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- Title
- An Examination of Literacy Based Beha.
- Creator
- Hall Pistorio, Kalynn, Brady, Michael P., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Exceptional Student Education
- Abstract/Description
-
Preparing young children for kindergarten is an important task. There are many skills that need to be learned. Simple everyday school and daily living tasks are kindergarten readiness skills that need to be taught. Many preschool students struggle to learn these skills unless taught directly. There are a sufficient number of interventions that have been used to teach various skills to students, but few have been identified as evidenced-based practices for teaching skills to at-risk preschool...
Show morePreparing young children for kindergarten is an important task. There are many skills that need to be learned. Simple everyday school and daily living tasks are kindergarten readiness skills that need to be taught. Many preschool students struggle to learn these skills unless taught directly. There are a sufficient number of interventions that have been used to teach various skills to students, but few have been identified as evidenced-based practices for teaching skills to at-risk preschool students in the classroom. Literacy based behavioral interventions (LBBI) (Bucholz, Brady, Duffy, Scott, & Kontosh, 2008) are a class of intervention that have been found to be effective to teach a variety of skills. This type of intervention consists of a combination of sequenced visuals and words to either teach a new skill and/or increase or decrease a behavior. Several studies have shown that a storybook LBBI is an effective intervention for teaching new skills including daily living skills, but to date only one study has looked at the effects of a storybook LBBI with preschool children who are at-risk (Hall, Brady, & Morris, 2017). This study expanded the storybook LBBI literature by exploring the effect of small group-delivered storybook LBBIs on preschool students who were at-risk and struggling to learn basic kindergarten readiness skills. Using a multiple baseline design across skills, this study examined the effectiveness of using LBBIs delivered in a small group to teach kindergarten readiness skills and the children’s ability to maintain and generalize these skills. Four preschool students were taught three skills including cutting with scissors, using liquid glue, and matching. Data were collected on the steps correct and independent on the task analysis for each skill. The results found an increase in skill acquisition with students learning the new skills and maintaining those skills after the removal of the LBBI. Students were also able to generalize these new skills to novel materials. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013066
- Subject Headings
- Preschool children--Education., Teaching young children., Kindergarten., Literacy.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An examination of immediate outcomes following a single session of mindfulness meditation.
- Creator
- Stiksma, Melissa, Levy, Morgan, Vernon, Laura
- Date Issued
- 2013-04-05
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361193
- Subject Headings
- Meditation, Mindfulness in behavioral health
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An examination of how middle school science teachers conduct collaborative inquiry and reflection about students’ conceptual understanding.
- Creator
- Todd-Gibson, Christine, Weber, Roberta K., College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
This qualitative case study examined how middle school science teachers conducted collaborative inquiry and reflection about students’ conceptual understanding, and how individual teachers in the middle school science group acted and made reflections in response to their collaborative inquiry. It also examined external influences that affected the teachers’ ability to engage in collaborative inquiry. Observational, written, and interview data were collected from observations of teachers’ face...
Show moreThis qualitative case study examined how middle school science teachers conducted collaborative inquiry and reflection about students’ conceptual understanding, and how individual teachers in the middle school science group acted and made reflections in response to their collaborative inquiry. It also examined external influences that affected the teachers’ ability to engage in collaborative inquiry. Observational, written, and interview data were collected from observations of teachers’ face-to-face meetings and reflections, individual interviews, a focus group interview, and online reflections. The results of this study revealed that collaborative inquiry is a form of professional development that includes answering curricular questions through observation, communication, action, and reflection. This approach was developed and implemented by middle school science teachers. The premise of an inquiry is based on a need with students. Middle school science teachers came to consensus about actions to affect students’ conceptual understanding, took action as stated, and shared their reflections of the actions taken with consideration to current and upcoming school activities. Activities involved teachers brainstorming and sharing with one another, talking about how the variables were merged into their curriculum, and how they impacted students’ conceptual understanding. Teachers valued talking with one another about science content and pedagogy, but did find the inquiry portion of the approach to require more development. The greatest challenge to conducting collaborative inquiry and reflection was embedding teacher inquiry within a prescribed inquiry that was already being conducted by the Sundown School District. Collaborative inquiry should be structured so that it meets the needs of teachers in order to attend to the needs of students. A conducive atmosphere for collaborative inquiry and reflection is one in which administrators make the process mandatory and facilitate the process by removing an existing inquiry.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004066
- Subject Headings
- Achievement in education, Concept learning -- Study and teaching (Middle school), Inquiry (Theory of knowledge), Middle school teaching, Science -- Study and teaching (Middle school), Team learning approach in education
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Examination of Factors Impacting Managerial Behavior towards Compliance Controls: Impact of the EPA Audit Policy.
