Digital Commons Network^™

The Sustainability Of The Seven Two-Year United Methodist Colleges In The United States, Michelle R. Johnston

Theses and Dissertations

The two-year private college has been recognized as a valuable sector of American higher education; yet, its documented decline has failed to incite substantial research focusing on the how and why. This study explored the plight and potential of one particular set of private institutions, the two-year United Methodist colleges, which exhibit characteristics that both distinguish and closely align them with the broader institutional classification as two-year private colleges. By means of a multi-case approach, this study attempted to identify significant opportunities and threats perceived by chief executive officers that affect the viability of these representative institutions. Ultimately, the study …

The Characteristics Of Donors And Non-Donors Among Alumni Of Mississippi State University: A Descriptive Study, Dennis Allen Prescott

Theses and Dissertations

Alumni associations and offices of development play fundamental roles in American higher education, typically having missions which include the generation of financial support for the institution. Alumni associations must develop strategies to encourage alumni to donate money and enable them to build long-term relationships between alumni organizations and the university. The foundation of any fund raising program is the annual fund. Not only does the annual fund represent a significant percentage of funds raised for most charities, it often comes with the fewest strings attached. If development professionals have a clear understanding of the issues and factors that influence donors …

An Empirical Investigation Of The Influence Of Fear Appeals On Attitudes And Behavioral Intentions Associated With Recommended Individual Computer Security Actions, Allen C. Johnston

Theses and Dissertations

Through persuasive communication, IT executives strive to align the actions of end users with the desired security posture of management and of the firm. In many cases, the element of fear is incorporated within these communications. However, within the context of computer security and information assurance, it is not yet clear how these fear-inducing arguments, known as fear appeals, will ultimately impact the actions of end users. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of fear appeals on the compliance of end users with recommendations to enact specific individual computer security actions toward the amelioration of threats. …

The Relationship Between Cooperation And Conflict And Perceived Level Of Marital Happiness As Indicators Of The Adlerian Concept Of Social Interest, Debra Eubanks Leggett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to bridge the existing gap in the literature by exploring the relationship between the Adlerian concept of social interest, expressed through cooperation and conflict, and perceived level of marital happiness. This study explored behaviors along a continuum of social interest from cooperation to conflict. Preexisting data were used from the longitudinal Marital Instability over the Life Course Project funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute on Aging (Booth, Johnson, Amato, & Rogers, 2003). Data from telephone surveys were collected in 1980, 1983, 1988, 1992-1994, 1997, and …

Case Studies Of Women In Academia: Challenges, Accomplishments, And Attributions To Success, Anna Tiffany Tindall

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors in the life histories of women in academia in science and engineering that they perceive to have influenced their success and how these factors have influenced their success. Three broad areas were addressed: challenges, accomplishments, and attributions to success. This study employed a multiple-case design, and purposive sampling was used to select the participants in this study. Each of the seven participants held a Ph.D. and was employed at a doctoral-degree granting institution in a science or engineering field. Four major themes emerged from the data with respect to challenges …

Cyber-Crime Fear And Victimization: An Analysis Of A National Survey, Abdullah Al-Shalan

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to investigate cyber-crime victimization among Internet users in the United States by: 1) assessing the factors that impact computer virus victimization; 2) assessing the factors that impact cyber-crime victimization; and 3) predicting fear of cyber-crime. Two domains in criminology were applied to the study of cyber-crime phenomenon: routine activity theory, and the fear of crime literature. Three independent models were developed to predict computer virus victimization, cyber-crime victimization, and fear of cyber-crime. Measures of routine activity theory applied to cyber-crime victimization include risk exposure, and suitable targets were created. A more reliable measure of …

Elucidation Of Key Interactions Between In Situ Chemical Oxidation Reagents And Soil Systems, John Michael Harden

Theses and Dissertations

Many soil and aquifer systems in the United States have been subjected to chemical contamination from past industrial and military activities. While many remediation technologies are currently being applied, in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) is one option that is often favored because of its potential for fast remediation times and high user control. This technology involves the direct injection of chemical oxidizers (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, ozone, or permanganate) into targeted contaminant zones within the subsurface, and it has been proven to be amenable to both BTEX compounds and other volatile organic compounds such as chlorinated solvents. This study had several …

Water Quality, Modeling, And Land Use Investigations In The Upper Pearl River Basin Of East-Central Mississippi, Mary Love Mortimer Tagert

