Digital Commons Network^™

Value Engineering For The Practice Of Architecture, Husam Akoud

Theses

The practice of value engineering has become a significant factor in the construction industry during the past five decades. To value engineer a product or an item is to examine carefully its components in relation to their respective performance. Alternatives are generated to enhance functionality and reduce cost.

Techniques and methods have been developed to assist in performing a value engineering study that has a substantial impact on the final product, whether an item in a system or a building component. The different phases of value engineering are the INFORMATION, SPECULATIVE, ANALYTICAL and PROPOSAL PHASES. Each phase has its unique …

Changing Policies Regarding Advertising In Taiwan & Their Impacts, Li-Tzu Yang

Theses

Mass media is not only an important tool to develop social change but also a condition to ensure democracy's continued development. Before the lifting of martial law, newspaper publication was controlled by the KMT Party. This situation meant that the mass media had no freedom and could not decide for themselves what to publish. After the lifting of martial law, Taiwan experienced great changes in politics, economics, society and culture. These huge change were reflected in mass media before and after martial law and are the purpose of this research analysis. Specifically, the role advertising played before the lifting of …

The Relationship Between Attributional Style, Self-Concept, And Class Placement In Students With And Without Learning Disabilities, Lynette Ship

Theses

The current investigation was conducted to examine the relationship between attributional style, self-concept, and class placement in students with and without learning disabilities. Subjects included both students with and without learning disabilities from third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms. The students who participated in the study were involved in either general or full inclusion programs. Students classified with learning disabilities in the general education program were pulled out for resource room services, while those in the full inclusive programs did not receive pull out services. All students were given the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire and the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale. …

Identification Of Dynamic Risk Predictors Of Sexual Recidivists On Community Supervision In Maricopa County, Boyd Frick

Theses

Identification of risk factors that place one sexual offender at a greater risk for recidivism than another has value to those in the criminal justice field as weU as therapists who might work with these offenders. To date, the majority of risk factors have been based on historical information. As a sexual offender progresses through treatment. or regresses, changeable or dynamic risk factors need to be identified. In this study sexual offenders on probation with Maricopa County were compared to sexual recidivists who committed another sexual crime while on the same type of supervision. Information was obtained from case files …

An Empirical Study On The Differences Of Task-Orientation Skills And People-Orientation Skills Of Upper And Lower Management In An Organization, Michelle A. Heppermann

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of communication between upper and lower management levels in a company and the impact that genders has upon it.

Communication can be divided into two sections: task-orientation and people-orientation. Task-orientation refers to a person's behavior in delineating the relationship between himself/herself and staff members and in endeavoring to establish well-defined patterns of organization, communication, and procedures. People-orientation refers to a person's behavior indicative of friendship, mutual trust, respect, and warmth in the relationship between leader and his/her subordinates.

Over the years research has suggested that women are prone to be more people-oriented while …

An Evaluation Of The Competency Modeling Method Used By A Major Telecommunications Company, Sharon K. Kramer

Theses

This thesis focuses on competency model development methods and evaluating an actual competency model development method used by a consulting company on behalf of its client.

As HRD professionals get down to actually measuring human performance against the model they set forth to specify competency and its associated behaviors, they often find behavioral measurements to be subjective and relative, rather than objective and criterion-based.

The purpose of this study is to review competency model definitions and development methods, as well as the implications for using competency models to improve human performance, business results and competitive advantage.

The competency model development …

Baby Boomers' Feelings On The Relationship Between Price And Quality, Rebecca A. Hudzik-Presson

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of Baby Boomers and the impact their particular generation has upon the type of products they purchase.

Marketing research has indicated that generational data can be very helpful. Generational factors provide a framework for understanding the marketplace. Many marketers who want to appeal to Baby Boomers attempt to recognize what interests Boomers. A fundamental truth is that marketers who take into account age group have an important competitive advantage over those who do not.

Research has also indicated that Baby Boomers show some loyalty to brand names. They look at quality as a …

Examining The Usefulness Of Amerinet's Valusource 3.0 Software, Theresa A. Jarus

Theses

The main focus of this research is to provide AmeriNet, Inc., a group purchasing organization of medical and healthcare supplies, with a statistical and realistic perspective regarding user training requirements and effectiveness of their latest software release, ValuSource 3.0.

