Digital Commons Network^™

Economic Institutions And Economic Growth In South Africa, Lumkile Mondi

Masters Theses

The collapse of rapid growth in industrialized countries in the mid-1970s has suggested to scholars that Keynesian economic management is not the ultimate way to run a viable capitalist system. What has emerged from the crisis is the recognition that different capitalist countries have for long had distinctive patterns of development and alternative patterns of economic management.

One such form of economic management is neo-corporatism. The pillars of "neo-corporatism" are found in the tri-partite alliance between centralized trade unions, centralized employers’ organizations, and the state. These institutions coordinate the levels of investment, wage, and employment in the economy to ensure …

The Relationship Of Career Evaluation Systems (Ces) Test Batteries With Work Production In A Sheltered Workshop, Blake Hegarty

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between performance on Career Evaluation Systems' (CES) test batteries and performance on production tasks at CCAR Industries' Manufacturing Plant. Fleishman's factor analytic studies of psychomotor performance were reviewed to demonstrate the conceptual basis for the development of the test batteries. Hester's development of the CES batteries and the factors they measure were discussed.

The subjects were 112 CCAR Industries' clients who were administered Career Evaluation Systems' test battery during vocational evaluations at CCAR Industries' Manufacturing Plant between 1986 and 1992. Fifty-nine subjects met the criteria for inclusion in the final …

An Analysis Of Employee Print Media Content, Michelle M. Accardi

Masters Theses

This content analysis studies an area that has had limited research: university print media. University print media helps maintain communication between management and employees. Past research links three communication categories together: organizing, relationship and change. Organizing is found to be the dominant content category in business newsletters, according to past research.

The uses and gratifications theory, exchange theory and structural-functional theory all play an integral part in the communication process. Continuous two-way comunication between management and each public can lead to a successful organization. Internal communication, wants vs. needs, and finding common ground are additional variables that determine the effect …

Perceptual Ratings Regarding Individuals With High Functioning Autism, Melanie A. Manhart

Masters Theses

A perceptual rating scale evaluating appropriateness/inappropriateness of eight communicative behaviors was designed to determine if the general population perceives adult individuals with high functioning autism as different. In addition, the rating scale results were examined to determine which of the eight communicative characteristics were perceived as most different. The results were also evaluated to determine if a rating difference between genders existed.

The subjects consisted of 453 college students who viewed videotaped interviews with five individuals, two considered "normal" and three diagnosed with high functioning autism who had received varying levels of remediation. After viewing each interview, subjects rated the …

Retention Study: Development Of A Policy For South Central Community Unit School District #401, Steven W. Laur

Masters Theses

This field experience investigated the opinions of administrators and current educational practices in regard to student retention in K-8 school buildings located within the Illinois Educational Service Center #17. The investigation was accomplished by conducting a survey of building administrators in the region. The results of the survey indicated that a majority of the administrators responding to the survey do not agree with the practice of retaining students. The results also show that more boys than girls are retained and that only about half of the schools have written policies in regard to retention. Another fact that emerged was that …

Calibration Of Clinical Instruction In A Dental Hygiene Program, Barbara L. Bennett

Masters Theses

Continuous quality improvement training was used to improve intrarater and interrater reliability in subgingival calculus detection among the faculty of Parkland College Dental Hygiene program. Clinical trials compared the experimental group to the control group in detection of subgingival calculus on dental mannequins and patients before and after training using group standards, consensus, and feedback. Intrarater reliability was improved to a significant level and interrater reliability improved although not at a statistically significant level. Surveys distributed at the onset and end of the training examined faculty attitudes about clinical evaluation, consistency, and instruction.

The Impact Of Demographic Variables On Views About Nursing As A Profession, Sandra Kaye Fatum

Masters Theses

Understanding the impact of demographic variables on views about nursing will provide essential knowledge for nursing. This study evaluated the possible impact of demographic variables on the individual's view of the nursing profession. The sample was beginning students, senior students, recent graduates, and faculty from traditional and unified bachelor programs utilizing data from Setter-Kline's (1990) study. A significant difference was not found between the demographic variables of marital status (F = 2.248, df = 4, 463, p =.0630), role model (F =.653, df = 2, 37, p =.5263), and basic faculty preparation (F =.666, df = 4, 81, p =.6176) …

