Belief Statements Research Articles

Public perception of population health risks in Canada: Risk perception beliefs

A national survey of health risk perception among 1,503 adult Canadians was conducted in 2004 as a follow-up to a previous survey in 1992. Respondents were asked to indicate their personal opinion regarding a range of risk perception belief statements reflecting environmental concern, social concern, genetic concern, dependence on regulators, locus of health risk control (internal, powerful others, chance), risk acceptability and technological enthusiasm. The results indicated considerable concern over the state of the environment in general, however, less concern existed for the environment nearest to the individual. A high degree of concern was expressed over stress in the workplace, and poverty was perceived to represent an important health risk for Canadians. A strong sense of the importance of personal lifestyle factors and personal control over one's health was also observed as were notable increases in trust and dependence on the ability of government and experts to make decisions and regulate health risks in Canada as compared to the previous survey. Belief statements reflecting environmental and social concern correlated with the level of risk perceived for a variety of health hazards and outcomes.

A Preliminary Investigation of School Counselor Beliefs Regarding Important Educational Issues

The Professional School Counselor Belief Statements form used in this study was created to survey a national sample of practicing professional school counselors to determine their position on specific educational issues. Findings indicate the need for professional school counselors to examine the relationship between their personal belief systems and the service they provide to students.

Subject domain differences in secondary school teachers' attitudes towards grouping pupils by ability

Previous research has revealed that teachers' attitudes to ability grouping are influenced by the type of ability grouping adopted in the school where they teach. This research aimed to compare the attitudes of teachers of different subjects teaching low, high or mixed ability classes in years 7 to 9 in 45 secondary schools. Over 1500 teachers from 45 secondary schools, with a range of subject specialisms completed a questionnaire which elicited their responses to statements of beliefs about ability grouping and its effects. Teachers of mathematics and modern foreign languages were more in favour of structured ability grouping than those teaching English and humanities. Science, arts and PE, and ICT, design and business studies teachers expressed intermediate attitudes. Attitudes were determined in part by conceptions of the nature of the subject but also by the type of ability groupings adopted by the school in which they taught. In taking decisions about the type of ability grouping to adopt consideration needs to be given to the nature of the subject matter to be taught and the attitudes of the teachers who teach that subject.

Exploring Evidence-Based Practice by Occupational Therapists when Working with People with Apraxia

Evidence in the literature supports a number of interventions that occupational therapists may utilise when working with people with apraxia, although there is no gold standard approach. A large-scale survey (n = 304, 36% response rate) was conducted with the membership of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section — Neurological Practice to explore therapists' understanding of apraxia and to provide a benchmark of current practice. Consensus was found in the majority of belief statements regarding the condition, although the respondents were unclear about the relationship between cognition and apraxia. When the therapists were asked to indicate their choice and use of interventions for apraxia, the results showed that the main consideration was the context in which a person performs activities, with moderate use of specific techniques including errorless learning and chaining. The results are related to the evidence base and the implications for occupational therapy practice and education are discussed.

Physical Activity Belief Scales for Diabetes Risk: Development and Psychometric Testing

This article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of behavioral belief, normative belief, and control belief scales, derived from the theory of planned behavior to predict physical activity intentions of persons at risk for diabetes. In Study 1, belief statements from interviews were categorized, ranked, and evaluated for item construction. Content validity was established by 96.1% agreement among a five-member expert panel. In Study 2, items developed from the belief statements were administered to 106 adults at risk for diabetes. Psychometric analyses provided evidence of construct validity and reliability of the three scales. Internal consistency was sufficient (alpha = .76-.95), and test-retest evaluations indicated scale stability (r = .79-.91). Factor analyses and confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling provided evidence that the items were appropriately grouped under each construct. Researchers and practitioners can use these measures to assess behavioral, normative, and control beliefs about physical activity among persons at risk for diabetes.

