Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of The State Minimum Wages On Youth: Evidence From The States Of Washington And Connecticut, Zhi Su

Masters Theses

Youth aged from 16 to 24 is the group that is most likely to hold minimum wage jobs. A concern of economists and policy makers is: 1) whether the employment opportunities to youth are discouraged by the minimum wage and 2) how the minimum wage influences their choice over work or study. This study advances and combines some ideas from previous studies to examine the effects of the state minimum wages upon youth employment and behavior patterns over school and work. The study concentrates on conditions in the states of Washington and Connecticut during the period of 1998 to 2003, …

The Fool, Jonathan M. Cook

Masters Theses

The Fool is a detective story written in the vein of the crime fiction of the thirties, forties, and fifties. It is a work that simultaneously pays homage to its influences while giving a postmodern update to the genre conventions in an attempt to bring validity to an all-too-often disregarded form of fiction. The story has been written in a minimalist style so that the reader might engage the story on a much more primal level than traditional genre fiction.

This thesis includes the first two chapters of The Fool, along with an outline for the final chapter. A critical …

A Focused Study Of The Social Outcast In Literature: A Healing For America's Youth, Darcey A. Voyles

Masters Theses

Adolescence can be a difficult time in life, and today's teenagers face even more difficult situations in the high school atmosphere. A frequent element in the high school social scene is alienation of the "uncool" kids. This social isolation can have devastating effects on the outcasts and school community as a whole. Within this thesis, I reveal my plan for alleviating the emotional trauma of social isolation by bringing the discussion of social outcasts into the literature classroom. Literature reflects society, thereby giving young readers a lens through which to view the alienation in our global world that they may …

Don't Forget About The Me In Afscme: An Analysis Of Collective Bargaining In Municipalities, Michael L. Woods Jr.

Masters Theses

Collective bargaining in the public sector is inherently political. Public unions negotiate either directly or indirectly with elected public officials. This thesis explores the political bargaining strategies adopted by municipal public unions and the inherent factors that surround the collective bargaining process (e.g. trust, state of the economy, community interest groups, and media). The intentions of this study were to see if these variables influenced negotiated wage increases and the likelihood of experiencing bargaining impasses. The findings suggest that public union political bargaining strategies positively affect negotiated wage increases. Trust, however, seems to evolve as the most important variable. Building …

Comparison Of The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-Second Edition And The Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children-Fourth Edition, Ryan L. Mitchell

Masters Theses

Past research on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT; Kaufman & Kaufman, 1990) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III; Wechsler, 1991) have shown good reliability and validity between the scales. However, recently, the KBIT-2 and the WISC-IV have been published. The purpose of the current study was to independently evaluate the construct validity of the KBIT-2 with the WISC-IV. The participants in this study consisted of 48 students enrolled in kindergarten through ninth grade from school districts in central Illinois, who were referred for initial or triennial multidisciplinary evaluation. The results were as hypothesized, with high statistically …

Implementation Of An Open Source Enterprise Resource Planning (Erp) System, Jing Shao

Masters Theses

Characterized with free access, free distribution and high adaptability, open source ERP system provides an alternative to the high cost of adopting an ERP system in small and medium-sized business (SMB). This research explored the possibility of adopting open source ERP system in SMB, with Compiere -- a typical open source ERP system. The ERP system was designed and customized for a fictitious computer manufacturing company. Major processes including partner relations, quote to invoice, requisition to invoice, material management, and project management were implemented.

Through this research, it was realized that necessary procedures of implementing an open source ERP system …

Burnout And Job Dissatisfaction Among Practicing Illinois School Psychologists: A 1994 To 2004 Comparison, Nikolaus J. Hoffman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the primary variables associated with burnout among practicing Illinois school psychologists. More specifically, the purpose was to determine if the same variables that correlated highly with Illinois school psychologists burnout levels in a 1994 study by Niebrugge have held constant over the last decade. Survey materials used in the 1994 study, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a School Psychologists Stress Inventory, and a specially designed job satisfaction questionnaire were completed by a random sample of members of the Illinois School Psychologists Association (N = 52). As in the 1994 study, results suggested …

Size And Reproductive Activity Of A Geographically-Isolated Population Of Ambystoma Jeffersonianum In East-Central Illinois, Sarabeth Klueh

