Master's Theses

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Date of Award

Summer 1997

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Social Work

Advisor

Bill Daley

Abstract

The purpose of the researcher was to investigate perceptions of the cultural environment of a college campus as perceived by residence hall students. The following independent variables were used, citizenship, gender, academic classification, number of friend(s) of different cultures, length of time international students have been in the United States, and grade point average. Dependent variables were scores from the Perceptions of Racial Climates in Residence Halls Questionnaire: Perception of Hall Environment, Perception of Hall Peers, Perception of Staff, Perception of Hall Government, Perception of Campus Environment and Total Score. As in the Zheng (1994) study, a status survey factorial design was employed. The sample consisted of 133 students which included 71 males and 62 females. A total of 144 comparisons were made with 138 recurring. Of 144 comparisons, 42 were for main effects and 102 were for interactions. Of the 42 main effects 11 were statistically significant at the .0500 level. Of the 102 interactions 3 were statistically significant at the .0500 level. Seven composite null hypotheses were tested at the .0500 level of significance employing a three-factor analysis of variance (General Linear Model). The results of the present study appeared to support the following generalizations: 1. Sophomore and junior students have a more positive perception of peers than freshman, senior and graduate students. 2. Students that have 5 or more friends have more positive perception of peers than those with 4 or fewer friends. 3. American students have a more positive perception of hall government than International students. 4. American students have a more positive opinion of peers than International students. 5. American students have a more positive opinion of campus environment than do International Students. 6. Gender, academic classifications, and number of friend(s) of different cultures should be examined simultaneously for perception of peers. 7. Number of friend(s) of different cultures and citizenship should be examined simultaneously for perception of peers, and 8. Citizenship and gender should be examined simultaneously for perception of campus environment.

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Rights

© 1997 Robert Eric Grospitch

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