs. This difference was in favour of the girls.


identifier: Dicks, Keith Charles <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Dicks=3AKeith_Charles=3A=3A.html>   (1976) Adjustment and achievement: a comparison of two methods of counselling.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This thesis was designed to set up a short-term counselling programme in an institutional setting and to evaluate the results of that programme.  It was hoped that the evaluation of counselling programme in this kind of setting might have lead to the establishment of a permanent counselling programma designed to meet the needs of the population involved. -- This research was also designed to assess the results of counselling by using multiple measurement criteria which might have been able to measure more variables of change ani thus yield more accurate indications of change through counselling. -- On the basis of the review of the literature, it was proposed that those persons who were more adjusted, also held a higher achievement level than those who were not as well adjusted.  It was also noted that counselling could produce both positive and negative changes and therefore the study was designed to take this into account. -- Two groups were counselled with differing methods of counselling, while one group acted as a control.  The groups were pre and post tested with the Bell Adjustm.ent Inventory, the Mooney Problem Check List, their grade point averages, and a rating scale administered to the teachers involved.  The data were collated and evaluated. -- Generally the results yielded no significant differences between any of the groups at the end of the counselling programme.  Recommendations and suggestions for further research were made.


identifier: Tripp, Selina Joan <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Tripp=3ASelina_Joan=3A=3A.html>   (1980) An examination of the forces which led to the introduction of family life education programs into the Roman Catholic schools of Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the forces which led to the introduction of family life education programs into the Roman Catholic schools of Newfoundland. -- Emerging from the information collected was the observation that while a number of forces seem to have influenced Roman Catholic educators in Newfoundland to develop a family life education program for their schools, the main impetus seems to have come from within the Catholic Church itself. -- The dignity of marriage, the importance of a Christian relationship between conjugal love and responsible parenthood, and the sanctity of human life have always been an important part of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. During the past two decades, the current widespread practice of divorce, premarital and extramarital sexual relations, artificial birth control methods, and abortion have posed new challenges to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Consequently, in recent years leaders of the Roman Catholic Church have begun to take a more vocal approach in reaffirming the Church's doctrine with regard to all issues related to marriage and the family. -- The Roman Catholic educators of Newfoundland, in responding to the mandates of their church, have worked diligently to develop and implement comprehensive programs of family life education for their schools. These programs represent a positive step by Catholic educators in this province to attempt to counteract the current negative social forces which create a challenge to the Catholic faith.


identifier: Roberts, Joseph Wilfred <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Roberts=3AJoseph_Wilfred=3A=3A.html>   (1982) An in-service program on the use of the hand-held calculator for mathematics teachers in grades five through eight.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The study was motivated by the lack of a formal in-service program for Newfoundland teachers on the use of the hand-held calculator in mathematics. -- The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an in-service model developed by the investigator, on the use of the hand-held calculator for mathematics teachers in grades five through eight. -- The sample consisted of 30 mathematics teachers in grades five through eight employed by the Port aux Basques Integrated School Board. The model was evaluated in terms of its effectiveness in changing the teachers’ attitudes toward the use of calculators in mathematics instruction, and in increasing the teachers’ understanding of the basic arithmetic operations on a calculator. -- To test the program’s effectiveness two null hypotheses were set up: -- 1. There is no significant change in teachers’ attitudes toward calculators as a result of the in-service program. -- 2. There is no significant change in calculator knowledge as a result of the in-service program. -- A needs assessment enabled the investigator to design the objectives of the program which attempted to change teachers’ attitude, to improve their understanding of the calculator, and to demonstrate how the calculator might be effectively integrated into mathematics instruction. The materials for the program were selected from the North Carolina In-Service Program developed by Immerzeel and Ockenga (1978). -- The pre-test scores for attitude and calculator knowledge obtained through a needs assessment were compared with the post-test scores obtained at the conclusion of the program. The scores were compared and analyzed using a dependent t-test. A t-value of 6.53 for attitude, and t-value of 9.71 for calculator knowledge were both significant at the 0.05 level, and resulted in a rejection of both null hypotheses. -- In addition to a significant positive change in attitude and calculator knowledge, the in-service participants rated all in-service sessions very highly, indicating that they perceived the program to have been a success. -- The fifth chapter outlines several recommendations suggesting some minor modifications to the model, which is recommended for use with other mathematics teachers.


