Digital Commons Network^™

Underdevelopment And State Capitalism: A Cross-National Study, Massoud Chalabi

Dissertations

This is an inquiry into the nature and developmental role of state capitalism (SC) in the Third World. In an effort to enhance understanding of the problem of underdevelopment in general and to gain understanding of state capitalism in particular, contributions and limitations of basic theories of development were examined via a positive critique. State capitalism, as a political movement under the political leadership of middle classes, is a response to the structural crisis and chronic crisis of authority to which misborn capitalism has been facing in the Third World since its emergence. Once state capitalism comes to exist, the …

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale/Wechsler Memory Scale Difference Scores: Their Relationship To Brain Dysfunction And Closed Head Injury, Don A. Boyd

Dissertations

Performance differences between the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) were studied. Differences in performance between the WAIS Full Scale IQ Score and the WMS Memory Quotient (WMS discrepancy score) were compared across three groups consisting of a closed head injury group (N = 45), a localized lesion group (N = 25), and a psychiatric group (N = 45) who were unimpaired on the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery. Also, WMS discrepancy scores were compared across a long-coma group and a short-coma group and the correlation coefficient between the WMS discrepancy score and neuropsychological impairment rating was …

The Influence Of Perceived Teachers' And Parents' Expectations On Student Achievement, William Zollweg

Dissertations

This study investigates the influence of perceived teacher and parent expectations on student achievement. Additionally, variations in perceived expectations were measured for students with different sex, race, and socioeconomic background. The sample population consisted of 283 tenth-grade students in a large midwestern school district. Results indicate that students with higher teacher and parent perceived expectations score higher on standardized tests of reading achievement. Furthermore, student perception of teacher and parent expectation varied directly with socioeconomic status.

Life Events, Social Support, And Health: An Examination, Kathleen Anne Tiemann

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationship between life events, social support, and health by testing a theoretically derived model. Regression analysis reveals that the number of undesirable health-related events explains most of the variation in reported health problems. Yet, when undesirable health-related events are added to the dependent variable, only five percent of the variation is explained. This finding suggests a measurement problem: the tautology of health-related events and health outcomes. The impact of this measurement problem is further illustrated through path analysis. When the tautology is removed, only two of the eight predictor variables remain in the model. Suggestions for …

Mental Health Status Of Malay Students At U.S. Colleges And Universities, Md. Shuaib Che Din

Dissertations

The basic premise of this study was that foreign students are faced with problems during much of their stay in the United States. It was the purpose of this study to determine the effects of everyday life strains on the mental health status of Malay students at U.S. colleges and universities. Specifically, this study looked at the relationships between the symptoms of psychiatric disorders of depression, psychological coping resources of self-esteem and self-mastery, and the background variables. Also this study attempted to determine the levels of depression, self-esteem, and self-mastery; the manifestation of the depressive symptoms according to the domains …

On The Genus Of A Block Design, Joan Marie Rahn

Dissertations

The genus of a design (BIBD or PBIBD) is defined to be the genus of its corresponding hypergraph (objects as vertices, blocks as edges); that is, the genus of the bipartite graph associated with the hypergraph in a natural way. The Euler formula is used to establish a lower bound (gamma) for the genus of a block design. An imbedding of the design of the surface of genus (gamma) is then described by a voltage hypergraph or voltage graph. Use of the lower bound formula leads to a characterization of planar BIBDs. A connection between a block design derived from …

The Relationship Between Women's Levels Of Achievement And Self-Reported Characteristics Using The Bem Sex-Role Inventory, Sandra Kay Ragen

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between adult women's perceptions of their sex role and their level of achievement. Sex role was defined by the scores achieved on the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI), and achievement level was based on an index of education, work role, and salary. It was hypothesized that a significant relationship exists between levels of achievement and self-reported masculine (instrumental) and feminine (expressive) characteristics.