- Creator
- Davis, Phebian, Higgs, Julia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, School of Accounting
- Abstract/Description
-
The United States established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental pollution standards through various programs and policies. One such policy, the Audit Policy, allows companies to voluntarily self-report violations to the Agency in exchange for elimination of certain penalties. Despite the policy, firms still incur large environmental penalties, thus indicating the need for better understanding of the policy. A necessary but not...
Show moreThe United States established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental pollution standards through various programs and policies. One such policy, the Audit Policy, allows companies to voluntarily self-report violations to the Agency in exchange for elimination of certain penalties. Despite the policy, firms still incur large environmental penalties, thus indicating the need for better understanding of the policy. A necessary but not sufficient condition for penalty relief under the Audit Policy requires discovery of violations by an environmental audit or a compliance management system. This research explores the option of discovery by a compliance management system and examines the motivation of managers to invest in an environmental management system (EMS). The theory of reasoned action (TRA) argues that attitude and subjective norms precede intentions. I use this theory to investigate what factors cause a manager to invest in an environmental management system (EMS). Additionally, I examine whether environmental attitude, tolerance for ambiguity and willful blindness are antecedents to attitude towards an EMS. In this study, I develop and test a scale of the willful blindness construct and measure its impact on managerial decision-making. The willful blindness construct development produced a one-item measure. My results support all hypotheses except for the predicted link between tolerance for ambiguity and attitude.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005924
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, United States. Environmental Protection Agency--Auditing., Compliance., Environmental pollution.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- AN EXAMINATION OF DOWNSCALING A FLOOD RISK SCREENING TOOL AT THE WATERSHED, SUBWATERSHED, AND MUNICIPAL LEVELS.
- Creator
- Hindle, Tucker, Bloetscher, Frederick, Su, Hongbo, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
This research aims to develop a large-scale locally relevant flood risk screening tool, that is, one capable of generating accurate probabilistic inundation maps quickly while still detecting localized nuisance-destructive flood potential. The CASCADE 2001 routing model is integrated with GIS to compare the predicted flood response to heavy rains at the watershed, subwatershed, and municipal levels. Therefore, the objective is to evaluate the impact of scale for determining flood risk in a...
Show moreThis research aims to develop a large-scale locally relevant flood risk screening tool, that is, one capable of generating accurate probabilistic inundation maps quickly while still detecting localized nuisance-destructive flood potential. The CASCADE 2001 routing model is integrated with GIS to compare the predicted flood response to heavy rains at the watershed, subwatershed, and municipal levels. Therefore, the objective is to evaluate the impact of scale for determining flood risk in a community. The findings indicate that a watershed-level analysis captures most flooding. However, the flood prediction improves to match existing FEMA flood maps as drill-down occurs at the subwatershed and municipal scales. The drill-down modeling solution presented in this study provides the necessary degree of local relevance for excellent detection in developed areas because of the downscaling techniques and local infrastructure. This validated model framework supports the development and prioritization of protection plans that address flood resilience in the context of watershed master planning and the Community Rating System.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013779
- Subject Headings
- Floods--Risk assessment, Watersheds
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Examination of Biomedical Intellectual Reputation in Relationship to Graduates’ Productivity, Regional Innovation and Absorptive Capacity at Selected Universities Worldwide.