Effects Of Nurse Extern Programs On Student Nurse Performance, Lola A. Coke

Masters Theses

This study was done to determine if summer nurse extern programs increased the nursing performance of student nurses. The conceptual framework for the study was developed from Benner's (1984) "From Novice to Expert". Forty-five students from six hospital based nurse extern programs in Southwestern Michigan participated in the study. A pretest-posttest design was used. Schwirian's (1978) Six Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance was used to measure six nursing performance sub scales: leadership, critical care, professional development, teaching/collaboration, planning/evaluation, and interpersonal relations/communication. Frequency and quality scores were obtained for each behavior. It was hypothesized that an increase in both frequency and …

Educational Preparation And Clinical Experience As Variables In Moral Judgement Development Of Staff Nurses, Jacquelyn A. Keehne

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare moral judgement development levels of staff nurses with diverse levels of educational preparation and different lengths of clinical experience. Kohlberg's theory of moral development served as the theoretical basis for this descriptive correlational study. The Judgements About Nursing Decisions (JAND) was used to measure moral judgement in this study. The subjects (N = 115) were practicing staff nurses in the clinical areas of orthopedics, oncology, medical/surgical care, cardiac care/telemetry, and intensive care services. Varying lengths of clinical experience were reported and the majority recorded a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN) as their …

Life Satisfaction Of Persons With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Dennis A. Bertch

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to describe the adaptation of persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on continuous nasal cannula oxygen using a self-reported assessment of life satisfaction tool. The Roy Adaptation Model provided the conceptual framework to describe perceived life satisfaction considering the effects of gender, age, race, education, marital status, employment status, length of time on nasal cannula oxygen, and amount/liter flow of oxygen.; A convenience sample of 56 persons was obtained through a medical supply company that services most of southwest Michigan. The majority of respondents (56.6%) were satisfied with life. No significant differences were reflected …

Hardiness And Its Relationship To Anticipatory Nausea And Vomiting Experienced By The Patient Receiving Cisplatin Chemotherapy, Colleen K. Smith

Masters Theses

Research suggests that the hardiness characteristic acts as a buffer in the stress/illness relationship. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of hardiness and examine its relationship to the amount of anticipatory nausea and vomiting experienced within a sample of patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy. It was hypothesized that individuals with a high level of hardiness would experience less anticipatory nausea and vomiting than individuals with a low level of hardiness.; A prospective descriptive correlational design was utilized. A convenience sample of adults with cancer (n = 29) receiving cisplatin intravenously was studied. All patients were assessed via …

Health Value And Health Locus Of Control: Impact Upon Compliance In Cardiac Patients, Laura C. Wightman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of an individual's locus of control and health value to compliance to the prescribed rehabilitation regimen among post myocardial infarction and post cardiac surgery patients. Forty subjects were used in an ex post facto research design. The Multidimensional Locus of Control scale, the Value Survey, and a demographic data instrument were administered 1 to 2 days prior to discharge from the hospital. Thirty days after discharge the subjects completed the Health Behavior Scale.; It was hypothesized that male cardiac patients with an internal locus of control were more compliant to …

An Investigation Of Stress And Burnout In Hospital Registered Nurses, Ellen Nora Hale

Masters Theses

This study investigated job stressors and burnout among hospital registered nurses and was based on a systems theory model in which inputs and throughputs interact to effect outputs. Job stressors were measured using the Job Stress Questionnaire (JSQ). Top-ranked stressors included heavy work load, insufficient resources, and inability to satisfy conflicting demands. Burnout was measured using the three subscales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Based on multiple regression analyses, total JSQ scores accounted for 21% of the variance in emotional exhaustion scores. Together, years of experience and an education level of BSN or BA …

Relationships Between Caregiver Satisfaction With Hospice Nursing Care And Selected Demographic Variables, Kathleen F. Nyeste

Masters Theses

A descriptive correlational retrospective survey of caregivers of hospice patients was used to determine the degree of caregiver satisfaction with hospice nursing care and to examine the relationship between satisfaction with nursing care and selected caregiver demographic variables. A random sample of 180 caregivers from 12 randomly selected home based hospices in Michigan's lower peninsula was surveyed utilizing the Revised La Monica/Oberst Patient Satisfaction Scale and a Caregiver Demographic Sheet. Response rate was 63% (N = 114) with 56% (N = 100) of forms usable for data analysis.; The mean satisfaction score was 332 (possible range 51 to 357), indicating …

Maternal Adjustment To Premature Birth: Utilizing The Roy Adaptation Model As A Theoretical Framework, Ivy Razmus

