Current Search: Fine, Terri (x)
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- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF FOREIGN AID ON PERCEPTIONS OF CORRUPTION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.
- Creator
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Wilkie, Margaret, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This paper is a study of the effects of foreign aid on perceptions of political corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa. In keeping with the consensus on foreign aid effectiveness, this study proposed that Sub-Saharan African countries receiving more foreign aid would be more likely to maintain high levels of perceived corruption. Hypotheses were tested using multivariate regression, controlling for a number of factors which have shown to be influential on perceptions of political corruption. Two...
Show moreThis paper is a study of the effects of foreign aid on perceptions of political corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa. In keeping with the consensus on foreign aid effectiveness, this study proposed that Sub-Saharan African countries receiving more foreign aid would be more likely to maintain high levels of perceived corruption. Hypotheses were tested using multivariate regression, controlling for a number of factors which have shown to be influential on perceptions of political corruption. Two models were tested, one to show the regression over a period of nine years, and the other to show the relationship between the foreign aid and perceptions of corruption over one year. The tests resulted in showing a significantly negative relationship over nine years, but foreign aid lost its significance with perceptions of political corruption over one year. The most influential variable on political corruption in both models was the level of political rights in a country, which indicated a significantly negative relationship between the two variables. The paper also looked at Nigeria in a case study focusing on the effects of foreign aid on governance and economic policy environments, corruption being a major factor in both of these. This study resulted in the conclusion that increases in foreign aid paralleled improved perceptions of political corruption, and that Nigeria's reform initiative during the Obasanjo regime (1999-2007) was the major determining factor in this perception shift. Overall, this study supports the consensus that foreign aid given to countries with reform-minded governments is more likely to contribute to the fight against corruption.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002440, ucf:47726
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002440
- Title
- GENDER STEREOTYPES AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.
- Creator
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Mathews, Adrienne, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study analyzes the effects of gender stereotypes on women gubernatorial candidates in the post "Year of the Woman" era to determine whether or not the electoral gains made by women running for legislative office in 1992 also extended to women contesting executive elections in subsequent years. This study proceeds in two parts. The first part of this study provides an empirical analysis of contextual and candidate specific factors thought to affect the way in which gender stereotypes...
Show moreThis study analyzes the effects of gender stereotypes on women gubernatorial candidates in the post "Year of the Woman" era to determine whether or not the electoral gains made by women running for legislative office in 1992 also extended to women contesting executive elections in subsequent years. This study proceeds in two parts. The first part of this study provides an empirical analysis of contextual and candidate specific factors thought to affect the way in which gender stereotypes surface during gubernatorial campaigns and how they affect women candidates accordingly. The contextual factors include state culture, party dominance, and tradition of electing women in each state. Candidate specific factors include prior campaign and or office holding experience. The second part of this study adopts a case study approach and focuses on two gubernatorial elections New Jersey and Virginia to provide a more detailed examination of how gender stereotypes emerge when women are candidates for governor. The findings from the empirical analysis show that women are more likely to contest gubernatorial elections that are Democratic in their partisanship and non-traditionalist in their political culture. However, these variables did not explain whether women were successful in winning gubernatorial elections. The second part of the analysis expanded on these findings by examining the dominant role gender stereotypes played in a traditionalistic state (Virginia) and the minimal role they played in a non-traditionalistic state (New Jersey). Generalizations were made based on the findings that indicate the importance of the campaign in light of contextual factors and how this affects women candidates in executive elections. Recommendations for a future research agenda regarding elections in which women are candidates for various levels of office are also discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001057, ucf:46802
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001057
- Title
- AT THE FRONTLINES OF THE KULTURKAMPF: SOCIAL POLICY POSITIONS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT A LARGE UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.
- Creator
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Montanez, Julio, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Social policy concerns groups. Specifically, social policies have been implemented as a means to affect the well-being of sexual and gender minorities, including areas such as health, employment, violence, and many others. Undergraduate student opinions on such policies are an understudied area of survey research. Possible correlates of support for such policy areas include, but are not limited to, sexual prejudice, attributions, increased contact with the minority group, gender, Para-social...
