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Early History And Influence Of Harvard College’S Hollis Professorship Of Divinity (The First Endowed Professorial Chair In America), Russell Vernon Kohr

Masters Theses

The creation by Thomas Hollis of London of the Hollis Professorship of Divinity at Harvard College in 1721, the first endowed professorial chair in America, had three effects. First, it elevated to the chair a series of distinguished minister professors from whose classroom came most of the clergy of eighteenth century Massachusetts, to say nothing of those of the remainder of New England. Secondly, the establishment of the chair broke the lockstep of the practice inherited by Harvard College from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, by which a tutor taught all members of a class all subjects. Henceforth the divinity professor …

An Analysis Of Nitrate Concentrations In The Ground-Water Of Antwerp Township, Van Buren County, Michigan, John Emil Klanke

Masters Theses

Private wells were tested for nitrate during the spring of 1979 throughout sections of Antwerp Township, Van Buren County, southwestern Michigan (sections 1-5, 7-22, 24-26, 28-31, 33-36). Water samples were collected from 159 private wells and analyzed for nitrate. Nitrate concentrations ranged from less than 1 mg/1 NO₃-N to 14.6 mg/1 NO₃-N. Seven wells were found to have nitrate concentrations equaling or exceeding the National Interim Primary Drinking Water Standard of 10 mg/1 NO₃-N. Nitrate concentrations were related to age of septic system, well depth below static water level, land use, and soil type. …

Structural Analysis Of Precambrian Metasedimentary Rocks Of The Swede Gulch Formation, Nahant, South Dakota, Richard G. Cookman

Masters Theses

Precambrian X tectonites deformed between thermal domes in the northern Black Hills 1.7 B.Y.B.P. display variably trending isoclinal folds cross-cut by southeast trending slip-folds developed in discrete shear zones. Eugeosynclinal sedimentary rocks consisting of shale, quartzarenite , sublitharenite, and graywacke were metamorphosed to phyllite, quartzite, and metagraywacke during two syntectonic phases and one post-tectonic phase. The earliest syntectonic metamorphism was associated with development of isoclinal folds and may have produced amphibolite or greenschist facies. It was succeeded by retrograde metamorphism of greenschist facies syntectonic with and post-tectonic to development of southeast trending folds.

Mica, chlorite, iron oxides, and graphite are …

The Applicability Of The "Best Books For Young Adults" List As A Book Selection Tool In Public High Schools In A Three County Area, Ricki Hemenway Chowning

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to gather statistical evidence to determine attitudes toward the "Best Books for Young Adults" booklist as a positive selection tool for book selectors in public high schools in a three county area. The survey method was used to investigate attitudes towards the list and specific collection holdings of titles recommended by the "Best Books for Young Adults." Data were collected through questionnaires to book selectors in twenty-five high schools in Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa counties. Results of the survey indicate that book selectors are ambivalent toward the list, and that selection patterns correlated slightly …

Distributive Fairness: An Exploration Of Male-Female Differences In Allocation Behavior, Daryl G. Kelley

Masters Theses

Previous research has shown that males and females follow different strategies in allocating rewards for unequal performance on a team task: Males tend to utilize an exploitive allocation strategy, while females tend to be more accommodating in their, allocations. Research has also shown that allocation strategies may differ depending on whether the allocation of rewards is to be made public or is known only to the allocator. Public reward allocations of males tend to be more exploitive than females, while this difference is reversed for private allocations. The present study sought to replicate and extend previous studies, using a factorial …

Control Of Eating Behavior: An Evaluation Of The Effects Of Serving Less Preferred Foods Prior To The Meal On Preschoolers' Eating, Paul Joseph Smith Knight

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effects of serving less preferred foods (vegetables) prior to the noon meal on: (1) The amount of vegetables eaten. (2) The variety of different vegetables eaten. (3) The number of servings of vegetables requested by the children. A plate containing 10 grams each of six different vegetables was served under one of two conditions: (1) Alone, 10 minutes prior to the main meal. (2) With the main meal for the first 10 minutes. A third condition allowed for the children to request any one of the six vegetables as an addition to their main meal. The …