The Effect of Moral and Fear Appeals on Park Visitors’ Beliefs about Feeding Wildlife

This study tested the effectiveness of two written messages compared to a control condition in changing campers’ beliefs about feeding deer at Shenandoah National Park. Drawing on the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion, both interventions were designed to promote central route processing. One used research on hazard warnings to present a fear appeal message highlighting risks to visitors, while the other used norm activation theory to develop a moral appeal that focused on impacts to deer. Questionnaires (control n =111, moral appeal n = 115, fear appeal n = 116) assessed level of agreement with belief statements taken from the appeals as well as related statements that would indicate whether message elaboration occurred. The fear appeal increased agreement that deer could cause physical harm to people and appeared to cause elaboration on these messages, but the moral appeal did not strengthen previously held beliefs that feeding harmed the deer. Both appeals reduced self-reported frequencies of deer feeding. Women agreed more strongly with some of the moral appeal statements in all conditions, but the interventions affected men and women equally. Results suggest that fear appeals may be an effective technique for changing beliefs about feeding wildlife.

“Where are the children?” Personal integrity and reflective teaching portfolios

This study chronicles a 2-year school wide portfolio initiative in a British elementary school, teacher resistance to the initiative, and factors that contributed to acceptance of the portfolio initiative. Critical components to teacher engagement in this context included teacher ownership of the process and product, a child-centred focus to the portfolio, and opportunity to include belief statements and entries of felt importance. The reflective teaching portfolio is discussed as a cultural tool of mediation and a vehicle for providing programmatic reflection wherein teacher integrity can be demonstrated through alignment of beliefs and teaching practice over time.

Collaborating to Embrace Evidence-Informed Management Practices within Canada's Health System

In late 2005, 11 major national health organizations decided to work together to build healthier workplaces for healthcare providers. To do so, they created a pan-Canadian collaborative of 45 experts and asked them to develop an action strategy to improve healthcare workplaces. One of the first steps taken by members of the collaborative was to adopt the following shared belief statements to guide their thinking: "We believe it is unacceptable to fund, govern, manage, work in or receive care in an unhealthy health workplace," and, "A fundamental way to better healthcare is through healthier healthcare workplaces. This commentary provides an overview of the Quality Worklife-Quality Healthcare Collaborative action strategy. This strategy embraces the thinking set out by the lead papers in a recent Special Issue of Healthcare Papers (www.Longwoods.com/special_issues.php) focused on developing healthy workplaces for healthcare workers, and brings to Life evidence-informed management practices.

Preferences of Registered Dietitians and Nurses Recommending Artificial Nutrition and Hydration for Elderly Patients

Objective The study was designed to identify how the beliefs and perceptions of registered dietitians (RDs) affect their decisions to propose artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) for elderly patients as compared with nurses. Design A questionnaire consisting of demographic information, 13 belief statements, and eight patient scenarios requiring ANH was mailed to RDs (n=1,500) and nurses (n=1,500) throughout Florida. Thirteen statements, rated on a 5-point Likert scale, addressed beliefs that influence ANH decisions. Eight scenarios of patients, without an advance directive or surrogate decision maker, were created with variations in age, cognition, and emotion. For each scenario, participants selected a treatment, ANH or hydration, and responded: recommend; not recommend; undecided; or recommend a trial period; if no improvement, stop treatment. Statistical Analyses Performed To establish reliability and validity, the instruments were pilot-tested with a group of RDs and nurses. Cross tabulations with χ 2 tests compared the distribution of responses to the belief statements and scenarios. Statistical significance was P<0.05. Results Responses to the belief statement, “when in doubt, feed” differed significantly ( P<0.001) between RDs and nurses, all other belief statements were not significantly different. In all eight scenarios, significantly more ( P<0.001) RDs recommended ANH than did nurses. Conclusions RDs clearly endorsed feeding when in doubt; therefore, they recommended ANH more than nurses. Nurses, who hesitated to feed when in doubt, were more diverse with their recommendations, either recommending a trial or not recommending ANH. A philosophical difference related to feeding was apparent between RDs and nurses and may affect consistent and quality care in patients without an advance directive or surrogate decision maker.

