Digital Commons Network^™

A Meta-Analytic Study Of Downsizing: Behaviors And Attitudes Prevalent Among Supervisors, Donald A. O'Hare, Carmine F. Vilardi

Theses and Dissertations

Current research into the effect of downsizing, restructuring, and force reduction on employees has approached the issue many possible vantage points it has focused on the victims, the survivors, and sometimes both. Researchers in management science and psychology explain responses we can expect from survivors of such a corporate upheaval. These effects are of particular interest to supervisors, because they will inevitably face a workforce, at least partially staffed with such survivors. To clarify possible attitudes and behaviors in tomorrow’s work environment, our study tied together, through meta- analysis, results of studies on survivors of a downsized organization. The completed …

An Evaluation Of Department Of Defense Contractor's Cost Performance, John M. Pletcher, Jane C. Young

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the cause of cost overrun recoveries within Department of Defense DoD contracts. In this time of extremely limited congressional funding, it is crucial the DoD avoid cost overruns. Information provided to contracting officers and contractors which would help avoid cost overruns would prove extremely valuable to the DoD. This study attempts to address this problem in two ways determine the cause of overrun recoveries determine whether a statistical difference in cost and schedule performance exists among DoD contractors. Interviews, document reviews, and a two-sample t- test were used to analyze the contracts that recovered from early cost …

An Investigation Into The Pitfalls, Consequences, And Best Practices During The Evaluation, Negotiation And Award Phases Of A Source Selection In Afmc Product Centers, Scott A. Savoie

Theses and Dissertations

Source Selection is the process used by the Federal government to select contractors for large, complex and important requirements. Recent studies have indicated that the in experience of source selection personnel continues to be a significant problem in source selections. Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Appendix AA requires that lessons learned be compiled at the conclusion of every source selection. Unfortunately, there has been little success in organizing this information into a coherent training guide. This research attempts to fill this gap by using source selection experts to identify source selection pitfalls, their consequences, and the best practices to avoid …

The Procurement Of Non Developmental Items: Pros And Cons, Giorgio Scappaticci

Theses and Dissertations

The acquisition of a new weapon system and its sophisticated components has become an extremely critical issue for every country, because costs associated with the development of the system have grown significantly. In order to reduce those costs and maintain an efficient system of defense procurement the Congress recommended a wider use of Non-developmental Items NDI into weapon systems and the application of commercial practices when buying NDI. This research examines the acquisition of commercial items as they exist under current statute and regulation, and how they will be handled in the future. The research involved interviews with high-level DOD …

A Maintenance Manpower Study Of The Composite Wing At Mountain Home Afb, Stella T. Smith, Cristina C. Vilella

Theses and Dissertations

In response to changes in threats, the Air Force has reorganized several flying units into composite wings. They are intended to provide a flexible, rapid deployment force. This study focused on the impact of the composite wing organizational structure on the determination of maintenance manpower authorizations at Mountain Home AFB, the Air Forces first air intervention wing. An opinion survey of maintenance and manpower experts was used to identify factors that are important in the determination of maintenance manpower authorization levels. Statistical analysis identified important-factors and indicated differences in opinion between maintenance and manpower specialists. Factors specific to the composite …

Evaluation Of The Pre-Milestone I Acquisition Logistics Process At The Aeronautical Systems Center, Charleen A. Szczepanski

Theses and Dissertations

Due to changes in the national security environment, the Department of Defense has revised its approach to acquisition. There will be greater emphasis on research, development, and advanced technologies. The Department of Defense will concentrate on upgrading current systems using rollover of new technologies from development programs that have advanced to a certain point but not into production. The people working in acquisition must hold skills in planning and developing new technologies prior to pre-Milestone 1. A major concern is the training, education, and professional development of the defense acquisition work force. The data contained in this study was generated …

How Effective Has The Air Force Been In Eliminating Its Dependence On Ozone Depleting Chemicals?, L. Susan Willard

