UNT Theses and Dissertations - 21 Matching Results

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An Appeal to Reason: Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and Whig Presidential Politics, 1836-1848
American politics from 1832 to 1848 underwent a profound transformation. Whereas in the early years of the republic politics had been based on deference and elitism, by the early 1830's a definite change in the political arena had occurred. With the coming of the "Age of Jackson, " the political rules and styles of the older era began to change. The politics of deference began to give way to the politics of "availability." Because this study is a discussion, examination, and analysis of Webster's and Clay's "appeal to reason, " the sources most heavily consulted were the published and microfilmed correspondence, speeches, and papers of these two statesmen. Other personal papers, correspondence, memoirs, and biographies of other central personalities of the middle period, both protagonists and antagonists, were used in order to place Webster and Clay in proper historical perspective. This dissertation is organized chronologically, and it traces and analyzes the evolution of the candidacies of Webster and Clay for the presidency from the early 1830's through the four presidential elections from 1836 to 1848. Each chapter includes an examination of Clay's and Webster's attempts to secure the Whig nomination and gain the presidency through forceful appeals to the voters' sense of logic and reason. Each chapter also includes a discussion and analysis of why these two men always failed.
Corporate Planning and Forecasting: An Analysis of the State of the Art in the Service Industry and Development of a Generalized Approach for the Needs of the 1970's and the 1980's
This study has a twofold purpose. The first is to demonstrate the state of the art of corporate planning and forecasting activity, and the second is to determine the existence of any differences between the planning practices of the consumer service industry and the producer service industry. The study is organized into seven chapters. The introduction chapter contains background information, a description of the problem and opportunity followed by a definition of terms, the purpose of the research, hypothesis of the research. It also describes the scope of the research, methodology, significance and limitations of the study and provides a chapter bibliography. The study finds that though certain segments of the service industry have sophisticated planning capability, it is not generally widespread. The study concludes there is no significant difference in the planning methods between consumer services and producer services industries
Decision Criteria for Gifts Under the 1976 Tax Reform Act
The 1976 Tax Reform Act made many changes in the taxation of estate and gift transfers. Previously gifts and estates were taxed separately and the gift tax rate was 75 percent of the estate tax rate; and there was a $30,000 exemption for gifts and a $60,000 exemption for estate transfers. Under the new law the exemptions were repealed and replaced with a unified credit against the tax; and the tax on estate and gift transfers was combined into one increasing rate schedule. Under the prior law, deathbed gifts were advantageous because the gift tax paid on the transfer was excluded from the taxable estate but was allowed as a credit against the estate tax since gifts within three years of the date of death were included in the gross estate unless the estate could demonstrate that the gifts were not made in contemplation of death. Under the new law, gift taxes paid on transfers which occur within three years of the date of death are included in the taxable estate.
The Effect of Busing on School Success of Minority Students in Urban Elementary Schools
The purposes of this study were (1) to determine whether the mean gains on achievement scores in reading and mathematics for bused students in grades four and five after one year in integrated schools is greater than the mean gain in reading and mathematics achievement scores for similar non-bused students in segregated schools; (2) to determine whether school attendance for bused students is greater than attendance for similar non-bused students; and (3) to determine if attitude toward school, academic self-concept, and general self-concept among groups of subjects are different. The analysis and interpretation of data yielded the following conclusions. 1. The elements associated with increased achievement in reading for fourth-grade minority students are not likely to be positively facilitated by increasing the majority-minority ratio by busing. 2. The elements associated with increased achievement in reading for minority fifth-grade students may be enhanced by busing for racial balance. 3. The elements associated with increased achievement in mathematics for minority fourth-grade students may be enhanced by busing for racial balance. 4. The elements associated with increased achievement in mathematics for minority students are not likely to be facilitated by increasing the majority-minority ratio. 5. The busing of minority students out of their neighborhood may be expected to result in a higher rate of absenteeism. 6. At the fourth-grade level, the change of setting in schools, busing, and a more varied student body would not seem to be deeply felt in any racial group's view toward school. 7. At the fifth-grade level the variances brought about by busing seem to be most profoundly felt by the Anglo population insofar as attitude is concerned. 8. At both grade levels the academic self-concept of Anglo students can be expected to be higher than that of minority students. 9. Among the ethnic groups no consistent trend …
Environmental Pollution, Material Scarcity and the Development of Aluminum Recycling Reverse Channels of Distribution
The purpose of this study was to analyze the developing organizational and management paradigms in the aluminum packaging and container industry, where reverse channels of distribution offer an excellent vehicle for studying organizations which are "closing the distribution circle." Based on the analysis, several conclusions are offered. 1. The extent to which primary manufacturers have entered aluminum packaging and container recycling and subsequently developed effective reverse channels of distribution is contingent upon needs for resources. 2. The most successful recycling programs are those which have decentralized organizations. 3. Central to beverage producers' decisions to develop extensive reverse channels of distribution is the belief that recycling is (1) a deterrent to container legislation, (2) a source of favorable publicity, (3) a source of company profits, and (4) can improve supply relationships with primary aluminum suppliers. 4. Regional beverage companies in the environmentally conscious Far West have the most successful and comprehensive recycling operations. 5. Loose organizational federations such as those of the soft drink franchise do not seem amenable to the development of reverse channels of distribution. 6. Where i t serves the needs of the enterprise, firms are developing sophisticated and efficient reverse channels of distribution. The institution of reverse channel intermediary functions reflects a new management and organizational paradigm based on environmental considerations. 7. A major stumbling block to further reverse channel development is the uncertainty caused by proposed container legislation.