Effect Of Informational Posting And Employee Inspection On Safety Hazard Reduction In A Retail Drug Store, Craig A. Berger

Masters Theses

Undesired safety conditions were operationally defined for a large retail drug store. The recording of unsafe conditions were conducted for two different employee shifts for ten weeks. A multiple baseline design (ABC-ACB) was used in which three conditions were introduced: (a) baseline, (b) public posting of a safety performance chart, and (c) individual employee inspections. Results indicated that the frequency of safety hazards declined 23% from baseline for the public post-condition and declined 44% for the employee inspection condition (averaged across both shifts). An advanced analysis of variance indicated significant mean differences (p < .01) between baseline and employee inspection for both shifts. An additional measure was taken correlating photograph ratings by employees on a safety dimension and an attractiveness dimension. The coefficient of correlation was statistically significant (r = .76; p <.05). The results indicate that a training program involving employee inspections may be an effective way of reducing undesirable safety conditions.

A Diagnostic-Teaching Investigation Of The Feasibility Of Using The Hutchings' “Low-Stress" Algorithm For Addition Skill Development In Trainable Mentally Impaired Pupils, Joann Bankston Mckay

Masters Theses

The feasibility of using the Hutchings' "Low-Stress" algorithm for the development of addition skills in trainable mentally impaired pupils was investigated in this exploratory diagnostic study. The four subjects were identified as trainable mentally impaired pupils (IQ 44-63), three females and one male, between eighteen and twenty years of age. Results indicate increased power with counting and numeral recognition. Results from "Low-Stress" training phases indicate an increasing trend in binary accuracy and rate. Diagnosis of error patterns resulted in adjustments in teaching strategies. Results support the feasibility of "Low-Stress" algorithm for addition skill development in trainable mentally impaired pupils with …

Improving On-The-Job Performance Of Restaurant Employees Through Behavior Modification Techniques, Patricia A. Kershek

Masters Theses

Behavior modification techniques were used to improve the performance of individual employees in a restaurant setting. Desired performance was defined in operational terms. Contingent upon observations of desired behavior, procedures involving praise, performance charts, and bonuses were implemented according to an ABCB design. After applying both praise and performance charts, bonuses were added so that all three techniques were in operation. Then, bonuses were discontinued. Results indicated that while employee performance (quality of performance and time spent on the job) improved when praise and performance charts were applied, the addition of a bonus led to even further improvement. Hence, bonuses …

A Comparison Of Reading And Listening Performances Of Braille And Print Readers, Betty P. Zook

Masters Theses

Blind and sighted subjects were tested on their capability to retain information after both reading and listening to specially prepared printed and taped materials. The sample consisted of graduate students and professional individuals. It was found that, on the average, subjects retained more after reading than listening. This effect was more pronounced in the braille reading subjects. As the level of complexity of the material increased, the difference in the points earned between the two modalities, reading and listening, increased significantly. A behavioral analysis suggested some reasons for this difference. It was suggested that further research into reading and listening …

A Report Of An Internship In The Kalamazoo Police Department, Roy C. Aslanian

Masters Theses

The modern police or law enforcement agency in America has evolved into a highly sophisticated organization in terms of technology > quality of personnel, organizational and managerial methods, procedures, and tasks performed. It is recognized that in order to adequately perform its public mission, law enforcement agencies must be politically sensitive, and publicly responsive, be able to manage its resources to a high degree of cost effectiveness, and select, train, and retain police officers who are professionally competent. Police administrators and supervisors are continually confronted with the problem of how to best develop a quality police officer in a short period …

A Study Of Habitat Preference For The Aestivation Of The Alfalfa Weevil Hyper Postica (Curculionidae: Coleoftera), Donald D. Myers

