Digital Commons Network^™

Functional Outcome Measures Following Isometric Quadriceps Strengthening In Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis, Rochelle Cibor, Damon Collier, Kris Cooper

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if the strength gained from the performance of a six week isometric training program for the quadriceps femoris would result in improvements in the disability level, strength, pain, stiffness, and functional abilities of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Twelve subjects with symptomatic knee OA were randomly assigned to either control or experimental groups, with the experimental group completing a six week isometric program. Pre- and post-test measures included strength assessment on the Biodex and completion of the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index. Results indicate that experimental subjects had significant improvements in strength and disability …

Campus Climate For Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Students: A Survey Of Faculty, Staff And Students, Amanda D. Barton

Masters Theses

This study examined the campus climate for gay, lesbian, and bisexual students at Eastern Illinois University. The population (N=210) was studied to investigate three hypotheses: 1) there are no differences between the variables of gender, campus involvement, race and university status in relation to attitudes towards homosexuals; 2) there are no differences among students, and faculty/staff/administration in the type of involvement each would extend to homosexual students under duress; and 3) there are no differences among students, faculty, and staff in their willingness to be educated and their levels of education about homosexual issues. The population of students and faculty, …

Eliminating In-School Disciplinary Study Halls: A Study Of The Effects Vs Teacher Perceptions Of The Disciplinary Environment, Lyle A. Rigdon

Masters Theses

This study reviewed and evaluated the effect that elimination of all-day, in-school disciplinary study halls had on one rural East Central Illinois high school of fewer than 400 students. Historical data of student discipline over a 3-year period were gathered and a staff perception survey of current conditions was administered. This study compared staff perceptions to historical data collected.

Until 1995, Westville High School had experienced a sharp decline in overall student behavior. Students often left classes without permission, wore clothing that exhibited drug and alcohol slogans, and were belligerent toward the teaching staff. Additionally, IGAP test scores had declined …

The Relationship Between Family Environment And Proneness To Shame And Guilt, Ericka N. Hamilton

Masters Theses

This study examines shame- and guilt-proneness and family environment factors that predict these two affective experiences. One-hundred and ninety undergraduates completed the Test of Self-Conscious Affect and the Family Environment Scale. The results indicated that a family emphasis on moral and religious issues and values was most predictive of shame. An emphasis on moral and religious issues and values as well as an interest in social and political activities was most predictive of guilt. The findings in this study differ from the theoretical literature which has suggested that the relationship between family environment and an individual's proneness to guilt and …

Door To Door, Bryan Levek

Masters Theses

My creative thesis consists of four short stories and my author's introduction to them.

In my introduction, I discuss my primary literary influences; not only the author's whose approaches to short fiction that I share, but also those I feel indifferent towards. Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio is admirable for its sketches of common people and ordinary life events. James Joyce is highlighted as the originator of literary epiphany, a moment of revelation or profound insight, and both A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Dubliners provide examples of the device. Hemingway's stripped down language is appreciated for …

Interpersonal Solidarity In Relationships: A Cultural Analysis Of Lawyers Vs. Sports Agents, Andrea L. Cairns

Masters Theses

The cultural affects on relationship solidarity and satisfaction in relationships between lawyers and their clients, and sports agents and their professional athlete clients was examined. The results were gathered through a process of correlation tests and frequency report tables. All four groups of subjects were asked to complete a twenty questions survey which contained variables such as interpersonal solidarity, relational satisfaction, and communicative patterns of interaction. The results indicated that the two types of relationships are adversely co-dependent with respect to self-disclosure and it's relationship to interpersonal solidarity within a client-agent relationship.

Collaboration Versus Pull-Out Intervention: Effects On Vocabulary Acquisition And Classroom Communication, Jennifer J. Sturm

Masters Theses

This study investigated improvement in curricular vocabulary in school-aged children grades kindergarten through third at two different elementary schools. One school received collaborative classroom-based language lessons from the teacher and speech-language pathologist (Collaborative School). The other school received regular instruction from the classroom teacher without the input of the speech-language pathologist (Traditional School). The speech-language pathologist provided services to the children with speech or language IEP goals at the Collaborative School primarily in the classroom through these language lessons. The students who received speech or language therapy at the Traditional School received services solely through the pull-out model of intervention. …

Analysis Of Technology Plans Of Selected Suburban Elementary Schools Within Regional Office Of Education/North Cook Intermediate Service Center #1, Diane V. Ettelbrick

Masters Theses

Technology continues to be a topic of great interest and concern in the educational community. The educational system is responsible for preparing students so that they can function successfully in life and work in the world of today and tomorrow. The interest and concern regarding technology in the educational setting has spread in recent years to include the sectors of business and politics. East Maine School District No. 63, where the author of this study is employed as a Library/Media Specialist, has not developed a formal technology plan as recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. The purpose of …

