Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

An Investigation Of A Usaf Information Resource Management Community World Wide Web Site, Kristin A. Waldner

Theses and Dissertations

This research project investigated establishing a World Wide Web (WWW) site dedicated to the United States Air Force Information Resource Management (IRM) community. The project determined guidelines for successful, appropriate format and content for such a site. To discover what benefits the IRM community might achieve, the project explored those benefits achieved or expected to be achieved by the business community and by government agencies with established WWW sites. The project also attempted to define an average profile of active duty IRM community Internet and WWW users. The above objectives were accomplished through a literature review and through the use …

Perceptions Of Coherence And Usability In Environmental Impact Documents As Functions Of Visual And Linguistic Cues, Ronald B. Shankland

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental impact statements (EISs) are prepared so decision makers can consider the potential environmental impacts of a proposed action. The National Environmental Policy Act mandates that EISs be clear, concise, and to the point so decision makers and the lay public can understand them, however, several authors assert these documents do not meet this requirement. To examine the usability of EISs, a 1994 AFIT GEEM student, Jill A. Easterly, altered visual and linguistic discourse elements in portions of sample ElSs and then a pool of readers answered objective questions about passages from these EISs. Easterly measured the effect of presence …

A Solid Surface From Which To Explore: The Executive Summary As The Frontispiece Of A Technical Hyperdocument, Alicia M. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes the purpose and organization of a well-written executive summary, reviews the characteristics of hypermedia, and compares the strengths and weaknesses of a typical executive summary published originally on paper and now under consideration for transition to hypermedia in order to determine which elements of an executive summary are essential before effective transition to hypermedia. The executive summary of a technical report is a stand-alone description of what was done, how it was done, what the results were, why they matter, and where further information is found in the report body. Executive summaries have a wider audience than …

Multimedia And Audience: Implications For Executive Summaries, Donna M. Grudziecki

Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to put technical reports into a multimedia format, this thesis explored audience analysis and multimedia issues related to executive summaries. While multimedia has been shown to be effective at conveying complex information in certain environments, little research has been done to apply this technology to technical reporting. This thesis concentrates on the executive summary audience because the executive summary is the most read and most important section of a report. To analyze the audience, I conducted telephone interviews with report readers using an interview form I developed based on Mathes and Stevenson's guidelines for conducting an audience …

Motivational Factors In Combat: A Comparison Of German And American Soldiers In World War Ii Using Content Analysis, Douglas J. Traversa

Theses and Dissertations

To determine whether content analysis could be used to successfully identify major combat motivational factors for individuals, this research focused on soldiers who fought in World War II. Combat narratives written by men who fought in World War II were examined. Ten German and ten American works were examined. Of these, five of each were the works of flyers and the other five were the works of ground troops. The following factors were examined: "primary group" influence, ideology, attitudes toward the enemy, group leadership, national leadership, personal gratification, propaganda, religion, vindictiveness, desire to end the war and go home, coercion, …

United States Security Assistance Training Of Latin American Militaries: Intentions And Results, Barry L. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations

The United States has used security assistance training in Latin America as an element of foreign policy. This study determines intentions and results of security assistance training in Latin America and analyzes training statistics to evaluate its use as an instrument of foreign policy. This study also assesses the contribution of defense schools where Latin Americans receive security assistance training in their native Spanish language. The overriding purpose behind this research is to determine if security assistance training was intended to be a Cold War instrument of foreign policy or if it is an instrument of a more enduring nature. …

Assisting Defense Conversion Technology Transfer Efforts. A Case Study Of Ohio's Miami Valley, Marissa C. Salvador

Theses and Dissertations

Major changes in the geopolitical environment and the social and economic needs of the United States have resulted in resources being shifted away from national defense. Although the expected decrease in defense spending should not be harmful in macroeconomic terms, it can be devastating locally. To mitigate the effects of the drawdown, individual states and local communities must search for ways to bolster their local economies. One avenue that can be pursued to enhance future economic growth is the transferring of technologies to the commercial sector. Intermediary organizations have emerged to facilitate the process of technology transfer by serving as …

The Foundation Of United States Security Assistance To Egypt: 1969-1979, Donald S. Massey

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to identify the role of U.S. foreign policy in shaping Egypt's transition from Soviet economic and military aid to U.S. security assistance from 1969 to 1979 and the factors shaping that transition. An historical analysis of the Nixon, Ford, and Carter Administrations and their foreign policy towards Egypt and the Middle East during the period in question was employed to complete this study. The researcher determined that U.S. diplomacy and dialogue in negotiating an Egyptian-Israeli peace resulted in the end to Soviet economic and military aid to Egypt. During the negotiating process, U.S. economic and military aid …

