New technology may have negative, as well as positive, effects on a sociocultural system. Biodiesel is growing in popularity as a fuel alternative that addresses global warming and reduces dependency on petroleum. The biodiesel innovation fits well into the existing behavioral infrastructure of Linn and Benton Counties, Oregon. The introduction...
This thesis explores the complexity of relationships between communities and the ecosystems in which they live through a focus on forest restoration and fuels reduction on private land. As a case study, research took place in the Klamath-Siskiyou region of rural Northern California, in Humboldt and Siskiyou counties. The research...
This thesis examines the motivations of ecological restoration volunteers with the Oregon chapter of The Nature Conservancy. This study helps fill in voids left by a lack of research on the motivations of ecological restoration volunteers. Studies that have explored restoration volunteer motivation relied largely on surveys that revealed altruistic...
This study examines the utilization of health care by Korean American women in Pierce County, Washington. Pierce County, with its large population of Asian Americans, offers a variety of health care options, everything from biomedicine to acupuncture and herbal remedies. Regarding the multitude of options available, I asked the question...
The perplexing condition of chronic pain, particularly low back pain, is the catalyst for interest in this research project. It is specifically focused on treatment trajectories of individuals experiencing chronic low back pain. The predominant interest is the utilization of alternative treatments and that of mainstream medicine (also referred to...
This research examines the impact of low health literacy among patients with End Stage Renal Disease. The sample included individuals who participated in a health education class (Pre-Renal Education Program) offered at the Samaritan Dialysis Services in Corvallis, Oregon. Data collection techniques included participant observation, individual interviews, evaluation of the...
Over the last 25 years structural adjustment programs have challenged Ecuador's ability to provide adequate social services and employment opportunities. In the wake of these policies, many women have turned to non-governmental agencies for possible solutions and assistance. Empowerment programs as a form of development work in particular have been...
The purpose of this research is to investigate how stakeholders involved in collaborative watershed groups in Oregon work with each other to form ideas and take action. Most collaboration efforts include encouraging a high level of trust with a great value placed on relationships and partners, being open and flexible,...
This study examines selected cultural elements of the negotiating environment in seventeen organizations having home or branch offices in the Northwest United States. Conference room and boardroom design, intentional placement of meaningful artifacts, arrangement of seating, and providing of refreshments are compared. Observations and interviews of organizational representatives in nine...
The La Ballena #3 site J69E is a shell midden located on Espiritu Santo Island in Baja California Sur. Archaeological excavations conducted in the summer of 2004 investigated a midden containing lithic and shell artifacts as well as faunal and human remains. Analysis of the debitage and formed lithic tool...