Theses and Dissertations from UMD
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2
New submissions to the thesis/dissertation collections are added automatically as they are received from the Graduate School. Currently, the Graduate School deposits all theses and dissertations from a given semester after the official graduation date. This means that there may be up to a 4 month delay in the appearance of a give thesis/dissertation in DRUM
More information is available at Theses and Dissertations at University of Maryland Libraries.
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Item The Performance of Balance Diagnostics for Propensity-Score Matched Samples in Multilevel Settings(2019) Burnett, Alyson; Stapleton, Laura M; Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The purpose of the study was to assess and demonstrate the use of covariate balance diagnostics for samples matched with propensity scores in multilevel settings. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted that assessed the ability of different balance measures to identify the correctly specified propensity score model and predict bias in treatment effect estimates. The balance diagnostics included absolute standardized bias (ASB) and variance ratios calculated across the pooled sample (pooled balance measures) as well as the same balance measures calculated separately for each cluster and then summarized across the sample (within-cluster balance measures). The results indicated that overall across conditions, the pooled ASB was most effective for predicting treatment effect bias but the within-cluster ASB (summarized as a median across clusters) was most effective for identifying the correctly specified model. However, many of the within-cluster balance measures were not feasible with small cluster sizes. Empirical illustrations from two distinct datasets demonstrated the different approaches to modeling, matching, and assessing balance in a multilevel setting depending on the cluster size. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of limitations, implications, and topics for further research.Item Life as a Gyroscope: Creating a Grounded Theory Model for Full-Time Working Mothers in Higher Education Administration Developing and Maintaining a Fulfilling, Balanced Life(2007-05-29) Supple, Brooke Lecky; Komives, Susan R; Education Policy, and Leadership; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Women in today's society have multiple roles, multiple identities, and multiple challenges - as married women or life partners, as daughters, as sisters, as mothers, as members of communities, and as women in the workforce, among others. In particular, the dual roles of mother and worker can conflict and present challenges for women who want to have both a career and a family. Women working in higher education administration are no exception. The purpose of this study was to understand the development of a dual-focused outlook by women with children working in the upper levels of higher education administration. By studying the work/life issues and experiences of a small sample of women who are identified as dual-focused, I expected to learn how these higher education administrators managed two significant roles - that of worker and mother - and how these women were able to achieve and maintain a dual-focused orientation. However, what I found was that these women are dual-focused in that they value both motherhood and work, but also that they have extremely strong and well-developed self-concepts. This study utilized grounded theory methods to understand the development and maintenance of a dual-focused outlook in 12 mid- to upper-level mothers in higher education administration at a large research I institution. By conducting three individual interviews with each participant and one group interview session, I was able to develop a grounded theory and model for full-time working mothers in higher education administration developing and maintaining a fulfilling, balanced life. Using grounded theory methods, one core category and five key categories emerged. The core category was developing and maintaining a fulfilling, balanced life. The key categories were: valuing self, valuing work, valuing motherhood, negotiating a balanced life, and setting the context. The five key categories overlapped to form the core category. In order to have successful work and family lives, the women in this study were found to place a high value on self, a high value on work, a high value on motherhood, and to rely on support and tools to negotiate a balanced life.