identifier: Oates, John Cecil <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Oates=3AJohn_Cecil=3A=3A.html>   (1983) An evaluation of individualized instruction in mathematics in an apprenticeship program at the College of Trades and Technology.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of the study was to evaluate individualized instruction in mathematics in the Beauty Culture apprenticeship program at the College of Trades and Technology. Stake’s model was used as the basis for evaluating the program. Seven variables were of particular inte3rest in this study: (1) the Beauty Culture students, (2) the nature of the mathematics curriculum, (3) the instructional materials and facilities, (4) the instructional activities, (5) time allocation, (6) achievement on the first writing of the final exam for each module, and (7) the number of students completing the entire program. -- Information and data about these seven variables were collected from a sample of 12 students employing the following techniques: observations by the investigator, formative and summative examination results, expectations of the trade theory instructor and a mathematics instructor, and the Beauty Culture course outline in use at the time. -- The students were 12 Beauty Culture apprenticeship students who had completed a 9 month pre-employment program and had returned for 8 weeks further schooling. They had all been working for a minimum of 50 weeks. In addition, the average age of the group was found to be 22.8 years. -- The curriculum was based on the Beauty Culture field with as much emphasis as possible on basic business practices. This was found to be consistent with what was expected (intents) and intended (standards). -- The instructional materials consisted of seven modules, 52 formative examinations, and 14 summative examinations, all of which were developed by the investigator specifically for this study. The facilities consisted of a typical classroom with individual student desks. -- The instructional methodology used in this study was individualized instruction, which was what was expected and intended. -- The time allotment of 16 hours working in class and 16 hours working out of class was considered to be sufficient. However, it was noted that students should not devote too much time to the easier modules at the beginning and neglect those that follow. -- It was found that at least 80% of the students succeeded on the first writing of the final examination for Modules 1 to 4 only, while at least 70% succeeded on the first writing of all seven modules. These results were consistent with what was intended for the first four modules, but were consistent with the defined standard of at least a 50% success rate for all seven modules. -- It was observed that, while 100% of the students completed the first four modules, only 67% completed all seven. These findings were inconsistent with what was intended (90%) and what was expected (80%). -- Six major recommendations were presented. The first suggested that 50%, and not 80%, of the students be intended to succeed on the first writing of each summative examination. The second recommendation stated that most students should do only half the exercises in the first two modules, thereby leaving more time to work on the remaining modules. It was next recommended that an assistant be provided to help with clerical duties. The fourth recommendation was that class size be limited to 15 students. The fifth recommendation was to study the feasibility of individualized instruction in other areas. The final recommendation called for a similar study with regard to the use of computers.


identifier: Kannampadam, Joseph T. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kannampadam=3AJoseph_T=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1978) An investigation of attitudes of secondary school students in Newfoundland toward the grade ten social studies course : Canadian Society, issues and concerns.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudinal effects of a new social studies course, "Canadian Problems" upon grade ten students in three geographic regions--a large urban area, a small urban area, and a rural area--in the Province of Newfoundland. -- A fifty-six item questionnaire was developed employing the Likert Scale technique. It was administered to a sample of 210 students divided into "treatment" and "control" groups. Their responses to the questionnaire provided the data for this study. The items on the questionnaire were intended to elicit student responses to four specific areas of attitude toward the course. These areas were: (1) student attitude toward the course in general; (2) the methodology employed for it; (3) its learning outcomes among students; and (4) its impact on student attitudes. -- The data provided by the student responses were analyzed using a 2 x 3 Analysis of Variance and t-tests where applicable. The results indicated that the attitude responses of students in the rural area toward the overall course and knowledge obtained consistently exceeded the responses of students from the large and small urban areas. Their attitude responses toward the methodology also exceeded the responses of students from the small urban area. However, in comparisons involving large and small urban area students, large urban area student responses exceeded those of a small urban urban area on the subscales of methodology and attitude differences resulting from their exposure to the course. Finally, the large urban area students exceeded the rural area students on the attitude difference resulting from their exposure to the course.


