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Hydrogeochemical Delineation Of A Groundwater Flow System, Berrien County, Michigan, Patrick J. Bartnik

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to examine the possibility of determining groundwater flow directions from natural variations in groundwater chemistry. Groundwater samples were analyzed for major cation and anion concentrations. These data were to have been contoured and then compared with groundwater flow maps generated by conventional methods. The purpose was to determine whether a correlation could be drawn between the two methods. However, the results of the study did not allow for this comparison.

The plotted major cation and anion data did not lend themselves to contouring, which suggests that greater control may be required during the selection …

Curriculum Packet Serving Autistic, Educable, And Trainable Students With Mental Impairments, Amy E. Upham

Masters Theses

The education of the special needs population has been an ongoing debate since the creation of special education classes. While some educators feel that a slower version of the regular education curriculum is appropriate others feel that there is no room for the regular curriculum in the education of the autistic, educable, and trainable mentally impaired population.; In this thesis the research reviewed will support the need for a functional curriculum which emphasizes the areas of; self care/ personal development, basic math and language arts. The research will stress that a watered down regular education curriculum will not meet the …

Effects Of Witnessing Domestic Violence On Children, Theresa L. Bundy

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of domestic violence on children. The main questions explored were the effects of domestic violence on the self-perception and behavior of children. The children at a shelter for domestic violence completed the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children and the Self-Perception Profile for Children, depending on the child's age. The children also completed a questionnaire on their views of relationships and their future. The mothers of the children completed a standardized scale that paralleled the scale completed by the children, along with questionnaires on the …

An Analysis Of The Primordial Soup Hypothesis With Respect To Dna Structure And The Genetic Code, Jennifer A. Hart

Masters Theses

The primordial soup hypothesis is currently the most popular origin of life theory. This hypothesis suggests that DNA and self-replicating organisms were formed out of a warm, aqueous environment on the surface of the prebiotic earth. However, recent studies have shown that the primordial soup hypothesis is not only lacking in factual support, it is also internally flawed. The primordial soup hypothesis is statistically impossible, and it does not adequately account for the origin of the specified complexity of the genetic code. The very nature of the genetic code requires an intelligence source. Universal experience shows that specified complexity is …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Educational Recognition Systems Of Five Midwestern States, Danny L. Garrett

Masters Theses

The Illinois Public Recognition System has implemented new procedures that address a new system of quality and equity in Illinois schools. As an Illinois educator, the researcher has conducted a study that compares the new Illinois Public Recognition System to similar systems in the states of Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Minnesota. All of the states have many components of evaluation that are very similar.

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Missouri all rely on systems that combine school improvement and accreditation. The systems are basically in transitional phases that are designed to be a ongoing process to enhance student learning and …

Factors Associated With Underachievement In Eighth-Grade Children, Barbara A. Moore

Masters Theses

This study investigated characteristics of underachieving adolescents. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS; Hieronymous, et al., 1990) and grade point averages provided the basis for selection of 83 eighth grade students into achiever and underachiever groups. Results indicated that underachievement was significantly related to males, number of absences, and number of discipline referrals, but not to race and notice of special education records. Overall self-esteem, as measured by the Self-Esteem Index (SEI; Brown & Alexander, 1991), and the subscale measure of perceptions of weak academic competence were positively related to level of underachievement/overachievement. Composite measure of behavioral/emotional problems, as …

The Relationship Between Codependency, Alcoholism, And The Family Of Origin, William Ansara

Masters Theses

This study examined the relationship between the construct of codependency, family alcohol consumption patterns, degree of family dysfunction, and gender. It was proposed that codependent behaviors, feelings, and attitudes would be present in persons regardless of the reported degree of family alcohol abuse if dysfunctional patterns of relating exsisted in the family of origin. It was further hypothesised that women would evidence higher codependency scores than males in all groups. The Spann-Fischer codependency assessment instrument was use to measure subjects feelings and attitudes. Subjects were divided into four groups based on their report of family dysfunction and family alcohol consumption …

A Survey Of At-Risk Students Enrolled In Beck Area Vocational Center's Optional Education Program, Robert D. Knutson

Masters Theses

The main purpose of this field experience was to survey students who participated in Beck Area Vocational Center's Optional Education Program (OEP) in Red Bud, Illinois, to data needed to construct a profile of the typical at-risk youth within a 50-mile radius of Beck. This, in turn, would set the stage for the construction and implementation of an instrument that might be used to identify other potential at-risk youth at the high school level in the area.