Incorporating Performance Heteroscedasticity In The Evaluation Of Job Performance, Max R. Massey

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relation of agreeableness and experience with performance heteroscedasticity in small groups. Personality assessments were administered to 55 US Air Force personnel. The participants were placed in three groups based on the personality dimension of agreeableness. Group 1 consisted of eleven sub-groups of randomly paired individuals ranked high on agreeableness. Group 2 consisted of eleven subgroups of randomly paired individuals ranked low on agreeableness. Members of group 3 worked individually. Bach dyadic group and individual participant completed S load-planning scenarios over a five-day period. The data obtained over the 3 days were used to assess the variability …

Foreign Military Sales Policy Of The Kennedy Presidential Administration, Philip P. Nardi

Theses and Dissertations

Since the 'Truman Doctrine' was enunciated in 1947, the United States has pursued its foreign policy objectives using various forms of economic and military assistance. With the majority of this assistance aimed at containing communist expansionism, the United States' allies became increasingly dependent upon large amounts of grant military assistance. As President John F. Kennedy assumed office the economic burden of this grant assistance came under increasing scrutiny. This study analyzes the role of the Kennedy administration in the evolution of military assistance from grants to sales. An in-depth literature review focusing on historical reviews of this topic, and congressional …

The Process Of Providing Humanitarian Assistance: A Department Of Defense Perspective, Rhonda M. Smith, Barbara J. Stansfield

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort was a qualitative study on the current process of how the DOD provides humanitarian assistance. Currently the process is not well defined and is situation dependent. Historical documents and current guidelines, policies, and regulations were researched for information on what types of humanitarian assistance the DOD provides, how the process is initiated, and who is involved in the process. Agencies outside of the military, both civilian and government, were researched to determine the extent of coordination necessary for the military to provide humanitarian assistance. A model was compiled to portray the current process and given to key …

The Implementation Of Federal Government Policy In The Reuse Planning Of Military Installations: A Case Study Of Gentile Air Force Station, John L. Hoover

Theses and Dissertations

Local communities affected by a base closure are uncertain as to their future and look to the federal government for guidance and economic assistance in rebuilding their local economy. The local communities want to close the base with as little federal government interference as possible and convert the base to civilian use with as much federal financial assistance as possible. During 1993-1994 two Air Force Institute of Technology research teams began longitudinal case studies of the base closure and rescue process at Gentile Air Force Station, Ohio to determine the effectiveness of the federal government's current approach. These research teams …

An Air Force Guide To Team Building, Roy M. Gozum

Theses and Dissertations

Team structures are used extensively in civilian, government, and military organizations to accomplish modem task demands that almost always exceed the capabilities of single individuals. As team structures became larger and more complex, managers realized the need for formal team building education. Team building programs serve to facilitate an environment for productive teamwork. However, despite the apparent importance of teams, most organizations overlook the implementation of formal team building programs. Therefore, the purpose of this research is two-fold. First, this thesis examines the evolution and importance of teams, and the subsequent need for the development of formal team building programs. …

United States Security Assistance 1977-1980: Human Rights Issues Affecting Arms Transfers, Gary E. Gordon

Theses and Dissertations

The 1970s were a period of great transition for the United States. Plagued by the Vietnam conflict, a conflict which we could never win because of poor planning and lack of resolve by government officials in the highest office, and the Watergate debacle, where our government veered out of control, the time was ripe for change. Which is precisely why the ideals and philosophies of one James Earl Carter enabled him to ascend to become the 39th President of the United States. President Carter entered office pledging the United States would lead the way in the restriction of weapons exports …

United States Security Assistance To Israel 1967-1979, Lance J. Newbold

Theses and Dissertations

U.S.-Israeli relations are unique and unmatched by American relations with any other foreign country. This relationship has been especially important in the area of security assistance, however, it was not until after the Six Day War in 1967, that the United States became the main supplier of arms to Israel. The examination of U.S. foreign policy and its security assistance implications towards Israel from the Six Day War in 1967 through the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1979 are the focus of this study. As a historical study, this research relies on the review of substantial amounts of …

Security Assistance To Japan: Assessment Of Political, Military, And Economic Issues From 1947 To 1989, David W. Puvogel