Show moreSocial policy concerns groups. Specifically, social policies have been implemented as a means to affect the well-being of sexual and gender minorities, including areas such as health, employment, violence, and many others. Undergraduate student opinions on such policies are an understudied area of survey research. Possible correlates of support for such policy areas include, but are not limited to, sexual prejudice, attributions, increased contact with the minority group, gender, Para-social contact, and many others. This research administered a 55-item survey to undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida. With a sample of 210 individuals, this study aimed to answer the following research question. Which explanatory variables are most correlated with support for social policies and rights regarding sexual and gender minorities? Dimension reduction techniques were utilized to create three sub-scales that measure the dependent variable: Alternative Relationship Recognitions, Socio-Political and Economic Goals, and Basic Freedoms. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were reported, confirming the internal consistencies of the dimensions. Bivariate correlation analyses revealed a number of variables with consistent relationships to the dependent variable: sexual prejudice, attributions that view homosexuality as something with which an individual is born, support for abortion rights, partisan identification, ideology, religious affiliation, and religious attendance. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models further assessed the nature of the relationships; sexual prejudice was the most correlated with support for social policies and rights pertaining to sexual and gender minorities. Discussions of findings, limitations of this research, directions for future research, and empirical implications are provided accordingly.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004533, ucf:45201
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004533
- Title
- SEX EDUCATION POLICY IN FLORIDA: STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE.
- Creator
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Cawley, Jenna, Fine, Terri Susan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Sex education policies and programs in Florida are largely dominated by the abstinence-only approach. This paper makes the case that abstinence-only education is a failing policy in Florida, and evaluates strategies advocates may use in order to accomplish reform. Three different strategies are evaluated: countywide school district reform, statewide rejection of federal abstinence-only funding, and statewide standardization of sex education via legislation. Contrasts are drawn between all...
Show moreSex education policies and programs in Florida are largely dominated by the abstinence-only approach. This paper makes the case that abstinence-only education is a failing policy in Florida, and evaluates strategies advocates may use in order to accomplish reform. Three different strategies are evaluated: countywide school district reform, statewide rejection of federal abstinence-only funding, and statewide standardization of sex education via legislation. Contrasts are drawn between all three strategies with regard to their potential impact on sex education policy in Florida, viability, and the challenges they present to advocates. This paper concludes that statewide standardization of sex education in Florida represents the best way to remedy the problem of insufficient sex education, but is unlikely to occur without increased bipartisan support in the Florida legislature. Statewide rejection of Title V federal abstinence-only funds remains an important policy goal for the purpose of accomplishing an end to federal abstinence grants but would likely achieve very little for Florida's students. Countywide sex education changes are thus far the only substantive victory for sex education advocates in Florida and should be instituted across the state with advocates taking special care to engage teachers, medical professionals, parents and local community leaders.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002259, ucf:47829
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002259
- Title
- THE NEWS MEDIA AND PUBLIC OPINION: THE PRESS COVERAGE OF U.S. INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS AND ITS EFFECT ON PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL.
- Creator
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McCullough, Kristen, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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A standing phenomenon exists in the fields of both political science and communication studies regarding the impact that the news media have on public opinion. This study recognizes the average American citizens' reliance on the press to gain information about international conflicts. Hence, it is theorized that news reports on a political occurrence could very well influence the mass-level opinion of an event such that positive news stories generate positive public opinion, and vice...
Show moreA standing phenomenon exists in the fields of both political science and communication studies regarding the impact that the news media have on public opinion. This study recognizes the average American citizens' reliance on the press to gain information about international conflicts. Hence, it is theorized that news reports on a political occurrence could very well influence the mass-level opinion of an event such that positive news stories generate positive public opinion, and vice versa. Since foreign crises define a presidency in the public's minds, presidential approval ratings determine the degree to which the news media manipulate public opinion. Specifically, news media coverage of two international conflicts, the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, are analyzed in light of their effect on American citizens' public opinion of Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George H. W. Bush, respectively.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002701, ucf:48167
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002701
- Title
- The Push Out: A Disproportionality Study on Student Discipline in the State of Florida Public Schools.