A random sample of 100 females was selected from membership roles (N = 600) in the Kalamazoo Network, Kalamazoo, Michigan, a high-achieving women's group. Seventy-five (75) usable returns provided …

A Study Of The Effect Of Solids, Viscosity, And Basestock On The Development Of Blade Coated Paper Properties, Steven D. Bennett

Masters Theses

A review of literature relating coating solids to coated paper properties revealed many contradictions. Little was found relating coating viscosity to coated paper property development. A statistically designed study was conducted to evaluate the importance of solids, viscosity, and basestock on the development of blade coated paper properties. Temperature was used to control coating viscosity independently of solids. Clay-latex and calcium carbonate-latex coatings were applied to groundwood containing basestocks using a Flooded Nip blade coater. Multiple linear regression models were generated for each of the coated paper properties. Solids and basestock were most important in the models for gloss, smoothness, …

Reliability And Validity Of The Black English Sentence Scoring System, Yvette D. Hyter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity and interscorer reliability of a specific diagnostic tool of language assessment which is designed to be nonbiased for dialectally different children. Black English Sentence Scoring (BESS; Nelson, 1983), which is based on Lee's (1974) Developmental Sentence Scoring (DSS), is a system for analyzing spontaneous language samples that gives cred it for the normally developing features of Black English dialect. The sample consisted of 17 children between three and seven years who were residing in Michigan in communities where Black English was spoken frequently. All were identified as having language …

An Examination And Analysis Of The Department Of Special Education In The Muskegon Heights Public Schools, Doristine Louise Minott

Masters Theses

This project was undertaken so that an indepth view of the role of the director of special education and the Department of Special Education, Muskegon Heights Public Schools, could be observed. While there are many facets in the Department, much of the time was spent reviewing the Michigan Department of Education Administrative Manual for Special Education, working on administrative skills, and getting a feel for operating the Department.

It was determined that the Department is a very complex one indeed. Because policies change so often from the state level, it is often difficult to stay abreast of things. Therefore the …

The Effects Of Immediacy To Parenthood On The Perceptions Of Importance Of Parent Education Topics, Nancy Mauro Gerard

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine how immediacy to parenthood affects one's perception of what should be learned in a parent education class. Differences were sought among groups of individuals at four levels of immediacy to parenthood on the perceived importance of 11 parenting topics. These topics were Pregnancy and Childbirth, Infancy, Early Childhood, Late Childhood, Adolescence, Health and Safety, Social Issues Related to Parenthood, Family Relations and Communication, Guiding the Behavior of Children, Parenting Patterns, and Career-Related Concerns. In order to determine if there were differences, the data, collected through the use of a parent education questionnaire, …

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Different Running Shoes On The Gait Pattern Of Runners, Linda S. Leeds

Masters Theses

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of different models of running shoes on the gait pattern of runners. A biomechanical analysis was employed using one high speed camera, digitizing equipment, and a computer. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in pronation, Q-angle and leg angle at foot strike and midstance. The analysis of variance indicated no difference between the shoes in pronation at foot strike or midstance. Furthermore, no difference existed in either Q-angle or leg angle during foot strike and midstance.

Apparently, shoes had no effect on running gait during foot strike and midstance. …

Alcoholism: The Insidious Disease, Kathryn Van Bruggen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to describe alcoholism as a disease, it s likely etiology, symptoms, methods of treatment and prognosis. Problems due to alcoholism are reported as they affect not only the alcoholic but the family, job and community as well. Education will help identify an alcoholic problem before it becomes too advanced. Various treatment modalities are discussed, including Alcoholics Anonymous. This study relates to the impact on the family and how the family can exacerbate the problem. Conclusions are based on observations of alcoholics and families of alcoholics in a therapeutic setting and literature review.

Job Position As A Moderator Of Opinion Regarding School Finance Among Seventh-Day Adventist Administrators, Gregory A. Gerard

Dissertations

All levels of public and private education have been affected by difficult economic times. Much attention has been paid to the financial plight of public schools, but less research has been undertaken regarding the financial operation of parochical schools.

The purpose of this study was to investigate one aspect of the financial operation of one church's school system. Specifically, the research examined the opinions of incumbents of five different positions within the Seventh-day Adventist Church and school system concerning the potential of within and outside of school strategies for the operation of boarding schools. Within school strategies were defined as …

Collective Bargaining And The Building Principal: A Case Study, Rosemary Ervine

Masters Theses

The purpose of this report is to describe the role of a school building principal in the collective bargaining process and consider the affects of the collective bargaining process on the role and function of the building principal. Perspective and data were gained by participation as a building principal representative on the administrative bargaining team for the Kentwood Public Schools in their negotiations with the Kentwood Education Association during the summer of 1982. This report serves as a case study of that experience.

