Digital Commons Network^™

The Al-Murrah Tribe In Qatar: Political Impact, Ali A. Hadi Alshawi

Masters Theses

Tribes and tribalism play significant roles in the Arabian Gulf. The focus of this study is on the Al-Murrah tribe, one of the largest tribes in East Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This study will provide an analysis of the Al-Murrah political structure and their relationship with the Gulf states.

This study gathered information using three methods. This researcher visited about 30 majlis (sitting rooms for men) and listening to over 900 tribesmen respond to issues provided by the researcher. Historical and official documents were investigated and personal observation and experience were also used.

Al-Murrah have strong kinship ties which leads …

An Evolutionary Approach To Allocating Tasks In Hard Real-Time Distributed Systems, Christian Lang

Masters Theses

In real-time systems, correctness not only depends on the result of the computation but also on the time at which this result is available. The violation of timing constraints in hard real-time systems can be critical to human life or environment. Therefore, the scheduling algorithm for distributed systems has to allocate tasks to processing nodes so that no timing constraints can be violated. In addition to timing constraints, tasks have precedence and fault-tolerance constraints.

Static scheduling allocates tasks to processing nodes before the tasks are executed. Static scheduling problems are known to be NP-hard [4]. Therefore, heuristic techniques are necessary …

Gender Differences In Higher Education: A Comparison Of Males And Females Applying To Graduate School, Lynda Bennett

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to determine in what ways male and female applicants to graduate school are similar or different. Secondary analysis was conducted on survey data which described attitudes and behavior of students admitted to graduate programs at Western Michigan University. The purpose was to assess the relationship between gender and curricula selected, likelihood of applying for and receiving financial aid, and the influence of marital status. Gender did have a statistically significant relationship with curricula selection and influence of marital status. Furthermore, it appeared that women graduate students find marriage to be a more limiting factor …

A Summary Of The Contributions Of Four Key African American Female Figures Of The Civil Rights Movement, Michelle Margaret Viera

Masters Theses

This thesis will present historical data to summarize the contributions of four key African-American female figures of the civil rights era. The theme is devoted to the historical contributions of these women. Their achievements will be shown to have answered to human needs during the struggle for African American civil and human rights. These achievements were preceded by their personal perceptions as to what constituted tenable rights and needs, introspection, and their willingness to assume a leadership stance and leadership roles.

This written historical assessment will illustrate the chain of events, social and geographical particulars which triggered participation in the …

The Encirclement At Cherkassy-Korsun: An Assessment Of The Winners And Losers, Joseph Kent Lutes

Masters Theses

During the winter of 1944, two Russian armies encircled two German corps on the Dnieper River. The Germans managed to break out of the encirclement after an attempt to relieve them failed. The battle lasted only three weeks, but cost both sides greatly. Both sides carried out a successful airlift to keep their troops in action. The Germans carried out a brilliant campaign, while the Russians demonstrated that they still needed to perfect their encirclement doctrine and their propaganda.

Each side was hindered by its leaders. Hitler forced the Germans to hold ground, while Stalin forced his generals to fight …

Wintertime Observations On Pig (Sus Scrofa) Decomposition, David Glynn Mcbride

Masters Theses

Detailed knowledge of the behavior of insects and other arthropods associated with decomposing remains is essential to estimate the time since death. To date, many studies have been conducted on human and animal decomposition rates in warm and/or humid climates, but little is known about decomposition rates in a northern wintertime environment. This study was undertaken to document the progression of decay and arthropod activity under these conditions and provide data that can be utilized for estimating time since death in such climates.

Six stillborn pigs (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) were placed in cages in a woodlot near Western Michigan …

Job Satisfaction Among Foreign Employees In The Private Sector In Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman Al-Suwaid

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among job satisfaction and demographic variables for foreign employees in the private sector in Saudi Arabia.

The population for this study was foreign employees in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 206 employees participated in the study from four private organizations in Riyadh. Each organization was visited to obtain permission to collect data from foreign employees. All subjects were given a packet of forms that included the Job Description Index, Job in General Scale, and Demographic Data Sheet. The subjects' responses were entered into the SPSS …

The Education Of Pregnant Adolescents And Adolescent Parents, Margie Christine Moore

Masters Theses

The enormity and seriousness of the problem of adolescent pregnancy in Kent County, in Michigan, and in the United States is documented, with implications given for future generations. Past and present perceptions of the problem are explored, and significant publications by professionals are reviewed. The needs of the young mother are identified. Educational, financial, legal, medical, physical and mental health, housing, and employment are among a confluence of issues confronting the adolescent who bears and rears her child. A variety of current educational programs appropriate for pregnant and parenting adolescents are then presented and summarized. The components of each program …

