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Blessed Be The Ties That Bind: A Critical Analysis Of The Changing Language In The Organizational Mission Statement As A Form Of Downward Communication, Jacqueline A. De Haan

Masters Theses

In this study, the differences in language between an historical and new organizational mission statement were examined. The critical interpretive perspective was utilized; grounded theory was the method used to analyze changes in values and organizational identity.

The findings from this study indicated that the changed mission statement was different from the historical mission statement in three ways: in values and identity, in structure, and in use of voice. The findings were discussed and implications for organizational members considered.

Ethnography Of A Lesbian Community In Michigan, Carol W. Burton

Masters Theses

The purpose of this master's thesis is to describe the structure and workings of a community of women in a major western Michigan metropolitan area, who identify themselves as lesbians, and to describe how this subcommunity relates to the dominant American culture in the area. This study examines the ways in which these lesbians define themselves and their subculture.

To facilitate this research, the researcher participated in the group's meetings, both formal and informal, and spoke with individual members about the history of the group, organizational principles, problems and concerns, formal and Informal rules of conduct, values, and any other …

Microstructural Characterization Of Rapidly Solidified And Extruded Ti-Al-Nb Alloys, Danny Joe Edwards

Masters Theses

"Two titanium alloys have been characterized using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and optical metallography techniques. Both of these alloys were rapidly solidified by melt spinning, the resulting ribbons pulverized, and the powders then extruded into cylindrical billets. The alloys are based on the compositions Ti-21.3Al- 9 Nb-0.6-Mo-2.6V and Ti-13.2Al-2.6Nb-0.5Mo-0.9V-0.5Zr-3.1B in atomic percent. The first alloy was examined in both the as-extruded condition and in the annealed condition (looo0c for 12 hours). The second alloy was examined in the as-extruded condition only.

For the first alloy, the as-extruded microstructure consisted of a B2 matrix with alpha-2 particles at …

Broadband Impedance Matching Using Multi-Section Quarter-Wave Transformers, Alan Richard Webber

Masters Theses

"The history of the multi-section quarter-wave transformer is traced from its beginnings with lumped-element ladder networks in the l 930's. Starting with the geometric mean formula from quarter-wave transformer theory, and insisting on small reflections at the input, a formula is developed for choosing the step impedances of a multi-section quarter-wave transformer. Bandwidth and ripple of a multi-section quarter-wave transformer frequency response are investigated through computer simulation of transformers designed using this formula and found to be directly related. Bandwidth is found to be directly related to the number of sections, and inversely related to the relative mismatch which the …

Effects Of Lake Management On Chemical, Physical, And Phycological Characteristics Of A Hypereutrophic Reservoir, Kaye J. Surratt

Masters Theses

Lake Charleston is a 1.1 billion gallon capacity side channel reservoir which was constructed in 1982 as a public drinking water supply for the City of Charleston in Coles County, Illinois. Past studies of the lake indicated an increase in eutrophication and the capacity to support large algal populations. Recent lake management practices include copper sulfate applications as an algicide and aeration to reduce flavor and odor.

In order to assess present lake status and to evaluate the effectiveness of lake management practices, two lake sites were sampled on a weekly basis from May to October, 1989. Chemical, physical, and …

Affirmative Action Policy And Procedures For Illinois Schools, Charles T. Kent Jr.

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the policy implementation process, and its implication for planned organizational change. A review of the literature reveals that school districts must utilize intensive recruitment campaigns to increase the hiring of minorities. The Superintendent Questionnaire was sent to the thirty-five Large Unit District Association (LUDA) throughout Illinois. Descriptive statistics, in the form of frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze responses to the questionnaire. The results and conclusions of this study gave rise to recommendations to superintendents, school boards and those with authority to hire should make a good faith effort in hiring …

Parental Attitudes And Opinions Of Central City School District #133, David Daum

Masters Theses

The accountability of the nation’s schools is an area of great public concern. A useful tool that a school district may use in becoming more accountable to the public is a parent opinion inventory. The inventory may serve as one step in the process of bridging the gap between public expectations of the school district and its actual performance. This study measured the opinions of fifty-seven parents about the performance of the Central City school district. The opinions were determined by a fifty-one item inventory issued to parents in grades kindergarten through grade eight. Recommendations, based upon inventory results, were …

Application Of Zero-Base Budgeting In The Learning Resource Center, Javad Raiesdana

Masters Theses

Budgeting is a statement of the organizational goals and objectives in monetary terms. Traditionally, budgets have been developed by adding to the previous year's budget as a base (at least in theory), but rather to start from a zero base and requires a justification of all expenditures. This method of budgeting assumes that each years's budget requests are built up from zero in response to the priorities and needs of that year.

