Digital Commons Network^™

Stochastic Gradient Descent-Based Inference For Dynamic Network Models With Attractors, Hancong Pan, Xiaojing Zhu, Cantay Caliskan, Dino P. Christenson, Konstantinos Spiliopoulos, Dylan Walker, Eric D. Kolaczyk

Business Faculty Articles and Research

In Coevolving Latent Space Networks with Attractors (CLSNA) models, nodes in a latent space represent social actors, and edges indicate their dynamic interactions. Attractors are added at the latent level to capture the notion of attractive and repulsive forces between nodes, borrowing from dynamical systems theory. However, CLSNA reliance on MCMC estimation makes scaling difficult, and the requirement for nodes to be present throughout the study period limit practical applications. We address these issues by (i) introducing a Stochastic gradient descent (SGD) parameter estimation method, (ii) developing a novel approach for uncertainty quantification using SGD, and (iii) extending the model …

The Cowl - V. 88 N. 15 - February 27, 2025

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 88 No. 15 - February 27, 2025. 16 pages

The Ability Of Chatgpt To Aid In The Rapid Development Of Inoculation Message Treatments: A Case Study And Recommendations, Alicia Mason, Josh Compton, Griffin Cooper

Faculty Submissions

One of the most widely known types of AI technologies in recent years is ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art language model that has revolutionized natural language processing by generating human-like text with context and coherence, enabling new possibilities for human-AI interaction (Brown et al., 2020). This case study reports on a 10-week conversational AI training initiative to assess whether ChatGPT4 can (a) identify the structural elements and features of conventional inoculation messages (i.e., forewarnings and preemptive refutations); (b) augment inoculation message design features (i.e., linguistic signatures, language, and length); (c) adapt messages for specific audiences (i.e., younger populations, experts); and …

The Presidency, Press, And Public Opinion: Has The Relationship Between The Press And The Office Of The Presidency Shifted Since Trump’S Administration?, Jonas Kammeyer-Mueller

Scholarly Horizons: University of Minnesota, Morris Undergraduate Journal

In political science, studies focusing on the relationship between the press and the president have a long and rich history. However, few presidents have fought the press as strongly as Donald Trump. Given that many of these attacks utilized the influence afforded to Trump by occupying the Office of the Presidency, and that the press has long been noted to have influence over the public, it is worth examining if the relationship between the Office of the President and the press has shifted as a result of these attacks. Because the ability of the Presidency to govern as they wish …

Mobile Technology-Based Library Services In Academic Libraries Of Ghana, Silas Adjei, Patience Adetsi, Isaac Kojo Agyeman

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In contemporary academic library settings, there's a growing need for libraries to offer access to their resources and services remotely and without boundaries. Mobile technologies (MT) have gained widespread acceptance among academic library stakeholders globally, as they are seen as effective communication tools for providing convenient library services to patrons. This study aimed to explore the potential benefits of adopting and implementing Mobile Technology-based Library Services in academic libraries in Ghana. Conducted as a descriptive survey using a quantitative approach, the research focused on two private universities in Ghana: Valley View University and Central University. The sample comprised 390 undergraduate …

Educating Nurses To Use Age-Appropriate Communication Strategies In A Pediatric Hospital, Diane Arce

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quality improvement staff education project was developed to address a gap in practice related to family-centered communication in the project facility. New nurses are often unaware of the impact of family-centered communication when caring for pediatric patients. The lack of preparation for basic nursing tasks after graduation may be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and loss of clinical time related to hospitals ceasing school rotations for clinical training. This impacts new nurses’ preparation for the duties and responsibilities of a licensed registered nurse in a pediatric hospital. This education program aimed to increase nurses’ knowledge about evidence-based family-centered communication …

The Current - Volume 35 Issue 9, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

How Effective Are Fact-Checks In Pakistan And Who Engages With Them?, Waqas Ejaz, Sacha Altay, Muhammad Ittefaq

School of Communication Studies - Faculty Scholarship

For fact-checks to be effective, they must first and foremost reach their intended audience. Yet, little is known about what determines engagement with fact-checks and how to enhance their reach. We conducted a pre-registered online survey experiment in Pakistan (N participants = 302, N observations = 1208) investigating the effectiveness of fact-checking, and the determinants of engagement with fact-checks and misinformation. We found that fact-checking reduced misperceptions, especially among the most misinformed. Trust was an important moderator of the effectiveness of fact-checking and of engagement with both the fact-checks and misinformation. For instance, fact-checks were more effective among participants who …

Queering ‘Common Sense’: Using Critical Discourse Analysis Of Lgbtq+ Book Bans In Florida Public Schools To Unmask Heteronormativity, Talia Zito, Nicole E. Morse

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Historically, censorship of LGBTQ+ content in education has been rooted in socio-political efforts to marginalize non-heteronormative identities. However, even those who oppose censorship tend to frame their arguments around concepts like “age-appropriateness” and “protecting children.” Our Critical Discourse Analysis examines formal challenges to And Tango Makes Three in one Florida school district in 2022 to show how these concepts are deployed on both sides of the debate. The book, depicting a same-sex penguin couple raising a chick, faced objections under Florida’s HB 1557, a law designed to restrict discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Ultimately, the picture …

The Cowl - V. 88 N. 14 - February 13, 2025

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 88 No. 14 - February 13, 2025. 20 pages.

