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A Learning Strategy For A Class Of Probabilistic Automata, Lyle Amos Reibling

Masters Theses

A learning strategy is developed for a class of probabilistic automata. Given an input sequence to the probabilistic automaton* and the output sequence arising from the probabilistic transition function of the automaton* the learning strategy will conjecture the probabilistic automata which cover the input - output sequence observed and will infer the probabilistic transition structure of the conjectured automata.

A Study Of Financial Management Aspects Of School Business Management, William Paul Le Tarte

Masters Theses

This internship was conducted under the direction of the Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services for Kent Intermediate School District. The scope of the resources available were not restricted to a single school district, but included examples available from the twenty-one districts in Kent County. This provided a composite view of the way districts are managed.

This was further developed by participation at meetings, in-service sessions and conferences of the Grand Valley School District Officials, Southwest Michigan School Business Officials, in meetings with educational lobbyists and leaders of the Michigan School Business Officials, and in meetings with area legislators.

The. experience …

Michigan Schools Must Provide Necessary School Supplies, Tommie D. Saylor

Masters Theses

This study was an attempt to determine how the schools in three Southwestern Michigan counties implemented the decision of the July 17, 1970 Michigan State Supreme Court ruling which required all school districts to provide students with all necessary school supplies. It was evident from the survey conducted that the schools are at different levels of compliance and that the only commonality is that all of them furnish textbooks and paper. One of the conclusions developed by the writer was that each Board of Education should carefully examine the policies that are being followed by their school district and compare …

A Report Of An Internship In The St. Joseph Public Schools St. Joseph, Michigan, Richard H. Bartz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this report is to describe a nine-week internship in the St. Joseph Public Schools. The major portion of the internship was devoted to working on a position description project and on computer scheduling at the Upton Junior High School.

Chapter I contains a brief background of the St. Joseph Public Schools and the intern 's prospectus.

Chapter II describes the intern's role in reviewing and developing position descriptions for certified personnel.

Chapter III describes the - intern's experiences in working with the Upton Junior High Principal to build a course master schedule.

Chapter IV contains the intern …

An Evaluation Of The Regulated Breathing Method In Treatment Of Stuttering, Paul B. Greilick

Masters Theses

The effects of the regulated breathing method on several characteristics of the speech of four stutterers were assessed in a multiple baseline across subjects design. Repeated measures of stuttering frequency, speech rate , and fluency rate were obtained in multiple settings before, at termination, and through six months post-treatment Subjects' estimates of stuttering frequency were compared with objective measures of stuttering across phases. At post-treatment and follow-up, although stuttering frequency had decreased and speech rate increased substantially compared to baseline, subjects continued to stutter frequently. Additionally, subjects consistently underestimated frequency of stutters as measured by the experimenter. The efficacy of …

A Biomechanical Analysis Theorizing The Effects Of Long Term Meniscectomy On Q Angles And Pronation/Supination Of The Foot During Running, Richard R. Squires

Masters Theses

The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship of pronation/supination and Q angles of the right and left legs of subjects with meniscectomies. A biomechanical analysis was employed using two high speed camera, digitizing equipment, and a computer. Statistical analysis was performed to determine any significant differences.

Analysis of variance found a difference between medial and lateral, and control and medial groups in the pronation/supination test at heel strike with shoes. A difference among subjects and legs also was found at heel strike without shoes.

Analysis of variance found differences in average Q angles of the medial and …

A Study Of The Relationship Of System Openness To Community Education Programming In Selected Rural School Districts, Daniel James Patterson

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold: First, to identify indicators of system openness that are related to the community education program components offered by a school district and, second, to investigate the extent to which the indicators of system openness relate to the community education program components offered by a school district.

The population of this study consisted of six community educators working in separate K-12 school organizations.

A survey instrument was developed to meet the requirements of this study: The measurement of community education programs and the indicators of system openness. A review of the literature on community …

The Effects Of Participation In The Family Support Program On The Adaptive And Maladaptive Behaviors Of Developmentally Disabled Individuals, Patricia L. Mcdonald

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in adaptive as well as maladaptive behaviors of those developmentally disabled persons who have participated in a Family Support Program and those who have not participated in such a program.

