Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of Four Compositions For Wind Band, Michael R. Pond-Jones

Masters Theses

Intended as a resource for conductors, this document provides short backgrounds, composer biographies, and brief, selective theoretical analyses of four compositions for wind band. The compositions include two recent pieces, as well as two pieces that have maintained a strong presence in band literature for over 50 years. The pieces include Pacem: A Hymn for Peace by Robert Spittal, The Jig Is Up by Daniel Kallman, Bagatelles for Band by Vincent Persichetti, and Rhoseymedre by Ralph Vaughn Williams. Topics addressed include diatonic motivic development in Pacem, a comparison of Daniel Kallman's The Jig Is Up to the compositional styles of …

Survey And Analysis Of Four Works For Wind Band, Bryan Chesi

Masters Theses

Intended as a resource for band conductors, this essay provides background information, composer biographical information, and salient features of four wind band compositions. The compositions include two works composed for band by award winning composers. Two others are transcriptions and arrangements of works originally composed for orchestra or other mediums. The pieces include Colorado Peaks composed by Dana Wilson, Commando March composed by Samuel Barber, Blessed Are They by Johannes Brahms - Arranged by Barbara Buehlman, and Spoon River composed by Percy Grainger - arranged by Glenn Cliffe Bainum. Topics include an examination of flexible scoring and compositional style in …

Examination Of The Internal Structure Of The Academic Competence Evaluation Scale - Teacher (Aces-T), Stephanie A. Zegadlo

Masters Theses

The present study investigated the factor structure of the Academic Competence Evaluation Scale-Teacher Form (ACES-T; DiPerna & Elliott, 2000) Academic Skills (AS) and Academic Enablers (AE) scales with a convenience sample. Analyses included item-based exploratory factor analyses (higher-order EFA with Schmid-Leiman transformation; Schmid & Leiman, 1957) for subjects with complete data (AS N = 433; AE N= 466), and omega reliability estimates (Reise, 2012). For the AS scales, EPA identified an oblique (correlated) three-factor model. A second-order EFA was completed along with a Schmid-Leiman transformation and found the majority of the apportioned variance was associated with the general Academic Skills …

Moral Reasoning Of Student And Academic Misconduct Habits: A Qualitative Evaluation, Charles Rooney

Masters Theses

Utilizing qualitative methodology, participants' awareness of the academic standard and their development morally based of Kohlberg's theory of moral development. Through conduction one-on-one interview with third year student at a four year public institution, it was found participants have limited knowledge of academic misconduct. Participants were morally developed below what one would expect according to the theory of moral development. Participants stated that academic misconduct is not something most professors go over in class but is something either they have performed or witnessed their peers performing. Participants recommended professors explicitly spending time during syllabus review to go over what academic …

At-Risk In Trio: Perceptions Of African American Male First-Generation Students, Diana Ogbevire

Masters Theses

This study employed phenomenology to explore at-risk African American male first-generation students' experiences in the TRiO Student Support Services Program (TRiO) and the role they perceived it played in their college success. Participants were six upperclassmen who were interviewed about their overall college experience, the challenges that they faced, and the role that TRiO played in helping them overcome those obstacles. Data were interpreted within a cultural capital theoretical framework, as well as, Schlossberg's Transition Theory. Findings indicated that the risk factors influencing African American male first-generation student's college experience are challenges with academics, finances, culture, and social integration. Although …

A Comparison Of Sorority And Non-Sorority Students' Perceptions Concerning Beliefs And Attitudes About Campus Safety, Victimization, And Personal Safety, Katelyn Raymond

Masters Theses

This study examined female students' perceptions of campus safety, specifically sorority woman and non-sorority women. Previous research found that women feel less safe on campus than males. However, previous research concerning female students focused on sexual assaults.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore female students' beliefs and attitudes about campus safety, victimization, and personal safety on campus. A demographic survey was used to subdivide the sample into sorority and non-sorority participants, college status (e.g. sophomore, graduate student etc.), ethnicity, whether they live on campus or off campus, age, and gender. A second survey created by Baker and …

Woodlawn: A Collection Of Working Class Poems, Anthony Travis Shoot

Masters Theses

This thesis includes a collection of working-class poems that explore such issues as poverty, work, racism, family, and substance abuse through the lens of class. It also includes a critical introduction that gives a brief overview of the history and current state of working-class studies, specifically poetry. In this thesis I relate the work of contemporary poets such as Jim Daniels and Simon J. Ortiz to my own work, while explaining the themes of contemporary poets compiled in anthologies such as Working Classics: An Anthology and American Working Class Literature.