identifier: Gill, David Langdon <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Gill=3ADavid_Langdon=3A=3A.html>   (1982) An investigation into the level of mathematical performance of students enrolled in their first semester at Memorial University of Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate and attempt to determine the extent to which students, in their first semester at Memorial University, were able to demonstrate comprehension of selected mathematical definitions, terminology, structure and principles, as well as an ability to solve routine and non-routine mathematical problems. -- A secondary purpose of the study was to determine whether, or not, relationships existed between students' performance on the above tasks and, the size of the high school attended, the mathematics programs offered by the high school attended, and the mathematics programs (honours or matriculation) studied by the student while attending high school. -- In attempting to achieve these objectives, 66 items were constructed and tentatively classified as Comprehension, Application, or Problem-Solving level items. A pilot study was then designed to determine the relative suitability and difficulty of these items, and also as an aid in deciding on the format of the instrument. The final instrument consisted of two 9-item subtests referred to as form A and form B with each form containing three items at each of the levels of comprehension, Application, and Problem-Solving. The categorization of test items at these cognitive levels was accomplished in consultation with a panel of three judges, and by using an item-classification model designed for the study. The instrument was administered to 510 students and data collected and analyzed on 335, of whom 170 completed form A and 165 completed form B. -- The results indicated that neither the size of the school, nor the programs offered by the school, bore any significant relationship to the students' performance on the instrument. The students who had studied honours mathematics while attending high school performed significantly better than those who had studied matriculation mathematics, with the noteable exceptions of the Applications and Problem-Solving scores on form A, and the Application score on form B. -- The extent to which the sample of students were able to demonstrate their comprehension of mathematical structure, concepts and procedures, their ability to apply mathematics, and their capacity to engage in productive mathematical thought, gave cause for concern. The correct-response rate to the items on both forms combined, was 40 per cent, 39 per cent, 17 per cent and 32 per cent on the Comprehension, Application, Problem-Solving and total test scores respectively. -- The study concluded with a discussion of the findings, some implications for curricular reform, and also some recommendations for future research.


identifier: Savory, Diana Ruth <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Savory=3ADiana_Ruth=3A=3A.html>   (1981) Aspects of the biology of Rubus chamaemorus L. (bakeapple) in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: Rubus chamaemorus L. (bakeapple), a common species of nutrient-poor peatlands throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, is harvested for its commercially valuable berries. Management practices in Scandinavia are used to increase natural yields in the field; this study in part attempted to determine if similar practices could be applied to the native population in Newfoundland and Labrador. In sites throughout the province the synecology and autecology of R. chamaemorus L. were studied to find the environmental and habitat preferences of the species. Flowering, fruiting and vegetative development were traced through several seasons and found to be particularly sensitive to climate. Although germination can be enhanced by the use of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and kinetin, growth of R. chamaemorus L. from seed remained an ineffective proposition. However, results from greenhouse and field studies showed that yields of existing populations could be greatly improved by ploughing the bog surface, reducing the numbers of competitive species, and providing increased shelter from wind. -- Using the greenhouse population, plant organs were prepared and examined by optical and electron microscopy. General descriptions of root and rhizome anatomy compared well with Resvoll (1929), Bailey (1941) and Taylor (1971). Previous results (Bal, 1975) indicated that certain cells in the root contained dense material. The electron density was subsequently identified as due to the presence of polyphenolics. Ferric chloride was used to localize phenolic deposits within the cells and a variety of staining procedures enabled various classes of phenolics to be identified and their distributions in root and rhizome sections determined. -- Rubus chamaemorus L. also possesses a varied root microflora, consisting of many bacterial and fungal species. Isolation and culture of root bacteria yielded good results and the rhizosphere medium displayed considerable diversity. It appears that phenolic compounds not only protect the root and rhizome from excessive damage by microorganisms but also control and delineate the association between the root microflora and the root tissue themselves. These two factors acting together could play a major role in the ability of R. chamaemorus L. to exploit nutrient-poor environments.


