The objective of this research was to determine the acceptability and preference of peanut butter and three different flavors of soynut butter among humans. Six hundred and sixty-two volunteers (401 females, 258 males and 3 unknown) between the ages of 18 and up were randomly asked to fill out a demographic survey and taste 1 tsp. (5.33 g) of three different soynut butters (creamy, creamy with honey, and creamy with chocolate) and 1 tsp. (5.33 g) of peanut butter on saltine crackers. After taste testing the soynut butters/peanut butter, volunteers were asked to rate each product on a 9-point hedonic rating scale based on appearance, texture, and flavor; the subjects were also asked as to whether they would purchase the nut butters. Demographic information such as participants' age, gender, year in school, and ethnicity were collected, along with questions concerning their frequency of exercise, eating and smoking habits, and health status of themselves and their families.The creamy with honey and creamy soynut butters were rated highest by both genders for all variables (i.e., appearance, texture, flavor, purchase). The purchase variable determined statistical significance between females and males. The females indicated by their rating that they would be more likely to purchase the chocolate soynut butter vs. the peanut butter, while the males indicated purchasing preference of peanut butter over the chocolate soynut butter.Given that both creamy with honey and creamy soynut butters were accepted by this population based on appearance, texture, and flavor, future research in this area should focus on soy foods in humans and biochemical parameters, marketing niches, specific ethnic or age preferences, and education of the health benefits of soy. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

An investigation of architecturally significant buildings constructed within the last fifty years, in the Midwest and the application of preservation theories to these significant buildings, to aid in evaluation strategies and preservation implementation.Recognition of recent past construction as candidates for architecturally significant cultural resources and the application of preservation theories to these buildings make for good design and preservation practice. Part of our responsibility, as preservation professionals is to promote the preservation of significant structures, regardless of the date of construction. Since there is no established process to aid in preserving recently constructed buildings of architectural significance, it is necessary to develop strategies to assist in the evaluation process. / Department of Architecture

Despite education reform efforts to improve the quality of education in urban lower-income areas, a continued correlation between social status and academic achievement that disproportionately disadvantages those from a lower class background remains. This thesis explores the connection between social class and the meanings placed upon education and presents a number of distinguishing elements that middle class and working-class individual's value about education in a predominantly white working-class urban neighborhood in the Midwest. More specifically, while both middle-class and working-class individuals espoused a value for parent involvement, "caring" or quality teachers, and relevant curriculums, unique schemas and meanings were evoked by each of these elements. For example, the meaning of a "caring" teacher was different for each group as each looked for different attributes as signs or markers of quality. / Department of Anthropology

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The purpose of this study was to question a selected group of 28 adult undergraduate students to gain an understanding of the thoughts and experiences that led to their full time enrollment (12 semester hours or more) in a public, four-year postsecondary educational institution. Students targeted were age 25 or older and enrolled as full-time freshmen.Telephone interviews were conducted with 28 students. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The transcriptions were then analyzed to look for emerging themes. The interviews were semi-structured and based upon an interview guide that was designed containing a section of open-ended questions and a set of demographic questions. Questions were developed largely using the findings of previous studies found in adult education and higher education literature. The Chain-of-Response Model (Cross, 1981) was used as a conceptual framework for the study.Findings indicate that the underlying reasoning behind adult participation was the realization of what a college degree would bring in terms of career opportunities. However, it was life transition that brought the participation at this particular time. Many of the adults have had a positive attitude about what education could do for them ever since high school. However, especially for the women, family responsibilities were what had deterred them to this point in their lives. Changes in those responsibilities, primarily the children getting older, provided the opportunity for them to participate. For others indicating life transition the change occurred largely due to health reasons. Many of these participants were forced to explore other work opportunities due to a current disability or the realization that they could not always perform the physical nature of the work they were doing. Beyond those deterred by life transition, respondents reported a realization over time that college could bring career opportunities that were not available without a degree. Many were simply shortsighted earlier in life and now have come to realize it is not too late. For these students, attitude changes coupled with increased goal expectations were key. / Department of Educational Leadership

In archaeology, most studies of artifacts focus on lithics and ceramics, while bone artifacts are often neglected in our intense study of the past. This thesis takes a step in the opposite direction by focusing on a bone tool known as the beamer. This thesis tests the hypothesis that the beamer, used for processing animal hides, is only used during the Late Woodland and Mississippian time periods. If the hypothesis is supported, the beamer would be unique among bone artifacts, acting as a chronological marker similar to projectile points. The thesis also studies how the hypothesized appearance of the beamer at the beginning of the Late Woodland affected the use of lithic scrapers, another tool used for hide processing. Information gathered for this thesis was used to create a large database of Midwestern prehistoric archaeological sites. While the original hypothesis did not hold up, a new hypothesis was created based on the data. / Department of Anthropology