- Creator
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Pierre, Manouchka, Johnson, Jerry, Doherty, Walter, Vitale, Thomas, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This mixed method sequential exploratory study was conducted to emphasize and investigate disproportionality in discipline, noting the prevalence of the issue of equity and the salience of FL as context. This study applied the extant model for investigating disproportionality in a setting where such an investigation is highly relevant due to Florida's statistical positioning in the area of student discipline. This study investigated for potential biases that guide differences in the rates...
Show moreThis mixed method sequential exploratory study was conducted to emphasize and investigate disproportionality in discipline, noting the prevalence of the issue of equity and the salience of FL as context. This study applied the extant model for investigating disproportionality in a setting where such an investigation is highly relevant due to Florida's statistical positioning in the area of student discipline. This study investigated for potential biases that guide differences in the rates that males and Blacks experience exclusionary discipline within the 67 regular school districts. The analysis from this study, which used relative rate ratio and policy analysis, presents results showing that a disproportionality exists at a rate of 2 to 2.3 times for the affected demographic groups. The findings suggest a need for policy language to address this disparity, as well as a change in practice.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007851, ucf:52766
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007851
- Title
- Investigating Social Capital and Political Action in the Middle East.
- Creator
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Abdel-Wahab, Amr, Morales, Waltraud, Fine, Terri, Houghton, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study addresses the relationship between social capital and political action in the Middle East. The research uncovers indicators of how social capital correlates with democratic action. Using data from the 2005 World Values Survey, the examination centers on indicators of trust and membership in civic organizations and how they relate to political action in the region. The paper concludes with discussion of how trust-building and reciprocity can be interpreted within the political...
Show moreThis study addresses the relationship between social capital and political action in the Middle East. The research uncovers indicators of how social capital correlates with democratic action. Using data from the 2005 World Values Survey, the examination centers on indicators of trust and membership in civic organizations and how they relate to political action in the region. The paper concludes with discussion of how trust-building and reciprocity can be interpreted within the political context of the Middle East, and how the relevance of social capital will be an unavoidable consideration in the transition away from autocracy in the region, especially when considering recent events.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004083, ucf:49137
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004083
- Title
- Political Knowledge and Political Engagement in the United States.
- Creator
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Shaul, Brittany, Knuckey, Jonathan, Fine, Terri, Seigler, Daniel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis examined the impact of political knowledge on forms of political engagement in the United States. Prior literature has established a relationship between political knowledge and political engagement, where those with higher political knowledge were more likely to engage politically through acts such as voting. This study distinguished between the various forms of political engagement and political knowledge, and seeks to provide relevant data on who is more likely to have...
Show moreThis thesis examined the impact of political knowledge on forms of political engagement in the United States. Prior literature has established a relationship between political knowledge and political engagement, where those with higher political knowledge were more likely to engage politically through acts such as voting. This study distinguished between the various forms of political engagement and political knowledge, and seeks to provide relevant data on who is more likely to have political knowledge, and what impact having political knowledge has. This served to reexamine trends found in past literature, in order to see if these trends have persisted or changed over time. This study analyzed data from the American National Election Studies (ANES) from 1988-2016 to explore the relationships between political knowledge and political engagement utilizing various regression models. Consistent with past literature, this study found demographic gaps in the distribution of political knowledge, although these gaps appear to be closing. While political knowledge had a strong and significant relationship with voting, the effects of political knowledge did not hold across all forms of engagement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007530, ucf:52590
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007530
- Title
- State Adolescent Reproductive Health Policies and their Impact on Teen Pregnancy Outcomes.