Collaborating to Embrace Evidence-Informed Management Practices within Canada's Health System

In late 2005, 11 major national health organizations decided to work together to build healthier workplaces for healthcare providers. To do so, they created a pan-Canadian collaborative of 45 experts and asked them to develop an action strategy to improve healthcare workplaces. One of the first steps taken by members of the collaborative was to adopt the following shared belief statements to guide their thinking: "We believe it is unacceptable to fund, govern, manage, work in or receive care in an unhealthy health workplace," and, "A fundamental way to better healthcare is through healthier healthcare workplaces." This commentary provides an overview of the Quality Worklife-Quality Healthcare Collaborative action strategy. This strategy embraces the thinking set out by the lead papers (by Shamian and El-Jardali and by Clements, Dault and Priest) and brings to life evidence-informed management practices.

Understanding Recreational Fishers' Participation in Public Consultation Programs

This study sought to understand the demographic and commitment variables that predict participation by recreational fishers in public consultation programs, and investigated differences in opinions and beliefs between participants and non-participants. In a survey of recreational fishers in Queensland, Australia, 28% of respondents reported participating in public consultation programs regarding issues affecting recreational fisheries. Participation in consultation programs was positively related to age, avidity, centrality (i.e., importance) of fishing to lifestyle, and membership in fisheries-related organizations. There was no effect of gender, income, or years of fishing experience on participation. Participants and non-participants differed significantly in their level of agreement with 12 of 20 belief statements about fisheries management, issues and threats facing recreational fisheries, and the effects of recreational fishing on fish populations. Participants and non-participants also differed in their level of approval of four of eight fishing regulations. Results suggest that recreational fishers who participate in public consultation programs may not be representative of the wider recreational fisher population.

Real Teaching for Real Diversity: Preparing English Language Arts Teachers for the 21st-Century Classrooms

Attempting to address the following central question, How might literacy educators learn to recognize, promote, and capitalize upon the rich cultural resources of students in diverse classrooms in the United States?, the authors provide a list of belief statements to serve as the foundation for positive changes in the ways in which the literacy needs of diverse learners could be met. The conclusion is that we had better support the learning of all of our peoples if they are to participate meaningfully in our place. The future truly is all Accuse.

Effects of Social Position on Societal Attributions of an Asymmetric Conflict

Traditionally, the study of peace and conflict has employed macro explanations such as social structure and state conditions. This article extends the discourse on peace and conflict by considering psychological conditions during a heated social conflict. The focus is on societal attribution, a cognitive process involving shared beliefs about the causes of societal events. The present study examines the effects of social positions on causal attributions in an asymmetric conflict that is taking place in the Philippines on the war-torn island of Mindanao. It was expected that causal attributions of the Mindanao war would differ between Christians and Muslims. Four hundred and thirty Muslims and Christians at Mindanao State University-Marawi stated their degree of agreement on belief statements about perceived intergroup inequality and ranked the three most important causes of the conflict in Mindanao. Results indicated that power inequality between groups is perceived only by the disadvantaged Muslim group, while members in the dominant social position were not sensitized to systemic issues. Findings also indicated intergroup disagreements about the causes of the war. The marginalized Muslims believed that structural problems, namely, displaced and landless Bangsa Moro (Muslim Nation) and loss of rights to self-determination were important origins of the conflict. On the other hand, the dominant Christian group attributed the Mindanao conflict to person-related causes like corruption of the mind and moral fiber, as well as sociocultural discrimination. Implications for attribution theory and the practice of peacemaking in asymmetric conflicts are discussed.

Current Issues in the Teaching of Grammar: An SLA Perspective

The study of how learners acquire a second language (SLA) has helped to shape thinking about how to teach the grammar of a second language. There remain, however, a number of controversial issues. This paper considers eight key questions relating to grammar pedagogy in the light of findings from SLA. As such, this article complements Celce-Murcia’s (1991) article on grammar teaching in the 25th anniversary issue of TESOL Quarterly, which considered the role of grammar in a communicative curriculum and drew predominantly on a linguistic theory of grammar. These eight questions address whether grammar should be taught and if so what grammar, when, and how. Although SLA does not afford definitive solutions to these questions, it serves the valuable purpose of problematising this aspect of language pedagogy. This article concludes with a statement of my own beliefs about grammar teaching, grounded in my own understanding of SLA.

