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Acknowledgments
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the many friends, relatives, and supporters who have helped and encouraged me throughout the process of developing this book. A special thank you is in order for the guidance and expertise of my dissertation chair and graduate school mentor, Sampson Lee Blair. I am indebted to him for his frank advice and good humor in times when I needed it most. My mother also deserves many thanks for being my biggest supporter and “editor-in-chief.” She has been invaluable in helping me to accomplish my goals.
This study was carried out in part using resources at the Research Data Centre at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I learned a great deal during this experience, and I am grateful to the entire staff for their suggestions and assistance in my data analysis. Finally, thanks go out to Cambria Press, their staff was patient, kind, and encouraging in getting this book to press.