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From Teleprompter To Table Talk: How Authenticity Is Replacing Perceived Objectivity, Hannah Bullard

Integrated Studies

Abstract

This thesis will be titled “From Teleprompter to Table Talk: How Authenticity is Replacing Perceived Objectivity”. The paper will analyze why the American audience has increasingly begun to shift their trust from traditional media to personality driven sources, primarily podcasts, to receive their news. This paper will dive into the numbers showing an undeniable decline in legacy media viewers and an exponential growth in podcast viewership. Obtaining points of view from multiple sources on media analysis, this thesis will argue that podcasters and other alternative sources of news, create trust with your viewers through authenticity and transparency. Consequentially, it …

Advancing Nanotechnology For Hematological And Osteological Disorders, Chase K. Hamilton

Integrated Studies

When people think of medicine, they often picture stethoscopes, routine clinical checkups, surgeries, and standard prescriptions. One field that needs more acknowledgement is the technological side. As technology continues to evolve, healthcare advances alongside it, with nanotechnology emerging as a substantial area of innovation. This paper reflects the expanding role of nanotechnology in modern medicine, focusing on its potential applications in trauma and internal medicine care and in the treatment of blood and bone disorders as well as bone and blood related cancers. By working at an extremely small scale, nanotechnology allows for more precise and targeted treatment, reducing damage …

Role Of Trauma-Informed Care In Promoting Child And Family Well-Being, Chloe Goins

Integrated Studies

Children and families all over the world experience trauma in all different ways, including abuse, neglect, instability, family separation, or poverty. Trauma-informed care has been critical within the child welfare system emphasizing the need for social workers to understand the impact of trauma as they navigate solutions that promote healing and not retraumatization. This paper examines the role of trauma-informed care within child welfare systems in establishing ethical and social practice focused on the well-being of the children and their families. Deriving from trauma theory, attachment theory, and research on the neurobiology of trauma this paper digs deep into how …

Understanding Child Development Through Social And Environmental Systems, Collin E. Curling

Integrated Studies

For this 50-page research paper, this study focuses on “The Role of Family Structure in Childhood Development.” The categories examined in this research include: Two-parent households, Single-parent households, Blended/Stepfamilies, Multigenerational households, and Foster and adoptive families. This research seeks to demonstrate the impact of different family structures impact and influence the developmental states of children. Using perspectives from education, economics, psychology, sociology, and public policy, this study argues that the structure of families alone does not determine the development of the child. Instead, factors such as family stability, access to resources, quality of relationships, and cultural context play a huge …

The Role Of Dental Hygienists In Preventive Care, Chloe Robinson

Integrated Studies

Preventive care is a critical component of overall health, yet oral health is often overlooked within the broader healthcare system. Dental hygienists play a vital role in addressing this gap by providing preventive services, patient education, early disease detection, and advocacy for long-term oral and systemic health. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of dental hygienists in preventive care and to explore how their responsibilities extend beyond traditional clinical tasks to include education, public health initiatives, and interprofessional collaboration. Through a review of current literature, this paper highlights the impact dental hygienists have on improving patient …

Public Libraries: Communities Need Them To Survive, Genesis Wilson

Integrated Studies

Public libraries continue to play a highly impactful and transformative role in community life, even as digital technologies reshape how individuals access information, participate in civic life, and access social support. The literature consistently shows that public libraries function not only as information centers but also as inclusive community anchors that advance digital equity, civic engagement, lifelong learning, and social well-being. Drawing on research from respected scholars such as Akst, Alemanne et al., Lewis, Elmborg, and Schencker, this literature review integrates key themes related to public libraries as community builders, technology and broadband leaders, and essential social support systems for …

Using Vaginal Cytology To Confirm Estrus In Swine - Pilot Study, Carly J. Johnson

Honors College Theses

This study aims to determine whether there is a correlation between cellular changes observed in vaginal cytology and the physical signs of estrus in swine. Vaginal cytology is a technique commonly used in dogs, cats, and rodents, and if proven effective in swine, it could serve as a practical tool for producers to confirm estrus status and improve reproductive management.

