Digital Commons Network^™

Comparison Of Legal Standards In Sexual Harassment Hostile Work Environment, Jeanne M. O'Brien Rice

Theses and Dissertations

This research compares the previously studied reasonable person and reasonable woman legal standards with a new reasonable employee standard on hostile work environment sexual harassment. Participants included 115 college students from a mid-Atlantic university. Measures were taken across genuine legal cases based on explicit, ambiguous, and non-traditional occupation fact patterns. No statistically significant difference was found among legal standards on measures of severity, hostile work environment, because of sex or conduct unwelcome. There was however a statistically significant difference between fact patterns on liability. Age, employment experience, and being a victim of sexual harassment produced statistically significant interactions with legal …

Sexual Harassment Jury Instructions' Effects On Jury Decisions, Karen Leigh Matsinger

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the effect of reasonable standards on the jury's verdict in a sexual harassment lawsuit. One hundred and fifty seven participants (82 males, 74 females and 1 unidentified), ages ranging from 16 to 90, (M= 22.74) were randomly divided into juries (7 reasonable woman, 8 reasonable person, and 9 reasonable worker). Participants were given a written sexual harassment case, judge's instructions, and a survey to complete before and after the group had reached a unanimous verdict.

It was hypothesized that participants who applied the reasonable woman standard would be more likely to take the complainant's perspective. This hypothesis …

Model Field Training And Evaluation Program Policy For The Turkish National Police Organization, Erhan Beyhan

Theses and Dissertations

Police field training and evaluation programs are vital for officer development; although very little research has been conducted in this area. This study aimed to build a field training and evaluation program policy for the Turkish National Police Organization using the framework of corresponding police departments’ programs in the United States. Mission statements, program structure, standard evaluation guidelines, field training officer selection, and recruit termination are the fundamental elements of the FTO programs, which were reviewed in this research.

Criminal Histories Of Methamphetamine Users: A Rural Analysis, Israt Zohra

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examined criminal histories of methamphetamine users in rural counties of Arkansas. More specifically, the study explored the difference between methamphetamine users with and without criminal histories. Although there are plenty of research on demographic characteristics, sociological attributes, and drug dependencies of methamphetamine users, there seems to be a gap in the literature focusing on why certain methamphetamine users have been arrested versus users who have not been arrested. A preliminary analysis of the data indicated 60 percent of the participants in the study had criminal histories, while 40 percent have never been arrested; therefore, this study explored potential …

Differences In Methamphetamine Users And Crack Cocaine Users, Kilby Erwin Raptopoulos

Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses basic differences between crack cocaine users and methamphetamine users. The sample consisted of stimulant users who tested positive for either crack cocaine and/or methamphetamine from three rural counties in eastern Arkansas. This study seeks to further existing knowledge concerning drug use by examining demographics, drug use patterns, criminal histories and parental substance abuse. The study used Respondent-Driven Sampling to accumulate a sample size of 211 participants. Data was obtained through self-reported demographic information, drug use, criminal histories, and parental substance abuse problems during individual interviews, which were also matched with the results from a urinary analysis to …

The Viability Of Learning Journals As An Instructional Methodology For Adult Learners, Gale R. Mazur

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study used student and faculty focus groups to examine learning journals' effectiveness as an instructional methodology for adults enrolled in undergraduate and graduate Organizational Leadership (OL) degree programs. Learning journals are assigned to encourage reflection; however, concerns have arisen from student complaints that they constitute busywork. The study's purpose was to examine learning journals' viability by determining to what extent they deepened and broadened students' understanding of leadership, generated greater self-awareness, provided a leadership development tool, and encouraged the application of leadership knowledge. Students nearing degree completion as well as faculty teaching in the OL programs participated in …

Developing A Regional Learning Center For Engineering, Kenneth W. Santarelli

Theses and Dissertations

Antelope Valley is a burgeoning distant suburb of Los Angeles that is demanding new services from colleges and universities. This study investigated industry and community needs for engineering curriculum in order to inform the state university's planning and decision-making. The study employed mixed methods as part of an action-research approach by the newly state-appointed Director of Engineering Programs in three consecutive phases, January through June 2008. Phase I included mailed surveys to 156 active engineering-related organizations; Phase II assessed selected senior personnel's perceptions through long, semi-structured interviews; Phase III integrated an analysis of the state university's local learning center plan, …