Theses and Dissertations

Little historical water quality data is available for the Upper Pearl River Basin (UPRB), yet there are UPRB waters listed as impaired. Objectives of this research were to measure pesticide and sediment concentrations in UPRB surface waters and validate the Annualized Agricultural Nonpoint-Source (AnnAGNPS) runoff model with the measured data for a portion of the UPRB. An additional objective was to quantify effects of land use changes on UPRB surface waters from 1987 to 2002 using AnnAGNPS. Of the fifteen compounds analyzed, hexazinone was most frequently detected, in 94% of samples, followed by metolachlor, tebuthiuron, and atrazine. Metribuzin was detected …

Identification, Characterization And Anti-Fungal Activities Of Silk Proteins In Aspergillus Flavus Resistant And Susceptible Maize Inbreds, Bela Peethambaran

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to understand the mechanism of maize inbreds resistance to A. flavus by exploring the proteins that are differentially regulated in presence of pathogen. Silk has been hypothesized as one of the entry routes of fungal growth and so the proteome of silks was investigated by 1) performing a comparative proteomic study to identify silk proteins that are abundant in resistant maize inbreds and down-regulated or absent in susceptible inbreds, 2) identifying the up-regulated proteins in maize resistant and susceptible inbreds when challenged by A. flavus 3) by mapping the proteome of silk proteins in a A. flavus …

Performance Of The Flat Walking Tennessee Walking Horse Yearling Before And After A 60-Day Strength Training Regime, Kirsten Michelle Holt

Theses and Dissertations

The influence of a 60-day strength training regime on the flat walking Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) yearling performance was determined using behavioral, physiological, and biomechanical measurements. Four TWH yearlings participated in a 60-day strength training regime. Documentation was made on behavioral responses, and measurements were taken on respiratory rates and standing and flat walking kinematics. Means (SD) were determined for physiological and biomechanical variables, and paired t-tests (P=0.05) were performed. Morphometrics, kinematics, and temporal variables remained constant through training. The flat walk shared similar kinematics and temporal variables with the walk, except for the rhythm, bipedal support, head displacements, and …

Evaluation Of The Antimicrobial Activity Of A Bifidobacteria Mix Against Escherichia Coli 0157:H7 Under Aerobic Conditions, Chenbo Wang

Theses and Dissertations

A bifidobacteria mix (nine strains) was evaluated for its effect on the growth and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43890) in 11% NFDM and MRS broth under the optimum growth conditions for E. coli O157:H7 growth (37¡ãC, aerobic). Preliminary experiments were conducted to obtain the growth curves of the 9 strains of bifidobacteria and E. coli O157:H7 and confirm the inhibitory effect of acidity on E. coli O157:H7 (pH of media adjusted to 3.8). Acidapted E. coli O157:H7 showed no difference in resistance toward bifidobacteria (P>0.05) when compared to the non-acid adapted one. Escherichia coli O157:H7 did not …

Examining Interest Group Conflict In River Basin Interstate Compacts In The Southeastern United States, James Allen Newman

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the influence of interest groups in the public policy process is vital to comprehending how public policy is created and implemented. This dissertation analyzes the influence of interest groups on the states that were involved with the negotiations of two river basin interstate compacts in the Southeastern United States. The compacts originated when the downstream states of Alabama and Florida became concerned about the amount of water the metropolitan area of Atlanta was withdrawing from the Chattahoochee River. This study considers which interest groups were most influential in formulating each state?s position during the negotiation process. While literature exists …

Present And Future Senior Services At South County Regional Library In Camden County, Edward J. Cuneo Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to survey the South County Regional Library's present senior services and plans for future senior services. The library's manager was interviewed for the study as was an administrator from an assisted-living facility and a director from a health and rehabilitation center. The interview questions asked dealt with present services for seniors and future considerations as the number of senior citizens is expected to increase. The public library had a number of services already available. The assisted living facility and health and rehabilitation center had some services. Neither scheduled regular trips to the public library. …

Effective Collaboration Methods Of School Media Specialists And Classroom Teachers, Cynthia Anne O'Reilly

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigative study was to determine if student achievement was greater when media specialists and classroom teachers spent more time collaborating. This was accomplished by surveying media specialists and the classroom teachers they collaborated with. Surveys were mailed to media specialists in the Cherry Hill Public School District in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Those media specialists were asked to present a separate survey to classroom teachers they had collaborated with. Results of the surveys determined that 54% of media specialists and classroom teachers felt that their students achieved higher on lesson assessments when the media specialist and …

