Digital Commons Network^™

Github Uncovered: Revealing The Social Fabric Of Software Development Communities, Abduljaleel Al Rubaye

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The proliferation of open-source software development platforms has given rise to various online social communities where developers can seamlessly collaborate, showcase their projects, and exchange knowledge and ideas. GitHub stands out as a preeminent platform within this ecosystem. It offers developers a space to host and disseminate their code, participate in collaborative ventures, and engage in meaningful dialogues with fellow community members. This dissertation embarks on a comprehensive exploration of various facets of software development communities on GitHub, with a specific focus on innovation diffusion, repository popularity dynamics, code quality enhancement, and user commenting behaviors. This dissertation introduces a popularity-based …

Upskilling And Retooling Regional Correspondents In A Changing Media Landscape: A Case Study Of Royal Media Services Limited., Fayzah Wanjiru

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Regional correspondents play a major role in the media in Kenya by bringing into the national discourse local stories from rural, marginalized, and isolated communities, as well as from other towns away from the capital city or the head office of a media organization. Advancements in technology in the digital era have transformed the media landscape, forcing the media to adopt new business models as audience consumption habits change. Regional correspondents must equip themselves with relevant skills to adapt to the evolving media landscape. Industry players have found that regional correspondents lack competency skills. Ireri (2017) argued that journalists feel …

Towards An Efficient Management Of Fake News In The Digital Media Era Newsrooms. A Case Study Of Citizen Digital, Royal Media Services., Francis Gachuri

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The challenge of fake news in the media is a persistent struggle and dents the credibility of journalism as a source of accurate and verifiable content. With the vast penetration of the internet and growth in social media, the legacy media (mainstream media) has to contend with the spread of fake content and safeguard itself from losing its face as the source of truth. Media houses have to rethink, re-strategize and invest in tools, skills, equipment and processes that will identify, isolate and debunk fake news, and stop its dissemination for consumption by the masses. The main objective of this …

Revolutionizing Vernacular Radio To Embrace The Youth: A Case Of Muuga Fm., Muroria Grace Mukiri

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Radio has been a powerful tool for mass communication and entertainment for over a century. In many developing countries, vernacular radio, which broadcasts in local languages, has been very popular and it serves as a platform for promoting local cultures, traditions and events. However, with the advent of modern technology, young people are increasingly turning away from radio as a source of entertainment and information. This trend threatens the future of vernacular radio stations, which must find new ways to engage and attract younger audiences. This project used a case of Muuga FM. Muuga FM is a vernacular radio station …

Journalism In The Digital Era: Making The Case For Media Research Department., Yvonne Okwara

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

In a world with social media outlets that are quick on the mark when it comes to breaking news, it is no longer the journalist’s job to be the first or the fastest to break news. That has been disrupted already. What audiences need now more than ever before is confirmation, understanding and analysis of what the news means to them, and how it will affect their lives. What they are looking for is an understanding of the genesis of an event, its progression up until the point the story broke, and why it should matter to them. The study …

U.S. Online Romance Scams: A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Factors Associated With Victimization And Exploration Of Lived Experiences Of Victimization, Rebecca A. Cole

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

The objective of this dissertation is to understand develop an understanding of experiences of online romance scam¹(ORS) victimization and to examine factors associated with ORS victimization. The dissertation samples ORS victims and uses purposive sampling strategies to recruit participants. The research used a mixed methods explanatory design approach. Inclusion criteria included ORS victims 18 and older who lived in the U.S., lost any amount of money in ORS scam, and met the scammer on any Internet platform. Three research manuscripts complete this dissertation. The first manuscript is a scoping review to understand the mental and physical health outcomes …

Historical Reappearance: Tracing The Impacts Of Argentina's Los Desaparecidos To The Rise Of President Javier Milei, Analise Sofia Chain

