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Training For And The Use Of Technology And Assistive Technology In Special Education: A Survey In The State Of Illinois, James D. Basham

Masters Theses

This study was designed to examine the training of special education teachers employed in public schools in Illinois regarding educational technology and their use of educational technology in the classroom. Surveys were sent to a randomly-selected sample of special education teachers from the school districts and a randomly selected sample of the special education teachers of half of all special education cooperatives in Illinois. All teacher training institutions in Illinois that provide coursework for special education certification were also surveyed. Analysis was performed on the data from schools and cooperatives because the return rates for these two groups were considered …

Models Of Excellence For African American Males At Richland Community College: A Field Study, Luegeanes Mcgee

Masters Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to investigate the problems that African American males encounter at Richland Community College, Decatur, Illinois. This investigator interviewed thirteen graduates, person-to-person, who graduated from Richland Community College between the years of 1993 through 1995. Twelve themes emerged from this study: academic counselor/communication/ involvement, prejudice/isolation, teacher/student reaction, student seating location, support group(s), role models, mentors, student involvement in college life, educational purpose, programs, and college requirements. Respondents also made recommendations for the success of African American males attending Richland Community College.

Methodology

Person-to-person interviews were utilized in studying this phenomenon because it is …

The Effects Of Daytime Sleepiness On School Performance In Late Adolescence, Lisa R. Ballinger

Masters Theses

Daytime sleepiness and grade point average were examined to assess the strength and direction of the relationship. Other variables measured included depression, test anxiety, and stress. Sixty-one participants completed the study, 15 males and 46 females. Average age of the participants was 20.89 (SD = 1.18). Participants were given a series of five brief questionnaires. Participants volunteered for the study and completed the survey in a group, classroom setting. Measures included a demographic questionnaire, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Test Attitude Inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale. It was found that while an inverse relationship exists between daytime …

Geoffrey Chaucer's House Of Fame: From Authority To Experience, Victoria Frantseva

Masters Theses

Geoffrey Chaucer's House of Fame is one of the most provocative dream-vision poems written in the fourteenth century. In many ways, it continues to present a serious problem of interpretation to students of medieval poetry. Many critics have tried to arrive at a singular cohesive theory explaining meaning and defining the genre of the House of Fame. However, these attempts have failed and the poem's enigma endures, probably for all time.

The House of Fame seems to elicit many different responses from its readers. While opinions of the poem may vary, the points of argument generally concern the following areas: …

Cumberland Helpers In Partnerships: A Program Of Intervention At Cumberland Elementary And Junior High School, Gayle A. Shepherd

Masters Theses

Low- or non-achievement by students has historically been a problem for teachers and administrators, as well as for parents and students. Same grade retention has been proven by many researchers to be non-productive and in many cases, punitive. The Cumberland Helpers in Partnerships (CHIPs) program was begun at Cumberland Elementary and Junior High School as an interventive measure to combat this problem of low achievement. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students who were considered academically at risk at the end of the first semester of the 1995-1996 school year (N=78) were asked to voluntarily attend tutoring sessions to help improve …

A Study Of School Personnel's Knowledge Regarding Traumatic Brain Injury, Kelly Kay Richardson

Masters Theses

This study attempted to determine if school psychologists are more knowledgeable regarding traumatic brain injury (TBI) today than in a study conducted years ago (Mira, Meck, & Tyler, 1988). Since the Mira, et al. study a federal category has been added to special education legislation, and it was hypothesized that school psychologists would be receiving more training in this area as a result of the addition of the special education category. This study also attempted to determine if regular education teachers, special education teachers, and school psychologists differ in their knowledge of (TBI). A survey from the Mira, et al. …

The Motivation Experienced By Adolescents In A Tech Prep Curriculum, Catherine Mccormack

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the motivation of students in a tech prep program in relation to that of students in a standard secondary school curriculum. The motivation of students in each program was investigated before and after a year of school. Participants were 70 high school students who attended a school which provided both tech prep and standard curriculums. Central High School of Champaign Illinois was the school from which the participants were found. The method used to collect the data from participants was through questionnaires. The questionnaires used were the motivation for schooling scale of …

Strategic Transfer In Logical Abilities In Children Playing Mastermind And An Analogue, Cynthia J. Kincaid

Masters Theses

Strategy development and the use of strategy as a mechanism of transfer was examined in sixty elementary students while playing the logical deduction game Mastermind and a familiar analogue. In the first couple of two-way ANOVAs subjects showed that they are in fact learning or developing a task-specific strategy that can be applied across the two types of games regardless of which game was in the target position of a transfer paradigm. This suggests that subjects were able to focus on structural similarities rather than surface features and apply what was learned between the game isomorphs. Both the third and …

