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The Impact Of School Climate On Self-Reported Alcohol And Other Drug Use, Karen R. Humes

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dimensions of the school climate upon twelfth grade self-reported alcohol, marijuana, and cigarette use. In order to do this, social bond theory and its elements of attachment, belief, and commitment were tested. Data involving peer pressure to use drugs, perception of school drug policy enforcement, and college boundness were utilized in examining their relationship with drug use.

The data which were chosen for this study involved 141 Michigan public school districts and were based on the responses of 17,211 high school seniors collected during the 1993-1994 school year. Due …

Addition Of Automatic Dimensioning Feature To D-M-E’S Ultimate Mold Base Design Software, Cori L. Brown

Masters Theses

There have been many improvements in the plastics industry over the past few years. One of these areas is in the design of injection molds. This area has been enhanced by the use of Computer-Aided Design systems and furthered by the creation of specialized mold design software. The Ultimate^® design system from D-M-E has made a mold designer's job much easier by automating much of this process. This project extends the function of this software by adding an automatic dimensioning feature that will make the mold design process less tedious and less time consuming. This addition will also standardize …

Development Of A Mold Trial Procedure For Establishing A Robust Process, Marc R. Vander Kooi

Masters Theses

To reduce variation in the injection molding process it is essential to understand the effect of process, mold, and material variables on critical part characteristics. Gaining a thorough understanding of these variables is often difficult due to the limited time manufacturers typically have available for mold trials. To address this issue, the Premier Class Injection Molding consortium (PCIM) has performed numerous experiments relating to shot-to-shot repeatability. Using the PCIM data set and experimentation procedures as a base, a procedure was developed to collect data during a mold trial. Incorporating small experiments and statistical analysis, the new procedure allows meaningful data …

Question Block Order Effects In A Telephone Survey, Peter Montague Meyers

Masters Theses

Question order effects in a repetitive questionnaire was the focus of the study. A dataset was constructed based on results involving seven different organizations where the institutions were rotated into seven different blocked placements to test for order effects. This analysis used the Arts and Culture Survey conducted by the Kercher Center for Social Research at Western Michigan University in 1994.

Comparisons of means were used to determine whether fatigue from question repetitiveness affected respondents when responding to questions with fixed response questions, multiple responses, "don't know" responses, and open-ended responses. The issue of popularity was also examined to see …

Patterns Of "I Don't Know" Responses In Telephone Surveys, Christine Lewerenz Hinkle

Masters Theses

The question of how best to handle "don't know" responses continues to be a troublesome problem to survey researchers. There are no guidelines for handling "don't know" responses because little systematic investigation for the problem has been made. This research addresses the characteristics of those who answer "don't know" in social surveys. I am focusing on four independent variables, sex, age, income, and education. Included in this research will also be an independent variable of interviewer gender. The fact that most survey research does not record the sex of the interviewer has caused this research to be somewhat limited. I …

Planning For Change: Feminist Standpoint Epistemology Informing The Program Planning Process, Laura Nichols

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the process by which social programs are developed and explores how feminist standpoint epistemology may inform the process. A peer education program developed for college women is used as an example to illustrate the planning process. Secondary data collection, focus groups and a self-administered survey were the research techniques utilized in this planning approach.

The specific steps involved in program planning are identified and explained based on the program planning process presented and literature about this topic. The thesis concludes by exploring how certain ideas in feminist standpoint epistemology can be applied to the planning process in …

The Effects Of Site Design On Neighboring Patterns And Safety Perceptions Among Residents Of University Apartments, Julie L. Steinbacher

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships among site design, neighboring patterns and safety perceptions of residents of living in university housing communities at Western Michigan University.

Many previous studies have examined the impact of site on neighboring patterns and safety perceptions among residents of housing communities. However, most of these studies have been conducted to communities outside of university housing complexes. This study was developed because the college environment offers a unique perspective to occupants living in university sponsored apartments. Furthermore, residents in college housing communities tend to be diverse and transient and the impact of …

Right Of Privacy: Origin And Evolution Of A Constitutional Right, Eugene W. Smith

Masters Theses

This paper investigates the historical and legal question of how the Supreme Court developed the constitutional right of privacy from the Civil War Amendments to the Constitution. The emphasis is on tracing the Court's interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment since the Civil War.