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the adjustment for primiparous mothers of preterm infants was less positive than for primiparous mothers of term infants utilizing the Roy Adaptation Model as a conceptual framework. This secondary analysis utilized data from a larger longitudinal study. The data was collected at three months post birth in the homes of the mothers. The sample consisted of 55 preterm and 46 full term mothers. The Affects Balance Scale (Derogatis, 1983) was used to measure adjustment. A significant difference was found between preterm and full term mothers on the Positive Affects Scale and …

Relationship Of Patient Age To Amount Of Postoperative Analgesic Prescribed And Administered, Beth Lee Sendre

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if elderly patients receive less analgesic than younger patients postoperatively and if that reduction in analgesia results from the physician's order, the administration, or both. Hospital records of 161 females with abdominal surgery were reviewed to collect data. The sample was divided into 6 age groups. The findings did not support with increased age from 25 years, less analgesic medication was prescribed for the first and second 24 hour period postoperatively (p {dollar}>{dollar}.05). The findings indicate, as age increased from 25 years, less analgesic medication was administered in the first 24 …

A Descriptive Correllational Study Of Patient Satisfaction In Labor And Delivery, Holly B.O. Estes

Masters Theses

The concept of patient satisfaction continues to be one of the main concerns in the health care arena today. The purpose of this study was to investigate patients' perceived satisfaction level regarding their labor and delivery at one large Midwestern teaching hospital.; Satisfaction was measured using the Labor and Delivery Satisfaction Index by Lomas, Dore, Enkin, & Mitchell, and the Labor and Delivery Evaluation Scale by Humenick. Roy's Adaptation Model provided the conceptual framework for this study. The study sample was 33 primiparas, seventy-six percent reporting overall satisfaction with their labor and delivery experience.; Sixty-one percent reported the labor and …

Coping With Multiple Roles, Deborah J. Laughlin

Masters Theses

Women in increasing numbers have been combining career and family. Balancing the multiple roles may be stressful at times. The purpose of this study was to examine how different stressors influence a woman's ability to utilize coping responses. This study examined the relationships between situational variables and a nurse's ability to cope with multiple roles. The situational variables studied were: age, educational level, number of hours worked, job type, number of children, ages of the children, view of nursing, husband's agreement with the wife on the number of hours worked, and satisfaction with child care. The survey tool, the "Coping …

Perceived Stress Levels Of Registered Nurses Employed In Medical-Surgical And Critical Care Units, Karen Snyder Keese

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to compare perceived stress levels of registered nurses employed in medical-surgical units to perceived stress levels of registered nurses employed in critical care units. A descriptive, correlational study was conducted using Wolfgang's (1988) Health Professions Stress Inventory. Perceptions of stress were measured and related to specialty, years of experience, years of nursing education, hours worked per week, and shift worked. A convenience sample of 102 registered nurses from two midwestern hospitals participated by a self administered questionnaire. Study findings included: medical-surgical nurses perceived significantly higher levels of stress than critical care nurses; stressors for …

Isokinetic Shoulder Strength Of Women Softball Players: A Pilot Study, Karen A. Kuffel, Diane J. Potter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this pilot study was to provide isokinetic shoulder strength data on college women softball players. Ten women ranging in age from 18 to 21 years old were tested. The Cybex II+, U.B.X.T. and HUMAC system were utilized to test the strength of external rotators, internal rotators, horizontal abductors, and horizontal adductors at 90, 180, and 300 deg/sec. Mean peak torque values were consistently greater in the dominant arm but there were no statistically significant differences in agonist to antagonist ratios between arms. The ratios of external rotators to internal rotators were consistently 2:3 while the ratios of …

Utilization Of Community Based Health Care Services By The Well Elderly, Rachelle Hesselberg, Kristen Wagner, Yolanda Zimmerman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if the elderly used community based health care services, to which they had been referred, following discharge from an acute hospital stay. The sample consisted of twenty elderly recruited from various senior centers in the West Michigan area. Of the respondents surveyed, 18 out of 20 were Caucasian. The average age of respondents was 73 years old. Of the services surveyed, all were under utilized by our sample except those in the clinic. An 18-item questionnaire was developed and distributed to the participants. Results from the data implied that it was more …

Effects Of Ankle Foot Orthosis Application On Standing Balance In The Elderly, Jeralyn J. Gray, Tammy L. Krueger, Denise K. Krynicki