The 71 students in the survey were asked to respond to survey questions that had been deemed successful in distinguishing dropouts from non-dropouts. …

An Investigation Of The Mentor-Protege Component Of An Effective Teacher Induction Program, Joseph A. Mcarthur

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify common elements in the mentor-protege component of Illinois' downstate school districts which have an enrollment between 2,000 and 6,000 students. One hundred individual schools were selected for the study. Individual schools were selected in order to assure a valid representation of grade levels and geographic locations. This study also identified those segments that, according to administrators, mentors, and beginning teachers, were the most effective in addressing their needs. The information the study gathered consisted of an examination of current literature and research, and contacts with first year teachers, mentors, and building administrators …

An Investigation Of Student Disciplinary Procedures Of Twelve Rural Jefferson County Districts After Implementation Of Illinois Law Banning Corporal Punishment, Brenda J. Lusby

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to investigate and assess the effectiveness of the student disciplinary procedures in the twelve elementary K-8 rural school districts in Jefferson County, Illinois, since the Illinois legislative body banned the use of corporal punishment by P.A. 88-346 which became effective January 1, 1994. Discipline has been a major concern in the effectiveness of schools for quite some time and appeared as the number one concern of the public pertaining to our public schools in the 1994 Gallup Poll. Since corporal punishment has been banned, personnel in many schools are concerned about how effective their …

Impact Of "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder" On Educational Placement And Service Delivery, Marsha L. Groves

Masters Theses

Children with "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder" face many changes within the school environment. Teachers strive to help these students meet those changes by providing for special learning and behavior needs. This study obtained teacher responses to examine demographic data, disability categories, placement, and educational treatment of children clinically diagnosed and/or suspected of having "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders". Of the 76 teacher surveys returned, 107 students were reported to have or were suspected of having "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder". Forty-five were identified as learning disabled, seven were considered behavior disordered, seven were receiving speech services, seven others were health impaired, three …

Local Newspaper Agenda-Setting As Reflected In Letters To The Editor, Thomas J. Mcdonnell

Masters Theses

In an effort to test the basic agenda-setting theory, a content analysis of three small to mid-size Illinois newspapers was done to determine what correlation, if any, existed between the content of the front page and the issues addressed in the letters to the editor section. Pearson product moment correlations were calculated for all issues addressed by the papers and the public. No support was found for basic agenda-setting in this study. There was partial support the hypothesis that local newspapers would be more effective setting the local issue agenda.

Graduate Training In Geropsychology Among Licensed Psychologists In Illinois, Steven J. Johnston

Masters Theses

Recently, it has been suggested that several factors will likely lead to an increase in the number of elderly Americans in need of psychological services. In June, 1981, the Older Boulder Conference addressed the need to implement graduate level training of psychologists to serve elderly clients. It was found that after the Conference: 1) more graduate courses on geropsychology were taken by psychologists during their graduate training; 2) most psychologists either had no or 75% or more elderly clients; and 3) psychologists were more likely to have sought out post graduate continuing education in geropsychology yet they were less likely …

A Comparison Of Personality Traits Of Female Athletes With A High Incidence Of Injury To Those With A Low Incidence Of Injury, J'Nise A. Ramsey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in the personality traits of collegiate female athletes with a high incidence of injury when compared to female athletes with a low incidence of injury. Fourteen female intercollegiate athletes completed a personal information questionnaire and Cattell's Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire during a one hour session of testing.

The mean raw scores of the two groups were analyzed to determine if they differed statistically. The mean raw scores were then converted to mean sten scores under the recommendations of Cattell. A visual depiction of the mean sten …

An Evaluation Of Special Education And Remedial Services Within South Wisconsin District - Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Elementary Schools, Jennifer S. Pflueger

Masters Theses

The availability of special education and remedial services within the South Wisconsin District-Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod elementary schools was investigated. A teacher and the principal from fifty-three schools were surveyed. The schools represented urban, suburban, and rural areas. Thirty-eight principals and thirty-seven teachers responded to the questionnaire. The principal questionnaire consisted of fifteen fill-in-the-blank questions and addressed information regarding remedial and exceptional education programs. The teacher questionnaire was a thirteen item rating format addressing the teacher's perceptions of his/her skills in remediation and exceptional education. The results indicated that a higher percentage of students received remedial services than exceptional education services. …

Religiosity, Fears Of Personal Death, And The Acceptability Of Suicide Within Reformed, Conservative, And Orthodox Jews, Lawrence B. Stein

