Digital Commons Network^™

Reducing Wait Times In A Hospital Pharmacy To Promote Customer Service, Julie M. Slowiak

Masters Theses

The quality of service received by a customer affects their satisfaction with the organization. To increase the probability that customers will return to an organization, it is critical that customers are satisfied with the organization's services. The amount of time customers spend waiting in line can affect their satisfaction with an organization's services (Gail & Lucey, 1997). This study examined the effects of a single intervention versus a combined intervention package to reduce wait times in a hospital's outpatient pharmacy. Customer satisfaction ratings were collected to determine the effect of a reduction in wait time on customer service satisfaction with …

Dance Club Culture, Amy M. Iseler

Masters Theses

My research examines the dance club culture in a mid-sized Northwestern city. I explore this subject through participant observation and interviews with dance club patrons. The issues I address in my research include dance club music, music videos, alcohol, clothing, sexual behavior, non-verbal communication and the dance club environment. The purpose of this Masters Thesis is to determine whether dance club culture perpetuates sexist attitudes and beliefs within its patrons.

This original piece of research is based in existing literature which informs the individual elements of the dance club culture. The experiences of dance club patrons demonstrate how these elements …

Budgeted Money In Staff Development And Technology Integration, Chad Frerichs

Masters Theses

Many studies have been done on the different styles of professional staff development for teachers and administrators in the area of technology and its integration into the classroom. One element has been consistently ignored in recent studies, the amount of money being spent on staff development.

This research attempted to uncover the relationship between expenditures on staff development activities for educational technology and the extent of technology integration occurring in K-12 schools. With shrinking budgets throughout the education system in this country, an answer is needed. As Butler says in her review of the research, "Further studies of this type …

Perceived Barriers To Care Among Hispanic Women Who Delay Prenatal Care, Gustavo A. Moretta

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among selected demographic variables and the barriers to prenatal care perceived by English- Speaking, Hispanic women. The Health Belief Model was used as the theoretical framework to guide the development of this study.

The sample consisted of 20 participants aged 18 years to 38 years of age who had sought prenatal care at a primary care clinic in a midwest community. The participants had visited the provider for prenatal care after the twelfth week of gestation. Data were obtained using two instruments. Melnyk’s Perceived Barriers to Care Seale (1990) measured …

Sexist Humor And Willingness To Discrimination Against Women, Christie M. Fitzgerald

Masters Theses

Research has shown that exposure to sexist humor increases tolerance of sexist events, particularly for people high in hostile sexism-antagonism toward women (Glick & Fiske, 1996). The present experiment extends those findings by examining the effects of exposure to sexist humor on anticipated behavior. Two studies were designed to examine the behavioral consequences of exposure to sexist humor. In Study 1, participants were exposed to either sexist jokes, sexist statements, or neutral jokes, and then asked to donate money to either a women's organization or a men's organization. In Study 2, participants were exposed to either sexist jokes or …

Numerical Simulations On Machining Of Silicon Carbide, Jerry Jacob

Masters Theses

Experiments were conducted to determine the critical depth of cut for machining of single crystal silicon carbide through Single Point Diamond Turning (SPDT) and fly-cutting, and of CVD coated Silicon Carbide through scratching. The ductile nature of these nominally hard and brittle materials is believed to be the result of a high pressure phase transformation, which generates a plastic zone of material that behaves in a metallic manner. The SPDT experiments have shown chip formation similar to that in metal machining. This metallic behavior is the basis for using AdvantEdge, metal machining simulation software, for comparison to experimental results. The …

The Effects Of Contingency-Specifying Statements On Impulsive Behavior: Specifying The Dimension Of The Reinforcer, Susan Frances Makdisi

Masters Theses

This study replicated and extended research conducted by Douglas J. Navarick (2001) by investigating the effects on impulsive behavior of presenting participants with a contingency-specifying statement (CSS), or a question evoking a CSS. One-hundred two subjects categorized as impulsive, self-controlled, or neutral, based on their number of impulsive responses on a computer program, were divided into three groups: a control group and two experimental groups. Results demonstrated that impulsive behavior decreased when subjects generated accurate and complete CSSs, either with or without the assistance of corrective feedback on verbal or impulsive behavior. Implications for future research on impulsive behavior are …

The Relationship Between Perceived English Proficiency And Success In Clinical Work: A Survey Of Asian International Music Therapy Students And Music Therapy Instructors/Supervisors, Yayoi Nakai