Theses and Dissertations

Japan is an important ally of the United States in part due to its strategic location at the intersection of China, Korea, and the Soviet Union. Japan is vital to the maintenance of regional stability and has been used by the United States in the East Asian balance of power. The relationship changed through time from the American occupation after World War II, to the rebuilding phase of Japan's economy, and finally a progression towards a more independent Japan capable of a larger portion of self defense. The rebuilding process of Japan was carried out largely by the United States …

Defining The Relationships Of The Us Government, The United Nations And Non-Governmental Organizations In Humanitarian Assistance, Amy M. Dayon

Theses and Dissertations

After the Cold War ended, the media increased the world's awareness of humanitarian problems. In an effort to reach more of the suffering, the United Nations, donor governments, and non-governmental organizations began to provide a larger quantity of relief through a more structured system. The purpose of this thesis is to define the relationships of the three major groups responsible for providing humanitarian assistance in the world today. The methods and structure of the US government, UN and three non-governmental organizations (International Committee of the Red Cross, Medecins sans Frontieres, and Catholic Relief Services) are used as examples of the …

U.S. Security Assistance To Latin America, Valerie S. Payne

Theses and Dissertations

The United States employs security assistance as an instrument of foreign policy. This thesis examines how security assistance was used to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives in Latin America since the end of World War II. Qualitative analysis was used consisting of historical and archival research of government documents and secondary sources. A literature review was conducted to discover general trends concerning security assistance to include its establishment as an arm of foreign policy, its problems, and its purpose. Presidential policies toward Latin America are analyzed during and after World War II, to include Kennedy's Alliance for Progress, Nixon Doctrine, …

A Study Of The Best Messages, Channels And Audiences To Increase Vocations To The Catholic Diocesan Priesthood, Martin R. Coppola

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the best messages, channels and audiences to increase vocations to the Catholic diocesan priesthood. The study sought to determine the best messages, channels for those messages and audiences to receive those messages in an effort to increase vocations to the Catholic diocesan priesthood.

In addition to providing a demographic profile of priests, seminarians and men considering a vocation from three different dioceses across the country, the study sought to determine general information on the messages and channels that had influenced men who are already priests, seminarians and considering a vocation.

This non-probability …

Verbal Learning And Memory In Adults With Mild, Moderate And Severe Closed Head Injury, Paula J. Bergloff

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most prevalent of cognitive dysfunctions associated with closed head injury is impaired_memory function. The current study examined qualitative and quantitative aspects of learning and memory to define the effects of mild head injury in comparison to moderate and severe head injury and a sample of normal controls.

Forty five survivors of severe (n=15), moderate (n=15) and mild (n=15) closed head injury were compared with age and education matched controls (n=15) on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). On CVLT learning trials, head injured groups recalled less than controls, with the severely …

The Interactive Effects Of Caffeine And Phase Of Menstrual Cycle On The Recall Of Prose Passages, Jacqueline Marie Mcpherson

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has yielded inconsistent results regarding the effects of caffeine on memory. Such inconsistency is likely to a large extent a function of the complex interaction effects of caffeine and other variables such as estrogen. The purpose of the present study was to discern possible variation in the effects of caffeine on the recall of prose for females tested during days 1-5 or 9-13 of their menstrual cycle. One hundred and seven subjects received either O mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, or 4 mg/kg of caffeine. Following an absorption period, subjects read six passages from a computer terminal and immediately afterwards, …

An Introduction To The Verbal System Of Central Dangaleat, Lawrence R. Burke

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an analysis of the verbal system of Central Dangaleat, an Eastern Chadic language spoken in central Chad. Following the general introduction in chapter 1, the second chapter provides a basic introduction to the phonological system of the Central Dangaleat verbal system, focusing especially on syllable structure and epenthesis, vowel harmony and the tone system. Special attention is given to the relationship between consonant quality and tone in the language. Chapters 3 through 7 attempt to relate the Central Dangaleat tense, aspect and mood system to the proposals concerning the development of aspectual categories in Chadic as a …

Noun Classification Or Spatial Categorization: Damana Orientation Verbs, Larry P. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis argues against a nominal classification analysis of orientation verbs in Damana, A Chibchan language of northern Colombia. As shown through a careful analysis of eleven verbs, the verbal system of Damana primarily encodes spatial relations and does not classify objects by shape.