Theses and Dissertations

This research was undertaken to determine how effectively the Air Force had eliminated its dependence on Ozone Depleting Chemicals. The research was limited to analyzing the impact of ODCs on major acquisition programs. Results indicated existing variables which may be impeding full implementation. Also identified were lessons learned which could be applied to future environmental legislation with potential impact on acquisition programs. In- depth telephonic interviews were conducted with Program Directors responsible for the development and fielding of major Air Force acquisition programs. Analysis revealed that ODCs substantially impacted the acquisition programs to the extent that many programs had classified …

An Analysis Of The Usefulness Of Graduate Education To Contracting Professionals As Perceived By Graduates And Their Supervisors, Ursula J. Woodson, Kimberly L. Yoder

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to assess the usefulness of graduate education to contracting professionals as perceived by graduates and their supervisors. Based on a list of 22 skills used by contracting professionals, graduates and their supervisors were surveyed to determine to what extent graduates possess these skills, developed these skills in their graduate degree program, and use these skills in the performance of their jobs. Air Force Institute of Technology Contracting Management Graduates since 1988 and contracting professionals with masters degrees within the Air Force Materiel Command were identified for this study. As a result of this study, …

Polynomial Real Root Finding In Bernstein Form, Melvin R. Spencer

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the problem of approximating, in floating-point arithmetic, all real roots (simple, clustered, and multiple) over the unit interval of polynomials in Bernstein form with real coefficients.

Void Fraction And Pressure Drop In Annular Two-Phase Flow, Danping Si

Theses and Dissertations

Simultaneous flow of gas and liquid, generally termed two-phase flow, is often encountered in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and petroleum industries. Annular flow, in which the gas phase flows through the channel center and the liquid moves up along the wall, is a common flow pattern in two-phase flow and occurs when the gas velocity is very high. The gas phase also carries liquid droplets as an entrained phase.

Estimation of pressure drop across a flow channel is often required for analysis and design of the system. Frictional pressure gradient is the major contributor to total pressure gradient during annular two-phase …

Parents' Reactions To The Sexual Abuse Of Their Children, Donna Greifer

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined 100 parents' predictions of their reactions to child sexual abuse. Subjects consisted of two groups, parents with a self-reported history of sexual abuse and parents with no reported history of sexual abuse. They were assigned to one of three experimental conditions to consider a case where their own child is abused (hypothetically) by: 1) an adult relative 2) an adult non- relative 3) a spouse or partner (i.e., a case of incest). Thus, the present study examined parents' reactions, how the reactions of parents' relationship to reported perpetrator affects these reactions, and how parents' prior history …

Response To The Loss Of A Romantic Relationship: Differences By Time Since The Loss, Gender, And Attachment Style, Charles J. Dahlstrom

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Relative Clauses In Southern Uzbek, Benjamin Unseth

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the structure of both finite and nonfinite relative clauses in Southern Uzbek. As such, it represents the first linguistic analysis of a topic in Southern Uzbek published in English. English research on Standard Uzbek establishes the existence of nonfinite relative clauses but does not examine them thoroughly, nor does it even sketch Standard Uzbek's uncommon finite relative clauses. In Southern Uzbek, finite relative clauses are more common than in Standard Uzbek. This research is based on texts collected from three men from Andkhuy, Afghanistan, and on elicited sentences.

A few characteristics of Southern Uzbek's relative clauses emerge …

On Meaningful Assessment Of 'Motivation' : Steps Toward More Detailed Causal Modeling And Measurement, William J. Schmelzer

Theses and Dissertations

This study was a continuance of prior research and theory on the nature and assessment of motivation. The focus was on the academic performance situation. Existing empirical and theoretical work was utilized to formulate a complex causal model which identifies constituent elements related to motivation and performance, and which explicates their respective relationships. The theoretical model was employed to create an operational model for measurement and prediction of collegiate grade performance, a cumulative index of performance.