Masters Theses

One hundred and fifty adults completed the Gladding, Lewis, and Adkins Scale of Religiosity (GLASR), Fears of Personal Death Scale (FPDS), and the Suicide Acceptability Scale (SAS) to investigate the relationships between religiosity, fears of personal death, and suicide acceptability within the Reformed, Conservative, and Orthodox Jewish denominations. Differences between the Jewish denominations were detected such that Orthodox Jews were less fearful of transpersonal death than Conservative individuals. However, no differences existed between Jewish denominations for interpersonal or intrapersonal fears of death. Results also indicate that Reformed Jews were less religious and more accepting of suicide than Orthodox individuals with …

A Preliminary Study In The Design Of A Stress Inventory For Gifted Students: A Factor Analysis Of Potential Items, David Kinkade

Masters Theses

Items were designed for potential utilization in a stress inventory for gifted students. Two types of items were written; the first assessing stressful life events and situations, the second assessing coping ability. Both sets of items were administered to gifted students (N = 162) currently enrolled in the seventh and eighth grades. A principle components factor analysis with a varimax rotation was performed on both sets of items separately. The first set produced a four factor solution. The factors which emerged were identified as self-concept of giftedness, positive gifted programming, negative aspects of the gifted label, and performance pressure. The …

Burnout Among Master's Level Mental Health Practitioners, Brenda K. Greeson

Masters Theses

Seventy-eight master's level mental health practitioners completed survey materials including the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Psychologist's Burnout Inventory (PBI), and a demographic and job satisfaction questionnaire modified for this study from a 1994 study of school psychologists (Niebrugge, 1994). The random sample of community mental health centers selected to receive survey materials came from a list obtained from the Illinois Department of Mental Health (DMH). Results suggested that symptoms of burnout frequently occur among this group of clinicians, regardless of their disciplinary training. A relationship between burnout and job-related stressors (e.g., feeling a lack of control in the work …

Behind The Smokescreen: Perceptions Of R. J. Reynolds And Their Advocacy Ads, Jean M. Tripp

Masters Theses

This study sought to gauge whether advocacy advertisements produced by R. J. Reynolds would affect people's perception of the company, and whether these perceptions would differ between males and females. Subjects were 29 male and 41 female professionals and businesspersons, all members of a professional business organization. Subjects completed a two part survey after reading an advocacy ad produced by R. J. Reynolds. Quantitative information was gathered through the use of a Likert-type scale in Part 1 of the survey; in Part 2 respondents answered open-ended questions. Results indicated that respondents viewed the ads negatively, believing they were biased and …

A Brief Discussion Of The History, Role, And Function Of The School Psychologist In The Former Soviet Union And Russia, Todd W. Knutson

Masters Theses

School psychology in the former Soviet Union and Russia had its beginnings as the field of Pedology which thrived in the early 1900s in Europe and in the former Soviet Union. School psychological services, in Western psychometric sense, have been virtually dormant since Pedology's downfall following ideological conflicts with Communist leaders in 1936 when standardized testing was banned in the U.S.S.R. This paper sketches a brief history of school psychology in the former Soviet Union and Russia, outlines the educational system, reviews the Soviet research on mental retardation, and calls for the sharing of general information related to international school …

Empowerment Versus Dependency Of Parents With Children In Special Education, Wendy J. Fisher

Masters Theses

This study attempted to determine whether parents of children receiving special education services are being empowered by the present special education system or growing dependent on it. A survey was constructed based upon the three criteria deemed necessary by social policy analyst Charles Murray to yield empowerment. The survey was administered by phone to 50 parents of children receiving special education services. Results indicated that primary source of income and expression of participation do not have an impact on degree of empowerment as measured by the Empowerment/Dependency Survey. Severity of handicap did not predict whether or not parents desired additional …

The Influence Of Gender And Sex Role Orientation On The Perceived Effectiveness Of Therapist Self-Disclosure, Dena Fennell

Masters Theses

The present study examined the influence of therapist gender and subject sex role orientation on theperceived effectiveness of therapist self-disclosure. Subjects were 207 female college students who read written vignettes of a mock therapist discussing interpersonal issues in an initial therapy session. Therapist gender and disclosure level (negative versus no disclosure) were manipulated; ratings of perceived attractiveness, expertness, and trustworthiness were measured by the Counselor Rating Form (Barak & Lacrosse, 1975), and subject sex role orientation was measured by the Bern Sex Role Inventory (Bern, 1974). Results indicate that male therapists who negatively self-disclose are perceived as more trustworthy than …