Primary sources consulted included the Constitution, statutes, government publications, court opinions, briefs and other parts of case records. Newspapers, periodicals and books were used to trace more recent developments.

The paper traces the Court's use of the legal doctrines of substantive due process, selective incorporation and the new equal protection to first create a right of family …

Plantinga, Belief In God, And Religious Diversity, Myron Penner

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Health Beliefs And Adherence To Cardiac Exercise Following A Cardiac Event, Marianne Foster

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of cardiac patients' health beliefs regarding exercise and their adherence to an exercise program following a documented cardiac event. A sample of 90 subjects, recovering from a recent cardiac event, was selected from two acute care medical centers in southwestern Michigan and northwestern Michigan. Each subject responded to a mailed questionnaire six to eight weeks post hospitalization which assessed perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-efficacy as they related to a regular, aerobic exercise program.; Descriptive statistics, along with t-test and chi-square were used to analyze the data. Findings include (a) …

Parent Knowledge Of Fas And The Risks Of Heavy Drinking During Pregnancy, Kimberly Lynne Spring

Masters Theses

The purpose of this mini-study was to determine the level of parent knowledge of FAS and the risks of drinking during pregnancy.; The parents involved in this mini-study were members of a small, primarily rural community and had one or more children enrolled in grades kindergarten through four in the Hart Public School District.; A questionnaire was developed and mailed to a random sample of parents who were chosen from the school enrollment lists. Results of the survey indicated that the majority of parents had some basic knowledge of the term FAS; however they felt that they lacked enough knowledge …

An Extended Year Program For At-Risk Middle School Children, Karen Patrice Flanigan

Masters Theses

At the beginning of this century only 6% of the American population even received a high school diploma. Now that diploma is so necessary that our society can no longer support or afford any undereducated citizens. Every year there is less and less room for them in the work force.; The states and school districts are reacting to this by trying to identify these at-risk children and to pose interventions to keep them in school. This is one account of an extended year program that was implemented for at-risk middle school children. The research focuses on the characteristics of these …

Teachers As Lifetime Readers: How Teachers Might Serve As Models For Students, Beth Lorraine Korringa

Masters Theses

An informal reading survey questionnaire explored whether teachers are lifetime readers and if so how they might help their students become lifetime readers. Teachers from three schools, preschool through fifth grade responded to the survey. Research done showed teacher and students sharing, read alouds and silent reading and teachers communicating their love of books and reading to students were the major points needed to help students become lifetime readers. Conclusions drawn from the survey show that teachers need to "act" like lifetime readers by reading more themselves and reading more in their classrooms. The survey also revealed that teachers today …

A Comparison Of Kentwood Public Schools' Algebra Standards And The Ucsmp Algebra Objectives, Carol A. Farrer

Masters Theses

This paper compares the Standards written by Kentwood Public Schools in Kentwood, Michigan for its algebra course and the objectives of the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project Algebra textbook. The paper includes an examination of national recommendations and publications which influenced the authors of the UCSMP text and the national and state publications which influenced Kentwood's Mathematics Curriculum Committee. Lessons are provided for Kentwood's algebra teachers for the few instances where the objectives of the textbook do not meet the district's standards.

The Effects Of Repulping Variables On Deinking Of Flexographic Inks, Sylvia Ciampa

Masters Theses

The effects of repulping variables (pH, surfactant concentration, time, and temperature) on deinking paper printed with flexographic ink were studied. A series of alcohol ethoxylate surfactants was evaluated. The one with HLB= 11.8 was selected for the majority of the study.

pH was the variable that presented the greatest effect on repulping and deinking. The brightness after repulping and the final brightness after deinking was significantly higher at pH 5 than at pH 9.