- Creator
- Cavanaugh, Gesulla, Wright, Dianne A., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was first to determine factors associated with intellectual reputation. Second, the study aimed to examine intellectual reputation in relationship to doctoral graduates’ productivity in the biomedical sciences and in relationship to organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Third, the study aimed to visualize a spatial relationship between intellectual reputation and local organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Finally, a simulated...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was first to determine factors associated with intellectual reputation. Second, the study aimed to examine intellectual reputation in relationship to doctoral graduates’ productivity in the biomedical sciences and in relationship to organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Third, the study aimed to visualize a spatial relationship between intellectual reputation and local organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Finally, a simulated research-based model was proposed for understanding hospital productivity. The study used quantitative analysis and The Geographic Information System GIS. The findings from this study suggest that university’s research intensity, having a Nobel Laureate on staff, Hirsch Index of the most prominent researcher on staff, scientific patent, scientific publications, and affiliation with multiple countries are good predictors of intellectual reputation. Correlation analysis suggests that university intellectual reputation is associated with doctoral graduates’ productivity. When examining the relationship between the university and hospitals, university intellectual reputation was positively correlated with hospital biomedical advancement. Hospital productivity was significantly correlated with university intellectual reputation. University intellectual reputation was significantly correlated with hospital capacity to absorb knowledge and knowledge spillover. Regression analysis also reveals that hospital capacity to absorb knowledge and knowledge spillover are good predictors of hospital biomedical advancement, F 2, 176 62.637, p 0.001.Visual examination of the hospitals suggests that when universities publish at a large quantity, this influences hospitals within the area to publish as well. Additionally, hospitals that are more productive tend to cluster around universities with higher intellectual reputation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005807
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An examination of biomedical intellectual reputation in relationship to graduates’ productivity, regional innovation and absorptive capacity at selected universities worldwide.
- Creator
- Cavanaugh, Gesulla, Wright, Dianne A., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was first to determine factors associated with intellectual reputation, specifically among selected biomedical departments worldwide within the university setting. Second, the study aimed to examine intellectual reputation in relationship to doctoral graduates’ productivity in the biomedical sciences and in relationship to organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Third, the study aimed to visualize a spatial relationship between intellectual reputation...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was first to determine factors associated with intellectual reputation, specifically among selected biomedical departments worldwide within the university setting. Second, the study aimed to examine intellectual reputation in relationship to doctoral graduates’ productivity in the biomedical sciences and in relationship to organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Third, the study aimed to visualize a spatial relationship between intellectual reputation and local organizational biomedical advancement and productivity in the United States and the United Kingdom. Finally, a simulated research-based model was proposed for understanding hospital productivity. The study used quantitative analysis in order to achieve these goals. The Geographic Information System (GIS) and Geocommons were used to visualize possible relationship between universities and hospitals in different regions. The findings from this study suggest that the university’s research intensity, having a Nobel Laureate on staff, Hirsch Index of the most prominent researcher on staff, scientific patent, scientific publications, and affiliation with multiple countries are good predictors of intellectual reputation. Correlation analysis suggests that university intellectual reputation is associated with doctoral graduates’ productivity. When examining the relationship between the university and hospitals, university intellectual reputation was positively correlated with hospital biomedical advancement, r= .445, p =0.001. Hospital productivity was significantly correlated with university intellectual reputation, r= .322, p =0.001. University intellectual reputation was significantly correlated with hospital capacity to absorb knowledge (r= 0.211, p =0.005) and knowledge spillover (r=.242, p =0.001). Regression analysis reveals that hospital capacity to absorb knowledge and knowledge spillover are good predictors of hospital biomedical advancement, F (2, 176) = 52.637, p = 0.001. Hospital capacity to absorb knowledge, affiliation with a university, intellectual reputation of the affiliated university, and distance between the hospital and the affiliated university were shown to be good predictors to hospital productivity, F (4, 106) = 11.115, p = 0.001. Visual examination of the hospitals suggests that when the universities publish at a large quantity, this tends to influence the hospitals within the area to publish a large quantity as well. Additionally, hospitals that are more productive tend to cluster around universities with higher intellectual reputation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004090, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004090
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement -- Measurement, Educational productivity -- Measurement, Universities and colleges -- Ratings and rankings
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Examination of African-American Male Awareness of and Application to Honors Programs.