Modern Technology Addiction: Developer Duty Of Care, Jonah Hampton

Honors College Theses

Technology addiction includes any frequent use of technology which interferes in the user’s life. The subject continues growth as an epidemic and research field, yet prior literature does not often analyze the role of technology developers. This study performs a literature and legal synthesis to evaluate user and company responsibility, implications of responsibility, and promising solutions. Post 2020 literature was selected for coverage on context, addictive features, effects, solutions, or perspectives on law. Legal examples from different addiction industries were also selected for analysis to understand previous precedents. The study found a pattern of addictive traits, persuasive design, and recurring …

Flooding Behavior Near The Us/Canada Border: Complications And Approaches, Maria T. Dodson

Honors College Theses

Flood forecasting remains a major challenge due to the nonlinear nature of hydrological systems and uncertainties in environmental data. This study aimed to address the prevalent challenges that arise from forecasting flooding behavior. To address the inherent complexity of hydrological forecasting, a machine learning framework was developed and trained on major contributing factors. To achieve an optimal balance between computational efficiency and predictive performance, a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) was selected as the optimal machine learning model. As the chosen dataset, North American Land Data Assimilation System Phase 2 (NLDAS2), is known to have inaccuracies in the important feature Relative …

Trust, Influence, And The Two-Step Flow Of Communication: How Msu Jmc Freshmen Navigate Information Networks In The Digital Age, Caroline Blakeman

Honors College Theses

This study examines how Murray State University students in the Journalism and Mass Communications department engage with information and interpersonal trust through the lens of the Two-Step Flow of Communication. Using a quantitative survey, participants reported how they receive and evaluate information across six domains: politics, healthcare, education, international conflict, religion, and campus news. The survey also explored participants’ own perceptions as “opinion leaders” within their social networks. Findings reveal that coworkers, family members, and religious associates were consistently rated as high-trust sources of information. In particular, trust in religious associates showed a notable pattern: participants who expressed higher levels …

There’S Cardio And There’S Cardio: How Fitness And Sexual Attitudes Relate To Needs For Approval And Loneliness, Isaac Robertson

Honors College Theses

This study looked to collectively investigate the relationships of both fitness/sexual activity attitudes with a need for social approval, while also determining if biological sex could play a role in either of these relationships. Additionally, loneliness and mental well-being were examined with the aforementioned variables. Predominantly white (82.5%) females (75%) data were analyzed after completing an online survey (N = 40). Significant relationships were found between fitness attitudes and a need for social approval in women only (r (28) = -.50, p = .005) and between sexual activity attitudes and a need for social approval in men only (r (8) …

Social Media Use And Its Association With Eating-Related Attitudes And Behaviors In Rural University Students, Erin S. Clark

Honors College Theses

Context: Eating disorders (EDs) are psychiatric illnesses wherein atypical patterns of eating induce harmful physical and psychosocial consequences. ED rates have increased globally in recent years, jumping from an estimated 3.5% to 7.8% between 2006 and 2018. ED onset typically occurs in adolescence and early adulthood and results from complex interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors. One such social factor is social media (SM) usage.

Research Design: The present quantitative study examines how measures of SM use (including use intensity, activity, personal perceptions of SM, and initial age of introduction to SM) relate to ED risk among rural university …

Maria Gaetana Agnesi And The Proto-Feminist Movement, Katherine D. Wahnsiedler

Honors College Theses

Maria Gaetana Agnesi, a mathematician and scholar from the 18 th century, is an important historical figure who received a position at the University of Bologna. She is the second woman ever to be appointed to a University professorship, laying the foundation for other women in academia later to come. Many historians interpret Agnesi’s life to be representative of early feminist ideas and would therefore be an example of a proto-feminist. However, this is not accurate, nor is it an ideology Agnesi likely would have subscribed to. Analyzing primary sources written by Agnesi and her contemporaries helps provide insight into …

