Digital Commons Network^™

Learning From The Seed: Illuminating Black Girlhood In Sustainable Living Paradigms, Toni Powell Powell Young

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The contemporary image of sustainable living presents a culturally narrow view of its participants and the manner of engaging in sustainable living paradigms. Through crystallization (Ellingson, 2009) I present a mixed methods approach that emphasizes participant observation, visual, mediated, and discursive analyses, as well as demonstrates the efficacy of Culture Centered Black Feminist Auto/Ethnography. This project seeks to highlight and place within historical context, the ways in which African American girls, who are largely left out of the prevailing image of sustainability, perform and articulate sustainability for themselves, in their homes, and throughout their home communities.

In their everyday lives, …

Operating The Digital Space In The Age Of Protest Participation, Kyle Stanley

LSU Master's Theses

This study examines young African American adults’ usage of social media and other digital spaces as tools to build community given the rise in protest participation in North American (U. S.) society while at the height of a global health pandemic. Since early adulthood is a time where African Americans are most active online, this study will examine how and why those African Americans are turning to digital spaces to find social connections. Racism and racial injustice are two of the most pressing issues in the African American community, and it is clear that it can be an emotionally laborious …

Telling A New Story Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Narrative Versus Argument Communication Effects On Ocd Stigma And Recognition, Ashlyn Blaire Soileau

LSU Master's Theses

This study utilizes narrative persuasion theory to investigate the effect of narrative and argument appeals when communicating about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to the public. This study tested stigma and recognition of OCD with a 2x2 factorial between-subject design using advertisement types and gender as the independent variables. Findings showed that communication type and gender do not affect OCD recognition. However, a univariate ANCOVA analysis, when controlling for empathy and OCD experience. The results revealed that gender and ad type did affect OCD stigma. Also, women showed lower stigma scores for social restrictiveness when seeing the narrative appeal when contrasted with …

Sisters Supporting Sisters: Photovoice & Diabetes Discourse Among Church-Based Women In New Mexico, Nina Mock Cooper

Communication ETDs

Within the expansive literature on diabetes in other disciplines, the communication lens focuses on the biomedical perspective and emphasizes doctor-patient and patient-provider relations. While there are limited studies that focus on the psychosocial aspect of diabetes morbidity, there is a gap in the existing literature across disciplines on communication about diabetes using both qualitative and participatory methods that are church-based. Because diabetes disproportionately and adversely impacts communities of color that report high levels of religious influence, there is an dire need for more effective interventions to ameliorate this chronic illness that causes high levels of morbidity and mortality.

The Sisters …

What Is This Noise?: A Comparison Of Narrative And Statistical Program Notes' Ability To Affect Enjoyment, Luke Henderson

Theses

Program notes, brief written statements provided to attendees of classical music performances, have in some cases increased audiences’ enjoyment of what they hear, but results from such research are inconsistent. This study sought to explore the effects of program notes on enjoyment, eudaimonic appreciation, and intention to attend a concert, as well as whether narrative or statistical styles of notes would be more effective. Participants in an experiment were randomly assigned to one of three conditions--no program notes, narrative style program notes, and statistical program notes--then asked to listen to a piece of music. Those who received program notes reported …

Pattern Of Use Of Electronic Health Record (Ehr) Among The Chronically Ill: A Health Information National Trend Survey (Hints) Analysis, Rose Calixte, Sumaiya Islam, Zainab Toteh Osakwe, Argelis Rivera, Marlene Camacho-Rivera

Publications and Research

Effective patient–provider communication is a cornerstone of patient-centered care. Patient portals provide an effective method for secure communication between patients or their proxies and their health care providers. With greater acceptability of patient portals in private practices, patients have a unique opportunity to manage their health care needs. However, studies have shown that less than 50% of patients reported accessing the electronic health record (EHR) in a 12-month period. We used HINTS 5 cycle 1 and cycle 2 to assess disparities among US residents 18 and older with any chronic condition regarding the use of EHR for secure direct messaging …

Connecting Through Comments: A Thematic Analysis Of Blogging Comments, Megan N. Bell

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

There are millions of blogs available for readers and a lack of existing research on the interactions occurring through the comment-based dialogue between bloggers and their readers. This study examines the comments from 14 blog posts from a well-established lifestyle blog, which yielded 640 unique comments, 25 emergent themes, and three categories for thematic analysis. An inductive approach was used to identify the emergent themes from the blog comments. The results of the study suggest interactions are occurring primarily between the blogger and their readers, with minimal reader-to-reader interaction taking place.