- Creator
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Cawley, Jenna, Fine, Terri, Jewett, Aubrey, Logan, Lisa, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Using multiple regression analysis, this study analyzes the impact of state-level adolescent reproductive health statutes on rates of teenage pregnancy, birth and abortion rates. This study also analyzes the impact that adolescent reproductive health policy outputs have had on teenage pregnancy outcomes between 1992 and 2008, and the disparate impact of policies on minority teens.While some preventive adolescent reproductive health policies are found to impact teen pregnancy outcomes, most...
Show moreUsing multiple regression analysis, this study analyzes the impact of state-level adolescent reproductive health statutes on rates of teenage pregnancy, birth and abortion rates. This study also analyzes the impact that adolescent reproductive health policy outputs have had on teenage pregnancy outcomes between 1992 and 2008, and the disparate impact of policies on minority teens.While some preventive adolescent reproductive health policies are found to impact teen pregnancy outcomes, most research findings pertain to the impact of abortion policy. Restrictions on minors' access to confidential prenatal care are associated with reduced rates of teen abortion while restricting access to contraceptive services is associated with increases in teen abortion. Surprisingly, states with more family planning program spending are found to have been less effective in reducing rates of teen pregnancy and births between 1992 and 2008. Abortion restrictions are found to decrease rates of teen abortion and increase rates of teen birth. Mandated parental involvement in minors' abortions is found to increase rates of teen birth and contributed to a slower rate of decline in teen abortion between 1992 and 2008. This study indicates disparate impact of both preventive adolescent reproductive health policies and restrictive abortion policies. Restrictive abortion statutes were found to have an exceptionally strong positive effect on rates of Black teen birth, with a moderate impact on Hispanic teen birth and no impact on White teen birth.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005586, ucf:50247
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005586
- Title
- A Design and Implementation Plan for Professional Development and Curriculum Modules of Historical Literacy in the Social Studies Classroom.
- Creator
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Cowgill, Daniel, Hopp, Carolyn, Vitale, Thomas, Fine, Terri, Scheiner, Cicely, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The goal of this dissertation in practice was to create professional development and curriculum modules focused on historical literacy in order to help teachers fully engage students in learning historical literacy skills. Historical literacy is the ability to understand the importance of the source of a document, being able to close read a text, to place a source within its proper context, and to corroborate the information from one source to another. The implementation of a program of this...
Show moreThe goal of this dissertation in practice was to create professional development and curriculum modules focused on historical literacy in order to help teachers fully engage students in learning historical literacy skills. Historical literacy is the ability to understand the importance of the source of a document, being able to close read a text, to place a source within its proper context, and to corroborate the information from one source to another. The implementation of a program of this nature is designed to help teachers and students develop these skills with the hope that it positively impacts not only student learning in the social studies classroom, but will also have a positive impact on student test scores, student college experiences, students' future careers, and students' role within our civic society.Included within this dissertation in practice is a model for how to facilitate an effective professional development program that helps increase teacher efficacy, teacher skill level, and teacher use of historical literacy. This model pays special attention to ensuring that teachers also see how the demands of various standards and teacher evaluation systems can be addressed through the use of historical literacy. Suggested use for this dissertation in practice is the creation of professional development programs that help schools implement best practices throughout the learning organization.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005775, ucf:50057
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005775
- Title
- Government Responsiveness in Matters of Racial Sensitivity.
- Creator
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Carnegie, Vickie, Bryer, Thomas, Knox, Claire, Kapucu, Naim, Burg, Mary Ann, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study assesses factors influencing the responsiveness of government officials in Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina regarding the public display of the Confederate Flag on state grounds in the aftermath of the Charleston, South Carolina shooting. The purpose of this dissertation research is to understand the factors influencing how government officials make decisions during racially/culturally sensitive events. Two research questions frame this study: 1) What factors are relevant...
