Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Staff Performance Through Checklists, Duane Lee Bacon

Masters Theses

Analysis of a checklist system suggested that it may be a useful method of improving staff performance and that three features were important: task definitions, recording responses on checklists, and periodic supervisor review. A checklist system incorporating these features was developed for an administrative staff in a large instructional system. A multiple baseline design and one reversal were used with three small groups of front-line staff, whose task completion was determined by permanent products left by the tasks. The percent of tasks completed improved by 28.8% when the checklist system was in effect. This study indicates that checklists may be …

Improving Instructional Skills Of Special Education Teachers Using A Group Training Package, R. Thomas Arkwright

Masters Theses

The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate a training package which facilitates instructional skills of special education teachers in a practical, cost-efficient manner. After pretraining sessions of staggered baseline lengths, each teacher received sample program forms with written instructions and concise training on usage. As session performance stabilized, three teachers were taught specific performance feedback competencies and began giving verbal feedback during four other teachers' instructional sessions in a multiple-baseline across behaviors design. In addition to instructional competencies,generalization and maintenance effects were also assessed. Results indicate: 1) general training and program materials improved the instructional performance …

Increasing Job Performance By Training Employees How To Request Instructions And Feedback, Laverne Talley Alebiosu

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effectiveness of a procedure to increase the job performance, defined as task completion, of four black adolescents serving as child care aides in a day care center. The trainees were taught to request instructions and feedback from their supervisor. They were also taught to self-record the number of requests for instructions and feedback and the tasks they completed. Training procedures therefore involved a method to increase task performance without any direct intervention on increasing tasks and incorporated these direct instruction techniques: Small group instruction; active responding; the model, lead, and test format; and the use of …

The Effects Of Individual Verbal Training Versus Group Verbal Training Upon Preschooler's Corresponding Snack Selection, John W. Hoedl

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare group correspondence training with individual correspondence training. Groups of individually-trained and group-trained preschoolers were observed for their selection of specific snack items (fruit). First, they were trained to say they would select fruit. Then, social reinforcers were used to attempt to reinforce correspondence. Next, tangible reinforcers were contingent upon correspondence. The Group-Trained Tangible Reinforcement Phase proved the most successful and was replicated across the other groups.

A Comparison Of Speed And Accuracy In Addition Calculation For High And Low Achieving Math Students Using The Calculator, Conventional Algorithm And The Hutchings' “Low Stress Algorithm”, Edward S. Drew

Masters Theses

This study was an attempt to compare the differential calculation power (speed plus accuracy) with addition for the conventional algorithm as compared with the Hutchings' low stress algorithm as compared to hand held calculators for high and low achievers with two levels of difficulty. Also, it is a systematic replication of Zoref's (1976) previous research. The subjects were eight third grade students, four male and four female, approximately nine years old. A multielement baseline design was used varying type calculation method within sessions and level of difficulty across sessions. The Hutchings' "low stress" algorithm produced markedly better results in correct …

U-Pb Systematics And Ages Of Rocks From The Zone Of Cataclasis, Bitterroot Dome, Southwestern Montana, Edward Charles Arruda

Masters Theses

The eastern flank of the Bitterroot range, western Montana, consists of a 100 km-long zone of cataclasis which dips to the east. Zircons in sheared granitic plutons from three localities within this zone were dated using U-Pb methods. These zircons, which consist of anhedral cores and euhedral overgrowths, yield concordia lower-intercept ages of 48-52 million years before the present, dates which likely represent crystallization ages of the plutons. Shearing which affected these plutons, therefore, is significantly younger than the 72-76 million year age assigned for eastward movement of the Sapphire tectonic block whose detachment zone has been interpreted as the …

A Methodology For Documenting The History Of Michigan Houses Built Between 1830 And 1930, Esther M. Walton

Masters Theses

This thesis delineates the methodology for documenting the history of Michigan houses built between 1830 and 1930* Three major areas of documentation are discussed. They are record search, architectural style and physical examination, as well as the location of relevant material. Each type and kind of public and private records, written, cartographic and visual are explained as to their importance and use for house research.

A brief overview of architectural style is presented along with illustration. Within the architectural style is a discussion on the physical examination of a house.

