Digital Commons Network^™

Race, Gender, And Leadership Promotion: The Moderating Effect Of Social Dominance Orientation, Chelsea Chatham

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The current study aims to examine the effects that applicant race and gender have on ratings of promotability for a leadership role. The current study will also investigate the role that Social Dominance Orientation, an individual difference variable that reflects attitudes towards intergroup relations being equal or not, plays in attitudes towards a candidate's promotability. 213 participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 (candidates race: Caucasian vs. African-American) × 2 (candidates gender: male vs. female) factorial design and asked to assess the promotability of the candidate based on a brief work history and interview responses. …

Will Lil_Spoiled_Brat42@Mail.Com Get The Job Done? An Analysis Of Employees' Email Usernames, Turnover, And Job Performance, Jessica Marie Lillegaard

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The job application process is changing, so personal identifiers, such as email usernames are becoming a potential source of information on job applicants. Previous research presented in this paper shows people do not randomly choose their email, but it is a reflection of their personality. Blackhurst, Congemi, Meyer, and Sachau (2011) found email usernames could also explain some differences in pre-employment assessment measures. The present study coded 16,258 email usernames using the coding scheme developed by Blackhurst et al. (2011). Using tenure, termination, and job performance data provided by a large multinational customer service organization, the present study would examine …

Mobile Internet Testing: Applicant Reactions To Mobile Internet Testing, Sarah Smeltzer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

With the introduction and popularity of using mobile devices to access the internet, mobile-based pre-employment assessments are becoming increasingly common. Previous research suggests that mobile-based assessments are both valid and equivalent to computer based assessments and have no adverse impact. The current study was intended to examine applicant reactions to mobile-based assessments. Findings indicate that using a smartphone to complete a pre-employment assessment had no effect on biodata and personality measures scores. Applicants also reported that using a smartphone interfered with their opportunity to perform, and that they would prefer to complete assessments on a computer. Furthermore, the option of …

Leadership And The Implementation Of Culture Change In Long-Term Care, Alexandra Natasha Garklavs

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In understanding the culture change movement in long-term care and the factors that either foster or impede its sustainability, it is important to consider a number of factors. Since leadership is important in any organization and has been identified as crucial in the implementation of culture change in long-term care, this alternate plan paper focuses on the leadership factors that either facilitate or impede the implementation of culture change. Included in this alternate plan paper is a brief overview of the culture change movement in long-term care, the role of leadership versus management in the long-term care environment, types of …

Evidence-Based Treatment For Anxiety Disorders And Marijuana Use Across The Lifespan, Tanya Borchert

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to identify evidence-based practices relating to anxiety disorders and cannabis use throughout the lifespan. Identification of the practices will more effectively meet the needs of the clients served at the Dual Recovery Program and allow the agency to best serve clients with co-occurring anxiety disorders and cannabis use in a parallel manner. The literature indicates that there is a correlation between anxiety disorders and cannabis abuse (Buckner & Schmidt, 2011; Buckner, Zvolensky, & Schmidt, 2012; Bricker, et al., 2006; Bonn-Miller, Vujanovic, Boden, & Gross, 2011). If the anxiety disorder can be properly diagnosed …

Respectful Workplace And Violence Prevention A Fidelity Checklist For Mndot D7, Annemarie Burgess

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The Minnesota Department of Transportation strives to provide a safe and respectful workplace. Wiens (2011) notes that “Government makes up 18 percent of the U.S. workforce, according to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service; yet, 30 percent of victims of workplace violence are federal, state or local government employees”(p. 5). District 7 of the Minnesota Department of Transportation has identified issues of ongoing concern that include: communication problems, gender and generational differences, and potential union based seniority conflicts resulting in perceived intimidation and interpersonal conflict. This Capstone project was an effort to develop a fidelity checklist to ensure that state …

Evidence-Based Protocols For Assessment And Treatment Of Adolescent Suicide Risk In An Emergency Department, Rebecca Bentele

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Suicide and suicide attempts are a frequently encountered clinical crisis and the assessment, management and treatment of suicidal patients is one of the most stressful tasks for clinicians (Fowler, 2012). The purpose of this project was to examine whether current assessment and treatment protocols followed in the ED, Mankato, adhere to best-­‐practices as identified through research, as well as to make recommendations to MCHS-­‐Mankato for future considerations and potential modifications to existing protocols.