- Creator
- Balzora, Lulrick, Wright, Dianne A., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to examine African-American male awareness of and application to honors programs at two selected state colleges in the southeastern region of the United States. The researcher also attempted to fill a current void in the literature and to present an emergent theory for attracting African-American males to honors programs in State College settings. A disproportionate amount of research focuses on remediation and underachievement among African-American males. The...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine African-American male awareness of and application to honors programs at two selected state colleges in the southeastern region of the United States. The researcher also attempted to fill a current void in the literature and to present an emergent theory for attracting African-American males to honors programs in State College settings. A disproportionate amount of research focuses on remediation and underachievement among African-American males. The lack of information on the experiences of high ability African-American males leaves many unanswered questions about how to best recruit and serve the needs of this population of students. This study focused on high achievers rather than languish over the problem of underachievers. It examined the level of awareness of gifted African-American male students regarding honors programs at the collegiate level. It also analyzed how institutional atmosphere/reputation, facilities , personal influences, and incentives affect the decision of African-American males to apply to honors. The format for this study was a mixed method design. It included quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis. To satisfy the quantitative nature of this study, IBM SPSS 21.0 was used for the purpose of data analysis via binomial tests. Furthermore, the researcher conducted four semi-structured focus groups. Qualitative data analysis procedures were used to understand and interpret the undergirding knowledge that may have played a role in the decisions made by African-American males in terms of whether or not to apply to honors programs. The study findings revealed that African-American male participants valued the atmosphere and reputation of an honors program more than facilities, personal influences, and incentives. However, awareness of this and others factors among African-American male honors applicants and honors non-applicants was often based on the personal influences in their lives. The results of this study and its emergent theory suggest that, rather than simply showcase gifted abilities, state colleges strategically place honors in a leadership role to increase the presence of persons of influence that motivate high achieving African-American males to enroll in its honors programs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004481, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004481
- Subject Headings
- Academic achievement -- United States, African American young men -- Education (Higher), College student development programs, Educational equalization -- United States, Minority students -- Education (Higher), Talented students -- Education (Higher), Universities and colleges -- Honors courses
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- AN EXAMINATION OF ADOLESCENT MATERNAL–INFANT ATTACHMENT RELATIONSHIP OUTCOMES FOLLOWING A FIRSTPLAY® THERAPY INFANT STORYTELLING-MASSAGE INTERVENTION: A PILOT STUDY.
- Creator
- Baldwin, Karen M., Thompson, Heather, Florida Atlantic University, School of Social Work, College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
- Abstract/Description
-
Adolescent mothers experience many factors that affect their ability to securely attach to their infants and are therefore considered a high-risk population. In addition, infants of adolescent mothers are at an increased risk of developing insecure attachment. FirstPlay® Therapy Infant Storytelling-Massage is an attachment-based, parent–infant adjunctive play therapy model founded on the theoretical underpinning of attachment theory. The current study implemented a one-time intervention with...
Show moreAdolescent mothers experience many factors that affect their ability to securely attach to their infants and are therefore considered a high-risk population. In addition, infants of adolescent mothers are at an increased risk of developing insecure attachment. FirstPlay® Therapy Infant Storytelling-Massage is an attachment-based, parent–infant adjunctive play therapy model founded on the theoretical underpinning of attachment theory. The current study implemented a one-time intervention with an adolescent mother population in a group home setting. A pretest/posttest design was utilized to measure the impact of FirstPlay® Therapy on the variables of an adolescent mother’s levels of maternal attachment and comfort with physical touch. Participants in this study (N = 5) were adolescent mothers ages 18–21 years old, who were recruited from four maternity group homes in two counties in South Florida. Five adolescent mothers completed the FirstPlay® Therapy for pre and posttest data. No significant differences were found in the areas of maternal attachment and predisposition to touch before and 2 weeks after the intervention. There were some significant relationships found among the demographic variables specific to an adolescent mother’s history of employment status and her child welfare history as well as the age of the mother and the age of her infant. In addition, at posttest, a significant relationship was found between the sex of the infant and the total score on the PCAQ. Although no statistically significant findings were presented, recommendations for further research include extending this intervention to a broader population of adolescent mothers across a variety of settings to focus on early infant-attachment relationships.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013451
- Subject Headings
- Adolescent mothers, Teenage mothers, Mother and infant, Play therapy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Examination of Academic Performance of Haitian- Creole- and Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners Based on the Number of Years in the ELL program.
- Creator
- Augustin, Ducarmel S., Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The primary purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between Haitian-Creole and Spanish-speaking English Language Learners students’ number of years in the ELL program and their academic achievement as indicated by performance on the third-grade Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test Reading. This study also sought to determine if elementary school size (total student population), ELL student count (total number of ELL students in a school), school socioeconomic status (percentage...
