In the modern political environment in the United States, voting is the most common form of political participation. Many individuals consider voting to be a simple process, but it is a form of political participation that requires various costs from both the individuals casting their ballot and the authority systems organizing and managing elections. In recent years new voting programs have been established to lower costs, increase voter turnout, and add flexibility to the voting process through the use of modern technology. The following research examines the new Vote Center Model of running elections being implemented in Wayne, Tippecanoe, and Cass Counties in Indiana. Elections held in 2007 and 2008 will be studied, attempting to determine the effect of the Vote Center Model on running elections when compared to the traditional Precinct Model. / Department of Political Science

This study sought to test on the state level the validity of Thomas A. Bailey's theory on reactions to the proposal for a League of Nations following World War I. Bailey, a noted diplomatic historian, suggested that most groups were guided by partisan loyalties to either support or oppose the League. Indiana newspaper editors were chosen as the test group for study because of their influence with the public and the accessibility of their views. Ten Indiana newspapers were surveyed fully between January 1919 and the end of March 1920, and an additional eleven papers were spot-checked during that period. The state newspapers were divided as equally as possible based upon their support for either the Democratic or the Republican party, and then were compared to two national newspapers, one Democratic and one Republican.The results of these comparisons appear to validate Bailey's hypothesis. The editorial positions of most of the Indiana newspapers coincided with the positions of thepolitical parties with which they were identified. The study also revealed greater diversity of opinion among editors of both political persuasions during the early months of 1919 as the participants at the Paris Peace Conference worked toward the first draft of the Covenant. After President Wilson presented the Treaty of Versailles to the United States Senate, partisan debate ensued, and a narrowing of editorial opinion parallel to that debate was evident among newspapers on both sides. Pro-League newspapers supported Wilson's position from the time he presented it to the Senate in July 1919. Anti-League newspapers supported Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and his followers in the Senate from about the same time. Neither group changed significantly from then until the final defeat of the treaty in March 1920. Thus, it would appear that Bailey's hypothesis regarding the partisan origins of most group's positions was correct. / Department of History

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

This study determines opinions of two Indiana communities concerning the proposed Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. Surveys were mailed to residents of Pike County and Noblesville, Indiana. The response rate was 38%. Differences in attitudes were measured between residents of the two areas regarding ten issues of concern. The issues respondents were most concerned with were those focusing on the loss of county tax base, road closings and access, and a possible increase in the mosquito population. Surprisingly, the issues concerning avian diseases and land acquisition/ condemnation were not major concerns. It was originally thought that these issues of employment and property would have been of primary concern to respondents. Residents of Pike County in the affected refuge area were more aware of the refuge and the issues of concern. However, of the respondents who were aware of the refuge in both Pike county and Noblesville, few differences in their perceptions of the issues were noted. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

The object of this study was to determine the current attitudes of Ball State University students toward hazardous waste disposal. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data on political affiliation and ideology, knowledge of the hazardous waste issue. and environmental attitudes. A total of 103 freshmen and 77 seniors returned usable questionnaires for an overall response rate of 49%. Computer analysis of returned questionnaires answering six research questions and forming conclusions. It was determined that there were measurable differences in attitudes between freshmen and senior students. While both groups expressed environmental concern, seniors were more knowledgable of the issues and more thoughtful in their choices. However, several indications were discovered that environmental concern in this survey group will probably not lead to political action.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Indiana has 7-8 years of landfill capacity remaining until its landfills are full. Delaware County has been without a municipal sanitary landfill since 1985. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Delaware County public opinion on solid waste management issues in order to ultimately include the public in the management process. Two hundred eighty-one Delaware County residents were surveyed by telephone to assess their knowledge and opinions on solid waste management issues. Two sets of conditions were hypothesized to influence attitudes: urban versus rural living environment, and educational level. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) between urban and rural attitudes towards waste management options. There was a difference between responses as a function of educational level; the more educated respondents were more aware of solid waste disposal issues. It was concluded that the public is aware of both national and local waste management issues, and are in favor of legislative control measures. / Department of Natural Resources

Nationally, physicians have been slow to adapt to the use of the Internet as a tool of communication for the business of medicine. To understand the reasons for this and to determine if physicians in Indiana follow this national trend, a Q analysis was used to measure their attitudes toward the Internet. Q analysis allowed the researcher to quantify subjectivity.This study focused on physicians who are members of the Indiana State Medical Association, an organization representing nearly 8,000 of the state's doctors. Physicians were of different race, sex, age, specialty and geographic location as to be representative of Indiana physicians.For this study, twenty-eight physicians ranked a series of forty-eight statements along a bipolar continuum called a Q sort. Each subject was asked to rate the forty-eight statements on a nine-point most agree (+4) and least agreed (-4) scale.Analysis of the twenty-eight Q sorts collected for this study provided three factor types. Those who comprised Factor I were labeled the "Futurists." The view that emerged from this group was that the Internet is seeping into every facet of the American health experience and will change the business of medicine. The highest number of physicians fell into Factor 2. This group comprised 39 percent of the participants. Factor 2, named the "Skeptics," showed interest in the Internet along with many concerns. Those physicians from Factor 3 strongly disagree that the health care system is behind the times in the information revolution. Named "Easy Navigators," physicians in this group responded that they effortlessly find their way around the Internet. Analysis suggests Indiana physician attitudes toward the Internet are concurrent with those nationally. / Department of Journalism

This study documents the most salient factors associated with the decline in hunting participation in Indiana. Data for the study were obtained from interviews and a survey of Indiana residents conducted in 2008. Respondents were classified as current hunters, former hunters, nonhunters, or anti-hunters. The most salient reasons respondents cited for the decline in hunting participation in Indiana were: less access to private land, lack of time, urbanization, and changing values among the younger generation. The major reasons that former hunters discontinued participation were lack of time, loss of interest, cost of licenses and equipment, and lack of available hunting partners. For nonhunters, the major reasons for non-participation were that they were not brought up into hunting, had other leisure activities during the hunting season, and were not willing to kill animals. The major reasons anti-hunters did not participate were that they had ethical problems with hunting, were not willing to kill animals, were not brought up into hunting, and don’t eat meat. The results of this study found that declining participation in hunting is the result of changing socio-economic factors in American society and not of any adverse ecological factors in America’s natural environment. Based on the results and comments from respondents, wildlife management agencies would gain the most from efforts to retain hunters, as opposed to try to recruit new hunters from the ranks of people who have no interest in it or are former hunters. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Gardens do not grow without human interest; however, human interest is not sufficient to support a garden if soil quality is unsatisfactory. This study asked two questions about gardening in Muncie, Indiana, USA: (1) how interested are residents in gardening? (2) how well can residents garden, based upon selected soil properties? Mailed surveys and telephone calls addressed the first question. Fifty-eight percent of respondents indicated they gardened. Compared to non-gardeners, gardeners rated their soil quality higher, modified soil more comprehensively, and were more interested in helping others garden. Survey response bias and non-response bias occurred. Soil analysis addressed the second question. Soil pH and soil organic matter were satisfactory for gardening. Soil Pb levels were above the federal threshold of 1,200 mg kg-1 in only three (5%) sampling locations. More than adequate, and at times excessive, levels of P and K were found. This thesis includes recommendations for future research. / Soil and gardening in urban environments -- Muncie residents are interested in gardening -- Muncie soil is suitable for gardening. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / Department of Journalism