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was (1) to identify the students' and instructors'/supervisors' perceptions regarding Asian international music therapy students' English proficiency, and (2) to identify successful strategies students use or instructors/supervisors suggest for resolution regarding English proficiency in clinical situations. The participants of this study were Asian international music therapy students who are currently enrolled in practicum classes or internships in the United States, and instructors/supervisors who have supervised Asian international music therapy students. It was found that there were various difficulties for Asian international music therapy students using English in clinical situations; however, overall both students and instructors/supervisors …

A Survey Of Financial Aspects, Staffing And Service Trends Of Music Therapy In Hospice Programs, Melissa Amy Hirokawa

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compile quantitative data to determine how hospice programs fund music therapy services, and to identify staffing trends (number of music therapists and employment status) and service trends (caseload, frequency, and length of sessions) for hospice programs with music therapy in the Great Lakes Region. Thirty-six music therapists completed the survey and qualified for the study. Participants were asked to complete a one-time online survey with 26 questions pertaining to basic demographic and staffing information, music therapy services provided and session information, and funding.

Results of this survey indicate that there are differences in …

A Market Analysis Of Consumer Behavior For Companies In A Self-Insurance Group, Bismarck J. Manes

Masters Theses

This study examined variables that influenced the purchase of costly safety equipment by small business owners. Participants were 21 members of a self-insurance group (SIG) comprised of auto recyclers. Eight sets of variables were examined: (a) marketing tools (video, graphic safety data, and price discount), (b) business demographics, (c) worker’s compensation history, (d) personal history, (e) available technology, (f) safety management practices, (g) safety products purchased in the past, and (h) interest in safety services provided by the SIG. Purchasers (N=7) and nonpurchasers (N=14) were divided into groups, and independent t-tests were calculated for each variable. Only one of 45 …

Traffic Grooming, Routing, And Wavelength Assignment In Wdm Transport Networks With Sparse Grooming Resources, Osama Awwad

Masters Theses

While a single fiber strand in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has over a terabit-per-second bandwidth and a wavelength channel has over a gigabit-persecond transmission speed, the network may still be required to support traffic requests at rates that are lower than the full wavelength capacity. To avoid assigning an entire lightpath to a small request, many researchers have looked at adding traffic grooming to the routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) problem. In this work, we consider the RWA problem with traffic grooming (GRWA) for mesh networks under static and dynamic lightpath connection requests. The GRWA problem is NPComplete since it …

Intrapersonal Communication And Post-Disclosure Dialectics: An Examination Of The Dialectical Tensions Expelienced Following Self-Disclosure, Amanda Leanne Carver

Masters Theses

This paper studies the time period directly following a self-disclosure act. The narrative paradigm theory was utilized in the study of 62 narratives to reveal themes in participants' post-disclosure intrapersonal communication experiences. The narratives revealed four prevalent themes, judgment, fear, relational growth and relief. These themes were then used to validate the existence of post-disclosure dialectics. Postdisclosure dialectics refers to the intrapersonal tensions participants experiences in the post -disclosure time period.

How Has Multichoice Africa Affected The Way People View Television In African Countries?, Jesse Geston

Masters Theses

South Africa is the only country in Africa that has a formal system of developing, patenting and then marking its creative ideas to the rest of Africa. By understanding the history of South African media and learning about Multichoice Africa, it is clear that South Africa and Multichoice Africa have an impact on the way people from other African countries view television.

Information and communication technology in South Africa is continuing to develop and foreign countries are beginning to express more interest in investing in South Africa. Today South Africa dominates the digital satellite media in Africa through Multichoice Africa. …

Removing Borders: The Influence Of The Toyota Production System On An American Office Furniture Manufacturer, Susan E. Koole

Masters Theses

The Toyota Motor Corporation is one of the top automobile manufacturers in the world and behind its success is the Toyota Production System (TPS). TPS is a philosophy based on continuous improvement and eliminating waste in processes and in the space where work is performed. At the center of this philosophy is the emphasis on learning. Although several companies attempt to implement the methods and tools of TPS, many do not understand the learning organization culture that must be developed to support it.