Masters Theses

When utilizing small isolated wetlands, amphibian populations are often small in size, susceptible to stochastic extinction processes, and have little to no contact with other populations. The persistence of such populations can be ascertained only by obtaining data that allow the prediction of the population’s growth, trajectory, and propensity to achieve a sustainable size. The success of a salamander population can be determined by the number of metamorphosing larvae leaving a pond, and thus, the number recruited into the terrestrial adult population. The Jefferson salamander, Ambystoma jeffersonianum, is a state-threatened species, occurring at fewer than 15 ponds within Illinois. In …

Cmn 4749 : Senior Portfolio, Communication Studies

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

Spc 3100 : Persuasion, Communication Studies

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

Chm 2845 : Organic Chemistry Laboratory Ii, Chemistry

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Perceived And Actual Nutrition Needs Of College-Age Students, Amanda M. Goetze

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to assess the needs of Eastern Illinois University students regarding nutrition-related topics of concern and programming methods. Four hundred ninety-two students and four health professionals participated. The results indicate that students consume grains and vegetables in less than recommended amounts, fruits and dairy products within the recommended amounts, and meats, sweets, oils, and fats, and alcohol in excess. Nutritional issues affecting these students include management of weight, consumption of alcohol, and low intakes of iron, folate, and vitamin C. The perceptions of health professionals were not able to be compared to those of students; …

Molecular Identification Of Anopheles Spp. (Diptera: Culicidae) In The Chapare/Carrasco Valleys, Cochabamba, Bolivia, Corey Brelsfoard

Masters Theses

Studies on malaria in our "backyard," the Neotropics, have been hampered by the lack of an accurate means of species identification for mosquito vectors of the human malaria parasite (i.e. Plasmodium spp). Mosquitoes in the genus Anopheles are the principle malaria vectors in the Neotropics and are often composed of closely related morphologically similar species complexes. This thesis describes three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols to aid in identifying four anopheline mosquitoes for any life stage, of which three have been incriminated as vectors of human malaria in several locations throughout S. America and might be potential vectors of human …

Landscape Effects On Stream Water Chemistry And Benthic Productivity In An Agricultural Watershed, Shari E. Fanta

Masters Theses

A conceptual model was developed and utilized to investigate the influence of land use/land cover on community metabolism as mediated by stream water chemistry, in an agricultural watershed in east-central Illinois. A suite of physical and chemical variables were sampled over a yearlong period at twelve sites across the Hurricane Creek Watershed. Community metabolism was determined at five of the sites during episodes of suitable hydrologic and weather conditions. A single PCA axis was unique in incorporating significant relationships between land use/land cover, stream water chemistry, as well as community metabolism, thereby validating the conceptual model. The proportion of cropland, …

The Effects Of Service Delivery On Teacher Behavior, Miranda R. Glover Duncan

Masters Theses

The current study investigated how teacher assistance with articulation goals was affected by participation in traditional nonintegrated service delivery, consultative service delivery, and collaborative service delivery. Two kindergarten teachers participated in the single subject design comparing service delivery models. One speech-language pathologist consulted and collaborated with the teachers. During the traditional pull-out condition, the SLP informally communicated with teachers about the children in their classrooms who had speech-language deficits. Students with speech-language goals were treated in the pull-out setting, with no treatment provided in the classroom during this phase. The consultative condition involved the SLP meeting with each teacher weekly …

Combining Social Norm Prevention Efforts To Reduce High-Risk Drinking And Behaviors Within A Freshman Residence Hall, Amy M. Kuspa

Masters Theses

Social norms marketing and Small Groups Norms-challenging Model (SGNM) intervention are alcohol and other drug prevention efforts that have gained popularity on university and college campuses. The purpose of this study was to determine if the combination of social norms marketing and Small Groups Norms-challenging Model intervention programs was an effective way to reduce high-risk drinking and behaviors among rirst-year college students.

This study took place in a majority first-year residence hall. Students on eight floors participated in a pre- and post-survey. Students on all eight floors received non-traditional social norms marketing materials. Students on four of the floors participated …

A Study Of The Language And Music In The Songs Of The Methodist Church, Robert J. Ford

Masters Theses

The focus of this study is to demonstrate that the language used to write the texts for sacred music of the Methodist Church including psalms, hymns, camp meeting songs, Negro spirituals, and gospel music has been adapted throughout history to meet the changing spiritual needs of society.

