University of Mobile

About: University of Mobile is a education organization based out in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Convertible bond. The organization has 32 authors who have published 44 publications receiving 508 citations. The organization is also known as: Mobile College.

Boundary Ambiguity and Ambivalence in Military Family Reintegration

Abstract: Although more than 2 million service members have experienced deployment since 2001, predictors of postdeployment family functioning remain unclear. Utilizing the Contextual Model of Family Stress (Boss, 2002), this study examined military-related factors (e.g., rank, component, combat exposure, postdeployment time at home, cumulative length of deployments), boundary ambiguity, and family- and deployment-related ambivalence as predictors of family functioning during reintegration. Service members (N = 228) from multiple branches of the U.S. military participated in a national survey related to family relationships and support programming. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that service members from lower ranks, who were home for longer periods of time, and who endorsed higher degrees of boundary ambiguity and family-related ambivalence reported poorer family functioning. Results emphasize the relevance of boundary ambiguity and family-related ambivalence to the reintegration process and can inform prevention and intervention efforts that promote family well-being in the military population during the critical postdeployment period.

Grade retention decisions: rationales and results

Abstract: As social promotions are denounced in political arenas, educators are called to review the consequences of tougher retention policies. Thus, this paper will discuss research findings in the number of students who are retained and the effects of retention. Further, teachers' beliefs about retention as well as the characteristics of retainees will be explored. The financial costs of retention will be discussed as well as suggestions for more effective use of these resources in strategies that project more promising outcomes for students. The article is based on the author's research as well as a search of the literature on retention.

Objectivity and Information Bias in Campaign News

Abstract: This article examines whether objective campaign news stories—defined here as those with equitable tone toward 2 competing candidates—are less informative than slanted stories favoring one candidate over the other. Using a large news content dataset composed of campaign news stories from statewide elections in 2004, 2006, and 2008, we measure news story quality 6 different ways. It is modeled as a function of differences in story tone toward opposing candidates and a host of other news outlet and electoral characteristics known to influence the nature and type of information in campaign news. We find that slant is positively related to the likelihood that news articles focus on substance, issues, and include sourced content

Successfully Crossing the Cultural Border between High School and College: Promoting a Sense of Belonging in a Freshman Seminar Course

Abstract: Traditional undergraduate students from the United States often find the transition from high school to college difficult. Challenges include inadequate preparation, a loss of interest, adjusting to poor instruction, discouragement due to low grades, financial difficulties, family problems, and cultural issues which impact the students' sense of belonging. The focus of this paper is to describe how a Freshman Seminar course for computing majors was implemented to positively impact all incoming freshmen and to promote this sense of belonging, which is the central objective of the course. Results of our assessment showed increases in positive student interactions with faculty and students, and an increase in the sense of belonging. The paper describes the Freshman Seminar course, reports findings drawn from the quantitative and qualitative data, and outlines further initiatives to be made in the course to help students successfully cross the cultural border between high school and college.