The conclusions are presented as a case study complete with …

Verbal And Non-Verbal Curricula For Teaching Color Names To Preschool Children, Cynthia A. Wagner

Masters Theses

This study examined the effects of curriculum type on the acquisition and retention of color names. Ten 2 to 3 year old subjects were divided into two experimental groups of five each; subjects were of both sexes and approximately equal language ability . In a modified multiple -baseline design, one experimental group received the verbal curriculum and the other experimental group received the non-verbal curriculum. Data were gathered through regular testing of all subjects. Results indicated that the curricula were equally efficient in teaching color names in their respective modalities; there was no significant difference in the mean number of …

A Comparison Of The Hutchings' “Low-Stress", Fulkerson "Full-Record" And Conventional Addition Algorithms For Speed, Accuracy And Preference With Regular Education Students, John Robert Vanhevel

Masters Theses

The differential calculation power (speed and accuracy) of three different addition procedures were investigated using the Hutchings " Low-stress", Fulkerson "Full-record" and conventional algorithms. The subjects were nine fourth grade students, five female and four male, approximately ten years of age. Elements of both multiple baseline and reversal designs were employed, varying the type of calculation method across phases. After exposure to each algorithm, students were given a choice of methods to use in solving a problem. Results indicated that both the Hutchings "Low-stress" and Fulkerson "Full-record" algorithms were generally superior in producing stable, accurate and efficient calculations. When given …

A Peer-Managed Contract Study Program For High School Students, Jane F. Stinson

Masters Theses

A contract study center was implemented in a high school setting. The center employed peer-tutoring and behavioral contracting procedures. The program was designed to assist students with assigned tasks and to increase the efficiency with which in-school study periods were used. Students either were referred by teachers or volunteered to use the center. The project was implemented for ten weeks on a pilot basis. The results indicated that students used the center extensively and adequately adhered to behavior management requirements. A large proportion of contracts were completed demonstrating that the center procedures were effective in facilitating productivity. Staff evaluations showed …

A Comparison Of Concurrent And Removed Component Procedures For Teaching Toothbrushing Skills To Preschoolers, Timothy Ian Mckinley

Masters Theses

The study compared the use of a removed component program to a concurrent training program in teaching toothbrushing skills to preschool children. The removed component program separated three response components from the terminal toothbrushing response and taught them separately out-of-the mouth before requiring them in the mouth. The concurrent training program required the three response components but did not train them separately in or out of the mouth. The removed component program taught the skills faster than or equal to the concurrent program, with a significantly higher percentage of correct responses.

A Comparison Of Calculation Speed And Accuracy On Two Levels Of Problem Difficulty Using The Conventional And Hutchings’ "Low Stress" Subtraction Algorithms And The Pocket Calculator, Margaret T. Mcglinchey

Masters Theses

This study involved a comparison of three different calculation procedures for solving two different sizes of subtraction problems. A multi-element baseline design was used with three subjects: 2 females and 1 male, whose ages were 9.6, 24, and 8.1, respectively. The calculation procedures were varied randomly within, sessions, and the problem sizes varied randomly across sessions. Dependent measures included rate correct, rate incorrect, and percent accuracy. For all subjects, the conventional algorithm was the fastest calculation procedure. Accuracy data were not as consistent, since they varied across subjects and problem array sizes. Future research in this area might involve larger …

The Effects Of Glucocorticoids On Gluconeogenesis In Diabetic And Normal Chinese Hamsters, Charles James Woody

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to determine whether diabetic Chinese Hamsters maintained elevated endogenous cortisol concentrations and whether the previously reported elevation in gluconeogenesis in these diabetic animals was correlated with these cortisol concentrations.

It was found that nonketotic diabetic Chinese Hamsters maintained plasma cortisol concentrations similar to those of controls for the morning and evening time periods examined. Their rate of gluconeogenesis and absorption of injected pyruvate is much greater than that of controls in the morning. Furthermore, adrenalectomy increases gluconeogenesis and pyruvate absorption in both diabetics and normals and alleviates the difference seen in these parameters in …

Western News, April 16, 1981, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Bernhard decries violence in observance Tuesday for Atlanta children, Dybek; Zupko get prestigious Guggenheim awards, Campus Planning Council seeks reaction to report of U Transportation Committee, Faculty and students had MASAL roles, Student art competition winners named, Elderhostels offered here in June, Stevens designated to investigate cases of alleged sexual harassment of students, Kilty will speak at July international conference

Heritage And Politics Of Poverty And Inequality For Rural Women, Edith A. Cheitman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In the course of researching the subject of this paper I requested a computer literature search. Using sociological, economic and psychological data bases and a comprehensive list of descriptors, I was able to retrieve only five references. Of those, only one was of significant value to me in dealing with the specific issues involved in the oppression of rural American women.