Parental Blame And Responsibility In Cases Of Fatal Child Neglect, Bridget L. Hanson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Probation Violations In Three Rural Minnesota Counties, Tami Jo Nettum Lieberg

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

How Has The Three Strikes And You're Out Law Affected The Elderly Inmate Population Growth In The Department Of Correction System Since Its Passage? An Examination Of Washington And California, Deborah A. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This public policy thesis is grounded Washington with Initiative Measure Number 593, later called RCW.9.94A.555, followed by California with Proposition 184, later called California's Penal Code 1170.12. This public policy thesis has explored ways in which Washington and California are now faced with a new growing trend of elderly inmate population. This public policy thesis looked at the different methods of trying to solve this problem. The type of research used for this thesis has been the illustrative case study for the data collection and analysis. This type of case study uses the Qualitative Method. The Qualitative Research Method demonstrates …

Psycho-Sexual Politics Of Life On The Streets: Narratives Of Homeless Women And Women Who Experienced Homelessness As Children, Jane Stallcup Rampona

Theses and Dissertations

Eleven homeless women and eleven providers of homeless services were administered qualitative surveys asking about the experience of homelessness for women. Both groups were asked, “Is it possible for a woman to be safe while on the streets?” Most homeless women emotionally and vehemently answered, “No!” Most providers also answered, though less passionately, that it was impossible for women to be safe on the streets. When asked, “What was the worst thing that happened to you while on the streets?” Most of the women spoke of rape and gang rape. The other eighteen per cent became suddenly uncommunicative regarding the …

The Proficiency Of English As A Second Language Students At A U.S. Metropolitan University: A Survey Of The Beliefs And Perceptions Of Core-Course Instructors, Pamela Henline Villines

Theses and Dissertations

The success of English as a Second Language (ESL) students at university level in the United States depends upon their ability to perform at a level of language proficiency deemed adequate by university core-course instructors. This writing begins with the historical derivation of “language proficiency,” and continues on to examine the curricular demands of the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). ESL students, both IELP graduates and IELP non-affiliates, may enroll in the core courses required to earn a degree from UALR. This thesis is based on the results of a survey …

Comparison Of Emergence Behavior In Pediatric Dental Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia With Sevoflurane Versus Desflurane, Carla Lalande

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To determine which maintenance gas (sevoflurane versus desflurane) resulted in a faster emergence from general anesthesia and investigate the patient's emergence agitation. Methods: One group was maintained during general anesthesia with sevoflurane and the other with desflurane. Upon emergence the patient's behavior was evaluated.Results: The average emergence time for desflurane was 9.8; while the average for sevoflurane was 13.98 minutes. Patients who received premedication had an emergence time of 15.43 minutes, while patients who received no premedication emerged after 8.34 minutes.Zofran® was a significant predictor of purposeful actions. Patients were more aware of their surroundings when they received Zofran® …

A Science & Mathematics Magnet School At Maymont, Sarah Shamus Nakfoor

Theses and Dissertations

I am interested in the idea that schools should be designed to offer individualized learning."A Science & Mathematics Magnet School at Maymont" explores a type of school that is becoming more familiar and accessible. By allowing students who have an interest in excelling in school and preparing for their future careers to come together and meet one another and experience aneducation that might not otherwise be available can be beneficial in many ways. In most cases, because of the funding required for such specialized schools, class sizes are reduced to meet budgets and the schools are opened to the community …

Evaluating The Effects Of A Trust-Building Intervention On Employee Trust, Travis O. Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

This quasiexperimental study investigated the effects a trust-building intervention had on employee trust specifically in such areas as transparency, responsiveness, understanding and caring, sincerity, and trustworthiness. Specifically, this study addressed the research questions about whether a trust-building intervention with supervisors led to improved working relationships with nonmanagement employees and whether improvements in the working relationships persisted and remained detectable for 6 weeks following the intervention.