Maximizing School Safety By Minimizing Student Violence On And Near School Grounds, William J. Bryson

Masters Theses

This research applications project addresses the phenomenon of rising violence among the youth of the United States, and includes a discussion of how this trend impacts our schools, particularly both the perceived and real danger it creates for our schools' students and staff members. Also considered are three youth activities which have accompanied this phenomenon. These behaviors are drug abuse and trafficking, gang activity, and weapons carrying and use. A brief analysis is presented regarding the degree and nature of these activities' relationships to each other and to youth violence. Finally, a handbook for school administrators' use is included titled …

The Borders Of A Canvas Tent: An Analysis Of Feminist Utopian Novels, Catherine R. Caldwell

Masters Theses

This thesis is a critical examination of three feminist utopian novels: Woman on the Edge of Time, by Marge Piercy; Herland, by Charlotte Perkins Gillman, and Les Guerilleres, by Monique Wittig. The study, derived from the sociology of knowledge and deconstruction theory, focuses on similarities and differences involving: (a) sexuality; (b) community building; (c) religion; (d) decision making processes, political systems, and modes of production; (e) crime, deviance and political conflict resolution; and (f) child rearing. The analysis demonstrates that utopia may serve to critique dominant ideology. It also shows how utopian novels treat, and suggest possibilities …

The Effects Of Sensory Integrative Therapy And Functional Communication Training On Stereotypic Behavior, Thomas M. Starzynski

Masters Theses

Three developmentally delayed individuals who exhibited self-stimulatory behaviors were exposed to sensory-integrative therapy. Prior to treatment, a Motivation Assessment Scale was completed and a functional analysis baseline was conducted to identify the maintaining variables of the self-stimulatory behavior. Each subject displayed a pattern of responding suggesting that stereotypic behaviors were maintained by automatic reinforcement. Results show that sensory-integrative therapy had no effect on self-stimulatory behaviors. The stereotypic behaviors of Subject 1 and Subject 2 were later reduced when functional communication plus response interruption was applied. The self-stimulatory behavior of Subject 3 was not affected by the implementation of functional communication …

Evidence For The Endoparasite Giardia Lamblia In Human Paleofeces From Salts Cave. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, Lisa Karen Ruppert

Masters Theses

Three desiccated human feces recovered from Salts Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, were analyzed for evidence of parasitic infection, specifically Giardia Lamblia. Positive detection of Giardia cysts was made using a direct immunofluorescent assay (IFA) technique. Scanning electron microscopy revealed what appear to be Giardia lamblia trophozoites. One additional fecal sample, analyzed for its dietary content, was composed primarily of Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Chenopodium berlandieri (goosefoot). Over one hundred seeds of Cucurbita pepo (squash) were also contained within this specimen. This sample has been radiocarbon dated to 2420±90 B.P., falling into the cluster of previous dates from …

Children's Tool Making Capabilities: Implications For Hominid Intelligence Models And Skill Acquisition Theory, Jill S. Mccleary

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was on morphological differences in stone tools that could be attributed to varied instruction and cognition levels.

In this study two groups of children, one second grade class and one fourth grade class, were selected to make stone tools. The tools that they made included both Oldowan-type flake tools and Acheulean-type handaxes. The primary variables considered in this study were the subjects' level of cognitive development (pre-operational versus concrete operational) as determined by a series of Piagetian tests, and the effects of varied instructional techniques.

Results suggest that Oldowan flake tools can be produced, at …

A Descriptive Study Of Offenders Sentenced To Special Alternative Incarceration From 1988-1990 In Kalamazoo County, Sherri Deboef Chandler

Masters Theses

This is a descriptive study of the first two-year cohort of offenders sentenced in Kalamazoo County to Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI). Data were compiled from the Kalamazoo County Probation Department records which indicated 84 young men were sentenced to SAI from its inception in 1988 to 1990. Data were gathered on these offenders spanning 1988 to 1992. Successful graduation from SAI, completion of the probationary period, and recidivism were compared to offense, race, SES, education, employment, and other variables. The data of this group were also compared to national data of those sentenced to Special Alternative Incarceration programs. This group …

The Importance Of Recreational Reading, And Its Impact On Children's Motivation, Attitude Towards Reading, As Well As Reading Achievement, Lisa Marie Digiovanna

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether children's voluntary/recreational reading and their attitudes toward reading would affect their overall, reading achievement. Third, fifth and seventh grade students were the subjects for this study. Student surveys, parent questionnaires, teacher observations and standardized test scores were used to assess students' attitudes, time spent on recreational reading and overall achievement. Students were placed in an "above average", "average", or "below average" achievement group according to overall achievement. Significant differences were found among the three achievement groups. The "above average" and "average" achievers, from all three grade levels, showed greater amounts of …

