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Good Software Development Processes Lead To Harmonious Project Teams Which In Turn Lead To Effective Project Performance, Rweyunga Kazaura

Theses : Honours

The modem world relies on computers in almost every facet of life. With the explosion of Information Technology, software development has become an important process. However, from the beginning, this process has suffered and continues to suffer from a number of problems. If these problems are not rectified, they can jeopardise projects and lead to project failure. Project failure results in a project being delivered: • without satisfying the functional and non-functional requirements requested by the user or customer • beyond the agreed schedule and/or • over budget. Research indicates that practising good software development processes (SDPs) can override these …

Person-Job Fit In The Changing Work Environment : Models For Office Workers And Teleworkers, Sharon C. Elsley

Theses : Honours

This thesis empirically examined the theoretical domain of Person-Job Fit proposed by Edwards (1991). Two models were tested with data collected from a sample of 101 Office Workers and 101 Teleworkers categorised as professional, managerial, clerical, technical and sales. The adequacy of the two models was tested using Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis. The Person-Job Fit model found that measures of Abilities, Desires, Supplies and Demands were equally predictive of Personal and Organisational Outcomes for both groups. Commensurate measures were employed for Desires and Supplies. The h1ended Person-Job Fit model included the meaning of home (Groves, 1996b), which was hypothesised …

An Investigation Into How Year Two Children Use Drawing And Writing Together To Produce A Narrative, Kelly J. Joice

Theses : Honours

This study was designed to investigate how Year Two children use drawing and writing together to produce a narrative. The participants in this study were one class from a metropolitan, co-educational, independent school. A qualitative descriptive case study approach was selected for this investigation. The researcher collected data by conducting four sessions in which the participants were given the opportunity to write and draw together to produce a narrative. The narrative written and drawn documents were then organised into categories. Each of these categories indicated the common relationships between drawing and writing evident in the children's work. The results of …

1080 Operational Procedures Manual - Second Edition, Agriculture Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is an extremely toxic substance which can be a danger to humans if handled incorrectly. At the same time 1080 is the most effective and efficient poison for the control of Western Australia's main vertebrate pest species including rabbits, wild dogs and foxes. One of the main reasons for its usefulness in Western Australia is that many native animals have a high tolerance to it and so may not be affected by baiting.

Industry Resource Protection Program (IRPP) This program, part of Agriculture Western Australia, supports feral animal control carried out by its staff and community groups. …

The Spinster (1998), Hollins College

The Spinster

Yearbook of Hollins College (later University)

The Effect Of A Flat Tax On The Individual Taxpayer, Sarah Allen

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The 1996 presidential election brought the subject of the U.S. tax system up for debate. Politicians and citizens alike disagree over whether our tax system should be restructured, and if so whether a flat tax is the policy to impose. This paper examines our tax structure, explains the components of a flat tax, and presents support and opposition for a flat tax policy.

Information Resource Management In Emergency Room Medicine: A Case Study, Karmen Seavey

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The emergency room is one of the fastest-paced, intense places a person can find. Because many of the cases in the ER involve life-or-death decisions, accurate data in a useful format is critical for immediate access of necessary information. Over the last several years, this simple fact has sparked major interest in emergency room information resource management. While traditional paper methods are still widely used, the electronic capabilities provided by information technology are revolutionizing the way emergency rooms and trauma centers function.

An ideal state-of-the-art emergency department is integrated with the rest of the healthcare enterprise for access to all …

Solving The Problem Of Evil, Matt Perman

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

We are all aware of the great amount of tragedy in the world. Natural disasters have brought massive devastation on entire communities. Death and illness have brought grief and suffering upon every family at some point in time. Severe accidents and physical ailments have altered the lives of numerous individuals. And the list could go on.

