Among the changes farm families have faced during the past two decades has been the dramatic increase in off-farm employment. Historically, women's involvement has been essential to the functioning of the family farm, and as off-farm income has increased in importance, increasing numbers of farm women have joined the ranks of those employed in off farm jobs. Using phone survey data collected during the 1988-89 year, the objectives of this study were (1) to identify the variables which may predict farm wives' off-farm employment status, and the resulting direct and indirect effects of their employment status on their satisfaction with farming as a way of life, and (2) to assess the direction and strength of the relationships. Guided by the Deacon and Firebaugh (1988) family systems framework, path analysis was used to estimate the relationships among the variables. The path model was estimated and examined using LISREL 8 on the covariance matrix. A low chi-square and high goodness-of-fit index suggested that no significant difference existed between the observed covariance matrix and the model-implied matrix; however, many of the parameters in the model had low values. Because the model did not explain the ultimate variable, satisfaction with farming as a way of life, well, several explanations were explored. None of the model modifications estimated provided a better fit to the data, nor did they result in better path coefficients. However, splitting the sample into large and small farm subsamples answered some important questions. When small (net farm income of $10,000 or less) and large farm samples were examined, results revealed significant differences on a number of variables and correlations. An analysis of the path model for small farms produced poor R�� values, but the R�� for wife's off-farm employment level was slightly improved over the initial model with the full sample. The analysis of large farms indicated that the model provided better explanatory power with large farms than with either the small farm or full sample when focusing on the ultimate variable, satisfaction with farming as a way of life. / Graduation date: 1996

The purpose of this study was to examine Oregon State University students' self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about recycling. Students living in on-campus and off-campus organized living groups were mailed a four-page survey with questions about their recycling activities, their attitudes about recycling, their opinions of the effectiveness of the campus recycling program, and their demographic information. The study population included all students living in OSU's residence halls, cooperatives, and fraternity and sorority houses. Three hundred fifteen surveys were mailed, and 237 were returned, for an overall response rate of 75%. The results showed that: 1) Based on the criteria used to distinguish between recyclers and non-recyclers, 95% of the sample were recyclers, with women reporting recycling behavior at a higher level than men. 2) There were no significant differences in attitudes about recycling between recyclers and non-recyclers. Recyclers, however, are more likely than non-recyclers to make purchases based on their concern for the environment. 3) Most OSU students who recycle spend less than 30 minutes per month recycling, and it appears to be a well-established pattern in their lives. More than 50% of the students recycle on a daily or a weekly basis. 4) OSU students recycle all materials except plastics at high rates, ranging from 76% for glass to 87% for paper. Plastics were recycled by 64% of the students who recycle. 5) Students recycle at residences and in classrooms and offices on the OSU campus, and report the least recycling activity at the Memorial Union. OSU students mainly use the curbside collection service for off-campus recycling. 6) OSU students receive information about recycling from a wide variety of sources, including school, home, and the media. One recommendation based on this study is that Campus Recycling provide education about materials re-processing and about the importance of purchasing products with recycled content to close the three-sided recycling loop, as well as to introduce the concept of source reduction. Another recommendation is that organized housing groups name a recycling coordinator who will educate and motivate the residents of the housing group to recycle. Eighty-one percent of the respondents reported television as a source of information about recycling. Additional research is needed to identify the time slots and programs watched by students if this media will be used for future educational interventions about recycling. Finally, because this survey dealt only with recycling of non-hazardous materials, additional research is needed to gather information on disposal of hazardous materials like batteries, automobile fluids, and household paint and cleaners. / Graduation date: 1997

The life history, temperature, humidity, and feeding requirements of the phytoseiid predator mite, Typhlodromus americanus Chant and Yoshida-Shaul were tested in the laboratory. Occurance of the mite in the field during different times of the year was investigated as well. Effects of temperature and humidity on egg hatch, the feeding requirements of the larvae, the amount consumed by each life stage, the length of each life stage and suitability of different food sources were investigated in the laboratory. The use of the mite as a biological control agent was evaluated by using the information gained from the laboratory experiments. T. americanus was originally discovered in plantation grown Douglas-fir in western Oregon. Since that time the mite has been found on a number of other hosts throughout North America. The mite is active year round in the Christmas tree plantations of the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The adult is found in or near the one year old bud scars and the eggs are typically deposited there also. Life parameters were measured providing a net reproductive rate of 4.23, a mean generation time of 24.45 days, and an intrinsic rate of increase of 0.059 The intrinsic rate of increase was low when compared to other predator mites and numerical response to prey increase would not be possible with such a low rate. The optimal temperature for the shortest eclosion time (54.4 hr.) and the highest survival (96.4%) was 26��C. The regression of temperature vs. time to hatch gave a 90% R�� with both the slope and intercept significantly different from zero. Humidities above 70% had survival rates over 96% and eclosion rates in the range of 50-58 hours. The relative humidity at which 50% of the population died was 58.6%. The mite was found to feed readily on the pest mite Oligonychus ununguis (spruce spider mite), as well as Tetranychus urticae (two spotted spider mite), and corn, oak, and Douglas-fir pollens. The larval form of the predator mite does not require food to molt to the protonymph, but the protonymph does require food to molt. If water is provided the entire time from egg to death, the protonymph can survive about ten days. Females consumed more Tet. urticae than males in both the immature and adult stages. The T. americanus that were fed corn pollen and Tet. urticae (complete diet) lived for over 115 days. Mites raised on oak and corn pollens did not survive as long (only 70-80 days), and those raised on Douglas-fir pollens did not reach adulthood. Egg production was observed on the complete diet, but not on the diets of pollen. The largest number of eggs were laid around the twelfth day after the molt to adult. Control and management of field conditions to improve habitat for T. americanus will be the best approach for its use as a biological control agent. As it does not respond numerically to prey increase, it will be more effective in a regulatory role to prevent these increases while the prey is at low levels. / Graduation date: 1996