Across The Pond, Across The Waistline: A Comparative Look At The Childhood Obesity Crisis In The United States And United Kingdom, Samantha N. Eales

Honors College Theses

Childhood obesity is no longer just a local concern; it’s a global epidemic shaping the health of future generations. This paper compares how two similar nations with drastically different healthcare systems, the United States and the United Kingdom, tackle this growing crisis. Although both countries struggle with fast food culture, sedentary lifestyles, and targeted marketing, their health policy strategies differ dramatically. The U.S. leans on community programs and education, while the U.K. enforces stronger national regulations and advertising restrictions. By examining nutrition, physical activity, and policy, this thesis explores what each country does well and where they fall short. It …

Effectiveness Of Education On Increasing Training Likelihood: An Analysis In Relation To Physique Inflation, Reid J. Venable

Honors College Theses

Resistance training is a widely recommended form of exercise for enhancing muscular strength, improving metabolic health, and promoting overall quality of life. In addition to these benefits, perhaps the most popular reason for participating in resistance training is to achieve muscle hypertrophy and attain a desired or aesthetic physique. However, various factors such as the use of performance-enhancing drugs and social media have led to “physique inflation,” a cultural phenomenon in which exposure to highly enhanced or unrealistic body types shifts perceptions of what is considered a “normal” or attainable physique. As a result, many individuals avoid or delay resistance …

Strategic Business Planning For An Optometry Practice: A Comprehensive Approach To Market Analysis, Operations, And Growth, Molly Elizabeth Weber

Honors College Theses

This study is a comprehensive analysis of the field of optometry in order to develop a business plan which could be utilized to open a new optometry practice. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats are all studied in order to gain a robust view and offer insights of how a business would fair in the field of optometry to allow entrepreneurs to make informed decisions in business endeavors involving practice operations, market terrain, and growth potential.

Exploring Communication Strategies With Esports Fans: Signaling Physical Location And Popularity, Gavin Nolin, Ismail Karabas, Skylar King

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Purpose

Using signaling theory as a theoretical foundation, this study aims to investigate how consumers respond to message framing emphasizing physical location and popularity of an esports team. Additionally, this research looks at how power distance belief, need for uniqueness, sense of power and pride in community are associated with consumer intentions (e.g. support likelihood, watch likelihood, follow on social media likelihood) as a function of physical location versus popularity-signaling in team communication with prospective fans. Design/methodology/approach

This research uses an experiment to test the effects of physical location and popularity-signaling on consumer intentions toward an esports team, as well …

Exploring Future Educators’ Roles In Classroom Aac Use: Insight Into Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes, Katrina M. King

Honors College Theses

The United States public school system requires the provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for qualifying students with disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Speech, language, and hearing related disabilities are among the qualifying categories (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Students with these disabilities may have complex communication needs (CCN), or significant limitations in their speech, language, and communication abilities (Communication Rights Australia, 2018). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), a type of assistive technology, offers support for these students, however, several barriers inhibit full communicative participation (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], n.d.-a). …

Communication, Education, And Trust: Exploring Client Compliance, Treatment Plan Adherence, And Perceived Patient Outcomes In Veterinary Medicine, Isabella J. Eads

Honors College Theses

Unlike human physicians, veterinarians are unable to directly communicate with their patients and must utilize client-veterinarian interactions to achieve the desired level of patient care. Communication, client education, and trust have been previously identified as important aspects of veterinary clinical interaction, and this study aimed to assess how these variables influence client compliance, treatment plan adherence, and perceived patient outcomes in veterinary medicine. This study utilized an electronic survey to collect data from 68 participants in regard to research questions centered around client-veterinarian interactions and how they play a role in client perception and overall patient care. Screening questions and …

Effect Of Freezing And Freeze-Thaw Cycles On Equine Serum Insulin Concentration: A Pilot Study, Molly Wallace, Shea Porr, Lydia O'Sullivan