"The Most Beautiful Thing In The World": A Rhetorical Analysis Of Relational Dialectics And Friendship In The Musical Kinky Boots, Adam Clayton Moyer, Valerie Lynn Schrader

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

In this article, we examine Kinky Boots, a musical that won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2013 and continues to win over audiences with its positive message about acceptance, as a rhetorical text through William K. Rawlins’ theoretical construct of relational dialectics regarding friendship. Through rhetorical criticism as a research method, we apply Rawlins’ concepts of political and personal friendships, as well as the dialectics of affection and instrumentality, expressiveness and protectiveness, judgment and acceptance, and the ideal and the real to examine notable relationships between characters in the musical. Specifically, we examine the relationships between Charlie and …

The Nurse-Family Connection: Exploring Verbal And Nonverbal Immediacy, Kristen P. Treinen

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Immediacy is the key to developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, each relationship has a unique set of rules and patterns of communication that help maintain the trust and continue the process of relational development. What is not unique about interpersonal relationships is the foundation of trust, a bond, that can be established through the use of immediacy. This study examines not only if nurses believe effective communication with family members is necessary, but how and in what ways nurses have forged a care connection with family members using verbal and nonverbal immediacy.

Geographically Dispersed Community Networks: Exploring Social Networking Site Experiences And Relationships In The Intercollegiate Forensics Community, Julie L. G. Walker

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

A survey administered to current intercollegiate forensics competitors indicated members of the geographically dispersed forensics community extend existing community spaces using social networking sites (SNS). Results indicate participants connected and interacted with team members, fellow competitors, and judges using multiple SNS about forensics and non-forensics related topics. Participants reported differing levels of self-monitoring behaviors, which manifested in emphasizing or stifling particular personality attributes. Emphasized attributes included the participant’s education level, professionalism, or consistency with perceived community values. Stifled content included competitive secrets, politics, profanity, and other negative personal images. Experienced competitors noted the overwhelmingly positive impacts on competitive success of …

The Guardian, Week Of July 5, 2021, Wright State Student Body

The Guardian Student Newspaper

News articles from The Guardian for the week of July 5, 2021. The Guardian is the official student-run newspaper for Wright State University. It has been published regularly since March of 1965.

Amjambo Africa! (July 2021), Kathreen Harrison

Amjambo Africa!

In this Issue

Juneteenth..................................2

Beautiful Blackbird Festival.....3

Publisher’s Editorial..................6

Immigration & the workforce.11

Finding freedom from Trauma Part II..................................12/19

World Market Basket .............14

Food for All Mobile Market

African beef & sauce with Eugénie Kipoy

Nouveaux Romans: reviews of recent novels by Francophone authors A partnership with Bates College .......................15/16/17

Sending money home ............20

Finance.....................................21

Columns. ......................24/25/26

Nigeria bans Twitter ...............27

Bombay Mahal ........................28

Tips&Info for Maine ..............29

ICE in Maine..................30/31

Translations

French .................................8

Swahili ................................9

Somali ...............................10

Kinyarwanda.....................22

Portuguese.........................23

Ua52/1 Out Of The Box, Wku Archives

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about WKU Archives and the records management program.

Nbc Peacock North Summer 2021 Newsletter, Peacock North Staff

NBC Peacock North Newsletter

Highlights include: Peacock Profile: Stacy Brady -- Gil Muro and Steve Lucas Retire -- Silent Microphones

Go With The Flow: Testing The Effects Of Emotional Flow On Psychophysiological, Attitudinal, And Behavioral Changes, Chris R. Noland

Theses and Dissertations

Emotions are important constructs that affect the lives of everyone. Emotions play a particularly strong role in persuasion. This study examines the concept of emotional flow, a sequencing of specific discrete emotions in a strategic manner to affect attitudes and behaviors. In an experiment to understand the functions and applicability of emotional flow, an experiment was conducted using a public service announcement about melanoma that contained a sequence that flowed from humor to sadness to hope. This dissertation used both self-report as well as biometric measures of the emotional responses valence and arousal. Using Affect Priming Theory, Mood Management Theory, …

External Funding Bulletin, January - June 2021, Uno Office Of Research And Creative Activity

Sponsored Programs Bulletins

No abstract provided.