Researchers report the need for attrition and persistence studies of adult college students. While adults are enrolling in colleges in record numbers, high percentages are also dropping out. The majority of studies have been completed on 18 to 21 year-old traditional students who have different views, perspectives, and needs than adult students. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics that have contributed to the persistence of adult commuter students who have earned 60 or more semester hours of college credit.The study was conducted at a midsize midwestern commuter college. The model of Bean and Metzner (1985) was used for the study. Evidence was gathered by in-depth, structured interviews of 20 college students who had completed 60 or more hours of college credit. Using a qualitative analysis, responses were transcribed and inserted in a prestructured case outline. Contact summary sheets, clusters, a frequency network, and two matrices were constructed to weigh the evidence, the characteristics that contributed to persistence, and to note the themes and patterns.The research indicated students varied by ethnicity, social class, and gender. Conclusions were that self-reliance was a characteristic of persistent students who assumed control for selecting courses, attending classes, and studying. Social support from outside or inside the university and a time commitment to college were important. Sufficient study skills, the discipline to study alone, and time management skills were also hallmarks of the successful students. The student's perception that the student was succeeding the first year of college appeared to be important. Beginning college at risk appeared to make only a slight difference in students at 60 or more hours of college.Implications were that administrators should educate students as to what characteristics contribute to success, and, when possible, provide characteristics of success so adult students persist to degree completion. Providing characteristics of success may promote persistence more than eliminating characteristics of dropouts. Recommendations were made for further gender, ethnic, socioeconomic, and developmental studies. / Department of Educational Leadership

This comparative study examined the leadership role of art department chairpersons in selected midwestern four-year colleges and universities. It compared the leadership role of the art department chairperson to his/her immediate supervisor's perception of that same role.Literature relating to leadership and leader behavior for chairpersons in administration and art education administration was reviewed. The Leadership Behavior Description Questionnaire-Ideal (LBDQ-Ideal) and a demographic data survey were used. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to measure statistical significance in Initiating Structure and Consideration.The population comprised forty-one colleges and universities with enrollments of 3500 or more students in eight midwestern states. Responses were needed from each art department chairperson and his/her immediate supervisor to have matched pairs for the study. Art department chairpersons were sent a demographic data survey to identify their specific environment and background.CONCLUSIONSThere is no significant statistical difference in the leadership role of art department chairpersons and their immediate supervisors' perceptions of that same role using the LBDQ-Ideal in the subscale areas of Initiating Structure and Consideration.RECOMMENDATIONS(1) A study is needed to develop and incorporate into existing art education specific programs for art department chairpersons and/or or art administrators and for those interested in becoming an art department chairperson.(2) A study is needed to develop strategies to increase the awareness of fellow staff and immediate supervisors as to the role and responsibilities of art department chairpersons.(3) A study is needed to develop in-service and pre-service training programs to emphasize the importance of skill development in both task-related (Initiating Structure) and people-related (Consideration) dimensions of effective educational leadership.(4) A study is needed to more fully examine the leadership differences between art department chairpersons with M.F.A. degrees and those with Ed.D/Ph.D. Degrees.(5) A study is needed to assess the leadership differences between art department chairpersons with prior public/private school experience and those with no prior public/private school experience.(6) A study is needed to determine the leadership role of art departments as a part of the total Fine Arts curriculum and program in most colleges and universities. / Department of Art

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Educational Studies

The purpose of this study was to analyse personnel expenditure of the Directorate Veterinary Service in the North West Province and how it impacted on service delivery. Literature on personnel expenditure and its influence on service delivery, particularly in the field of Veterinary Services is still in its infancy. Financial condition was referred as a tool to evaluate trends and patterns in how personnel budgets increases over a period of time as a fraction of the total budget affected the ability of the directorate to deliver services to the citizens of the province. Financial condition uses a percentage change to analyse changes in the budget over time for the Directorate. Budget reports (2000-2002) collected from the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment was analysed in terms of a split between personnel and operational. This analysis was then used to elucidate patterns over time for the Directorate as a whole, which were then compared between the regions (using cost centers) to determine any bias in terms of resource allocation. The percentage change was also done per standard budget item used in the Province. From the study it is evident that there was deterioration in financial condition for the financial year 200112001. This deterioration in financial condition is shown by a drop in budget but also in terms of a bias towards personnel. This phenomenon was however reversed in the following year of 2002/2003. This study has identified a negative correlation between personnel budget and other expenditure needs for the Directorate Veterinary Services that had negative consequences for service delivery. To this extent it recommends a regular monitoring process to be put in place and the use of public partnerships where practical as a solution to rising personnel costs. / (M.B.A.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2004