Digital Commons Network^™

Learning Transfer Of Geospatial Technologies In Secondary Science And Mathematics Core Areas, Curtis P. Nielsen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the transfer of geospatial technology knowledge and skill presented in a social sciences course context to other core areas of the curriculum. Specifically, this study explored the transfer of geospatial technology knowledge and skill to the STEM-related core areas of science and mathematics among ninth-grade students. Haskell's (2001) research on "levels of transfer" provided the theoretical framework for this study, which sought to demonstrate the experimental group's higher ability to transfer geospatial skills, higher mean assignment scores, higher post-test scores, higher geospatial skill application and deeper levels of transfer application than the …

Best Practices Of Individual Family Service Plans And Analyses Regarding Quality Outcomes, Ashley M. Andrew

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This quantitative research study provides information regarding best practices of Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs). Research on the content, family-centeredness, and outcomes in IFSPs will be discussed. Evidence suggests that although expected content within IFSPs are clearly defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), professionals have a lack of consensus on what IFSPs should include, lack family­ centeredness, and have minimal understanding of a clearly defined outcome according to IDEA. In addition, this study provides additional data regarding quality outcomes. The researcher rated 120 outcomes in IFSPs against a state rubric. Data indicated that although empirical research states …

A Case Study Of One Iowa Female Elementary School Principal's Journey Into Administration, Angela J. Fowler

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The representation of women in educational administration fluctuated throughout history from the 1900s to present day. Presently, women represent over 53% of all elementary school principals in Iowa; but documentation of their specific stories and perspectives is infrequent. I conducted this research with the intent to build upon the qualitative research studies previously completed on educational leadership; specifically lo include an ethnographic account of one female's story in an urban school district.

Through a series of in-depth interviews and participant observations, I gained the perspective of one female elementary school principal in Iowa's experiences into and through the principalship. In …

Intensive Mentoring : Stimulators Of And Barriers To Coaching, Spiritual Guiding And Discipling Relationships, David Alan De Jong

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

After reviewing data from over 600 case studies of mentoring, Stanley and Clinton (1993) concluded many people long for intensive mentoring relationships yet miss out on opportunities because they simply do not understand the true nature of mentoring. The stories of my intensive mentors and their mentors will bring greater clarity, depth, breadth, and an applied perspective to intensive mentors on Stanley and Clinton's mentorship continuum. The goal of my qualitative research was to provide an opportunity for the reader to connect to my story and the stories of my mentors to draw conclusions for themselves concerning pieces of the …

Instructional Coaching : A Look At Teaching Practices And Impact On Student Achievement, Sharon Sue Ingebrand

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The traditional one-shot teacher trainings aimed at telling teachers what they need to do to get better are not only frustrating to teachers, but are ineffective for improving classroom practices or student learning. Experts have advocated for effective professional learning to be job-embedded and intensively focused on the goal of meeting the learning needs of teachers and students. As the body of evidence around intense, ongoing, job-embedded professional learning grows, more school districts are placing instructional coaches in schools in hope of improving teachers' practices and student learning.

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to: ( 1) determine …

Asking School Psychologists How Job Satisfaction Can Be Increased, Justin S. Janssen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

School psychology faces retention issues due to a current and projected shortage of school psychologists and the large number of baby boomers getting ready to retire. Meeting this need becomes vital in order to prevent negative effects of the shortage from continuing. Research has supported a link between job satisfaction and retention in the school psychology research as well as in job satisfaction research in general. Much of the current literature on the job satisfaction of school psychologists, however, focuses only on the identification of correlates with job satisfaction and largely avoids asking practitioners how their job satisfaction can be …

Being In The World : An Existential Inquiry Of Knowing One's Self Through A Personal Project : In The Context Of Dissertation Survival, Tomoe Kitajima

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study--a philosophical exploration, partly in an autoethnographical account--provides an empirical demonstration that one's personal project has a strong and positive impact on the dissertation process both for endurance to complete the process and for quality of the product. The concept of project is often explained as one's pursuit of his or her most important philosophical issues. This dissertation originated in the very beginning of my doctoral education in summer 2000 when I first encountered the man behind the coffee shop counter. In his life story he expressed a strong question about the problem of knowledge and authentic living. How …