This electronic catalog was developed for AmeriNet members to provide contract pricing information. The software release took over a year to design and implemented most of the functionality required/requested by AmeriNet shareholders and members.

The purpose of the software is to give members access to up-to-date contract information such as pricing, contract terms, commitment levels, etc. ValuSource 3.0 is capable of …

The Valuation Of Family Limited Partnership Interests, Steven J. Krekeler

Theses

The focus of this report is on using family limited partnerships to reduce wealth transfer taxes. This report will explain how valuation discounts applicable to family limited partnership interests enable wealth to be transferred which avoids gift and estate tax. Furthermore, the report will discuss why some family partnership valuation discounts are accepted by the IRS and others are rejected, including steps taxpayers and their professional advisors can take to increase their chances of success.

Senior family members throughout the U.S. have a growing interest in preserving their wealth for the next generation. Many are not aware that 55% or …

A Connection Between Eating Disorder Symptomatology And Guild Or Shame, Deborah J. Kuehnel

Theses

By their own nature Eating Disorders are very self-destructive and potentially life threatening behaviors. They are symptoms which may represent a constellation of underlying problems. This investigation explores the relation of shame-proneness and guilt-proneness to eating disorder symptomatology in a sample of 171 undergraduate women. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA). Shame was significantly and positively correlated with drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, interpersonal distrust, lack of interoceptive awareness, asceticism, difficulties with impulse regulation, and social insecurity. Guilt was negatively or negligibly correlated with these symptoms. These two correlative findings impact …

Impact Of Peer-Tutoring On Rural At-Risk Fourth And Fifth Grade Students, Catherine J. Kremer

Theses

This study was designed to assess the impact of one full semester of peer- tutoring on 30 fourth and fifth grade at-risk students in a rural Midwestern community. A paired t - test was performed on the students' Grade Point Average (G.P.A . ) before and after tutoring. Statistical analysis of t he data revealed that students who received peer tutoring experienced a statistically significant gain in academic achievement as measured by G. P .A. Research leading to this study indicated that at - risk students do benefit from same gender peer assistance in homework, reading and math skills when …

A Comparison Of Perceived Parenting Stress Levels Of Employed, Married Mothers And Employed Married Fathers, Melissa D. Duchatschek

Theses

The purpose of this research was to measure the amount and type of parenting stress perceived by employed married mothers and employed married fathers using a self-report psychological instrument designed to identify parent - child systems under stress. The Parenting Stress Index (PSI), was given to twenty-seven (N = 27) married, employed parents of children age twelve and under. Fifteen women and twelve men volunteered to complete the instrument. At-test was performed and the hypothesis that married, employed mothers would perceive more parenting stress than married, employed fathers was not supported.

Children's Type A Behavior Pattern As It Relates To Self Esteem, Tami N. Earlewine

Theses

The relationship between Type A Behavior pattern in elementary children and their self esteem was examined using 68 students. The participants were third, fourth and fifth graders in the Montgomery County School District in central Missouri, who completed the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory (School Form). ln addition these students were also assessed for Type A behavior pattern by their teachers using the Matthew's Youth Test for Health. Correlational results indicated that there was no relationship between a child's Type A behavior pattern and self esteem.

A Business Plan For A Case Management And Home Health Agency, Zeporah A. Dunbar

Theses

This thesis will focus on the changes in health care delivery in the United States and how case management and home health care agencies have impacted upon it. The quality and cost-effectiveness of case management and home health care delivery will also be explored.

As we approach the twenty-first century, the focus of health care delivery is changing rapidly. The health care delivery system has undergone major changes and has had a tremendous impact on the development of case management and home health care agencies. These changes are affecting, and will affect health care consumers and the delivery of home …

A Connection Between Eating Disorder Symptomology And Guilt Or Shame, Deborah J. Kuehnel

Theses

By their own nature Eating Disorders are very self-destructive and potentially life threatening behaviors. They are symptoms which may represent a constellation of underlying problems. This investigation explores the relation of shame-proneness and guilt-proneness to eating disorder symptomatology in a sample of 171 undergraduate women. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA). Shame was significantly and positively correlated with drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, interpersonal distrust, lack of interoceptive awareness, asceticism, difficulties with impulse regulation, and social insecurity. Guilt was negatively or negligibly correlated with these symptoms. These two correlative findings impact …

The Relationship Of Locus Of Control To Pathological Gambling, Michelle L. King

Theses

Unavailable.

