Digital Commons Network^™

Textile Recycling Attitudes And Behaviors Among College Students, Elizabeth Eileen Walter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to examine the recycling attitudes and behaviors among Eastern Illinois University undergraduate students in the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, and to determine if students are willing to include textile in their recycling behavior. The potential benefits of this research include an increase in environmental awareness among students and a decrease in the amount of textiles sent to the landfill.

A survey was distributed to seventeen Family and Consumer Sciences, Business, and Technology classes. Surveys were also distributed at a meeting for non-traditional students. A total of 194 surveys were returned to …

Bullying And Victimization In High School As Perceived By Female Students In A Midwestern University, Shannon Y. Schwab

Masters Theses

Bullying and victimization increased tremendously over the past 2 decades and are presently one of the most enduring and underrated problems in U.S. schools. Much of the research available on bullying has focused primarily on males; however, recently, research has shown that females are just as likely as males to engage in bullying behaviors. Unfortunately, female bullying occurs quite frequently, yet remains unrecognized because it is often overlooked. Females tend to prefer more indirect forms of bullying behaviors in order to keep it anonymous. The focus of the current research was to examine the nature and frequency of female bullying …

The Effect Of Suggestive Selling By Wait Staff On Food Consumption, Gwen Zumwalt

Masters Theses

Factors that influence our dietary choices are important because our nation is facing an obesity epidemic. This study analyzed the influence of wait staff on food consumption in a restaurant environment. The University Institutional Review Board approved the study, and informed consent was obtained. The subjects, college students (n=46), were randomly assigned into a control or treatment group. Every subject was initially given one serving of each food item. The meal consisted of rolls, soup, pasta, cookies, and a beverage. Subjects were excluded from the study if they had diabetes or a food allergy. Subjects in the control group were …

Effects Of A Health Program On Dietary Behaviors, Physical Activity, And Weight Loss In College Students, Megan A. Mccallister

Masters Theses

The 2003 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey suggests that 35% of college students may be overweight/obese. The purpose of "The Biggest Loser: You Gotta Lose It to Win It" was to assist college students to become nutritionally and physically healthier. A needs assessment reported a weight-loss program to be the number one requested type of program by students. "The Biggest Loser: You Gotta Lose It to Win It", a ten-week weight-loss study was implemented due to this needs assessment. This study applied nutrition and physical activity education to assist with a healthy weight loss in three phases (initial, middle, …

Lola's Story: Writing Comfort Women In World War Ii History Of The Philippines, Krishna Ignalaga Thomas

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the origins of the Japanese-imposed comfort station system in the Philippines during World War II. In order to show that the Filipino former comfort women lolas) are not marginalized victims, but are active agents instead, I illustrate how successfully the lolas have used various strategies to keep this issue at the forefront. This thesis analyzes their testimonies and other genres, (legal proceedings, newspaper articles, poetry, dance and language usage) highlighting the growing need for outlaw genres to bridge the gap in a contemporary landscape where history needs to cross national, cultural and language barriers. By presenting these …

Six Degrees Of Guillelmus Mancip: A Study Of Connections Between Donors To The Military Orders In 12th Century Toulouse, Eric D. Orr

Masters Theses

This thesis is essentialy a study of two groups of documents: the Cartulaire de l'ordredu Temple 1119? - 115 0. Recueil de chart es et des bull es relatives a l 'ordre du Temple, which contains a rich source of donations and wills left to the Knights Templar, and one very few such collections of records left concerning the Templars in Southern France; the Cartulaire general de l'ordre des Hospitaliers de Saint Jean de Jerusalem (1100-1310), which acts as the source of the same kind of documents for the Knights Hospitaller. This study examines the emerging social groups who are …

Soil Sisters: Independent Land Owning Women In Coles And Douglas Counties, Illinois, 1870-1930, Rachel E. Kleinschmidt

Masters Theses

In the Midwest during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many women owned and worked on farmland, but the male-dominated capitalistic farming system negated much of the legal and economic authority they had as farmers. Progressive Era changes in the farming system shifted family farming systems to profit-driven business-oriented farms, marginalizing women's productive contributions. Single and widowed women farmers in Coles and Douglas Counties in Illinois managed to retain ownership of farm land despite gender and legal biases inherent in common law practices defined by patriarchy.

