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Proportional Representation Electoral Systems And Indigenous Representation: Case Studies From Bolivia, Ecuador, And Peru, Arne Romanowski

Masters Theses

The central question of this analysis is how the proportional representation electoral systems in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru are linked to indigenous political representation. I argue that the electoral system and its affect on party structures and party development are part of the reason why indigenous people, who make up a great part of the population in these three countries, are chronically under-represented in their political systems. In these case studies, district and national level data from the two most recent elections for the national legislatures was analyzed in terms of indigenous party formation and success. The study concludes that …

Motivation For Studying Abroad, Wendy M. Buesing

Masters Theses

The motivational factors among students who have completed a study abroad program or who are currently studying abroad were investigated. Several variables were explored including gender, age, major and whether the student was an international student who has studied or is currently studying in the United States from another country or an American student who has studied or is currently studying in another country. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) American students are more likely motivated to study abroad by cultural motives such as sightseeing and gaining awareness about a different culture, and 2) International students are more likely motivated to …

The Individualized Education Plan: Parental Satisfaction And Involvement, Melissa Habing

Masters Theses

Little recent research has examined parents' involvement and satisfaction with their child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). For the current study, parents of children with special needs were surveyed. Out of 1,000 questionnaires mailed out by an agency that provides support to families who have a child with a disability, 348 parents completed and returned the survey. As a result of the parents' written responses, it was determined that 234 (67%) of the children they reported on were boys and 114 (33%) were girls. The age of the children whose parents completed the questionnaire ranged from two to twenty-two. All eligible …

Distinct Group Differences And Discriminant Validity Of The Adjustment Scales For Children And Adolescents: Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Versus Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Kim D. Miller

Masters Theses

The present study examined the distinct group differences and discriminant validity of the Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents (ASCA). Participants included 36 children in Kindergarten through eleventh grade. Twenty-seven of the children met DISC-IV I DSM-IV (DSM-IV-TR, 2000) criteria for ADHD, and 9 met criteria for ODD. The participants were classified based on the results of the DISC-IV (Shaffer, Fisher, Lucas, Dulcan & Schwab-Stone, 2000) interview completed with the parent. The referring classroom teacher then completed the ASCA. Results of the present study did not support the distinct group differences and thus the discriminant validity of the ASCA. The …

U.S./Nato Relations After 9/11: U.S. Contributions To Nato Missions, David E. Heinz

Masters Theses

Since the end of the Cold War, the future of NATO has been discussed amongst scholars. Critics argue that NATO is no longer relevant, while proponents argue that is still has a viable function in the international community. This thesis asks the question, what the United States contributes to NATO missions and what does this mean to NATO's future. This thesis examines NATO mission in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, looking at the background of the mission, how and why it was created and how has the mission evolved. The evidence suggests that since September 11, 2001, the United States has …

Eating Disorder Tendencies And Pathogenic Weight Control Usage In High School Female Athletes, Natasha L. Mcdonald

Masters Theses

For many years, eating disorders have become more prevalent in American society. Researchers have recently identified a "new" at risk group, female athletes. The primary purpose of this study was to answer two questions: First, are tendencies toward eating disorders and the use of pathogenic weight control techniques different between female high school athletes and female high school nonathletes? Secondly, among high school female athletes, are tendencies toward eating disorders and the use of pathogenic weight control techniques different between performance sports and traditional sports? Each participant completed a survey packet to gather information on (1) demography including athletic participation, …

Exploring Balanced Polymorphism Theory: Homosexuality, Personality, And Attractiveness, Rikki Singh

Masters Theses

An evolutionary theory known as balanced polymorphism (Hutchinson, 1959), which accounts for the prevalence of the deadly hereditary disease called sickle cell anemia, may prove to be a possible solution to the evolutionary paradox of homosexuality. The evolutionary advantage supported by the theory may account for the current and future prevalence of homosexuality. The theory works on the basis of a heterozygotic advantage, which is simply the advantage gained by a combination of two extreme genotypes. In this case, the heterozygotic advantage is the personality of a homosexual and the sexual orientation of a heterosexual. To test this theory, forty-eight …

Subsemy: Using Subversion To Create Multiple Meanings In Rhetorical Texts, Kane Madison Click

Masters Theses

This thesis focuses on the use of subversion to create multiple meanings in rhetorical texts. Subversion, an element focused on by Fiske (1986, 1987) and McKerrow (1988) in their early contributions to the rhetorical study of multiple meaning texts, has been an ongoing lacunae in the study of polysemic texts. I wish to provide a correction to this problem by offering the concept of subsemy. By examining the role of strategic ambiguity and irony in the functioning of subversion, the concept of subsemy provides a missing picture of how popular cultural texts, film in particular, can function subversively.

Changing Turtle Communities Of The Illinois River, Steven J. Paglia

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Developing Diabetes Educational Materials For Gambian Clinic Staff And Type 2 Diabetics, Rachel Golin

Masters Theses

The Gambia is a small, developing country on the west coast of Africa. As with much of the world, there has been an increase in Type 2 Diabetes in the Gambia. According to the World Health Organization, the total population of the Gambia is 1.3 million (1). In 2000, there were 22,000 diabetics in the Gambia (estimated prevalence of 2%) and it is projected that the number will reach 61,000 by the year 2030 (2).