Paper was repulped for 15, 25, and 40 minutes respectively. Highest brightness after repulping and highest gain in brightness by flotation was observed after 15 minutes …

Modeling And Development Of A Cellular Micro-Kernel, K. Balaji

Masters Theses

A novel cellular load distribution strategy was designed and implemented on transputers by Dr. Richard Taylor and Dr. Don Goodeve at the University of York, United Kingdom. Based upon the above proposed strategy, a statistical model was developed using the Cellular Automata Theory. The theoretical model drives the implementation process of the cellular micro-kernel on the nCUBE 2S system. The load distribution and the performance characteristics for snake and L type transmission modes, and for uniform and non-uniform distribution of destination processors of the micro-kernel has been measured and compared with our theoretical model. The results show good agreement between …

Religious Fundamentalism In Indian Politics, Linda Elder

Masters Theses

The Hindu nationalist movement, known as "Hindutva," which originated during the British colonial period in India, manifests itself in Indian politics today in the form of the Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.). Its affiliates, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, V.H.P. consisting of Hindu priests and sadhus, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, R. S.S., a paramilitary organization, form the core of this party. As the organized militant arm of Hindutva, the R.S.S. is compared to other religious fundamentalist organizations worldwide, based on characteristics provided by Martin Marty and R. Scott Appleby in the Fundamentalist Research Project at the University of Chicago.

Since 1977 …

The Effect Of Music Therapy On The Perceived Quality Of Life Of Patients With Terminal Illness In A Hospice Setting, Caroline Marie Abbott

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to determine if there were any significant differences in perceived mood states between patients in hospice care who received music therapy services and patients in hospice care who did not receive music therapy services.

Twenty-eight participants were surveyed using the Profile of Mood States (short form). Fourteen participants received music therapy services for a minimum of five hours, and fourteen participants did not receive music therapy services. The participants were matched in pairs by gender, location, diagnosis, and age, and were patients in one of three hospice locations in the United States which agreed …

The Interaction Of Coated Paper Surfaces And Water- And Solvent-Based Rotogravure Printing Inks, Tanja M. Gnad

Masters Theses

The print quality of 24 different coating formulations was studied when printing with both water- and solvent-based rotogravure ink. Coating was done on a Cylindrical Laboratory Coater (CLC). The coated paper samples were supercalendered to achieve a smooth surface which is necessary when printing with rotogravure. The supercalendered coated paper samples where tested for optical and surface properties and also printed with water-based and solvent-based ink on a Moser Gravure Proof Press. The print quality of the printed samples was quantified by image analysis. The results showed that fine ground calcium carbonate gave the lowest percent bridging between ink dots, …

The Politics Of Arthurian Legend In The Plantagenet Empire: A Study Of Literary And Historical Sources From The Time Of Henry Ii To Edward I, Laura J. Radiker

Masters Theses

This study looks at both medieval chronicles and romances--the primary sources of Arthurian legend--to seek mutual influences between the politics of the Plantagenet Empire and Arthurian legend. The authors of the works used in this study performed within the sphere of the Plantagenet Empire, during the time period with which this study concerns itself. Secondary sources provide background information, such as the historical, literary, and cultural milieu surrounding the primary works, archaeological and linguistic evidence, and current scholarly debate.

From the evaluation of the primary sources and their historical framework, several aspects of Arthurian legend emerge which have connections with …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Vertical And Plyometric Style Depth Jump Using Electromyography (Emg), Robert M. Conatser

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to compare temporal data during the phases of jumping. Eight NCAA, Di vision I football players completed four jumps: three depth jumps from heights of 0.15 m, 0.30 m, and 0.46 m, and a standing vertical jump. Subjects were grouped according to height jumped. The dependent variables were phase time, amortization time, and time to peak EMG. Surface EMG synchronized with high speed video was used to analyze the response of six muscles used in the jumping movement. Findings indicated that subjects who consistently jumped higher spent more time in each phase of the …

Differential Distribution Of D4 And D2 Dopamine Receptors In Rat Brain: An Autoradiographic Study Using [3H]Ym-09151-2 And [3H]Raclopride, Nancy C. Stratman

Masters Theses

Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are associated with most antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia since these agents antagonize dopamine D₂ receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway, a brain system that regulates motor functions. Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic agent in that it does not produce EPS, was found to be more selective for the D₄ than the D₂ receptor. The purpose of this study was to locate the D₄ receptor in rat brain by autoradiographic comparison studies with [³H]YM-09151-2, a D₂ , D₃, and D₄ radioligand, to [³H]raclopride, a D …

Rescue As Imperative For The Preservation Of Integrity: A Study Of Gentile Rescuers During The Holocaust And Their Motivations, Lynn M. Osborn

Masters Theses

When Nazi policies dictated the gradual and continual reduction in the liberties and rights of those deemed undesirable, most did nothing. Most continued to do nothing when these policies were extended to include mass sterilization and extermination. In spite of this, there were a few who acted. They gave of their own meager resources of food, money, and space, to help those who needed it. They risked their very lives as well as the lives of their loved ones to protect and save fellow human beings from the Nazi reign of terror.

