Digital Commons Network^™

Lunar Phases, Time Variations, And Birthrate In Western Michigan, Janet Mitchell

Masters Theses

Staffing standards in the labor and delivery units of hospitals are based on estimates of the number of patients who will be admitted. Anecdotally, patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals frequently comment that the occurrence of the fell moon brings about an increase in the number of laboring women. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between birthrate and time of day, day of the week, month of the year and new and full moons. Martha Rogers' theory, the Science of Unitary Human Beings, was used as the theoretical framework.

A descriptive ex post facto design using retrospective …

Quality Of Life For Women Living With Advanced Breast Cancer, Maureen Mika Eberly

Masters Theses

Parse’s Human Becoming Theory of nursing and research methodology were used to describe the structure of the meaning of quality of life for women living with advanced breast cancer. Three core concepts surfaced: grieving-adjusting remaining connected to ordinary life events, reinforcing-distancing relationships preserving individuality, and choosing opportunities clarifying purpose. Through conceptual integration these emerged as valuing the connecting-separating of powering unique ways. This study enhances the knowledge on quality of life, expands Parse’s theory of nursing, and demonstrates the value of Parse’s methodology for uncovering the meaning of lived experiences. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.

Hiv Risk Factors In Migrant Farmworkers, Gina Rosenberg

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the HIV/AIDS knowledge level and risk behaviors in Hispanic migrant farm workers in west and southwest Michigan. A secondary data analysis was performed to measure HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and risk behaviors. Overall knowledge level and risk behavior scores were developed for further data analysis. A Pearson R Correlation Coefficient was calculated and showed that the relationship between knowledge level and risk behaviors was not statistically significant.

Coefficients were also calculated for age, educational levels, and number of months spent in Michigan first with the knowledge level index, and then with the risk behavior …

Factors Involved In The Decision To Utilize The Emergency Department For Health Care, Teri R. Simpson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reasons people choose to use the Emergency Department (ED) for health care. Roy's adaptation model was used as the conceptual framework for this study. A convenience sample of patients were interviewed during one weekday eight hour period. The interview addressed such factors as reason for visit, age, race, gender, living situation, income, and health insurance provider. Data analysis using descriptive methods revealed the person most likely to choose the ED for health care is a Caucasian female in her early twenties with a median income of $15,000. She is a blue …

Gender Differences In Importance Of Stroke Health Beliefs In Timing Of Seeking Treatment For Acute Stroke Symptoms, Brenda S. Nyenhuis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe gender differences in importance of stroke health beliefs in timing of seeking treatment for acute stroke symptoms. The data came from a larger study titled ‘Discovering Factors Related to the Timing of Seeking Health Care for Acute Stroke Symptoms” (ODonnell, Roberts, Ruhlandt, & Baer, 1999). The current study included 51 subjects who were asked to rate the importance of 13 belief statements on their decision to seek treatment. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the conceptual framework for this study.

Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Mann-Whitney U. There were no …

Patient Perception Of The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner In Primary Care, Betsy J. Mulder

Masters Theses

As nurse practitioners (NP) provide services to a variety of health care consumers, there remains ambiguity regarding their scope of practice. This descriptive, comparative study asked a convenience sample of patients who have had contact with nurse practitioners (n = 56), and those patients who have had no contact with nurse practitioners (n = 51), to indicate their agreement with the appropriateness of behaviors for the NP role. A questionnaire used by Bambini (1995) was modified for this study with an alpha reliability of .95. Perceptions of behaviors were ranked according to the level of perceived appropriateness. None of the …

A Study Of Licensed Physical Therapists' Knowledge Regarding Current Legislative Issues, Jennifer Moine, Alexis Snyder, Susannah Steele

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of knowledge licensed physical therapists have regarding certain legislation at the state and federal levels. Potential relationships between degree of knowledge and therapist characteristics such as age, number of years in practice, and professional membership were also examined. A survey instrument was mailed to a random sample of licensed physical therapists in the state of Michigan.

Results indicated that licensed physical therapists who were members of a committee within the APTA, or held office in the organization had significantly more knowledge than physical therapists who did not (alpha=0.05). Being a …

I Was A Teenage Necrophiliac: A Screenplay, Walter Howard

Masters Theses

The critical essay that introduces this thesis pays homage to three people in the movie business who have most influenced my original screenplay, I Was a Teenage Necrophiliac. Also included is a section that briefly explains the impetus for this project, and a closing argument that examines the intentional use of cliche as a creative tool.

The zany style of writer/director John Waters is the first major creative influence described. Although my story is not as graphically extreme as some of Waters' earlier work (it would be easy to make a comedy about necrophilia a vile exploitation film), it does …

The Status Of Workplace Violence In The United States: A Model For Prevention And Intervention, Linda Meliza Moore

Masters Theses

This paper examines the scope and causes of workplace violence, the second leading cause of death in the U.S. workplace today. A comprehensive review of existing literature is presented and a new model for prevention and intervention of workplace violence is proposed for use by practitioners. Suggestions for further data collection and research are presented so that further refinement can be made to workplace violence prevention and intervention models.