What Are Elementary Students' Perceptions Of Their Homework? An Investigation On Student Achievement And Their Homework Completion, Charles Kenneth Morgenweck

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to determine if there was a relationship between the amount of time special education and general education elementary students spent on homework and their corresponding academic achievement. The participants of the study included 83 fifth through eighth graders from a rural elementary school. Of those 67 were general education students and 16 were special education students. A self-reported survey was provided to participating students, as well as an interview to eight randomly selected students and their parents. The results showed that there was a very slight correlation between the amount of time students …

The Effects Of Social Skills Training To Increase Appropriate Behaviors Of Elementary Students With Disabilities In Physical Education, Rachel P. White

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a social skills training program provided by the researcher during physical education classes. Four male students ages 7 and 8 participated in the study once a week for 45 minutes.

Direct observations were used to collect data on the targeted social skills of sharing, taking turns, saying "Please" and "Thank you", and displaying good sportsmanship before, during and after the training. A single subject design with ABC phases was used to record student behaviors.

The results indicate that all students increased the appropriate target behaviors and reduced inappropriate behaviors …

A Study Of Model Integration In Conjunction With The Extensible Model Definition Format, Melanie A. Fife

Theses and Dissertations

A considerable amount of research has been done to connect or integrate separate numerical models. The Environmental Modeling Research Laboratory (EMRL) has developed a generic file format, the eXtensible Model Data Format (XMDF). One of the objectives of the XMDF project is to facilitate the spatial interpolation and data-sharing necessary when linking models. The objective of this research is to investigate how model linking capabilities can be added to the XMDF by defining a Model Linkage Object (MLO) that is compatible with current model linking frameworks. A potential design for an MLO is defined in this thesis after a detailed …

The Effects Of Learning Goals On Self-Concept And Intrinsic Motivation In The Learning Disabled Student: A Case Study, Lindsay S. Reed

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to increase levels of self-concept and intrinsic motivation in a 9^th grade student with a specific learning disability in mathematics through the use of weekly learning goals and the introduction of problem-solving strategies. Over the course of the six week study, the student experienced a significant rise in overall self-concept and intrinsic motivation as indicated by the results of two, One-Way ANOVA's from two self-report scales completed by the student. Implications for generalization of this study's results should include sample size, degree of learning disability, and administration of intervention techniques.

Impact Of Educational Attainment Before Diagnosis On Functioning Level After Diagnosis, Rachele M. Weichmann

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) locate any impact between the amount of education attained prior to the diagnosis of a mental illness and functionality after the diagnosis of a mental illness, (b) to see if the type of diagnosis, whether it had psychotic or non-psychotic features, had an effect on these results, and (c) to see if the relationship between these variables would plateau at the higher levels of education. The researcher examined the case histories of a group of adults with mental illness (n = 122), looking for the number of educational years each individual completed …

Homework Can Be Challenging For Students With Learning Disabilities, Regis A. Vitale Sr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine how homework affected students with learning disabilities and their parents. A total of 14 students with learning disabilities in a Learning Resource Center of a middle school, together with their parents, participated in the study. A survey with 15 questions was provided to participating students and parents individually. The results showed that 57% of the students had difficulty in completing their homework and 24% of students responded that homework was unimportant, because of the type, length, support and the grading system. In addition, 57% of the parents reported homework was important for …

The Effect Of Income On Students' Behavior And Parental Involvement, Alison Hoell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of social economic status on a child's behavior and his parental involvement. By obtaining archival files of students formerly enrolled at the Abbott center, Tiny Tots Preschool in Vineland, NJ, the researcher was able to correlate the amount of behavior problems with parental involvement and income.

The hypothesis of this study is that children of lower socio-economic status tend to have more behavior problems and less parental involvement than children of higher socio-economic status. This hypothesis was partially supported by the study. The study found that the majority of students …

Trust Negotiation For Open Database Access Control, Paul A. Porter

Theses and Dissertations

Hippocratic databases are designed to protect the privacy of the individuals whose personal information they contain. This thesis presents a model for providing and enforcing access control in an open Hippocratic database system. Previously unknown individuals can gain access to information in the database by authenticating to roles through trust negotiation. Allowing qualified strangers to access the database increases the usefulness of the system without compromising privacy. This thesis presents the design and implementation of two methods for filtering information from database queries. First, we extend a query modification method for use in an open database system. Second, we introduce …