The paucity of material available through so-called "legitimate" channels was, for me, a telling point. The worst kind of oppression and inequality occurs to groups that are, in effect, "invisible". If no one has identified rural women as an …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 8, No. 1 (March 1981)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Table of Contents

• Humanism and Social Work Paradoxes, Problems, and Promise - NORMAN GOROFF
• Applied Sociology, Social Engineering, and Human Rationality - JOHN W. MURPHY
• Heritage and Politics of Poverty and Inequality for Rural Women - EDITH A. CHEITMAN
• Social Welfare: Context for Social Control - PHYLLIS J. DAY
• Social Values in Social Work: A Developmental Model - DAVID BARGAL
• Social Work Response to Problems of Occupational Health - JOANNE JANKOVIC & DAVID DOTSON
• Welfare Reform and the Possible Demise of White Paternalism and Black Flight in Mississippi - LEWIS WALKER & CHESTER L. HUNT
• Child Health and Developmental Problems …

Making It Legal: A Comparison Of Previously Cohabiting And Engaged Newlyweds, Ingrid Moeller, Basil J. Sherlock

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In view of the recent emergence of cohabitation as an alternative form of courtship, it is important to determine its possible effects on the subsequent marital union. Are the premarital experiences, marital goals, patterns of marital power and levels of conflict discernably different for those who have lived together before marriage? Comparing cohabitors with noncohabitors , we attempted to pursue this question in a sample of 139 recently married, nonparental, college matriculating, young adults using a lengthy focused interview.

Largely due to parental pressures "to make it legal", both cohabitors and noncohabitors moved towards matrimony with equal speed, marrying at …

Social Welfare: Context For Social Control, Phyllis J. Day

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Because human service professionals are uncritical concerning the latent functions of their organizations they may be unaware of their power as agents for social control. The paper discusses values, attitudes, and education supportive of such control, the permeation of social programs into heretofore private areas of human life, the power inherent in new techniques of social persuasion, and the centralization of that power because of expanded government funding and accountability requirements. As public assistance programs contain civil disorder among the poor, so other social welfare programs insure conformity and control the alienated of all levels of society.

Child Health And Developmental Problems And Child Maltreatment Among Afdc Families, Isabel Wolock

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper explores the complex interrelationship among the physical health and developmental problems of a child, child abuse and neglect, and poverty. Gaps in agency attention to children's medical needs are identified and recommendations made for reducing these gaps. The analysis is based on interview and agency data for 45 families randomly selected from a group of 365 AFDC recipient families under supervision for child abuse and neglect.

Community Service Opportunities And Older Americans, Zev Harel, Ruth Ellen Lindenberg

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Contemporary society has brought about a situation where older Americans have limited opportunities for contributory roles. They have limited involvement in the development and provision of services aimed to promote their own well-being and the welfare and well-being of others. This article examines the importance of contributory roles and functions in light of theoretical perspectives, social work values, and research evidence which indicates that life satisfaction and psychological well being of older persons is related to continued productivity and the opportunity to carry substantive social roles. This article reviews and discusses contributory opportunities for older persons as part of community …

Factors Distinguishing Urban And Rural State Mental Hospital Patients In Florida, Elane M. Nuehring, Robert A. Ladner

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study compares the patients of two state mental hospitals, one serving an urban region, the other a rural district. The purpose is to explore urban and rural patient differences on background, hospital history and experience, post-release living situation, use of community mental health services, and postrelease functioning. A summary attempt to distinguish urban from rural patients using discriminant function analysis established that rural-urban differences exist in symptom manifestation, the patient's personal and social environment, and institutional processing patterns. These patient differences have implications for the development of aftercare services.

