Digital Commons Network^™

Concepts Of Career Planning, Stephanie G. Venable

Theses

This thesis study consists of general information and historical perspectives on vocational guidance. Vocational guidance is researched and the problems of managing one's own career. This study introduces major writers and summarizes their contributions of work in vocational guidance. Specifically the research of what organizations and schools are doing to help individuals manage their careers. The most important research to this focus is job hunting and in-depth discussion on various topics related to this focus.

An Investigation Into The Development Of A Volunteer Training Program, Brian P. Watkins

Theses

This thesis is an investigation into the development of a volunteer training program for use in human service, not- for-profit agencies .

The impact of volunteers on society is significant. Over 120 million people will volunteer in the United States at the turn of the century. The effectiveness of these volunteers will depend on their proper utilization on the part of these human service agencies.

The research has shown there are no generally accepted training guidelines for volunteers. Training research is abundant in the for-profit sector; however, information on training volunteers is scarce.

The purpose of this thesis is to …

Nursing Home Management Of The Certified Nurse's Aide: Voluntary Job Turnover, Job Satisfaction, And An Overview Of Industry Challenges With Proven Solutions, Kevin G. Sullivan

Theses

This thesis will focus on the issues surrounding the voluntary turnover rate of the certified nurse's aide population. Research has attributed the high turnover rate to numerous factors such as inadequate monetary compensation, lack of job satisfaction, difficulty in being promoted, inattention of management to the relevant issues, and the failure of management to use proven solutions utilized by other non- health care businesses in attracting and retaining qualified and desirable employees.

With annual turnover rates of the certified nurse's aide population estimated in the 100% to 300% range, the magnitude of the problem cannot be disputed. However, with the …

Designing, Implementing, And Measuring Return On Quality Within The Corporate Sector: A Primer, Richard A.N. Stones

Theses

This thesis will focus on the concept of Return on Quality, which allows managers to measure their company's return on investment on quality-improvement programs. Although over 90 percent of American companies have some form of quality-improvement initiatives in place, studies have shown that as much as 66 percent of the programs implemented have failed to produce satisfactory results.

This finding does not mean that all quality programs should be scrapped. Rather, it underscores the importance of assessing the program's ability to contribute to the company's bottom line. Top financial executives should actively participate in measuring the performance of such programs …

Health Promotion And Wellness For The University Faculty, Staff, And Students, Amy C. Stifel

Theses

In this paper, the author attempt to suggest that a health promotion program in higher education can be successful by using a needs and interest survey of the participants.

In order to suggest that this research question is plausible, the author initially provides background information on health promotion and higher education. Included are definitions of terms related to health promotion and wellness and the status of Healthy People 2000.

A review of the literature is included to establish current health promotion programs. Attention is given to related areas of rising costs. This is followed by a theoretical orientation of effective …

The Role Of Non-Verbal Communication In The Maintenance Of Stratification By Gender And Race In America, Barbara Ann Dulaney

Theses

The research goal of the following culminating project is to identify the role of non-verbal communication in the maintenance of social stratification based on gender and race in America.

The first chapter seeks to clarify the two main components: social stratification and non-verbal communication. Social stratification is defined and a summary is given of several theories regarding stratification and of how, in various religious, political and social movements, it is a significant factor. The constituents of non-verbal communication are identified.

The second chapter reviews literature on the subject of general social stratification. In order to present a concise look at …

Cost Efficiency Of Managed Care, Tammie M. Scott-Thorpe

Theses

This paper studies the role of health maintenance organizations in the health care market. Managed Care represents the growing wave of health care in the future by eliminating unnecessary and costly procedures. Vanishing are the repetitive tests that once victimized the consumer. By regulating fixed costs, the industry is forcing a change in testing and research.

Since Managed Care regulates costs, they appear particularly prominent in the elderly population. Financial efficiency helps provide the proper organized system of long term care brought by the aged. Also, complex paper work and bills should be eliminated or at least decreased to a …

The Effects Of Industrial Quality Management Of The Japanese And United States Health Care Systems, Mary Jo Sexton-Tosh

Theses

This thesis will focus on the effects of industrial quality management on the Japanese and United States Health Care Systems.