Honors College Theses

Insulin dysregulation is a key component of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), and is often a predisposing factor to conditions such as laminitis and hepatic lipidosis. Diagnosis of EMS is most often reached through a combination of glucose and insulin measurements in equine serum. Achieving an accurate result of insulin concentration is vital for diagnosis, making proper sample handling essential. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effect of repetitive freeze-thaw cycles on equine serum insulin concentrations. Serum was collected from 10 university-owned horses and split into four treatment groups: Unfrozen, Once Frozen, Twice Frozen, and Thrice Frozen. Unfrozen …

Soil Health Comparision Between Maize-Cultivated And Fallow Grassland Fields In Murray, Kentucky, Manasha Dahal, Indra B. Air, Prabin Gouli

Scholars Week

The physical and chemical properties of soil are important markers of ecosystem resilience and soil quality. Crop rotation, tillage, and cultivation are examples of land management techniques that impact organic matter content, porosity, and structure of soil. This study aimed to compare selected physical and chemical properties of soils from maize-cultivated (MC) and fallow grassland (FG) fields in Murray, Kentucky. Undisturbed and disturbed soil samples of 24 each were collected from (MC) and (FG) fields across Pullen, West, and North farms. Undisturbed soil samples were used to determine bulk density (BD), porosity, macroporosity, soil water holding capacity (SWHC), and water …

Comparing The Soil Properties Assessment Between Annual Crops And Grassland Systems, Rahika Gatla, Shreeya Adhikari, Sai Amurtha Varshini Karnati

Scholars Week

Soil properties are fundamental to sustainable agricultural productivity, influencing crop yield and soil health. This study examined the effects of perennial grassland systems compared to annual maize–soybean (Zea mays–Glycine max) cropping on selected soil properties. Grassland systems such as Kentucky bluegrass and Miscanthus provide continuous cover that enhances soil structure, water retention, while annual systems often involve greater soil disturbance and higher fertilizer use. A total of 48 soil samples (24 disturbed and 24 undisturbed, six replications per crop) were collected on September 13th, 2025 from Grenada and Calloway silt loam soils at Pullen Farm, Murray, KY. Soil chemical properties, …

Timely Charting, Ella R. Pena, Ryleigh Graul

Scholars Week

This presentation explores the issue of delayed and inconsistent nursing documentation within hospital settings, emphasizing its implications for patient safety, workflow efficiency, and inter-shift communication. Conducted as part of a Leadership and Management course at Murray State University in collaboration with Baptist Health Louisville's ED Observation unit, the project applies Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory to guide the identification, implementation, and reinforcement of improved charting practices. The analysis draws from three evidence-based studies examining barriers to timely documentation, the burden of documentation on clinician well-being, and the influence of documentation location on timeliness. Findings highlight four key categories of barriers: technological, …

Comparing Characteristics Of Southern Illinois And Western Kentucky Soils, Jenna Grab, Jodi Terhorst, Madelyn G. Hughes, Kaitlynn R. Burrus

Scholars Week

Comparing Characteristics

of Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky Soils

Jenna Grab, Kaitlynn Burrus, Madelyn Hughes & Jodi Terhorst

Mentor: Dr. Iin Handayani, Ph.D.

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA

ABSTRACT

Assessing soil quality indicators is essential to determining soil health for plant growth. The objective of this study was to determine and compare various physical and chemical characteristics of soils in Western Kentucky (KY) and Southern Illinois (IL). Twenty-seven undisturbed and twenty-seven disturbed soil samples were collected from September 5th-27th from fields in Mascoutah and Metropolis, Illinois, along with fields in Schochoh and Benton, Kentucky. All soil …

Evaluating Soil Responses To Three Different Tillage Practices, Robert L. Burchett, Cordale L. Straub Senior, Logan D. Renfrow Sophomore