Masters Theses

Habitat prefernce for the aestivation of Hyper postica was researched by the sampling of field borders. Sampling methods by the sampling of field borders. Sampling methods included soil and vegetative litter collection, sweeping of borders with an insect net and emergence trapping of wooded and grass habitat. Fields were swept once a week to determine if H. postica returned to the field before the winter season. The methods resulted in the following findings: Weevils do not aestivate litter. Data from sweeping indicated that weevils prefer areas that include alfalfa and grasses. Results of observations implied that there is a direct …

Schedule Effects And Interim Activities In Two Retarded Subjects, Raymond G. Miltenberger

Masters Theses

Fixed interval (FI), fixed time (FT), and fixed ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement were implemented with two retarded subjects and the effects on operant responding and interim activities were evaluated. One subject responded under FI 1 min, multiple FI 1 min, and multiple FI 1 min extinction schedules. Three interim activities were observed to occur under each schedule. The second subject responded under FI 1 min, FI 3 min, FR 20, FR 25, FR 35, multimple FR 35, FT 1 min, and multiple FR 35 extinction schedules. Two interim activities occured, primarily in the FI and FR schedules. Both subjects' …

A Report Of An Internship Experience At Three Rivers Community Schools, Robert E. Sickles

Masters Theses

This report describes an internship experience completed in the central administrative offices at Three Rivers Community Schools, Three Rivers, Michigan, during the summer of 1981.

The purpose of the internship was to enrich the intern's experience and understanding of the role and responsibilities of an assistant superintendent. To accomplish this, the intern was actively involved in the daily activities of the assistant superintendent. Valuable practical experiences were acquired by placing special emphasis on the areas of negotiations, employer-employee relations; employee selection and evaluation; and preparing a school system to be staffed and physically ready for a new School year. In …

A Diagnostic Teaching Analysis Of The Feasibility Of Teaching Trainable Mentally Impaired Students Hutchings’ Low-Stress Addition Algorithm, Marsha K. Markle

Masters Theses

This study attempted to determine the feasibility of teaching trainable mentally impaired subjects Hutchings' low-stress addition algorithm. It was a non-experimental study of acquisition using diagnostic teaching techniques. Three trainable mentally impaired subjects participated in training. No subjects knew basic addition facts, so use of a number line was substituted. Training was divided into four steps: a) use of the DOOF for a single binary; b) notation; c) adding two binaries in one column; and d) adding binaries in two columns. Tests were scored immediately, error patterns diagnosed and program modifications implemented. All subjects acquired skill for the first three …

The Effect Of Active-Participation With Feedback In A Videotape, Discrimination-Training Program, Stephen M. Brewer

Masters Theses

With the use of a multiple-baseline design, the present experiment examined the effect of three training conditions on the acquisition of tutoring techniques in four volunteer college students. The three training conditions were: (1) Guidelines, subjects read and were tested over a manuscript; (2) Passive-Participation Without Feedback, subjects viewed 15 vignettes of a model's correct and incorrect use of tutoring techniques without receiving feedback on the model's behavior; and (3) Active-Participation With Feedback, subjects actively scored and received feedback on the same videotaped model's use of tutoring techniques. Subjects participated in one of the training conditions once at the beginning …

Factors Influencing Termination Status Of Clients In The Kalamazoo County Juvenile Court Volunteer Probation Program: November 1969-June 1973, Christine Clare Iavelli

Masters Theses

This study was designed to identify the factors which were associated with the juveniles and their volunteers within the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Court Volunteer Probation Program from November 1969 through June 1973 resulting in a successful or unsuccessful termination of informal probation. Data on 317 juveniles and their volunteers were compiled and analyzed. A bivariate test was conducted to determine the relationship of ten independent variables for the juveniles and six independent variables for the volunteers to the dependent variable, the probationer's termination status. Those independent variables considered to be significantly related to the dependent variable were retained and tested …

The Effects Of Quality Of Work Life Processes On Job Satisfaction And Productivity, Greg Alan Dabicci