A Comparison Of Personality Correlates Of Self-Identified And Nonidentified Adult Children Of Alcoholics, Patti K. Hampsten

Masters Theses

This study compared personality traits of adult children of alcoholics with adults who did not come from alcoholic home environments, for the purpose of developing treatment protocols. It was hypothesized that 1) there would be differences between clinical ACOA's and non-clinical ACOA's, 2) clinical ACOA's would differ from non-ACOA's, 3) non-clinical ACOA's would differ from non-ACOA's. Four groups were used in the comparison, adult children of alcoholics in treatment, adult children of alcoholics with no treatment history, non-adult children of alcoholics in treatment, and non-adult children of alcoholics with no treatment history. The fifty-two female participants were administered the Children …

Minority College Students' Attitudes Toward Psychological Help Seeking, Kiesha Ford

Masters Theses

The present study examined two major variables: a comparison of Minority and White student's attitudes toward psychological help seeking and the influence of ethnicity on student's preference of counselor ethnic characteristics. It was expected that 1) Minority students would have a more negative attitude toward seeking psychological help than Whites students; 2) Minority college students would prefer to see a counselor who is older, belong to a minority group, the same race, the same gender, the same socioeconomic status and have an university degree; 3) female students would have a more positive attitude toward seeking psychological help than male students, …

The Effects Of Local Enforcement Of The Legal Minimum Drinking Age On The Students Of Eastern Illinois University, Timmy D. Tritsch

Masters Theses

This study investigated the perceived effect of increased community enforcement of the legal minimum alcohol drinking age on the attitudes and behavior of university students as reported by the community. The results indicated increased local alcohol enforcement efforts, changed student drinking behavior, which in turn created a positive change in community attitude toward enforcement efforts. Increased enforcement efforts between the years 1993 and 1995 targeted underage drinking and alcohol related crime as demonstrated by university students. Enforcement efforts were initiated by community officials in the form of a beer keg registration ordinance, minimum age bar compliance checks, raising the bar …

Undergraduate Knowledge Of School Psychology And The Effects Of Presentation On Graduate And Career Pursuit, Robert J. Bolin

Masters Theses

With the increasing national demand for credentialed school psychologists, it is essential that every effort be made to recruit qualified individuals into the field of school psychology. This paper describes the important role and function of the school psychologist. Research demonstrating the present and future need for school psychological services is presented. Literature investigating several factors that contribute to the gap between supply and demand is reviewed. An intervention is presented based on the recommendations of the reviewed research. A brief informational presentation on school psychology, in conjunction with distributed materials about the profession, was assessed with a retrospective pretest-posttest …

Academic Achievement Of High School Students As It Relates To Locus Of Control, Family Life Changes, And Perceived Level Of Stress, Marla M. Mcdaneld

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between family life changes, perceived stress, locus of control, gender, and the achievement of grade eleven students. A literature review revealed that adolescents report a high level of stress in a variety of situations. Changes in family life and factors at school are two of the major stressors. The research suggests that an individual with an external locus of control is more likely to experience stress than an individual with an internal locus of control. The research also suggests that a higher level of stress combined with an external locus …

Families And The Co-Construction Of Shared Experiences: A Narrative Approach, Angela S. Jacobs

Masters Theses

This study examines how families co-construct joint accounts of shared experiences. Two foster families participated in the study, and were asked to recall information about the decision-making process of becoming a foster family. Through the use of narrative, each foster parent created an individual, detailed chronology of events that took place, including emotional reactions to events, types of decisions made, conversations held with each other as well as all outsiders, and any conflicts that arose during this process. Through conversational discourse, each family transformed individual experiences into one co-created story.

To understand how these individuals came to create such experiences, …

Investigation Of Electrotribological And Arc Erosion Behavior Of Cu-15vol.%Cr In Situ Composite, Zhongyu Chen

Masters Theses

Electrotribological and arc erosion behavior of Cu-15vol.%Cr in situ composite was investigated in terms of coefficient of friction, interfacial resistance, bulk temperature, and wear rate as a function of normal pressure, sliding speed, and electrical current. Microstructural change due to electrical sliding was studied to understand wear mechanisms. Cu-15vol.%Cr in situ composite was selected in this research because it exhibits an excellent combination of mechanical strength and electrical/thermal conductivity.