Examining The Use Of An Instructional History For Learning Disabled Students, Lynette J. Witte

Masters Theses

The main purpose of this research study was to explore the use of instructional histories as learning disabled students progress through school. The study is confined to the area of reading histories. A review of the literature provides evidence to support the use of instructional histories as a basis for the curriculum planning for learning disabled students. The literature focuses on the areas of effective curriculum development and differences in the learning styles of LD students. A survey was used to determine if teachers of LD students were using instructional histories in reading. Suggestions based on survey results and literature …

An International Comparison Of Lower Elementary School Schedules, Barbara Helen Wyns

Masters Theses

International comparisons indicate that U.S. students test below other industrialized countries. Researchers identify a shorter school day and year as a possible reason. While recognizing the fundamental differences from country to country, this study focuses on the measurable variables; days of instruction per year and total hours of instruction for lower elementary students. Comparisons with Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and the United States, find that U.S. instructional days are fewer, however, the length of day is longer, and that total annual hours are second only to Japan. The amounts of homework and out of school learning are also discussed. The …

The Testing Of A Protocol For Validating Claims Of Facilitated Communication, Jorge Teodoro

Masters Theses

Facilitated Communication (FC), is a new and controversial augmentative communication technique. This study examined the facilitated messages of six severely mentally impaired school children, produced under naturalistic, yet controlled, experimental conditions. The students were removed from the presence of their facilitators and experienced out-of-classroom events. When the students returned, their facilitators read descriptions containing True, False or No Information about the students' experiences. Messages produced in the ensuing facilitation sessions indicated that the facilitators influenced the facilitated messages, although they appeared unaware that they were doing so. Meanwhile, students showed little resistance to the testing procedures. Based on these results …

Michigan's New Definition Of Reading: The Promise Of Literacy And The Paradox Of Practice, Julie H. Kaufman

Masters Theses

This study analyzes Michigan's New Definition of Reading, its theoretical foundations and instructional implications as these enter classroom practice. Designed as a qualitative case study of reading instruction in a fifth grade classroom, this study documents the way that a teacher and her students approach and come to understand literacy under the bureaucratic and organizational imperatives of practice. The disempowering effects of such patterns of practice are described in relation to the purported aims of reading instruction.

Recent Advances In Engineering Design: Theory And Practice, Andrew J. Moskalik

Masters Theses

In the last few years, industry and academia have focused greater attention on the area o f engineering design. Manufacturers have implemented new design methods such as concurrent engineering and design for manufacture, and academia has increased research in design-related issues. This paper will attempt to summarize the recent advances, both scholarly and industrial, relating to the field of design. I will examine new methodologies and supporting tools for the design process, both in use and under research. This paper will cover concurrent engineering, design for manufacture, quality methods, design theory research, computer-aided design, expert systems, analysis programs, manufacturing, and …

Laser-Rf Double Resonance Measurements Of The Hyperfine Structure Of V Ii, Gregory Michael Matous

Masters Theses

We have measured the hyperfine structure of ⁵¹V II using the technique of collinear fast-ion-beam laser spectroscopy. The output of a dye laser was applied collinearly to an accelerated 50 ke V ion beam to produce laser induced fluorescence spectra for the metastable 3d³4s and 3d⁴ configurations. The technique of laserradio- frequency double resonance, which utilizes an optical photon to deplete a hyperfine state and an rf photon to repopulate the state, was used to measure the hyperfine intervals to a high precision. These measurements of the hyperfine intervals allowed the determination of the magnetic …

An Empirical Study Of Just-In-Time And Total Quality Management Principles Implementation In Manufacturing Firms In The U.S., Loknath Sriparavastu

Masters Theses

Literature in vogue points out that, in the last decade, American manufacturing companies came a long way in their renewed emphasis on the quality process. Justin- Time (JIT) and Total Quality Management (TQM) are the two magical phrases that are being frequently used in almost all the articles published on quality and productivity. Nevertheless, the literature does not provide any satisfactory explanation as to how JIT and TQM principles are implemented in the manufacturing industries.

This research, through a nationwide empirical survey, analyzed the effects of JIT and TQM strategies implementation. Survey results showed that implementing both JIT and TQM …

Investigating The Influence Of Pre-Theoretical Assumptions On Clinical Reasoning, Barbara R. Hooper

Masters Theses

This study explored what internal beliefs a therapist holds about the nature of reality and how those beliefs influence how he/she delivers occupational therapy. A single-case study design was utilized. Data were collected from three in-depth interviews and observation of multiple treatment sessions.

