Digital Commons Network^™

“Chains And Whips Excite Me”: The Awakening Of Female Sexuality Through The Fifty Shades Of Grey Phenomenon, Francesca Weeks

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Putting An End To The Punishment And Rehabilitation Pendulum, Cassandra Long

Criminology Student Work

Over the past 30 years, the juvenile justice system can be described as a pendulum that swings between the concepts of rehabilitation and punishment. When the juvenile justice system was first created, rehabilitation and restorative justice were its primary purposes. However, over time the system has strayed from these views and has turned its focus toward punishment. The punishment focus has partially risen out of the communities’ fear of crime that has been ignited by the media concerning adolescents who are not deterred by the juvenile justice system. Nonetheless, it can be argued that the juvenile justice system should revert …

Should Female Prostitution Be Legalized? An Opinion Survey Of Jordanian Citizens Living In The United States, Rana Q. Alzoubi

Criminology Student Work

Prostitution is a worldwide phenomenon in which different cultures attempt to control and regulate sex work often with terrible consequences. The purpose of the current study is to examine the opinions of Jordanian citizens living in the United States concerning the legalization of prostitution. To provide a better understanding of prostitution in the Middle East, this research explores the opinions of Jordanian citizens on the legalization of prostitution in the Middle East. The research asks participants about prostitution as it relates to health, victimization, and the marginalization of prostitutes, as well as the ways in which prostitutes lack protection through …

Why No Democracy In Egypt?, Mary Levine

Honors Program Contracts

This paper will work to discover why the attempt at democracy in Egypt was a failure. It will analyze the aspects and features of democracy, and look at the features that Egypt lacked that made their democracy fail. It will also look at the results of the Arab Spring, and how that played a role in the deterioration of a democracy. Lastly, it will discuss what regime Egypt is currently under, and what it will need in order to become a functioning democracy. Through the use of scholarly articles, this paper will be able to better understand what is currently …

Extension Of A Commuter Advisor And Engagement Program, Michael Secreti

Higher Education Student Work

Commuter students continue to face a number of challenges when it comes to building social connections with their peers (Krause, 2007). Despite the number of programs targeted towards first-year college students, few programs are adequately prepared to address the needs and concerns of the commuter student population. In an effort to produce greater learning and development outcomes among Commuter Advisors (CAs) and their protégés (first-year commuter students), the Commuter Advisor Program at Merrimack College will provide seasoned commuter students with the opportunity to receive the training and guidance necessary to become strong mentors to the first-year commuter student population. According …

Developing A Centralized Tutoring System: A Comprehensive Resource Available For Students, Catherine Johnson

Higher Education Student Work

Peer tutoring at colleges and universities has become an essential resource in helping to enhance undergraduate students’ academic performance and persistence (Arco-Tirado, Fernández-Martin, & Fernández-Balboa, 2011), institutional retention rates (Grillo & Leist, 2013), and the academic abilities of students with learning disabilities (Troiano, Liefeld, & Trachtenberg, 2010). The Tutoring Center at Merrimack College, designed for this project, will house all peer tutors specializing in a variety of subjects, including, but not limited to: business, engineering, foreign languages, computer science, biology, and chemistry. According to Vygtosky’s (1978) learning theory, students learn most effectively and more thoroughly when working with more knowledgeable …

The Effects Of Physical Stress On Performance, Hannah Magerman

Health Sciences Student Work

Physical stress affects an athlete’s performance and can also lead to potential injuries. To avoid that, identifying physical stress levels can help determine if their training needs alterations to avoid injuries and improve overall performance. The purpose of this study was to compare physical stress on high school athletes overall performance measured by vertical jump height. Methods: In this study, physical stress was measured by vertical jump as well as a questionnaire. The participants were 8 female high school athletes aged 15-17 who were training to play a spring sport at their high school. The participants completed a baseline vertical …

Comparison Of Isokinetic Testing To Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Testing In Recreational College Athletes, Joe Bernardo