Evaluating the success or failure of work force training programs is most often accomplished through the reporting of "objective" data. Rarely are the students' views of their own success in such a training program formally solicited or applied in any useful way. But participant perceptions can be a critical barometer of quality and ought to be taken into account in any program which aims for continuous improvement. This research was undertaken to allow people to present their experiences and meanings in ways which can contribute to just such program improvement. The study was guided by the following research questions: 1. How do student participants define success? 2. How did their Skill Center training program meet their definition of success? It was expected that information gathered from the study would provide information that could: (a) provide and clarify student participant perspectives in work force training and employment programs, and (b) help program operators who run this and similar programs make informed decisions based on participants' definitions of success and their perceptions of what successes they experienced from the Skill Center program. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with fifteen graduates self-identified as successful. Grounded theory methodology was followed to develop the findings. Among all informants, the most often cited theme was that of "connecting" with instructors and fellow students. A second component of this central theme was a "cohort" feeling; a perception of warmth, support, and a sense of family that was common to all of the students interviewed. Many students were balancing feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, and despair, and it was the human connections with the other members of the skill training center that enabled many, if not most, students to persist in training. For all of the interviewees, the affective value of their training was more intrinsic (e.g., helped them build their confidence and self-esteem) than extrinsic (e.g., helped them obtain and retain a job). This contributes to an inherent tension between individuals and agencies, since agency perspectives on success are based almost solely on extrinsic measures. / Graduation date: 1996

This study examined the values, competencies, and goals of educators related to preventing drug abuse. Its purpose was to develop a new theory to define the crisis moral community among the educators: a theory which linked the primary variables (values, competencies, and goals) in such a way as to reveal their relationships. Twenty rural educators who had participated in a drug education training program, were surveyed using two instruments: one which examined their perceived competencies to conduct drug education and one which examined their values related to four imagined conflict situations. The relationship between the two assessments linked the teachers' values to their perceived level of competency and the goal of their drug education program. The face value of the data permitted the development of a finer description of the three linked variables. Not only do the variables covary; they also transform as they move from simple to complex (values), random to purposeful (competencies), and information-only to enfranchisement (goals). The primary result supports a crisis among the educators surveyed. The substantive conclusion is the development of enfranchisement theory as a higher order method for preventing drug abuse. Enfranchisement theory establishes a critical horizon that explains the failure of many drug education programs (DARE, for example) and proposes a values set, level of educator competency, and program goals for effective drug education. / Graduation date: 1995

Pollution prevention is promoted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other governmental agencies as a method of reducing the generation of wastes and pollutants. Pollution prevention is also called source reduction because it reduces wastes early in the production process. Source reduction has been used by some industries to comply with governmental regulations and decrease costs associated with the management of hazardous materials. Nationally, the electronics industry generates a large quantity of hazardous waste. Similarly in Oregon, the electronics industry has recently been identified by the DEQ as one of the top five polluters in the state. The purpose of this research was to identify pollution prevention strategies that are currently being used by the electronics industry in Oregon and to assess the industry's interest in switching to less hazardous practices. A questionnaire was distributed to 180 businesses, which included all industries affiliated with the Oregon Electronics Association and additional electronics firms listed in Oregon phone directories. From those responding to the survey, the results indicated that electronics organizations in Oregon manufacture a wide variety of products including circuit boards, cable assemblies, software, laser equipment, printers, and control panels. Over half of those participating in the survey reported that the largest quantity of hazardous materials were generated early in the manufacturing process. Forty-seven percent of the respondents indicated they had attempted incorporating less hazardous compounds to those used previously. Common problems encountered which discouraged the industry from switching to less hazardous products or processes were revealed by the participants to include: The new product/process did not work as well (37%), did not believe current practices were harmful (18%), cost factors (14%), pressure from governmental agencies (3%), and other factors (28%). Fifty percent of those responding revealed that their company recycles materials within the facility. Participants indicated the products which were most likely to be recycled included cardboard (19%), office paper (18%), tin/aluminum (13%), newspaper (12%), and used chemicals (11%). The largest number of participants (43%) defined "green" or "environmentally safe/friendly" products as those that contain no known hazardous chemicals. Using this chosen definition, sixty-five percent of those responding indicated their organization did use these "green" products. It was indicated by those returning completed surveys that one reason the industry has attempted to incorporate less hazardous products and processes into their production process is primarily because of long term financial benefits. Other factors influencing the use of less hazardous materials included ethical concerns and the desire to find safer products that work as well as current products. A vast majority of respondents indicated more should be done in the area of pollution prevention and want leadership to come from within the industry itself. It is recommended that top executives in this field meet to share methods of overcoming obstacles to pollution prevention, clarify current terminology as it relates to new products, develop a system of rewarding those who are engaging in pollution prevention activities and promote technology transfer. / Graduation date: 1995