Space, History And Law: Rethinking Canadian Territorial Claims In The Arctic, Michael Graham

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The aim of this thesis is to assess the Canadian territorial claims in the Arctic in relation to the UNCLOS III, by linking this contemporary legal framework for managing change in the Arctic region with historical processes pertaining to the "use" of the Arctic space by the Canadian society. Canada has a long history of association with its Arctic territory and recent Russian claims over the rights to extract resources of the North Pole area have stirred new tensions around the region. The receding Arctic ice pack has opened up the possibility of the Northwest Passage becoming a viable trading …

A Graduate Recital In Voice, Lauren Elizabeth Hartman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In our human experience, love seems to be the emotion to which we all relate in some way, making it a universally understood subject well-suited for artistic interpretation. Though it may seem redundant to continue exploring a feeling that has captivated writers, artists, and painters for centuries, the many faces of love never cease to bring wonderment, despair, or bliss to each human being who experiences them afresh. In this recital, myriad aspects of love are presented as interpreted by numerous composers, each one expressing a unique experience.

Graduate Jazz Pedagogy Recital, Cory Healey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The author presented his graduate jazz pedagogy recital on February 29th 2012 at 6:00 pm in Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall, at The University of Northern Iowa. The recital was given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters of Music degree in jazz pedagogy and covered a wide range of repertoire that demonstrated the author's composition and arranging skills as well as his performance skills on drum set, piano, electric bass, and vibraphone. The musicians who assisted the author were New York City-based Tony Barba and Dave Miller and University of Northern Iowa musicians Jon Snell, Riley Scheetz, Sam …

Psychopathy And Victim-Type Related To Treatment Outcome For Civilly Committed Sexual Offenders, Ashley Helle

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Previous research on sexual offender treatment has produced mixed results regarding effectiveness and recidivism rates of sexual offenders. The literature shows differences among categories of sexual offenders which suggest extrafamilial adult offenders (rapists) and offenders with both adult and child victims ten to be a bigger threat to society in comparison to familial offenders (incest) and extrafamilial child offenders ( child molesters). Extrafamilial adult offenders and mixed offenders have demonstrated higher levels of psychopathy. Seventy-four civilly committed sexual offenders participated in the current study by completing a psychopathy measure and retrieval of archival data. Fifty-five participants produced valid PPI-R profiles …

A Master’S Recital In Voice, Kaethe Blue Henning

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Kaethe Blue Henning, soprano, presented her graduate voice recital on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 8:00 in the evening in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The program consisted of four sets of music including works by A. Scarlatti, Handel, Liszt, Sibelius, Stenhammar, and Grieg, in collaboration with Korey Barrett, harpsichord; Liudmila Lebedeva, cello; Randy Grabowski, trumpet; Abigail Coffer, flute;· Andrey Lopatin, viol.in; and Robin Guy, piano. This abstract presents musical and historical features of the recital pieces

John Holloway In Recital, John K. Holloway

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Schubert's Piano Sonata in C minor, D.958, is one of the last three sonatas by the Viennese composer. The last three sonatas are recognized by many music historians as autobiographical.¹ They also represent a different style of composition than Schubert's earlier works. The mature style found in these sonatas differs from his earlier style as evidenced by the use of vivid expression, greater length, and prolonged development of thematic material. The last three sonatas include D.958 in C minor, D.959 in A major, and D.960 in B-flat major. While all three sonatas are performed often, D.960 is the most …

The Crocker Street Ymca: A Legacy Of Leaders, Michael P. Kates

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It is fascinating how African Americans though enslaved and faced with oppression and discrimination were able to prevail over and even thrive in spite of their circumstances. This success has much to do with the previous generation helping the next to be and do better. How the previous generation helped the next is the central question asked when exploring African American achievement. However, much of African American historiography has focused on notable people and events, with little attention being paid to every day African Americans whose stories are equally important and revealing in understanding African Americans as a people. The …

Building Sustainable Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports In High Schools, Jessica M. Overturf

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this paper is to explore how School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) systems can be successful in high school settings. Chapter 1 will establish the need for SWPBS in high schools and Chapter 2 will provide an overview of and evidence supporting SWPBS. Chapter 3 focuses on what is considered best practice in implementing SWPBS. Chapter 4 discusses the characteristics exclusive to high schools that have been identified as potential barriers in implementing SWPBS efforts, and Chapter 5 provides examples of successful high school SWPBS case studies as well as recommendations for overcoming the aforementioned barriers.

