Studies have suggested that the Christian Right, composed largely of Protestant fundamentalists, is a political movement characterized by an extreme right-wing (conservative) ideological bias. The general assumption by students of religion and politics has been that the Christian Right reflects a consistently conservative position with regard to both economic and social policy issues. However, minimal quantitative research has been employed to lend substance to such theories. The goal of this study was to employ quantitative research data to determine the political biases and ideology of Protestant fundamentalists on bothChristian Right is indeed conservative on issues policy, but much less so (even somewhat liberal) on economic or social welfare policy.This study was conducted using survey data collected by the National Opinion Research Center, General Social Surveys (NORC). The Protestant respondents were separated from the non-Protestant respondents, and indexes were computed to reflect the composite scores of the Protestant respondents on issues of social policy and social welfare policy. Although the results were somewhat inconclusive with regard to social welfare issues, the findings generally supported the hypothesis: There is a statistically significant positive relationship between social policy conservatism and degree of Protestant fundamentalism, strong enough to be of theoretical importance. Conversely, there is, in some instances, a statistically significant positive relationship between support for social welfare and degree of Protestant fundamentalism. The prevailing theory that Protestant fundamentalists are economic conservatives was shown to be a questionable if not a false theory.The conclusion of the present study was that the Christian Right is acutely aware of and politically motivated by social policy issues, concerned that the fundamentalist's perception of the proper morality is carried out in public policy. The Protestant fundamentalist position on issues of social policy reflects a conservative ideological bias. The economic issues, however, are of much less importance to members of the Christian Right, and perhaps may be unrelated to any type of religious position or religious intensity. Where relationships were found to exist, the Christian Right was shown to be moderate or even liberal, reflecting some degree of support for government-provided social welfare programs, a position at variance with the general conservative political movement. Some speculations as to the dichotomy of the Christian Right as a conservative political movement are offered, and several reasons for this dichotomy between social and economic policy issues are offered in light of the religious beliefs held by Protestant fundamentalists. / Department of Political Science

Increased residential and commercial development threatens wetland functions, particularly near urban centers. This research explores the values and attitudes of residents concerning wetlands, wetland restoration, and development near Fort Wayne and Huntington, Indiana, the location of a large wetland restoration project. Key Informant interviews were conducted to contextualize issues on wetlands, stormwater management, development, and community involvement. Interviews results were used to generate a random sample, multi-county mail survey. Results show that residents find protecting groundwater, green space, and access to clean drinking water very important. Environmental concern is high regarding flooding, development, and water quality. KI’s underestimate resident’s awareness of water quality issues. A proposed model of significant factors in explaining resident’s attitudes towards wetlands includes whether or not they are a farmer, wetland knowledge, well-being, and positive attitudes towards green space and development. This research is unique because the respondents have exposure to wetland areas on a regular basis. Wetlands are highly appreciated and are an important part of the community. There is a fine balance of property rights and pro-conservation attitudes among residents. Future research can explore whatconservation specifically means to people and how their views on property rights shape that meaning. Results from this research can aid management decisions that can be either beneficial or detrimental to the wetland and those who depend on it for a variety of needs. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Objective: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the perceptions of entry-level certified athletic trainers on the helpfulness of proposed standards for athletic training clinical education settings.Design and Setting: A 22 item questionnaire was developed based on 12 proposed standards for clinical education settings. The questionnaire was mailed to entry-level certified athletic trainers (those certified in 1997). The individuals in this sample were chosen due to their relatively recent education and work experience. Subjects were asked to rate the helpfulness of each standard. Using an open-ended question, subjects were also asked to identify the aspects of clinical education which prepared them best to fulfill employment responsibilities.Measurements: Frequency counts were computed for the degree of compliance with each clinical education setting standard, time devoted to clinical experience (hours and semesters) and clinical experience settings. Mean scores were computed from respondents' perceptions of helpfulness of clinical education setting standards and the role of clinical education in professional development of these athletic trainers. Chisquare with a significance level set at .05 was used to compare demographic and experience information to the perceived helpfulness of each clinical education setting standard.Results: Compliance with the proposed standards was high (mean = 89.9%, range 75.2% - 99.2%). Standards were perceived as "very helpful" (mean = 4.17/5.0). Only standards # 8 Single Coordinator of Clinical Education (mean = 3.58) and # 11 Professionally Active Clinical Instructor (mean = 3.96) were perceived as less than "very helpful.” Chi-square analyses revealed very little interaction between independent demographic variables and preparation for employment as an entry-level athletic trainer.Conclusions: The proposed standards for selecting and evaluating athletic training clinical education setting are helpful and should be considered for implementation in an athletic training education program. The standards can be used by all students and program administrators to evaluate a current or potential clinical education setting.Key Words: compliance, selection, evaluation, clinical experience, clinical instruction / Department of Educational Leadership

The purpose of this study was to investigate the steps taken by the Ball State University Athletic Department in order to achieve the gender equity expectations set forth by Title IX. The study also investigated the perceptions and understanding of student athletes at Ball StateUniversity toward the steps taken to achieve gender equity. This study utilized surveys with student athletes from Ball State University. The results suggest that student athletes do not feel they are treated equally by the athletic department. However, it is unclear as to whether student athletes are fully aware of the actions taken by the athletic department to ensure gender equity. / Department of Educational Leadership

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-137). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xi, 137 leaves, bound col. ill. 29 cm

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-50). / 50 leaves, bound 29 cm

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Waterloo, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Jan. 26, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. 187-201).

In the light of a more punitive stance in Corrections and public discontent with the criminal justice system, a number of studies have been conducted since 1970 testing public punitiveness, probably in an attempt to determine whether sentences laid down by courts are in line with public perceptions on just deserts. This study combines two scales: The first a Likert scale measuring punitiveness as such and the second a "Just Deserts" scale testing public reactions in terms of imprisonment for crime descriptions. By using Pearson's correlation, no positive correlation could be established between these two scales. Profiles of the top and bottom 15% scorers on both scales showed that the scales were, if anything, negatively related. This information is informative in the sense that opinion polls showing public discontentment with sentencing cannot be seen as a true reflection of their reactions to more descriptive cases. / Penology / M.A. (Penology)

A survey methodology was developed to measure the consumer welfare loss associated with various municipal water shortages. The methodology was designed to provide monetary estimates of consumer welfare loss and was tested on 644 households in the Tucson metropolitan area in February, 1981. The methodology was based on welfare economic theory and used two types of welfare measures: willingness to pay and willingness to accept. Respondents were presented with two hypothetical water shortage situations and asked to estimate their welfare loss according to prepared bidding schedules. The results of the survey, although biased by bidding behavior, indicate that consumers place a low value on the welfare loss associated with water shortages. The bidding behavior can be explained in part by the bidding mechanics and in part by the inability of the respondents to know their true response to possible water shortages.

The purpose of the investigation was to determine if participant attitudes toward recreation program elements varied significantly according to racial origin of the individual. The subjects were adults involved in structured and unstructured recreation programs at six community recreation centers operated by the Dallas Recreation Department. The chi-square test was used to determine significance of the difference among participant attitudes. The results of the investigation revealed a statistically significant difference among the three racial groups with regard to their attitudes toward various program elements. Conclusions were that participants from these three racial groups appear to be more different than alike in their attitude toward recreation programming.