Digital Commons Network^™

"Adventurous Activism", Joshua Adair

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

"Ethel At The Wheel", Joshua Adair

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

She Dreams In Burkean Color (Or, On Rhetoric And Writing Pedagogy), Paul Walker

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Libraries Of The Future, Caleb Hodges, Andrew Littlefield, Emma Mitmesser, Deborah Myers, Sydney Rogers, Colleen Scott

GSP at Murray State University

Libraries have been the source of innovation throughout human history. People today do not understand the importance of libraries and the resources they can provide to a community or society. This causes libraries to not receive the appropriate funding to support both their programs and new literary materials. The inspiration for libraries of the future is derived from the trends that will attract the citizens of tomorrow. Libraries will be more involved in the community and provide the public with accessible technology. Our ideas to improve libraries will gain the public’s interest and keep the fire of knowledge alive. Some …

Growing Old In America, Where Do We Go From Here?, Holly Trevino

Integrated Studies

We at times find ourselves with an elderly grandparent, parent, sibling, partner or friend and we not sure what the next step is for them concerning their healthcare of everyday living and how to obtain it. This paper will help you explore the different options of care from home care to skilled nursing facilities and everything in-between. It will also give you information to help relieve stress worry if the decision you have made is the best fit for your loved one.

Correctional Recreation: An Overview, Michael Ryan Alexander

Integrated Studies

This paper will examine different aspects related to correctional recreation with the intent of establishing that it is a valuable tool and should be continually implemented in prisons. A multitude of sources and studies were researched and used to provide the information. The history of recreation in correctional settings is presented as well as the types of recreation that have been made available in institutions across the country. The benefits and goals of correctional recreation are then examined. These benefits include physical and psychological gains, increasing institutional safety, as well as reducing recidivism. The role recreation plays in institutions is …

The Effects Of A Vegetarian Diet, Kelly R. Mathis

Integrated Studies

The purpose of this paper is to equip individuals with knowledge of the effects of a vegetarian diet. This paper will provide factual research for a group of individuals willing to investigate how certain dietary choices can provide benefits for current and future generations in all aspects of life. The consumption of a vegetarian diet impacts a person’s health, the environment, the economy, and society. This concept is examined through the idea of nutrition ecology. Exploring concepts related to these four components will provide insight into the food consumption choices that people make while also understanding the effect it may …

Play In Early Childhood Education, Sarah Ellis

Integrated Studies

The information in this paper was found in books, Murray Sates library website and other online sources. The purpose of this paper is to define play and the many roles and benefits it has for early childhood education. In this paper, it will define play by what many theorists and researchers have defined it by. The history section will be focused on the different theorists and their thoughts and beliefs about play, This paper will also discuss many sub topics to play such as outdoor play, babies and play and learning and play connected. Towards the end of the paper …

Access To Substance Abuse Treatment In Western Kentucky, Robin Palmer

Integrated Studies

Abstract

Substance abuse in Western Kentucky has reached near epidemic proportions. One of the major concerns for this epidemic is limited access to treatment. Although access to treatment in Western Kentucky may be limited, the region offers many different treatment options. This manual will help each individual to take an honest look at their drinking and drug use, assist them into entering a treatment facility, and provide long term treatment alternatives to help obtain sobriety. Recovery is a way of life and results vary for each person and are dependent upon their efforts to change their entire way of life. …

Healthcare Facilities Management, Harold Lucas

Integrated Studies

Abstract

Healthcare is an ever changing industry and signs show that this will most likely be the case for many years to come. In order to have healthcare, companies must have facilities in which to provide said care. This paper will focus on those facilities and what it takes to keep them operating at an optimum state. Facilities management is a quite broad topic when looking at any industry but when it comes to the facilities required to provide patient care the spectrum is mind boggling.

Healthcare facilities must have people to maintain them. These people are required to be …

The Effect Of The Affordable Care Act On The Financial Stability Of The Healthcare System, Andrew Emrick

Integrated Studies

This paper explores published articles that report on results from research conducted about the successes of the Affordable Care Act and its relationship to the financial health of the healthcare industry. While efforts of the ACA to move healthcare towards financial stability have broad sweeping implications across the healthcare industry it is not clear whether the efforts were enough to stem the rising costs of healthcare in the United States. Ellis and Orszag (2007), theorized that the changes under the ACA to further educate patients on treatments would lead to a reduction in healthcare expenditures. Regulatory changes to the insurance …

Workplace Violence In Healthcare, William A. Burden

Integrated Studies

Workplace violence occurs in every industry and field; however it is most prevalent in the healthcare environment. Healthcare workers face many obstacles in regards to violence. They are tasked with dealing with difficult patients, who are often at their lowest point. Healthcare staff must be able to identify escalating behaviors and know the proper interventions, to prevent or lessen the impact of potential violence behaviors.