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In 1976 the Argentine government was taken over by a right wing military junta, attempting to “save” their country from communism. Military officials kidnapped, tortured and killed between 10,000 and 30,000 Argentine citizens, who were thought of as “guerrillas” supporting the leftist government and the late president Juan Perón. These victims are regarded as the disappeared, or Los Desaparecidos; due to the fact their families had no knowledge of where their loved ones were taken, or what was happening to them. Many of these young, liberal advocates were never seen or heard from again, their remains lost to history, and …

Taking Flight Or Taking A Pass? Exploring Factors Influencing Consumer Willingness To Pay For Evtol Travel, David C. Ison

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry is experiencing significant growth due to technological advancements and increasing demand for efficient travel experiences. The market is expected to reach $45 billion by 2030, with major players like Joby, Archer, Beta, and Wisk dominating. This study aimed to assess public willingness to pay for AAM services using eVTOLs, using Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform. The survey yielded a response rate of 85.8%, with 1,622 completed surveys. The study found that younger urban consumers were more willing to pay higher prices for AAM electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft trips than older participants, possibly …

Outpatient Fall Prevention In Ambulatory Adults 65 Years Old And Over, Dorothy L. Osborne-White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: In the United States (U.S.), falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and over, resulting in 36 million falls yearly (Moreland et al., 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), one in four older adults experiences a fall each year. Falls are the world's second most prominent cause of accidental deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults (Moreland et al., 2020).

Methods: A quality improvement project that included a fall bundle was implemented in a primary clinic. A …

Actionable Advocacy Journalism: Embracing Bias And Empowering Audiences With Calls To Action, Megan T. Schiffres

Richard T. Robertson School of Communication Student Scholarship

This thesis outlines the principles of actionable advocacy journalism, a new theoretical framework designed to empower audiences to take action in their communities. This framework proposes an update of journalistic ethics including the elimination of objectivity and demonstrates the positive impact of biased journalism on improving audience trust and strengthening community ties. It explores the historical roots of advocacy in journalism, examines the factors that led to the journalistic philosophy of objectivity, and explains its fundamental flaws. This thesis also outlines strategies for transforming news into a practical resource. These strategies combine the principles of solutions journalism with evidence-based persuasion …

Digital Activism Through Humour And Satire: An Analysis Of The Use Of Tiktok And X For Political Accountability In Uganda., Shemei Agabo

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

This study aimed to analyze the use of satire through TikTok and X networking sites as dialogue tools, specifically for political activism in Uganda. The study looked at the two communication platforms as avenues of expanding the civic space for the citizens, in a country faced with a lot of restrictions for legacy media and traditional online platforms. The study is significant because it analyzes how social media platforms can be used for political activism in a country like Uganda, ruled by stringent rules regarding speaking to power. The method of study was an exploratory study design and the qualitative …

Media Coverage Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Of New Vision And Daily Monitor In Uganda., Eve Atukunda

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

The media performs a significant role in shaping and transforming public perceptions during pandemics. This study analysed the media coverage of COVID-19 in Uganda, focusing on its impact on public awareness, government response, and societal behaviour. The study applied a quantitative approach to content analysis of news articles and official government communication, with interviews of journalists at the helm of COVID-19 reporting. The analysis assessed the framing of COVID-19 news in print media platforms. It examined the dynamics between media, government, and public health officials, evaluating the effectiveness of information dissemination and management of misinformation. The initial focus of media …

The Relevance Of Journalism Schools In Producing Talent For A Converged Newsroom: A Case Of Uganda, Arthur Oyako

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

While journalism training schools play a crucial role in equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the media industry, the rapid advances in media technology raised concerns about the training needs and skills and whether J-schools were equipping graduates with the requisite skills for the converged newsrooms. The rapid evolution of digital technologies transformed traditional newsrooms into converged newsrooms, where journalists are expected to produce content for multiple platforms, including print, broadcast, and digital media. This shift has created a demand for journalists with diverse skills, including writing, reporting, editing, video production, social media management, and …

Print Media Coverage Of Conflict Among Pastoral Communities In Northern Kenya: A Case Study Of Nation And The Standard Newspapers., Faith Sudi Wamalwa