Alarm Calls Affect Foraging Behavior In Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias Striatus), Jessica K. Baack

Masters Theses

I used playback experiments to test whether alarm calls affected the foraging behavior of Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). I subjected chipmunks, foraging at artificial feeding stations, to three playback treatments (silent, control noise, and alarm call) and examined changes in vigilant and foraging behavior. Chipmunks responded to alarm calls with a greater degree and duration of vigilant behavior, such as look-ups and alert postures. Chipmunks also ran a shorter distance to cover, ran more directly to cover, and took longer to re-emerge from the burrow after hearing an alarm call. Alarm calls caused individuals to spend more time …

The Triple Crown Program: Addressing Respect And Responsibility Among Elementary Students, Mary Letitia Durnil

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to design a respectful and responsible student program for the students and staff of Muffley Elementary School in Decatur, Illinois. It was designed to answer the question: What type of program may be instituted to lay the foundation of respect and responsibility education? This study has laid the foundation for addressing the issue at Muffley Elementary School.

Several objectives were developed in order to meet the purpose of this study. The meeting of each objective lead to a component of the overall program. The first objective was the development of a booklet to …

Millennial Rhetoric At The Turn Of The Millennium, John Robert Stanley

Masters Theses

Millennial rhetoric has predominately had an apocalyptic theme in the past; however, the current rhetoric about the millennium can be seen as more positive, optimistic, and enthusiastic. By treating the texts Deep Impact and Armageddon, various news sources, and five web sites as part of what Becker (1971) defines as a "mosaic," it was found that the current view of the millennium presents various tensions present in our current society. These tensions include unity versus individualism, technological advancement versus technological limitations, and optimism versus angst. The analysis suggests that unity is preferred over individualism to overcome current obstacles at …

The Use Of Noncontingent Reinforcement In The Regular Education Classroom With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children, Heather A. D. Ochs

Masters Theses

A problem that exists in many regular education classrooms is excessive disruptive behavior of students. This study will examine the disruptive behavior of two children, age 8, who have been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, in a simulated regular education classroom. Due to a renewed emphasis on linking treatment to functional analysis, noncontingent reinforcement was utilized to determine whether teacher mediated or peer mediated attention can decrease the disruptive behavior. This study used a multi-element design for the functional analysis and a reversal (ABAB) design to evaluate the effects of the noncontingent reinforcement treatment. Results indicated that peer attention was …

Physical Therapist Characteristics And Practices That Affect Patient Willingness To Comply With Home Exercise Programs, Greg Angell, Andrea Glaspie, Melinda Winters

Masters Theses

Home exercise programs are a vital part of sustaining physical therapy treatment effectiveness and encourages the patient to become an active participant in their care. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between compliance with therapeutic home exercise programs (HEP) and the patient’s perception of a physical therapist’s characteristics such as appearance, demeanor, role modeling behaviors, and humanistic traits. 250 survey questionnaires were distributed to seven outpatient physical therapy clinics in west Michigan with a 49.6% return rate. The results of this study demonstrate physical therapist personality traits and clinical practices were perceived by patients to be …

The Effect Of Cognitive Load On Stance Width Of Healthy Older Adults, Susan Brown, Amy Thackery

Masters Theses

Research has shown that narrower stance widths lead to increased postural sway. There is also evidence of increased postural sway with cognitive loading. However, no research has been done to investigate the effect of a cognitive load on stance width. The purpose of this study was to determine if a cognitive task affected the stance widths of healthy, community dwelling 65-80 year old adults. Subjects underwent six task trials (three cognitive, three non-cognitive) after which their stance width was measured. Cognitive task trials required subjects to count backwards by 7's; non-cognitive task trials required subjects to look at a picture …

Identification Of Barriers To Adherence To Prescribed Schedules For Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose, Victoria E. Sawhill

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify barriers to adherence to prescribed self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) schedules. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 40 diabetic patients from a rural northern Michigan community, ages 18-84, who completed the modified Barriers to Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Scale (BSMBG) (Jones, Remley, & Engberg, 1996). The study’s theoretical framework was the Health Belief Model (HBM) (Rosenstock, Strecher, & Becker, 1994).

The modified BSMBG scale had a reliability coefficient of 0.95 using Cronbach’s alpha. Individual barrier scores were varied indicating a need for individualized assessment of barriers to SMBG. Data analysis demonstrated …

Acute Care Nursing: Are Perceived Work Stressors Different For Nurses Working In Critical Care And Non-Critical?, Mary Jane Rolf

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine, using King’s Conceptual Framework, “stressful” nursing situations that might affect critical care (CC) and non-critical care (NCC) nurses in an acute health care setting. Similarities that existed between the two groups were evaluated using responses to Gray-Toft and Anderson s Nursing Stress Scale (NSS).