The Significance Of Social Media Neologisms Across The Globe, Molly Bushong

CAFE Symposium 2025

Social media neologisms, new terms coined through digital platforms, have drastically altered human communication, and will only continue to do so as technology rapidly advances. These words and phrases develop alongside society as innovative technology, experiences, and phenomena are continuously introduced into everyday life. Although neologisms have been present throughout all time and social media's existence, research has identified that their popularity has exponentially increased in recent years. My research builds upon previous research while exploring how social media neologisms have evolved over the past five years, their impact on language formality, and the familiarity of these terms across various …

We Feel, We Understand: Examining The Moderating Effects Of Publics' Empathy On Crisis Outcomes Across Crisis Types And Response Strategies, James Ndone

Communication, Media, and Culture

This study examines how empathy, operationalized into affective and cognitive dimensions, influences stakeholders' perceptions during organisational crises. Also, the study explores the mediating role of account acceptance in the relationship between crisis response strategies and organisational outcomes. An online three (crisis type: victim vs. accidental vs. preventable) × two (crisis response strategy: apology vs. denial) between-subjects experimental design with 686 participants randomly assigned to different crises (victim, accidental, preventable) and response strategy (apology, denial) was conducted. The findings reveal that account acceptance mediates the relationship between crisis response strategies and key organisational outcomes such as reputation, forgiveness, and purchase intention. …

The Cowl - V. 88 N. 13 - February 6, 2025

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 88 No. 13 - February 6, 2025. 16 pages.

Lindenwood Digest, February 5, 2025, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

The Lindenwood Digest has been a digital employee newsletter since 2009.

Zombie-Auras: Genai And Hybrid Text Production, Joshua Nieubuurt

English Faculty Publications

This paper explores the iterative evolutions of textual production and their impact on the “aura” of texts, as conceptualized by Walter Benjamin. The study identifies three key phases of textual production: the natural, the mechanized, and the digitized, each progressively displacing the “cult value” of texts. This cult value is lost through increased ease of creation, reproduction, dissemination, and dislocation of creators and audiences in time and space. The advent of Generative AI (GenAI) marks the latest evolution, transforming the “aura” into a memetic “zombie” form—familiar yet opaque, evoking both the sublime and fear. By examining Benjamin’s notion of “aura” …

Black English For Lawyers: A Primer, L. Alexander Walker Iii

Faculty Scholarship

Lawyers do not know as much about Black English as they should, and people’s freedom hangs in the balance. Differences between language varieties in sounds and grammar can change and have changed the outcome of cases: “He at work” and “He be at work” mean two completely different things. To reduce misinterpretation and therefore wrongful outcomes, this Article provides a primer on the sounds, words, grammar, and social context of Black English targeted directly at legal practitioners. It begins by explaining key concepts in linguistics and making the case for why lawyers must foreground accurate description over normative prescription when …

Tale Of Two Requesters: How Public Records Law Experiences Differ By Requester Types, A. Jay Wagner, David Cuillier

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

The journalism industry was central to the materialization of U.S. freedom of information (FOI) laws, yet journalists frequently voice dissatisfaction with the state of FOI laws. The study surveyed 330 public records requesters on their experiences with FOI laws, finding public-interest requesters (journalists, academics, nonprofits, and private individuals) reported a significantly different experience, including a lower likelihood of receiving records, than for-profit requesters (commercial requesters and lawyers). For-profit requesters were less likely to believe FOI laws positively impact government accountability or improve society. The findings suggest reassessing whom the laws serve and whether they meet their original democratic objectives.

Leadership Practices For High-Performing Teams: Insights From Senior Military General Officers And Flag Officers, Kimberly Mitchell

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify and describe how senior military general officers and flag officers (GOFOs) used the three competencies of high-performance teams (HPTs; clarity, connection, and communication) to achieve objectives in their organizations. The second purpose of this study was to determine the degree of importance that senior military GOFOs perceived the three high-performance team effect (HPTE) core competencies impacted their leadership for creating HPTs.