Research bas attributed the lack of quality management information in terms of the Japanese health care system to the closing of Japan's borders prior to the Meijing Restoration Era. Because of the isolation from the western world, Japan is behind the United States in its implementation of quality measurement standards to the provision and outcome of health care services.

Over the years the development of the health care industry in both the United States and Japan has taken different paths. …

Development Of Effective Computer Tutorial Documentation, Sheryl L. Fields

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of developing effective tutorial documentation.

In the past, computer documentation was written almost exclusively by engineers and programmers (or other highly trained personnel). Because of this, it was referential rather than tutorial, and it tended to assume the audience had a high level of technical knowledge and expertise. People using computers today come from a wide variety of backgrounds, many of them not technical. These users need tutorial manuals that are written in every day language and that emphasize what the user does, not what the machine or the program does.

The instructions …

To Meet The Changing Demographics Of The American Work Force, New Management Strategies That Are Sensitive To The Needs Of A Distinctive Multi-Cultural Population Will Be Needed, Jaranne A. Dargan-Brown

Theses

After more than 30 years of affirmative action programs and a more recent emergence of politically correct thinking, the work force of many of America's corporations and agencies have voluntarily (and some involuntarily) become more culturally diverse . Recently statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor indicate that more than half the American work force is made of people of color and women.

Changes in the racial makeup of companies are forcing managers to realize that when people of different races and genders are added to the corporate mix, their experiences, backgrounds and differences must be considered and integrated into …

A Comparison Of Depression In Males And Females After The Loss Of A Spouse, Thomas N. Dejong

Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore differences in depression between males and females after the loss of a spouse. After a review of the literature, a twenty-one item inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory was given to thirty nine surviving spouse's (17 males and 22 females). AT-test of difference between means of the three factors of the Beck Depression Inventory, (negative self-attitudes, physiological symptoms, and sadness) was performed and the hypothesis that there were differences in depression between males and females after the loss of a spouse was not supported.

Effectiveness Of Stress Management Intervention, Sandra F. Filer

Theses

The relationship between stress management interventions and improved stress levels on employees was examined. Fifty subjects were involved in this study, 25 who received stress management training and 25 who did not receive training. All participants volunteered to complete the Occupational Stress Inventory. Results revealed no significant difference in the level of stress reported by the two groups of employees. i

The Effect Of Participation In An Academic Support Group In Combination With Individual Mentoring Upon At Risk Students Grade Point Average, Robyn Greene

Theses

Studies involving the use of small groups as an academic tool have indicated success in the student's academic and social advancement. It is a widely held belief that self-concept or self-esteem is involved centrally in the learning process either as a contributing cause or an important outcome (O'Dell, Rak, Chermont, & Hamlin; 1994). According to systems theorists the implementation of group intervention will allow an increase of self-concept which constitutes a first order change (Bateson, 1972; Watzlwick, Weakland & Fisch, 197 4; Beckvar & Beckvar, 1991). Students who participate in an academic support group which results in an increased grade …

The Relationship Between Announced Layoffs And Financial Performance, Carol E, Goldman

Theses

This thesis focuses on the impact of downsizing on financial performance. Downsizing has become a catchall term for plant closures, eliminating entire layers of management, and even subcontracting large amounts of a firm's operations. Although many American firms are downsizing they often do hot consider what they are trying to achieve by cutting jobs or closing plants. Generally, U.S. companies are eliminating - jobs in their organizations in an attempt to cut costs believing that to do so will increase profitability and result in more efficient organizations. It is naturally assumed that any strategic change in a corporation, such as …

Seasons Through My Window, Sandra L. Burke

Theses

Not available.

On The Information Content Of Calls Of Convertible Securities, Anthony K. Byrd, William T. Moore

Faculty Publications

Negative stock price reactions to conversion-forcing calls of convertible bonds and preferred stocks are reexamined, and most of the sample firms are shown to exhibit full price recovery by the end of the conversion period. In addition, analysts' earnings forecasts, both short-term and long-term, are found to be revised upward following call announcements for convertible bonds and preferred stocks. The combined findings cast doubt on the established belief that such capital structure decisions signal negative information about firm value.

