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Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Editorial History

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Subjective Time Estimation In Rats: Seconds To Minutes, Alissa Christensen

Holster Scholar Projects

Time estimation is important for survival. Importantly, time estimation is subjective, influenced by a variety of factors.

We used a temporal bisection task (Church & Deluty, 1977) to determine the degree to which a rat “feels” a stimulus is long/short in reference to predetermined anchor durations.

Animals were first trained to respond differently to a short (3s) and long (6s) duration light-cue. This was followed by intermediate duration probes (averaging 4.5s). Most animals treated the intermediate intervals as long. The function varied, some showing a more linear response while others a step function.

The second phase examines longer time estimation, …

I, Too, Am America: Latino Men, American Identity, And Support For Conservative Immigration Policy, Nadia Ratib-Eixarch

Holster Scholar Projects

In the 2024 Presidential election, Donald Trump won 43% of the Latino male vote and 32% of the Latina vote, despite his history of anti-immigration and anti-Latino rhetoric. This 11-point gender gap among Latino voters exceeded the seven-point gender gap among white voters. Although Trump ran on anti-immigration policy, Latino male voters recorded their main concerns as inflation and jobs, suggesting a divergence between Latino male voters’ perceptions of their interests and those of the larger Latino community. Schaffner and Soler (2025) argue that this divergence is because Latino men who support Trump no longer identify primarily as Latino.

This …

Info 7009 / Lbsci 709: Research In Library And Information Studies, Ping Li

Open Educational Resources

This is a syllabus of INFO 7009 / LBSCI 709: Research in Library and Information Studies. Funded in part by the CUNY OER Initiative, this class uses open educational resources or zero-textbook-cost materials.

Editor-In-Chief's Note, Surekha K. Rao

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Social Bonds In Specialized Courts: An Expanded Integrated Model Of Treatment Court Effectiveness, Christopher Salvatore

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Specialized court programs, which began with drug treatment courts, now include reentry, domestic violence, prostitution, mental health, veterans, and other problem solving courts, have been shown to reduce recidivism and provide improvements in participant outcomes. Over the last thirty years, scholars have provided theoretical explanations for these programs, including therapeutic jurisprudence, life course theory, deterrence, risk-needs-responsivity, and procedural justice. These theoretical paradigms have not fully integrated the central role of relationships and prosocial connections in specialized courts. This article extends the integrated theoretical model presented by Kaiser and Holtfreter by integrating social bond theory as a critical mechanism connecting specialized …

Time And Money: Patterns Of Nonstandard Work Across The First Year Of Covid-19, Ellen M. Whitehead, Alison Winiarski, Emily Wornell, Justin Schupp

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

The COVID-19 pandemic had a well-documented impact on the formal economy, with the extent of these consequences varying across industries and sociodemographic groups. Less attention has been paid to whether the nonstandard economy, including informal and gig work, mirrored this broader economic fallout. We draw on 2019 and 2020 data from the Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking to assess participation in, time spent on, and money earned from nonstandard work across the first year of the pandemic. We find evidence of an overall decline in participation in nonstandard work during this time. However, our results indicate heterogeneous experiences across …

Lgbtq+ Identity Among Young Adults With Autism, Meg Hoffer-Collins, Mixalis Poulakis, Lauri Hyers

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Our qualitative study examined the sexual orientation and gender identity experiences of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority identities) identified young adults on the autism spectrum. In one-on-one semi-structured qualitative interviews with thirteen participants (ages 18-33), we explored three questions: (1) How do young adults with ASD characterize their LGBTQ+ identity; (2) How have they navigated the disclosure of their LGBTQ+ identity and coming out to others; and (3) How has their LGBTQ+ identity impacted their relationships. Qualitative coding of interviews revealed that most participants began considering their LGBTQ+ identity before adulthood and settled …

George C. Roberts Award Recipients

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

The Survival Of Sugar In Post-Emancipation British Guiana: East Indian Indentured Immigration And The Cheapening Of Labor, Wazir Mohamed