Collective bargaining is introduced in Chapter I which also includes a brief summary of its history in …

The Effects Of Do-Say And Phase Sequencing On Correspondence Behaviors Of Preschool Children, Catherine M. Mcmanus

Masters Theses

This study assessed the effects of a do-say procedure and phase sequencing on the correspondence behaviors of seven preschoolers. Three subjects received correspondence-content (Group A) phase sequencing training and four subjects received content-correspondence (Group B) phase sequencing training. During the Content Phase, subjects received reinforcerrent (socials, stickers, snack, etc.) for verbalizations about engaging in a pre-determined non-preferred activity. During the Correspondence Phase, subjects received reinforcement for verbalizations about the non-preferred activity only when they had actually engaged in play with that specific non-preferred activity. The results indicated that in most instances, reinforcement of verbalizations alone results in increases in those …

An Ecological Investigation Of Native Grassland In Southern Lower Michigan, Kim Alan Chapman

Masters Theses

Floristic and soil data from 50 relicts and other sources were analyzed using polar ordination of species presence. Historical and early scientific accounts were interpreted from the results.

The relicts ranged from wet to dry, on either sandy or loamy soil. Alkaline lakeplain sites added a third dimension of variability. Most upland remnants were interpreted as fragments of former savanna.

Floristic composition and distribution of the remnants were determined by these factors:

1. Edaphic: away from the Prairie Peninsula, only very dry or very wet sites support prairie vegetation;

2. Phytogeographic: the farther from the Prairie Peninsula, the fewer characteristics …

The Effects Of Alprazolam And Triazolam On Two Methods Of Induced Aggression In Rats, Howard Kiel Plummer

Masters Theses

Two new benzodiazepine tranquilizers, alprazolam and triazolam were used to try to reduce aggression in rats produced by isolation or drugs. Both reduced elements of isolation-induced aggression, and triazolam was more potent. Little reduction was found in drug-induced aggression by either tranquilizer. It is unknown why aggression was not reduced for the drug-induced method, but it is possible that a synergism existed between the two methods of inducing aggression, since the same rats were used for both methods. Different rats were used for each tranquilizer. Reduction in aggression for the isolated rats seems consistent with results for other benzodiazepine tranquilizers.

Behavioral Interventions For The Cessation Of Cigarette Smoking Behavior: A Literature Review, Russell David Matthews

Masters Theses

The negative impact of cigarette smoking on health has been medical knowledge for many years. This provides the behavioral investigator with a large population of subjects engaging in a maladaptive behavior which is easily defined and measured and highly resistant to extinction. This study critically reviews published accounts of behavioral interventions for cessation of cigarette smoking, which were listed in the Psychological Abstracts, and other published bibliographies, 1964-1984. Despite the volume of studies reviewed, very few demonstrated effectiveness over time. The author concludes while several techniques proved to be effective initially, their effectiveness diminished within months after application. However, several …

Use Of Contingency Contracting For The Generalization Of Social Skills Of Emotionally Impaired Students, Michelle M. Kapp

Masters Theses

The present study investigated the effects of contingency or behavioral contracting on the generalization of emitting polite words. Generalization as a result of social skills training was compared to generalization as a result of contracting. The subjects were three elementary students identified as emotionally impaired. The experimental design was a combination reversal and multiple baseline across subjects. The results of the study supported the hypothesis that contracting would be more effective than the social skills training in initiating generalization of emitting polite words. It was suggested that additional research be conducted to investigate the long term effects of contracting on …

The Use Of Performance Data To Monitor And Support The Reorganization Of An Educational System, Ellen Spall Thompson

Masters Theses

The goal of this study was to determine the performance effects on staff and students following the reorganization of a special education facility. The organizational plan was based on the development of teaching teams where students were grouped together according to exit curricular goals. Four interventions were completed in order to assess the overall outcome of the reorganization project. At the student level, the rate of learning was monitored in order to determine whether the implementation of teams affected educational objective acquisition . At the team level, meeting agendas were surveyed to find out what effect they had on student …

The Effects Of Given Versus Self-Derived Rules On Children's Performance Of A Complex Discrimination Task, Susan F. Roy

Masters Theses

Two groups of preschool children were studied in a discretetrial concept formation task involving identification of stimulus cards which shared a common feature (e.g., picture a color, or a facial expression). During training, one group (rule-given) was given a verbal description which delineated the aspect of the stimulus card that should control responding. The second (self-derived rule) group was exposed to the same cards, without a rule (verbal description) being given. Members of each group were reinforced for correct responses (i.e., identifying which of two pictures had the relevant stimulus property), and accuracy of description was recorded for each trial. …