Show moreThe primary purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between Haitian-Creole and Spanish-speaking English Language Learners students’ number of years in the ELL program and their academic achievement as indicated by performance on the third-grade Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test Reading. This study also sought to determine if elementary school size (total student population), ELL student count (total number of ELL students in a school), school socioeconomic status (percentage of free and reduced lunch), student gender, and student home language (Haitian-Creole and Spanish), individual SES, and individual Idea Proficiency Test moderate the relationship. The study included data analysis using quantitative methods for the 141 elementary schools in school district. A bivariate correlation of the Pearson Correlation value (r = -.021, p > .05) was used to test the relationship between the number of years in the ELL program and achievement results for third-grade student FCAT Reading proficiency and the moderator variables (elementary school size, ELL student count, school SES, student gender, student home language, individual SES, and IPT individual score). Later, a multiple regression was used to test the moderation hypotheses. The study found that the degree of relationship between the number of years students are in the ELL program and FCAT scores of Haitian-Creole- and Spanishspeaking English Language Learner students is higher as SES increases. As SES decreases, so does the relationship. Of the 1,204 records reviewed, 423 were classified as Haitian-Creole-speaking students versus 782 classified as Spanish-speaking students. Only 16% of the students scored a level 3-5 (passed as proficient) as opposed to 84% who scored a level 1-2 (non-proficient). The study reveals a need for further research to investigate the impact that ELLs’ SES as well as the school’s SES has on the school’s achievement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004654, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004654
- Subject Headings
- English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers, School improvement programs -- Florida, Second language acquisition
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- AN EVERGLADES LITERACY WORKSHOP FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS: A CASE STUDY OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND EDUCATOR TEACHING EXPERIENCES.
- Creator
- Mitchell, Erin, Bhagwanji, Yashwant, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry, College of Education
- Abstract/Description
-
Environmental Education (EE) has an overall goal of fostering eco-literate citizens who are capable of building a more sustainable planet (North American Association for Environmental Education, 2019). While EE is associated with a plethora of benefits, it is still not widely implemented in the field of education due to the many types of barriers as well as the complexity of EE content knowledge and skills. Professional Development (PD) in EE may be a viable way to increase effective...
Show moreEnvironmental Education (EE) has an overall goal of fostering eco-literate citizens who are capable of building a more sustainable planet (North American Association for Environmental Education, 2019). While EE is associated with a plethora of benefits, it is still not widely implemented in the field of education due to the many types of barriers as well as the complexity of EE content knowledge and skills. Professional Development (PD) in EE may be a viable way to increase effective implementation of EE, yet PD in EE is not widely attended or offered. It is, therefore, imperative that PD programs are designed in a way that will maximize the benefits for participants. This mixed methods case study examined the experiences of K-5 educators who attended a one-day, Everglades Literacy Teacher Training Workshop in order to understand the effective components of the workshop, changes in teacher content knowledge and self-efficacy, and experiences of teachers after the implementation of the Everglades literacy curriculum in their classrooms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013762
- Subject Headings
- Environmental education, Professional development, Teachers' workshops
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Evaluative Study of the Bornoff and Suzuki String Methods.
- Creator
- Float, Diane, Robinson, Kenneth H., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
It is mandatory from the research on the Bornoff and Suzuki methods that the entire gamut of string education owe Dr. Bornoff and Mr . Suzuki for their outstanding contributions, dedication and commitment to the promotion of strings around the world. Their results are so remarkable and so convincing that both authors have attracted teachers and artists from many lands both near and far in an in-depth study into their methods. It is through this greater search for knowledge and understanding...
Show moreIt is mandatory from the research on the Bornoff and Suzuki methods that the entire gamut of string education owe Dr. Bornoff and Mr . Suzuki for their outstanding contributions, dedication and commitment to the promotion of strings around the world. Their results are so remarkable and so convincing that both authors have attracted teachers and artists from many lands both near and far in an in-depth study into their methods. It is through this greater search for knowledge and understanding that one can become a more successful teacher. This study has been undertaken to satisfy the need for a mora progressive string method or pedagogy in lieu of outdated string methods used year after year. Such a study has enabled the author to gain a thorough and in-depth understanding of the sequential teaching techniques of the Bornoff String Method and the Suzuki String Method and has helped her lead her string students to a more continuous and successful musical achievement. Research conducted on the philosophy and biography of Dr. Bornoff and Mr. Suzuki has shed important light on the "make-up" of their methods. A study of comparisons and similarities of both approaches was conducted and presented in Chapter VI. The author utilized information acquired from all available literature (periodicals, books, reports and music) and summer workshops along with her teac:bing experience to construct Chapter V on the teaching techniques of both methods. In the conclusion, the author reveals her combined plan of the teaching techniques of both methods, according to the highest of ideals for developinc one's potential to the fullest.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1970
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000631
- Subject Headings
- Stringed instruments--Methods, Stringed instruments--Instruction and study
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An evaluation of Unsupervised Machine Learning Algorithms for Detecting Fraud and Abuse in the U.S. Medicare Insurance Program.