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to determine the effects of employee participation on job satisfaction and productivity. A small group of hourly employees (5-7) from a package sort and load operation worked with management to identify, analyze, and solve performance problems. Four employee participation interventions were examined: 1) group problem solving of sorting performance, 2) individualized problem solving of loading performance, 3) general participation on job satisfaction, and 4) general participation on overall productivity. The results indicated that the participation program was effective in improving job satisfaction, group performance, and individual performance. The program was not effective in improving overall productivity. …

Reduction Of Aggressive Behavior Of A Preschool Child Using Extinction And Teacher Attention Procedures, Greg Randle

Masters Theses

The subject was a 2 and a half-year-old male who engaged in a high rate of aggressive behavior that appeared to be maintained by teacher reprimands and physical contact. An extinction procedure in which all aggressive behavior directed toward peers was ignored was used in conjunction with teacher attention directed to the victim. Teacher attention was also used to positively reinforce the subject for interaction with peers. These procedures reduced the subject's aggressive behavior to a much lower rate. Although the subject's undesirable behavior was modified, a questionnaire responded to by the teachers indicated the need for open communication between …

Detector Geometry For Cascade Photon Experiments, Roger Minoru Munechika

Masters Theses

An observation of cascading optical photons can be used to determine an absolute excitation cross section for the intermediate state without the need of standard lamp calibration. In order to reduce the data an angular correlation function and an angular distribution function must be known. These functions depend on the alignment of the upper excited state and the polarization of the light emitted in the lower part of the cascade. However, at certain angles of observation the values of the required functions are known regardless of the alignment or polarization. A computer search is done to find these angles for …

The Hydrologic Factors That Control Carbonate Hardness In Kalamazoo County Lakes, Southwestern Michigan, Linda Brittain Fenner

Masters Theses

The range and distribution of carbonate hardness in Kalamazoo County lakes were determined and hydrologic factors thought to control hardness were evaluated. Surface-water samples were collected from thirty- five randomly selected lakes in October, 1980. Carbonate hardness ranged from 16 to 244 mg/1 with 61 percent above 120 mg/1. Ten hydrologic variables were analyzed with respect to lake hardness. Lakes with a surface-water inlet were a ll hard (greater than 180 mg/1) and lakes at least two meters higher than the approximate ground-water table were all relatively soft (less than 100 mg/1). No direct correlations were found between the other …

A Study Of The Library Knowledge Of A Sample Of Freshmen Students Enrolled At The University Of Puerto Rico For The School Year 1980-81, Sarai Rodriguez De Perez

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to collect data that could help assess the library needs of a sample of college freshman enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico for the school year 1980-81.

Data were collected by means of a 50 item library test and 8 survey type questions.

As indicated by the test scores and by the students' answers to the survey questions: library instruction is needed in six of the seven subject areas covered by the library test and in a ll the subject areas specified by the questionnaire; library instruction is needed by 75% of the …

A Computer-Assisted Instructional System And Its Application To A Course On Computer Structures And Hardware, Tahir Mufti

Masters Theses

Computer-Assisted Instruction is a powerful tool which is fast becoming an integral part of the instructional system in schools.

The objective of this study is to review the techniques used to provide Computer-Assisted Instruction and to present such an instructional system called LEARN which is general enough to be applied towards the teaching of any subject. Also included are notes on the application of the LEARN system to a subject entitled "Computer Structures and Hardware".

