Digital Commons Network^™

Keynote Panel: Creative Research Methods At Govstate - Possibilities For Cross-Pollination And Collaboration, Ujvala Rajadhyaksha, Katherine Carl, Frank Czuba, Christopher A. Dignam, Megan Vangorder

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Characteristics Of Earthworms In Selective Forest Types In Michigan-Illinois Region, Xiaoyong Chen

Research Days

Both invasive exotic and native earthworms have undesirable ecological effects on the structure, function, and biodiversity of forest ecosystems in the Great Lakes area. Understanding the biological parameters and distribution patterns of these earthworms is crucial for their life cycle and their impacts on ecological processes such as nutrient biogeochemistry cycling and carbon sequestration in forests, as well as for informing forest management practices. In this study, abundance, distribution, and mass-length relation of earthworms were investigated in selective typical forest types along a Michigan-Illinois latitudinal gradient. These forest types include Hemlock-White pine-Maple (HWM) forests in Huron Mountains of Michigan, White …

New & Current Non-Invasive Occupational Therapy Interventions In Post Stroke Rehabilitation, Cynthia Carr Drot, Ms, Otr/L, Genevieve Marion Ots, Jaclyn Robbins Ots, Gema Solis Ots

Research Days

Occupational therapy practitioners use neuro-rehabilitative interventions to treat patients, post-stroke, across a continuum of care in the United States. New and current evidence-based interventions are being used in a variety of settings to treat patients. The objective of this study was to identify which new and current neuro-rehabilitative interventions approaches were being utilized by occupational therapy practitioners throughout the U.S., in their practice for patients who have experienced stroke. To achieve this a nationwide, anonymous online survey conducted by occupational therapy graduate students was delivered to members of the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association through …

Mangos Vs. Poison Ivy: A Connection Between Allergens And Flavor Profiles, Sana S. Mahar

Research Days

Mangoes and Poison ivy have been recorded to have similar connections in allergens due to their relation. The family Anacardiaceae consists of the cashew family, which contains mangos, and the sumac family, which contains poison ivy. Both groups have been noted to cause allergens, and potential connections have been made between the two. Mangos, which are safe to eat, release a similar substance that can induce contact dermatitis when unripe. My goal with this study is to test to see if individuals who have been exposed to poison ivy have different flavor profiles and reactions to mangos. I hypothesize if …

Exploring The Necessity For A Community-Based Driver Rehabilitation Program Within The Chicago Southland Area: The Physician's Perspective, Luther King

Research Days

Individuals who experience neurological, visual, or physical deficits in function may have difficulty driving. Limitations in driving can lead to isolation and a decreased quality of life. Limitations in community mobility can also impact an individual's activities of daily living. Driver rehabilitation helps individuals with an impairment to achieve their highest level of independence in community mobility through operating a motor vehicle or other forms of transportation. In a previously conducted research study we found that there is a lack of referrals and communication from physicians regarding driver rehabilitation programs. This research project aims to assess physicians' knowledge and perceptions …

How Do Parents Impact Their Children's Attitudes On Gender?, Devine Kazlauskas

Research Days

Parents impact their children’s attitudes on gender. To transform bias gender norms there must be gender responsive parenting. My research will go more in depth to describe how parents impact their children’s perspectives about gender, identity, and roles gender plays in society. Personally, I have always wondered about how the way I was parented influenced my opinions on how I choose to identify myself. Politics also have a greater impact on how children choose to identify regarding the LGBTQ+ community. This presentation explores the pros and cons regarding parents who enforce pre-defined gender roles and expectations versus parents who allow …

Unlocking The Potential: Unraveling The Impact Of Standardized Testing On 3-8th Graders In Illinois, Khalliah Gardner

Research Days

This presentation examines the impact of standardized testing on students in grades 3 to 8 in Illinois. I will explore how standardized tests affect students' grades, fairness in education and their overall happiness using existing research and data. I will also investigate the perceptions and attitudes of teachers, parents, and students towards standardized testing. My findings indicate that while standardized testing may provide valuable information about student performance and help identify areas for improvement in education systems, it also has several negative consequences. Big tests can make teachers only teach for the test, instead of teaching everything. Big tests worsen …

Unraveling The Gender Disparity: Investigating The Factors Behind Women’S Higher Acl Injury Risk, Kylie Smith