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Parental Configuration In Adult Male Felony Offenders, Dawn C. Sokolik

Theses

The parental configuration of families has become a topic of increasing interest in the latter part of the twentieth century. Examination of divorce rates reveal that the structure of the family is ever-changing. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between self-esteem and criminal offenders and how the structure of one's parental influence effects criminal activity. The types of parental configurations used within this study are as follows: Mother, Father, Mother and Father, or Biological Parent and Stepparent. The self-esteem scores of offenders incarcerated in a medium-security correctional institution for both violent and non-violent offenses were sampled …

The Effects Of Humorous Advertising On Viewer In Television Medium, Monica Del Carmen Carrera Vergara

Theses

This study will focus on the effects of humorous advertisements in the television medium and its impact on viewers.

Research has established to the importance of humorous advertising in the business world and the effect that it has on consumers ' consciousness.

Humor in advertising is seen as an important factor in the purchaser's process . Also, it is a tool that companies use to create a positive attitude toward the brand.

At this time, humor in commercials is the heavy attribute that gives viewers often pleasures . However, some current uses of humor in commercials do not achieve this …

The Influence Of Perceived Social Support On Loneliness Among Students Of Foreign Status Studying In The United States, Brian Vakoc

Theses

Loneliness is a common experience for individuals studying in foreign countries. Where cultures, communications, and social structures are unfamiliar feelings of loneliness can present a difficult component within the adjustment process. Social support has a direct influence on a person's ability to adjust to an unfamiliar environment. Feelings of loneliness experienced by a person can be attributed to that person's perception of social support. Students who are studying in the United States from abroad are subject to a multitude of unfamiliar environments that promote uncertain social supports and increased levels of loneliness. Understanding differences between cultures and their effects on …

An In-Depth Look At Demographics And Psychographics To Show How Data About Consumers Have Changed To Meet The Need Of Marketers, Susan L. Sebacher

Theses

Consumers are constantly changing. The generations are aging, causing their wants and needs to change. Products are also changing. They have gone from standardized to specialized. The market for consumer goods has gone from a mass market to niche markets. As consumers' sophistication grows so does their skepticism about advertising and claims advertisers make about their products. This creates a tough environment for marketers.

Demographic information provides marketers with a profile of their customers. Demographic information includes: gender, race, age, education, income, marital status, and number of children Demographic information groups consumers into generational groups. Generational groups are designated by …

Improving Police Officer Performance Appraisal, Leslie D. Simpson

Theses

This thesis will examine the development of American police management practices and organizational structure from its inception during the eighteenth century to the present. The organizational structure and management philosophy will be discussed concerning the influence they have on police officer performance appraisal.

Private sector business organizations have undergone monumental changes in management philosophy during the past twenty years. Most successful enterprises have shifted to a form of quality management that recognizes the benefits of employee participation in management programs. With emphasis on customer service, quality, process improvement, and human resource management American businesses are regaining their leadership role in …

Spiritual Assessment And Care Plan Development In A Long Term Care Facility, Eugene J. Neff

Theses

A healthy spirituality in the long term care resident is an important factor in holistic care. A review of literature coupled with the knowledge and experience of the author, an ordained clergy person with pastoral care training, and experience in the long term care setting, has indicated a growing need to ensure that the long term care resident's spiritual needs are properly assessed. The results of that assessment must be incorporated into the care plan. Appropriate steps must be taken to respond to surfaced needs and reinforce the areas of spiritual strength.

The purpose of this thesis will be to …

A Comparison Of Self-Esteem Scores Between African American And White Adolescent Females, Orinthia Theresa Montague

Theses

The difference in the average self esteem scores between African American and White female adolescents was the focus of this study. The subjects were adolescent females ranging from 14 to 18 years of age. The students all attended the same suburban high school. The participants were administered the Rosenberg Self Esteem Inventory. The results found no significant difference between the self esteem scores of African American and White adolescent females.

