Digital Commons Network^™

Smallpox Inoculation And Race Relations In Eighteenth And Nineteenth Century America, Kristen Schaibly

Undergraduate Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Technologist (2011), School Of Technology

The Technologist: School of Technology Alumni Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Paul Sargent's Coles County - Tarble Art Center Archives Master Plan, Historical Administration, Tarble Arts Center

Paul Sargent's Coles County - Docs & Video

No abstract provided.

For Wanting Of A Meal: An Exploratory Study Of Meal Provisions At Medium To Large College And University Food Services In Illinois, Evan J. Mcwhirter

Masters Theses

This cross-sectional analysis of vegetarian provisions in medium to large college and university food services was developed to facilitate more inclusive institutional food services in higher education. The primary investigator interviewed eight college and university food service directors for the purposes of the study. The overarching theme emerging from the study was that food services are amenable to change current food provisions as long as the students voice their opinions and eat the food thus prepared.

Millennial Music Students: Perceptions Of General Stress, Performance Stress, Physical Health, And Mental Health, Elizabeth Plapp

Masters Theses

The participants in the current study were examined utilizing qualitative research. Focus groups were conducted to examine the experience of music majors in relation to general stress, performance stress, physical health, mental health, and well-being strategies.

Results found participants perceived stress as ambient due to excessive non-credit course, studio and private practice loads, expectations for participation outside of coursework, practicing toward an ill-defined concept of 'success', and poor time management skills. Participants discussed a continuum of stress from performance before private instructor and peers (more stressful) to a general audience (less stressful). Participants expressed a moderate amount of physical health …

An Examination Of The Intersection Between Alcohol Use And Unanticipated Consequences For College Females, Jessica A. Wright

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the intersection between alcohol use and unanticipated consequences for college females. The second purpose of this study was to examine how the participants perceived their risk of sexual assault. Prior quantitative research in this field indicated that binge drinking is a predictor of risky behaviors. Research also showed that many negative consequences, including sexual assault, can occur as a result of binge drinking. A qualitative study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the drinking behaviors of college females in their own voices, as well as their perceived risk of negative …

Direct Inference Instruction: The Effects On Fourth Grade Students' Reading Comprehension And Motivation, Kalee Bengtson

Masters Theses

This research investigated student motivation and comprehension when an inference strategy was explicitly taught to fourth-grade students. Students in the experimental group (n=18) received instruction in an inference strategy developed for the purpose of this study that was based upon the five-step inference strategy created by Fritschmann, Deshler, and Schumaker (2007). Scaffolding instruction, the teacher modeled questioning the text and answering questions using a graphic organizer. After the teacher modeled the process, students worked in groups to read the text, question the text, make inferences, and answer questions at the end of the text. Finally, students completed the process independently …

Economic & Political Factors For Renewable Energy In The United States, Jeremiah Daniel Yokley

Masters Theses

The results of this study provide some insight to how qualitative regime variables affect the production of renewable energy in the United States. Specifically this paper found that while working with other variables the political affiliation of the President of the United States and the party holding the majority of seats in the United States House of Representatives and Senate can aid in forecasting renewable energy production growth. With this insight it is possible to better prepare for future energy investments by either governments or the private sector. This paper specifically examines total renewable energy production, hydroelectric energy production, solar …

Familial Factors And Attachment Styles Of Male And Female Adult Children Of Alcoholics, Kristina M. Decker

Masters Theses

In the United States, alcohol use disorders represent some of the most prevalent mental health disorders. Research has begun to explore parental alcoholism and its impact on children and families. The present study sought to examine the relationship between parental alcoholism and adult attachment styles in adult children of alcoholics (A CO As), as well as the relationship with several familial factors such as gender of the alcoholabusing parent, family cohesion, family satisfaction, parent-child attachment, physical abuse, and verbal abuse. A sample of 223 college students completed a series of measures on parental alcoholism, family cohesion, family satisfaction, parent-child attachment, …