Health Sciences Student Work

Background: Clinicians utilize various techniques during the rehabilitation process to ensure that patients can successfully recover from injury. Isokinetic testing and Closed Kinetic Chain testing have both been utilized during this process by various health care practitioners. Through the utilization of data gathered from these tests, clinicians can develop strengthening programs to target specific areas of weakness on the patient. However, there has not been extensive information in the literature regarding if the results from these two modalities correlate and share commonality with each other. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to discern whether data gathered from Isokinetic testing …

Enhancing Survivorship: An Evaluation Of Social/Emotional Training For Facilitators Of The Livestrong At The Ymca Program, Alyssa Lamonica

Health Sciences Student Work

Introduction: Cancer survivorship groups are able to provide a safe space for those who are battling cancer and for those in remission. Facilitators of these programs are reaching emotional thresholds where they feel ill equipped to handle the psychological needs of group participants. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the social/emotional training provided to facilitators of the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. Methods: Pre and post surveys were administered to nine training participants in order to assess their feelings and perceptions of social and emotional wellness before and after participating in the training. Follow-up interviews were conducted …

Can A Unilateral Lower Body-Training Program Increase Lower Body Power Output More Than A Bilateral Lower Body Training Program?, Michael Vaughan

Health Sciences Student Work

(1) Introduction The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a unilateral or bilateral lower body training program on off ice power production. (2) Methodology Twenty NCAA Division 1 female hockey players were randomly assigned to either a unilateral (UNI) or bilateral (BI) group. The UNI training group performed all lower body exercises over a 6-week period using 1 leg at a time, while the BI performed all lower body exercises with both legs simultaneously. Both groups trained at the same rating of perceived exertion (RPE) two times per week throughout the training cycle. Subjects within the …

What Determines Americans’ Income: An Intersectional Multivariate Analysis Of Americans’ Income, Sandra Hovsepian

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

In a capitalistic society, Americans are socialized to value the earning of money more than anything. Americans are told that the best way to make this money is to go to college and further their education. Yet, millionaires such as Steve Jobs and Oprah Winfrey never bothered to earn a college degree. This begs one to question if education is the only factor in earning a sizable income. If not the only factor, is it the most important?

When addressing the question of if education is the only factor, the wage gap supplies a partial answer. We know that because …

The Gender Wage Gap And The "Motherhood" Effect, Adrianna Decicco

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

This paper discusses the gender pay gap and how motherhood is a major factor toward the inequalities in the workplace. For this paper, the wage gap is defined as the difference between men and women’s yearly income consisting of hourly or salary wages, overtime, benefits and bonuses. It should be noted that men earn more in every category of work, even the categories that are female-dominated professions.

Through The Looking Glass: Shining Light On Queer Identities, Daniel Richard Begin

Community Engagement Student Work

Identity informs our actions, beliefs, and whom we surround ourselves with. This project was created in an effort to determine the most efficient way to engage people in conversations about identity and identity formation in the LGBTQIA+ community. What happens when queer identities are visible and supported? What happens when they are not? In addition, this project was created to shine light on queer identities in our communities, focusing on the Merrimack College Campus.

The Unheard Stories Of Service-Learners: An Exploratory Study Of The Assumptions Of Race, Identity, And Privilege Within The Service-Learning Experience, J. Faith Krefft

Community Engagement Student Work

Service-learning has become a powerful pedagogical practice in Higher Education. Yet many of its practices have been premised on the idea that participants are white and serving a community unlike their own. Research suggests that the perspectives and identities of students of a diverse background participating in service-learning experiences may be unheard and/or misunderstood. Through a qualitative exploratory study, this study examined the perspective of nonwhite students. Four students from two higher education institutions selected to participate in a set of longitudinal, semi-structured, in-depth interviews in order to better understand their perspectives and experiences in their service-learning field site. Service-learning …

Enabling Student Moral Development In The Conduct Process, Evelyn Dina

Higher Education Student Work

College is not only an opportunity for students to develop various aspects of their identity, but also a time to develop their moral maturity (Mathieson, 2003). In order to further increase student moral development and the learning that takes place for students in the conduct process, institutions should strive to implement educational sanctions and restorative approaches. This project will outline the components to establishing a civic learning sanction, as well as a model for restorative-oriented administrative hearings to be utilized throughout the student conduct process at Merrimack College. Kohlberg’s (1976) Theory of Moral Development provides an understanding of the stages …

