Digital Commons Network^™

Aids: Knowledge And Attitudes Among Nurses, Jeanette J. Lochan

Masters Theses

Reports have indicated that nurses have negative and preconceived attitudes concerning persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and that these biases may interfere with quality care. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to identify the relationship between nurses' knowledge about AIDS and their attitudes toward caring for patients who are diagnosed with AIDS and/or who test positive for HIV. Data was gathered by questionnaires from a convenient sample of nurses employed at an area hospital in West Michigan. Of the 500 nurses who received the questionnaire, 208 (41.6%) participated in the study. Knowledge about AIDS was correlated with …

Comparison Of The Efficacy Of Heparinized And Non-Heparinized Normal Saline Solutions In Maintaining Patency Of Arterial Catheters, Juanita K. Bogart

Masters Theses

Although the need for heparin in flush solutions has not been established, the currently accepted standard of practice is to use heparinized solutions in arterial catheter flush devices. Exposure to heparin may place patients at risk for developing heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HITP) and subsequent embolic events. The purpose of the study was to test the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in patency of arterial catheters maintained with heparinized or non-heparinized normal saline solutions. An experimental design using a convenience sample (N = 31) and random assignment into experimental and control groups was used. There was no statistically significant …

Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Effective Clinical Teachers: A Replication, Kathleen L. Miller

Masters Theses

Clinical teaching in nursing has been found to be as problematic as it is in other practice-oriented professions. The purpose of this study is to identify student's and faculty's perceptions of effective characteristics of clinical teachers. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to students and faculty at a university college of nursing in western Michigan to solicit their perceptions. The study data reveal both similarities and differences in their perceptions and raises awareness of how clinical teachers need to be atune with nursing student's learning needs and learning styles. Comparison of this study with the previous studies show a common direction …

Evaluation Of Coagulation Studies Drawn From Heparinized Arterial Lines, Lois J. Van Donselaar

Masters Theses

Drawing blood from indwelling heparinized arterial catheters is a common procedure in critical care units. The accuracy of coagulation studies drawn from heparinized arterial lines has been a source of controversy and divergent results of research studies. The discarding of blood to provide an uncontaminated specimen is a concern as a source of infection for health care workers. This study evaluates the accuracy of aPTT results drawn from the Lab-Site pressure tubing system which provides a closed system that eliminates blood discard. Blood was obtained from radial artery catheters connected to the Lab-Site system and compared to specimens obtained simultaneously, …

What Is The Relationship Between Perceived Job Stress, Job Satisfaction, And Psychological Symptoms Of Critical Care Nurses?, Barbara L. Hooper

Masters Theses

House's Stress Paradigm provided the theoretical framework for this study which examined the relationship between job satisfaction and job stress, and the correlation of job stress with the experience of psychological symptoms in a sample of 32 critical care nurses from an urban midwestern hospital. The Brief Symptom Inventory and Atwood and Hinshaw's Nursing Job Satisfaction and Job Stress Scales were used to measure the variables. A moderately strong correlation (r = {dollar}-{dollar}.63, p =.001) was found between job satisfaction and perceived job stress. No significant relationship was found between perceived job stress and psychological symptoms. These findings suggest that …

The Effect Of Anxiety On Student Nurses' Performance When Administering Intramuscular Or Subcutaneous Injections, Sandra L. Osborne

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine what the relationship was between levels of trait and state anxiety and performance when giving intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. It was a replication of a study by Megal, Wilken, and Volcek (1987).; In May, 1990, the STAI Form Y-2 was used to assess trait anxiety of 17 students at a community college in the Midwest. State anxiety was measured by using the STAI Form Y-1 immediately before: (1) laboratory performance examinations and (2) giving first injections to clients. Instructors completed Injection Skill Check Lists to measure performance.; Students reported high levels of …

Parental Coping With A Chronically Ill Child, Shari Jo Allore Bertolone

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine what coping mechanisms families of chronically ill children indicated they utilized to cope on a daily basis. This study utilized the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) to collect data. The CHIP is designed to assess parents perceptions of behaviors they are currently using to manage family life. There are three main coping patterns focused on and it is hypothesized that a balance of these three patterns is essential for a positive outcome. This study found there are certain mothers and fathers who are at risk for not using a balance of …

A Statewide Survey Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Kathryn S. Bach

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Dr. Professor Mommy: Working Mothers' Gender Role Self Images In The University Community, Dawn Renee Krywanio