It seems as if such suffering is random. And it is clear that such suffering is not distributed on the basis of good or evil that people have done. Both the godly and the wicked suffer. Christian philosopher William Lane Craig writes, "I think …

A Tale Of Two Chickens: Exploring The Social And Economic Implications Of Our Food Choices, Laura Bainbridge

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

A century ago chicken was considered a luxury item. In fact, people would eat steak or lobster when they could not afford chicken and ladies' magazines advised on how to substitute veal for chicken in recipes (Gordon, 1996). In 1928, President Hoover promised "a chicken in every pot", but it was not until the 1960's that the poultry industry really took off. Today, there are 15 chickens in every pot; the average American consumes 71.8 pounds of broiler meat annually (Oberholtzer, 1997). Where does all of this chicken come from? Who grows the chicken we eat and how do they …

Dealing With Death And The Grieving Process, David M. Gabel

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

There are two things that our society doesn't really openly discuss. Oddly enough, they are things that will affect everyone on this planet regardless of race, religion, gender, class, or nationality. I am speaking of the beginning of life, and the end of life. The subject of how life begins is for some reason "taboo" in our society. Children are told absurd things like children are brought to their parents by birds, such as a stork. Another popular tale is that children are "grown" in gardens and are discovered under leaves. The subject of sex seems to be one that …

"Why Can't The English" . . . Learn To Get Along?: Musical Reinforcement Of Negative Personal Characteristics In My Fair Lady, Gretchen Hundling

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Although the matter of adaptation is a delicate one, a majority of Shaw's original work is retained in My Fair Lady--over half of the show is the original Pygmalion script (Lerner Street 23). With the exception of the altered ending, almost all of Shaw's poke at English society is intact. But in this case, the songs of the musical serve an even greater function than just relaying what is on the characters' minds when the orchestra starts to play. The characters of this show are sometimes lovable, yet often detestable, for a great deal of their negative issues and …

The Use Of Medication In The Management Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, Abigail S. Natvig

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

As Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder is a newly characterized disorder, and only beginning to be fully recognized, there are a multitude of options for its management and treatment. The purpose of this paper is to weigh the benefits and risks of medications and nonpharmacological treatments used for ADHD management.

Laureate, 1998, Old Dominion University

University Yearbooks

1998 yearbook of Old Dominion University

Rights, Wrongs, And Recourse In The Law Of Torts, Benjamin C. Zipursky

Vanderbilt Law Review

Cardozo's opinion in Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co.' hinges on a stark assertion about rights and wrongs: A plaintiff has no right of action unless she can show "'a wrong' to herself; i.e., a violation of her own right." Cardozo himself made this principle the core of his analysis, yet scholars typically regard it as impenetrable, circular, vacuous, or, as Posner put it, "eloquent bluff." Small wonder, then, that readers typically turn to "reasonable foreseeability" as the essence of the case. Leading scholars treat Palsgraf as a proximate cause case, despite Cardozo's pronouncement that "W[the law of causation, remote …

The Effect Prone Positioning Has Upon The Oxygen Ratio Of Ventilated Children, Mary Schira

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prone positioning on oxygen ratios for ventilated children. A retrospective research design was implemented to study the effect that changing ventilated children from the supine position to the prone position had upon their oxygen ratio two hours after the intervention. Twenty-three ventilated children admitted to an eight bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Southwest Nfichigan between January 1998 and July 1998 and were proned, had their medical records reviewed. Data analysis using a T-test for paired samples was performed to compare oxygen ratios just prior to proning and …

Emergency Nurse Self Perception Of The Benefit Of The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, Diana Lynn Ropele

Masters Theses

This study evaluated whether emergency nurses perceived an increase in knowledge and skill in caring for pediatric emergency patients after taking the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). Also it evaluated whether non-certified nurses reported a greater increase in knowledge and skill after the ENPC than the certified nurse.

A cross-sectional, retrospective, correlational design was used with a random sample of 333 registered nurses living in Michigan who completed the ENPC in 1995 or 1996. Ninety-three nurses practicing in emergency care returned the demographic sheet and the ENPC perception questionnaire (EPQ).

Analysis compared knowledge and skill scores before and after taking …

Effects Of Education On Disease Management And Prevention Of Complications In Diabetic Patients, Debbie K. Provoast

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of two specific methods of providing diabetic education employed by two different health clinics in Northern Michigan; Clinic A, which provided an intense program of diabetic education offered through a preventive services program or Clinic B, which provided brief office-based education where patients received all education at the time of the visit.

