Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Coping Styles Of Parents With Visually Impaired Children Compared To Parents With Fully Sighted Children, Lisa Tackett

Theses

The purpose of this research study was to determine if the coping styles of parents with visually impaired children are different from the coping styles of parents with fully sighted children. These results indicated that there is no difference on coping styles with the parents with the visually impaired children and the parents with the fully sighted children.

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 …

The Usar Company Command Handbook: A Study Of Potential Benefit And Impact On Effective Performance By Army Reserve Leadership, David Winston Fielder

Theses

This thesis will focus on a newly-created leadership manual and the likelihood of increased effectiveness in job performance and perceived benefit among company-level leaders in the United States Army Reserve who use it. In this thesis, this handbook or leaders' manual - which summarizes and highlights applicable military regulations, policies, guidances and code as well as provides helpful hints for the company commander - was reviewed by subject matter experts who rated the manual on the basis of accuracy, utility and potential for use among Army Reserve leadership. Specifically, it was hypothesized that these experts would view the handbook as …

The Reciprocal Effects Of Aging And The Ability To Choose And Wear Clothes Of One's Choice, Patricia A. Forde

Theses

As men and women age, their ability to successful perform the typical activities of daily living become limited because of physical disabilities associated with the aging process. The ability to perform one of these activities, dressing oneself without assistance, has been demonstrated to be especially vulnerable to age-related physical disabilities.

The inability to dress oneself has been demonstrated to have a negative impact on the independence, sociability and self-esteem of older adults, and is linked to the reliance on personal care assistance, an extra financial burden for the elderly person or a public expense.

Adaptive clothing designed to accommodate for …

The Relationship Of Delinquency To Achievement, Christine J. Tomlinson

Theses

Studies have shown that juvenile delinquents are at risk for a wealth of other problems such as learning disabilities. below average intelligence, and attention deficit disorder. Some researchers have refuted these claims by saying that the difficulty in appropriately labeling individuals learning disabled and delinquent has resulted in increasing numbers of individuals being incorrectly labeled delinquent or learning disabled. Others have argued that differential treatment of learning disabled and delinquent youth has negatively affected the school performance of these individuals. This study examined the Reading, Math, and English achievement scores of both delinquents and nondelinquents in an attempt to determine …

The Impact Of The Visual Advertising On Today's Consumer, Gissel M. Pimentel

Theses

Advertising has grown and developed new ideas throughout the years. Since its beginning . advertising has experienced many changes trying to exert influence on potential consumers and to remain in their minds in a positive way.

This culminating project is about the influence of the visual elements used in advertising on consumer perception . Advertising ' s purpose is to sell . A good ad should cause a good impression in the consumer and lead him or her to purchase the product or service advertised .

The main idea that will be developed and demonstrated in this culminating project is …

Identification Of Critical Elements That Deter Tqm Program Success, Rex F. Osborn

Theses

This thesis reviews the Total Quality Management (TQM) program initially developed in Japan after World War II and its entry into the United States during the early Eighties.

TQM was incubated in Japan and matured into a viable program. TQM offered those who implemented the program improved quality products and improved cooperation between management and the workers for accomplishing common goals and objectives . The program focused on product quality and the belief that customer satisfaction is of key importance.

United States managers were searching for improved management programs to motivate workers, improve production and increase sales and profits . …

The Impact Of Sports Participation On Adolescent Eating Disorders, Joyce Barker

Theses

In an effort to assess the impact of sports participation on adolescent eating disorders, information was obtained from 58 high school females. Of this sample, 20 students were athletes (soccer, track, and gymnasts), 7 students were performance squad members (e.g., cheerleaders), and 31 students were not engaged in these activities. A measure of adolescent eating disorder, the Eating Disorder Inventory Il (EDI-2), and a demographic survey, were administered to all participants. Although sports and performance squads emphasized body shape and control, involvement in these organized physical activity contexts did not differentiate adolescents most at risk.

Health Aspects Of Native American Indians And Alaskan Natives, Beverly V. Bennett-Maine

Theses

This thesis will focus on the decline in health of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives in regards to chronic diseases due to changes in their food habits, customs, traditions, and culture.

The purpose of this study is to explore why Native Americans and Alaskans health has deteriorated in relation to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and alcoholism.

Limitation in access to health care facilities includes geographic location, cul tural, and linguistic barriers.