Creative Writing Pedagogy: The Autobiographical Narrative In Hybrid Projects As A Means To Explore Intersectionality, Tana G. Young

Masters Theses

My thesis addresses the role of creative writing methods in fostering close observation, attention to detail, critical thinking and a keener awareness of intersectionalities in writing classrooms across disciplines, but most especially the humanities and social sciences. I contend that the "real work" of the academy is critical thinking. Further, using creative writing, specifically autobiographical narrative in FYC, anticipates multimodal projects and digital storytelling, all of which fosters creative and critical thinking.

The Impact Of Homework On The Achievement Of Students With Varying Science Aptitudes In High School Physics, Matthew Deets

Masters Theses

When students in a high school physics class are separated into high, middle, and low aptitude levels, it was discovered that they do not all show the same benefits from completing homework assignments. The focus of this study was to analyze the relationship between the amount of homework that students complete and their performance on quizzes and exams. The results indicate that middle and high aptitude students benefit from completing greater amounts of homework, however, low aptitude students show no improvement by completing a greater number of problems.

Derivatization And Separation Of Natural Estrogens (Estrone, 17Β-Estradiol, And Estriol) Using Gas Chromatography With Flame Ionization Detection (Gc-Fid), Dena L. Guptill

Masters Theses

A major cause of concern for estrogens found in the environment is that even at very low concentrations (10-100 ng/L) they can have a negative effect on aquatic ecosystems by disrupting endocrine systems. Due to the increasing importance of monitoring the levels of estrogens in the environment, a detection method was developed to identify and quantify three natural estrogens (estrone, 17β-estradiol and estriol) using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). In addition, the efficacy of two derivatizing agents, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl) acetamide (BSTA) and N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), was evaluated. The GC detector (FID) was most responsive with E3, followed by E1 and …

Allelopathic Effects Of S. Canadensis On The Germination Of Native Prairie Plants, James David Megenhardt

Masters Theses

Solidago canadensis has become a aggressive species of North American prairie forb throughout the world and within restored prairies throughout North America, causing the loss of biodiversity within those ecosystems. While reproductive methods of wind dispersed seeds and clonal expansion through rhizomes has helped S. canadensis colonize and spread through these ecosystems, S. canadensis also releases allelopathic chemicals which may inhibit the germination and growth of competing species. What was unknown is if these same allelopathic chemicals which give S. canadensis an edge within foreign ecosystems might also explain why S. canadensis is so prolific in restored North American …

"I'M Very Much Myself": The Construction And Communication Of Asmrtist Identities, Victoria S. Weinberg

Masters Theses

YouTube is an online space where people can form a self-presentation strategy and construct an identity through a personal channel. The Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a physiological response that has been described as "tingles." Individuals on YouTube have created a multitude of ASMR videos to induce these feelings. In these videos, the creators tend to whisper into the microphone, softly touch the camera with their hands or props, or act out a particularly relaxing situation, such as a massage or haircut. This study examines ASMR videos and ASMR content creators as they construct and communicate their identities through …

Channel Morphology At A Meander Bend Chute Cutoff Partially Obstructed By Woody Debris, Drew Sobczak

Masters Theses

Field and flume experiments have examined the conceptual model for a meander bend in depth. Large woody debris piles are often associated with the development of a chute cutoff due to local aggradation and deflection of flow. This paper examines the bed morphology of a meander bend chute cutoff that is partially obstructed by woody debris. The bed morphology of the channel around the woody debris pile as well as the head of the cutoff are mapped. The pile is shielding the point bar immediately behind it and causing a narrow, deep channel on either side of the pile. The …

College Senior's Utilization Of Career Center Services And Career Readiness, Carrie Ann Klaphake

Masters Theses

This quantitative study focused on the utilization of Career Center services and the correlation between utilization and three career decision-making difficulties, lack of readiness, lack of information, and intra and inter career conflict, and differences of utilization between academic colleges. The 50-item survey was administered to seniors graduating that academic year. The results indicated that seniors under-utilized Career Center services, and there was no significance found between their utilization and their career decision-making difficulties. Significance was found between academic colleges in their utilization of the Career Center. The findings suggest that seniors do not experience difficulties deciding on a …

Hyperbolic Geometry With And Without Models, Chad Kelterborn

Masters Theses

We explore the development of hyperbolic geometry in the 18th and early 19th following the works of Legendre, Lambert, Saccheri, Bolyai, Lobachevsky, and Gauss. In their attempts to prove Euclid's parallel postulate, they developed hyperbolic geometry without a model. It was not until later in the 19th century, when Felix Klein provided a method (which was influenced by projective geometry) for viewing the hyperbolic plane as a disk in the Euclidean plane, appropriately named the "Klein disk model". Later other models for viewing the hyperbolic plane as a subset of the Euclidean plane were created, namely the Poincaré disk model, …