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

Media coverage of conflict is central to public interpretations of these conflicts. This public comprises policymakers who, among key of their mandates, is developing policies that protect the masses' lives and properties. Conflicts among pastoral communities have been endemic for decades. Media as a channel through which the masses get informed has been found by research worldwide to have an effect on conflicts through coverage. This media influence is mirrored through how it frames stories of conflict and who it quotes in those stories. Frames and sources used to determine how the audience perceives and interprets those conflicts. This study …

An Analysis Of Status Of Journalism Following Transitions Of Journalists From Newsrooms In Kenya, Asha Bekidusa

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

One of the major issues facing media managers and many newsrooms today is the retention of journalists. It requires action to motivate journalists to stay at the company longer. On the other hand, firms utilize creative methods to retain top talent due to fierce rivalry in the job market. The activities in newsrooms are impacted because many seasoned journalists have left for alternative careers. This study analyses the status of journalism following the transitions of seasoned journalists from newsrooms in Kenya. It also examines adjusting mechanisms adopted by newsrooms to maintain the quality of journalism after the departure of seasoned …

Why News Organizations ‘Platform’ Illiberal Politics: Understanding News Production, Economic Insolvency, And Anti-Democratic Pressure Through Cnn’S 2023 Trump Town Hall, Nik Usher

Communication: Faculty Scholarship

This article discusses how the economic insolvency of the contemporary mainstream media makes it particularly vulnerable to manipulation by illiberal political actors. Through a case study of CNN’s 2023 Trump Town Hall event, this article argues that democratic backsliding itself has become a potent constraint structuring news production routines and news decision-making. The metajournalistic discourse about the event maligned the role of CNN in “platforming” the former president, underscoring how platform logics have hijacked newsroom decision-making and news judgment. Journalists and other commentators pointed to the continuing power of Trump to dominate coverage and the continued inability of mainstream media …

Streamlining Public Engagement In Transportation Projects Using Text Analytics, Alireza Shamshiri

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Infrastructure projects impact a broad range of stakeholders, particularly local communities, whose engagement is critical for successful outcomes. Despite the importance of public engagement in these projects, traditional methods of capturing and analyzing public opinion often fail to fully represent the diverse, genuine perspectives involved. This has led to conflicts between community members and project sponsors. On the other hand, despite advancements in text analytics, including natural language processing (NLP) and its subfields such as topic modeling, sentiment analysis, and neural networks, their functionalities and effectiveness in analyzing public opinion in the domain of infrastructure projects have not been fully …

An Analysis Of The Contribution Of Industrial Attachment In Journalism Training In Kenya: Challenges And Opportunities For An Effective Framework, Yusuf Ali Lakicha

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

In Journalism Schools, industrial attachment is an integral part of media education, offering students valuable opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings and gain practical skills necessary for successful careers in the media industry. It is an essential part of an academic programme where students augment the practical skills learnt in school in an actual work environment. This study examined the contribution of industrial attachment in journalism, with a focus on arguably Kenya’s leading media organization, Royal Media Services, which has three television stations and 12 radio stations. The objective of the study was to assess the structure of …

Identifying Youth Appeals In Alcohol Alternative Social Media Content Through Framing, Melina Oneal

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Proposed regulations for alcohol advertising prevent beverage companies from targeting people under the legal drinking age. However, similar regulations for alcohol alternative beverages are less explored, which could allow alcohol alternative products to create awareness for alcoholic beverages among youth. Alcohol alternatives beverages, including no-alcohol and low-alcohol products, are increasing in popularity and can function as compliments to alcoholic products to decrease the total alcohol volume consumed or as substitutes for alcoholic products. Framing theory can be operationalized through the Content Appealing to Youth Index, an index of content elements found in research literature to be appealing to youth, to …

กลยุทธ์การสื่อสารตราสินค้าบุคคลของนักดนตรีกลางคืนและปัจจัยในการต่อยอดทางอาชีพ, ณัฐชภัค เทศน้อย