Attitudes towards internet advertising: a cross-cultural study

This study is based on a survey of university students from three cities, Beijing, Hong Kong and Warwick, to study the attitude towards internet advertising. Cross-cultural difference is the main issue. It is found that cross-cultural difference does exist but it is surprising that Beijing respondents have a more favourable attitude towards internet advertising. Effects of different belief statements and three dimensions of belief statements, economic, personal and regulatory dimensions, are found to have positive effects on the attitude of the respondents. Cultural difference is found on regulatory dimensions. Gender difference exists for Hong Kong respondents and cultural difference is also supported on gender difference. Low click-through rate is a long-existing problem for the advertisers. The strong negative attitude towards internet advertising may help to explain this. Instead of concentrating on pushing up audience attention, emphasis should be laid on improving attitude.

Making Decisions About Assistive Technology With Infants and Toddlers

The present study examined and contrasted beliefs and decision-making practices concerning the use of assistive technology (AT) with infants and toddlers. Participants were 424 multidisciplinary early intervention providers drawn from across the United States. A majority of professionals disagreed with proposed belief statements about AT with infants and toddlers. Decision-making practices, however, followed the reported trend of underutilization of AT in early intervention in that providers did not generally select AT options until children were older than 24 months. Reported beliefs were not associated with decision-making practices. Future research and training should focus on factors that are likely to influence the decisions that professionals make in practice.

Ego strengthening and eye movement desensitization reprocessing in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Ego strengthening and eye movement desensitization reprocessing in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Promoting Character At Institutions Of Higher Education And In Their Academic Units

Employers are highly interested in the character traits of college graduates. They recognize that these attributes will be an important determinant in the degree of success their organizations will experience. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of students enrolled in public institutions of higher education are not prepared academically, behaviorally, or emotionally for the college experience. In addition, lack of academic integrity on campus poses its own set of problems. Employers also realize that special ethical obligations exist for employees with financial reporting responsibilities. Accountants are required to generate accurate and timely information to stakeholders both inside and outside of the organization. Employers are keenly interested in hiring accountants who are willing to assume the responsibility for promoting integrity throughout the firm. To compete in today’s educational market place, many institutions of higher learning focus upon beautifully manicured grounds, impressively designed and technologically advanced buildings, and learned faculty. Alternatively, do these institutions dedicate adequate resources and expend the necessary levels of energies to promote character and other desirable traits in students? Isn’t character just as important in public higher education as critical analysis or technical skills? This article proposes the development and use of creeds by departments, colleges, and/or universities to underscore the importance of character, scholarship, and performance to students. A creed is a statement of institutional expectations, beliefs, principles, and values. It is a public pronouncement of what a department, college or university holds to be important. It is meant to inspire and encourage commitment to stated ideals and help develop appropriate attitudes across campus. Two versions of a proposed creed, a long and short version, are presented.

Accreditation of Distance Learning in the Field of Dentistry

This study looked at criteria important to dental accreditation consultants when evaluating programs that utilized some distance technology. Attitudinal and demographic data were collected to determine any relationships between these profiles and how a consultant would apply predetermined evaluative criteria. Descriptive statistics, internal consistency estimates of reliability, and nonparametric statistics were applied to determine associations between demographic, belief, and importance statements. There was a high level of agreement on the importance statements. There were several significant associations between the level of importance placed on some guidelines and experience in distance learning, either through professional development or actual course development. Some variability was found in what respondents believed about distance learning with significant associations between profession, academic degree, and experience in developing distance education courses.

Stated Beliefs and Play in Normal-Form Games

Using data on one-shot games, we investigate whether players' actions can be viewed as responses to underlying expectations about their opponent's behavior. In our laboratory experiments, subjects play a set of 14 two-person 3x3 games, and state beliefs about which actions they expect their opponents to play. The data sets from the two tasks are largely inconsistent. Rather, we find evidence that the subjects perceive the games differently when they (i) choose actions, and (ii) state beliefs - their stated beliefs reveal deeper strategic thinking than their actions. On average, they fail to best respond to their own stated beliefs in almost half of the games. The inconsistency is confirmed by estimates of a unified statistical model that jointly uses the actions and the belief statements. There, we can control for decision noise, and formulate a statistical test that rejects consistency. Effects of the belief elicitation procedure on subsequent actions are mostly insignificant.