The Effects Television Has On Young Children And Solutions For Parents, Alissa Dawn Shively

Theses

Children's television bas been the focus and cause of many arguments over the past fifty years. Parents and researchers continue to debate the quality and quantity of programming that children view. Those who support the argument that television is harmful and causes harmful effects are vastly in the majority. Generally, they subscribe to the notion that television has little to offer children in the way of education and entertainment. Those who oppose this view argue that there are many merits to children's television. Although this stance is not as popular, they attest that television does have benefits to children. They …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Identity, Style, And Locus Of Control In Later Adolescent Development, Polly A. Sharp

Theses

This study investigates the psychosocial crisis of later adolescence Berzonsky's ISl2 and Levenson's I. P, and C Scales were correlated. The I, P, and C Scales measure locus of control. The I Scale measures internal locus of control. The P and C Scales describe external locus of control. The P Scale measures a belief that powerful others control event outcomes. The C Scale measures the belief that things happen due to chance or fate. The Identity Style Inventory - Revised (1512) measures an individual's identity style. Identity style 1s the characteristic pattern of behaviors most often used by an individual …

Cost Efficiency Of Managed Care, Tammie M. Scott-Thorpe

Theses

This paper studies the role of health maintenance organizations in the health care market. Managed Care represents the growing wave of health care in the future by eliminating unnecessary and costly procedures. Vanishing are the repetitive tests that once victimized the consumer. By regulating fixed costs, the industry is forcing a change in testing and research.

Since Managed Care regulates costs, they appear particularly prominent in the elderly population. Financial efficiency helps provide the proper organized system of long term care brought by the aged. Also, complex paper work and bills should be eliminated or at least decreased to a …

The Building Of A Diversified Work Force, Kirstie K. Hickman

Theses

This thesis will discuss the trend toward a diversified labor force, as we move toward Workforce 2000. Many statistics show that the upcoming workforce will have fewer white males. Significant increases in the numbers of minorities , women, and immigrants will have a serious effect on how Human Resource Departments operate within companies. These demographical changes in the face of the labor market will require new methods of managing and training in all sectors of the corporate structure.

Moving forward t o manage and train individuals for the challenges of the year 2000 and beyond will require corporations to address …

Coming Of Age: A Selection Of Short Stories, Mary Elizabeth Horner

Theses

Coming of age in fiction is a classic genre. Examples of life's hardest lessons learned can be found again and again in novels, movies and short stories. Most of the people in this series are a little older than adolescents, because a lot of the world's most difficult lessons come for many people in their 20s or beyond.

Normally, this type of experience is gained from falling in love, travel, or the death of someone close. Most of these realizations come for my protagonists by finding out his or her worth after the fact. Discovering worth comes from knowing what …

The Development Of The Information Superhighway And Its Impact Internally And Externally To The Business Community, Kay A. Hammond

Theses

This thesis will focus on the development of the information superhighway and its impact on the nation.

Ten or twelve years ago, a minor revolution occurred when personal computers became common. Visionaries talked about computers as information appliances. Users could use the home or the office computer to connect to the national news services, get stock reports, do library searches, even read professional journals or literary classics, but, at the time, these were far-reaching ideas.

With the Internet, networking has come to age. The information resources that visionaries talked about in the early 80's are not just research topics that …

A Study To Evaluate Individual Attributes And Correlate These Qualities With Investment Means To Compose An Appropriate Portfolio Mix, Paul J. House Iii

Theses

This applied learning plan will focus on the area of developing individual's financial profile and correlating these attributes with investment means to compose an appropriate portfolio mix.

Research has indicated a growing trend for individuals to "do-it-themselves" and use discount brokers to save money. The use of discount brokerage's supports the notion that there is no financial advice, and the investor must do the research to make the proper decisions.