The first step in this process is learning what to look for and how it impacts the working and home lives of the healthcare workers. Violence in healthcare is broad; it can be attributed to …

The Importance Of Intentional Language And Literacy Development In Early Childhood, Shannon M. Alsman

Integrated Studies

Abstract

Literacy and language development in early childhood has been shown to be closely correlated with future academic performance (Gullo, 2013). A strong foundation in literacy and language has the potential to affect all areas of educational growth (Copple & Bredekamp, 2009). Moreover, the role of the adult in facilitating the process of literacy and language development is highly critical for success (Heroman & Jones, 2010). Developmental theorists have variations in their views as to how children develop and learn, yet one common denominator exists with them all—the adult’s role in guiding children’s learning (Charlesworth, 2008). Researchers have compiled a …

A Passion For Cooking And The Investigation That Leads To The Dream Of Starting A Restaurant, Matthew Rodimaker

Integrated Studies

With a passion for cooking and desire to start my own restaurant someday, this paper will cover all the ins and outs to starting up a restaurant. From federal laws and regulations all the way down to certain city ordinances.

Pain As Feedback For Bionic Limbs, Gordon Sachtjen

Integrated Studies

Abstract: This paper looks at advancements made in the area of thought controlled mechanical prosthesis that are being developed for amputees in order for them to regain mobility. It focuses on the brain-machine interface which is hardware and software that is used to control mechanical prosthesis or bionic limbs by sending and receiving signals between the prosthetic and the users mind. There is signaling feedback from the prosthesis to the user that indicates how much pressure is being applied to an object that is being grasped for instance. This paper explores the notion of the value of pain as a …

Mindfulness In Learning, Melissa Davis

Integrated Studies

Abstract

This paper focuses on the concepts of mindfulness and how it can be applied to early education to reduce stress, encourage positive behavior, and help students be more empathetic successful productive human beings. The mindful based curriculum includes mindful movement, mindful eating, mindful breathing, mindful rest, self-regulation skills, empathy, and compassion building skills. Teaching these skills to youths has proven effective in increasing self-esteem, lowering stress levels, reducing bullying and increasing compassion. Children that are taught in an environment that promotes mindfulness are more likely to succeed according to research. With an introduction to the history of mindfulness and …

Creating The Optimal Early Childhood Environment: Research-Based Ideas And Suggestions, Kelsey Braden

Integrated Studies

ABSTRACT

Safety in school is important in the development for a child’s education. Making a child feel comfortable in new environments and surroundings can be a challenge. Throughout this article there be information provided to assist Early Childhood Educators in providing the safety environment to promote success.

Exercise In Education, Christopher Hall

Integrated Studies

Exercise is a part of life. Every activity involved in life can be improved through exercise. However, some people may not be getting the exercise that they need. There are some serious health consequences (physically and mentally) if people were to lack exercise. Some of the problems we are facing today when it comes to lack of exercise is whether or not children are learning to be physically active in school. Students being more active can make a huge change in their life. This article talks about what exercise is, the benefits of it, the consequences for the lack of …

Empathizing With Daddy: Child Maltreatment And Generational Alcoholism: Are They One In The Same?, Alexus Flowers

Integrated Studies

Everyone has “issues”. However, those “issues” can range from a numerous of things: self, family, work, mental, physical, or emotional (i.e “daddy issues” or “mommy issues”). According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, childhood exposure to trauma has been linked with alcohol dependence, suggesting that adverse childhood experiences contribute to this environmental risk.

For this paper, I plan to discuss child maltreatment and the effect it could or could not have on one throughout childhood, adolescence years, and adulthood. Also I’m addressing alcoholism, in which child maltreatment could possibly contribute a connection along with factors, such as …

Protective Custody Inmates, Allen Stone

Integrated Studies

This paper was written about protective custody inmates. This research looks at if/or protective custody is a useful tool in correctional settings.

The paper looks at different settings in different states on how they do protective custody. The paper discusses if protective custody is cost effective for what it's purpose is.

It looks at the difference in protective custody and segregation. What inmates are entitled to go to protective custody and what are the reasons that they go into protective custody.

It also talks briefly about former New England Patriots tight end and former Subway spokesperson and how they were …

The Playlist Of Life, Austen Lane

Integrated Studies

Music has helped shaped cultures, mold religions, entice revolutions and define generations. With so many contributions on a global scale it’s hard to forget this constant’s effect and importance on our own human psyche.