Development Of A Social Understanding Group Resource Manual, Tristann Carter

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The Social Understanding Group Resource Manual was developed to address the expressed need for a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum resource manual which would provide facilitators with easy reference to access categorized materials, activities, worksheets, and resources for Wayzata West Middle School’s Social Understanding Groups.

Truancy Intervention And Prevention Programs For The Marshall Middle School, Gayle Chandler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

After completing a field practicum at the Marshall Middle School in Marshall, MN it was realized that like many other schools in the nation; the truancy problem is growing at an alarmingly fast rate.

• The Marshall Middle School is comprised of grades 5-8.
• Under the age of 12 would be considered educational neglect.
• 12 years of age and older is considered truancy per Minnesota State Statute.

This project aims to research intervention and prevention programs for both truancy and educational neglect that have been tested, compare them to the needs of the Marshall Middle School, and make a recommendation as …

School Social Work: A Vital Link In Schools: A Report On School Work Services For The Mankato Area Public School District, Rachel Johnston

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

• The purpose of this research project was to obtain additional information, beyond the school social work job description, and document the job responsibilities, roles, activities, challenges, and contributions of the three school social workers working in the Mankato Area Public School District.
• The primary research question was: To what extent does the school social work job description match the work actually performed by the school social workers?
• The recommended ratio of school social worker to students by the National Association of Social Work (NASW) is 1:250 general education students or 1:50 at-risk or intensive needs students 16 The 3 school …

Family Counts: Education For Family Systems Impacted By Addiction, Tanya Friese

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Educating and empowering families through education. By educating the families of Project Turnabout patients and families will be more able to take care of themselves. When a family members needs are met they will in turn be more able to support their loved ones recovery. The goal of the Capstone is to have 3 to 4 modules of education to share with families over the course of their participation in the Project Turnabout family program.

A Guide To Understanding, Building And Sustaining An Effective Therapeutic Community, Sara Loose

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this guide is to facilitate an understanding of therapeutic community/ milieu therapy concepts as well as building and sustaining an effective therapeutic community on each unit, in each cottage, and within Leo A. Hoffmann Center as a whole. This guide includes evidence based research that supports the use of therapeutic community principles, and interventions and evaluation tools that can potentially be used by Leo A. Hoffmann Center to enhance services. Ultimately, the goal of the project is to provide the agency with a tangible, well rounded resource that can be used by the multidisciplinary team to provide …

Evaluation Guide: Mower County Health And Human Services Child Welfare Preventative Programs, Tina Meyer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) of 2010 identifies that State child protection systems should include interventions to prevent the occurrence and reoccurrence of child maltreatment. The Juvenile Protection Provisions of the Juvenile Court Act, describes the requirement of county social service agencies to provide reasonable efforts to prevent placement prior to the removal of any child from the home. Family poverty is cited as a central risk factor for child maltreatment. Vulnerability has an exponential relationship to risk exposure, and risk should not be considered as linear. Thus, families with multiple risk factors are at increased likelihood …

Identifying Cultural Framework For Assessing Cultural Components In Client Systems And Recommendations For Agency And Practitioner Level Culturally Responsive Practice, Imad Mohamed

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

A lack of cultural appropriate practice introduces barriers to case assessment, diagnostics assessment, intervention, and evaluation (Kirmayer, Groleau, Guzder, Blake, & Jarvis, 2003; Tyson & Flaskerud, 2009; Zayas, Torres, & Cabassa, 2009). Addressing these barriers starts with identifying a framework that provides holistic approach in promoting culturally responsive practice.

Recruitment Of American Indian Foster Parents, Donna Vig

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

• Help Family Connect meet the needs of Native American Foster Children.
• Increase the number of American Indian families who provide foster care for enrolled (or eligible for enrollment) tribal children.
• Educate all foster families by providing a cultural resource guide.