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

This Paper revisits the post-emancipation changes in the labor market of British Guiana. British Guiana, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, and several other locations were spaces where East Indian Indentured Immigrants from Idia became pivotal in the economy.[1] In the decade after emancipation (1838-1848), the rise of global free trade in sugar spurred by the equalization of duties in sugar factored in the search for a cheaper and the importation of a more pliable labor force to keep the wheels of sugar turning in British Guiana. With this background in mind this paper focuses on indentured immigration of East …

Submission Guidelines

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Promoting Member Participation And Dialogue Across Differences: A Mixed Methods Study Of One Diocese’S Implementation Of The Catholic Church’S Synodality Initiative, Robert Donmoyer, Fred J. Galloway

Interdisciplinary Journal of Leadership Studies

In recent years, leaders of the Catholic Church have attempted to promote more participatory ways of operating. A few years ago, for example, Church leaders initiated what they referred to as a synodality initiative worldwide. Catholics were asked to share publicly a time the Church brought them joy and a time it disappointed them, along with a hope they have for the Church's future.  One diocese organized the process around the sort of talking circles used by Indigenous groups to make decisions and connect members.  This diocese also enlisted researchers to lead a systematic study of the process; they employed …

Sacred Loss And Moral Authority: Religious Leadership And Identity Reconstruction In Post-Conflict Societies, Kimberly C. Kennedy

Interdisciplinary Journal of Leadership Studies

This paper examines how religious leaders shape narratives of identity formation and reconciliation in post-civil conflict societies where violence, defeat, or political transition produces moral injury and crises of meaning. By drawing on themes of justice, forgiveness, and accountability, religious leadership can wield moral authority to influence public perception, guide healing processes, and support transitions from active conflict to more stable forms of peace. The paper explores how religious leaders reframe narratives of defeat, particularly in cases where a community’s cause was endowed with sacred meaning, creating a crisis of faith. It argues that this work is best understood as …

Fall 2026, John M. Pfau Library

Peacock – John M. Pfau Library Newsletter

In this issue:

Preserving 135 Years of Inland Empire Jewish History pgs. 1 & 2

William “Bill” Russler pgs. 1 & 2

An Eventful Year p. 3

Our Newest Databases p. 4

Eric Milenkiewicz p. 4

Not Just for Students p. 4

Pop-Tart, Pop In! p. 5

Our Newest Staff Members p. 6

Positioning the CSUSB Libraries for Success p. 7

What’s in the Works? p.7

Listening, Partnering, Designing: Smu Libraries’ Journey Towards Human-Centered Wellness, Vincent Ong, Devika Sangaram, Zhenyan Li

Research Collection Library

As student wellness emerges as one of the most pressing concerns facing academic institutions today, libraries are uniquely and powerfully positioned to reimagine their spaces and services as holistic, human-centered environments that nurture the whole person. This paper presents three initiatives by the Singapore Management University (SMU) Libraries that embody this vision, collectively affirming the library's evolving role as a human-centered wellness hub and its commitment to actively shaping a more inclusive and people-first future.

The first initiative repurposed a vacated collection space into a wellbeing-centered quiet study environment, incorporating user experience (UX) design principles and longitudinal survey evidence, to …

Statement From The Indiana Academy Of The Social Sciences And Board Of Directors

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Mission And Editorial Policy

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Volume 29, Issue 1 Full Contents

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

You’Ve Got Junk Mail: Prevalence Of And Factors Related To Sending And Receiving Unsolicited Nudes, Aimee Adam, Brittany Sizemore, Todd Manson

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Unsolicited nudes are common, but most of the research in this area has focused on the motivations of men sending such images and the reactions of women who receive them. In this online study, we attempted to investigate the prevalence of sending and receiving unsolicited sexual images in a broader population, and variables related to this behavior. In our sample of 357 participants, we found few people (less than 20%) acknowledged ever having sent such images, and no difference in whether people had ever sent unsolicited nudes based on gender identity. However, we found that most people (almost 68%) had …