An Overview Of The Long-Term Care Industry: Current Issues And Future Considerations, Angela L. Onermaa

Theses

Americans today live longer than their parents did, often two to three decades after retirement. For many, modern medicine's gift of time is a blessing. But when independent living is no longer possible, few elderly people or their families are prepared for the confusing and emotionally wrenching world of long-term care. Despite reforms passed by Congress, nursing homes remain controversial. Moreover, they are too expensive for many people, and the federal Medicare and Medicaid insurance programs provide limited benefits for nursing home care. Although innovative alternatives to nursing homes have emerged in recent years, long-term care remains a costly and …

Characteristics And Qualities Of The Successful Entrepreneur: An Empirical Study, Pearl Farer Raskin

Theses

Entrepreneurship has become an increasingly important phenomenon for researchers and policy makers to understand. It is important for job growth, accounting for 80% of new jobs created in the United States. It is a key factor in enhancing technological innovation, productivity growth and per capita income in industrialized nations. Furthermore, it is an important career choice, accounting for roughly one tenth of the labor force at any point in time, and about one fifth of the labor force for some part of their careers (Birley 156).

Many individuals have difficulty bringing their ideas to the market and creating a new …

The Relationship Between Parental Conflict And Marital Satisfaction, Sheri Ann Tonioli

Theses

This study examined the relationship between perceived parental conflict and marital satisfaction. Fifty subjects participated in this study. These participants were from the graduate counseling classes at Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri and from a business office in Earth City, Missouri. These individuals were married at least one year and were between the ages of 25-40. Most of the individuals in the study were white, middle class, and college graduates. Each individual completed a demographic questionnaire, the Family Environment Scale, and the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. The results found that there is no significant relationship between perceived parental conflict …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Substance Abuse Treatment And Motivation, Karen A. Lathrop

Theses

The relationship between motivational level and participation in a thirty day substance abuse treatment center was examined for 22 recovering substance abusers. Participants included 22 female clients at Bridgeway Counseling Services, inc. The participants volunteered to complete the Readiness to Change Questionnaire- Alcohol, the Readiness to Change Questionnaire-Drug, and a personal data form which contained demographic questions. Where it was predicted that there would be no relationship between motivational level and participation in a thirty-day substance abuse treatment program, it was found that there was a positive relationship. That is, participation in the thirty-day substance abuse treatment program increased the …

The Effects Of Initiation And Mentoring Of Adolescent Boys, Clayton J. Lessor

Theses

The effect of initiation and mentoring on adolescent boys was examined. Behavioral scales and personality types were compared. Twenty males, ages 12-17 from the Pacific Coast, formed the subject group. Adolescent males were obtained from a non-random sample in the Pacific Coast region. The subjects were given the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the parent(s) of the participants were given the Behavioral Evaluation Scale. Both were administered before and after an initiation and mentoring weekend retreat. The parents were given a demographic survey to complete. The Eysenck scores and Behavioral Evaluation scores were the dependent variables. In order to determine if …

Attention Deficit Disorder And Alcoholism, Jane A. Leonhardt

Theses

The study explored the relationship between alcoholism and attention deficit disorder (ADD) The Brown ADD Scale was given to 24 graduate students and 23 recovering alcoholics. Total Scores for the Brown ADD Scale were reported for both groups as well as scores for each of the five clusters· Activation, Attention. Effort, Affect, and Memory The recovering alcoholics reported more ADD-like behaviors than did the graduate students.

St. Louis Juvenile Rehabilitation Facilities: Current State And Future Needs, Phillip Eugene Hyslop

Theses

Juvenile crime has steadily risen in the United States over the past ten years. There appears to be no decrease in the juvenile crime rate in sight. New facilities to hold juvenile offenders are being built, but the juvenile crime rate continues to rise. Most states are passing tougher laws against juvenile offenders. Many states are certifying juveniles who commit violent crimes as adults.

Both California and Florida spend more on corrections than they spend on higher education. Other states are not far behind. The average cost of incarcerating a juvenile for one year is between $35,000 to $641 000. …