The study focused on the adaptive and maladaptive behaviors of 10 developmentally disabled persons for the time period from November 1980 to April 1982. These subjects for the study were between the ages of 4 and 20, residents of Macomb County, and actively serviced by the Macomb County Life Consultation Center. Data used in the study were generated through the …

Interaction Functions Of A Computer - Assisted Career Information And Guidance System: Macomb Community College, Joyce Kirkwood

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of whether interaction with a computer-assisted career information and guidance system is a function of the person's age, sex, or educational background. It further attempted to determine if there were differences in the career information needs of Macomb Community College students and those of the general Michigan Occupational Interest Survey (MOIS) user population of the Michigan Occupational Interest Coordinating Committee's study of 1980. Interviews were conducted for the purpose of finding some explanation of these differences. After tracing the development of career information expansion and reviewing current practices in the …

A Test Of The Validity Of The Equipercentile Assumption: An Analysis Using A Data Base Of Title-I Eligible Students, Christine Applin Ameen

Dissertations

The Title I Evaluation and Reporting System (TIERS) consists of three basic evaluation models, the norm-referenced model, the control group model, and the regression model. The most widely used of these is the norm-referenced model. The equipercentile assumption, upon which this model is based, states that student groups, in the absence of Title I services, will maintain their percentile status over time. The validity of this assumption was tested using a data base of students who were eligible for Title I services but did not receive such services. The pre-and post-test reading and math scores of these students were aggregated …

The Relationship Of Preferred Work Environment And Job Satisfaction Of Community College Administrators, Susan Dunn Duford

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of job satisfaction and preferred work environment of community college administrators. Administrators from four southeast Lower Michigan community colleges were the population (N = 50). The administrators in expanding areas (N = 29) were compared with those in contrasting areas (N = 21). Members of each group completed a demographic questionnaire developed by the researcher as well as the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (Weiss et al., 1967) and the Work Environment Preference Schedule (Gordon, 1973). Survey instruments were mailed to each administrator and non-respondents were telephoned to determine reasons for noncompletion. …

A Report Of An Internship In Berrien Springs Public Schools Berrien Springs, Michigan, Samuel L. Wright

Masters Theses

The purpose of this paper was to describe a six-week internship completed with the Berrien Springs Public School. The majority of the intern's time was spent observing the functions of the central office and performing tasks related to that office.

Chapter I contains some background information describing the Berrien Springs Public Schools. It contains the intern's prospectus and rationale.

Chapter II describes the leadership process and the Assistant Superintendent's positioning in the school district as to his functions in the central office.

Chapter III describes the specific tasks assigned and completed by the intern.

Chapter IV describes other learning situations …

The Effect Of Indoleacetic Acid And Related Chemicals On Growth Patterns Of Decapitated Bean Plants, Lewis V. Buchanan

Masters Theses

Bean plants were used to study effects of IAA and related chemicals on plant growth patterns. Plant apical growth tips were removed, eliminating apical donimance. Decapitated plants were treated in experimental groups with IAA, tryptophan, 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid, serotonin, and melatonin. Two other groups served as controls, one cut, and one uncut.

Growth measurements were taken to determine if the treatments could effectively restore apical dominance. Cut control plants showed a loss of apical dominance, with decreased apical growth, and release of inhibition of axillary growth, when compared to the uncut group.

Tryptophan and meltonin treatments restored little or no …

Community Development In Northeast Thailand A Case Study Of Don-Lum-Kom Village, Peerapat Booncharoen

Masters Theses

This is the study of community development problems confronting a rural village (Don-Lum-Kom) in Northeast Thailand. The study is based on field research and examines five major topics. First, a history of community development in Thailand is provided; second, an overview of Don-Lum-Kom village is given; third, agricultural changes are described and evaluated; fourth, educational changes are described and evaluated; and fifth, the conflict between bureaucracy and culture is examined.

The Creationist Movement: Science, Religion And Ideology, George M. Bevins

Masters Theses

A sample of literature produced by participants in the "creationist movement" is examined in an effort to delineate the ideology of the movement. This ideology is seen as a repertoire of images of science, evolution and society which is used by creationists in their efforts to propagate their movement. Based on this literature, an "ideological substructure of belief" within the creationist movement is described, consisting of their belief in a created normative order in the world and of their fear that this order is breaking down. It is argued that the various particular aspects of the creationists' social ideology, their …

A Biomechanical Analysis Of The Stages Of Motor Development Of Horizontal Jumping Patterns In Young Children, Theresa J. Landis

Masters Theses

The problem of the study was to investigate motor patterns of children performing forward and backward horizontal jumps from a two foot takeoff. The investigation of motor patterns involved a biomechanical analysis of kinematic parameters associated with the forward and backward jumps, as well as those associated with stages of development.