Three main fields of theory and inquiry were incorporated in the model: Attribution theory, self-system theory and metacognition theory. Literature dealing with pertinent knowledge …

Provisions Made By State Departments Of Education For Science Staff Development, Richard Ernest Smith

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Teachers, Students, And Parents Regarding Inter District Collaboration In A North Dakota School Consortium, Pam R. Carlson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gather the perceptions of students, parents, and teachers regarding the reorganization of their school districts into one school district Prior to 1990, enrollment erosion and cost pressures created concerns for the citizens of seven school districts in Nelson County, North Dakota. In 1990, the citizens of the Greater Nelson County Consortium of these seven independent school districts proposed that they be considered for supplemental pupil payments for collaborative activity as allowed under Section 15-27.6 in the North Dakota Century Code. Since 1990, Greater Nelson County schools have entered a variety of collaborative activities. …

Staff Development Practices For The Implementation Of Outcome-Based Education, Nancy J. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover what staff development practices educators have used or are in the process of using to develop and implement an outcome based educational program and to determine which of those practices has been most effective in achieving the desired results. Based on that information, recommendations were made for staff development in implementing outcome-based education (OBE).

The study included a synthesis of research and literature on staff development and OBE. Staff development coordinators at five OBE sites from across the nation were interviewed, and project directors at 30 OBE sites in Minnesota were surveyed …

Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Cooperative Learning In Higher Education: A Case Study Of A Small University, Barbara Belle Pery Cichy

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past two decades researchers have stressed the need for the use of collaborative instructional methods in undergraduate education. Collaboration and cooperation are becoming important strategies as undergraduate instructional practices evolve from competitive, teacher-centered models to collaborative, student-centered models. Cooperative learning focuses on student-student interdependence, stresses individual accountability, employs 18 distinct steps of implementation, and fosters she features. Research has shown that cooperative learning increases student critical thinking, content learning, and positive attitudes toward seif.

This study assessed the perceptions of faculty and students about the implementation of cooperative learning in the second year of a curriculum program at …

A Study Of The Grand Forks Public School District Interscholastic Athletic Programs, Grades 7-12, In The Area Of Participation , Interest, And Abilities, Jeffrey M. Schatz

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of An Anaerobic Training Program Utilizing A Skating Treadmill On Anaerobic Performance, Lactate, And Other Metabolic Parameters, Trini T. Vargas

Theses and Dissertations

The adaptive physiological responses resulting from exercise training appear to be influenced by the specific character of the training program, type of exercise, and protocol employed to evaluate change. The effect of a unique six week anaerobic training program utilizing a skating treadmill was investigated. The anaerobic training program involved intermittent high intensity exercise bouts, each 4-90 seconds in duration at various treadmill speeds and elevations. The skating treadmill was designed specifically to enhance anaerobic metabolic pathways and anaerobic performance of hockey players by allowing the athlete to skate indoors on a rotating polyurethane surface that has the same friction …

Factors That Influence The Professional Updating Of Teachers, Paul Kasper Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the Expectancy Theory of Motivation was applied to the updating behavior of experienced elementary teachers in North Dakota. The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of experienced elementary teachers at certain career levels, ages, experience levels, grade levels, and district sizes regarding the relationships between participating in various professional development activities and remaining professionally up-to-date (expectancy beliefs) as well as attaining desired outcomes and rewards (instrumentality and valence beliefs). A secondary purpose of the study was to investigate the applicability of the expectancy model for predicting past and future participation in updating activities by …

Changes In Nursing Students' Knowledge Of Bloodborne Pathogens And Perception Of Safety In Practice From Sophomore To Senior Years In School, Ellen J. O'Connor

Theses and Dissertations

Bloodborne pathogens have received increasing attention since Acguired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) became known in the United States. Until that time, antibiotics, immunizations, and increasingly sophisticated infection control practices had markedly decreased health care workers' occupational risk for contraction of bloodborne and other infectious diseases. From a nursing education perspective, it was important to ascertain knowledge deficits students have related to caring for clients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).

Therefore, the purposes of this study were to compare sophomore and senior nursing students relative to: a) their knowledge of bloodborne pathogens (particularly HIV …

Attributions In The Adult Mother-Daughter Relationship, Angela R. Cheney

Theses and Dissertations

The study explored mother-daughter relationships within the attributional relationship paradigm. Literature on mother-daughter relationships has been contradictory in characterizing the relationship as either mutually satisfying and fulfilling or as a source of considerable turmoil.

The study addressed: would the relationships between satisfaction and attributions found in other close relationships also be obtained in adult mother-daughter relationships; do mothers and daughters differ in level of satisfaction with the relationship or in the nature of the attributions made; is age related to satisfaction or attributions?