Identification Of Effective Play Techniques For Use With Children In A Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Jan Schwarzrock

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research project was to identify which play techniques are the most effective and produce good outcomes for children. Children enter therapy for a number of reasons to improve their emotional and cognitive wellbeing, however engaging them can be challenging. During a therapeutic session, children use play to share experiences through the toys they choose, whereas adults verbally express themselves. The Allina Health/NUMC Outpatient Therapy Department was interested in the identification of play techniques that they could be used to enhance their work with children with the intent to explore the impact of using play techniques on …

Paraphilias: Relevant Factors For Treatment Providers Of Sexual Offenders, Darren Tungsvik

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

• To educate clinical staff at MSOP of Paraphilic disorders and their factors related to the treatment of sexual offenders.
• Contribute to MSOP’s mission of promoting public safety through providing comprehensive treatment and reintegration opportunities for civilly committed sexual offenders.
• Need exists at MSOP with a lack of educational training materials for clinical staff of Paraphilic disorders and their treatment.

Best Practices For Designing And Implementing A Food Pantry In St. Peter Middle And High School, Kira Wellner

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In St. Peter's Independent School District #508, 50% of all elementary school students are enrolled in the free and reduced lunch, which is available only to low‐income households (Greater Mankato Area United Way, 2008). Furthermore, the overall food insecurity rate for Nicollet County is 9.6%, which translates to 3,090 people (Feeding America, 2013). Of those 3,090 people faced with food insecurity in Nicollet County, 1,000 are youth (Feeding America, 2013). This translates to a rate of 14.4% of youth facing food insecurity in Nicollet County (Feeding America, 2013). Even more distressing is that 39% of these youth are ineligible for …

African Postcolonial Leadership: The Contribution Of African Student Leaders In The United States, Eric Karikari

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This qualitative study which is a contribution to literature on postcolonialism in Africa emphasizes the work of leaders in African student organizations in the US. The study seeks to investigate if the agenda in African student organizations align with those of postcolonial leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, and Julius Nyerere. There were four male and three female leaders interviewed for the study. The leaders, who came from universities in the Midwest, Northwest and the South, talked about their leadership styles, organizational vision, and knowledge of African colonial history in the context of postcolonial leadership on the continent. The study …

Disentangling Individual, Organization, And Learning Process Factors That Drive Employee Participation, Diana Colangelo

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The current paper aims to understand the antecedents that predict employee participation in professional development activities. The primary objective of this study is to provide additional empirical support to the Wang and Wang (2004) theoretical model of factors that influence employee participation in learning and development activities and provide an integration of other factors from the literature. Data were collected from non-faculty staff of a large statewide college system that took part in an employee development survey assessing factors related to development, including age, level in organization, supervisor support, organizational support, policy support, and learning process factors. Results indicate that …

Making Sense Of Motorcycle Brotherhood: Women, Branding, And Construction Of Self, Kimberly Michelle Maas

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This project focused on the motorcycle culture as evidenced in the definition of motorcycling brotherhood, the role of women in motorcycle culture, branding, and construction of self-identity. This study is intended to provide an in-depth analysis of these four areas for every-day bikers rather than outlaw motorcycle gangs. Previous research to date has focused on the culture and context of brotherhood among outlaw motorcycle gangs. I use these four sections to determine what the everyday bikers understanding of brotherhood is, what women's current place is in motorcycle culture compared to men, the effects of branding and logos on motorcyclists, and …

Best Practices For Drug Court: How Drug Court Judges Influence Positive Outcomes, Karen Lynn Stimler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Drug courts are an important component in the criminal justice system directed toward efforts of rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addiction that lessens the rate of recidivism. Drug court is the alternative to incarceration and traditional addiction treatment. Drug court has been characterized as therapeutic adjudication. Using "Best Practices," drug courts staffed by a judge, court team, and community partners individualize treatment protocols to motivate participant compliance and lessen the impact of the social milieu that impacts his or her recovery. Drug courts have been deemed successful in part due to the role of the judge. This research sought to …

Towards New Urbanist Student Housing: A Comparative Pro Forma Analysis Of Private Mixed-Use Housing With University Owned Housing, Smita Rakshit

