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J S Dowling

Publications and source records attributed to J S Dowling.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

A Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale for school-aged children: issues of reliability and validity.

The Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale (MSHS) was revised to assess sense of humor in school-aged children. One hundred sixteen children completed the modified MSHS. Chronbach alpha coefficients were .88 for the total scale and ranged from .78 to .85 for the subscales. Item to total MSHS score correlations ranged from .35 to .71. Concurrent validity was supported with a positive correlation between total MSHS score and children's rating of their degree of sense of humor (r = .42, P < .001). Although further testing is suggested, the modified MSHS can be used in clinical and research settings to assess a child's sense of humor and determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of using humor with children as they cope with childhood stressors.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

A collaborative research project on Therapeutic Touch.

The current shift toward granting funds for collaborative research proposals means that graduate nursing students must be prepared to participate in the collaborative research process. The authors describe how master's and doctoral students worked together with faculty to establish group norms, investigate, design, and disseminate a research proposal on Therapeutic Touch. Project goals, description of group members, and the benefits and limitations of collaborative research also are included. Evaluating the collaboration as a challenging yet enjoyable learning experience, students and faculty shared a successful scholarly endeavor that ultimately led to funding and implementation of a research proposal on Therapeutic Touch.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMed1995

Interrater reliability of isokinetic measures of knee flexion and extension.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the interrater reliability of peak torque and total work values obtained with isokinetic measures of knee flexion and extension. Eight male and eight female students were evaluated on four occasions by four different examiners (range of isokinetic test experience: 0 to 10 yrs) using a standardized isokinetic measurement protocol. Subjects were randomly assigned to participate in a test sequence determined by a 4 x 4 balanced Latin square. Peak torque and total work values at 60 degrees /sec and 180 degrees /sec were obtained for the concentric measures of knee extension and flexion. The measures of peak torque and total work were corrected for the effects of gravity. Intraclass correlation coefficients and standard error of measurement estimates were used to estimate the interrater reliability for each test condition (test speed x muscle group). Intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged from .90 to .96 for peak torque and .90 to .95 for total work. Standard error of measurement estimates ranged from 8.9 to 13.3 Nm for peak torque and 11.3 to 16.8 Nm for total work. The results of this investigation demonstrate that reliable measures of isokinetic muscle performance of knee extension and flexion may be obtained by four clinicians with varied experience when following a standardized measurement protocol.

Journal Article↗