Women were asked to describe positive and negative interactions under real and hypothetical conditions, with their mothers …

"The Desire Of The Woman Which Is For The Desire Of The Man" Feminist Readings In Austen And Atwood, Mary M. Pringle

Theses and Dissertations

Three novels by Jane Austen are compared to three novels by Margaret Atwood in the context of reading and writing as feminist activities. Anna G. Jonasdottir's theoretical discussion of male authority supported by women's alienated love elaborates the apparent truth of W.B. Yeats's observation that "the desire of the woman ... is for the desire of the man," the thematic link between the three essays which focus on women's concerns regarding love, maternity, and professionalism. Austen and Atwood are presented as early and late forms of a bright, coherent, middle-class female subjectivity that has remained remarkably coherent over two centuries …

Collaborative Teaching: A Case Study Of An Alternative Method In Presence Education, Margaret M. Howell Zidon

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Differences In The Development And Expression Of A Sense Of Coherence Between Euro-Americans And Native Americans, Barbara J. Bowman

Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the development and expression of Antonovsky's (1987) Sense of Coherence (SOC) in individual lives in a cross-cultural context. Two groups of subjects were examined using a survey format. One group was from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana and the other from UND. The psychological and physical health of these subjects, their family interaction patterns, and the coping strategies they use were examined to assist in increasing our understanding about how people from different cultures manage stress and stay healthy.

Both groups appear equally healthy, both mentally and physically, and scored equally well on measures of SOC. …

The Effects Of College Student Use Of Graphics Calculators Of The Learning Of Algebraic Concepts, Cheryl K. Pankow

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of student use of graphics calculators in college algebra classes on the learning of algebraic concepts and especially on those involving graphing skills.

The study was conducted during the spring semester 1993 in four college algebra sections, each originally consisting of 35 students and taught from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or from 11:00 a.m. to noon. The students involved in the study were randomly assigned to either a control or treatment section. Two sections of students made up the treatment group, and these students received instruction with and used …

The Optical Emission And Absorption Properties Of Silicon-Germanium Superlattice Structures Grown On Non-Conventional Silicon Substrate Orientation, Theodore L. Kreifels

Theses and Dissertations

Optical emission and absorption properties of Si_1-x Ge_x/Si superlattices grown on (100), (110), and (111) Si substrates were investigated to determine the optimal growth conditions for these structures to be used as infrared detectors. Fully-strained Si_1-x Ge_x/Si superlattices were grown by molecular beam epitaxy MBE and examined using low-temperature photoluminescence PL to identify no-phonon and phonon-replica interband transitions across the alloy bandgap. Phonon-resolved emission was most intense for undoped quantum wells grown at 710°C for all three silicon orientations. Room temperature absorption measurements were conducted on (100) and (110) Si_1-x Ge_x/Si …

Stress And Its Correlates: An Empirical Investigation Among North Dakota Peace Officers, Eric Mark Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The mission of the present investigation was to expand the limited body of knowledge regarding stress among rural peace officers. While a number of studies have focused on large, easily sampled departments, the empirical literature evidences neglect toward officers serving rural populations. The present study seeks to ascertain how North Dakota officers compare with other, more urban populations, and what differences may exist between a stratified sample of North Dakota police, sheriffs and Highway Patrol officers.

A randomized sample of 311 North Dakota officers were selected to receive a 300 question anonymous survey questionnaire which assessed personal demographic information in …

Self-Reported Risk Behaviors And Sexual Behaviors In North Dakota High School Juniors And Seniors, Vicki Wessman Downey

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents engage in many risk-taking behaviors, and these behaviors have significant potential for adverse medical and social outcomes. Risk taking among adolescents may or may not be deliberate. One theory of problem behavior suggests that alcohol use, drug use, delinquency, and sexual intercourse constitute a syndrome of deviate behaviors preceded by a psychosocial pattern of conventional attitudes. Because adolescence is a period of life characterized by constant change, rapid physical growth, emotional turmoil, and parental conflict, there are tendencies to experiment, seek independence, and indulge in adult privileges without the responsibilities.

Research suggests a direc relationship between risktaking and sexual …