Integrating Web-Based Training Into Communication Scholarship Of Computer-Mediated Communication, Brian P. Johanpeter

Masters Theses

As interest and use of the Internet through the World Wide Web increases, it becomes necessary for the Communication Discipline to reexamine its approach to studying computer-mediated communication. A meta-analysis of the discipline's research in this area provides insight into the scholarly history of this subject. Included in this analysis is an examination of the discipline's research in computer-based instruction, placed as a subcategory under computer-mediated communication. This study reveals a gaping hole in the communication scholarship of computer-mediated communication and offers suggestions as to how research of Web-based training might fill this gap. Additional discussion also reveals how research …

South African Distance Runners: Issues Involving Their International Careers During And After Apartheid, Carrie A. Lane

Masters Theses

While some sports in South Africa have a distinct racial identity, distance running is one of the most popular sports in the country for people of all ethnic backgrounds. This study examined the issues that South African distance runners faced from the time the country was banned from Olympic competition, in 1968, to the present day. It profiled 21 male and female elite and collegiate runners who have competed in the United States from 1980 to 1999.

Because of South Africa's apartheid government, which legalized racial segregation and inequality, South African sport was excluded from international competition for 32 years. …

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

Masters Theses

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

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

Masters Theses

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

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

Masters Theses

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

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

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

Masters Theses

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

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

Masters Theses

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

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

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

Masters Theses

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

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

The Relationship Of Selected Health Beliefs And Exercise Adherence 8 To 12 Months After A Cardiac Event, Jill Stone

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine differences between health beliefs and cardiac exercise adherence at 6-12 weeks after a cardiac event as compared to 8-12 months post event. Twenty five subjects participated at time one and time two by answering mailed questionnaires designed to measure perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, exercise adherence, and demographic data.

Data analysis did not reveal a significant difference in exercise adherence or perceived benefits, but results did support a statistically significant difference in perceived barriers (p=.02) and self-efficacy (p=.03) from time one to time two. Subjects perceived higher levels of barriers related to …

Mathematical Model Of Paper Discoloration By Ink Particles, Zbigniew W. Slotwinski

Masters Theses

The goal of this experiment is to investigate how changes in the size and number of ink particles will affect the final brightness of the filter pad.

It was assumed that any differences in brightness of the used Millipore filters were due to change in the average particle size, given the same mass of ink solids on each filter. However, such simplified interpretation of image analysis proved to be inadequate to solve this complex problem.

The correlation between the particle area, number of particles, and brightness drop was established using an algorithm based on the particle area and the square …

Online Networks In Institutions Of Higher Education: An Assessment Of Student Use, Norbaiduri Ruslan

Masters Theses

Online networks in university campuses are expected to enhance the learning process, an argument founded on the theories of Cognitive Apprenticeship, Situated Cognition, and Social Constructivism. However, the extent to which students use these networks should be a significant predictor of such benefits.

This study investigated the patterns of use of online networks in universities with a survey administered to 299 students enrolled in a random sample of undergraduate classes at Western Michigan University during the summer semester of 1998.

The findings show extensive use of email and the World Wide Web for activities that arguably benefit their education. Other …

Improving The Writing Skills Of At-Risk Students Through The Use Of Writing Across The Curriculum And Writing Process Instruction, Theresa A. Dean-Rumsey

Masters Theses

A plan for improving the writing skills of at-risk students was developed and implemented. Subjects were fifteen seventh-grade Title I students who demonstrated weak writing skills. Evidence for the existence of the problem included MEAP test scores and teacher observations. A review of research on writing pointed to the following solutions to the problem: increasing students’ experiences with writing by implementing writing across the curriculum, improving students’ knowledge and use of the writing process, and direct instruction in writing strategies and techniques. Results of the post-test did not indicate a significant improvement in writing had occurred as a result of …

The Origins Of Greek Cypriot National Identity, Elena Koumna

Masters Theses

Discussions of Greek Cypriot identity have conventionally been dominated by primordial arguments, contributing to the creation and maintenance of stereotypes and mythologies about the ethnic conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. In order to examine the validity of the primordial thesis, modernist and constructionist approaches on nationalism and identity are considered (Gellner 1983; Hobsbawm 1990; Anderson 1991; Hroch 1985; Smith 1991). Nationalism and identity formation are analyzed in the context of"stages," where the social composition of each stage and the degree of modernization are examined. The findings of the thesis largely support the hypotheses that pinpoint the articulation of Greek …

Crisis Communication And Organizational Image: A Study Of The Nasa Challenger And Exxon Valdez, Amy O'Connor