Limited Assessment Of A Selected Particulate Matter Sensor Technology In Emission Measurement Applications On Diesel Vehicles, Svetlana Korotkova Espinosa

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The study assessed the ability of a novel particle sensor to provide adequate evaluation of real-time emissions from modem diesel engines and estimate the effectiveness of emission control devices. Emission data were obtained from vehicles in real-world field conditions under various test cycles. The datasets were used to determine whether there is an association between particulate matter (PM) measurements produced by particle sensor and the PM measurements from reference instrument. Exploratory analysis was combined with statistical techniques to investigate suitability of particle sensor to adequately measure PM mass concentrations in exhaust gases of modem diesel vehicles. Results of the study …

Coolant Fluid In A Turning Operation: Soybean Coolant Fluid In Different Concentrations Versus Petroleum Coolant Fluid, Mary Esther Eckman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The manufacturing sector today's market felt the need to reduce costs along with the ability to be more "green."

Traditionally petroleum based fluids are used in the manufacturing industry. However they are environmentally more harmful as well as cause significant hazards to the operator. This thesis will provide a case study for this sector to become more environmentally friendly with the use of a soybean based cutting fluid. To prove the point a number of tests were performed turning 4140 steel on a CNC turning center. A number of tests were conducted to provide a comparative study of dry, petroleum …

An Investigation On In-Process Spc Sampling Frequency For Shaft Bearing Turning Process, Jiaxu Chu

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The machining processes have the uniqueness of discrete production and flexible scheduling as cellular manufacturing design. To ensure the quality of machining products, control charts for Statistical Process Control (SPC) has been implemented in the company to monitor the machining process. Sampling is an essential part of data collection for SPC control charts and sampling should be done for machining processes becomes an issue in the company.

This study focused on the investigation of SPC sampling frequencies for shaft bearing turning process using the technique of Average Production Length (APL). The purpose of the study was to identify the SPC …

Modeling And Analysis Of Grid-Connected Solar-Wind Hybrid Power System, Sultan Altamimi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Renewable energies are considered to be a significant part of the energy mix to assist the existing electricity demand and the future of electrical generation. Electrical power simulation software is increasingly being used to answer and determine the source of potential problems in the actual power system. To have a better understanding of an electrical power system, it is essential to validate all the components through simulation within an environment that allows accurate modeling of all power system components. This research presents modeling and analysis of an actual grid-connected solar-wind hybrid system at University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar …

The Integration Of Wind Energy In The Electrical Grid During The Contingencies, Islam Ali

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As wind energy expansion develops, there are also many problems and challenges to connect the wind farms to the grid. There are many different interactions during the connection like the voltage flicker, harmonics, transient, short circuit current, frequency, and safety protection. Those problems may affect the performance of the grid and may cause serious problems. This study investigates the grid-connection problems for the wind turbines and offers appropriate solutions. This study provides a simulation for the power system during the faults. The electrical grid in the simulation contains generators and wind turbines which are connected to the grid. It also …

Robotic Manufacturing Cell: An Analysis Of Variables Affecting Performance, Elvis Alicic

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Analyzing the performance of manufacturing cells is a well established concept. The justification for conducting thorough analyses of manufacturing cells comes from the known advantages it can provide, including performance improvement and production planning improvement, both current and future. This study focuses on assessing the variables affecting performance of a robotic manufacturing cell through the measure of throughput. Initially, simulation modeling is utilized to model an existing robotic cell and compare the output to actual production output from the same cell. Additionally, general regression modeling is employed to analyze the following variables and their effect on throughput: machine downtime, off-plan …

Women's Status And Fertility Rates : Results From National Level Data, Jason Thomas Surratt

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The rapid increase in human population makes the study of fertility rates an area of imminent concern. Understanding the relationship between women's status and fertility rates is important because providing women with access to adequate health services, educational opportunities, occupational opportunities, and political power will give them greater control over their lives. With increased control over their lives women are more likely to limit the number of children they have to their desired amount as they gain access to the resources to limit child bearing and to find fulfillment in other areas of their lives. This study contributes to the …