identifier: O'Quinn, Augustine <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/O=27Quinn=3AAugustine=3A=3A.html>   (1980) An examination of the community college system in Quebec with emphasis on the colleges d'enseignement general et professionnel.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study was conducted in four CEGEP colleges in Quebec and at the DIGEC (General Direction for College Education) division of the Ministry of Education to investigate Quebec's community college system since its inception in 1967. The study focused primarily on administrative structure, program offerings, finance, and student services at DIGEC and at the colleges of Sainte-Foy, Lennoxville, Dawson, and Hauterive. -- Data were obtained through a structured interview comprised of 29 questions exploring all aspects of college education in Quebec. This structured interview was conducted with key administrative personnel at DIGEC and the four colleges. Various campus libraries also provided valuable information, especially the library at Lennoxville. -- Today there are 116,000 college students in Quebec, costing nearly $500 million. The Quebec Government and its people readily admit to shortcomings in their college system, but the experiment has helped move Quebec into the twenty-first century. Quebeckers contend that money invested since 1967 has been money well invested and their college system will continue to expand until every citizen in Quebec has access to a college education. -- Although a unique form of post-secondary education has evolved in Quebec, where general and professional programs are conducted on the same campuses, excessive control by DIGEC has made program development at the college level very difficult. If Newfoundland decides to initiate the community college concept in the 1980's, it will have to give colleges the power to initiate their own programs under a college commission formulated to oversee all college operations in this province. Individual colleges must also be able to revise and change programs as the need arises in their particular locality.


identifier: Jackman, Douglas <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Jackman=3ADouglas=3A=3A.html>   (1981) An investigation into the contribution of selected factors to the satisfaction of users with public and combination school/public libraries in Newfoundland.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: This study was designed to determine the contribution of selected factors to the satisfaction of users of public and combination school/public libraries in Newfoundland. The main purpose of the investigation was to determine if the satisfaction of adult users of public libraries differed significantly with the satisfaction of adult users of combination school/public libraries. -- The data for the study were obtained through a structured interview based on a questionnaire. Interviews were conducted in a community with a public library and a community with a combination school/public library. The questionnaire dealt with the following: (1) characteristics of the people interviewed; (2) users' satisfaction with selected aspects of their respective library; (3) respondents' views on combination school/public as a means of providing library services to rural Newfoundland; and (4) non-users' reasons for not using the library in their community. -- An analysis of the data showed that adult users' overall satisfaction with a combination school/public library was not significantly different from adult users' overall satisfaction with a public library. There was no significant difference between the two groups' satisfaction with library hours, and atmosphere and surroundings. However, the users of the public library indicated a greater degree of satisfaction with the library's collection than did the users of the combination school/public library. -- The respondents were asked to express their attitude toward the idea of having combination school/public libraries provide library services to rural Newfoundland. There was no statistically significant difference expressed toward this idea in the community with a public library and the community with the combination school/public library. -- The researcher tested to determine if the library's collection, type of library, atmosphere of the library, distance users lived from the library, library hours, and users' level of education, sex, and age were statistically significant factors in determining users' overall satisfaction with library services. It was found that all of these variables except library hours had significant influence on users' overall degree of satisfaction with library services. The two most powerful contributors to users' overall satisfaction were the library's collection and users' level of education. -- An important recommendation emanating from the study is: a study should be completed to determine the significant factors that influence users' satisfaction wtih both public and combination school/public libraries.