The range of opinion about zero-base budgeting is broad. Some critics regard it to be of great value while others feel that it is inadequate. The purpose of …

Mbti Personality Types And Preferred Relationship Disengagement Strategies In Intimate Situations, Jeffery Joe Davis

Masters Theses

This thesis poses two research questions that focus on MBTI personality types and specific strategies used to disengage romantic intimate heterosexual relationships. 1) Would one specific MBTI personality type prefer to use one dominate strategy to disengage a relationship? 2) Would any relationship situation yield one dominate strategy to disengage a relationship? A total of 116 college students were surveyed at a small Midwestern university. Age ranged from 18 years to 55 years with a mean age of 23.6 years. The experimental method consisted of administering Form G of the MBTI and an additional questionnaire measuring relationship strategies. The t-test …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Improvement In Physical Status And Self-Esteem In Geriatric Patients, Kate A. Hayner

Masters Theses

The improvement in physical abilities in the geriatric population after occupational therapy was investigated to determine whether self-esteem would also improve. Fifteen subjects from three different nursing homes were measured. All of the subjects were referred to occupational therapy by their physician.

Treatment was implemented by trained rehabilitation aides after an occupational therapist assessed each subject and determined the need for therapy. Measurable goals were set for each subject to improve dysfunctional areas and reviewed with each resident and rehabilitation aide responsible for implementing the treatment program.

Types of treatment consisted of active and passive range of motion, strengthening, retrograde …

A Rhetorical Analysis Of "Lincoln, The First American," A Speech By Franklin Baldwin Wiley, John Trist Wiley

Masters Theses

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to analyze the speech "Lincoln, The First American" given on February 12, 1913 by Franklin Baldwin Wiley.

Hypothesis

It was hypothesized that a rhetorical analysis of "Lincoln, The First American" would give significant rhetorical and historical insights into Lincoln, into Franklin Baldwin Wiley, and into the times of both men.

Materials

This study primarily relied on the written works of Franklin Baldwin Wiley. Appendix A contains a copy of the original transcript of the speech "Lincoln, The First American." This speech was selected because of its rhetorical-historical value.

Methodology

This …

Copper Accumulation By Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma Cepedianum) In The Charleston Side Channel Reservoir, Mark T. Christ

Masters Theses

Exposure to trace heavy metals is being extensively studied in relation to their adverse and toxic effects on organisms. Processes affecting compartmentalization, biogeochemical cycling, and transport of trace metals in ecological systems must be elucidated if the impact of trace metal releases on biota are to be understood. Because elemental cycles are often closely linked to hydrologic processes, freshwater and marine systems serve as both vectors and sinks for trace metals in the environment. The regular addition of a heavy metal into an aquatic ecosystem will undoubtedly increase its persistance for availability to the existing biota. Once in the environment, …

Performance Expectation Based Broadcast Education, Mark L. Hamilton

Masters Theses

Parcells (1985; Parcells & Hadwiger, 1984) data from a census survey of every commercial radio station manager in five states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa) to ascertain entry-level skills, long-term success characteristics, and advice for success in radio careers indicated that a reorientation of broadcast education was in order. Essentially, it challenged higher educators to respond by revising curriculum, instruction, textbooks, advisement, and overall subject matter to reflect the "new reality" of the communication industry. This study moves beyond the area of curriculum and instruction to discover whether broadcast graduates are being properly prepared for careers in the communication …

The Attitudes Of Siblings With Brothers Or Sisters Who Are Handicapped, Alicia Marie Westjohn

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine whether or not siblings are affected by a brother or sister with a handicap. This study also attempted to determine if there were any significant differences in attitudes among siblings based on four independent variables (sex of the sibling, birth order of the sibling, type of handicap afflicting the brother or sister, and degree of the handicap). These independent variables were compared on the following categories: personal feelings, positive attitudes, negative attitudes, and future concerns. A pilot survey containing questions about sibling attitudes was distributed to eight siblings who were enrolled in four-year public …