Research into rescuers and their motivations have shown …

Social Interaction Among Fifth Graders, Dawn Michelle Hinton

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the social isolation of black girls as compared to the social isolation experienced by black boys, white girls and white boys. One fifth grade classroom was chosen as the population of interest. There were twenty seven students in the classroom. Of those there are: six black females, nine white females, five black males and seven white males. Two methods were employed to collect and analyze the data for this investigation. The first method was sociometric surveys which were used to measure social isolation among those being studied. The second method utilized was …

Housing Satisfaction In The Suburbs: A Racial Comparison, Amonda Stokes

Masters Theses

The primary focus of this study was to compare African Americans' and European Americans' satisfaction with housing in the suburbs. Previous literature suggests that African Americans are living in older suburbs, close to the central city, and in lower quality housing than European Americans.

The population of this study consisted of black and white households living in the suburbs. This was a national sample taken from the American Housing Survey (1991). Cross-tabulations were conducted to determine differences by race of affordability, age of housing unit, ownership, neighborhood satisfaction, and housing satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which variables …

The Effects Of Music With Cognitive-Behavioral Relaxation On The Focusing, Passivity, And Receptivity Of Clients With Paranoid Symptomatology, Pearl Abraham

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether music paired with cognitive-behavioral relaxation was effective in enhancing the focusing, passivity, and receptivity of clients with paranoid disorders.

Seventeen clients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of paranoid delusional symptoms consented to participate in this study spanning three conditions: (1) music paired with cognitive-behavioral relaxation, (2) cognitive-behavioral relaxation, and (3) control condition.

All clients were administered the 16 PF-Autia Scale, Form A (Cattell, 1962) at the beginning, midway, and at the end of the study. A two factor split-plot repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze raw scores, …

Students Against Driving Drunk (Sadd): Testing The Organization's Effects On Students' Behavior And Attitudes Toward Alcohol Use, William Post Jr.

Masters Theses

This research examines the influence of Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) chapters on the reported behavior and attitudes towards alcohol use of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students in 208 public school districts in Michigan. This research is conducted at the intersection of social movement theory coupled with self-help group issues; theoretical approaches to explaining adolescent alcohol use; and SADD's etiological assumptions about adolescent alcohol use as derived from the organization's activities. These lead to comparing two types of SADD chapters (active and inactive) to school districts without SADD chapters, using students' (N=92,257) responses to the Michigan Alcohol and Other …

A Comparative Study Of The Stress Concentration Factors Arising Between Two Equal, Nearly Intersecting, Perpendicular, Pressurized Holes In An Infinite Solid With Those Arising Due To An Infinite Series Of Such Holes, Paul J. Drogowski

Masters Theses

Finite element analysis is used to determine the stress concentration factors arising from two equal, perpendicular, nearly intersecting, pressurized holes in an infinite solid while varying the distance and pressure ratios between the holes. The results are compared and contrasted with those previously obtained for an infinite series of such holes. A ratio of the distance between the holes to the diameter of the holes at which the holes can be considered to be single holes in an infinite solid is determined. A study is performed to determine a correlation between the location of the region of maximum stress and …

Amethyst Remembrance, For Mezzo Soprano, Chamber Choir And Orchestra, Laurie A. Jarski

Masters Theses

Amethyst Remembrance for mezzo soprano, chamber choir and orchestra is comprised of two texts from two different sources. The text The Jewel: a poem written by Emily Dickinson and Mary Ann: a traditional Scottish ballad are interwoven and shared by the chamber choir and the mezzo soprano. This work explores the relationships between the folk and artistic modes of expressing similar human experiences. A love's sad farewell is the chosen subject of both texts. Specific melodic material designated for each text is introduced separately at the beginning. "Tune I", representing the Dickinson text is composed of original material, whereas …

An Examination Of The Pantheistic Monism Of Shankara And Radhakrishnan, Neill A. Mcfarland Iii

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.