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Children's Illiteracy: What Causes It?, Alyssa Dillinger

Research Days

Illiteracy means, “a lack of ability to read or write.” To be considered literate, you must achieve at least a fourth grade reading level because to learn other subjects in fourth grade, you must be able to read. According to the NAEP (National Assessment of Education Progress), over half of children read below their grade level. Murnane, Sawhill, and Snow explain, “Over the past forty years literacy skills scores on assessment tests have not improved much—in sharp contrast to sizable increases in math scores over this same period,” (10). We see the firsthand effects of low reading proficiency in children. …

Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Delivery Of Trauma-Informed Services To Hospital-Based Clients, Frank Czuba Drot, Otr/L, Kaycee Sain Mot, Otr/L, Bridget Burke Ots, Morgan Carr Ots, Daria Lending Ots

Research Days

Trauma informed care (TIC) is an emerging healthcare approach developed to help professionals better understand how to care for individuals who have experienced trauma, the impact trauma can leave on an individual’s ability to carry out everyday tasks, and strategies to prevent further traumatization. This research study explored the role of occupational therapists (OTs) working in hospital-based settings understanding and utilization of trauma informed services to typically presenting clients. Individuals who experience healthcare services in a hospital setting for medical issues or distress may be traumatized by this hospitalization. These clients may be admitted to the hospital for various medical …

Occupational Therapy Students' Perceptions Of Managing Stress On Fieldwork Through Occupational Engagement, Rebecca Kvasnicka

Research Days

Stress is a major concern that increases in graduate school impacting academic performance. Due to this issue, graduate students must find ways to manage stress and maintain well-being to promote occupational performance. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceived effectiveness of occupations chosen by graduate level OT students in maintaining well-being and managing stress during level II fieldwork. This descriptive research described and explored occupations utilized to manage stress and their effectiveness. Data was gathered using SurveyMonkey and analyzed for frequencies of responses and common themes. 34 participants completed the survey. Our results identified occupations OT students …

Links To Parent Involvement And Higher Education Success Literature Review, Tiffany M. Weathers-Fincher

Research Days

Parental involvement in education is a topic of ongoing debate and research due to its impact on student's academic and social development. This literature review explores parental involvement in higher education, focusing on transitioning from K-12 to college. Epstein's Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence guides this study, emphasizing parents' critical role in nurturing a conducive learning environment.

The review highlights the complexities, challenges, and impacts of parental involvement in higher education, emphasizing the need for effective partnerships between families, institutions, and communities to nurture student success. While parental involvement is familiar in K-12, it becomes less clear in college, …

Using A Core Vocabulary Intervention For Language Delayed Kindergarten Students Using Augmentative & Alternative Communication (Aac), Angela M. Riccelli, Ravi Nigam

Research Days

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of core vocabulary selection and the subsequent usage of a prescribed core vocabulary intervention over a period of one trimester and to report its impact on the overall communicative effectiveness of language-delayed kindergarten students using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Study participants were provided with a pretest, speech and language therapy sessions in which intervention took place, and a posttest, which was administered by a speech–language pathologist. Intervention implementation commenced at the beginning of the school year and extended through the end of the trimester. Data were examined at weekly …

Value Creation In Stakeholders For Ai - Virtual, Tarra Taylor

Faculty Research Events

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the higher education industry by increasing convenience, productivity, and value creation for all stakeholders. By adopting AI, tertiary institutions can align with the triple bottom-line goals of people, profit, and planet. However, challenges such as job security concerns and the loss of human element in the learning process may arise. With the looming academic crisis and enrollment decline in 2025, higher educational leaders can leverage AI to make the case for its implementation. Universities will need a strategic and innovative admissions process to manage enrollment and improve student value. AI can also …

Nursing Education And The Emerging Artificial Intelligence, Somi Nagaraj, Nancy J. Macmullen

Faculty Research Events

The emerging artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming patient care across all domains of nursing practice, including administration, clinical care, education, policy, and research. Nursing researchers are exploring the potential influences of AI health technologies (AIHTs) on nursing in general and on nursing education more specifically. ChatGPT, a trending Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool developed by Open AI. The impact of ChatGPT on the nursing education is profound. The technological evolution in healthcare is advancing. The complexity of curricular revision can create challenges in the face of rapid practice change.

This PowerPoint presentation explains the meaning of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the history …