The sample of 131 included registered nurses and licensed practical nurses at a 300-bed acute care tertiary hospital in Northern Michigan representing two critical care areas and three non-critical care areas. The NSS, letter of explanation and waiver, and return envelope were sent to participants’ homes. Data indicate …

What Are Female University Students' Perceptions Of Their Healthcare Needs?, Kathleen K. Loose

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to gain a greater awareness of the self-perceived healthcare needs of female university students. An anonymous questionnaire was sent to a random sampling of the total female enrollment at a midwest university. A Healthcare Concern Score was tabulated on 230 completed questionnaires. There were 21 items identified as concerns. Students in the 17-24 year old age bracket had a higher healthcare concern score than individuals in the 24-53 year old age bracket. Orem’s Self-care Deficit Theory (1991) was the conceptual framework for this study. The majority of identified concerns fell within the category of …

Efficacy Of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Evidence Collection: A Northern Michigan Study, Camille J. Griswold

Masters Theses

King’s Theory of Goal Attainment provided the basis for this descriptive, two group comparison study design to determine if sexual assault evidence kits prepared by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) would be more complete than evidence kits prepared by non-sexual assault nurse examiners. A convenience sample of 100 evidence kits (41 SANE and 59 non-SANE) were analyzed using the Evidence Kit Audit Tool consisting of 18 questions that reflect the standards for submission of evidence.

The kits submitted by SANEs were significantly (t=5.6, df=71, p<.001) more complete (mean=93%) than those completed by non-SANEs (mean=77%). Corrected Chi-square comparisons of the two groups on whether or not individual items of evidence were complete indicated significant differences in 11 out of 18 items. A higher percentage of SANEs completed each item. Therefore, the hypothesis of sexual assault evidence kits prepared by a SANE will be more complete than sexual assault kits prepared by a non-SANE was supported.

Impact Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) On Parents And Children: What Are The Lived Experiences Of A Parent With A Child With Adhd?, Deborah K. Taylor

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to seek a fuller understanding of and to identify and describe the underlying themes of the lived experiences of a parent with a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The Husserelian phenomenological and Giorgi methods of research were utilized in this study. Four meanings emerged: 1) discovery, 2) searching for control, 3) struggling for normalization/overcoming obstacles, and 4) hope. The synthesized structural description of the experience that emerged was described as an emotional experience that progressed in stages that were cyclic and ongoing in nature. The data suggests that chronic sorrow, as it …

The Effects Of Role-Play And Simulation As Pregnancy Prevention Strategies On Knowledge And Attitude Of African-American Adolescents In An Urban Community, Laura B. Moody

Masters Theses

This quasi-experiment study tested the effectiveness of a simulation program on African American adolescent females’ attitude toward having a baby and their knowledge of risk factors associated with pre-marital sex. The experimental group (n=15) participated in Baby Think It Over (BTIO), a program using infant simulators (computerized dolls) and a didactic program - Saving Ourselves (SOS) and the Next Generation. The control group (n=15) was selected from a Black church.

The experimental group didn't significantly increase their attitude or knowledge scores and was not significantly more knowledgeable than the control group on post-testing. They did have significantly more realistic post-test …

Functional Effects Of Botulinum Toxin-A Intramuscular Injections In A Patient With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Single Subject Case Design, Christina M. Higel, Molly L. Arndt

Masters Theses

This single subject case design sought to evaluated the long-term and short-term effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin-A (BTXA) treatment in conjunction with directed physical therapy on spasticity, active range of motion (AROM), passive range of motion (PROM), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) scores, and motor performance in a patient with TBI. Researchers hyopothesized that directed physical therapy in conjunction with BTXA would maximize a subject’s motor control and performance. An "A₁-BC-B-A₂” single subject design, scheduled to last six months and three weeks, was proposed. Clinically significant changes were defined as: a decrease by one point for the Modified …

Paraplegic Functional Ambulation With Long Leg Braces And Upper Extremity Support: Predicting Long Term Usage Patterns Utilizing The Functional Independence Measure, Karin Copenhaver, Matthew Sherman

Masters Theses

Individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) are frequently taught to ambulate with long leg braces and upper extremity support during their post-acute rehabilitation. In many cases this training fails to carry over once these individuals return to their homes after their rehabilitation course has ended. Subsequently, these individuals rely on their wheelchair as their primary mode of ambulation. Is ambulation training an expropriate intervention for patients in these cases? The purpose of this study was to investigate whether utilization of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) may serve as a predictor of long term functional ambulation with long leg braces …

Validation Of The "Timed Up And Go" Test As A Functional Mobility Assessment Tool In The Pediatric Population, Susan Carman, Christina Rook, Cathy Ruprecht