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in balance as measured by the Balance Master{dollar}\sp\circler{dollar}as a result of ankle foot orthoses (AFO) application to a sample population. Data from trials with AFO and without AFO were obtained from six men and twelve women ages 65-79. Paired T-tests were used to analyze data for areas of significance. Significant areas included rhythmic weight shifting (right/left), limits of stability (LOS) forward direction, LOS right forward direction, and LOS backward direction with p values ranging from p = 0.0048 to p = 0.0451. AFO application may have altered the range of motion …

Physical Therapists' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Patient Care Team Meeting Styles In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Neisha Dickman, Christine Ritsema, Brenda Warner

Masters Theses

This study was designed to analyze what types of team meetings are being utilized for patient care in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. It was also designed to look at physical therapists' knowledge of the criteria that differentiates the interdisciplinary team approach from the multidisciplinary team approach. A perceptual questionnaire was sent to physical therapists involved in the inpatient rehabilitation setting in the State of Michigan. Only 1.7% of the physical therapists are involved in a true interdisciplinary team. The other respondents reported that their teams have some characteristics of both the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team approach. However, when asked what …

The Psychological Types Of Physical Therapy Administrators, Heather Despres, Kelly Myers, Sue Woods

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of psychological types among physical therapy administrators. Our random sample was taken from the membership roster of the Section on Administration of the American Physical Therapy Association. We used the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to assess psychological types and a demographic questionnaire to collect data on the administrators.; The most common psychological types among the participants (n = 45) were found to be ISFJ, ESFJ, ISTJ, INTJ, and ENTJ, respectively. Although no explicitly predominant type was found, a clear preference toward judging (J) was noted.

Investigation Of The Correlation Between The Tech Prep Initiative And The Restructuring Of Curriculum In Selected Illinois High Schools, Sandra K. Ward

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the Illinois Tech Prep Initiative and the restructuring of high school curriculum in Illinois. Tech Prep is a structured sequential program which emphasizes continuity in learning, integration of academics and vocational studies with technology, context-based teaching, and completion of the program with an associate degree.

This study examined the scope and degree which Tech Prep has influenced school districts to create new applied courses, implement new applied methods of teaching, and institute a new focus on technology. A questionnaire was mailed to principals of randomly selected high schools in …

An Empirical Analysis Of The Recent Decline Of Union Membership In The United States, Mojgan Tajbakhsh Izadi

Masters Theses

The union membership in the United States has declined since 1970 and reached less than 14 percent of labor force in 1989. A number of studies have been conducted to examine the causes of decline in union membership. Among researchers nearly all believed that structural change in the United States economy plays an important role. The theories of managerial opposition and substitution of government and employers for unions were also supported by many researchers. This study examined the effect of the number of female and part-time workers from the labor force as a measure for structural change in the economy. …

Locus Of Control And Student Leaders: Perceptions Of Leadership Traits, Maggie Sullivan

Masters Theses

Leadership is a multi-faceted phenomena that has been the object of studies throughout the 20th century. Locus of Control has been a focal point for scientific research over the past thirty years. This study examines locus of control among college student leaders. The purpose of the study was to determine if leaders with different loci of control identify different traits as important to leadership. Three hundred surveys were distributed to executive officers of student organizations at Eastern Illinois University. One-hundred thirty-five surveys were returned for a response rate of 45 percent. Results indicated that locus of control did not affect …

Good Grief! Coping With Death And Dying In A Hospice Situation, Pegg Warnick

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study is to discover and examine the coping strategies concerning death and dying from the perspectives of hospice patients and hospice volunteers. A review of applicable literature, informal but structured interviews and participant observation are procedures for the study. The focus of the study lies in three areas: what are the internal attributes used to cope?; what are the external support systems used to cope? and, what are the adjustments in personal goals? Research for this study was patterned after Hegge's study (1991) who surveyed the coping strategies of the recently widowed elderly. The instruments …

A Comparison Of Division I And Division Ii Student-Athletes' Backgrounds, Time Demands And Perceptions Of Academics And Athletics, Denise Reifel

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of The Selection Process For International Special Olympics And Olympic Track & Field Athletes In The Great Lakes Region, Lisa M. Billman

Masters Theses

The purposes of this study were to determine if the selection process used to choose track and field athletes for the International Special Olympics Games follows the same guidelines as those of the Olympics and to determine if three groups (i.e. Special Olympics area directors, undergraduate students, and adapted physical education professionals) view the best athletic performance as the foremost criterion for advancement to Special Olympics international competition.

A four part questionnaire was developed to determine knowledge regarding the purpose of Special Olympics and attitudes of Special Olympics area directors, adapted physical education professionals, and undergraduate students regarding the selection …