A survey of local history sources, including federal census data, probate records, and …

General Health And Fitness Knowledge And Exercise Behaviors Of College Students At Eastern Illinois University, Cara Mcqueen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess general health and physical fitness knowledge and the exercise behaviors of college students at Eastern Illinois University. Specifically, objective a) was health and fitness knowledge related to the minutes of aerobic exercise in a structured physical activity, objective b) was taking the Fitness for Life class related to the minutes of aerobic exercise, and objective c) was do students who have taken the Fitness for Life class demonstrate greater general physical fitness knowledge compared with students who have not taken the Fitness for Life class? Participants included males (n=123) and females (n=141), …

Comparison Of Diabetes Education Across Age Group, Gender, And Diabetes Type, Katey Korhonen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of various types of patient education in motivating diabetic patients to make lifestyle changes and helping patients identify causes of sub-optimal control of blood glucose. Patient educational tools compared included: verbal information from a physician, consultations with a dietician, sessions with a diabetes educator, written materials such as pamphlets or brochures, Internet sources of information, use of finger stick glucose monitoring, and use of the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System.

One hundred individuals with diabetes ( 63 females and 3 7 males) responded to an online survey that was hosted at …

The Physical Activity Levels Of College Age Sorority Members Compared To Non-Sorority Members, Michael J. Foster

Masters Theses

The current study compared the physical activity levels of college undergraduates who were members of a sorority with non-sorority members. Behavioral practices that may influence physical activity were also examined.

Progress Checks As A Motivational Tool For Adult Fitness Participants, Stephanie James

Masters Theses

This study will examine the effect of an exercise screening on the motivation to adhere to an exercise program. The purpose of this study was threefold: 1) to determine how a 12 week progress report effects motivation in Adult Fitness participants at Eastern lliinois University, 2) to determine the effectiveness of an exercise readiness screen in modifying exercise behavior, and 3) to examine the participants reaction to the feedback given. Throughout this study, motivation was compared to the feedback that the participants were given after twelve weeks of the Adult Fitness Program. The participants in this study were current Adult …

Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance: Score And Analysis, Justin Deangelo

Masters Theses

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a composition for alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, piano, acoustic bass, drum set, and string quartet.

The 1974 Robert M. Pirsig novel of the same name is the primary source of inspiration.for many aspects of its composition. Elements of plot, setting, theme, tone, form, and imagery of the novel are intended to be expressed, and in some cases, directly alluded to, through corresponding musical elements.

The accompanying analysis dissects the mechanics of the composition as it unfolds. Each chapter discusses a section of the composition by reducing it …

Teaching Techniques: Suggested Techniques In Teaching Music Through Performance In Choir, Lee Ann M. Higginbotham

Masters Theses

A controversial aspect of music.education is the instructor's ability to teach music in addition to, preparation for performances throughout the school year. This document will examine a set of techniques in teaching rhythm, pitch/intonation, expression, and vocal production through rehearsal in performance classes. Practical suggestions will be presented for use and application for the secondary choral music instructor.

Abstracts For The Mind: A Work In Three Movements For Viola And Orchestra, Crystal Johnson

Masters Theses

"Abstracts for the Mind" is a three-movement work for viola and orchestra and was written between the fall semester of 2007 and the spring semester of 2008. Following the piece is my analysis of the work. fn it I will cover the different forms of each movement, how the movements were constructed, and different aspects that pertain to each movement separately. tt is my goal that anyone with a basic knowledge of music will have a more thorough understanding of my piece when they finish reading the analysis.

After The Winter: Score And Analysis, Daniel Cather

Masters Theses

For this project, I composed the script and music for an original musical, After the Winter. The score is given, followed by an analysis of the piece. The main purpose of the analytical portion was not to make a value judgment about my own work, but to simply show how the music enhances the text and to reveal my tendencies and preferences as a composer. It does so by chronologically examining the form, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation of each song. The analysis also provides a plot summary and places After the Winter in the context of musical theater as it …

Stepping Outside The Sacred Circle: Narratives Of Violence And Disempowerment Of The Contemporary Indian Woman, Koeli M. Goel