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the concurrent validity of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) as an assessment of functional mobility in the pediatric population. The TUG scores were correlated with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Eighteen subjects with a variety of cognitive and physical disabilities, aged 6 to 7 years, were recruited. A one-tailed Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze the scores. A weak inverse relationship between the TUG and PEDI scores (r_s = -0.386, p = 0.075) was found when the scores from all participants were analyzed. A moderate inverse …

Concurrence Of Decreases In Barometric Pressure And Spontaneous Rupture Of Membranes In Term Gravid Women, Linda M. Owen

Masters Theses

A retrospective design was used to examine the relationship between spontaneous rupture of membranes in term gestation gravid women and decreased barometric pressure of ten millibars or greater in the twenty-four hours proceeding the rupture of membranes. Delivery logbooks and charts of all women who were admitted to a Midwestern Hospital in 1997-1998 with spontaneous rupture of membranes (N-533) were examined and data from the Midwest Climate Center was utilized to determine the changes in barometric pressure within the twenty-four hours proceeding the documented rupture of membranes.

No correlation was elucidated between the timing of spontaneous rupture of the amniotic …

Quality Of Life In The Hospice Patient, Sidney S. Brush

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if terminally ill patients experience a change in perceived quality of life between admission to a hospice program and after having been in the hospice program for three weeks.

A repeated measures design with a convenience sample was used The sample consisted of 56 subjects who completed the Missoula-Vitas Quality of Life Index (MVQOLI). Twenty completed the second MVQOLL Data were obtained from the scores of this self-assessment tool. Data analysis included a comparison of the relationship of the first and repeated scores. No significant differences were found between the MVQOLI scores …

Effective Clinical Teaching Behaviors As Perceived By Associate And Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Students, Karyn L. Abrahamson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the most effective clinical teaching behaviors (ECTB) perceived by Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree Nursing (BSN) students. An exploratory, descriptive design was implemented. ADN and BSN students (N=55) were surveyed using the Clinical Teaching Evaluation (CTE) instrument designed by Fong (1991). The CTE consists of 25 teaching behaviors that are ranked on a five point Likert-type scale according to importance. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Significant differences in perceptions of ECTB between the two groups were identified by a Mann Whitney U procedure.

The study findings indicate …

Physician Perceptions Of Behaviors Associated With The Nurse Practitioner Role, Elizabeth J. Sperry

Masters Theses

While the number of nurse practitioners (NPs) continues to grow, their role and scope of practice can be misunderstood. King’s interacting systems framework was the theoretical basis for this study. This descriptive study asked a convenience sample of physicians (n=128) to indicate their agreement with 37 behaviors for the NP role. The sample was 74.2% male, 49.2% ages 41-50, and 63 .2% practiced primarily in an office setting. Bambini’s (I995) modification of Hupcey’s (1994) instrument was used and internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s alpha .97. Behaviors perceived as most appropriate for NPs were those that related to education. A …

The Relationship Between Physician Knowledge, Physician Background, Experience With Nurse Practitioners And Role Expectations For The Nurse Practitioner, Heidi Brands Flamming

Masters Theses

This descriptive study examined the relationship between physician knowledge and role expectations as influenced by experience with nurse practitioners. The sample consisted of 111 physicians practicing in West Michigan. Data was collected using a combination of instruments--a nurse practitioner role behavior tool (Hupcey, 1994) and nurse practitioner/physician role appropriate vignettes (Davidson & Lauver, 1984). Physician knowledge of the nurse practitioner role was significantly higher (t = -2.85; p = .005) for the group of physicians who had practiced with a nurse practitioner as compared to the group of physicians who had not practiced with a nurse practitioner. Role expectations between …

Needs Of Families Of Severe Traumatic Brain Injured Individuals During The Critical Care Experience, Victoria L. Meyers

Masters Theses

Traumatic brain injury occurs without warning, disrupts the life of the individual and family, causing stress. The purpose of this descriptive study was three part: to identify the needs of families of severe traumatic brain injured (TBI) individuals during the critical care experience, to identify who met those needs, and to obtain qualitative data regarding nursing care. Family Systems Theory provided the theoretical framework to support this study.

A convenience sample from a large Midwestern teaching institution consisted of 28 family members of severe TBI individuals. The sample received by mail a demographic profile, a questionnaire (Critical Care Family Needs …

Learning Needs Perceived By The Patient Considering Radiation Therapy And The Radiation Oncology Nurse, Kathleen E. Bell

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the congruency between what the patient who is considering radiation therapy perceives his learning needs to be and what the radiation oncology nurse perceives the learning needs of the patient to be. This descriptive design used convenience sampling. The subjects consisted of 56 patients and 8 radiation oncology nurses who were recruited from a regional hospital system with two separate radiation oncology settings.

Data were obtained after the radiation oncology nurse provided an overview of the (a) purpose of radiation therapy, (b) type of radiation prescribed, (c) mechanism of radiation action, (d) …