An Analysis Of The Behavioral Consequences Of An Attendance Bonus Program, David William Smith

Masters Theses

Absenteeism is one of the most expensive and complex problems faced by management. Previous efforts to ameliorate attendance problems have focused on demographical analysis of absent workers, providing information of little value in designing remedial programs. The current project is an analysis of an Attendance Bonus Program in terms of contingencies of reinforcement. Six hundred union employees of a manufacturing plant served as subjects, with two comparison plants of 100 and 600 employees as comparative populations. Analysis of the prevailing contingencies identified a number of deficiencies. Attendance reinforcement aspects were appropriate, but a response criterion needs to be established. The …

A Study Of The Films Produced By The Aluminum/Water Reaction Using Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy, Reed L. Shilts

Masters Theses

This work compares the action of pure water to various aqueous electrolytes on aluminum surface film formation at about 100°C. The electrolytes were pure water with various inhibitor ions added. The ions were nitrate, tungstate, borate, molybdate, silicate, phosphate, a mixture of nitrate and molybdate, and a mixture of silicate and molybdate. The investigative technique was Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) using 2 MeV alpha particles with an annular detector set at 180 degrees for maximum elemental resolution. RBS was chosen for this investigation because it offers in an easily interpretable manner a relatively fast and semi-quantitative method of analysis of …

Choice As A Dependent Measure In Autoshaping: Sensitivity To Frequency And Duration Of Food Presentation, Mitchell Jon Picker

Masters Theses

Previous investigations have shown that rate, latency, and percentage of trials with at least one response are somewhat insensitive measures of the strength of autoshaped responding. In two experiments, nine pigeons were exposed to an autoshaping procedure in which the successive presentation of three stimuli were followed by food on either 100%, 50%, or 0% of the trials. Choice testing involved the simultaneous presentation of the three stimuli. In Experiment I, all pigeons consistently directed their initial choice responses and the majority of subsequent responses to the stimulus always followed by food. In Experiment II, rate, latency, and percentage of …

A Geochemical Study Of The Sudbury Breccia, Kevin M. Prochaska

Masters Theses

The origin of the Sudbury Breccia surrounding the Sudbury Basin of Ontario, Canada has long been debated. The breccia has been described both as an igneous injection and as an abraded country rock formed by attrition in place.

A geochemical analysis of selected elements in matrix and clast samples from the breccia revealed distinct differences between the two sample groups. Matrix samples were lower in silicon and higher in heavy elements than the clasts. Matrix and clasts were comparable in light elements.

The results of the analysis favor an igneous process. Petrographic observations and structural evidence support this idea. The …

Response Latency: A Function Of Within-Session Differences In Intertrial Interval, Training History, Cue Condition, And Ratio Requirement, James Bryant Nuzzo

Masters Theses

Skinner has suggested that latency does not vary in an orderly manner and short latencies result from the development of effective waiting behavior not specified by the experimental contingencies. Recent experimentation has found latency to vary as a function of a within-session difference in parameters of reinforcement correlated with two components of a discrete-trial multiple schedule. Also found was the attenuation of within-session differences in latencies with the change in intertrial interval (ITI) from 5 seconds to 20 seconds. This suggests that the ITI may be variable which controls latency. This study investigated the effect on latency of within-session differences …

The Resistance To Temptation Paradigm With Modeling - A Review, Lorre Patricia Berger

Masters Theses

The resistance to temptation paradigm and modeling literature was reviewed to evaluate imitation effectiveness as an instructional method. Varied interventions used in conjunction with modeling were: rehearsal of rule following behavior; consequences to the model; reinforced and nonreinforced interaction; alternative, attractive and available tasks; and rationales for temptation. The past experimental results of these interventions used with modeling have been diverse. All temptation research utilized the forbidden toy or movie procedures as the tempting situation, while most allowed the subjects to engage in toy play or a film editing task. Imitation proved to be effective in teaching resistance to children. …

Development And Implementation Of An Outlining Preskills Program Utilizing A Multiple-Probe Design, Patricia Ellen Bird

Masters Theses

This project proposed to develop, implement and validate an outlining preskills program utilizing a multiple-probe design (Horner & Baer 1978). The critical entry skills for any recording system (Carnine & Silbert, 1979) include: Determining the topic, main idea and supporting details of a paragraph. These skills and how to identify each in an outline were presented in the Outlining Preskills Program developed by the researcher. Measurement was taken on student responses to nine probes which tested every component and subskill presented in the program. For each component, student performance increased from a zero baseline to 50 percent or better accuracy …