The studies to be discussed include: the Inter-Tribal Heart Project (ITHP) for cardiovascular disease; the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for self-reported risk factors; and the Navajo Health …

Managing Diversity In The Global Economy, Kathia G. Arjona

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of the diversity management in businesses today, since the 2Ist century is around the comer. It seeks to study and highlight the importance and benefits of having a diverse workforce in today's organizations. Each day more and more companies are doing business globally, and that is why this thesis attempts to find a balance among the similarities and differences employees might encounter in any organization.

The advantages of a diverse workforce for successfully penetrating global, ethnic minority, and other group markets are many. Yet, making diversity work while simultaneously ensuring a stable and …

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.

Assessing Attachment Levels Of Adults From Divorced And Non-Divorced Families, Kathy Lynne Rigdon

Theses

Although considerable research has recently been conducted on attachment styles as well as divorce, little attention bas been paid to the effects of divorce in relation to one· s attachment style. [n order to understand the impact of divorce on one's attachment style in the adult years of development, this research study was conducted using a measure of attachment styles and divorce issues in relation to developmental aspects of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of attachment styles between adults that came from divorced and non-divorced families. Participants in this study came from a mental …

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 …

Pieces Of My Puzzle, In Search Of The Big Picture, Leann M. Haferkamp

Theses

Unavailable.

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. …

The Imperative That African-American Authors Define The Nature Of African-American Heroes In Literature: Or Uncle Tom To Jedediah West, Harry Jackson Jr.

Theses

This document will demonstrate the need for African-American authors to define the essential and fundamental characteristics, disposition and purpose of the literary heroes of African Americans by way of an analysis of the novel, Cowboy, the Saga of Jedediah West, which I wrote between 1995 and 1998. The creation of a distinct literary heroic tradition for African Americans is necessary, I contend, because the culture virtually has been deprived and devoid of literary, imaginary heroes. Because people of every culture require heroes for healthy evolution, African Americans have weighted their heroic tradition with living heroes exclusively who are accepted …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Fear Of Intimacy And Gender, Amy Regina Anderson

Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the similarities and/or differences in intimacy for males and females in a close intimate relationship. The Fear of lntimacy Scale (FIS), a 35 item self report questionnaire measuring past and current intimate relationships, was administered and general demographic data was obtained including: sex, age, race, marital status, and educational level. Out of 111 packets distributed, data from 60 participants (males = 30, females= 30) between the ages of l 9-39 was collected and analyzed. Results indicated there was no significant difference of fear of intimacy between males and females, a conflicting finding …

The Role Of Good Nutrition. Good Physicians And The Advantages Of Alternative Medicine: An Educational Program For Senior Adults, Violet Connoyer

Theses

This study examines previous and forthcoming knowledge of ancient medicinal remedies and solutions which provide and enable]e the acquisition of better and safer health care. Because of political reasons which appear to be dominant over all others, this inherent knowledge continues to seemingly remain obscure within the medical world and within our society. Continued education plays a vital role in the assessment of health care today because statistics stress that too many Eves are daily being snuffed out because of careless and improper drug administration and insidious drug reactions which follow thereafter. As a result, many people are striving to …

Effects Of Divorce On The Self-Concept Of Middle School Students, Robyn Jeanette Brady

Theses

The purpose of the study is to examine if there is a difference in self-concept between 6lh and 7th grade students whose parents have been divorced within the last five years and 6th and 7th grade students whose parents are not divorced. Sixty students attending a Midwestern middle school were the subjects of the study. The sample group consisted of 32 students currently taking part in a divorce group and the control group consisted of 28 students whose parents were not divorced. The students completed the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, a self- report measure which evaluates the areas (i.e., clusters) of …

The Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Academic Motivation Among Male Secondary Education Students, John Luddy Burke Iii

Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between self-esteem and academic motivation among male adolescents. Sixty-five male students from a St. Louis area college preparatory school volunteered to participate in this study. These students completed a test consisting of Russell Ivan's (1969) Academic Motivation Scale and Morris Rosenberg's (1965) Self-Esteem Scale. A Pearson-Product Moment correlation analysis was performed to determine the correlation between the two scales. The results suggest that self-esteem is not correlated with academic motivation among adolescent males.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Self Esteem Of College Age Adult Children Of Alcoholics And Adult Children Of Non-Alcoholics, Diana Lynn Grissom

Theses

Research is controversial in finding the role that parental alcoholism plays on an individual's self-esteem. Some results have shown that alcoholism directly effects a person 's self-esteem whereas, other results have found family dysfunction of an alcoholic to effect self-esteem. The Children of Alcoholics Screening Test and The Self-Esteem Inventory were administered to 52 college students. No significant relationship between parental alcoholism and self-esteem was found . This finding is in agreement with most of the research on adult children of alcoholics .

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 …

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.