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การวิจัยนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษากลยุทธ์การสร้างและสื่อสารตราสินค้าบุคคล ของนักดนตรีกลางคืนเพื่อการต่อยอดทางอาชีพ โดยใช้วิธีวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพผ่านการสนทนากลุ่มกับนักดนตรี 10 คน ที่แบ่งเป็นกลุ่มนักดนตรีในผับที่เป็นผู้ทรงอิทธิพลระดับไมโครอินฟลูเอ็นเซอร์ และ ผู้ทรงอิทธิพลระดับมาโครอินฟลูเอ็นเซอร์ บนช่องทางแอปพลิเคชันติ๊กต๊อก ผลการวิจัยพบว่า กลุ่มผู้ทรงอิทธิพลระดับไมโครอินฟลูเอ็นเซอร์ สร้างแบรนด์ผ่าน ความเป็นมืออาชีพและทักษะการแสดงสดที่โดดเด่น ขณะที่กลุ่มผู้ทรงอิทธิพลระดับ มาโครอินฟลูเอ็นเซอร์ เน้นภาพลักษณ์ที่เข้าถึงง่ายและจริงใจโดยใช้ชื่อเสียงเดิมเป็นฐาน ทั้งสองกลุ่มใช้กลยุทธ์ผสมผสานระหว่างออนไลน์และออฟไลน์ โดยใช้ช่องทางแอปพลิเคชันติ๊กต๊อก เป็นช่องทางหลักในการสร้างการรับรู้เพื่อนำไปสู่การจ้างงาน มากกว่าสร้างรายได้โดยตรง การสร้างตราสินค้าบุคคลที่แข็งแกร่งจึงเป็นปัจจัยสำคัญในการต่อยอดอาชีพของนักดนตรีกลางคืน ในยุคดิจิทัล ซึ่งต้องอาศัยการสื่อสารเชิงกลยุทธ์ควบคู่ไปกับความสามารถทางดนตรี

Autopathography Across Media: Trauma And Fluid Embodied Subjectivity, He (Kristen) Shen

Honors Theses

Illness memoirs with first-person point of view have gained more attention in recent years among medical sociologists and anthropologists. Different from traditional “case histories”written by doctors that are in danger of ignoring patients’ voices, autopathograhical works delineate narrators’ transformative experiences of persons to patients, emphasizing the importance of gaining social understanding of illness. Focusing on three works within the category of autopathography across genres and media forms in the late 1950s and contemporary periods, The Cancer Journals (1980) written by Audre Lorde, The Collected Schizophrenias (2019) written by Esmé Weijun Wang, and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) directed …

Comm-Entary 2024 Author And Board Member Brochure

Comm-entary

No abstract provided.

Unlv Title Iii Aanapisi & Mcnair Scholars Institute Research Journal 2024, Jesica Godinez-Paredes, Kian Hassankhan, Apia Hickman, Robin Ruth Kee, Kevin Ayala Pineda, Briana Melendez, Kalli Ramos, Saturn L. Reyes, Fabian Leija, Selena Pepe, Silva Topchyan, Celeste Ainsley, Mayra Arzate, Jessica Balistreri, Zantana Ephrem, Mirella Jasso, Karl Panou, Nichole Pelaez, Miklo Alcala, Akshay Dave, Mey Mey Heng, Michael Finkle, Janessa Montenegro, Reynafe Naol Aniga, Victor Mejia, Angelica G. Diaz, Anayeli Flores-Garibay, Kari Lee Joe Goold, Samantha Hernandez, Lianelys Cabrera Martinez, Caitlin Reynolds, Kimberly N. Usbeck, Abdulrahman Alahdal, Angelica Diaz, Willaine Mae Kahano, Raquel Jackson, Cecia Ruiz-Hernandez, Kers Ung-Watson, Yessenia Henriquez, Vanessa Marie Booth, Alexia Brown, Darlyn Magana, Bianca Navarro, Nicholas Pereira, Gia Renemae Calip, Lucky Heng, Ralph Sagun, Lucas Abreu, Alexandra Maria Acosta, Tristan Benally, Cosset Hernandez Pena, Adrian Montenegro, Cierra Paaaina-Daquioag, Nicole Torosian, Tracy Fuentes, Julissa Martinez, Medina Mcallister, Michal Newhouse-Van Vlerin, Tiria Carr, Nima Abkenar, Isabella Aceituno, Yuhan Bi, Victoria Campos, Melika Cummings, Zachary J. Johnigan, Alexis Sotolongo-Marin

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the AANAPISI, LSAMP, and McNair Scholars Program.