The study revealed that arm and leg development occurred independently of each other and the development did not adhere to age. At ages 2 and 3 years, females traveled a greater horizontal distance, but at ages 5 to 6 years and 8 to 9 years, males traveled the greater …

A Behavioral Approach In The Treatment Of Hypertension: Exercise Therapy And Relaxation Training, Sheila Wang Kessenich

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate behavioral approaches to the control of hypertension and to provide practical guidelines for setting up such a behavioral program.

Five hypertensive subjects underwent a program consisting of one hour exercise and relaxation sessions, three times per week for 8 weeks. Changes in pretreatment and post treatment blood pressure readings and anti-hypertensive medications were recorded.

Possible mechanisms relating exercise and relaxation to blood pressure control were discussed.

Seasonal Effects On Blood Pressure, David C. Dotson

Masters Theses

The relationship of seasons and blood pressure was investigated. The individuals in the sample groups were of two types: normal individuals and individuals who have been diagnosed as hypertensives and under medical supervision. This was a seasonal study? measurements were taken during midsummer and early fall, 1979. Factors constituting the variable for individual differences included: sex, age, genetic factors, diet, general body build and managerial vs, laborer workload.

Individual differences were controlled by use of a randomized complete block design with each individual constituting a block. Season was the treatment factor, and individual was the blocking factor. Measurements were taken …

The Geology Of Burnt Ridge Quadrangle And Vicinity Ravalli County, Montana, Randall Reichert

Masters Theses

Peltitic schist, quartzofeldspathic gneiss, and calc-silicate rocks of the Precambrian Belt Supergroup hav ebeen intruded by granatic plutons of the northeastern Idaho batholith within the vicinity of the southern Bitterroot Range, Montana. These units were mylonitized along the eastern margin of the intrusive complex, with shear surfaces presently dipping approximately 20° to the east. Rhyolitic ash flows and associated mafic to felsic dikes developed on and within the granitic-metamorphic terrance during Tertiary time. Numerous northeast- trending and northwest-trending faults and joints are present throughout the mapped region.

The following events play a major role in the geologic history: 1) amphibolite- …

A Comparison Of Three Monitoring Systems On The Management Of Contingency Contracting Behavior, James V. Yanna

Masters Theses

Three student monitoring systems were compared to determine their efficacy in maintaining student contracting behavior. These systems were (1) teacher monitoring, (2) student peer monitoring, and (3) self monitoring. The study examined the extent to which each of the three systems would maintain students correctly including all of the necessary contract components. The results showed a small and statistically insignificant variation between the three procedures. Each procedure resulted in an approximately 70% contract component specification. Additional research was recommended to determine if student contracting behavior would maintain in the presence of a longer self-monitoring condition. It was also recommended that …

The American Race Issue As A Factor In “The Black Horror On The Rhine" Controversy (1919-1922) As Reported By The New York Times And Selected American Periodicals, W. Wilson Woods

Masters Theses

The international controversy arising from the use of black colonial troops by the French occupation forces in the German Rhineland after World War I is examined in this paper. Particular emphasis is given to American press accounts of the events on the Rhine (1919- 1922) including those of the New York Times, the Nation, the Literary Digest, and the New Republic. Two questions are addressed: Were the events on the Rhine, particularly the alleged atrocities committed by French black colonials, accurately reported? Secondly, was the reporting of the controversy affected by racial violence in the United States?

With the exception …

Improving Customer Service Using A Self-Recording Checklist, Donald Troy

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to investigate a method for improving customer service of three parttime salespeople. A job aid which consisted of a checklist was used to increase the frequency of eight target behaviors. The target behaviors consisted of: appropriately approaching and greeting the customer, being courteous and helpful, appropriately ringing up the sale and closing, having a neat appearance and wearing an identification badge. After training, the salespeople were taught to self-record their customer service behavior. Training increased the subjects' performance, but only had a short term effect. Customer service behaviors increased after implementing the checklists …

A Hearing Assessment Using Operant Audiological Testing With A Severely Retarded Deaf-Blind Child, Patricia Timpson

Masters Theses

This study assessed the feasibility of teaching a 7-year-old severely retarded, hearing and vision impaired girl to respond consistently to a pure tone stimulus using operant audiometric techniques. The experimenter first shaped a head turn response using the opportunity to rock on a rocking horse as reinforcement. Following response shaping, the experimenter used a bone conduction transducer (BCT) as a tactile stimulus in training the subject to turn her head to the left in a similar fashion to a 500 Hz, 65 dB tone/vibration. After 15 days of transfer training, designed to bring the left head turn response under control …

The Effects Of Prostaglandin E2 On The Healing Processes Of Rat Perforated Tympanic Membranes, Diane Sue Saylor

Masters Theses

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) was topically administered to perforated rat tympanic membranes in an attempt to facilitate regrowth of the membranes. Every 24 hours for the first four postperforation days, two groups of tympanic membranes were processed and examined histologically for differences between PGE₂ treated and control animals.

