Predicting Degree Completion: Examining the Interaction between Orientation Course Participation and Ethnic Background

This article reports an examination of the predictive nature of orientation course participation and degree completion. It also inspects the potential interactions between ethnic background, orientation course participation, and degree completion. Although interaction terms for African American and Hispanic student participation in orientation courses were not significantly predictive of degree completion, a significant main effect was found for orientation course participation and degree completion. Graduation for students who participated in the orientation course was 72 times higher than for nonparticipants. This main effect—as well as the interaction term for White students participating in the orientation course—and degree completion accounted for 30% of the variance in the criterion of variable degree completion.     

Attention problems,phonological short-term memory,and visuospatial short-term memory: Differential effects on near- and long-term scholastic achievement

The current study examined individual differences in children's phonological and visuospatial short-term memory as potential mediators of the relationship among attention problems and near- and long-term scholastic achievement. Nested structural equation models revealed that teacher-reported attention problems were associated negatively with composite scholastic achievement (reading, math, language), both initially and at 4-year follow-up in an ethnically diverse sample of children (N = 317). Much of this influence, however, was attenuated by phonological short-term memory's contribution to near-term achievement and visuospatial short-term memory's contribution to long-term achievement. Domain-specific reading and math models showed similar results with some exceptions. In all models, measured intelligence made no contribution to later achievement beyond its initial influence on early achievement. The results contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms associated with individual differences in children's scholastic achievement, and have potential implications for identifying early predictors of children at risk for academic failure, and developing remedial programs targeting phonological and visuospatial short-term memory deficits in children with attention problems.     

Differentiating telephone surveys from telemarketing to increase response rates

The purpose of this study is to test whether including “I'm not selling anything” in telephone survey introductions reduces refusals and increases response rates. Experiences with and attitudes toward telemarketing also are assessed. Based on telephone interviews with an RDD sample of 655 in the Seattle metropolitan area, including the statement “I'm not selling anything” in the introduction does not significantly affect response rates. Only an introduction with a university reference significantly increases response rates. Also, respondents in the condition with no survey legitimization have a significantly more favorable attitude toward telemarketing than respondents in the condition with survey legitimization.     

Being our best: Understanding the relationship between empowerment and employee engagement among midlevel student affairs professionals

Over the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of student service personnel, yet demand has outstripped this growth leading to turnover and low employee satisfaction. Scholars and practitioners alike have called for increased levels of empowerment of these workers, but the outcomes of this approach need further analysis. We utilize data from a survey of international centre directors in the United States and employ a partial least squares-based structural equation modelling to investigate the relationship between empowerment and employ perceptions including work satisfaction, organizational commitment, perspective of leadership and personal engagement. Specifically, trust meaning and personal consequence are strong components of empowerment in this sample. Our results indicate a positive relationship between empowerment and job satisfaction, organizational commitment and perspectives on leadership. In addition, we find that organizational commitment mediates the relationship between empowerment and personal engagement.