- Creator
- Da Rosa, Raquel C., Khoshgoftaar, Taghi M., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
The population of people ages 65 and older has increased since the 1960s and current estimates indicate it will double by 2060. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older in the United States. Medicare claims fraud and abuse is an ongoing issue that wastes a large amount of money every year resulting in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone. In this study, an empirical evaluation of several unsupervised machine learning approaches is performed which...
Show moreThe population of people ages 65 and older has increased since the 1960s and current estimates indicate it will double by 2060. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older in the United States. Medicare claims fraud and abuse is an ongoing issue that wastes a large amount of money every year resulting in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone. In this study, an empirical evaluation of several unsupervised machine learning approaches is performed which indicates reasonable fraud detection results. We employ two unsupervised machine learning algorithms, Isolation Forest and Unsupervised Random Forest, which have not been previously used for the detection of fraud and abuse on Medicare data. Additionally, we implement three other machine learning methods previously applied on Medicare data which include: Local Outlier Factor, Autoencoder, and k-Nearest Neighbor. For our dataset, we combine the 2012 to 2015 Medicare provider utilization and payment data and add fraud labels from the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) database. Results show that Local Outlier Factor is the best model to use for Medicare fraud detection.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013042
- Subject Headings
- Machine learning, Medicare fraud, Algorithms
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An evaluation of potential diets for the culture of postpueruli spiny lobsters Panulirus argus (Palinuridae).
- Creator
- Cox, Serena L., Davis, Megan
- Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3174107
- Subject Headings
- Spiny lobsters, Spiny lobster culture, Sea crayfish
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An evaluation of post-classification comparison for historical land information systems.
- Creator
- Roberts, Richard Scott., Florida Atlantic University, Roberts, Charles
- Abstract/Description
-
The population of southeast Florida has grown considerably since the 1940's. Managing this population growth has challenged urban planners and growth managers. Prior to 1970, geographers and cartographers struggled with mapping this area as the landscape underwent rapid transformation to accommodate millions of new residents. With the launch of the Landsat satellite series in 1972, digital satellite images of southeast Florida have been acquired every 18 days to provide geographers and...
Show moreThe population of southeast Florida has grown considerably since the 1940's. Managing this population growth has challenged urban planners and growth managers. Prior to 1970, geographers and cartographers struggled with mapping this area as the landscape underwent rapid transformation to accommodate millions of new residents. With the launch of the Landsat satellite series in 1972, digital satellite images of southeast Florida have been acquired every 18 days to provide geographers and cartographers with a new tool for monitoring land use change. This thesis examines the utility of using this new tool combined with historical aerial photographs to document land use change through time.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1997
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15418
- Subject Headings
- Landscape assessment--Florida, Landscape changes--Florida, Land use--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An evaluation of machine learning algorithms for tweet sentiment analysis.
- Creator
- Prusa, Joseph D., Khoshgoftaar, Taghi M., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Sentiment analysis of tweets is an application of mining Twitter, and is growing in popularity as a means of determining public opinion. Machine learning algorithms are used to perform sentiment analysis; however, data quality issues such as high dimensionality, class imbalance or noise may negatively impact classifier performance. Machine learning techniques exist for targeting these problems, but have not been applied to this domain, or have not been studied in detail. In this thesis we...
Show moreSentiment analysis of tweets is an application of mining Twitter, and is growing in popularity as a means of determining public opinion. Machine learning algorithms are used to perform sentiment analysis; however, data quality issues such as high dimensionality, class imbalance or noise may negatively impact classifier performance. Machine learning techniques exist for targeting these problems, but have not been applied to this domain, or have not been studied in detail. In this thesis we discuss research that has been conducted on tweet sentiment classification, its accompanying data concerns, and methods of addressing these concerns. We test the impact of feature selection, data sampling and ensemble techniques in an effort to improve classifier performance. We also evaluate the combination of feature selection and ensemble techniques and examine the effects of high dimensionality when combining multiple types of features. Additionally, we provide strategies and insights for potential avenues of future work.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004460, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004460
- Subject Headings
- Social media., Natural language processing (Computer science), Machine learning., Algorithms., Fuzzy expert systems., Artificial intelligence.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Evaluation of English Placement Instruments for First Term Freshmen At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
- Creator
- Cunningham, James Michael, Dziuban, Charles D., Cook, Joseph B., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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The purposes of this study were the assessment of written language skills of Embry-Riddle freshmen, the development of appropriate English placement criteria and the evaluation of the existing remedial English course. Data for the statistical analyses were collected during the 1982 calendar year and describe the test scores and course performances of 418 freshman students. T~irteen variables, two nominal,_ seven predictor and four criterion, were intercorreiated using frequency distributions,...