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The study has compared pro forma of privately owned mixed-use housing and university owned campus residence. The study is an endeavor to find out financial benefits of mixed-use campus residence. Modern planners and advocates of New Urbanism are making effort to encourage compact development in order to address the problems of suburban sprawl. Alarmed by the natural disasters and changing climate, planners have realized that sprawl is a major environmental issue that needs to be changed. Universities have also started building mixed-use residence for students to promote sustainability on campus. The study has focused on the financial aspect of mixed-use …

Communication Of Emotion In Music, Jesse Paul Huhnerkoch

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The communication of emotion in music has been shown to be dependent on musical structure and emotional prompting with lyrical messages. This study seeks a new approach to researching the communication of emotion in music by creating musical samples that are based upon the sound wave frequency parameters of emotive speaking. An electronic survey containing six different emotive musical samples was conducted to gather listener interpretations of the intended emotional quality. Further research is needed to properly distinguish the parameters of emotive frequencies in order to provide for exposure of the functionalities of this phenomenon.

How To Improve Theatre Arts Education In Chinese Higher Educational Institutes, Ji Ding

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Arts degree in theatre. Theatre Arts in China is in a state of decline. There are several possible ways to change this situation. This thesis will, through the comparison of Theatre Arts in higher education between China and the US, discuss what good lessons China may draw from the US in order to improve. The improved education of Theatre Arts in Chinese higher educational institutes may then be able to help the decline of Theatre Arts in China.

Best Practices For Implementing Trauma-Informed Care With Youth Who Are Homeless Or At- Risk Of Being Homeless, Ellen Morrow

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Exposure to traumatic events during childhood can affect brain development, how someone reacts to stress, and what they may find threatening or unsafe. Trauma can be a precursor to the development of a range of psychopathology including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, personality distortions and psychosis (APA, 2000, Rose, Freeman & Proudlock, 2012). Left untreated trauma can also result in medical conditions later in life including heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems and social conditions such as homelessness, prostitution or delinquency (Steele & Malchiodi, 2012; WISQARS, 2010). Maschi and Schwalbe (2012) cite studies which estimate up to 93% of …

Evaluation Of Family Skills Group At Fernbrook Family Center, Jessica Robertson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This project evaluated the Parenting Piece by Piece curriculum. This project sought to gain feedback on the ways the agency can improve family skills groups to better meet the needs of the client population Fernbrook Family Center serves. Parenting Piece by Piece is an eight-week program teaching parents new parenting skills.

An Investigation Of Online Unproctored Testing And Cheating Motivations Using Equity Theory And Theory Of Planned Behavior, Valerie Nicole Brophy

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The prominence of unproctored online testing in selection has caused researchers and practitioners to turn their attention to the possibility of cheating and methods of detecting and decreasing it. Past research has shown that separately both equity theory and theory of planned behavior can predict maleficent behaviors. This study combines both of these theories--with equity theory as an operationalization of the precedents of theory of planned behavior--in attempt to predict past cheating behaviors. The present study aims to give selection professionals a framework by which to understand the motivations behind cheating on pre-employment tests. Equity sensitivity findings were limited due …

Factors Affecting Timeliness Of Permanency For Children In Out-Of-Home Placement, Michelle C. Holt

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Achieving timely legal permanency for children placed in out-of-home care due to abuse or neglect is one of the primary goals set forth by the state of Minnesota and the Department of Human Services. In recent years some counties have failed to achieve the percentage of finalized permanency cases at the targeted time intervals required by the state. A comprehensive review of one county was conducted of the 49 cases reaching permanency during 2011 and 2012 to determine if there is a correlation between certain demographic factors and/or key court dates on the length of time to achieve permanency.

Social Worker’S Guide To Engaging Families In Family Group Conference, Tiffany Kacir

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to provide training materials to social workers that is relatable and practical regarding researched best practices for engaging families during the Family Group Conference process. In Olmsted County, Family Group Conferences have been utilized since 1996 becoming an engrained practice model and a cornerstone of permanency planning for children. The capstone project focused on developing a training manual to enhance current practice in Olmsted County and implement newer best practice strategies throughout the Family Group Conference process--from prior to a referral to a post-conference follow up meetings--to ensure better outcomes for the children …