Effectiveness Of Student Led Hunger Relief Project Towards Food Waste Recovery And Nutritional Impact In Low Income Communities, Victoria Holland

Health Sciences Student Work

Introduction: According to the USDA, 12.3% (15.6 million) of U.S. households were food insecure in 2016 due to contributing factors such as lack of food accessibility and the prevalent food waste in the U.S. An estimated 40% of food is thrown away each year and contributions to this food waste include an estimated 22 million pounds of unconsumed foods discarded in college campuses around the U.S. Programs have been developed to target this food waste epidemic while combatting Americans malnutrition. Campus Kitchens Project (CKP) is an innovative student led hunger relief program which recovers food from college campus kitchens and …

Observational Study To Identify Best Practices Of Successful Active Science Programs, Elizabeth Egan

Health Sciences Student Work

Introduction: Obesity amongst our nation’s youth is on the rise and has drastically increased in recent decades. This chronic health issue lends to potential risk of developing comorbidity of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, an increased risk of premature death and many other serious chronic diseases. Obesity prevention and health promotion programs aimed at targeting obesity, and more specifically childhood obesity, should implement nutrition and/or physical activity components. Effective programs have taken into account moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) measurements, class size and class management (if the program utilizes an education or group fitness component), and the demographic …

Assessment Of Needs For Dementia Care Partners Related To Wellness/Fitness Respite Programs, Mary Mckeown

Health Sciences Student Work

When an individual becomes ill or disabled, it is common for family members to fill the role of caregiver. The same is true in cases where an individual is diagnosed with dementia. Care partners, or care givers, of individuals with dementia are under a great deal of both mental and physical strain due to the debilitating nature of the disease as well as the demands of providing care. As a result, the mental and physical health of care partners often suffers. There are programs, such as respite, that aim to alleviate some of the strain, however there are few existing …

Nutrition And Physical Activity Recall To Assess The Health Status Of Commuters And Residents On A College Campus, Holly Scott

Health Sciences Student Work

Introduction: Behavioral patterns acquired in college may contribute to overweight and obesity later in life. Food found in college dormitories and dining halls are those of convenience. Physical activity and a healthy diet are important components to maintaining a healthy weight. Research Questions: The purpose of this study is to investigate if residency during college and access to kitchen appliances impacts students’ dietary composition and physical activity levels and other health behaviors. Methodology: 38 students (27 residents and 11 commuters) from Merrimack College participated in the study. These participants were recruited through convenience sampling on campus. All participants completed a …

Best Practices For Implementing Health Coaching Into An Employee Health And Wellness Program, Caryn Bettencourt

Health Sciences Student Work

Background: Many employers, from all different types of industries, offer wellness programs for their employees. The goal of these “worksite” wellness programs is to give their employees access to health programs to help them improve their health status. Through these worksite health initiatives the employers have been able to realize an increase in productivity through decrease in both absenteeism and presenteeism. The employers offer a diverse array of programs to reduce health risks or support healthy choices. Health coaching is often included in these worksite offerings. Health coaching is a partnership between the employee and the health coach to work …

Perceptions’ On The Impact Of Families For Health After-School Program, Kathryn Lane

Health Sciences Student Work

Introduction Studies show that parents send their children to afterschool programs as a form of supervision while they are at work, but studies also stress the importance in the parental role in a child’s ability to retain the skills and concepts that are learning within these programs. So what if there was an afterschool program where parents attended and participated with the children, would this have an effect on the impact of the program? Families for Health is an afterschool program designed to bring Families together while teaching key concepts that lead to a healthy lifestyle, focusing on physical activity …

Automatic Analysis Of Musical Lyrics, Joanna Gormley

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

Is music getting less sophisticated over time? That is the question which this study aims to answer, with the goal of improving upon previous analysis done on the topic. The blog posts which inspired this project lacked accuracy and dimensionality. Realizing that a larger data set of songs would make a significant difference in the precision of our analysis, we set out to design a piece of software constructed with the capability to analyze several thousand songs. Mimicking previous works which analyzed sophistication of music, the software focuses on the lyrics of songs. Three metrics were used in order to …