identifier: Dunphy, Gary Brian <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Dunphy=3AGary_Brian=3A=3A.html>   (1977) An investigation into the physiological and nutritional requirements of the protoplast stage of the fungus Entomophthora egressa MacLeod and Tyrrell (Phycomycete: Entomophthorales).  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The physiological and nutritional requirements of the entomogenous phycomycete Entomophthora egressa MacLeod and Tyrrell were determined using the wall-free protoplast stage. -- Based on the uptake of ninhydrin-positive compounds the amino acids in the standard medium, Grace's modified insect tissue culture medium, were simplified to contain the amino acids methionine, asparagine and glutamine. -- The buffer 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid afforded excellent buffering capacity. The protoplasts utilized glucose, were vitamin autotrophic in two different media and required protein for membrane integrity. -- The regeneration patterns were studied throughout the experiments using various liquid and solid media. It was possible to induce mycelial and hyphal body development in the two simplified liquid media. -- Biochemical analysis of the fungal host, Lambdina fiscellaria fiscellaria (Guenee) in terms of haemolymph amino acids resulted in the development of a medium superior to the standard medium. Fatty acid analysis and total lipid production for various stages of the fungal host and protoplasts were determined.


identifier: Vardy, Brian William <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Vardy=3ABrian_William=3A=3A.html>   (1983) An examination of English language teaching practices in an Innu setting from 1951 to 1982.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: An examination of the English language teachers practices in Sheshatshit (the Indian community adjacent to North West River) is viewed by this writer as the first step in preparing for a total evaluation of the school's program of studies. It is felt that any determination of a needs assessment requires information on the student, the community, and, or course, on previous attempts to meet needs. Limitations of this study are obvious: a complete evaluation would be a long-term project at considerable cost. What is intended is an overview of the events which have led to the present program of studies in English language. Little has been written on the history of education in this area, and even less has been written on the school's attempt to deal with what must have been an impossible situation. The facts as they have been determined will be presented and brief analyses will be attempted. -- In this paper there are more questions to be asked than answers given. However, a review of relevant literature in the area of second language teaching and testing will serve to place the actual happenings in perspective. -- There is no doubt that if educators of the day had been more aware of the complexities of second language teaching they would have sought out available literature in the area. Instead, they chose to go it alone as it were, charting a course without a map. This applies to every level within the educational system, as will be demonstrated throughout the study. -- While the past cannot be altered, the future remains a challenge. This writer is calling for the educators of today to consider the past, evaluate the present, and prepare for the future needs of students. -- The sources upon which the following account is based are wide and varied. Certain historical facts were retrieved from personal contacts, telephone calls and letters to people in Labrador. Recent issues of Decks Awash and Them Days Magazine were extremely helpful, as well. (See Bibliography)


identifier: Browne, Maureen E. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Browne=3AMaureen_E=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1981) Application of an empirical model of social work practice in a family service agency.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: In this project the historical dichotomy between social work research and practice was outlined, and a model of empirical practice which could be utilized by the social worker in a family agency was proposed. -- The project involved the systematic application of an empirical model utilizing the single-subject or time-series design. The model was applied in various client situations in a family agency over a three month period, but the main focus of the project was the application of the model with a single case. -- The project employed a single-subject design and data was collected during baseline and intervention by a within-interview measurement strategy. Seven areas of family interaction, operationalized into statements, were selected as targets of change. Audio-visual recordings of each interview were made, the tapes re-played, and the number of times each selected statement of interaction occurred within a one-hour interview was tabulated. The tapes were reviewed by the clinician and a clinical supervisor, in order to increase the reliability of the measurement strategy. Supplementary, less objective data was used in addition to the concrete data, as an indication of clinical success. -- The results of the project yielded concrete data on interaction change which suggested that intervention had been successful. It was found that clinical requirements did impose restrictions on carrying out certain research procedures which would have strengthened the conclusion that the intervention caused the changes in the interaction. However, it was found that utilization of the model required a clear specification of all components of the therapy process, which would allow replication of the project to occur. Utilization of this model also yi8elded valuable information on the effects of specific components of the treatment package. -- The conclusion drawn from this project was that a model utilizing a single-subject design can be incorporated into clinical practice, and that this equips the clinician with objective information on his or her interventions with clients which would not otherwise be available.