Diet, Physical Activity, And Lifestyle Factors That Influence Weight Change The First Year Of College, Sarah R. Gaines

Masters Theses

First year college students are at an increased risk for weight gain, which could have an effect on the future obesity status in America. Several studies indicate that weight gain does occur the first year of college; however, little research actually studies the population's behaviors prior to college. A literature review was conducted on several factors that relate to the diet, physical activity, and lifestyle changes that students may undergo as they transition from high school to college. It was hypothesized that a change in these factors would be associated with student weight gain and an increased BMI the first …

The Effect Of Different Squat Depths And Loads On Acute Vertical Jump Performance In Recreationally Trained College Age Men, Alex Hoffman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the full range of motion squat, the supramaximal loaded partial range of motion squat, or countermovement jumps alone elicited a subsequent acute increase in vertical jump height in recreationally trained college age men. The sample consisted of 14 college age men (ages 21.7 ± 1.5) that had engaged in lower body resistance training at least once per week during the previous year. Each subject was classified as recreationally trained based on a relative strength ratio of 1.75 ± 0.31.

The current study was five weeks long. The acute enhancement of vertical …

Student-Athletes And Their Willingness To Contribute Financially In The Future To Eastern Illinois University Athletics, Joseph Richard Ethington

Masters Theses

The present study examines the perceptions of student-athletes at a mid-sized Midwest public university. The study relates the athletic, academic, and social experiences of student-athletes to their willingness to make financial contributions to the department of Athletics in the future. By knowing the degree of association to an athletic-department and/or sport team, predictors can be established to determine potential donors and their preferred recipient of support. In order to study these predictors, student-athletes were administered a survey and asked to participate in oneon- one interviews. Survey protocols were administered via a web-based survey instrument which received a response rate of …

Student Athletes' Perceptions Of Academic Support, Career Support And Personal Support, Chandra R. Golden

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions of student athletes concerning self identity, academic support, career support, and personal support. Qualitative methodology was used to gather information through in-depth focus groups. Participants were male and female student athletes from a mid-size Midwestern Public University.

Findings indicated there is an inherent struggle to balance multiple roles with one usually elevated over the other. Second, participants appreciated the academic support of the university, but indicated its influence ranged from extremely helpful and appreciated (Athletic Academic Support Staff) to moderately helpful (Major Specific Academic Advisors) to least helpful (Regular Academic …

Financial Well-Being Among Selected Students At Eastern Illinois University, Eric John Mazoch

Masters Theses

This study examined the financial well-being of Eastern Illinois University undergraduate students. Specifically the areas of financial debt, stress, and specific buying habits were addressed in determining the financial status of EIU students. The study was completed during spring 2011 by means of an online survey.

Significant correlations were found between the level of debt students had and their overall level of self-reported stress using a local five item semantic differential measure. There were no significant differences between student academic class standing and collective outstanding debt. Major on-campus versus off-campus spending differences were the cost of utilities and in the …

Assessing Transfer Student Needs At Eastern Illinois University, Samantha J. Noblit

Masters Theses

This qualitative study was designed to assess the transitional needs of transfer students at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). Ten students who transferred to EIU in the fall of 2009 were interviewed to compile valuable feedback and data that could ultimately be used to enhance transfer student programming. Five students who experienced a difficult academic transition and were placed on academic warning were interviewed as well as five students who remained in good academic standing with the institution. With the diverse backgrounds and experiences from the interviewees, many different results were concluded. Transfer student transitions were effected by living on campus, …

A Program Evaluation Of A University Volunteer Program, Stacey Patricia Jaksa

Masters Theses

The present study was created to explore the phenomenon of volunteerism as it relates to integrated learning by showcasing a "best practice" in implementing a service-learning or volunteer program at an institute of higher education. Central Michigan University has been nationally recognized for its Volunteer Center program and through a mixed methods design the present study evaluated the program using qualitative and quantitative data collected by the researcher. The study was guided by four primary research questions:

1. What are student perceptions of the Volunteer Center and the programs it offers
2. What is the value, if any, that students and/or alumni …

Behavioral Risk Factors Of Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior In A Community Sample Of Adolescents, Sarah Ritter

Masters Theses

This study examined group differences of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents on four behavioral risk factors: risk behaviors, peer victimization, substance use, and weight related behaviors. It was hypothesized that adolescents who engaged in NSSI within the past year would endorse more risk behaviors than adolescents who did not engage in NSSI. It was further hypothesized that the higher the frequency with which an adolescent engaged in NSSI, the more risk factors they would report. Frequency was divided into three groups: "more frequently" (6 + times in the past year), "less frequently" (1-5 times in the past year) and "no …

Social Dimensions Of Lake Ecology: Stakeholder Perception Surveys Used To Design Effective Lake Management Plans, Laurie Nannini

Masters Theses

Lake conservation management plans have exhibited varying levels of success through out Illinois. Recent research, in eutrophic lakes shows that pollution at any level stabilizes when stakeholder cooperation is enhanced by high conformist tendency and social concern. Involving stakeholders in preliminary stages of lake management plans creates more legitimacy and connectedness with the local government as well as stakeholder involvement with management plans. Public opinion data also allows policy makers to sustainably involve stakeholders in management plans. Members of the Illinois Lake Management Association were surveyed on their perceived threats to lakes, preferences on lake facilities and activities. Responses were …

Vocabulary Acquisition Through Fast Mapping In Children With Autism, Lynne Barcus

Masters Theses

Fast mapping is a cognitive process that facilitates acquisition of new vocabulary through brief exposures to words and their referents. Research has shown that typically developing children and those with Down syndrome, specific language impairment, or mental impairment acquire new vocabulary through fast mapping, although with different levels of success. This study explored the effectiveness of fast mapping to facilitate vocabulary acquisition in children with autism. A multiple baseline across subjects design was employed with four children with autism. After a pre-test to determine which food and animal objects were unfamiliar to each subject, a series of fast mapping trials …

Effect Of Siblings And Peers On Social Interaction Of Children With Autism, Laura E. Welsh

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact that siblings and peers have on the social skills of children with autism. Subjects included six children with autism between the ages of five and eight years of age. Subjects were observed playing with a typically-developing sibling for two one-hour sessions. Half of the subjects were observed playing with a typically-developing peer for two one-hour sessions. During each structured play session, toys from a preselected set were presented one at a time. The children were instructed to play together with no further adult interaction. Data were analyzed for joint attention, …

Issues In The 2008 Presidential Election: Perceptions Of The Candidates And Their Links To Vote, Justin T. Cross

Masters Theses

Can the electorate's beliefs on issues be used as a predictor of vote? More importantly, do voter's perceptions of a candidate's position overshadow the party identification model? Arthur H. Miller and Thomas F. Klobucar (2003) studied this subject by analyzing the 2000 American Presidential Election. The aim of this paper is advance their study, by creating a more robust test of their model. The 2008 election is analyzed using data from the American Nation Election Time Series Survey. This election was chosen because it identifies the economy, as the most important issue (CNN exit poll). If issues could have more …

Finding The Path Within The "Ego Tunnel": A Buddhist Approach To Tackling The Problems Of A Western Self, Bryan James Hinman

Masters Theses

If many of the problems associated with a Western sense of self stem from its penchant for distorting reality, it follows that to free ourselves from its grasp we would need to implement an alternative way to view our experience accurately, such as that described in the Buddhist doctrine of no-self. The dangers of becoming attached to the Western self are outlined, as well as the means of transcending them through accurate self-assessments gained from insights of no-self. In addition, considerable research is reviewed that supports this idea by suggesting that Western constructs similar to no-self, like the "quiet" ego, …

Do You "Like" Your Body?: The Effect Of Facebook Investment On Self-Objectification, Body Shame, And Disordered Eating, Chandra Feltman