One way to help combat the increase of Type 2 Diabetes and its complications is by educating clinic staff workers and diabetics using educational materials …

An Analysis Of Mentorship In Michigan Police Agencies, Jeffrey G. Swanson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research is to investigate how newer police officers are familiarized into their agency with respect to the manner in which they were trained and mentored. The concept of mentoring programs has been highly successful in the private and business sectors for many years. Since the concept of formal mentoring programs in law enforcement is largely limited to date, this study incorporates research in several other disciplines, to determine if there may be a corollary regarding law enforcement and other disciplines, and if so, to what degree mentoring exists among patrol officers. A survey was distributed to …

Implications Of Personal Recovery History For Training And Development Of Addiction Treatment Workers, Bruce K. Barnard

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to identify and compare competencies perceived as most important by addiction treatment workers with, and without, a personal history of recovery. A survey was developed and administered to 94 workers in three community-based addiction treatment agencies. The study found broad support for the competencies published by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center, National Curriculum Committee (1998). There were no significant differences in perceptions of competencies by workers with a personal recovery history and those without such history. Results indicate that factors such as workplace culture may be more powerful than recovery history in influencing worker …

The Changing Identity Of Feminism In The Third Wave: A Critical Analysis, Jillian Marie Klean

Masters Theses

This thesis examines three texts: Three Black Skirts, The Vagina Monologues, and The Art and Power of Being a Lady to discover the changing identities of women in the third wave movement of feminism. A rhetorical criticism is conducted of the images of feminism put forth by the texts to discover the identities that the authors are advocating and advancing for third wave feminists. This thesis argues that the multiple identities found in these texts are essential to the feminist movement. This thesis also explores the tension between individualism and community in the third wave.

Considering Instructional Time And Comprehension Rate When Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Reading Interventions In Classrooms, Kelly E. Thomason

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to replicate and extend research done by Daly et al. (1998), which focused on the functional analysis of academic problems. This research examined comprehension and amount of instructional time as dependent variables to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of reading interventions (repeated reading, contingent reinforcement for rapid reading, and listening passage preview). Results suggest that when evaluating increases in oral reading fluency (words read correct per minute), each participant obtained greatest gains using different combinations of interventions. However, when examining instructional time specifically, it becomes clear that the contingent reinforcement and listening passage preview …

Pathogenicity Of Xanthomonas Axonopodis Pv. Glycines, The Causative Agent Of Bacterial Pustule In Soybeans, Lopa D. Goradia

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Electron Transfer In Phosphido-Bridged Complexes, Pradeep N. Perera

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Role Of Demethylation And Hyperacetylation In [Alpha]1-Antitrypsin Gene Activation, Ling Tian

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Diatom Assemblages Reflect Environmental Heterogeneity In An Urban Stream, Kristen M. Thomas

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Structured Versus Non-Structured Language Sampling Methods On The Expressive Language Output Of Children, Joy Schmitz

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Physiology And Biochemistry Of Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum, A Fungal Plant Pathogen, Erastus Gatebe

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Sensory Stimulation On Off-Task Behavior In Children Within The Autistic Spectrum, Erin Elizabeth Downs

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Translating Shakespeare: Film Representation Of Dramatic Art, Benjamin Russell Atkins

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Socio-Cultural Examination Of The Collegiate Experiences Of White International Student-Athletes At Historically Black Colleges And Universities In The United States, Jana Matouskova

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Women Middle Managers In Student Affairs With Children: The Realities Of Pursuing Careers And Motherhood, Jennifer Lynn Baker Sipes

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Voices Of First And Second Generation College Students: Reasons For Enrolling In Graduate Education, Rodney S. Ranes

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to identify characteristics and choices that have assisted first-generation students in attaining a baccalaureate degree and enrolling in graduate study. Previous research identified academic preparation, institutional choice, and family experiences as areas that influenced first-generation students. Attrition and retention were also explored, as well as issues related to graduate enrollment. A selected sample of four first-generation and four second-generation participants were interviewed using qualitative methods (Lincoln & Guba, 1985) regarding academic preparation, family culture, prior institutional choice, and influential mentors. Interview findings were triangulated and themes and issues identified. Results showed that second-generation …

Effects Of Bullying On Student Attendance, Michelle Clark

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Character Education On Student Behavior, Christine Branson

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Presenting Issues, Severity Of Problems And Treatment Outcomes Of Asian College Students, Earl Anthony Evangelista

Masters Theses

The current study attempts to add to the limited body of literature on Asian American and Asian international students in counseling. Presenting issues, severity of problems, treatment outcome, and gender interactions of Asian American and Asian international college students were examined and compared to non-Asian college students. Data for this study were obtained from an existing database from an East Coast university counseling center. The overall sample consisted of 209 males and 297 females, all of whom were seeking treatment for the first time at the counseling center. The primary groups of interest were Asian American students (n = …

The Role Of Mood As A Mediator In Trait-Congruent Cognitive Processing: Does Mood State Mediate The Relationship Between Personality Traits And Judgment?, Janice E. Harewood

Masters Theses

The relationship between affective traits and predictive judgment was investigated using a mediation framework approach to examine whether the current mood state of participants acted as a mediator between traits and judgment. This relationship was examined for anxious trait, anxious mood, and judgment for negative events and for subjective well-being, happy mood, and judgment for positive events. A written scenario and an imaginal procedure were used to create anxious, happy, or neutral moods in participants, and a fourth group received a simple cognitive task. Results showed that the mood inductions were invalid. Given that the correlations necessary to test for …

The Effects Of Family Functioning And Parent Structure On The Prevalence And Intensity Of Childhood Fears, Rebecca Leis Pederson

Masters Theses

The current study was designed to examine the relation between family factors, such as family functioning and parent structure, and the prevalence and intensity of childhood fears. One hundred and sixteen children in grades 3-12 were surveyed using the Fear Survey Schedule-II. Of the 116 children surveyed, 75 had parents who returned the Self Report Family Inventory and demographic survey. Results indicated that younger, female participants reported fears of greater prevalence and intensity than male participants. Contrary to predictions, neither family functioning or any of its associated factors were found to be related to the prevalence and intensity of childhood …