This thesis reveals details about the lyrics of sacred songs from the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries that are pertinent to historic and modern Methodist music. Furthermore, it includes comparisons of numerous song texts and Bible verses. These compositions exhibit the most eminent church leaders' and composers' works from each stage of Methodist …

Parting Of The Ways: The End Of The Spirit Of Empire In Paul Scott's Raj Quartet, Blake Strong

Masters Theses

Paul Scott's The Raj Quartet consists of four novels dealing with the waning of British imperial control of India: The Jewel in the Crown (1966), The Day of the Scorpion (1968), The Towers of Silence (1972), and A Division of the Spoils (1976). This thesis analyzes the Quartet as historical fiction, defined according to the criteria laid out by Georg Lukacs in The Historical Novel (1937). The characters that populate Scott's Quartet live in an age of historical transition: they are shaped by reverberations from World War II as well as the more immediate struggle for Indian independence. As drawn …

The Construct Validity Of The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale Of Intelligence (Wasi) And The Wide Range Intelligence Test (Writ): Replication And Extension, Gregory S. Wilson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to further verify the relationship between the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) and the Wide Range Intelligence Test (WRIT) by replicating Collins' (2002) study regarding the convergent validity between these two tests. To assess the convergent validity of the WASI and WRIT, two newer brief intelligence tests, 86 participants from central Illinois public schools were administered both measures in counterbalanced order. All correlations between the WASI and WRIT were significant (p < .05). Furthermore, the correlations between the corresponding IQ scales and subtests of the WASI and WRIT were moderate to high, ranging from .55 (r2 = .30) to .82 (r²= .67). The results provided convergent evidence for the construct validity of the WASI and WRIT and supported the contention made by Collins (2002) that the WASI and WRIT are measuring similar constructs. The results of the joint exploratory factor analysis supported the retention of only one factor (general intelligence "g"). A forced, two-factor solution resulted in 10.50% more variation among WASI/WRIT subtest scores. However, the two factors correlated at a high magnitude (r = .75), and all subtests cross-loaded with their theoretical dissimilar factor. The results of the factor analysis supporteda conclusion that the WASI and WRIT are best conceptualized as providing strong measurements of general intelligence.

Examination Of Sexual Offenders' Behaviors And Self-Perceptions, Denise Wright

Masters Theses

Child sexual abuse is a global concern. More specifically, the growing concern has prompted researchers to study the effects of abuse, with varied interest in both victims and perpetrators. For child sexual abuse to be addressed there needs to be an increased focus on sex offenders. Study of sex offenders' perceptions of their behavior and childhood experiences may yield further understanding of the reasons and motives behind the abuse. The purpose of the study is to examine sex offender's behaviors and self-perceptions related to sexual activity.

The present study consists of 46 registered male sex offenders located at three different …

Exploring The Subjective Meanings And Experiences Of Depression, Reena Sheth

Masters Theses

This study aimed to provide subjectivist accounts of how people understand and interpret their experience of depression. In the mainstream research on depression, the voices of people who experience depression are largely absent. Therefore, the meanings and experiences of depression from the perspective of people who are living with depression themselves were explored in this study by drawing on in-depth interviews. The stories of two participants diagnosed with depression were examined using the holistic-content and the holistic-form analysis approach proposed by Lieblich, Mashiach, and Ziber (1998). Illness narrative forms outlined by Frank (1998) were also utilized to explore how the …

Childhood And Adolescent Depression: Association With Gender, Social-Cognitive, Behavioral, And Gender-Role Factors, Jessica Finn Hougham

Masters Theses

The current study examined the association between gender and depression in childhood and adolescence with respect to social-cognitive, behavioral, and gender-role factors. The participants for this study were 231 children and adolescents ranging in age from 8 to 17 years old. Participants completed a demographic survey and measures assessing depression, self-esteem, self and peer ratings of social standing, cognitive errors in social standing, peer rejected and aggressive behaviors, femininity, and masculinity. Results indicated that there were gender differences in depression scores, with females reporting higher levels of depression than males. Significant negative correlations were found between depression and the factors …

Small Group Social Norms Intervention With Students Involved In Greek Life, Krista A. Mazza

Masters Theses

The misuse of alcohol is often a concern on college campuses nationwide. This concern has created a need for effective alcohol interventions to reduce alcohol misuse. This study investigated college student's perceptions about peer alcohol usage and one's own actual alcohol consumption. A social norms presentation was used to with seven Greek letter organizations to attempt to correct the misperceptions students have about their peers alcohol consumption, and therefore reduce the amount of alcohol consumed. A total of 68 individuals completed all elements ofthe project relevant to this study, of which 22 were male and 46 were female. Furthermore, 17 …

Gender And Ethnic Biases In Personality Disorder Diagnostic Criteria, Christopher Lootens

Masters Theses

The present study examined bias within the diagnostic criteria for personality disorders, a category for diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. Specifically, gender biases, ethnic biases, and interaction effects between the two were examined for the three Cluster C PD diagnoses. One of the more heated controversies concerning the DSM-IV involves the diagnosis of PD's, especially with regard to the notion of diagnostic bias. For the present study, 60 female and 60 male participants were recruited from the introductory psychology subject pool and given course credit for their participation.