Evaluation of the Mid-Management Concept of Cooperative Education in a Practical Setting
The problem with which this investigation was concerned was that of evaluating the Mid-Management concept of cooperative education at Tarrant County Junior College's South Campus. Evaluative data regarding the various parts of the Mid-Management program were obtained from current students, graduates, and employers, through use of primary source questionnaires and interviews. This study leads to the conclusion that promotional opportunities for students and especially graduates have been enhanced by more than 15 percent and, that a significant number of students and graduates have experienced an improvement in self-image and an increase in self-confidence. It is concluded further, that employers have perceived an increase in their Mid-Management employees' understanding of the manager's job and in their performance on the job, and that employers positively endorse the job-related-project approach of cooperative education. Earnings of both current students and graduates increased substantially after participation in the program; some of these improvements can probably be attributed to the program itself while others were due to inflation, tenure on the job, and other factors.
An Evaluation of the Music Programs in the Seventh-Day Adventist Academies in the United States
The purpose of this study was to survey and evaluate the music programs in Seventh-day Adventist academies in the United States during the 19 75-76 school year. Data were collected by means of a survey form sent to all principals and music teachers in the eighty schools and a music achievement test administered to graduating seniors in twenty-eight randomly selected academies. Although most departments judged the music facilities to be adequate, library materials such as scores, filmstrips, and in-service resources were needed in the majority of schools. One-half of the music programs did not have listening facilities available for classroom use. Comparing achievement test results for graduating seniors in Adventist schools with those of the standardization sample revealed no significant differences. The null hypothesis was rejected, however, when comparing size of school, location of school, type of school (boarding or day), sex of the student, and amount of piano and instrumental experience.
Financial Leverage and the Cost of Capital
The objective of the research reported in this dissertation is to conduct an empirical test of the hypothesis that, excluding income tax effects, the cost of capital to a firm is independent of the degree of financial leverage employed by the firm. This hypothesis, set forth by Franco Modigliani and Merton Miller in 1958, represents a challenge to the traditional view on the subject, a challenge which carries implications of considerable importance in the field of finance. The challenge has led to a lengthy controversy which can ultimately be resolved only by subjecting the hypothesis to empirical test. The basis of the test was Modigliani and Miller's Proposition II, a corollary of their fundamental hypothesis. Proposition II, in effect, states that equity investors fully discount any increase in risk due to financial leverage so that there is no possibility for the firm to reduce its cost of capital by employing financial leverage. The results of the research reported in this dissertation do not support that contention. The study indicates that, if equity investors require any increase in premium for increasing financial leverage, the premium required is significantly less than that predicted by the Modigliani-Miller Proposition II, over the range of debt-equity ratios covered by this study. The conclusion, then, is that it is possible for a firm to reduce its cost of capital by employing financial leverage. A secondary conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that earning power is an important variable to consider for inclusion in a regression model intended for use in investigating the effect of financial leverage on the cost of capital. The estimated partial regression coefficient of the earning-power variable was negative and highly significant in every cross-section year. Furthermore, earning power showed strong negative partial correlation with the debt-equity ratio. Therefore, omission …
A Follow-Up Study of Master's Degree Graduates in Physical Education at North Texas State University: 1965-1976
This study investigates different factors related to master's degree graduates 1965-1976 in Physical Education at North Texas State University in order to gain information about the master's degree program's relevance to the subsequent career. The findings of the study support the following conclusions: 1. Approximately two-thirds of the graduates thought the program had satisfactorily prepared them for their current positions. 2. Seventy per cent of the graduates suggested there should be a core of courses required in the master's degree program in physical education. The courses most often included in the responses regarding core courses were Research Perspective in Physical Education, Thesis, Mechanical Analysis of Motor Skills, Professional Preparation in Physical Education, Administrative Problems in Physical Education, and Testing in Physical Education. 3. The greatest strengths of the master's degree program in physical education at North Texas State University as reported by the graduates were faculty, research work for students, teaching resources and courses available. 4. The greatest weakness of the master's degree program in physical education at North Texas State University as indicated by the graduates was availability of facilities. 5. The majority of the graduates suggested the following: candidates should be free to select a variety of courses, should have the opportunity to select a specialized track, candidates should be involved in the procedures for preparation of degree plan, should increase physical education facilities and equipment, and should supplement the library in the department in order to facilitate research of relevant periodicals and journals.