Preintervention and postintervention questionnaires were administered to nonmanagement experimental and control groups to measure the dimensions of transparency, responsiveness, understanding and caring, sincerity, and trustworthiness. The results indicated that the trust-building intervention had a positive …

Effect Of Distance Learning Technology As A Training Delivery System For Rural And Small Law Enforcement Agencies, Thomas C. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of law enforcements officers employed by rural and small law enforcement agencies on the effectiveness of the use of distance education technology as a delivery system for training programs. Four research questions were designed to assess officers’ perceptions. This study used both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data to assess these questions. Quantitative data were collected through the use of a pretest and post-test, and a survey. Qualitative data were collected through observations of subjects’ interaction with the treatment, interviews with participants, reviews of survey comments, and analyses of budget documents. The results of this …

An Investigation Into The Techniques Of Neutralization Theory And Their Effects On Compulsive Consumption Behavior, Collin Z. Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

Due to societal and economic costs caused by compulsive consumption behavior, specifically problem drinking and overeating, a search has been launched for a cognitive explanation for the ‘deviant’ behaviors and the motivations that cause these behaviors to continue. This dissertation attempted to develop a better understanding of continued compulsive consumption behavior by investigating consumers’ use of the techniques of neutralization theory. Based on methodological concerns in neutralization research, the development of reliable and valid measures of the five techniques of neutralization theory were described and used to examine their moderation of compulsive consumption behavior and its relationship with social norm …

The Effect Of A Training On Client's Relationship Satisfaction And Awareness Of Domestic Violence, Susan E. Rudolph

Theses and Dissertations

The pui-pose of the current study was to test the effectiveness of a curriculum focused on the prevention and intervention of domestic violence and healthy, nonabusive relationships. A relationship training created by the author was tested in order to assess whether relationship satisfaction was affected by the relationship training, with the expectation that those who have experienced or are experiencing abusive relationships would become more aware of their relationship dissatisfaction. Furthermore, the relationship training was assessed according to the anticipated increase in the experimental group’s knowledge of domestic violence. Pre-test and post-test measures were used to assess relationship satisfaction and …

Development Of Photography Curriculum Program: Facilitating The Transition From Academic Theory To Business Practice, John M. Osborne

Theses and Dissertations

Competition for job openings is becoming increasingly difficult for college graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2007), "Photographers can expect keen competition for job openings. The number of individuals interested in positions is much greater than the number of openings" (~27). As a result of this increasing competition, this study is intended to develop a model curriculum for a four-year baccalaureate degree program in photography with a business emphasis. More specifically, this study is aimed at developing curriculum that will enable students to more readily transition from academic theory into business and industrial practice.

In this study, a …

The Implementation Of Drug Court Progams In Selected States: An Examination Of Government Influence, Lisa Ann Nored

Theses and Dissertations

With the merger of judicial supervision and mandated treatment, drug courts have given rise to therapeutic jurisprudence and attempt to address those issues which have plagued corrections policymakers for several decades. The evaluation literature indicates that drug courts tend to produce lower recidivism rates, increased retention rates and lower costs when compared to traditional programs. However, as drug courts approach their second decade, there is a void in the literature regarding the implementation of drug court programs. This study specifically examined those factors which either facilitate or challenge the implementation of drug court programs. This study examined implementation issues from …

Demographic Attributes And Economic Factors Related To Low Income Student Participation In Online Distance Learning Courses At A Mississippi Community College, Wesley Allen Payne

Theses and Dissertations

Between 1994 and 2003, two related concerns were in the educational spotlight. The first concern was participation rates of low income students in higher education. The second was the apparent disparity in Internet usage by low income and other disadvantaged individuals, highlighted in the report Falling Through The Net (United States Department of Commerce, 2000). The purpose of this study is to identify the economic factors and demographic attributes that influence participation of low income students in online distance learning courses offered by a Mississippi community college. This study centers on the hypothesis that there is no statistically significant difference …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of The New Jersey Access Initiative Mentorship Program On Drug Using Behavior In Clients With Opiate Dependence, Jennifer Ingegneri

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between mentoring services and reported illicit drug using behavior for opiate-dependent individuals. Data used in this study were part of a larger project by New Jersey Access Initiative (NJAI). Participants were 2,424 individuals were addicted to opiates. Results indicated that none of the participants reported receiving mentoring services. In addition, large amounts of incomplete and missing data in the dataset made statistical analyses impossible. Instead, descriptive results on drug usage, living conditions, education, employment, and social support are described. Implications regarding how mentoring services could have impacted participants' drug use are also …