Locus Of Control And Risk Behavior Among College Students, Lauren R. Matricardi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship if any between an individual's locus of control (internal or external) and their degree of engaging in risk behavior. Participants were male (N=8) and female (N=24) undergraduate college students from Rowan University. Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale was used to assess the subject's attributions (internal vs. external) for the outcomes of his or her behavior. To assess the amount of risk behavior in the subjects, items from the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) were used. A demographic questionnaire was also used. Regression analysis showed that there was …

A Correlational Study Of The Relationship Between Birth Order And Individual's Locus Of Control, Rachel Heiblim

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to uncover any possible correlational relationships between Individual's birth order and their locus of control. The Austrian psychologist, Alfred Adler, had some theories concerning birth order which were of particular interest to the author as the ideas for this study were unfolding. Fifty adults (n = 50) from a major northeastern university, eighty four percent of whom were female and sixteen percent of whom were male, served as participants. Subjects completed Rotter's twenty nine question internal / external locus of control scale as well as a demographic survey which provided the researcher with …

Does Phonological Processing, A Specific Subtype Of Dyslexia, Impact Performance On Intelligence Tests?, Lara Z. Lisnyj

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a specific subtype of dyslexia, namely phonological processing, on performance and the results of ability on IQ testing. Twenty-two records from a learning center in southern New Jersey were used for data in this study. The sample consisted of 12 male and 10 female children's charts. These children were tested at the learning center in 2005. The age range of the sample is six to eleven years-old. There is no identification of any kind in this study. The information used from the charts included: full scale IQ scores from …

Early Intervention And Applied Behavior Analysis: A Case Study, Kathleen I. Westcott

Theses and Dissertations

This is a case study that examines the effectiveness of early intervention and applied behavior analysis. The subject was a two year old male diagnosed with Autism. The subject received applied behavior analysis in his home for a period of two months at a rate of four hours per week. The goal of this study was determine whether or not early intervention and applied behavior analysis increase the cognitive and behavioral functioning of the subject. The effectiveness was measured by the subject's ability to complete three goals set by the family and the early intervention program at Rowan University. The …

A Study On Employment Of Vocational School Graduates With Disabilities: How Is Their Transition From School To Adulthood?, Herbert H. Stevenson Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the employment and independent living status of students with learning disabilities (LD) upon graduation from a vocational school, the Institute of Technology. A telephone survey of 56 graduates was developed based on the Post High School Plans Survey (PHSPS) to investigate their employment, living, and opinion of transition services. A total of 46 graduates responded to the survey questions. The results showed that 39% of the graduates were employed in the career major they had studied at the institute, 17% employed out of their major and 22% unemployed. Fifty four percent of …

Usage Of Plant Examples In Secondary School Biology Classes, Tamara L. Egner

Theses and Dissertations

Botanists have expressed concern over the dwindling recognition and emphasis of plants that currently exists in the fields of education and research. To ascertain if these claims pertain to high schools in the State of New Jersey, a survey on the frequency of using plant examples for teaching 10 biological principles was randomly distributed to secondary school biology teachers. Results from 80 respondents showed that on average, plants are used as examples in teaching 66% of these biological principles. The primary rationale cited by teachers for low or non-usage of plants was that they preferred animals as teaching examples. Underlying …

Age Group And Gender Differences In Fears Of Aging, Vicky C. Tomlin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in fears of aging in two age groups (M=20 years and M=30 years) and gender differences in fears of aging. Two hundred twenty-two undergraduate (n=156) and graduate students (n=66) responded to three questionnaires, the Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS), the Brief Life Satisfaction Scales (BLSS), and an open-ended questionnaire allowing participants to write in their five greatest personal fears of aging. The older age group had significantly higher Anxiety about Aging Psychological Concerns subscale scores. Males scored significantly higher than females in AAS total …

Hearing Health In Utah Special Olympics Athletes Compared To Special Olympics Athletes Worldwide: A Prevalence Study In Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Lisa Moses Mullins

Theses and Dissertations

The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative promotes wellness of the athletes with intellectual disabilities and education for medical professionals. Healthy Athletes has created a hearing screening program, Healthy Hearing, to help athletes with intellectual disabilities get the otological and audiological care they need. This program promotes a healthy hearing lifestyle and educates medical professionals regarding the need of health care for the intellectually disabled population. The physiologic, otologic, and audiologic abnormalities often occurring in the intellectually disabled population bring special attention for the need to determine the prevalence rate of hearing loss among the athletes participating in Special Olympics events. …