Identifying Competencies for Post-Secondary Mid-Management Instructor-Coordinators by Comparing the Opinions and Perceptions of Selected Administrators and Mid-Management Instructor-Coordinators in Texas
The goal of this survey was to determine if a list of skills, activities, and competencies could be developed to aid in setting uniform guidelines for recruiting and selecting prospective mid-management instructor-coordinators. The data were amassed using a questionnaire which was sent to all mid-management instructor-coordinators and to three administrators at each participating college to ascertain the opinions of those persons closely involved with mid-management. The original mailing plus follow-up mailing resulted in a return of 72.50 per cent from mid-management instructor-coordinators and a return of 68.46 per cent from administrators. The results of this study show that the participants agree on a complex set of criteria, indicating a real need to formulate new guidelines for selecting instructors, guidelines which include definite skills, activities, and competencies mutually acceptable to administrators, teachers, and the TEA.
An Investigation of the Relationship Among Occupational Opportunities for Women, Marriage, and Fertility
The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship among the following variables: occupational opportunities for women, career participation, percentage married by specific age groups, and fertility. The areal units of analysis are the one-hundred largest standard metropolitan statistical areas in the United States in 1970. The independent variables are occupational opportunities for women and career participation of women, and the dependent variables are percentage married by specific age groups and fertility. The objectives are (1) to substantiate earlier findings that there is a negative relationship between occupational opportunities for women and fertility, (2) to include career participation as one dimension of occupational opportunities for women, (3) to compare the relationship and predictive ability of occupational opportunities for women and career participation in terms of the dependent variables of percentage married by specific age groups during regression analysis in order to determine its influence on fertility, and (4) to test propositions concerning the assumption that female labor-force participation does not necessarily inhibit fertility. The findings of the study indicate that there is a negative correlation between occupational opportunities for women and the percentage married by specific age groups and a negative correlation between work opportunities and fertility. Specifically, female-median income acts as a deterrent to marriage and fertility. Career participation does not compete impressively in explaining the variance of marriage or fertility.
Perceived Effect of the Quarter System on the Programs of Selected Middle Schools in the State of Texas
The problem of this study was to analyze the effect that a legislature-mandated quarter system was having on certain selected middle schools in the State of Texas, Some educators have claimed that the quarter system makes it possible to add flexibility to school programs. This study, therefore, was an attempt to find out if local school districts were taking advantage of this opportunity. A second goal of the study was to determine how principals, teachers, and curriculum directors felt about the manner in which schools were implementing certain teaching strategies which experts in this field have recommended for use in middle schools. It was concluded that the schools were not taking advantage of the quarter system in order to more nearly approach the middle school concept. Educators do not seem to be against the innovations proposed by middle school authorities so it would seem that the time is right for a full commitment to the area of schooling for the middle years. The support of the general public then will be a key factor in the success of the middle school. Educators must make an effort to keep the public better informed about the way children learn and grow if this support is to be forthcoming.
The Positions, Roles, and Perceptions of Black Elected Public School Board Members in Mississippi
The problem of this study is that of discerning the board positions, the roles, and the perceptions of Black elected public school board members in Mississippi as perceptions relate to racial discrimination, interpersonal relationships, and primary education interests. Major problems in education as perceived ranged from "racism" to "finances." Major contributions to education in Mississippi in the last five years as perceived ranged from "court decisions" to "election of Blacks to education positions." General conclusions are that less racial discrimination exists in school systems with Blacks represented on school boards; however, some racism is still perceived by Black board members.