An ex-post facto retrospective chart review was done on a total of 40 charts, 20 from each clinic for the purpose of obtaining laboratory values for glycohemoglobin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen, at the beginning and end …

Medication Administration In Schools, Stephanie A. Painter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe current practice of medication administration to children during school attendance in a district in Michigan. Information was collected by an audit of the policy and procedure manuals and medication records to assess a number of variables. It was found that 213 doses of medications were administered in 8 schools (enrollment 6,000) on the day of the study. Most of these were administered by nurses (40.8%) and secretaries (12.2%). While 25 different medications were administered, the medication most frequently administered was methylphenidate (60%). Medications were administered orally, per inhaler, nebulizer, topically or injected. …

Psychiatric Nurses' Perceptions Of Their Social Support, Elizabeth V.L. Howell

Masters Theses

This study investigated psychiatric nurses’ perceptions of their social support while working in a public psychiatric hospital. A descriptive correlational research design using a mailed self-administered questionnaire was employed for this study. Data collection and measurement of the phenomenon of perceived social support was done using the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (Norbeck, Lindsey, & Carrieri, 1995). The sample consisted of 57 registered nurses who had been employed for at least six months.

Data analyses consisted of reporting means, standard deviations, percentages, and range of scores for perceived social support. Results indicated emotional support (affect and affirmation) rated the highest among …

Barriers To Implementing Inclusion Practices, Sara Ann Sposaro, Julie Mara Lensink

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Concept Of Death Education On Children's Understanding Of Death, Diana K. Clark Schramm

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if death education has an impact on children's understanding of death. This study was a non-randomized trial of a single educational session on death concepts of 38 second grade children (mean age 7.78 years). The Smilansky Death Concept Questionnaire, a validated and published interviewing tool, was administered pre and post intervention to all study subjects to evaluate their understanding of death. This intervention was a story on death and a peer group discussion.

Post-test scores were significantly higher than pretest scores for human death concept, and animal death concept, as well as …

Quality Nursing Care: The Nursing Home Residents' Perspective, Brenda L. Larsen

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to determine what nursing home residents consider quality nursing care. The information obtained can provide nurses with knowledge about quality care perceptions in this population. Care thus could be planned and provided that would promote resident centered quality.

For this qualitative study a phenomenological approach was used. The investigator collected data via audio-taped interviews and field note observations. A grounded theory approach was used to uncover residents' perceptions of quality nursing care. The meaning was then disclosed by the process of description and thematic interpretation.

The shared experience of living in a nursing home …

The Effect Of Discharge Intervention Provided By An Advanced Practice Nurse On The Post-Discharge Self-Care Agency Of Clients Admitted With Congestive Heart Failure, Theresa Dawson

Masters Theses

This study used a quasi-experimental design using a two-group comparison to evaluate the effects of advanced practice nurse interventions on client compliance to self-care regimens (diet, meds, and established appointments). The conceptual framework was based upon Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Model.

This study used the premise of Ashby's (1988) "Self-Care Outcome Measurement" tool to ascertain the frequency of the clients'performance of self-care activities. The frequency was measured using a 4-point summated rating scale. The study site was a 400 bed acute care hospital in Southcentral Michigan. The convenience sample of 10 adult clients with congestive heart failure were interviewed by phone …

The Effect Of An Environment Modification On Fear Of Falling In Institutionalized Older Persons, Joann L. Munski

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of an environmental modification on fear of falling in institutionalized older persons. A pretest-post-test experimental design was used to analyze data collected on 40 residents of a long term care facility. The subjects were randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups. Fear of falling was measured by Dayhoflf Baird, Bennett, & Backer’s Falling Questionnaire (1994). The experimental group received an environmental modification. The Pull, in their living area for six weeks while the control group did not receive any intervention. T-test and analysis of covariance were used to test …

Relationship Between Sensibility Loss And Performance On The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test In Non-Surgical Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients, Bethany J. Navarre, Elizabeth A. Ware

Masters Theses

The assumed correlation between sensibility loss in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and hand function has not been supported by research. The purpose of this study is to examine this relationship. Thirteen subjects with CTS, no previous hand surgeries, hypothyroidism, or diabetes participated. The Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test was used to assess sensibility and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test was used to assess hand function. No correlations were found between sensibility loss and hand function. Despite a small sample, lack of correlation between sensibility loss in CTS and hand function is significant. It suggests that further research is needed.