The benthic microalgae of sediments of the two tidal flats in Yaquina Bay, Oregon were investigated to determine the environmental factors limiting the abundance and the horizontal and vertical distribution of these organisms. The Southbeach tidal flat which is under the marine realm of deposition consists of fine to medium grained sand. The Sally's Bend tidal flat is under the fluviatile realm of deposition and consists of silt. Measurements were made of interstitial temperatures, movements of sand, turbidity, pH, salinity, depth of light penetration through the sediments, and the water content of the substrate. Samples of the benthic microalgal community were collected by using a piston corer. Sections of the cores were used for estimating the biomass: (1) by making direct counts of live microalgae, (2) by estimating chlorophyll a concentration and (3) by measuring ash-free dry weight. The greatest biomass of microalgae was found to be in cores from the lower intertidal zone while cores from the upper intertidal zone had the lowest biomass. This distribution probably results from the greater fluctuations in temperature, salinity, water content, and oxygen content, which are more variable in the upper intertidal zone. The greater biomass in cores from the lower intertidal zone may be the result of less fluctuation in environmental factors as well as the fact that this area is exposed to nutrient-laden water for longer periods of time than the upper intertidal zone. The greatest biomass of microalgae was found in the upper centimeter of cores collected at all levels of the intertidal zone, because light can penetrate no more than a few millimeters through sediment. Occurrence of algae below the photic zone is thought to result from vertical migration, sedimentation, or the activity of burrowing animals. It was found that the Southbeach tidal flat had a significantly greater biomass than Sally's Bend at all intertidal levels and in the various layers of the cores. This was attributed to differences in environmental conditions peculiar to each tidal flat which is the result of the hydrography of the bay. Estimates of the rates of potential gross production were made using a Gilson Differential Respirometer. The community from the Southbeach tidal flat had a greater potential gross rate of production than the Sally's Bend community. This was partially the result of high rates of bacterial respiration in cores from the Sally's Bend tidal flat. This tidal flat had significantly greater amounts of organic matter than Southbeach and the abundance of bacteria in sediment is related to the amount of organic matter. Measurements of the concentrations of chlorophyll a were corrected for the percentage of pheophytin present. Significantly greater amounts of pheophytin were found in cores from the Sally's Bend tidal flat which probably resulted from the large amounts of allochthonous detrital chlorophyll deposited in these sediments. The microflora consisted almost exclusively of diatoms. One hundred and fifty-four species and varieties were identified. Most of the species found in the lower intertidal zone were found in the mid and upper intertidal zones as well. Many of the species identified have never been reported from Oregon prior to this investigation. / Graduation date: 1969

Graduation date: 1996

Graduation date: 1995

The primary question to be answered as a result of the research was: Do native English-speaking undergraduate students learn CD-ROM database search skills more effectively through the use of conventional instruction method or by training confined to a written manual self-instructional method? Thirty-seven Oregon State University students were randomly assigned to two groups and participated in the study. The study utilized an experimental pretest-posttest control group design. The length of the study was six weeks. All participants were pre and post-measured using the CD-ROM Database Competency Test which was validated using the Delphi method. The subjects were trained using Wilsondisc and SilverPlatter databases. ANCOVA and t-tests were the main statistics utilized in the analysis. The results of the study were as follows: 1) Subjects in both treatment groups experienced significant test score gains between pretest and posttest; 2) Those subjects which were assigned to the conventional instruction group had significantly higher scores than did subjects assigned to the self-instruction group; 3) Subject gender was determined not to be a factor when differences were considered from test results; 4) Interaction did not play a significant role in influencing the data results; 5) Students rated formal training as being very helpful in improving the effectiveness of their CD-ROM database searches. The major conclusion drawn from the study was that the native English-speaking students at Oregon State University learned CD-ROM searching skills more effectively through the conventional instruction method than those students who were trained by self-instruction. The results of the study substantiated the need to undertake further efforts to improve the efficiency of learning CD-ROM access instructional methods in higher educational settings. / Graduation date: 1994