Role Strain In Probation And Parole Work And Strategies Used To Reduce Strain, Samantha A. Shoger

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Probation and parole officers play a vital role in the operation of the correctional system. As a part of their role work in community-based corrections, probation and parole officers must act as both a client monitor and treatment counselor to not only assist in client reentry, but also to protect the public. Due to the nature of probation and parole work and the historical changes that have affected their work (i.e. the punitive turn, the New Penology, and the current correctional budgetary constraints), probation and parole officers must cope with a variety of factors in their work that can cause …

Master's Recital In Piano, Hsueh-Ling Huang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Hsueh-Ling Huang presented a graduate piano recital at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music. This recital was presented in partial fulfillment of the Master of Music Degree requirements in Piano Performance. This recital program consisted of works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Alexander Scriabin, Claude Debussy, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Analysis Of Covert Software Behavior, Zhen Huo

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In general, users are isolated from the inner-workings of software. The behavior of software is analogous to a "black box," performing user-directed tasks in a predictable way. But this isolation of the inner-workings can foster both curiosity and suspicion of the goings-on "under the hood," especially when the software is closed-source, as is the case with a majority of commercial software. When talking about behaviors of software from the outside perspective of the end user, concerns are raised about issues including memory leaks, data integrity, confidential, etc. This paper discusses several techniques for scrutinizing and eliciting covert behavior of applications …

Marita Bonner: Creator Of Frye Street And Environs, Laya Jack

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Lorraine Elena Roses and Ruth Elizabeth Randolph, with their publication, Harlem Renaissance And Beyond: Literary Biographies of 100 Black Women Writers 1900-1945, embarked on a mission to bring to the forefront of literary scholarship black women who wrote significant works in the early twentieth century, but who have received little or no recognition. Although their research does not provide a comprehensive account on the lives and works of these women, they offer very pertinent information, which "broaden[s] the fields of scholarly inquiry while opening up the possibility of a revised history and tradition in black, women's and American literature." Their …

A Master Of Music Recital In Violin, Michaela Lauren Gansen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Michaela Lauren Gansen presented a graduate violin recital on Monday March 5, 2012 at eight o'clock in the evening in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. This recital was given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Music degree with an emphasis in violin performance. Ms. Gansen was assisted by pianist Serena Hou. The program opened with J.S. Bach's Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 for unaccompanied violin, followed by Sergey Prokofiev's Five Melodies for Violin and Piano, op. 35 bis. The recital concluded with the Second Violin Sonata for violin and piano …

The Effects Of Goal-Setting On Performance In An Industrial Painter Training Program, Bradley Gerber

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This field study investigated performance in an industrial painter training program for goal-setting, "do your best," and no goal conditions using three measures of performance. Participants were 64 professional, industrial painters. Contrary to expectations, the goal-setting condition did not perform significantly better than the "do your best" condition and no goal condition. Consistency of thickness goals may not have been effective because the tasks associated with the measure were overly complex and the goals may have been too difficult. The proximity to target thickness measure had a ceiling effect, so no support could be found for the measure. Transfer efficiency …

Ergonomics Evaluation Of Task Demands Among Kitchen Staff, Jaqueline Pereira Da Silva

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the workplace demands faced by a group of kitchen staff at six dining centers and to survey musculoskeletal complaints among this sample of workers. The dining centers were located in six different public elementary and middle schools in a city in the south of Brazil. This research was developed following qualitative research design, and the researcher made use of the “Activity Oriented Ergonomics (AOE) methodology.

The AOE focuses on the work analysis that evaluates real work situations that allows a reassessment of work demands. In this case the chosen methodology was a …

Special Issues In Engaging And Collaborating With Families Of English Language Learners, Stephanie Allison Strouse

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Research demonstrates positive outcomes associated with family involvement (Fl), but little exists specific to English Language Learners' (ELLs) FI. Factors impacting FI are identified, but it is unclear which educators view as most significant and what practices are implemented to address them. This study utilized survey data to examine educators' attitudes within an Iowa Area Education Agency regarding FI of ELLs, current practices, perceptions of practices' effectiveness, and professional development (PD) related to ELLs. Participants reported positive relationships with families of ELLs and that ELL families value education, yet only moderate satisfaction with ELL FI. Results indicate incongruity between common …