Prevention Of Head And Neck Injuries At The High School Level Of Football: Implementation Levels And Perceived Importance Of Established Recommendations, Jill D. Heikkila

Masters Theses

The occurrence of head and neck injury in football has prompted various authorities to outline recommendations which can be used as a guideline for the prevention of such injuries. The seven recommendations included for study in this research were classroom education of athletes, correct technique emphasis, enforcement of established rules, conditioning of neck musculature, medical coverage of events, athletic training services, and the proper fit of helmets. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether coaches of high school football programs were implementing the commonly cited recommendations for preventing head and neck injuries. In addition to levels of …

Investigation Of The Relationship Between Language & Mathematics In Regards To Problem Solving, Heather A. Grant

Masters Theses

While previous research has established language as a component of mathematical performance (Kintsch, 1988; Simon, 1985), none have identified a relationship between language and mathematics. This study was conducted to examine the relationships between language and mathematical abilities, specifically problem solving abilities and concept knowledge.

The subjects consisted of 29 fifth-grade students selected from an elementary school in central Illinois. These students were not receiving special education services. Each subject was administered the Test of Problem Solving (Zachman, et al., 1984) to assess the subjects' ability to utilize reasoning skills and expressive language to solve situational problems; and The WORD …

Thermoplastic Composites Of Recycled High Density Polyethylene And Recycled Tire Particles, James N. Mckirahan Jr.

Masters Theses

This study identified the mechanical properties and processibility of composite materials of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE), recycled rubber tire particles, and/or ethyl co-vinyl acetate and poly (e-caprolactone). The composites were processed using a single screw extrusion system.

Three groups of experiments were conducted, on the composites in their extruded form to investigate the mechanical properties of ultimate tensile strength, percent elongation, and hardness. The first experiment investigated the effect of recycled rubber particle concentration in the composites up to 25 percent. The second experiment investigated the effect of recycled rubber particle size on the composites of recycled HDPE and …

Nutrition Knowledge Of Illinois High School Athletic Coaches, Donall M. Hausauer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Prediction Of In-Hospital Delirium In Elderly Hip Fracture Patients Using Family Assessment Of Pre-Morbid Cognitive Behaviors, Ronell R. Ruhlandt

Masters Theses

The elderly are the fastest growing segment of the population in the United States. Elderly persons are at high risk for developing delirium when hospitalized. The purpose of this study was to determine if pre-morbid cognitive behaviors were predictive of in-hospital delirium in elderly hip-fracture patients. The ability to predict or diagnose delirium early could prevent complications during hospitalization and decrease the length of hospital stays. The study was descriptive correlational. Subjects were admitted to a metropolitan teaching hospital during February through August 1993, were 60 years or older, and were diagnosed with hip fracture. Admission assessments included the Cognitive …

Predictors Of Nclex-Rn Success Post 1988, Marie E. Rogers

Masters Theses

This ex post facto correlation design study was completed to compare the relative ability of the National League for Nursing Diagnostic Readiness Test (NLN-DRT), nursing non-clinical grade point average, overall grade point average, and pre-nursing grade point average in predicting NCLEX-RN success. Records of 95 graduates from a particular associate degree nursing program were reviewed. The Pearson r identified the NLN-DRT to have the strongest correlation with NCLEX-RN success. All the independent variables had a high degree of correlation with one another. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the NLN-DRT accounted for 25% of the variance in NCLEX-RN success. The …

A Comparison Study Of The Effects Of Methods Of Pain Control On Client Outcomes, Susan K. Cristofori

Masters Theses

A correlational ex post facto design was used to study the relationships between methods of pain control and client perception of pain, achievement of the physical therapy regime and length of stay following total joint replacement surgery. Continuous epidural infusion and patient controlled analgesia (PCA) were the pain control methods examined in the study.; Perception of pain was measured using a 6-word descriptor verbal rating scale. Achievement of physical therapy was measured using the activity criteria on the case care map used at the study hospital. Length of stay was measured using daily census records. (1) The study site was …

The Effect Of Support Groups On Aids Patients, Karen Bouwman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to answer the following question: Will individuals with HIV/AIDS have the same or decreased levels of anxiety and hopelessness after participating in a support group? A one-group pretest-posttest design was used. A convenience sample consisted of 40 persons with HIV/AIDS attending a large support group which met on a weekly basis. Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) and Beck's Hopelessness Scale (HS) were administered to the participants. Six weeks later, the HS and SAI were repeated. A Social Support Inventory was also given to assess the subject's perceived satisfaction with the support group. Based on …