Western News, February 13, 1981, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Ehrle stresses need to reduce number of GE courses, Howard University faculty member to give talk here during Whitney Young program, Lansing budget session friendly and brief, DRSP describes services that help in grants search, Boston University specialist to lead off Van Riper lecture series in speech path, Set deadline for CHHS student competition, Ehrle asks Senate for help on 10 issues

The Westerner Vol. 1 No. 5, Western Michigan University

The Westerner (1980-1997)

• College of Business alumni challenged to match donor • State cutbacks effect University • Welcome home! • Governor names Edwards to replace Dykema; Parfet reappointed to Board • Industrial Education changes name • Athletic director search begun • Bouma comments on failure of criminal rehabilitation • Kellogg awards libraries grant • Sports • Among Alumni • Alumnotes • Profile

7-An Archaeological Survey Of The Approaches And Bridge Relocation Along Us-12 Over The Fawn River, White Pigeon Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan, William M. Cremin

Archaeological Technical Reports

Pursuant to the signing of a cooperative agreement (dated 4 Sep 81) between the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of State and Western Michigan University, authorizing an archaeological survey of the approaches and bridge relocation along US-12 over the Fawn River near White Pigeon in St. Joseph County, Michigan, a team of archaeologists from the Department of Anthropology initiated a literature and documents search and on-site evaluation of the project area in order to ascertain whether road improvement activities planned for this segment of the US-12 corridor would adversely impact cultural resources. There follows a report of this …

Obstacles To Reading Acquisition: Preventative And Corrective Concerns, Carl Braun

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

In spite of the vast expenditure and research on the process of learning to read, there is little if any evidence that the incidence of reading disability is declining. Some, in fact, would argue that the contrary is true.

Help For The Mobile Student, Linda Mixon Clary

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Teachers today know firsthand that sociologists are correct when they describe Modern American society as mobile. It is not at all unusual for many students - sometimes half a class - to enter classrooms while numerous others leave during the normal school year. This situation of course has always been true in areas that serve very transient groups such as military families, but it appears to now also apply to many other populations. Some up-to-date estimates predict that workers will change jobs eight or nine times in a lifetime and children are often involved in these moves. Consequently, today's teachers …

9-Settlement Pattern Survey In Allegan County, Michigan: 1980 Field Season, Elizabeth B. Garland, Kathryn Parachini

Archaeological Reports

The 1980 Settlement Pattern Survey in Allegan County, Michigan observed and recorded 75 prehistoric sites representing a total of 81 components. This report describes and evaluates these sites and the archaeological materials recovered from them. Site location relative to second and third order streams in this portion of the Lower Kalamazoo River basin is evaluated, and the importance of this relationship in comparison with soil association and landform is assessed.

Meeting Children's Reading Needs: Examining The Roles Of Special Teachers, William H. Rupley, Marty Abramson

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Those who teach remedial reading in the schools have numerous titles, dissimilar training, and overlapping responsibilities. Children who have mild to severe reading problems may be instructed by reading specialists, Title I teachers, teachers of the learning disabled, and so forth. Similarly, the reading teachers' training may range from participation in an undergraduate or graduate reading program to never having taken a formal course in reading. Though there may be an inherent assumption that all these individuals are equally capable of teaching reading, there are marked differences in training that could make this assumption untrue.

Reading And Risk Taking: The Teacher's Role, Arleen Michael

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Among the most puzzling students for the reading teacher are the children who say they can't learn to read or don't want to learn to read. Despite excellent objectives and activities which the skilled reading teacher has planned, these children seem determined to avoid the reading task, and to deny the teacher the opportunity to help them learn.

New Horizons: Faculty Recognition Dinner 1981, Western Michigan University

Faculty Recognition

New Horizons

Faculty Recognition Dinner 1981

Our Honored Guests:

• Marguerite Baechtold
• Harold O. Bahlke
• John L. Bendix
• Charles T. Brown
• Helen M. Brown
• William Buys
• James A. Davenport
• Lois Hamlin
• Clayton Holaday
• Helen Jennings
• Gordon O. Johnson
• Waldemar Klammer
• Daniel Kyser
• Cameron Lambe
• Alice E. Lewis
• Eleanor R. McKinney
• Leonard V. Meretta
• Arnold G. Nelson
• Nathan L. Nichols
• Stephen R. Nisbert
• Nancy Thomas
• William Weeks