Masters Theses

India is a secular socialist republic and one of the largest democracies in the world. It prides itself on its modern constitution, extensive educational system and progressive society. The sophisticated mainstream English print media - frequently staffed by erudite, internationally acclaimed journalists and managed by India's biggest business houses - sketches the image of a prosperous, "rising" and "shining" India through glossy publications. Beneath this superficial veneer of the story of India's progress is an underbelly of repressive practices, gender-based discrimination and human rights' violations which reveal a society in which women's rights are minimal, oppression is endemic and economic …

The Making Of A Middlerace: The Social Politics Surrounding Black-White Interracial Marriages And Black White Biracial Identity, Yoftahe K. Manna

Masters Theses

In an attempt to uncover the social politics surrounding Black-White interracial marriages and Black-White biracial identity, this thesis investigates outsiders' and insiders' perspectives on the issues. Black and White participants of the study reported positive attitudes toward Black-White interracial marriage, while they reported negative attitudes toward Black-White biracial individuals. No statistically significant differences were found between Blacks and Whites in attitudes toward Black-White interracial marriages and Black-White biracial identity. No statistically significant differences were found between men and women, either. The insiders' reports, however, contradicted these findings. Both Black-White interracial couple and Black-White biracial adult participants of this study reported …

Factors Affecting Resident Assistant Burnout At Eastern Illinois University, Lindsay A. Gustin

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to identify factors that contribute to Resident Assistant burnout. Burnout is defined as a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who do "people work" (Hardy & Dodd, 1998). Definitions for burnout including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment are located in the definitions section of chapter one.

The study was conducted on the campus of Eastern illinois University. The sample population was Resident Assistants currently under contract with the department of University Housing and Dining Services. The level of burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout …

Student Spiritual Development Associated With Fraternity Affiliation, Jason B. Goldfarb

Masters Theses

This study examined the relationship between fraternity affiliation, spirituality and associated beliefs and values as measured by a survey instrument (Higher Education Research Institute, 2004c) that contained 19 factor scales. Factors were grouped within categories of spirituality, religiosity, and other related qualities (Lindholm, Park, Curley, & Schwartz, 2008). In addition, the relationship between fraternity affiliation and spirituality was examined via six planned analyses based on present research dealing with implied outcomes of fraternity membership. Finally, a scale was developed from items within the College Students Beliefs and Values Survey to assess respondents' relative levels of hegemonic masculinity.

Significant differences were …

Latino Student Perceptions Of Trio/Sss Program Effectiveness At Eastern Illinois University, Kristin K. Flores

Masters Theses

TRiO Programs are completely grant funded through the Federal Government's Department of Education. These programs are constantly under review for continued funding. There are a total of 8 TRiO Programs and Eastern Illinois University (EIU) receives funding for one, Student Support Services. TRiO Programs were created for first- generation, low- income students; many Latino college students meet both criteria. First-generation college students have unique needs and concerns. TRiO/SSS provides assistance for these students to guide them throughout the college career and prepare them for graduate school and a career after graduation. This qualitative thesis describes the interaction of f:IU TRiO/SSS …

An Exploration Of The Perception Of Collective Identity Threat Among Muslim Students In Higher Education, Donna Vitale

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine the perspectives of Muslim students in higher education concerning their connections to campus based on their perceptions of collective identity threat. Collective identity exists when an individual holding group membership fears that in-group members' behavior will reinforce a negative stereotype about their group. Similarly, stereotype threats are personally relevant threats in which individuals may fear reinforcing the stereotype themselves (Cohen & Garcia, 2005). Research in the area of stereotype threat has high generalizability and can transfer to any race or gender (Steele, Spencer, & Aronson, 2002). For the purpose of the …

Female And Male Student Leadership Characteristics: Differences & Similarities, Amber Mishala Shaverdi

Masters Theses

Females and males differ in a variety of areas, yet these genders also have similar qualities. Are these similarities and differences affecting our college environment? In this research thesis the researcher set out to gather data that identifies the similarities and differences among undergraduate student leaders at a mid-sized Midwest public institution. The researcher first identifies student involvement and the many advantages for students who choose to be involved in cocurricular activities. Literature is presented highlighting a variety of theories that identify gender differences among females and males. The theories range from male masculinity, cognitive development, and societal gender roles. …