The Problems of Mature Women Students Enrolled in a Selected Community College
This study identified the problems of mature college women students, assessed their intensity, and described relationships between the intensity of problems and the following seven demographic variables: number of credit hours for which they were currently enrolled, number of hours previously earned, age range, marital status, number of dependent children, age range of youngest child, and estimated total annual family income range. The Introductory Chapter includes the problem, purposes, research questions, background and significance, definitions, and limitations of the study. Chapter II contains a review of the literature concerning mature women, with a focus on two areas: (a) motivation for enrolling in college and (b) measured personality traits. The need for further research on the problems of mature women is also presented. Chapter III describes the subjects, the development of the questionnaire, procedures for the collection of data, and the method of treatment of the data. The findings are reported in Chapter IV. The summary, conclusions and recommendations are presented in Chapter V.
Relationship of Specified Characteristics of Registered Nurses in Texas to Their Support of the Professional Nursing Practice Act and Selected Clauses
This study purposed to determine Registered Nurses' levels of knowledge and support of the Professional Nursing Practice Act considered by the Sixty-fifth Texas Legislature. According to the findings previously described, it may be concluded that many Registered Nurses participate infrequently in continuing nursing education programs. If the proposed Act had been passed during this session of the Texas Legislature, most Registered Nurses licensed in Texas would have been required to change their levels of participation when regulations regarding continuing education were implemented, no later than January 1, 1982. It may be further concluded that Registered Nurses lacked sufficient knowledge about the Act that was proposed in 1977. Both comments made by respondents and answers to specific questions in the questionnaire pointed to this conclusion.
Some Aspects of the National Education Association's Emphases on Instruction
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the purposes, plans, activities, and programs of the National Education Association that focused upon instruction. To carry out this purpose, guideline questions were developed. Answers to the questions were sought through leads obtained from a study of the volumes of Addresses and Proceedings for the years since the first NTA meeting in 1857 through the 1976 NEA Convention and editions of the NEA Handbook from the first in 1945 through the 1976 edition. Findings were presented in a six-chapter historical-descriptive narrative. Although interest in instruction is not an exclusive concern held only by professional associations, the findings of this study do suggest that instruction has been a fortunate focus for the NEA in two respects. First, the times of NEA's more obvious emphasis on instruction have been relatively free of criticism of Association activity. Secondly, emphasis on instruction has emerged as a thread to unify the National Education Association with diverse organizations and with classic human institutions--the home, the church, the school, and governmental agencies--throughout the world.
A Study of Perceived Leadership Styles of Administrators Within Selected Colleges and Universities in Texas
The primary problem with which this investigation is concerned was the assessment of the perceptions of lower-level administrators as to leadership styles they see to be in effect in their respective colleges and universities in Texas. The purposes of this investigation were to 1) identify the administrative leadership styles in effect, 2) determine the prevailing leadership styles among presidents and lower-level officers, 3) test the assumption that lower-level officers select leadership styles similar to those styles perceived to be descriptive of chief officers and other administrators, 4) determine if the type of institution (public/ private) is a factor in the choice of leadership styles, 5) determine if institutional size is a factor in the choice of leadership styles, 6) ascertain if age is a factor in the choice of leadership styles, 7) determine if educational level is a factor in the choice of leadership styles, 8) determine if institutional level is a factor in the choice of leadership styles, 9) ascertain if tenure in an administrative position is a factor in the choice of leadership styles, 10) determine if administrative position is a factor in the choice of leadership styles. Analysis of the findings revealed the most popular styles of leadership were democratic, pragmatic-functional, and organismic. The prevailing style of leadership of the chief officer was democratic. Lower-level officers tend to select leadership styles similar to those styles they perceived to describe chief officers. The following characteristics of the institution or administrators were not significant factors in selecting leadership styles: public/ private colleges, institutional size, and position of the administrator, educational level of the institution, and years in an administrative position. The age and education of the administrator were significantly related to leadership styles. The administrators, for the most part, were educated in academic disciplines that were not management related.