Masters Theses

The model derived from objectification theory proposing that body shame mediates the relationship between self-objectification and disordered eating has been empirically supported in numerous past studies. The present study extended the research on objectification theory by first examining this model in a sample of 71 female undergraduates and then investigating what effect Facebook investment had on the study's variables. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing selfobjectification, body shame, disordered eating symptoms, and Facebook investment. Results demonstrated that body shame fully mediated the relationship between selfobjectification and disordered eating. Analyses also revealed Facebook investment to be a significant predictor of self-objectification in …

Panic!: Anxiety Sensitivity, Perceived Stress, And Social Support As Predictors Of Uncued Panic Attacks In College Students, Julie Lynn Kaspar

Masters Theses

Uncued panic attacks are prevalent in the college student population. In the current study, anxiety sensitivity, perceived stress, and social support were explored as predictors of uncued panic frequency. Additionally, family support and close friend support were compared. A sample of 117 college students from Eastern Illinois University were assessed using an online survey that included a one-item uncued panic frequency measure, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale-College Version (College CASSS). Results indicated that all three predictors were significant when tested independently. When placed in a hierarchical regression, …

Role Of Exercise On Psychological Health Of College Students, Shannon L. Goering

Masters Theses

Campus recreation centers have been gradually developing within the past decade to not only serve as recruitment tools for perspective students, but to promote better physical health in college students. Also throughout recent years, researchers have linked participation in physical activity to improved mental health. Targeting the college-aged population, the present study examined the relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being in college students, specifically those who use the student recreation center (SRC) on campus. A sample of 210 university students completed various measures to assess overall psychological well-being (i.e., level of mood, selfesteem, stress, & life satisfaction) and regular …

Perceptions Of Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Treatment Acceptability: Cultural Trends, Sarah Girresch

Masters Theses

A survey study, usmg a convenience sample, was conducted to assess relationships between adult perceptions of childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and treatment acceptability. Trends in perceptions about ADHD were also examined among African Americans, European Americans, and Hispanics. Ninety (90) participants completed questionnaires developed by the authors that evaluated beliefs about the etiology of ADHD, sources of information used to learn about ADHD, perceptions of stigma associated with ADHD, trust in the system, and attitudes about treatments. Participants overwhelmingly expressed a neutral perspective regarding ADHD-related perceptions. However, beliefs about etiology, endorsement of nonprofessional information sources, and trust in the system …

Mentor Perceptions Of Closure In Formal Youth Mentoring Relationships, Anna Maria Peterson

Masters Theses

In formal community-based youth mentoring relationships, mentors and mentees travel through phases of a relationship from inception through closure. To form an understanding of mentor perceptions of the closure phase of those relationships, a Glaserian grounded theory survey was conducted. Mentors located in central Illinois participated in the survey providing their perceptions, insights and experiences regarding the closure phase of the youth mentoring relationships in which they were involved.

Freshmen Perceptions Of Academic Support In The Residence Halls, Katherine E. Schmidt

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of freshmen students on the subject of academic support in the residence halls. Prior research in the field indicated there are many different approaches to academic support in the residence halls such as the professional and resident assistant staff, academic programming as well as the physical environment, and exploring living learning community programs. The prior research also indicated the need to identify the unique millennial generational needs as well as the goals of integrative learning. A qualitative study was conducted in three focus group settings to gain an understanding of …

2011 Warbler, Eastern Illinois University

The Warbler

The 2011 Warbler, yearbook of Eastern Illinois University

An Exploratory Investigation Into The Budget Allocation Of Mexican Male Sojourners In The U.S., Willie A. Nichols

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Mexican male sojourners make up a large, distinct consumer segment that has been present in the United States for decades, but have not been extensively studied from a business perspective with respect to their budget allocation decisions. The result is that this consumer segment may have been underserved due a lack of understanding and research. This paper examines the budget allocation process of these sojourners, exploring their patterns of sending remittances and the extent of their expenditures, providing grounds for future studies focusing on how to better serve this segment.