Devaluation And Aggregate Economic Activity In Asian Developing Countries, Sushma Shrestha

Masters Theses

Many economists have analyzed data from developed and developing countries to determine the effects of devaluation on output. The evidence so far has been mixed, expansionary in some countries and contractionary in others, growth retarding in the short run and neutral in the long, and so on. This paper examines the evidence on seven developing countries from Asia during the period 1972-2006 to see if data support the contractionary devaluation hypothesis. These countries are: India, Indonesia, S. Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

The model in this study identifies the effects of the real exchange rate, a key …

A Genetic Assessment Of The Red Squirrel In Illinois: Natives, Immigrants, Or Exotics?, William Beatty

Masters Theses

A small population ofred squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) has existed in Iroquois County, Illinois since the 1970' s. The origin of this population is unknown, but some accounts suggest they are the offspring of released red squirrels from Minnesota. Alternatively, they may be a remnant Illinois population or more recent immigrants from Indiana. Finally, this population could reflect a mixed ancestry of the above scenarios. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was utilized to determine the genetic relationships among red squirrel populations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. My results showed low levels of haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity in the Illinois sample. …

Beneficial Effects Of Estradiol Are Mediated Through Apoe, Aseem Hussain

Masters Theses

Estradiol is the primary premenopausal hormone circulating in women. It is a powerful hormone in the female body since it sends signals to the brain, regulates ovulation and menstrual cycle and acts on the nervous syste~ heart, breast and many other tissues in the body. However all estradiol production is stopped after menopause. Post menopausal women can develop a host of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. If the onset of progressive dementia is after menopause during loss of estradiol, it seems logical to assume that the lack of estradiol should have a big role to play in the pathogenesis …

Tracing Sperm In Multiply-Mated Female Anastrepha Suspensa, (Diptera:Tephridae), Preeti Dhakal

Masters Theses

Anastrepha suspensa females have four different sites of sperm storage in their reproductive tract, may mate with more than one male, and store sperm in differing amounts in each organ after copulation. In order to study the dynamics of sperm storage patterns and subsequent paternity outcomes, a method was developed for both genotyping and quantifying sperm in the spermathecae. Spermathecae were isolated and sonicated to remove maternal cells, and subsequently crushed between two microslides to release sperm from the capsule. After DNA isolation, microsatellite loci could be amplified by PCR for fragment analysis. A newly developed method was then used …

Artificial Riffles As A Stream Remediation Technique, Bethany S. Harrington

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Seed Source On Vegetative And Reproductive Performance Of Three Common Prairie Grasses Common In Grassland Restoration, Matt Burmeister

Masters Theses

Though tallgrass prairie once covered 250 million acres of the midwestem U.S, now less than one percent· of this original area is left. In recent years the restoration and reconstruction of tallgrass prairie has become more popular throughout the prairie region. There is evidence that local and distant populations may both be practical seed sources for ecological restoration projects. To address this basic issue in restoration, I tested the how performance of three grass species from different locations was affected by the distance from the restored area. Three species, Andropogon gerardii, Sorghastrum nutans and Panicum virgatum, of perennial grasses common …

The Effect Of Joint Book Reading And The Language Experience Approach On Vocabulary Acquisition, Whitney Sturm

Masters Theses

Research indicates that reading books is beneficial for development of vocabulary and syntax (Robbins & Ehri, 1994). Joint book reading is defined as the interaction between an adult, child, and a book while reading. The language experience approach (LEA) is a reading method that "promotes reading and writing through the use of personal experiences and oral language"(Taylor, 1992). The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of joint book reading and the language experience approach on vocabulary acquisition in preschool and kindergarten children with hearing impairments, as well as, preschool and kindergarten children with normal hearing.

Within …

High School Students' Academic Achievement And Their Mothers' Attitudes And Level Of Education, Nicole M. Classen

Masters Theses

What is life like for a teenager growing up with a sibling who has a disability? Using their own words, five high school students explored, through an interview format, how their experiences, family systems, and identity have been shaped in direct and indirect ways by having a brother or sister with a disability. Several common themes emerged and included how sibling-care responsibilities influenced their ability to participate in social activities outside of the home, reported perceptions of having more household responsibilities than their peers and/or siblings, recognition that the sibling with a disability influenced family members and family life, an …