Diversity And Postsecondary Education: Are Local Teacher Preparation Programs Really Preparing Educators For Supporting And Teaching Diverse Populations In The Classroom?, David Prescott

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

This intensive research endeavor is focused in the realm of education, specifically inclusion in classroom settings. This paper will be examining local teacher preparation programs by analyzing their requirements for diversity education and training. The overall purpose of this research project is to increase awareness of the disconnect between inclusion and diversity education, inspire others to want to do something to better serve the diverse populations in local school districts, and to begin discussion about changing diversity requirements in local teacher education programs. This paper will begin by defining and distinguishing inclusion and diversity education. Next the paper will provide …

United Technologies Corporation: Pratt And Whitney Analysis, Emily Leclerc

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

This poster outlines various analyses tools and frameworks used to analyze the global technology company, Pratt & Whitney.

The Bonhomie Project: An Anti-Bullying Program For Middle School Students, Alexandria A. Gauthier

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

Bullying is a prevalent issue in society today. The Bonhomie Project is a program developed to engage sixth grade students in learning about bullying and methods to help halt the cycle of bullying in their school. Students learn about the three "key players" of bullying, the various types of bullying, and how to stand up against bullies. This program utilizes R.J. Palacio's award winning novel, Wonder, with students answering questions and discussing the parts of the novel in small groups; students also participate in activities that build up kindness instead of tearing each other down with bullying, and at …

Delta Airlines: A Strategic Analysis, Erin Mckenna

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

Consisting of three parts, the first two reports provide an overview of Delta Airlines, their current strategy, their resources and capabilities, and the overall environment of the industry. In this final report I will be conducting a full SWOT analysis on Delta Airlines and look at their internal strengths and weaknesses as well as their external opportunities. After conducting this analysis I will be drafting some strategic questions that I feel Delta is facing as well as provide my recommendations to solve each question.

American Millennials: An Ideological Overview, Michael Andersson

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

In an attempt to further understand the inner workings and beliefs held by the majority of my own generation located in the geographic scope of the United States of America, this report will be a conduction of research to further examine the overall beliefs and ideologies of the generation in the United States that older generations, such as Generation X and Baby Boomers, stereotypically view as “the problem” with the country’s political landscape. This report will seek to explain the reasoning behind the ideologies and beliefs of millennials, those Americans born between 1980 and 2000 (probe.org), and what particular world …

The Effect Of Dance And Team Sports On Mental Health, Kayla Hulburt

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

This study uses the World Health Organization model of physical, social, and mental health to examine the effect of participating in dance and team sports during childhood on mental health in adulthood. Prior research has suggested that physical activity is strongly integrated with mental and social health and therefore is a protective factor among mental illness. However, there is not sufficient research comparing the differences among dance and team sports on mental health. This study hypothesized that dancers would experience more positive mental health in adulthood than team sports due to the basis of physical activity in dance, but the …

Police Lineups And Eyewitness Identification, Alessandra Ricigliano

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

Improper police lineups often lead to the misidentification of a suspect in particular cases. These mistakes could potentially have detrimental effects on someone’s freedom because eyewitness identifications hold so much weight in court proceedings. If a witness or victim is certain they can identify the suspect, jurors are likely to believe them whether the witness is right or wrong. Eyewitness misidentification is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions (The Innocence Project, 2017). The current research employs qualitative in depth interviews with police officers from local and state departments. The interviews asked about police procedures for conducting simultaneous and …

Informal Learning: How Care Providers Can Engage In Learning Outside Of The Classroom, Christina Lannon

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

Informal learning is learning that happens spontaneously with no explicit instruction taking place (Latchem, 2014). The term informal learning was developed in 1950 by Malcolm Knowles in his work Informal Adult Education (as cited in Cofer, 2000) and many others have researched best practices for informal learning involving children (Latchem, 2014; Song et al., 2017). In many cases, it is the responsibility of the adult to initiate informal learning experiences by providing quality explanations for the many questions that children ask and engaging in everyday conversation with children. Much of the research that has been done exploring informal learning has …