The results suggest that this therapist's view of the world could be categorized into four areas: (1) What she believed about ultimate reality; (2) What she believed about life, death and eternity; (3) What she believed about human nature; and (4) What she believed about the nature of knowing. The study also suggests that this core world-view …

The Effects Of Cross-Level Peer Facilitated Learning On The Mastery Of A Structured Reading Program, Elaine R. Bartos

Masters Theses

This study examined the effects of cross-level peer facilitated learning on the total amount of time needed for special education students who attended a southwestern Michigan inner-city elementary school, to complete to 100% mastery the teacher-directed portion of the reading lesson. Cross-level peer tutoring was defined as a process in which a more proficient student worked with a less proficient student on a one-to-one basis in the academic area of reading. The tutoring took place prior to the teacher instruction with 20 students from three special education reading groups. The tutoring sessions took place for a duration of 5-9 weeks. …

An Empirical Investigation Of Total Quality Management (Tqm) Effectiveness In Healthcare Organizations, Lokesh S. Basappa

Masters Theses

American hospitals are implementing quality programs to offer higher quality service at reduced cost. However, the results of these programs in many hospitals have often not met expectations.

This research analyzed the effectiveness of Total Quality Management (TQM). The objective of the study was to better understand how TQM strategies can best be applied by hospitals. An empirical survey was distributed to Michigan hospitals and an analysis was performed to meet this objective.

The survey results show that hospitals involved indirectly with quality programs haven't realized that they are implementing TQM strategies. On the other hand some hospitals say that …

Behavioral Contracting: The Effects Of Metacontingency Contracting On Math Performance Of At-Risk Students, Vernard V. J. Jones

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of behavioral contracting in providing parents with a means of assisting their child with homework from school. Following the baseline condition, the subjects were introduced to the intervention [behavioral contracting including parent(s)] one at a time to provide a concurrent check between baseline and treatment conditions.

Six students from the Kentwood Public School District served as participants in the study. All participants were between eleven and thirteen years of age. Each participant was identified by the teacher as "at-risk" based on their sustained academic performance.

Four out of six participants …

Social Change And Attitudes Of Educated Elite Toward The Role Of Women In Qatari Society, Jassim Al-Nasr

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate attitudes of educated elite toward \ the role of women in Qatari society. Attitudes were viewed as reactionary, traditional, and liberal.

A questionnaire technique was used to gather data for this study. Five hundred eighty-two questionnaires Were distributed at eighteen Qatari ministries and official establishments. The response rate was 62.37%.

The six hypotheses tested in the study examined the relationships between the independent variables of gender, level of education, major and place of study, religious commitment, and job status, and the dependent variable of attitudes of Qatari educated elite toward the role …

A Comparison Of The Differences Of The Chinese Language And The English Language Using Voice Analysis, Chia-Lin Hsieh

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to see if differences exist in Taiwanese students when speaking in their native Chinese language as compared to a secondary language (English) using voice analysis. Not only was the study intended to compare pitches and octaves of 2 languages, but it also hoped to identify the possible factors that influenced the voices of 2 languages.

Fifty Chinese students were randomly selected from a population of 84 Chinese students who were from Taiwan, had established residence in the USA for at least 6 months, and were enrolled in WMU with TOEFL score of at least …

Studies Of The Effect Of Hydrophobic Filter Packs In Free Product Hydrocarbon Recovery Wells, Stephen J. Shank

Masters Theses

Most free product hydrocarbon recovery wells are filter packed in order to prevent aquifer material from entering the well and to increase their effective diameter. Historically there are five factors in filter pack designs: grain size, grain shape, mineralogy, uniformity, and the filter pack diameter. Previous laboratory experiments found that filter packs treated with a water repellant chemical could dramatically improve well performance. This adds wettability as a sixth factor.

A desorption experiment was conducted to determine the feasibility of using a chemically treated filter pack in the subsurface. Analytical results of the leachate from the chemically treated sand indicated …

Identification Of Factors Leading To Successful Computer Implementation In Elementary Schools, Jeffrey A. Marsh

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to review existing research and write an article about factors that lead to greater computer usage in the elementary schools.; In completion of this study an exhaustive review of literature and research dealing with factors pertaining to successful elementary computer programs was conducted. From this review, a list of factors was created, and a survey developed. A phone survey was then completed for a group of 26 district computer coordinators. The surveys were then divided into schools with elementary computer models that computer coordinators ranked highly, and those which computer coordinators felt were lacking. …