Learning By Doing To Teach Research Skills In Econometrics, Christie Byun

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

This paper examines a revision in an introductory econometrics course at an undergraduate liberal arts college. The instructors have incorporated extensive use of data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the Current Population Survey (IPUMS-CPS), with applied examples that demonstrate econometric theory. The key element is a short empirical paper assignment in which all students work on a common research question, but with different data sets. The paper assignment includes a series of scaffolding assignments using IPUMS-CPS data. This approach has several benefits, including ease of implementation into any course that has an empirical paper component, significantly streamlined …

Author Biographical Notes

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Reviewers And Referees

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Eating Disorders & Meat Consumption: A Meta-Analytic Review, Urska Dobersek, Laurel Standiford-Reyes, Tyler Robinson, Alex Antony Edwin, Sarah Siebers

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

In this meta-analytic review, we examined the current evidence on eating disorders in relation to meat consumption and meat abstention. We systematically searched six online databases in December 2025 for primary research on eating disorder-related variables in meat consumers and meat abstainers. Fifty-one studies with 55,984 participants (n_{meat consumers} = 44,282, n_{meat abstainers} = 9,751) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The outcomes were eating disorders and orthorexia nervosa. Meat consumption was associated with lower eating disorder (g = 0.20, 95% CI [0.08, 0.32], p = .001) and orthorexia nervosa symptomology (g = 0.47, 95% CI [0.33, …

Call For Papers

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

User-First Approach To Designing A Library Ai Chatbot, Samantha Seah, Zhenyan Li

Research Collection Library

At SMU Libraries, after a year of experimentation, user testing, and preparation, we have just launched an AI-assisted chatbot to handle Tier 1 questions – will the library be open this weekend, where can I find printers, what workshops does the library offer, etc. While this can be thought of as a technology-forward project, we hope to illustrate how the human elements were essential to elevate the project. Throughout this journey, while learning the ins and outs of new technologies, we placed more emphasis on user-centred service design and we will show how other libraries can do so as well. …

Demonstrating Library Value Through Integrated Research And Data Support In Doctoral Education, Redzuan Abdullah

Research Collection Library

No abstract provided.

Prevalence And Patterns Of Social Isolation And Loneliness Among Older Adults In Singapore, Yi Wen Tan, Le Ha Linh Phan, Emi Loh, Rachel Wen Yi Ngu

ROSA Research Briefs

As Singapore rapidly transitions into a super-aged society (Lau, 2024), social isolation and loneliness have become growing concerns among academics, policymakers, and social service professionals alike (A. Chan et al., 2023; Fang & Tan, 2023; Shafeeq, 2025). News reports in 2025 highlight an increase in helpline calls from older adults seeking help for their loneliness and emotional distress (Shafeeq, 2025). The prevalence of socially isolated elderly living alone is projected to increase fourfold between 2020 and 2060 (Ng et al., 2020), highlighting the urgency and relevance of addressing this social issue.

Unlocking The Potential Of A Superaged Singapore, Yi Wen Tan, Emi Loh, Wensi Lim, Kaung Htet Tun Salai

ROSA Research Briefs

As Singapore enters a new era of longevity, our focus must shift from preparing for longer lives to unlocking their full potential as a societal advantage. This means going beyond adding years to life to ensuring that those years are lived in good health, with meaningful connections and a sense of purpose. Building a longevity-ready society will require communities and institutions alike to adapt, innovate, and create environments where older adults can continue to contribute and participate fully in society. Through research and collaboration, ROSA is committed to advancing knowledge and developing solutions that help Singapore realise the opportunities of …

Work Motivations And Upskilling Preference Among Singapore's Older Adults, Le Ha Linh Phan, Wensi Lim, Emi Loh, Cassandra Ng, Shania Go

ROSA Research Briefs

Singapore's rapidly ageing population and rising life expectancy are reshaping traditional ideas about work, retirement, and learning across the life course. By 2030, around one in four Singapore citizens will be aged 65 and above, reflecting the country's changing demographic structure and increasing longevity (National Population and Talent Division, 2025). As working lives extend, older adults are increasingly navigating a transitional stage between peak career years and later-life retirement, often continuing to remain economically active while simultaneously managing competing priorities such as financial responsibilities, caregiving, health, personal fulfilment, and retirement planning.