An Examination Of Self-Esteem's Impact On The Leadership Behaviors Of Female Undergraduate Student Leaders, Allison J. Moran

Masters Theses

Self-esteem and leadership behaviors vary from individual to individual. Previous research indicates that multiple external factors influence self-esteem. Results of this study indicate that levels of self-esteem have the potential to influence leadership behaviors. This study utilized qualitative research practices to explore levels of self-esteem and leadership behaviors among female college student leaders. Six female undergraduate students at a public, four-year, midsized institution located in the Midwest were interviewed for this study. Participants included two sorority presidents, two registered student organization presidents, and two athletic captains. Results of this study indicate that self-esteem can be categorized into three areas: high, …

Emotional Intelligence As A Mediator In The Relationship Between Mindfulness And Subjective Well-Being, Christopher Griebel

Masters Theses

Mindfulness can be defined as an awareness fostered by regulating one's attention in a particular manner over time, on purpose, in the present moment, and in a non-judgmental manner (Kabat-Zinn, 2012). In attempting to identify some of the mechanisms of action through which mindfulness positively impacts well-being, recent literature has suggested the possible role that emotional intelligence (EI) might play (Schutte & Malouff, 2011; Wang & Kong, 2014). The present study attempted to empirically verify the proposed mechanism of action. In addition, the study conceptualized mindfulness as a multidimensional construct by adopting the five-facet model of mindfulness (Baer, Smith, Hopkins, …

Branding A Cohesive Identity: The Case Of Northern Illinois Alliance, Ashley Gocken

Masters Theses

This paper reflects upon a communication action plan that was developed for Northern Illinois Alliance. After examination of its current communication, competitor communication, research from Adayana (a research firm), and discussions with NIA's general manager, it was determined that NIA suffers from a lack of cohesive organizational identity and overall branding. Therefore, organizational identity and branding were used as the framework for the communication action plan. The paper outlines data collection, reasoning for the proposed tactics within the communication action plan, and an overall evaluation from NIA's general manager.

The Validity Of The Obsessive-Compulsive Syndromes As Emotional Disorders, Doty Jennings

Masters Theses

Recent changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders have grouped together syndromes which are referred to as the obsessive-compulsive spectrum (OCS). The grouping of these syndromes is disputed because of lack of empirical verification for an organization purportedly based on research that supports similarity of observed symptoms. The taxonomy of emotional disorders was tested as an alternative model. Consistent with the model of the emotional disorders, this empirical research tested two proposed characteristics. The first was whether three OCS syndromes (hoarding syndrome, body dysmorphic syndrome, and obsessive compulsive syndromes) shared the broad factor of neuroticism or negative …

Ghana's E-Zwich System And The Characteristics Of Innovation, James T. Arthur

Masters Theses

In 2008, the Central Bank of Ghana launched the first ever biometric money, e-zwich, in hopes of promoting branchless banking and financial inclusion. Despite been hailed as an innovative policy aimed at transforming the financial industry of the country e-zwich has yet to realize its full potential. A number of studies has been conducted to highlight the many challenges the system faces. This study was also aimed at seeking an explanation to the relative ineffectiveness or failures of e-zwich system but through a theoretical framework. Using Rogers' (2003) framework on the characteristics of innovation, the study seeks to explain why …

Investigation Of Β-Cyclodextrin's Ability In Differentiating Chiral Guest Molecules And Synthesis Of 1,6-Diphenyl-2,4-Hexadiene-1,6-Dione, Guang Yang

Masters Theses

This research work comprised two projects. The first one mainly focused on the synthesis of 12 alanine derivatives and analysis of their interactions with β-cyclodextrin through ¹H NMR titration. And the other project was an investigation of the conjugation effect of alkynones in its addition reactions with tributyltin hydride.

The synthesis of the alanine derivatives involved methyl esterification of alanine and then the substitution of an NH hydrogen with a benzoyl group. A total of 4 different substitution groups, labeled as the "A" groups, were introduced on the para-position of the benzoyl's phenyl group. Since alanine has one chiral …

Age Is Just A Number: Using Economic And Social Models In The Millennial Generation To Predict Policy Support And Political Beliefs, Lindsey E. Juszczak

Masters Theses

Generational succession is an interesting phenomenon that occurs in all social sciences. The human generations overlap one another, but researchers have defined several generations to which a certain age belongs: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, and the Millennials. Being born in a particular time frame could affect the attitudes, beliefs, and values a person holds in general. This paper looks at the generational variable to predict six policy areas, asking the question: is there a millennial age difference that predicts policy support for Social Security spending, military spending, abortion, same-sex marriage, environmental spending, and climate change? Using data from …