Methodology: This mixed methods study identified and described nine senior military officers’ perceptions of strategies to lead HPTs while focusing on the three core competencies: clarity, connection, and …

Access, Community Capacity, And Socio-Economic Impacts On The Implementation Of Social Forestry Programs In The Perum Perhutani Kph Telawa Working Area, Esa Jati Manunggal Sukma Adhi, Trisni Utami

Masyarakat: Jurnal Sosiologi

Despite increasing interest in social forestry, limited research has explored the interplay between community capacity and access within Indonesia’s Social Forestry Utilization Permit (IPHPS) scheme. This study examines the relationship between community capacity, access, and socio-economic impacts to inform effective policy implementation. Employing a qualitative case study approach, it focuses on a community granted an IPHPS Decree within the Perum Perhutani Forest Management Unit (KPH) Telawa. The findings identify three key dimensions of community capacity: technical capacity (local knowledge and skills), networking capacity (social capital and relationships), and cultural capacity (local wisdom and practices). While legal access to forest permits …

The Cowl - V. 88 N. 12 - January 30, 2025

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 88 No. 12 - January 30, 2025. 16 pages.

The Current - Volume 35 Issue 7, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Cowl - V. 88 N. 11 - January 23, 2025

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 88 No. 11 - January 23, 2025. 20 pages.

A Netnographic Study Of Social Media As A Communication Support For Families Caring For Neurodiverse Adults, Heather Marie Argo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Computer-mediated communication research has found that communities, especially those sharing a common cause or interest, connect through various techniques, including social media support groups. However, there is limited research surrounding the online communication perceptions of parents raising neurodiverse adults. The purpose of the qualitative case study was to deeply understand the online communication behaviors of parents raising neurodiverse adults. Specifically, the research analyzed the Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) organization’s asynchronous communication within their Facebook support group page and online artifacts, including a website and newsletters. The study applied deductive sense-making verbing and inductive coding to identify how …

The Routledge Handbook Of Discourse Analysis (2023), Fatima Moussa

Al-Kīmiyā

Handford, M., & Gee, J. P. (Eds.) (2023). The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Routledge

The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis includes articles written by prominent scholars in the field of Applied Linguistics. The articles are particularly helpful as they overlap in their approaches to understanding and applying discourse analysis. The book can thus be helpful to scholars and students alike, covering a wide range of topics and providing numerous examples that can provide a shortcut to the various ways in which discourse analysis could be practically applied in research. The handbook is divided into eight parts, each of which …

Not My Daughter: The Symbolic American Child And Cinematic Potential, Jacob Campbell

CLAMANTIS: The MALS Journal

No abstract provided.

Neighbors Within & Strangers Without: Kafka, Zizek, And Neighbors Without A Roof, Mackintosh Bennett

CLAMANTIS: The MALS Journal

No abstract provided.

Strategic Business Communication: A Competency-Based Approach To Writing, Speaking, And Research., Rose Helens-Hart

All Open Educational Resources

This text is for the Honors section of BCOM301 at Fort Hays State University. Business Communication: A Competency-Based Approach to Writing, Speaking, and Research is a practical, engaging book designed to help undergraduate students and business professionals develop competence and build confidence in their business writing, research, and presentation skills. Readers will learn about the five core competencies of business communication: professional, clear, concise, evidence-driven, and persuasive. They also will learn strategies for applying each of these competencies across a range of real-world business documents. This text is a remixing of the following four OER textbooks and original content authored …

Riding The Wave: Tech Tsunami'S Rhetoric Enables Plain Anabaptist Adopters, Cory Anderson

Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies

Arguably, no book has shaped plain Anabaptist discourse about technology more than Gary Miller’s Tech Tsunami. Since its 2016 publication, the book has achieved near-canonical status within certain Conservative and Old Order Anabaptist circles, particularly among business owners wrestling with technology adoption. The book’s influence extends beyond the original text—an audiobook and a youth edition (Tech Talk, 2021) circulate widely, discussion groups form around its ideas, and its vocabulary infiltrates conversations about church rules. The book’s success builds on Miller’s existing platform; his works Kingdom Focused Finances, Church Matters, and Life in a Global Village helped establish him as a …

Symposium Review: Facing Infotainment Technologies: Evolution Beyond Human [2nd Ed], Steven Yoder, Gerald Mast, Karlin High

Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies

Daniel Mast offers a very detailed review of the ever-changing world of information technology and entertainment. The book opens by addressing the pleasure and entertainment aspects of technology and later focuses on how technology has become more advanced and has the potential to be used to monitor and control people. The intended audience is the plain Mennonite, Amish, and Brethren people. He writes from the perspective that the Bible is the final authority and cites many Biblical verses to make his case clear; the Bible gives reason for concern about the infotainment flood. As well as the Bible, the author …

“I’M Anywhere In The Country That Has A National Park”: Seasonal National Park Service Employee Organizational Identification Targets, Rachel Taylor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Organizational Identification research is well established and explores the concept of individual oneness to a larger human collective yet often focuses on traditional types of work. Seasonal work carried out by National Park Service (NPS) employees is a non-traditional form of work entirely dependent on the organization's needs in a particular season, typically summer. Literature regarding seasonal work often focuses on types of hospitality organizations, rather than the NPS. This study sought to understand how the unique situation of seasonal workers may have influenced their identification with multiple organizational targets. Through qualitative interviews with 12 individuals who have been seasonal …