The problem for individuals "doing-it-themselves" is that they sacrifice the interpretation of the objectives and goals. The individual utilizing a discount broker may alleviate the ethical concern and may even …

Value Comparison Among Native American Indians And Non-Native American Counseling Students, Marion Hardin

Theses

This study examines the value differences and similarities between Native American Indians and non-native American graduate students who have had multi cultural training. The Rokeach Value Survey, which ranks 18 Terminal values and 18 Instrumental values, was administered to 22 non- Native American students enrolled in a counseling program at Lindenwood College in St. Louis, Mo. and 21 Native American Indians who are studying at Haskell College for Indians in Lawrence, Kansas. For this study, Kendall's coefficient of concordance was used to rank values and determine agreement between values and Chi Square analysis was performed to more accurately determine results. …

Family Rituals And Adolescence: A Study Of The Relationship Between And Adolescent's Race, Gender, Parental Marital Status, And The Amount Of Ritual In His/Her Family, Kim Hunziker

Theses

This study explores the relationship between an adolescent's gender, race, parental marital status, and the self-reported level of ritual in his or her family. Participants included 37 White, and African American youth from age 13 to 18, who were active in either a suburban church youth group or an urban community center. Each participant completed a demographic profile and the Family Routine Questionnaire. AT-Test and a chi-square were performed to compare a number of the independent variables (gender, race, and parental marital status) to the dependent questionnaire scores. The results of the T-Test indicate a statistically significant difference in the …

A Study Of Relationship Between The Symptomatology Of Trauma And Chemical Dependency In Two Outpatient Samples Of Women, V. Michela Bailey

Theses

This research tests for independence between the symptomatology of chemical dependency and trauma in two self referred outpatient samples of women. Subjects are 18 years or older, and samples of convenience from the St. Louis metropolitan area. Five symptom clusters common to both groups are identified from the literature: avoidance and intrusion, depression, dissociation , anxiety , and chemical dependency. A series of correlational studies were performed on the results of five corresponding self report inventories to test for independence . Of the five symptom clusters tested, one statistically significant relationship was found for symptomatology consistent with chemical dependency . …

A Comparison Of Hiv/Aids Prevention Knowledge Between Students Receiving Mandated And Non-Mandated Aids Prevention Education, Constance Mogg Davis

Theses

The HIV Prevention Behaviors Knowledge Test for Teenagers was given to two samples of high school students to determine their knowledge about HIV prevention. The samples were taken from a high school in a state where AIDS prevention is recommended and the other sample was from a high school 1n a neighboring state where AIDS prevention education is mandated by state law This testing was done to see if a difference in knowledge would exist between these two groups. As measured by a t-test of the two sample means there was no significant difference in HIV/AIDS knowledge between the two …

Family Preservation: An Outcome Study, Jeff Chandler

Theses

Although Family Preservation (FPS) programs have been intensely scrutinized and better evaluated than many other social service programs, more exploration will be required under the demands of managed care. This study examines program outcomes from a FPS program at Edgewood Children's Center in St. Louis, MO. These outcomes included the degree of positive change in family functioning and its' relationship to out-of-home placement, client satisfaction with services and the manner in which they were delivered, and the cost effectiveness of Family Preservation compared to foster care and residential treatment in Missouri. The author makes conclusions and recommendations about future research …

The Evolution Of An Appraiser's Knowledge And Appreciation Of Gustav Stickley And He Arts And Crafts Movement In America, Carlene A. Collins

Theses

This thesis explores the Arts and Crafts Movement in America concentrating on one of the foremost leaders in the movement . This study will examine a chair produced by this leader . It will grade t he chair for its physical characteristics , age, and condition .

Managed Care And The Impact On Senior Adults, Melissa Breville

Theses

Managed care companies are advocating changes in the health care market and demanding changes in the delivery of health care services to the elderly. The managed care companies are focusing on wellness and prevention of illness for senior adults. Seniors are focusing on wellness and prevention by changing lifestyles as they gain knowledge about health care.

The managed care industry and elderly population are viewing health care as a basic right not a luxury. The collaboration of the elderly and managed care companies can yield results in improved health care access and delivery.

Because seniors have criticized health care organizations …