Relationships Between Gender And Activity Involvement And The Incidence Of Behavioral Disorders In Children Of Alcoholics, Michelle Williams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between behavioral disorders and gender of the child and gender of the alcoholic parent(s) and to investigate if positive involvement in activities outside the home decreases the number of behavioral disorders in children of alcoholics. This descriptive retrospective study used data collected from eighty-three questionnaires filled out by the parents. The data was analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance. No significant relationships were found regarding gender of the child and gender of the alcoholic parent(s). Children who were involved in outside activities had significantly fewer behavior disorders than those who …

The Use Of A Three-Layered Air Cushion In Reducing The Incidence Of Pressure Ulcers In The Nursing Home Patient, Ann H. Harris

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of a pressure relief mattress in reducing the number of pressure ulcers in high risk patients. The research design was experimental with random assignment of subjects who were identified as at risk for developing pressure ulcers into an experimental and control group. Every new admission entering two nursing homes in a Midwestern metropolitan area who met inclusion criteria was assessed using the Braden Scale for his/her risk for developing pressure ulcers. Twelve subjects determined at risk were assessed for skin breakdown for a period of two months, first weekly and …

Effect Of An Outpatient Educational Program On The Rehabilitation Of Myocardial Infarction Patients, Janice L. Hodges

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to answer the following question: Do myocardial infarction patients who attend an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation educational program have a higher level of knowledge and less anxiety than individuals who do not attend such a program? A quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent comparison group was utilized. The nonprobability convenience sample included individuals hospitalized with a myocardial infarction. Sample size was twenty subjects in each of the two groups. A cognitive knowledge test and Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory were administered within 48 hours of discharge. The experimental group attended an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation educational program which …

The Relationship Between Acculturation Level Of Mexican-American Parents And Coping With Their Chronically Ill Children, Nancy Ellen Tena

Masters Theses

This investigation focused on 19 Mexican-American families with neurologically impaired children to determine to what extent they selected particular coping patterns in relationship to their level of acculturation to the Anglo-American culture. Using the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican-Americans (ARSMA), the families were categorized according to acculturation level (low, bicultural, and high). The families identified coping patterns (Family Support, Social Support, and Medical Support) which were helpful to them by completing the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Only one statistically significant relationship between acculturation level of these families and extent of their use of coping patterns was found: high …

Elements Of Professional Nursing Identified By Nursing Experts, Audrey D. Haag

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify elements that are necessary in formulating a definition of professional nursing which are in agreement with specified leaders in nursing of the United States of America. This descriptive study used a two round Delphi survey technique. Forty-eight Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (F.A.A.N.) responded to the survey. Each subject was mailed an introductory letter, a demographic inquiry and a questionnaire containing a list of elements of professional nursing on two occasions. The data generated by the questionnaires were analyzed through descriptive statistics, specifically calculating the percentages for each level of …

Male/Female Aspirations To Science Oriented Careers In Grades 2 - 6 In Rural East Central Illinois, Anneliese Payne

Masters Theses

President Bush recently outlined six national goals for education to be accomplished by the year 2000. One of these goals is that American students must rank first in the world in achievement in science and mathematics. How are these goals to be realized? What are the attitudes of students toward science and mathematics? Is there a critical time for intervention? The attitudes of male and female elementary school children in grades 2 through 6 in rural East Central Illinois toward science oriented occupations were examined in this study involving students (N=364) from 4 East Central Illinois communities. Data has been …

A Woman Administrator: To Be Or Not To Be, Carole S. Coartney

Masters Theses

Every individual who is choosing a career or is contemplating a career change should research the field before making a final decision. This is especially consequential when considering an atypical occupation. A female educational administrator falls into this category. Since the majority of educational leaders are male, a woman administrator can expect to face many challenges associated with her gender.

The major purpose of this field experience was to gather information pertinent to a woman considering a career in educational administration. The specific objectives were five-fold: 1. To obtain a profile of the women administrators in downstate Illinois (south of …

Survey Of Microcomputer Access By Students With Mild Handicaps In East Central Illinois, William O. Searby

Masters Theses

This descriptive research was conducted to collect data concerning the accessibility of school microcomputers to students who have been labeled as having a mild (high prevalence) handicapping condition. One hundred thirty nine randomly selected school administrators in East Central Illinois were surveyed to determine the number of microcomputers in their schools and the types of programs that were offered to students with special needs. The schools were divided into seven categories depending on the type and size. Total school enrollment figures were divided by the total number of microcomputers available at the school to determine a student to microcomputer ratio …

Listening Training In An Organization, Susan E. Maclean

Masters Theses

Listening training and development in organizations is becoming increasingly popular. Much literature has examined different aspects of listening and the training in this area used by organizations. The purpose of this thesis is to examine several areas concerning listening training in an organization.