It was found that the average coefficient of friction decreased with increasing electrical current under dry electrical sliding. The average coefficient of friction was lower under lubricated electrical sliding than that …

The Role Of Information And Voting Cues In The Decision Making Process Of The Illinois Legislators 89th General Assembly, Farida H. Kapasi

Masters Theses

The most important variable in a decision making situation is the role of information. On the strength of information received, choice between competing alternatives is made. One decision making situation that receives intense scrutiny, and is a subject of much debate is the passage of bills into laws. Legislative decisions are arrived at in a highly charged political environment. This paper explores the role of information and informants in the legislators' institutional and environmental arena, and the personal characteristics of the legislators that influence the decision making process.

The proceedings of the 89th Illinois General Assembly was observed and the …

The Effects Of Presentational Mode And Gender On Rating Errors In Classroom Speech Evaluation, Nicole L. Turley

Masters Theses

There is extensive research on speech evaluation in the area of speech communication. This study explores the effects of presentational mode and gender on rating errors in speech evaluation. Subjects were students enrolled in an introductory speech course at Eastern Illinois University. After compiling 1072 speech evaluation sheets, a 2x2x3 factorial analysis of variance was conducted. Results concluded that raters in a pre-presentational mode will be more positively lenient than raters in a post-presentational mode and raters in a control group; female raters were more positively lenient than male raters in the traits of language, material, delivery, analysis, and voice; …

The Effects Of Group Selection On The Characteristics And Use Of Cavity Trees And Snags, Mary Lynn Lambert

Masters Theses

I studied the effects of group selection tree harvest on the availability, composition, and use of cavity trees, snags and cavities in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas. Sixteen plots dominated by oaks and hickories that were 70-102 years old were surveyed prior to harvest. Tree species, diameter, height and number of visible cavities were recorded. In addition, 192 cavity trees were marked for wildlife observations during the summer and winter. Subsequently, plots were harvested by commercial contractors to either 15 or 19 m²/ha basal area, using either free or structural control thinning methods. A complete survey of …

The Relationship Of Catalase Activity To The Trade-Off Between Reproduction And Lifespan In The Giant Waterbug, Belostoma Flumineum, Matthew R. Gilg

Masters Theses

Senescence is the process by which organisms age and ultimately die. Life history theory suggests that the allocation of energy into growth and reproduction is necessarily associated with a decrease in energy available for the maintenance of the soma. Many studies have shown that early or increased rates of reproduction are often correlated with a decrease in longevity, but few studies have investigated physiological correlates to this event. Catalase is an enzyme involved in the removal of oxygen free radicals implicated in damaging cellular components that contribute to senescence. A decrease in catalase activity with age could increase the organism's …

Greece And Nato: A Study Of Policy Divergence And Alliance Cohesion, John G. Hatzadony

Masters Theses

Modem alliance theory is based on the assumption that states come together in defense against a common threat. However, these theories were developed early in the Cold War in an effort to explain how and why the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed. Some member states do not fit into the neat theories suggested.

This thesis is an examination of the historical events that have shaped Greek relations with NATO and the United States. The thesis seeks to assess the usefulness of contemporary alliance theory in explaining divergent principles among alliance members and the effect this has had on the …

Annotated Bibliography Of Matlon Guide Sources On The Use Of Humor In Public Speech, James Joseph Callahan

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Spirituality And Depression In Family Caregivers Of The Elderly, Mary Jean Chappel

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between spirituality and depression in family caregivers of the elderly. This study sought to test the following hypothesis: The level of spirituality will be negatively correlated with the level of depression for family caregivers of the elderly. A descriptive, correlational design utilizing Neuman's wholistic system theory was used with a convenience sample of 44 family caregivers aged between 32 and 88 years. Self-reporting questionnaires were mailed to clients (identified as caregivers) of a home care agency, a caregiver respite program, and a Parkinson's support group all providing services in Northern …

Nurses' Verbal Responses In Four Types Of Client Situations, Ann V. Dilbeck

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to determine to what degree nurses vary in their utilization of empathy when responding to patients experiencing different types of physical and emotional discomfort. Nurse participants ({dollar}N = 32{dollar}) worked primarily in a hospital setting. They were administered the Behavioral Test of Interpersonal Skills and responded to videotaped vignettes. Actors portrayed patients exhibiting pain, anxiety, depression, or anger. "Feeling", "Content", or "Don't Feel" were the three categories scored. "Don't Feel" responses negate or suppress patient's feelings.; A chi-square was done to compare "don't feel" responses to all other responses. "Don't Feel" responses were generally …

Self-Diagnosis And Self-Treatment Behaviors In Registered Nurses, Margaret M. Hatfield