Show moreThis study assesses factors influencing the responsiveness of government officials in Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina regarding the public display of the Confederate Flag on state grounds in the aftermath of the Charleston, South Carolina shooting. The purpose of this dissertation research is to understand the factors influencing how government officials make decisions during racially/culturally sensitive events. Two research questions frame this study: 1) What factors are relevant to understanding state government officials' decision- making regarding the display of the Confederate Flag on public grounds? 2) Under what conditions of public decision making regarding the Confederate flag is executive authority, vote/referendum, or legislative processes used? Employing grounded theory across newspaper content in Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi, 117 articles were examined to provide insight into the research questions. The themes which emerged from this analysis are: 1)Key factors in the decision-making regarding the display of the Confederate Flag on state grounds are: a.The response to a triggering crisis event b.A desire for inclusiveness c.A perception of outside attention or scrutiny d.A concern for the economic well-being of the State e.The political agency of the decision maker 2)Economics, standing law, and political expediency influence decisions of whether executive authority, vote/referendum, or legislative processes are used in decision-making regarding the display of the Confederate Flag on public grounds. This study introduces a detailed model of decision-making for public officials in racially/culturally sensitive matters to navigate the handling of issues with similar schema-forming symbols which can call forth dynamic and polarizing responses. The findings from this research study can be used to foster improved government efforts at responding to matters of a highly charged emotional nature.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007439, ucf:52734
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007439
- Title
- The Inclusion of Women's History in the Secondary Social Studies Classroom.
- Creator
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Scheiner-Fisher, Cicely, Russell, William, Hewitt, Randall, Hartshorne, Charles, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The author examined the motivation for why, and methods of how, some secondary social studies teachers incorporate women's voices into the traditional history framework. A multi-layered qualitative methodology was employed for this study using survey, case study, and phenomenological approaches, including interviews and classroom observations of participants. The researcher discovered the percentage of teachers who claim to incorporate women's history/perspectives into their lessons; how...
Show moreThe author examined the motivation for why, and methods of how, some secondary social studies teachers incorporate women's voices into the traditional history framework. A multi-layered qualitative methodology was employed for this study using survey, case study, and phenomenological approaches, including interviews and classroom observations of participants. The researcher discovered the percentage of teachers who claim to incorporate women's history/perspectives into their lessons; how teachers incorporate women's history/perspectives into their lessons; and, the factors that contribute to teachers including women's history/perspectives into their classes.?
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004933, ucf:49623
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004933
- Title
- Social Media Responsiveness in the Public Sector: A Study of Social Media Adoption in Three Functional Departments of U.S. Cities.
- Creator
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Seigler, Daniel, Bryer, Thomas, Hu, Qian, Norris Tirrell, Dorothy, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Public administration research strongly supports the argument for administrator-citizen collaborations and shows that Web 2.0 social media tools have the potential to increase these collaborations. Some public managers have fully embraced the adoption of social media tools to their fullest collaborative potential while other managers have chosen to limit their full collaborative potential. This study examines four environmental influences to determine if they are the cause of the diverse...
Show morePublic administration research strongly supports the argument for administrator-citizen collaborations and shows that Web 2.0 social media tools have the potential to increase these collaborations. Some public managers have fully embraced the adoption of social media tools to their fullest collaborative potential while other managers have chosen to limit their full collaborative potential. This study examines four environmental influences to determine if they are the cause of the diverse levels of social media adoption among public administrators. A survey of 157 department managers from 261 large cities across the U.S. shows that 82% of the respondents are currently using some form of social media tools to engage citizens. The results show that perceived organizational influences and perceived administrator preconceptions of social media tools are having the greatest impact on the respondents' decision to adopt social media. Provided that response rate bias is not occurring in this study, there are two possible explanations for the results. One possible explanation is that Web 2.0 social media adoption may be following a similar path as the adoption of earlier forms of Web 1.0 e-government tools. The other possible explanation is that managers may be operating within a rational environment when deciding whether or not to adopt Web 2.0 social media tools.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005709, ucf:50115
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005709