A Study of the Goals for Public School Education in Texas
The problem with which this study was concerned was that of determining which of the "Goals for Public School Education in Texas" were perceived as appropriate by local educators and students in smaller school districts and to determine the degree to which each of these goals was being implemented. This study had a two-fold purpose. The first was to compare the differences between appropriateness and implementation as perceived by senior students, teachers, administrators, and the composite group. A comparison between the three groups regarding both appropriateness and implementation was also made. The second purpose of the study was to determine if sex, ethnic background, and geographic location were factors when comparing perceptions concerning the appropriateness and implementation of the "Goals for Public School Education in Texas." The comparison between students, teachers, and administrators revealed a significant difference between the groups on each, of the eighteen goals regarding appropriateness. With regard to implementation, there was a significant difference between groups on eight of the goals. Differences were generally between students and teachers and students and administrators. The comparison between male and female students revealed that the female students perceived the goals to be more appropriate than did the male students. There were no significant differences between their perceptions regarding implementation. There were significant differences between Anglos, Blacks, and Mexican Americans on ten of the eighteen goals with regard to appropriateness and on three of the eighteen goals regarding implementation. Generally the Anglos perceived the goals to be more appropriate than the other two groups. Geographically there were significant differences between the regions regarding both appropriateness and implementation. Differences varied regarding perceived appropriateness. Central Texas generally perceived implementation higher than the other regions and West Texas generally perceived implementation lower.
A Survey of the Use of Computers at State-Supported Senior Colleges and Universities in the United States
The purpose of this study was to determine the use of the computer in higher education at state-supported senior colleges and universities in the United States. The following findings and conclusions are based on the information gained from the study. 1. The average number of years computers have been used by institutions of higher education is ten. The length of time increases with both the level of offering and the enrollment of the institution. 2. A greater emphasis is placed on administrative use of the computer than on other uses. 3. A majority of the institutions have one centralized computer center that provides services to all users. Also, the majority of the individual computer users are provided the services without explicit charges or are only charged for a part of the services. 4. Policies pertaining to the use of the computer are most frequently formulated by the director of the computer center and a computer usage committee. 5. The amount of money spent for each of the different categories for expenditures (administrative, academic, and research) increases with the level of offering of the institutions. 6. Sixty-eight per cent of the institutions now offer an academic program in computer science and offer bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degrees. Six per cent of the total students in the responding institutions are enrolled in computer science courses. 7. Although use for research was the first use of the computer in higher education, that use is now the least frequent. 8. The computer hardware systems used by institutions of higher education vary both in size and in manufacturer. There are more IBM computers being used than any other make. 9. There is no standardization of computer languages; the ten most frequently used ones are FORTRAN, COBOL, ASSEMBLER, BASIC, RPG, P L/1 , ALGOL, SNOBOL, GPSS, …
A Validity and Reliability Study of Value Systems Analysis in Counseling and Psychotherapy
The purposes of the study were (1) to assess the validity and reliability of Values for Helpers, (2) to determine whether the test would be a usable instrument for analysis of value systems of mental health professionals, (3) to provide information on possible utilization of the test as a measurement tool for assessing the quality of relationship skills of helpers, and (4) to provide information of a heuristic nature for future research with Values for Helpers. To accomplish these purposes, the following questions were examined. 1. What are the relationships between the scales of the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values and Values for Helpers? 2. What are the relationships between the scales of the Personal Orientation Inventory and Values for Helpers? 3. What are the relationships between the total scores on Myrick and Kelly's Counselor Evaluation Rating Scale and the scales of Values for Helpers? Conclusions based on the results suggested that (1) there was acceptable reliability for Values for Helpers, (2) the tribalistic and conformist scales of Values for Helpers demonstrated negative convergent validity with the scales of the Personal Orientation Inventory, (3) the existential scale of Values for Helpers demonstrated positive convergent validity with the scales of the Personal Orientation Inventory, (4) the existential scale of the Values for Helpers demonstrated concurrent validity when related to the Counselor Evaluation Rating Scale, and (5) the existential scale of Values for Helpers appeared to exhibit very low predictive validity for counselor success in developing relationship skills and demonstrating positive practicum performance as measured by the Counselor Evaluation Rating Scale.
Views of Nurses in the Texas Nurses Association, District Four, Concerning Voluntary and Mandatory Continuing Education
This study was designed to investigate the opinions of District 4 membership of the Texas Nurses Association concerning mandatory and voluntary continuing education and to see if there was a relationship between members views and specific demographic characteristics. With the enormous growth of scientific knowledge, health professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the need to require their practitioners to show proof of competence to practice and to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Many states have proposed legislation to require nurses to participate in continuing education to maintain current registration of the license to practice. Even though the majority of nurses in the United States would attest to the value of continuing education, the subject is fraught with controversy as to whether the programs should be voluntary or mandatory. The reasons most commonly indicated for support of mandatory education were these: (1) Mandatory continuing education requirements would upgrade nurses and the nursing profession; and (2) Many nurses are not self-motivated and need encouragement from the outside before they will participate in the continuing education which they need to keep current.
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