Masters Theses

This is a descriptive correlational study to determine the prevalence of types of self-diagnosing and self-treatment (SD/ST) behavior in registered nurses and how this may influence their use of a primary care provider. It is modeled after a study of this behavior in physicians by Cockerham, Creditor, Creditor, & Imrey (1980). Multiple choice SD/ST responses were made to 13 acute, self-limiting symptom scenarios by a random sample of registered nurse (n = 101). The response choices were grouped as; (1) non-physician dependent (NPD), e.g. treat symptoms with over-the-counter drugs, (2) traditional physician-dependent (TPD): sought care of regular primary care provider, …

The Effectiveness Of Viewing The "Life After Brain Injury" Video Tape By Family Caregivers, Nan Meyers

Masters Theses

Family caregivers readily identify the physical signs of brain injury but the cognitive dysfunction and behavioral change symptoms are less easily recognized. Families need to be knowledgeable about brain injury and how to manage its symptoms. Nurses are in the unique position to provide brain injury education for family caregivers early in the acute hospitalization. This study replicated the works of Sanguinetti and Catanzaro (1987) and Pardee (1993).; Statistical comparison of pretest and posttest knowledge and the pretest and posttest application scores were used to evaluate the effectiveness of family caregivers' ability to apply learned information about brain injury and …

A Study Of The Leadership Practices Of The First Line Nurse Manager, Deborah L.P. Cress

Masters Theses

There is a need for nursing leaders to understand the practices of effective leaders in order to become extraordinary leaders themselves and positively impact the future of healthcare. A descriptive correlational research design was used to examine the relationship between the self assessment and the subordinate's assessment of the leadership practices of the first line nurse managers. The data were collected from a 420 bed midwest community teaching hospital. The data consisted of 84 managers and subordinates who responded to the Leadership Practices Inventory tool. The study revealed that the managers moderately performed the leadership practices. A significantly positive relationship …

Repeat Violence In The Emergency Department, Jeanne A. Dorsey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to conduct a secondary analysis of the data set obtained from the Trauma and Emergency Center Violence Project (Dorsey, 1994). It was noted during the original 6 month study of 33,098 emergency department visits that some patients threatened or carried out real violence on multiple visits.; This study (a) identified the percentage of incidents in the initial sample that were perpetrated by repeat offenders, (b) described the types of violent behaviors, (c) explored the relationship between current substance and psychiatric history and the number of threatened or real violence incidents.; A descriptive research …

Basic Needs Satisfaction And Social Support In The Adult Trauma Victim, Gail A. Mercer

Masters Theses

Traumatic injury prevention and treatment is an increasingly important focus for the nursing profession as trauma tops the list for causes of death among young people in the United States. The specific purpose of this study was to explore whether a pre-existing state of low basic need satisfaction and low social support contribute to traumatic injury in adults. A descriptive correlational design was used. The theoretical frameworks of Erickson, Tomlin, and Swain (1983) and Lazarus (1964) formed the foundation for this study. Two survey tools were employed, the Basic Need Satisfaction Inventory (Kline Leidy, 1994) and the Personal Resource Questionnaire …

Differences Between The Attitudes And Behaviors Of Oncology Nurses: Inclusion Of Sexuality Concerns As A Component Of Care, Mary Diane Ashley

Masters Theses

This was an exploratory descriptive study. The "Wilson and Williams Sexuality Survey" (1988) was used with revisions to include a definition of sexuality. The sample consisted of 109 oncology nurses who care for adult oncology clients from five Midwestern institutions. There was a significant difference in attitudes and behaviors of oncology nurses regarding sexuality as a component of care (t = -.53.96; d.f. = 109; p =0.00). It was expected that positive attitudes would yield more behaviors, this was not the case. However, a moderately strong relationship was found between the attitudes and behaviors (r = .6088; p = 0.00). …

The Effect Of Early Nursing Intervention On Chemotherapy-Induced Fatigue, Jennifer A. Shane

Masters Theses

Chemotherapy-induced fatigue is a common side effect for cancer patients. This experimental study attempted to identify the effects of an early nursing intervention designed to facilitate adaptation to chemotherapy-induced fetigue. Roy’s Adaptation Model was the conceptual framework. A convenience sample (n=49) was randomly assigned to experimental (n= 16) and control (n=19) groups. Each group completed the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) during cycle one of chemotherapy. The control group received the standard teaching regarding 6tigue. The experimental group received additional instruction about fatigue. Both groups completed the PFS again during the third chemotherapy cycle (2-3 months later). No significant differences between …