Jimmy Kijai

Factors that contribute to the educational success of Haitian‐American women

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contributed to the academic success of Haitian‐American women. This study was also conducted to determine if factors attributed to by academically successful Haitian women are related to selected demographic characteristics. Two hundred and thirteen Haitian women selected from the National Haitian Student Alliance, with at least a Bachelor’s degree, participated. They completed an online survey designed to elicit demographic information and their perception of the factors. Our results indicate that self‐motivation, financial assistance, access to resources, self‐perception and time management are among the most important factors that contributed to their academic success. Less important are community support and knowledge of a second language. Statistically significant relationships were found between a linear combination of the 16 success factors and only the following demographic characteristics: birthplace, years taken to complete college, father’s level of education and participant’s residence region.

Adolescents’ Faith Commitments as Correlates of Their Involvement in Christian Service

ABSTRACT This study sought to determine the relationship between adolescents’ involvement in service to others and their commitment to religious values and Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. Canonical correlation indicated that adolescents’ involvement in service to others is significantly related to their commitment to religious values and beliefs. Results indicated that greater commitment to religious values and Seventh-day Adventist beliefs among adolescents attending Seventh-day Adventist schools is correlated with greater involvement in service to others.

A Synopsis of the Valuegenesis Study of Faith Maturity and Denominational Commitment

Concern with declining enrollment and commitment in Seventh-day Adventist schools in the United States and Canada led to one of the largest studies ever undertaken by any church group. Search Institute, a non-denominational Minneapolis research firm, was commissioned to conduct the study of approximately 13,500 students, parents, teachers, and pastors. Although the report findings were targeted to both practitioners and policymakers, questions have arisen over the appropriateness of the methodologies as well as the applicability of the findings. Analysis of the issues of validity involved in this study may inform any group considering large-scale survey research.