Scholars Week

Evaluating Soil Responses to Three Different Tillage Practices

Luke Burchett, Logan Renfrow, and Cordale Straub

Mentor: Dr. Iin Handayani Ph.D

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA

ABSTRACT

Tillage systems can greatly affect soil health by changing its structure, chemistry, and biological activity. This study examined how soil organic carbon (SOC), soil pH, soil moisture, soil organic matter (SOM) responds under three tillage systems: no-till, biannual tillage, and conventional tillage. Soil samples were taken from a 1–7.6 cm depth during September 2025 across three locations. The no-till site was located in Caldwell County, Kentucky, on an irrigated double-crop …

Impact Of Crop Rotation And Species Variation On Soil Quality Indicators, Somasekhar Auduti, Uday Kiran Pittala, Pratibha Adhikari

Scholars Week

Impact of Crop Rotation and Species Variation on Soil Quality Indicators

Pratibha Adhikari, Somasekhar Auduti, Uday Kiran Pittala

Mentor: Dr. Iin P. Handayani, Ph.D.

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, KY, USA

Designing crop rotations that counter the negative effects of monocropping requires crop choices that build carbon and create stable pore structure. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of crop rotation on selected soil health indicators and to interpret soil health conditions across agricultural fields. Soil samples were collected from West Farm, Murray, KY, from six crop fields—corn, soybean, tobacco, millet, cotton, and …

Assessing Soil Properties Under Pastures Managed For Different Livestock Systems In Western Kentucky, Chandralekha Joga Miss

Scholars Week

Soil health plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture, particularly in pasture-based livestock systems that influence physical and chemical soil properties. This study evaluated the effects of different livestock systems on surface soil characteristics in western Kentucky. Soil samples were collected from September 16 to September 22, 2025. Six fields were selected, representing beef, equine, swine, sheep/goat, poultry, and control (no livestock) systems. Both disturbed and undisturbed samples were collected from one soil depth (0–7.5 cm) to assess physical and chemical properties including bulk density (BD), total porosity, macroporosity, soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), …

Shaping The Soil: A Comparison Of Equine, Bovine, And Ungrazed Hay Fields, Brody Ellis Higgs, Taylor Madison Wynn, Scottie Craig Berry

Scholars Week

Shaping the Soil: A Comparison of Equine, Bovine, and Ungrazed Hay Fields

Brody Higgs, Taylor Wynn, and Scottie Berry

Mentor: Dr. Iin. P. Handayani, PhD.

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky, USA

ABSTRACT

Kentucky raises grazing species for multiple reasons, including food, recreation, and show. The most common of them are equine and bovine. These animals graze many acres across the state of Kentucky and impact soil properties in their pastures. This study was conducted on three pasturelands across Caldwell and Calloway counties in Kentucky. The pastures consisted of a cow pasture, a horse pasture, and a …

Assessing Soil Quality Indicators In Leguminous And Non-Leguminous Cropping Systems, Kabita Budthapa, Kranthi Vinukonda, Ramya Sree Teeguri

Scholars Week

It is crucial to understand how different cropping systems influence soil health to boost the efficiency of resources and sustainable agricultural outputs. This study examined the effects of leguminous (soybean and pea) and non-leguminous (sunflower and maize) cropping systems on selected soil characteristics. On September 16th, 2025, soil samples (24 disturbed and 24 undisturbed) were collected from the 0-7.5 cm depth of West Farm, Murray, Kentucky. Disturbed samples were analyzed for pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil organic carbon (SOC), while undisturbed samples were used to determine bulk density, porosity, soil water holding capacity (SWHC), and soil water field …

Comparative Assessment Of Soil Properties In Cropland And Forested Areas In Western Kentucky, Shiba Hari Dhakal, Abinash Dhungana, Ramson K C

Scholars Week

Soil health is profoundly influenced by its physical and chemical properties. These properties rely on land use systems; consequently, impact on soil functions and agricultural sustainability. The objective of this study was to determine selected physical and chemical properties affected by crop and forest management in Western Kentucky. Two crop and two forested areas with six replications each were selected for this study in September 2025 in Calloway County, Kentucky. A total of 24 disturbed and 24 undisturbed soil samples were collected at 0-7 cm depth. Disturbed samples were analyzed for soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil organic …