Masters Theses

A common misperception exists that working mothers experience their professional lives differently than other working women. This is often the basis for differential treatment of mothers in the workplace. This thesis describes gender role self image among university women in administration, faculty, and staff positions who are also parents; it relates to professional relationship satisfaction in the workplace. Data were collected through the use of open ended surveys of 185 female employees at Eastern Illinois University, follow up interviews, and a Likert scale survey within the same population. Content analysis of the data and qualitative results are the descriptive basis …

How Actualities Affect The Credibility And Audience Evaluation Of Radio Newscasts, Michael G. Bradd

Masters Theses

This study tests the hypotheses that actualities increase the audience appeal and credibility of a radio newscast. Two treatment newscasts of identical content were produced using the same announcer. One of the treatments used actualities in four of the seven stories while the other treatment had no actualities. Analysis of variance was used to compare subjects' evaluations of the two treatments. The study found that contrary to common wisdom in the radio industry, actualities have no statistically significant impact on the audience appeal of a newscast. The data did not confirm the credibility hypothesis; it strongly suggested that actualities do …

Gender Differences In Evaluation Styles, Jean B. Hudson

Masters Theses

There is currently extensive research on gender differences in the area of speech communication. This study explores the gender differences in speaking styles and their relation to evaluation styles. Subjects were students enrolled in Introduction to Speech Communication at Eastern Illinois University. After compiling 722 speech evaluation sheets, an analysis of variance, factor analysis, and content analysis was conducted. Significant results concluded that sex of the instructor, sex of the speaker, and sex of the evaluator influence each other. Implications of this study were that speech instructors must be aware of their own speaking and evaluation style to avoid any …

The First Documentation Of A Lower Middle Pennsylvanian Upland Flora From The Eastern Margin Of The Eastern Interior Basin (Illinois Basin), Vicki J. Comer

Masters Theses

The primary objective of this study is to reconstruct the paleofloristics of an unnamed shale of lower Middle Pennsylvanian age. The shale is periodically exposed in the highwall of the Ashboro Pit, Log Cabin Coal Company, Clay County, Indiana. This will be the first upland fossil flora to be described from the eastern margin of the Eastern Interior Basin (Illinois Basin). The gray shale containing the upland flora lies directly above the Upper Block Coal (SW 1/4, SE 1/4, sec. 17, T. 11N., R. 6W.)

Two collections, collected on three different occasions were made available for analysis: Smithsonian Natural …

Chaucer's "Nether Ye": A Study Of Chaucer's Use Of Scatology In The Canterbury Tales, Brook Wilson

Masters Theses

Chaucer's use of scatology throughout the Canterbury Tales offers a new frontier for Chaucerian research. To this date, no book-length work dealing exclusively with the scatological elements found in his works exists. Too often, the serious and artistic effects of scatology become lost in the great comedy the device generates. Furthermore, many readers and scholars seem to find themselves somewhat "squaymous" when confronted with the "nether ye" of Chaucer. While Chaucer employs scatology perhaps less frequently than Swift or Rabelais, his mastery of this device remains unquestionable.

Recognizing that the uses for scatology extend far beyond creating humor, Chaucer instead …

The Meyersville School's Utilization Of Windows On Science, Art D. Anthony

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine if the students and teachers of Meyersville School, Meyersville, Texas, liked the Windows on Science^® program better than learning and teaching science using the traditional book. All students, grades three through six, and teachers, grades one through six, were surveyed regarding their opinion of Windows on Science^®.

This field experience indicated the students and teachers liked the Windows on Science^® program better than using standard science textbooks. The male students had a higher mean score than the female students or teachers. The teachers felt they needed more experiments to help …

African American Self-Esteem: Racial Ideology And Racial Identity, Carrie Wilson-Brown

Masters Theses

This study empirically investigated the relationships among global self-esteem and racial self-esteem, ethnic and racial ideology, cultural identity, and anti-white sentiment in a sample of 109 African-American students enrolled in the Partnership for Excellence program at Eastern Illinois University. The findings suggest that these dimensions are interrelated and anchored in the relationships with family and friends in the black community. Self-esteem is strongly correlated with racial self-esteem, cultural knowledge, and black separatism. The data do not support a relationship between self-esteem and system-blame, anti-white sentiment, and interracial contact. Implications of this study are that black self-esteem is insulated from systems …