Motivation, solace, joy, and comfort are just a few of the basic human emotions people submerge themselves with listening to music. The purpose of my senior project is to prove that music perception is one of the strongest influences tied to human emotion and my goal is to support this theory not on paper… But through audio dialogue and music.

The following paper is a complimentary …

Athletes And Steroids, Damarcus Croaker

Integrated Studies

College athletes get drug tested for several reasons. The most basic reason is that sports organizations want to emphasize the honesty of the sports that they represent. They want to keep the integrity of the program at the forefront, because there is true admiration in true and fair competition.

The Sporting Culture Of Two Nations, Daniella Pisano

Integrated Studies

This paper explains the different between the sporting culture of two countries. The United States and Australia and how they can be so different yet so similar at the same time. It explains high school sports, College and University Sports as well as the olympic games. Money was also a big discussion as well as facilities that each country has built. Both these countries show great pride in sports and you can clear see this when you read through the paper.

An Overview Of Women’S Suffrage And Women’S Roles In The United States During Both World Wars, April Wright

Integrated Studies

The purpose of this research is to show that the role of American women in the workplace was forever changed due to World War I and World War II. It begins by giving an overview of the time period before World War I and clearly states the roles that women played. The thesis then goes on to discuss the battle that women fought for women's suffrage, the roles that women were given during World War I, and how those roles were unlike anything they had ever experienced before. The thesis then discusses what life for women was like during the …

Exploring Adoption Options, Carolyn Cole

Integrated Studies

All across the world, there are thousands of children in need of adoptive parents to provide them with a loving and stable home. These children include newborns placed for adoption, children living overseas, and children within the state’s child welfare system. “Exploring Adoption Options” is written to provide a general guide to someone who is interested in adoption. Adoption is a very complex process and a life-changing experience. It involves many professionals, such as adoption agencies, attorneys, social workers, facilitators, and state operated child welfare services. Children available for adoption can be found domestically or internationally, some of which are …

A Place For Organic Farming In The Big Market?, John Cox

Integrated Studies

Farming is as vital to human existence as the air we breathe, and in turn, farming can and does definitely affect the air we breathe. It keeps our planet going and is a worldwide necessity and without farming, the human race would rapidly cease to exist. There is, however, debate regarding if we can continue to exist with the current farming practices found in the majority of farms worldwide and particularly within the United States. Therefore, the need to adapt and/or to control the natural impacts on farming is an ongoing and vitally important endeavor. The primary focus of this …

Why Is Communication A Needed Prescription For Prevention And Post Diagnosed Minorities With Chronic Kidney Disease, Geraldine Dobbins

Integrated Studies

The improper functioning of kidneys can lead to and possibly be diagnosed as Chronic Kidney Disease. My aim is to explore how the communication process affects the outcome of this disease in minorities. Information will be presented from various forms of research. This research will show the availability and accessibility of communication in areas with a higher number of at risk patients.

Communication is imperative for controlling, maintaining, diagnosing and living with Chronic Kidney Disease. Through scholarly based, peer reviewed materials we will determine the needs of communication within the family, community and health care fields. Suggestions will be made …

Precision Agriculture, Nathan Griffith

Integrated Studies

Farmers are looking for the best way to maximize profits and spend the least amount of money due to the constantly changing market in agriculture. Many different options have been explored from limiting herbicide programs to reducing rates on chemicals and trying to use to equipment longer to lower the cost. However, none of these have given results as expected. Precision agriculture is one fast growing industry; from auto guidance to completely autonomous tractors, it has no end in sight. Precision agriculture can be defined as the integration of information and production based farming system to achieve increased productivity while …

Why Physical Education Should Be Mandatory In Schools(K-12), Jonathan Stark

Integrated Studies

Abstract

My paper is about physical activity being mandatory in schools. It is very important for students to start physical activity early in life. One reason for starting physical activity early is to get in a habit of working out to where it is a part of your lifestyle. Another reason is it helps you as a person to be healthy; mentally and physically. If you are healthy, you feel better about yourself. Physical activity is being less talked about more and more each day. It is one of the reasons why our country is number one for obesity rates.

Medical Errors And The Laboratory: How Healthcare Organizations Are Improving Rates And Improving Patient Care, Amanda Payton

Integrated Studies

Errors in medicine have been a common occurrence since the birth of medicine, but have been brought to light more recently as more patients are becoming more active in their own care. Errors which involve the laboratory can be catastrophic for a patient, as a wrong test result can alter the entire treatment plan a physician implements. Healthcare organizations and accrediting organizations have become diligent about tracking errors and the most common sources of error, so that new policies, procedures, and technology can be implemented in order to reduce errors. The laboratory itself has made many strides in error prevention, …