Collaboration Portal For Researchers At Eastern Illinois University, Fatemeh Khastkhodaardekani

Masters Theses

This thesis addresses a need for an online collaboration environment for the researchers at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). As the solution, it provides a portal for researchers (students and faculties) who wish to explore and collaborate on projects based on ideas from those who may not have the necessary skills. This is considered to help developing projects based on the ideas as well as making teams, and teach different groups of people different perspectives. Therefore, it offers a learning environment. I started off by examining existing tools and methodologies to satisfy this purpose. As the result, the deliverable project is …

Human Trafficking And National Security - Policy Responses, Douglas V. Peterson

Masters Theses

Human trafficking poses a threat to national security and undermines global order. Trafficking exploits sovereign borders and undermines state legitimacy by highlighting failures of governance. This thesis seeks to understand policy responses to human trafficking, which are essential to providing resilient national security while upholding human rights.

I conducted a mixed methods analysis to examine three levels of government response to trafficking: domestic, regional/international, and foreign domestic measures. I examined how the United States Senate develops anti-trafficking legislation, how human rights regimes are developing within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and how specific Southeast Asian nations have responded …

Stepping Out From The Crowd: (Re)Branding Jamaica's Tourism Product Through Sports And Culture, Thelca Patrice White

Masters Theses

Branding and marketing, in a world where much emphasis is placed on commercialism, are inextricably linked, and carry significant weight. Brands, as we have come to know them, are seemingly ubiquitous, and represent an omnipresent way for many businesses to communicate vital information about their products to existing, as well as, prospective customers. However, while many persons consider branding to be directly related to huge corporations, branding has expanded its repertoire to include nations. While many scholars of marketing and branding have placed keen attention on the branding of corporations, very little attention has been placed on the branding of …

The Problem Of Love And Codes Of Conduct For The Younger Courtiers In King Lear, Debora L. Pfeiffer

Masters Theses

The courtiers Edmund and Edgar are critical to the action of King Lear, yet there has been little scholarship which has treated these characters in depth. I argue that one way to comprehend them and their significance in the play's action is to analyze their behavior according to the standards of the Renaissance conduct books that were circulating in England at the beginning of the seventeenth century when the play was written. Baldassare Castigligone's The Book of the Courtier, Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince, and Desiderius Erasmus's The Education of a Christian Prince each sheds light on important themes …

Daily Activity Patterns In Three Migratory Bird Species At A Stopover Site On The Northern Coast Of The Gulf Of Mexico, Lynn Schofield

Masters Theses

CHAPTER I: A Comparison of Diel Movement Patterns in Three Bird Species at a Stopover Site on the Northern Coast of the Gulf of Mexico

During migration, birds require stopover habitats where they stop en route to rest, refuel, and prepare for the next stage of their migration. For songbirds, many short movements made within a stopover habitat are known to be costlier than a single long migratory flight, as it takes a considerable amount of energy to initiate flight. This indicates that migrating birds should strive to balance the energy expenditure made in movement during stopover and energy gains …

Yeah You Write: Authenticity And Authority In Katrina Literature, Terri Coleman

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Asian Carp Population Status And Reproductive Potential In Illinois River Tributaries, Clinton Wesley Morgeson

Masters Theses

Large floodplain rivers are among the most complex natural systems characterized by exchange between the river and its floodplain. Information regarding fishes in main channel habitats is abundant, however much less understanding extends into their tributaries. Tributaries of large rivers provide critical habitats for main channel fishes, important for foraging, spawning, and refuge. In addition to native diversity, large rivers are host to multiple exotic species invasions, threatening biodiversity, ecosystem function, and habitat quality. Two notorious invaders are Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis), collectively Asian Carp, presenting an imminent threat of invasion …

Adolescent Perception Of Social Support And Peer, Parent, And Teacher Relationships And Its Impact On Depression, Raliat Q. Adeboyejo

Masters Theses

The current study set out to examine how adolescents perceive social support from their peers, parents, and teachers and how this relates to depression. This study used the critical incident technique to gather open ended descriptions of incidents that participants identified as being the most socially supportive and non-supportive behaviors. Participants identified encouragement, concern, teaching, economic support, non-economic support, attendance, listening compassionately, advice, consoling, advocating, and prayer as the socially supportive behaviors they received from others. They identified criticism, ignoring, neglect, deterrence/discouragement, favoritism, inappropriate discipline, and distrust as the socially non-supportive behaviors. Parents displayed more encouragement, consoling, economic support, non-economic …