This case study reveals the needs of Herman Miller, Inc., an American office furniture manufacturer, as it …

Model Checking Control Communication Of A Facts Device, David Andrew Cape

Masters Theses

"This thesis concerns the design and verification of a real-time communication protocol for sensor data collection and processing between an embedded computer and a DSP. In such systems, a certain amount of data loss without recovery may be tolerated. The key issue is to design and verify the correctness in the presence of these lost data frames under real-time constraints. This thesis describes a temporal verification that if the end processes do not detect that too many frames are lost, defined by comparison of error counters against given threshold values, then there will be a bounded delay between transmission of …

Spectroscopic Investigation Of Metal-Substitution Of Cytochrome C, Deepthi Kandi

Masters Theses

We study, by absorbance spectroscopy, the incorporation of various metal ions (Cu²+ and Zn2*) into metal-free porphyrin cytochrome c (H₂cyt) as well as the various conformational forms of metal-substituted cytochromes. The H2cyt and desired metalsubstituted cytochromes have significantly different absorption spectra, providing a simple means of monitoring the incorporation of Cu²* or Zn2* into the empty porphyrin prosthetic group. The rates of metal-ion incorporation were studied under protein denaturating conditions using chemical denaturants, like urea and guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCI), and temperature that partially and completely unfold H2cyt, facilitating the incorporation of a metal ion. Moreover, the structural stability of copper …

The Validity Of The S/Z Ratio As A Voice Screening Tool, Larry L. Panozzo Jr.

Masters Theses

This study investigated the validity of the s/z ratio as a voice screening tool. Twenty female subjects, ten with vocal fold pathology and ten normal control subjects, participated in the current research project. Results indicated that although the s/z ratio was higher for the disordered group than the normal group, the difference was not significant (p=.18). Sensitivity equaled 90% while specificity equaled 50% when 1.1 was used as the cutoff value. When 1.4 was used as the cutoff value, sensitivity was 30% while specificity was 80%. In addition, there was a weak relationship between the clinician's perception of the size …

Cinematic Scripture: The Structure And Usage Of The Lord Of The Rings As Equipment For Living, Brent Yergensen

Masters Theses

This project argues that film has the capacity to function as cinematic scripture for Christian audiences. Cinematic scripture means that films are authoritative for audiences the same way that written scripture is. In The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, this new form of scripture works as equipment for living by encouraging Christian audiences to go to war against evil through the structure of the film's biblical themes of bifurcation, redemption, and millennialism. This culmination of the rhetorical vision of war comes from three fantasy themes that emerge when Christian Internet writers describe how they use the films: repentance, strength, …

Critical Pedagogy As A Practice In Student Affairs: A Trio Media Literacy Program, Bettina T. Becker

Masters Theses

This study discusses the impact a critical pedagogy approach may provide for Student Affairs programming. On the one hand, pedagogical theories are often relegated to the classroom proper. On the other hand, despite the fact that Student Affairs programming is often seen froma developmental perspective, the intricacies of a pedagogy are just as often neglected. Critical pedagogy with its focus on valuing student experiences, critical readings of popular texts, and the deconstruction of pervasive public discourses may provide a valuable foundation for Student Affairs programming, thus integrating theory and practice and bridging the gap between Academic and Student Affairs.

This …

The Effectiveness Of An Intrusive Advising Program On Students On Academic Probation, Christie Ann Cruise

Masters Theses

The effectiveness of an intrusive advising program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - General Curriculum Center at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign was investigated to determine whether students who chose to participate in such a program had higher grade point averages and cleared academic probation at higher rates than did students who chose not to participate. An independent-samples t test was used to assess the relationship between participation in an intrusive advising program and grade point averages. In addition, this statistical analysis was used to assess the relationship between participation in the program and clearance rates …

African American Male Faculty And Student Affairs Professionals At Eastern Illinois University: Motivations To Work In The Academy, Jahquan Clayton Hawkins

Masters Theses

The purpose of the current study was to identify factors that both motivate and deter African American male faculty and administrative staff members of Eastern Illinois University to be both recruited and retained at the institution. Subsequently, the attrition and retention of these individuals was the focal point of the research. A naturalistic, qualitative research designed was used during the current study. Specifically, a selected sample of African American male faculty and staff members from the institution under study were interviewed, soliciting responses that addressed issues such as the university's perception of the participants, the participants' views on the campus …

Components Of Academic Motivation: A Multidimensional Overview Of Millennial Female Students At Eastern Illinois University, Karen Huseman

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine the components of academic motivation among millennial female college students. More specifically, the purpose was to assess multiple factors that contribute to academic motivation among African American and European American millennial college women. The participants for the present study were selected from the female population at a mid-sized state-supported institution located in the Midwest.