At 24 hours postperforation granulocyte infiltration at the perforation site was greater in the test animals. By 48 hours blood clots were larger in PGE₂ treated animals. Finally, the epithelium was thinner in test animals than in control animals at 96 hours.

Slight tendencies for the test animals …

The Validation Of A Behavioral Programmed Text For Increasing Self-Control Attitudes, Douglas Howard Ruben

Masters Theses

Applied behavior analysis programs designed to reduce attitudes about addictive behavior have been weak as far as overall training results. This research was an alternative training model in that it contained (a) a programmed instructional manual and self-paced homework assignments, and (b) lecture sessions. Selection of subjects from a local prison and private industry was based on indicated needs for substance abuse rehabilitation. Subjects went through a series of 9 programmed instructional units on developing self-control, and met for one weekly session for 9 consecutive weeks. Each instructional unit taught within a cognitive-behavioral model introduced concepts and techniques related to …

An Assessment Of The Relationships Between Selected Teacher Characteristics And Attitudes Of Regular Classroom Teachers Toward Mainstreaming, Dorothy Mary Elkins

Dissertations

A descriptive study was conducted to investigate the relationship between regular classroom teachers' attitudes toward accepting handicapped pupils into their classrooms and the following factors: (a) the teacher's age, sex, academic preparation, and professional experience, (b) grade level taught, and (c) the teacher's perception of potential help available. The investigator also surveyed the opinions of these teachers about: (a) the types of handicapping conditions considered most and least acceptable and (b) the effectiveness of various incentives as inducements to enhanced acceptance of handicapped pupils into their classrooms. Data were gathered using the Attitude Regarding Mainstreaming Survey (ARMS), which was developed …

A Study Of The Ability, Achievement, Demographic, And Social Interaction Characteristics Of Three Groups Of Students: Dropouts, Marginals, And High Achievers, Judy Stewart

Dissertations

In this study the ability, achievement, demographic, and social interaction characteristics of three groups of baccalaureate nursing students were investigated. The three groups of students studied were dropouts, marginals, and high achievers. The purpose of the study was to identify predominant characteristics of dropout and marginal students that would act to direct the development of programs in nursing education.

The population studied consisted of the Nazareth College 1981-1982 freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior nursing students. In addition, the 1976-1980 graduating nursing classes were studied, including the freshman through senior year data for these classes.

The results of the data analysis …

A Correlational Analysis Between The Teacher Perceiver Interview And Teacher Success In The Chippewa Valley School System, Richard J. Zaranek

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between the score attained on the Teacher Perceiver Interview instrument used in the Chippewa Valley School System and teacher success. Specifically, this study analyzed teacher success by having each respondent complete a self-satisfaction instrument and by having each respondent's immediate supervisor complete an administrative evaluation about the respondent. Results obtained on these instruments were then correlated to the Teacher Perceiver Interview results attained by the respondents at the time of their hire. This correlation was determined by using a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient.

The sample of teachers used …

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Denominational Affiliation And Religious Orientation And Death Perspectives Of The Clergy, Donald Philip Gillespie

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of religious belief and religious orientation to death perspectives. The population was the clergy of three denominations: Conservative Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Southern Baptist. Virtually no research has been completed which explores these issues among this occupational group.

Research on religious orientation and death perspectives has been fraught with methodological difficulties. The major problem has been the unidimensional conceptualization of the variables. Multidimensional scales were used in this study to avoid that problem. These scales (refined by Spilka) were subjected to factor analyses which resulted in the formulation of new …

Western News, March 31, 1983, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: 'Jim Miller Day' for beautification to be April 7, Intellectual Skills reaches off campus to schools, Amoco Foundation offers geophysics scholarship, Mills named Michigan Dance Teacher of Year, Hathaway is 'Outstanding Young' SAE