Show moreThe purposes of this study were the assessment of written language skills of Embry-Riddle freshmen, the development of appropriate English placement criteria and the evaluation of the existing remedial English course. Data for the statistical analyses were collected during the 1982 calendar year and describe the test scores and course performances of 418 freshman students. T~irteen variables, two nominal,_ seven predictor and four criterion, were intercorreiated using frequency distributions, Pearson product moment correlations, stepwise multiple regression analyses and analysis of variance calculations. Final grades in regular and remedial English along with end-of-course essay and objective test scores were interrelated with high school grade point averages (HS GPA), Scholastic Aptitude TestVerbal (SAT-V) scores, Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) scores, S~bry-Riddle English placement .exam (EPE) essay and objective scores, and precourse · essay and objective test (Pretest-E, Pretest-G) scores. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between 86% of the paired variables; higher coefficients appeared between tests of the same genre (essay or objective) than between tests of different genres. Regression analysis results indicate that writing samples predict essay exam scores best, but that standardized tests and high school averages predict final grades in freshman English better than University prepared measures of writing skills. Final grades in first term English appear to be less dependent upon demonstrated writing proficiency than had been initially hypothesized. Student gains in end-of-course test scores over precourse levels were significantly greater among students taking remedial English than among students in regular English .. Inconsistencies among instructors in the assignment af course graaes proved to be significant, especia!Jy between faculty of different academic ranks; this common reliability limitation in the grading of individual - students by individual instructors was taken into account in the interpretation of results. Recognizing that English placement errors inhibit both individual student progress and the overall educational process, it is recommended that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University adopt an optimally weighted combination of writing skills measures, consistent with the findings of this research, to replace its current placement model.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1983
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000659
- Subject Headings
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University--Freshmen, Educational tests and measurements, English language--Ability testing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An evaluation of diving and submersible systems.
- Creator
- Cook, Roger W., Prentice, Jeffrey R.
- Date Issued
- 1978
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3358617
- Subject Headings
- Submersibles, Scuba apparatus, Submersibles--History
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Evaluation of Deep Learning with Class Imbalanced Big Data.
- Creator
- Johnson, Justin Matthew, Khoshgoftaar, Taghi M., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
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Effective classification with imbalanced data is an important area of research, as high class imbalance is naturally inherent in many real-world applications, e.g. anomaly detection. Modeling such skewed data distributions is often very difficult, and non-standard methods are sometimes required to combat these negative effects. These challenges have been studied thoroughly using traditional machine learning algorithms, but very little empirical work exists in the area of deep learning with...
Show moreEffective classification with imbalanced data is an important area of research, as high class imbalance is naturally inherent in many real-world applications, e.g. anomaly detection. Modeling such skewed data distributions is often very difficult, and non-standard methods are sometimes required to combat these negative effects. These challenges have been studied thoroughly using traditional machine learning algorithms, but very little empirical work exists in the area of deep learning with class imbalanced big data. Following an in-depth survey of deep learning methods for addressing class imbalance, we evaluate various methods for addressing imbalance on the task of detecting Medicare fraud, a big data problem characterized by extreme class imbalance. Case studies herein demonstrate the impact of class imbalance on neural networks, evaluate the efficacy of data-level and algorithm-level methods, and achieve state-of-the-art results on the given Medicare data set. Results indicate that combining under-sampling and over-sampling maximizes both performance and efficiency.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013221
- Subject Headings
- Deep learning, Big data, Medicare fraud--Prevention
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An evaluation of acoustic and video methods to estimate the abundance and vertical distribution of jellyfish.
- Creator
- Bamstedt, Ulf, Kaartvedt, S., Youngbluth, Marsh J.
- Date Issued
- 2003
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3177160
- Subject Headings
- Jellyfishes, Vertical distribution (Aquatic biology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
