Theses and Dissertations
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PublicationHigh school dropout rates and social capital influences in Missouri's school districts( 1997)Numerous research endeavors in recent years have addressed the causes and effects of high school dropout rates on an industrialized society. Traditional perspectives look into the structural foundation of the school and family. A complimentary approach is the study of social capital and its influences on facets of our society. Social capital, according to Robert D. Putnam and James S. Coleman, is based on networks and relationships of trust and reciprocity between persons within a family, school or community. I examine the impact of social capital at these three levels on high school district dropout rates. The principal source of data is the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) surveys of students and parents. MSIP collected data at the family (parent) and individual (student) level. We aggregated it to the school district level. In total, 347 of Missouri school districts were in the sample. The response rate was 34.5% for families and 75.1% for individuals (students) in the sample. The means of the variables for each school district were used in the statistical functions within this research. Through linear regression modeling, I found that financial and human capital have a slight impact on high school dropout rates. Social capital, most importantly school and community social capital, have the greatest effect. Low levels of financial, human, and family social capital can be compensated for by social capital within the school. High levels of school and community social capital nurture students and promote their completion of high school. Using a three-stage regression model, I found the multiple partial F-test significant at the .05 level in stage two of the model, which adds family social capital to human capital, financial capital, and control variables in explaining high school dropout rates. Family social capital, as well as the control variables, are significant within the model. Stage three of the regression model adds school and community level social capital variables and the increase in the R² is significant at the .01 level. This demonstrates the importance school and community social capital have on the likelihood of a youth completing high school. School social capital acts as the gateway to opportunities for youth who have low levels of financial, human, and family social capital present within their homes. Educational policy makers need to look into the network of relationships a school community provides its students. Further, youth subcultures, such as sporting, academic, and religious groups, should be examined for their effect on youth's likelihood of completing high school. Educational policy makers can reduce student-teacher ratios, while school administrators and teachers can strengthen social capital by encouraging equality of access and fairness within the classrooms and schools, which would allow students to look at a brighter future.
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PublicationPatient views of chiropractic medicine in Ames, Iowa( 1997)This thesis is based on research which examines the views of adults in central Iowa who choose chiropractic medicine as a health care option. Of particular interest is patients' treatment habits, views on personal health level, and ideas of how chiropractic fits among the "Western dominant" medical system. Investigation of types of illnesses treated by chiropractic will also be reviewed. In short, the study includes an in-depth look at the medical perceptions of those choosing chiropractic as a health care option. This study is important because of the enormous growth in the "alternative" medical system in the United States and lack of knowledge on individual perceptions of this system. Central Iowa is an ideal location for this type of research, since it contains a plethora of chiropractic options. Data presented here could be useful to those in both allopathic and alternative health fields, as increasing communication between the two appears to be a genuine issue.
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PublicationEffect of field edge plant diversity on natural enemies of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis( 1997)Field studies were conducted in 1995, 1996 and 1997 to determine effect of field edge plant diversity on natural enemies of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). Sites consisted of three edge types: 1) herbaceous, 2) intermediate and 3) wooded. A corn field bordering an edge was divided into three sampling areas. Larvae collected were examined for presence of the entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Nosema pyrausta (Paillot) and the parasitoid Macrocentrus grandii Goidanich. There were few significant differences in the percentage of larvae parasitized along edge types but there was a trend of increasing larval parasitism along the wooded edge throughout the growing season. Edge type had no direct effect on larval infection rates by entomopathogens. There was a negative interaction between percentage of larvae parasitized and percentage of larvae infected with N. pyrausta. This antagonistic behavior between two biotic factors is believed to be one reason why increased food and shelter from the more diverse edges did not result in significantly higher parasitism rates. Effect of field edge plant diversity on populations of predators and a parasitoid using spatial orientation of insect traps (Gemplers[superscript TM], AM No-Bait) was also studied. Traps were fastened to a single wood lathe (122 cm x 3.8 cm x 1.3 cm) with wire ties at and 1 m above ground level. Lathe containing traps at the two heights were placed in the field edge and 2.5 and 11 m into the corn field. Edge type did not significantly influence the numbers of M. grandii captured but did influence the capture of Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), Coccinella septempunctata L., Hippodamia parenthesis (Say) and Chrysoperla carnea Stephens. Distance that traps were placed into a corn field and trap height significantly influenced the numbers of M. grandii captured. Data from this research indicate that the occurrence of M. grandii is synchronized with availability of O. nubilalis.
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PublicationPrototypical design in medication labeling: Case study of the elderly( 1997)This thesis examines over-the-counter pain reliever medication labeling as an example of graphic design that does not meet the needs of older people. The development of a series of medication label prototypes that implements the specific and collective needs of the elderly provides an example of the visual improvements in labeling that can result from the successful combination of graphic design, the study of visual communication, and gerontology, the study of the process of aging. These prototypes achieve improved legibility and comprehension of the label information. The label prototypes are the result of conclusions drawn from comparative analysis between existing over-the-counter medication labels and the more effective nutrition label system. Secondarily, the entire system of pain reliever labeling, including accommodation for brand identity and packaging is considered. Existing over-the-counter medication labels present serious safety risks that necessitate analysis and redesign. The inability of older consumers to decipher vital information on the existing labels, including dosage, drug interaction, and active ingredients can result in serious, even fatal health risks. Label design that recognizes and anticipates the challenges associated with the aging process can significantly reduce these risks, and as a result, facilitate safe medication use for all, regardless of age.
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PublicationSeeing the spire: A re-examination of the cultural myth of the small town through literature, histories, and observations( 1997)Throughout this thesis, I look at the influences behind Main Street and The Changing of the Guard rather than the novels themselves. I present the hometowns of Lewis and Scholl and investigate the lives of these two authors but make no effort to exclusively define them. The accumulation of information is not exhaustive and the interpretations are my own, but this initial exploration will provide insights into the novels that may have gone unexplained.