identifier: Kosby, Joan Barbara <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Kosby=3AJoan_Barbara=3A=3A.html>   (1978) An ethnography of the St. Albans Folk Music Club.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The folksong (or "folk") club is the primary performance outlet of the recent British folksong revival, which began in the 1950's. Like North American coffeehouses, they provide a reasonably small and informal milieu for the performance of the various types of music labelled "folk." This thesis examines one such club, the St. Albans Folk Music Club, from the point of view of the people directly involved in its organization. In order to arrive at an insider's point of view, the methodology of ethnoscience was employed. The theoretical base of ethnoscience and the specific techniques used to gather data are discussed in the thesis. -- Revivalists are primarily a heterogeneous, urban, middle class group. Thus they are in clear contrast to the older concept of the "ideal folk society," defined as small, isolated, homogeneous, and nonliterate. However, in recent years this idealized notion of folk society has given way to the concept of the "folk group." A folk group is any group of people who, on the basis of some common bond, like religion, occupation or nationality, share traditions. Revivalists can be seen as a folk group sharing a number of traditions, including folk clubs. -- As there are few studies dealing with the British revival, the history and ideology of this movement are discussed in some detail. In order to acquaint the reader with the St. Albans Folk Music Club, its history, physical setting, and format are outlined. The remainder of the thesis is devoted to topics of particular importance to informants. These are: the role structure of the club; the classification of performers apart from their role within the club; the "atmosphere" or mood of the club during an evening, and the classification, selection and use of repertoire. The concluding chapter compares informants' ideology with that of other revivalists, as well as with informants' actual behavior. Some basic differences between the folksong classification systems used in the revival and in folklore studies are also outlined.


identifier: Gushue, Patrick F. <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Gushue=3APatrick_F=2E=3A=3A.html>   (1976) An evaluation of the reading program for students in basic training for skills development at the College of Fisheries, Navigation, Marine Engineering and Electronics.  Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

abstract: The purpose of the internship was to evaluate the reading program for the upgrading students who are enrolled in the Basic Training for Skills Development (BTSD) at the College of Fisheries, navigation, Marine Engineering and Electronics in St. John's, Newfoundland. -- The study attempted to determine student reading gain and to establish the extent to which attitude, IQ, sex, and the number of completed reading selections were responsible for reading gain. -- The sample consisted of 120 adult students who were enrolled in upgrading courses between September 1974, and January 1976. Sixty-six of the subjects were male, forty-five were married and all were school dropouts. Their average age was twenty-four. -- Immediately after registration, the investigator administered the TABE Reading Test, the Raven Matrices, the Estes Test of Attitude Toward Reading, and SRA and RFU Placement Tests to each entrant. Retesting was carried out prior to graduation. The TABE reading scores were used for the purpose of pretesting and posttesting. -- The subjects took daily reading instruction in the Laboratory using EDL Controlled Reading Machines, and SRA and RFU reading kits. Instruction in syntax and diction was emphasized throughout the program. Exercises dealing with sentence structure and vocabulary building were given as the need arose. -- The analysis showed that the number of completed reading selections was the most important factor in determining reading gain.  Significant correlations were found between Attitude, Academic Achievement and reading gain. The IQ and Sex correlations were nonsignificant. The study revealed that all students made substantial gains in reading speed and comprehension especially in the early stages of the program. The overall mean reading gain was 2.44 grades, while those students who completed more than 300 reading selections recorded a mean reading gain of 3.1 grades. The investigator concluded that the reading program was capable of raising student reading levels sufficiently high to allow them to progress successfully in the BTSD program.