Table of Contents

About AANAPISI

Dr. Chris Heavey, Interim President

Dr. Keith Rogers, Vice President for Student Affairs

Ms. Zhanna Aronov, Associate Vice President for Retention & Outreach

Divided Crowns: An Ideological Criticism Of Self-Black Determination And Conflicting Visions Of Wakanda In Black Panther, Alaya E. Hubbard

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Using an ideological criticism of Hollywood’s Black Panther (2018), this paper analyzes the differing portrayals of the self-Black determination of the film’s main characters, T’Challa and Killmonger, as it relates to their backgrounds, cultural connections, racial identities, power dynamics, and their fights for social justice. Aspects of the film that were analyzed included characters’ actions, dialogue, lore, and presence. Digging deeper into the film’s story once key themes were revealed. This examination included parallels to the real-world, including locations, social movements, and social reformation leaders. The goal of the paper is to show how the film offers insights into broader …

The Regenarrative: How To Change The Story In Order To Change The Future, S. Rose Bigheart O'Leary

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Abstract

In the era of Climate Change, many are concerned that the end of the Anthropocene, or the end of the era of human life on Earth, is upon us. Western European colonialism and its subsequent systems (settler-colonialism, colonial-capitalism, and globalization - sometimes termed “neocolonialism”) have all been implicated in contributing to unsustainable behaviors linked to accelerating climate change. In searching for possible solutions, some have called for listening to Indigenous Peoples, citing ethics of sustainability found among many Indigenous cultures. However, the cultural products of settler-colonialism are still dominant in ways that do not allow for Indigenous worldviews to …

Crisis Negotiation Techniques In Interactional Context: Managing A Suicide Threat In An Emergency Service Call, Angela Garcia

Natural & Applied Sciences Faculty Publications

Previous research reveals that standard crisis negotiation techniques are useful in assisting suicidal persons, but how routine interactional procedures impact their implementation has not yet been sufficiently examined. Aim: This paper investigates how routine interactional procedures impact the effectiveness of crisis negotiation techniques in an emergency services call involving a suicide announcement. Methods: A publicly released emergency service call was transcribed and analyzed using the qualitative technique of conversation analysis. Results: The call taker used crisis negotiation techniques such as maximizing autonomy, displaying active listening, and distracting the caller to keep them on the phone. These techniques were implemented successfully …

From Conspiracy To Normalcy: The Mainstreaming Of Qanon In “Disney Grooming” Messages Online, Daniela Peterka-Benton, Bond Benton, Joel Penney

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

In March of 2022, The Walt Disney Company voiced opposition to Florida’s "Parental Rights in Education" (“Don’t Say Gay”) in support of LGBTQ+ stakeholders within in the company and the public. This research studied a dataset of 68,481 tweets where the company’s stance was constructed as “grooming” children, i.e. manipulating children for sexual abuse. Tweets were collected from March 13, 2022 to May 16, 2022 representing a two month period from Disney’s stance against "Parental Rights in Education.” As grooming is a term often associated with human trafficking and Disney is a major media company, this study is interested in …

Ua12/2/84 Sigma Chi, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Sigma Phi Alpha fraternity and it's forerunner Sigma Chi.

Ua12/2/85 Sigma Gamma Rho, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.

Ua1c11/127 Stephen Flora Photo Collection, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Photographs donated by WKU alumnus Stephen Flora, taken for class and College Heights Herald.