Learning Mathematics As A Language, Kathryn Shafer

Masters Theses

This paper explores the relationship between language and mathematics. It is a summary of research done over the last thirty years. Also included are personal observations which are not part of any controlled study. Since language is the vehicle for thought, mathematics educators and curriculum planners will benefit from a linguistic approach to mathematics education. Symbolic mathematics is similar to natural language in both its structure and its communicative nature. If the students are to internalize the notation, they must be the ones to give it meaning. A linguistic approach to mathematics education includes language development, verbalization of concepts, vocabulary …

A Field Experience: Teacher Orientation, Rena J. Talbert

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience was three fold: 1) to determine the existence of formal teacher orientation programs, 2) the contents of the programs, and 3) the level of satisfaction by the principal(s) regarding the formal teacher orientation programs for newly employed teachers. A survey of the high schools in Educational Service Centers 15, 16, 17, and 18 was conducted.

In addition, a thorough review of literature and research associated with the need and benefits from a teacher orientation program was presented. Included in the review was the components of a mentor program.

An analysis of the survey results …

A Field Experience: The Paris High School Climate, Steven R. Sabens

Masters Theses

A comprehensive survey of the perceptions of students, teachers, and parents regarding the climate at Paris High School was conducted. This assessment was accomplished by conducting a random sample survey of students and parents, and a total survey of faculty.

Analysis of the survey results identified five specific areas in the Paris High School climate needing improvement (a) school/community relations, (b) student support climate, (c) school image, (d) school problems, and (e) students identifying a purpose between what they are studying and their everyday lives. In addition, a thorough review of recent literature and research associated with effective schools and …

A Financial Study Of The Mt. Auburn School District, Robert H. Sample

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience was to determine the financial condition of the Mt. Auburn Community Unit School District Number 5, Christian County, State of Illinois, from the 1986-87 school year through the 1990-91 school year. The financial condition of the district during 1991-92 school year was reviewed from July, 1991 through April, 1992. The education fund, operations, building, and maintenance fund, bond and interest fund, transportation fund, and retirement fund were all reviewed for stated time period. Tables were prepared for these major accounting funds to clarify the developing financial trend. Revenues received during 1986 through 1991 from …

Consolidation Study For Illinois Community Unit School Districts No. 10 And No. 20, Judith J. Phipps

Masters Theses

The main purpose of this field study was to examine factors related to school consolidation in Lawrence County, Illinois. Two unit school districts-Community Unit School District No. 10 and No. 20-have been in operation since 1972 in southeastern Illinois. Both districts have full recognition by the Illinois State Board of Education and North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

In 1991-92, approximately 2,800 students attended kindergarten through twelfth grade in Lawrence County. However, financial considerations were the primary concerns of the schools/ operations. Due to revenue losses in farmland reassessment, property taxes and general state aid, Lawrence County administrators examined …

The Effects Of Knowledge Of Accrued Clinical Clock Hours On Supervisors' Evaluations Of Clinical Competence, Julie Ann Johnston-Palmer

Masters Theses

Supervision in speech-language pathology is one facet of the field in which all speech-language pathologists have had to engage. The more that is known about the process of supervision the better future speech-language pathologists can be prepared to interact in a professional setting. Many variables are present in supervision related to the field of speech-language pathology. One variable which has received only minimal attention relates to the effect knowledge about a student clinician's number of accrued clinical clock hours has on the evaluation of the clinician's skills. The assumption is often made that a student clinician with more clinical clock …

Beginning Reading Instruction: Issues In Phonics And Modality Preferences, Debra A. Kelley

Masters Theses

This thesis reviews the major trends regarding the place of phonics in reading instruction since the 1950's and attempts to integrate current perspectives on phonics in regard to both classroom and individualized instruction. In the 1950's, instruction in the regular classroom tended to emphasize sight-words at the expense of word analysis or phonic skills. The mid-1960's classic study by Chall, Learning to Read: The Great Debate, documented the value of phonic instruction in beginning reading and led to later refinements regarding the place of phonics in beginning reading instruction.

The attempt to match individual children's preferred modality for learning …

Federalism, Intergovernmental Relations, And The Illinois State Division Of Safety Inspection And Education, William E. Darrell

Masters Theses

Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) saturates the academic study and practice of public administration. The two are combined into a structure of government (federalism) and the flow of information and instructions within that structure (IGR). Forming a single and complex theoretical approach to public administration, they offer definition and clarification to the nature of American government. However, the approach is inherently biased - as currently offered. Deliberate or not, it stresses the supremacy of each level of government over lesser units - a clear hierarchical structure. A pyramid is often described with individual citizens as the foundation and national government …

Rhetoric In Fiction: A Fantasy-Theme Analysis Of Conrad’S Heart Of Darkness, Thomas S. Caldwell

Masters Theses

This study meets three primary objectives.