The Importance Of Communication Skills To Independent Crop Consultants, Lindsay Overmyer

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

Independent crop consulting companies provide services to farmers by scouting (i.e., collecting field observations of plants and pests) and developing management recommendations for individual fields. In production agriculture, independent crop consultants (ICCs) are professionals who are independent of product sales. They are knowledgeable in many disciplines including plant pathology, entomology, weed science, plant science, economics, water management, and soil science. However, ICCs must also have extensive communication skills to communicate to their audience of field scout(s), farmers, industry professionals, and government officials. The goal of this document is to examine how ICCs use their communication skills and how they can …

Community Journalism In Zambia: The Case Of Chikuni Radio, Vincent Tilimboyi Nchimunya

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Community journalism is steadily gaining prominence in most African nations. It is a conduit through which different communities develop social interaction. It is also a platform through which the public create connections among themselves to identify and resolve local and national problems that affect citizens. The goal of this study was to examine how community journalists at Chikuni Radio practiced their craft in an effort to build a sense of community in southern Zambia. The study presents a qualitative thematic content analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with three Chikuni Radio editors and six journalists. The journalists’ community journalism experience ranged …

Using Social Listening To Inform Integrated Social And Behavior Change Programs In Burkina Faso, Nrupa Jani, Leanne Dougherty, Martha Silva

Reproductive Health

No abstract provided.

Cldv 100 Introduction To Multicultural Studies In The 21st Century, Oluremi "Remi" Alapo

Open Educational Resources

A study of what "culture" is; how we see it based on several factors, how it influences the choices and decision we make; how to deal positively with conflicts that inevitably arise in working /living situations with people of diverse cultures. This is a course structured to raise multicultural awareness and fortify students' social skills in dealing with cultural differences. It includes ethnographic study of cultural groups in the U.S.A and responses to shared values, observations or experiences based on student's ancestry, heritage, travels. Students will learn about culture "do and donts" around the world and provide the class with …

Media Competency And Media Literacy Education (Mle) Among Tribal Religious/Seminarians (Trs), Justin Tirkey

Dissertations (1934 -)

The media and technological advances have enormously transformed our lives, including the lives and training of Tribal religious/seminarians in India. The emerging media landscape in the 21st century has also expanded the notion of literacy from reading and writing to being competent in accessing media, becoming creative and critical consumers, and judicious participants in media as responsible and compassionate citizens. This requires inclusion of MLE curriculum for the TRS in their early stage of religious formation. The current quantitative study explored the media competency (media habits, attitude, purpose, and participation) the relationship, and difference among TRS. For this purpose, survey …

Populism And The Civil Sphere: A Textual Analysis Of The Photographs Of The “War On Drugs” In The Philippines, Nathaniel Lubanga

Master's Theses (2009 -)

A poignant photograph on the front page of a leading newspaper in the Philippines showing a woman cradling the lifeless body of her dead partner drew both local and international attention and outcry over the new president’s approach to the “war on drugs.” The purpose of this study was to determine the overarching story told by the photographs of the “war on drugs” in the Philippines. A textual analysis drawing upon both narrative and semiotic analysis was used to examine the settings, characters, plots, and symbolism in 143 photographs of “Killings” and “Protests” drawn from various news media agencies. Key …

Understanding The 1918-1920 Cultural Narrative Of The Spanish Flu As Told Through The New York Times And The Wall Street Journal, Gertrude Misornu Ofori-Parku

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Global pandemics have become one of the major health crises that happen to society from time to time. Past occurrences, including disasters and pandemics, are events that we learn from and draw upon to better understand current happenings. One way by which we build and understand historical trends and events, including pandemics, is through press coverage of those events. One significant pandemic in history was the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. This thesis explores the cultural narrative about the Spanish Flu as told through The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal between 1918 and 1920. Through the constant comparison …

“Acts Of Pure Evil”: The Portrayal Of Mass Shooting Events On Online Media Platforms, Elizabeth Twitty