Results from the study include that both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards helped to jump-start academic motivation. The role of family support was highly valued in the women's desire to achieve and personal self-confidence and support from others …

Student Perceptions Of Intrusive And Non-Intrusive Advising Approaches, Josephine Robinson

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of the present study was to assess students' perceptions of intrusive advisement approaches used by Gateway Program staff at Eastern Illinois University in comparison to non-intrusive advisement approaches utilized by faculty advisors in academic departments. To date, no research has been conducted in this area at this institution. A secondary purpose of the present study was to ascertain the perceptions of students regarding their student/advisor relationships and the knowledge levels of advisors regarding the university and degree requirements. A third purpose for the present study was to assess students' perceptions of the effects academic advisement had on …

The Importance Of The Conductor As Editor And Arranger: A Practical Guide, Matthew F. Walicke

Masters Theses

Musicians and audiences will benefit significantly if conductors take on the role of editor and arranger. Though one might consider the process daunting, writing quality, professional arrangements is made easier if the conductor employs modern technological tools in the creation of new derivative works. By becoming editor and arranger, the conductor can tailor editions and arrangements to fit the needs of his or her ensembles for little more than the cost of paper. Further, by distributing these works, all conductors have the opportunity to enrich their ensembles with new arrangements and editions.

This thesis presents this case and outlines in …

Role Modeling Attitudes And Physical Activity Behavior Of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Professionals, Emily Dufrene

Masters Theses

Role models are individuals whose behavior, example or success can be observed and learned from. Health professionals are responsible for the motivation and production of goal directed behavior (Wilson & Petruska, 1984). Modeling behaviors that encourage physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life should be the foundation for all individuals certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM Credentialed Professionals, 2005) as exercise specialists, fitness instructors, or program directors. Physicians, exercise physiologists and nurses working in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs are expected to model healthy behaviors for their own health benefit and to encourage their patients.

Interest Groups Power And Politics In Decatur, Illinois, Melissa Trueblood

Masters Theses

The thesis investigates perceptions of local interest groups concerning policy-making in Decatur, Illinois. Local interest group studies focus on economic groups such as the Chamber of Commerce. Literature indicates that these groups are influential in policymaking because of their important political resources. The literature lacks studies of noneconomic group involvement in policy-making. Furthermore, the literature lacks studies of local interest group processes in medium-sized cities. The thesis looks at noneconomic interest group perceptions of policy-making in a medium-sized city. To investigate perceptions, three hypotheses are explored using nineteen semi-structured interviews with group officials and document analysis. The thesis hypothesizes that …

The Individualized Education Plan: Involvement And Satisfaction Of The Regular Education Teacher, Alison Dirksmeyer

Masters Theses

A total of 376 general education teachers in grades kindergarten through high school completed a questionnaire about their involvement and satisfaction with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process. The results from the current study suggest that many regular education teachers are not actively involved or satisfied with the IEP process. For example, less than half of the teachers surveyed indicated that they were completely or actively involved in determining IEP goals and less than one-fifth reported that they felt a major responsibility for helping students in their classroom achieve IEP goals. Many areas of dissatisfaction were also noted in teachers' …

Using Social Stories To Correct Social Skills Deficits In A Student With A Learning Disability, April Larson-Evangelista

Masters Theses

Social stories have been deemed an effective intervention for people with autism (e.g., Richard, 2000). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the use of social stories with a participant not diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The participant was an 8 year-old second-grade girl of average intelligence who was diagnosed with a learning disability in mathematics. Upon consulting with her classroom teacher, two social skills were identified as the target behaviors to be addressed in the present study. The first prominent behavioral concern was violation of others' personal space or standing too close to others. The second …

Analysis Of Suicidal Ideations And Attempts Among University Freshmen, Emily A. Johnston

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore freshmen Midwestern university students' (a) suicidal ideations and attempts, (b) help-seeking resources, and (c) relationships between suicide ideations/attempts and academic focus. Surveys were collected from 126 male and female university freshmen (n = 43 male; n = 83 female). A 15-question survey was designed to explore suicide attempts, ideations, academic majors, and help-seeking resources utilized by freshmen university students. The participants were a convenience sample from 8 freshmen introductory orientation classes. Results indicate: (a) a relationship between suicide ideations/attempts and academic college; (b) freshmen females rely on friends as a help-seeking resource; …

Diabetes Awareness Among Children: A Comparison Study Of Diabetes Knowledge In School-Age Children Between U.S. And Kuwait, Nayef Y. Bu-Maryoum

Masters Theses

The literature shows that people of all ages, in all socio-economic groups and in many countries, are not well educated about nutrition. Teachers in public elementary schools both the United States and Kuwait administered an eight-item questionnaire developed by the researcher. The questionnaire was delivered orally to insure comprehension by non-readers. Results indicated that young children in both the United States and Kuwait have an awareness of and a desire to learn more about diabetes. Generally speaking, Kuwaiti children are more knowledgeable about diabetes than their American counterparts as seen in questions four, five, six, and eleven. On the other …