Male-Female Differences In Expressed Work Attitudes: An Examination Of Sex Roles And Gender Identity, Keith A. Woods

Masters Theses

This study investigates the existence of sex-based differences in attitudes toward social relations in the work environment. Both sex role (male vs. female) and gender-identity (agentic and communal aspects of self-conception) were related to work attitudes within the context of situational (attitude disclosure) and dispositional (public self-consciousness) factors. Subjects' attitudes toward the work environment were measured by a newly-developed Work Attitude Questionnaire (WAQ) which assessed preferences for personal vs. counterpersonal and preferences for conflict vs. conflict-avoidance in social relations in the work environment.

Significantly different work attitudes were expressed by male and female subjects: males expressed greater counterpersonal and lower …

A Study Of The Mannitol Binding Protein Active Transport System And A Catabolite Repression Resistant Mutant In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Joseph Arthur Wolff

Masters Theses

Cold-shock extraction procedures were used for the efficient release of mannitol binding protein. Magnesium chloride and cold-shock released 92% of the total whole cell mannitol binding protein activity without release of detectable cytoplasmic marker protein glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase. Arsenate inhibited mannitol uptake to the same extent as azide. The simultaneous loss and gain of mannitol binding protein activity with mannitol uptake activity in mutants and reventants respectively, was consistant with periplasmic mannitol binding protein as a required component of mannitol uptake. A catabolite repression resistant mutant for mannitol uptake was isolated and described. This mutant, designated WEP-1, escaped catabolite repression …

Land Use Effects On Shallow Earth Resistivity, Gary James Barton

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Studies On The Phytoplankton Of Littoral Waters Of The Arabian Gulf As Impacted By Oil Spills, Hamdan S. Al-Ghamdi

Masters Theses

A study of the effect of oil pollution on two intertidal areas of the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast was undertaken. One area was severely impacted by oil; the other was relatively clean. The organisms studied also indicated the effects of pollution were diatoms and blue-green algae.

Members of the diatom genus Amphora were more numerous in the clean water area than in the polluted section, confirming their preference for relatively clean habitats. Members of the diatom genus Asterionella, a more resistant group, were much more abundant in the polluted area.

Blue-green algae which also tolerate pollution were also more abundant …

A Modification Of The Dry-Bed Training For The Treatment Of Nocturnal Enuresis, Abubaker Muftah Abdurrazek

Masters Theses

The present study explored the effectiveness of the Dry-Bed Training (DBT) method without positive practice (20 trips to the toilet) and urine alarm. It also compares the efficacy of the DBT with and without the urine alarm. Eight nocturnally enuretics, aged 6 to 12 years, were assigned to two groups, experimental and control; each consisted of three boys and one girl. During the first phase of treatment, the experimental group underwent the DBT without positive practice and urine alarm, whereas the control group underwent the DBT with positive practice but no alarm. Subsequently, the urine alarm was introduced to both …

A Comparison Of Computer-Assisted Instruction And Traditional Instruction In Braille Transcription, Susan Kay Vlahas Ponchillia

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the teaching effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) with the effectiveness of traditional instruction of braille transcription for sighted persons. Since the traditional method (TM) of teaching and learning braille transcription requires a great deal of time for both instructor and student, it was hoped that computer-assisted instruction would be as efficacious as the traditional method while shortening time requirements for instructor and student. A review of the literature revealed that computer-assisted instruction has been successfully used in teaching many subjects including languages, providing immediate feedback and reducing learning time. In studies where …

Western News, July 26, 1984, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: New dean of education named, Presidential position description OK'd, Board appoints two department chairs, Vander Weyden to head new office

Wmu Board Of Trustees Regular Meeting July 20, 1984, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Minutes
• Correspondence
• President's Remarks
• Korn/Ferry Report
• Academic Personnel Report
• Non-Academic Personnel Report
• Gift and Grant Report
• Resolution re Prepayment of HUD Bonds at a Discount
• Recommendation re Transfer of Land
• Recommendation re Liquor License
• Recommendation re Authorization to Confer Degrees
• Board Committee Reports
• Western Michigan Foundation Report
• Cistercian Campaign Videotape Presentation
• Public Comments
• Executive Session