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

As media continues to integrate into everyday life, it is essential to critically examine the media and the messages that are forwarded to the public, who often lack personal knowledge of crime and justice issues, and thus rely on news media to glean information. This effort, also called media criminology, seeks to understand the media and the effect it has on understanding societal issues. This project forwards media criminology by examining online news articles, as media criminology has historically focused on traditional media formats, such as newspaper and television. Online news has surpassed these traditional formats and has become a …

This Is A Patriotism Check: Political Economy, Corruption, And Duty To America In The 2020 Primary Debates, Calvin Coker, Joel L. Reed

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The 2020 Democratic presidential primaries involved the largest and most diverse slate of candidates in the modern era of party nominee selection, a diversity that allowed some candidates to reject neoliberal discourses endemic to American politics. In this essay, we analyze the 2020 Democratic primary debates to demonstrate the emergence of an alternative political economy that stands in opposition to standard economic orthodoxy. Candidates organized their critiques of the extant political economy around corruption, presenting it as rot at the heart of the present capitalist order, with Donald Trump more symptom than cause of America’s unjust and deeply flawed economic …

Inoculating The Public Against Misinformation: Testing The Effectiveness Of “Pre-Bunking” Techniques In The Context Of Mental Illness And Violence, Nanlan Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

The publics might be misinformed about mental illness due to frequently mentioned violence and inaccurate notions in news coverage that underlie people who have a history of mental illness are prone to be dangerous or violent. Drawing from the theories of inoculation and the psychological reactance, the author seeks to investigate the effects of using preemptive corrective message techniques (labeling, appeal to consensus, and provision of an alternative explanation) as on the method of promoting resistance to misinformation linking mental illness and violence, which is a harmful and unsubstantiated stereotype. To accomplish this research aim, the author conducted two experiments …

Portion Of Profit Donations: Csr As Public Relations Strategy And Its Relationships With Trust And Purchase Intentions, Branden Dylan Cameron Birmingham

Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to apply POP donations and messaging as a form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) research. Specifically, this study seeks to understand the relationships between communication factors of portion of the profit (POP) donations and a consumer’s intentions to purchase an item from a corporation, and the level of trust between a consumer and corporation. A key focus of this study was to determine if there is skepticism of POP donations and the impact on overall purchasing intentions, CSR communication factors, engagement, and trustworthiness. This emphasized how ethical values, decision making, relationship building, and trustworthiness are obligations between …

Towards A Large-Scale Intelligent Mobile-Argumentation And Discovering Arguments, Controversial Topics And Topic-Oriented Focal Sets In Cyber-Argumentation, Najla Althuniyan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

User-generated content (UGC) platforms host different forms of information, such as audio, video, pictures, and text. They have many online applications, such as social media, blogs, photo and video sharing, customer reviews, debate, and deliberation platforms. Usually, the content of these platforms is provided and consumed by users. Most of these platforms, mainly social media and blogs, are often used for online discussion. These platforms offer tools for users to share and express opinions. Commonly, people from different backgrounds and origins discuss opinions about various issues over the Internet. Furthermore, discussions among users contain substantial information from which knowledge about …

Mental Disengagement Mediates The Effect Of Rumination On Smartphone Use: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis, Shi Ann Shuna Khoo, Hwajin Yang

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Rumination has consistently been found to predict excessive smartphone use. However, a paucity of research has examined the mechanism that underlies this relation. Drawing on relevant theoretical accounts, we examined whether specific coping functions that can be fulfilled through smartphones—i.e., mental disengagement, problem-focused, and socioemotional coping—mediate, in parallel, the positive link between rumination and smartphone use. Using latent growth curve and structural equation modeling (N = 217), we found that only mental disengagement fully mediated the link between rumination and the intercept (i.e., initial baseline levels) of smartphone use, which was objectively quantified using screen time monitoring applications installed on …

Outcomes Of Training In Smart Home Technology Adoption: A Living Laboratory Study, David Wright, Daniel Burton Shank, Thomas Yarbrough

English and Technical Communication Faculty Research & Creative Works

While various forms of smart home technology have been available for decades, they have yet to achieve widespread adoption. Although they have risen in popularity during recent years, the general public continue to rate smart home devices as overly complex compared to their benefits. This article reports the results of an eight-month study into the effects of training on smart home technology adoption. Building upon the results of a previous study, and using the same living laboratory approach, we studied the effects of training on the attitudes of a group of residents toward use of smart home technology. Results show …