A random sample of faculty at a medium sized midwestern university were utilized as the participants for this study. A fifty five percent usable return rate provided the data base. A self generated questionnaire was the instrument used. This questionnaire focused on listening skills and the training of these skills in a particular educational organization.

The research …

Multinational Corporations And Economic Development In Brazil, Guido B. Klein

Masters Theses

In this paper the hypothesis that foreign direct investment by multinational corporations in Brazil was beneficial for Brazil's economic development is being tested. This is done by examining the numerous different consequences of foreign direct investment in Brazil. It is looked at the effects of multinational activities on economic growth and employment, on the balance-of-payments. on distribution of income, and on the composition of gross domestic product. Furthermore, it is focussed on research and development activities of multinationals in Brazil; also the questions whether foreign direct investment contributed to the foreign indebtedness and to inflation are discussed. Finally, it is …

Characteristics Of The Pre-College Students At Parkland College, Leslie E. Marsh

Masters Theses

Parkland College is a community college of approximately 8,000 students located in Champaign, Illinois. The faculty and administrative staff is concerned with student retention, particularly the retention of those students in the pre-college or underprepared category who take courses that are below the college level. This retention study identified characteristics of underprepared students, interventions that had been successful at model community colleges, and recommended program implications for the future.

The study provided base-line data regarding characteristics of the 1346 underprepared students at Parkland College who were taking remedial coursework in the fall of 1988. Data was also gathered for the …

The Bush Administration And The War On Drugs: An Exploratory Weaverian Rhetorical Analysis Of Ultimate Terms And Arguments As Weapons In The War On Drugs, James R. Conley

Masters Theses

One of the least studied trends in contemporary rhetorical discourse is what Richard Weaver called the ultimate "devil term,"--words which serve as the ultimate symbols of repulsion and repellant. Weaver claimed that the word "communist" was the ultimate devil term in the 1950s. However, it is the belief of this author that the new ultimate devil term of the 1990s is the word "drug."

This study sought to determine whether or not a shift in ultimate terms had occurred by examining the speeches of President George Bush and other members of his Administration associated with the war on drugs. A …

West Germany's Ostpolitik And Relations With The United States Under Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt, And Helmut Kohl, David J. Bollmann

Masters Theses

Many questions arose during the late 1970s and early 1980s about the reliability of West Germany's relationship with the United States. This thesis was written to examine the relationship between the United States and West Germany during the post-war years, especially during the Chancellorships of Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt, and Helmut Kohl.

The initial phase of U.S.-FRG relations was marked with a great deal of harmony between the two countries. The United States placed a great deal of emphasis on West Germany as part of its evolving containment of communism strategy. The FRG was recognized as a nation in 1949 …

Evaluating Corporate Average Fuel Economy Mandates: An Exploratory Cost-Benefit Analysis, Hans G. Schmeits

Masters Theses

Vehicle fuel economy has become the object of intense government regulation in the last two decades. In 1975, Congress legislated Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for all new cars produced after the 1978 model year. Today, Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations are being criticized as overly strict in an era of falling gasoline prices. This study provides an assessment of the costs and benefits of the controversial CAFE program and empirically analyzes its effects. The author concludes that the increase in fleet fuel economies, across the line, is approximately what one should have expected given the rise in real …

A Prevention Program At Spoon River Valley Schools And Its Role In The Fulton County Prevention Network, George Ellis Tanner

Masters Theses

Statement of the Problem

The area to be discussed is the development of a prevention program for the Spoon River Valley Schools, and the role of this program within the Fulton County Prevention Network. The primary focus of this paper will be the school's effort to prevent substance abuse by the students, but also addressed are prevention activities which combat other self-destructive behaviors such as teen pregnancy and suicide.

Procedure

The method of research used in this study is descriptive. The components of a prevention program which have evolved during the 1980s, both at Spoon River Valley Schools, and as …

A Career Profile In Public Information, Elizabeth C. Forney

Masters Theses

This study examines public information as a profession by surveying professionals at the management level in state government. Respondents provided data which was analyzed using content analysis, paired correlation, univariate statistics, and phenomenology. Results reveal a general theme involving journalism. Respondents indicated a background (educational and occupational) in journalism is the most important aspect in a public information career. This study provides average ages, dominant gender, salary figures, specific educational preparation advice, and advice for getting into and achieving in the public information field.