The Inter-Relatedness Of Nutrition, Menstrual Status, Lean Body Mass, And Injury Among High School Female Varsity Basketball Players, Megan Jean Pavlak, Robyn Kristina Smith, Kristie Ann Wood

Masters Theses

Basketball is one of the highest risk sports for injury, especially for the female population. Studies have been performed looking at intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may contribute to an increased injury rate among female athletes. This study focused on nutrition, menstrual status, lean body weight and injury in female high school varsity basketball athletes (n=138). Nutritional and menstrual surveys were administered to these athletes. The athletes’ body fat percentages were measured and calculated into lean body weight. Injuries were documented for one season. No clinically significant relationships were found among the variables. Descriptive data concerning nutrition, injury, menstrual status, …

The Effect Of Eccentric Fatigue Of The Hamstrings On Knee Joint Proprioception, Kenneth M. Arends, Scott T. Miller, John T. Vandermaas

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of eccentric hamstring fatigue on the ability to accurately reproduce different knee joint angles. Thirty-one males and 29 females, 18-40 years old, were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Using the Biodex®, proprioceptive pre-test and post-test measurements were taken having the blindfolded participant replicate predetermined angles of 25°, 45°, and 65°. The control group underwent a passive movement protocol and the treatment underwent a fatigue protocol. Data Analysis was performed using 2-tailed t-test comparing the means of pre-test and post-test angle accuracy measurements for the control and treatment groups. …

Correlation Of Emergency Department Nurses' Beliefs About Wife Abuse And The Use Of Carative Factors In Transpersonal Interactions With Abused Wives, Judith A. Baker

Masters Theses

Emergency department nurses from seven general hospitals were surveyed to elicit information on their beliefs about wife abuse (using the Inventory of Beliefs about Wife-Beating) and their self-reported behaviors with clients who may be physically abused. They were asked about beliefs about institutional and peer attitudes toward caring for abused wives. Information on the nurses’ education about and experience with wife abuse was gathered. Data were summarized to provide descriptive statistics regarding beliefs and behaviors. High levels of caring behaviors were reported. Analysis of correlation between beliefs and behaviors was conducted. Significant findings were correlations between caring behaviors and the …

The Influence Of Footwear On Functional Balance In A Population Of Institutionalized Elderly Women, Kristen Brooks, Stacey Jonkman, Matt Schmitz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of footwear on functional balance in a sample of 19 institutionalized elderly women. The Tinetti Balance and Mobility Assessment, a fall risk indicator, was used to evaluate functional balance in three footwear conditions: shoes, slippers, and barefoot. An ANOVA test (alpha < 0.05) was used to determine if there was a significant difference between the three footwear conditions. A significant difference was found between each footwear condition for the balance (p=.008) and summary scores (p=.004), but not for the gait score (p=.155). Post-hoc analysis revealed that the shoe condition provided significantly superior scores than the slipper (p=.005) and barefoot conditions (p=.043). Recommendations from this study include support for the standardization of the Tinetti Balance and Mobility Assessment for footwear, and recommendations that institutionalized elderly should wear shoes and avoid the use of slippers or barefoot to reduce fall risk.

A Preliminary Study Of Gait In Elderly Women With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Roberta M. Fischer, Sheri L. Bjornseth

Masters Theses

Somatosensory impairment due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy results in decreased environmental input during ambulation, which may compromise feedback mechanisms used for balance control Individuals with distal symmetrical diabetic peripheral neuropathy provide a model of somatosensory loss in which balance impairments can be studied. Somatosensory input is an important component of standing balance in the elderly. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been associated with postural instability and an increased history of falls. This study investigated differences in gait between elderly diabetic subjects with distal symmetrical sensory polyneuropathy and elderly diabetics without neuropathy. To conduct this study the 3-dimensional gait analysis protocol developed …