The evidence for this conclusion proceeds from several areas. First, I show that Damana does not meet the requirement for a noun class system. Secondly, I show that the same object can be freely associated with various verb stems depending on the object's orientation. Thirdly, in metaphorical extensions involving these 'noun class' verbs, it is a …

A Study Of Computer On-Line Regulation: Advertising, Copyright, Free Speech, Libel And Privacy, Frances Josephsen

Theses and Dissertations

This research project concerned identifying and detailing current and needed laws governing on-line communication.

Through a representative literature review, the author compiled a list of industry leaders for interview via electronic mail.

The author surveyed 35 individuals to gather public opinion on the following areas: advertising, copyright, free speech, libel and privacy. The author looked for general opinions and attitudes.

The author analyzed the content of each response using simple frequencies and searched for commonalities within the survey sample responses.

The study identifies public opinion regarding current on-line communication policy. However, answers and recommendations concerning on-line law were not found. …

A Study Of The Practices Of Successful Alumni Associations, Maggie Wilt

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified through secondary research the criteria necessary to operate a successful alumni association. Successful in this context refers to the ability to get alumni involved in the association and to maintain their interest and support.

This secondary research uncovered six areas of alumni association management. These criteria are: career development, techniques of communication, alumni gatherings, alumni benefits and bonuses, management and resources and special interest groups. These were applied to the primary research by forming the structure of the alumni association survey.

The alumni association survey involved contacting 16 alumni directors whose organizations have high involvement rates and …

A Communication Plan To Make Historical Societies More Visible And More Accessible To The General Public, Margaret L. Peters

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a communication plan to make historical societies more visible and more accessible to the public. A two-way communication system creates a bond between historical societies, community members, and school districts. This plan gives methods and materials to connect historical societies with the public. It also addresses attracting new members or volunteers and increasing financial resources.

The communication plan consists of four objectives that reach the goal of raising the profiles of historical societies. These objectives and their strategies provide methods and materials to make them more visible in the communities, to connect them to the local school …

Personality Traits Of Effective Communicators: A Study Of Chairpersons And Faculty At Rowan College Of New Jersey, Karen L. Heiser

Theses and Dissertations

This study determines chairpersons' personality traits and their effect on communications with faculty. The Mvers-Brigs Type Indicator was given to seven chairpersons (three female; four male) within Rowan College of New Jersey. The responses were tabulated by hand. The results were mailed to participants. The author requested faculty to choose chairpersons' personality characteristics and rate the effectiveness of the two-way communication between them and their chairpersons. The data were analyzed using a statistical software package (SPSS). The study revealed that 13 faculty rated their chairpersons as "very good" two-way communicators; eight faculty rated their chairpersons as "good" two-way communicators; three …

A Study Of Hospital Alumni Membership And Its Effect On Donor Giving, Linda Michael

Theses and Dissertations

This study profiled Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center's Baby Alumni Society to determine whether members are likely prospects for financial support. Established in 1980 by The Cooper Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the hospital, the Baby Alumni Society consists of 6,500 members who range in age from infancy to senior citizens.

To determine alumni attitudes and opinions about the institution, a questionnaire was conducted. Participants were selected using the systematic random sampling method. Of the five hundred questionnaires mailed, eighty-five were returned. Overall, respondents were pleased with the publication Baby News and wanted to continue receiving it. Members also expressed an …

Intergenerational Programs In The Public Schools, Marguerite F. Maines

Theses and Dissertations

The major purpose of this study was to research intergenerational programs in the public schools. The research was undertaken to establish whether intergenerational programs improve community attitudes and benefit the school systems that provide these programs. A broad base literature search and a database search were conducted. Numerous letters were written to school systems, state and county agencies, volunteer groups, and senior citizen groups that have instituted programs. The responses collected resulted in a compilation of successful programs that can be used by superintendents, community coordinators, and school public relations directors.

Several major conclusions were drawn from this study. Activities …

Using School Foundations As A Public Relations Tool To Market Schools To The Community, Linda Y. Sherry

Theses and Dissertations

This study shows how school foundations, created by local school districts to raise additional revenue to supplement their tax-based funding for educational programs and projects, generate benefits beyond the fund-raising aspect.

Existing research was compiled and reviewed to explore what school foundations are, why school districts have foundations, what the extra benefits of foundations are, why foundations are helpful in fund-raising, and what impact foundations have at the polls. Telephone interviews with various experts in the field of school foundations as well as school districts with foundations in place provided further relevant information on guiding principles, keys to success, and …