Masters Theses

This study examines the communication activities of two crises: the NASA Challenger and Exxon Valdez and investigates the effect of accommodative and defensive statements attributable to each crisis on organizational image. The survey design queried respondents about organization image with questions about trustworthiness, responsibility and willingness for future involvement with the organization, based on statements provided. Results indicated that when organizations issue accommodative statements during a crisis, participants rated overall organizational image more positively than when defensive statements were given. Research findings are discussed based on the symbolic approach to crisis communication and the investor response theory. The implications for …

Perceptions Of Americanization In Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, John W. Mcconnell

Masters Theses

This thesis examines perceptions and interpretations of American cultural influences in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. It is aimed at describing typical discourse genres and evaluative patterns in which these cultural influences are interpreted by various social groups of Costa Rican society. The study is based on a series of qualitative interviews and observations conducted in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica in the summer of 1996. The findings show that there exists a largely positive reaction to these images and objects emanating from the United States, and behind this positive evaluation lie attitudes of conformity, fatalism, and reification. The study contributes to …

Visual Images Of Late Anglo-Saxon Kings And Kingship, Kevin L. Glick

Masters Theses

The role of ideology in the creation of tenth- and eleventh-century Anglo-Saxon visual representations of Anglo-Saxon kings is the focus of this study. This study assesses Anglo-Saxon images in manuscripts and on coins, seals, and textiles produced during the tenth and eleventh centuries. Each image included depicts Anglo-Saxon kings who ruled during the tenth and eleventh centuries. The thesis begins with a discussion of the term ideology and a historical introduction to the political developments in rulership and monasticism that influenced images of kings. The thesis covers each art form separately, examining what evidence exists, what problems exist in dealing …

Spatial And Temporal Variations Of Cloud-To-Ground Lightning In Southern Michigan, Michael A. Crimmins

Masters Theses

Lightning has a profound impact on many aspects of modern day society. Understanding its temporal and spatial distributions is fundamental in learning to coexist with its destructive power. This study surveyed the spatial and temporal distribution of cloud-to-ground lightning over southern Michigan using data provided by the Detroit Edison Company. Flash density and 'lightning day' maps were produced for every year of the 1985 to 1995 study period and then averaged to determine long term trends. A temporal analysis determined the distribution of lightning from the inter-annual down to the diurnal scale.

The spatial analysis indicates both deficiencies in the …

Synthesis, Characterization And Photophysical Behavior Of A Cr(Iii) Bimetallic System, Yan Chen

Masters Theses

Many binuclear transition metal complexes have been studied to understand the nature of interactions between the metal centers. People have found Simultaneous Pair Excitation phenomenon in some bimetallic system that can serve as a potential source of Non-Linear Optical behavior.

Thus a series of Cr₂ -([14]aneN₄)₂-X₄ⁿ⁺ complexes were synthesized and characterized. Only the cis,cis configuration was found. The results were compared with those of their monomer analogs. The electronic structures are very similar in both monomer and dimer complexes. The quantum yield, UV-Vis absorption and lifetime studies suggested a possible coupling between the …

Nickel Subsulfide Can Protect Human Fibroblasts From The Mutagenic Effect Of Benzo[A]Pyrene Diolepoxide, Samir M. Hamdan

Masters Theses

Cancer researchers are interested in identifying the environmental causes and synergistic influences of different carcinogens. It is important to examine the combined effect of multiple carcinogens since this is a more realistic representation of the true environmental situation in which we are exposed daily. Our study has reported that pretreating human fibroblasts with nickel subsulfide followed by the simultaneous treatment with both nickel subsulfide and benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide (BPDE) can protect human fibroblasts from the mutagenic effects of BPDE. These results correlate well with our previous chromium-BPDE co-treatment work, suggesting a transition metal dependent protective effect. This protective effect was dependent …

Community Empowerment And Social Policy Design: A Case Study Of The Creation Of A School-Based Health Center, R. Ian Costello

Masters Theses

Studies of community empowerment have shown the benefits of involving recipient communities in the process of designing and implementing social aid programs. One of these benefits is the empowerment of previously disenfranchised individuals and communities. Through qualitative ethnographic research, this thesis shows how residents of one low-income community in South-West Michigan have become more empowered through their involvement in the design and implementation of a school-based health center.

The Lost Treasure Of Valencia: Fugitive Muslims From The Kingdom Of Valencia 1290-1410, Michael A. Ryan

Masters Theses

The fourteenth century, an epoch infamous for war, disease, famine, and devastation across the whole of Europe, also saw an increase in the number of fugitive Muslims from the Christian kingdom of Valencia. Due to the reconquest of Valencia in the thirteenth century, an immense Muslim populace found itself subject to a dominant Christian minority. These Muslims had been either enslaved outright for resisting the Christian domination, or had been placed into a semi-free status. The members of this latter group were known as the Mudejars, and like the Muslim slaves, fled when their social and political standings were in …