First, it demonstrates how rhetorical theory and Iiterary criticism are compatible fields of study and explains how Ernest Bormann's rhetorical theory based on "fantasy-theme analysis" can be used as an appropriate method for the analysis of literary works.

Secondly, this study identifies a trend in late Nineteenth Century "adventure stories" in which travel to foreign lands and European influence on the cultures of those lands is portrayed as "good" and "philanthropic."

Finally, this study concludes with a fantasy-theme analysis of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness which reveals that Conrad's adventure fiction breaks away from …

Weaning The Long-Term Ventilator Patient: A Nursing Protocol, Karen J. Trudell

Masters Theses

This study evaluated the effects of implementing a standardized nursing protocol on decreasing the length of time it takes the patient to wean from long-term ventilation using an ex post facto comparison group design. The standard nursing protocol is a set of 10 nursing interventions used to standardize the weaning process. A retrospective chart review was performed on 24 patients who were in the intensive care unit of a community teaching medical center, and required long-term ventilation of six days or more. After nine months of implementation of a standard nursing protocol, allowing for the intensive care nurses to become …

Hardiness And Adaptation To Hypertension, Marcia L. Smit

Masters Theses

Hardiness, a personality characteristic that is purposed to mediate the stress response and reduce the likelihood of illness, was studied in the context of adaptation to chronic disease. A descriptive correlational design was used to determine whether a positive relationship exists between the presence of hardiness and psychosocial adaptation to hypertension. The sample consisted of 50 individuals 60 years old or older. Data was analyzed using the product moment correlation coefficient, Spearman's Rho, and multiple regression. A moderately weak correlation (r =.39, df = 48, p =.003) between hardiness and adaptation was found. Other significant relationships identified included those between …

Acoustic And Perceptual Correlates Of Breathy Vocal Quality, Ronald Allen Cleveland

Masters Theses

Recordings were made of seven normal female and eight normal male talkers producing sustained vowels under normal, moderately breathy, and very breathy conditions. Twenty listeners judged the recorded vowel tokens for degree of breathiness using a direct magnitude estimation procedure. A Cronbach coefficient alpha revealed strong intrasubject agreement.

Several acoustic analyses were evaluated by measuring their correlations with the mean of the listeners' breathiness ratings. Measures of cepstral peak prominence in band limited signals were most strongly correlated with perceived breathiness. The height of the autocorrelation peak in highpass filtered signals and the relative amplitude of the first harmonic were …

Ethical Implications Of Politics In English Speaking West African Countries: The Need For A Greater Ethical Concern, Adeyinka Christopher Thompson

Masters Theses

This thesis evaluates the ethical implications of policies adopted by politicians in three West African countries: Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The evaluation focuses on the policies African politicians adopt in their bid to solve two problems facing Africa: corruption, and achieving a democracy.

The evaluation relates selected policies of some African politicians to certain ethical theories propounded by various philosophers. Such questions as the respect politicians show for human life or dignity; the way they manipulate people, using them solely as a means to an end; secrecy in government; and whether their policies are meant for the general good …

Widr-Fm: A Program Analysis Of An Alternative Music Format, Michael A. Finn

Masters Theses

This study examines the Alternative Music Format (AMF) of station WIDRFM, Western Michigan University from a programming perspective. The study reviews literature related to AMF programming, and provides information related to listener and non listener patterns of radio interest from two self-report questionnaires. The purpose of the study is to provide reliable information on this most unique format plus recommendations in order that future managers, programmers and music directors can make informed decisions for future managerial and program changes.

The major results of this study indicate that the AMF does not promote effective listenership among the WIDR-FM audience. Also, there …

Design And Analysis Of Asynchronous Adders, Khalid Khanfar

Masters Theses

The aim of this study is to come up with a fast adder suitable for use in self-timed subsystems. 7 adders were evaluated.

The findings from this study indicated that a Conditional Sum Adder (CSA) is the best candidate for high speed addition. One of the two resulting adders was given the name High Speed Conditional Sum Adder (HSCSA) .