Nicholls State University

About: Nicholls State University is a education organization based out in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & The Internet. The organization has 456 authors who have published 795 publications receiving 20031 citations.

An investigation of the effects of language style and communication modality on persuasion

Abstract: Using the Heuristic‐Systematic Model as a theoretical basis, this study replicates, extends, and integrates previous research on communication modality (i.e., print vs. audio vs. audiovisual) and power of language style (POS). Specifically, it focuses on the extent to which communication modality moderates the effects of powerful versus powerless language styles on (1) evaluations of the speaker and (2) attitudes toward the speaker's recommendation. It supports the hypothesis that modality moderates the effects of POS on the latter but not the former. Additionally, the results indicate that systematic information processing is used to form attitudes toward a recommendation when arguments are presented in writing, whereas audio and audiovisual modes appear to encourage the use of speaker‐related heuristics to form opinions about the speaker's recommendations.

Authentic leadership as a pathway to positive health

Abstract: We propose to bridge the domains of positive health and leadership. We suggest that a “positive” health model helps explain highly effective leadership. The leader must strive for health and facilitate health in his/her followers. We look at leadership through this new and positive lens, that of “positive” health promotion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Owner characteristics and health of SMEs in Pakistan

Abstract: Purpose – A major frustration for most policy researchers in the small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) area is the virtual non‐existence of scientific data on this sector in the country. This paper aims to provide some data.Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 651 SMEs from the manufacturing sector of Pakistan was conducted in 2003 and statistical analysis was carried out to analyze the data. This paper focuses on the relationship between the health indicators namely, sales/employee, increase/decrease in sales, and investment plans and the different personal characteristics of the owner/entrepreneur.Findings – This analysis suggests that education, generation setting up the business, and number of partners have a significant relationship with the health of SMEs. Health of the firm is also dependent on owner habits like watching television, reading newspapers and using computers for office work. Other factors like caste of the owner and occupation of the owner's relatives were also analyzed, but no s...

Measuring Response to Early Literacy Intervention with Preschoolers at Risk.

Abstract: Response to intervention (RTI) is characterized as a logical science of decision making that has applicability for early childhood, particularly in the context of multitiered intervention models. T...

The Influence of an Extensive Inquiry-Based Field Experience on Pre-Service Elementary Student Teachers’ Science Teaching Beliefs

Abstract: This study examined the effects of an extensive inquiry-based field experience on pre service elementary teachers’ personal agency beliefs, a composite measure of context beliefs and capability beliefs related to teaching science. The research combined quantitative and qualitative approaches and included an experimental group that utilized the inquiry method and a control group that used traditional teaching methods. Pre- and post-test scores for the experimental and control groups were compared. The context beliefs of both groups showed no significant change as a result of the experience. However, the control group’s capability belief scores, lower than those of the experimental group to start with, declined significantly; the experimental group’s scores remained unchanged. Thus, the inquiry-based field experience led to an increase in personal agency beliefs. The qualitative data suggested a new hypothesis that there is a spiral relationship among teachers’ ability to establish communicative relationships with students, desire for personal growth and improvement, ability to implement multiple instructional strategies, and possession of substantive content knowledge. The study concludes that inquiry-based student teaching should be encouraged in the training of elementary school science teachers. However, the meaning and practice of the inquiry method should be clearly delineated to ensure its correct implementation in the classroom.