Digital Commons Network^™

Presentation Type, Perceived Credibility, And Perceived Validity : A Document Usability Analysis, Jason Langkamer-Smith

Theses

This descriptive research investigated usability measures reported by subjects who reviewed procedures formatted as decision tables and numbered lists taken from a microchip product specification document. The research subjects (n = 15) are employees of Agere Systems (headquartered in Allentown Pennsylvania, United States) where this researcher also worked as a technical writer. Subjects represented various national origins and were stratified into two groups of six Eastern and nine Western.

The independent variables, presentation type, perceived credibility, and perceived validity were studied for their interaction with the dependent variable, usability. The variable model was queried between the two groups. Three findings …

Assessment And Change : Using Verbal Analysis To Update Criteria In The Technical Communication Service Course, Michele-Andrea Fields

Theses

Assessment is the discussion, research, and analysis of information, concluding with a value of the information discussed. This project is a qualitative analysis of a Technical Communication service course assessment calibration session held in May 2005, which was recorded. After transcribing the discussion, I am using NVivo, a data coding and modeling program, to analyze the terms, categories, concepts, processes, and abstract ideas. In addition, the paper looks at how the current paradigm for technical service courses is shifting toward electronic writing and document design. The conclusion applies the results to the ongoing curriculum and criteria assessment in English 352.

Traumatic Brain Injury : Traditional And Narrative Assessment Techniques, Sharon M. Katzman-Teller

Theses

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes impairment of executive functioning, as well as cognitive and language abilities of various degrees. Standard language tests currently focus on very specific language disorders and can not identify language disorders of TBI subjects with high-level language functioning. Although these standard tests can not adequately identify subtle language disorders, these TBI subjects lack cohesiveness in their conversation, which can have a strong effect on socialization.

Through the use of narrative analysis, research in narrative and conversational discourse, which incorporates linguistic, cognitive skills, as well as executive functioning and social abilities, seems to be more appropriately address …

The Transatlantic Relationship Vis-A-Vis China: A Comparative Analysis Of The Foreign Policy Approaches Towards China By The Eu And The U.S., Andrea Schierbaum

Theses

No abstract provided.

Watsuji Tetsuro's Ontological Ethics As A Conceptual Framework For Environmental Philosophy, Albert E. Pike

Theses

No abstract provided.

Catholics, Curses, And Cousins In A Cracker Box, Kathryn Wallace Iffrig

Theses

In a small sitting room of a mortuary in a rural Missouri town, the author considers the life of her recently departed cousin. Having shared a family home early in their childhood, and despite similar upbringing, their lives had ultimately diverged, with him choosing a path that many would consider self-destructive and bound to lead to an early death.

Contemplating the circumstances of her cousin's death, the author falls into ruminations on their childhood, family, and common experiences they shared during those early years. Considering the disparate paths their lives ultimately took, the author questions the influence of nature versus …

From Mother To Sister: The Development In The Understanding Of Mission In The Life And Writings Of St Thérèse Of Lisieux And Its Contemporary Relevance, Michelle Jones

Theses

This dissertation analyses the development in the understanding of mission in the life and writings of St Thérèse of Lisieux and considers its contemporary significance. The thesis is that Thérèse progressed from a ‘mother missiology’ to a ‘sister missiology.’ This missiological evolution is intrinsically united to Thérèse’s transcendence of the faith-categories of her era.

Initially, with her Catholic contemporaries, Thérèse regarded it as her duty to ‘mother’ unbelievers into divine life. This ‘mother missiology’ gradually became ‘sister missiology’ as two movements of grace, namely the emergence of the ‘little way’ and Thérèse’s intensifying union with Jesus, the kenotic Christ, took …

Growing Into Womanhood, Charlene Engleking

Theses

Unavailable.

Ladies In Waiting: A Collection Of Short Stories, Anne Fox

Theses

The stories in this collection feature female characters, mainly grown women. The exception is "Ruby Begonia'· in which the eponymous main character is a little girl with a gift for seeing and believing in things others cannot see.

In "Homefront;· Peggy decides to leave her daughter with her mother-in-law in order to save herself. She suffers from depression. While leaving a daughter behind is not viewed as good mothering, it is infinitely better to having that daughter suffer the effects of her mother's illness.

In "Lessons Learned " the young teacher learns to work things out for the benefits of …

Come Closer, Eli Marco Hall

Theses

This Culminating Project describes the design process from many different perspectives. It includes the designing of a book of poetry enabling me to apply design concepts.

Working as a graphic designer in the early twenty first century has provided opportunities to witness the effect that technology has had on the industry. Through the ongoing research, the change in roles of the modern graphic designer is established. Also during this time, print and digital media aggressively work toward a merger. When choosing to do a book for the Culminating Project, it was taken into consideration what the digital and print world …

A Philosophical Inquiry Into The Development Of The Notion Of Kalos Kagathos From Homer To Aristotle, Geoffrey Coad

Theses

In this thesis, I shall attempt to show that the Greeks believed in the ideal of a marriage between the beautiful and the good. This important philosophical ideal rests upon the premise that beauty depends upon function, behaviour and the intention of the agent. It is the anti-modernist position. This notion known to the ancient Greeks as kalos kagathos, which dates back to the times of Homer, seems to have been forgotten in our times. This study will trace the development of this ideal from Homer to Aristotle. This world view differs from the one we have come to understand …

The Process Analysis And Critique Of The Digital Media Project "Cultivating Christian Minds And Character", Susan H. Maynor

Theses

This thesis will focus on the process analysis and critique of the digital media project, "Cultivating Christian Minds and Character," made for Westminster Christian Academy in the summer of 2005. It includes both the actual promotional video production and the written analysis.

Westminster Christian Academy, a non-denominational, private, Christian school in West County, produces a promotional video each year for the parents and for various other marketing needs throughout the school year. For the school year 2005-2006, the theme was cultivating Christian minds and character. Having been both a student and a teacher at this institution, it was an honor …

The Lynching Of The African-American Male Through The Eyes Of African-American Female Playwrights, Kathryn A. Bentley

Theses

By comparing the works of five African-American female playwrights from the 20th century, I will highlight the similarities of the portrayal of the African-American male in each of these dramas. This comparison will explore the lynching of the Black male and how this theme is evident in all five of the works. This study will examine both literal and figurative lynching. The plays of interest are: Rachel by Angelina Weld Grimke, Blue-Eyed Black Boy by Georgia Douglas Johnson, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Blood on the Seats by PJ. Gibson and In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks. …

Project: Epiphany-Fluid Motion, A Floatation Video Exploration, Jason Williams Hughs

Theses

Educational videos have the tendency to be sterile, uninteresting productions that fail in their attempts to stimulate knowledge in young minds because they themselves are not stimulating. The focus of this culminating project is the production of an effective educational video for middle and high school science students. This work will also provide a process analysis text discussing the production process and providing statistical evidence supporting the effectiveness of the video production.

Discussing the topic of Archimedes' principle of floatation, this educational science video gives an energetic look at why some things float while other things sink. This topic can …