Evaluation Of The New Jersey Access Initiative Mentor Program, Tasha R. Binet

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) evaluate the effectiveness of the New Jersey Access Initiative Mentor Program and (b) determine if an increased number of sessions of ancillary, psychosocial services was related to improved treatment retention, periods of abstinence and decreased number of relapses with opiate-addicted participants. Correlational analyses were planned utilizing data collected and recorded in the NJAI database by program staff; however, analyses were unable to be performed due to a large amount of incomplete and missing data. For those participants with data, descriptive results are reported on alcohol and illegal substance usage in past 30 …

Examining The Effect Of Random Student Drug-Testing In A High School Setting, Jacqueline Amonette

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to ascertain the effectiveness of decreasing drug use in a high school setting by implementing a random student drug-testing program. High school students who were involved in any athletic or extracurricular activities or who were applying for a parking permit in one local school were required to obtain parental permission to participate in a random student drug-testing program. Approximately once a month, an outside agency performed confidential and private urinalysis screening at the high school on 10-14 students whose names were chosen randomly using a computer program. If a urine test was positive …

Capital And Punishment:Supporting The Death Of Deterrence, Amanda Paige Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has examined certainty and severity of punishment as serving a deterrent function. This research examines the effects of economic, cultural, and social capital, as well as the effects of certainty, severity, and prior punishment on likelihood of re-offending. Data collected at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility suggest that traditional deterrence indicators are insufficient for predicting likelihood of re-offending. This research finds that prior punishment increases likelihood of re-offending, a finding completely counter to that of traditional deterrence. Re-offending may be best understood by considering the effects of punishment on increasing prison capital and decreasing real world capital. The …

Creating Engaged Citizens, Kristi M. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Selected Student Attitudes Toward Factors That Influence Academic Achievement, Marquis L. Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of selected African-American male college students and the impact of financing, role-modeling, high school preparation, college/community acceptance, and family support on academic achievement at Rowan University. The study sought to determine if any of these factors had a significant relationship with academic achievement.

Academic achievement was measured by a self-reported GPA of 2.76 or higher, which was higher than Rowan University's minimum requirement (2.5) for graduation, and honors achievements (awards, certificates, honor societies). Responses were measured using a Likert scale of 1-Strongly Agree to 5-Strongly Disagree.

Respondents reported that financial …

Culturally Adapted Mental Health Treatments: A Meta-Analysis, Derek Griner

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years psychologists have increased awareness and concern regarding the quality of mental health services provided to people of color. For several reasons clients of color often find traditional mental health services foreign or unhelpful. To help diminish obstacles faced by clients of color, several authors have advocated traditional mental health treatments be modified to better match clients' cultural contexts. Researchers have also begun investigating outcomes associated with culturally modified mental health treatments, often contrasting them with traditional mental health services. Recently numerous studies containing empirical data have been published. To date there has been no attempt to review …

Sociocultural Strain Theory, Amy L. Proctor

Theses and Dissertations

In reaction to criticisms of existing strain theories, Agnew (1992) developed General Strain Theory, and in doing so moved toward micro-level conceptions of strain. A return to the cultural concepts found in traditional strain theories may provide a more complete examination of delinquency/criminality, as it would incorporate the influence that culture has on rates of delinquency/criminality among certain groups in American society. This thesis adds to the knowledge base of criminological thought through the creation of a new strain theory. Sociocultural Strain Theory (SST) may provide a better explanation of delinquency/criminality, particularly among racial/ethnic minorities, by taking into consideration cultural …

Merging Task-Centered Social Work And Motivational Interviewing In Outpatient Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment: Model Development For Social Work Practice, Andreas Fassler

Theses and Dissertations

To advance social work practice and decrease the research practice gap, this dissertation followed a model development paradigm consisting of several phases. Based on the task-centered model of social work practice and motivational interviewing, a new combined model was construed. The two underlying models were analyzed and synthesized, using technical eclecticism as the integrative approach. The resulting combined model was described by guidelines and manualized. To test the combined model in an applied setting, a study was designed in collaboration with social workers at a substance abuse counseling center. There, the combined model intervention was implemented in an outpatient medication …