Participants …

Teens Talk With Parents About Sex, Alcohol, Drugs, And Suicide... Or Do They?, Vanessa Sneed

Masters Theses

This study is a comparison of students from two high schools in Illinois. It examines adolescents' perceptions of communication with their parents related to the topics of alcohol, drugs, sex, and suicide. Historically, School 1 is located in a county that has above average teen pregnancy rates. Traditionally, School 2 is located in a county with lower pregnancy rates than School 1. In addition to providing the groundwork for more detailed analysis of alcohol, drugs, sex, and suicide related to specific family communication styles and strategies, this study provides support for intervention programs that promote family communication. The decisions adolescents …

A Comparison Of Predicting Vo2max With Two Different Heart Rate Endpoints From A Sub-Maximal Bike Test, Chad C. Shirar

Masters Theses

Obtaining VO2max values can be valuable for both healthy and diseased populations to establish exercise prescriptions, monitor progress, and monitor overall health. Unfortunately, testing procedures to obtain VO2max involve highly skilled technicians, expensive sophisticated equipment, a slight risk to the patient, and more time and more space compared to other fitness tests. The most accurate way to measure maximal oxygen uptake is by analyzing oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production using closed-circuit gas analysis while the subjects runs or walks on a treadmill or rides a cycle ergometer. The YMCA Submaximal Bicycle Ergometer test was developed to allow the subject …

Incremental Validity Of The Learning Behaviors Scale, Jessica Willenborg

Masters Theses

Previous research on the incremental validity of the Learning Behaviors Scale (LBS; McDermott, Green, Francis, & Stott, 1999) has shown that good learning behaviors were associated with good academic achievement (Schaefer & McDermott, 1999; Yen, Konold, & McDermott, 2004). Additionally, research has indicated that learning behaviors account for appreciable variation in student grades and academic achievement test scores above and beyond the contribution of intelligence (Schaefer, 1996). The present study investigated the influence of cognitive ability and learning behaviors in the prediction of scores from standardized academic achievement tests. Learning behaviors were assessed with the LBS (McDermott et al., 1999) …

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Attitudes, Knowledge, And Usage By Perimenopausal And Postmenopausal Women, Misty Lynn Rhoads

Masters Theses

With an increased life expectancy, women are living an average of 30 yearars after the set of menopause. With the change in life, there is a significant change in t onse the production of female hormones which causes unpleasant side effects that includes hot flashes, osteoporosis, nausea, and palpitations. Hormone replacement therapy was promoted to provide relief for women. However, research has shown that HRT may increase the risk of endometrial cancer, strokes and breast cancer. Therefore, women are given contradictory information concerning HRT. The current study explored the attitudes, knowledge and intentions of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women concerning hormone …

Computer Security Perceptions Of Students Attending The School Of Technology At Eastern Illinois University, David C. Fulton

Masters Theses

Computer security is a major concern that demands attention. Computer viruses and other security risks proliferate on a daily basis. In the academic environment several disciplines of learning may share a common network or computer environment. This situation presents a number of challenges for a university. Allowing access to the Internet yet protecting the interests of the school can be a difficult undertaking. Data protection and the liabilities associated with protecting data is a major undertaking for a university.

This thesis examines the perceptions of students attending the School of Technology at Eastern Illinois University in the area of computer …

Childhood Predictive And Protective Factors Of Adult Substance Abuse, Melissa A. Grossman

Masters Theses

Psychological abuse in childhood is believed to have an affect on psychological wellbeing in adulthood, specifically in the area of substance abuse. Following the lead of studies in psychological abuse, substance abuse and protective factors, the present study examined the relationship between childhood psychological abuse and adult substance use, along with the role of protective factors in that relationship. Participants, consisting of college undergraduates, completed a series of measures of family cohesion, bonding, substance use, and psychological maltreatment. Although results did not show a relationship between childhood psychological abuse and adult substance abuse, family cohesion was shown to be related …