Digital Commons Network^™

"What Do You Mean By...?" The Role Of Plain Language In Jury Instructions, Jamie L. Vega

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Extant literature indicates there are significant problems related to how jurors comprehend instructions. Cognitive fluency literature explains that when information is presented in plain language, it enhances cognitive fluency by reducing the cognitive load on the reader or listener. Therefore, utilizing a quantitative experiment, this study sought to explore the use of plain language and its role when presenting instructions to jurors. A total of 212 participants were randomly assigned to one of the two jury instruction conditions and one of the six case facts, where they were asked to read a hypothetical self-defense case scenario followed by the corresponding …

Violence Against Women And Abortion Access: A Content Analysis Of The Impact Of The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade On Victims Of Domestic And Sexual Violence, Salika Vummarao

Honors Undergraduate Theses

On June 24, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned, effectively eliminating the federally protected right to an abortion. Following the overturning, several state-specific restrictions or bans on abortion were passed, creating increasingly difficult conditions for people seeking an abortion. Research shows that abortion bans and restrictions disproportionately affect victims of sexual and domestic violence. Hence, this study aims to understand the specific impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade for victims of domestic and/or sexual violence by analysis of news articles. This issue has not been researched in depth, creating a gap in our understanding. The database NexisUni was …

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Databases, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

Research is an important aspect of any college career; it is a process in which you are exposed to the questions and information that have captured the attention of your field of interest. For students, this often means searching for and identifying free, online, and relevant research articles.

UCF helps to mitigate most of this stress by providing students with databases that help narrow down the field of search.

The University of Central Florida Libraries allows students to search databases owned by a number of different vendors for items like scholarly peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, and magazine articles. Each of …

Examining The Impact Of Covid-19 On Elementary-Aged Minoritized Students, Ashlynn Ramirez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The Coronavirus Disease [COVID-19] pandemic was a public health crisis. As of January 2022, there were over 314 million infections and over 5.5 million deaths (Assefa et al., 2022). Unfortunately, COVID-19 disproportionately impacted minoritized populations. This study will investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and the impact on minoritized students attending Title I elementary schools in one urban school district. According to Lopez-Ibor (2006), "disasters are diverse events as a consequence of a danger that affects social groups and produces material and human losses resulting in insufficient resources of the community and insufficient coping through social mechanisms" (p. 22). COVID-19 affected …

Assessing The Barriers To Reintegration Among Returnees In Nigeria, Itunu Ilesanmi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Reintegration for internally displaced returnees in Nigeria needs improvement due to the barrier returnees encounter when returning to their communities of origin. As a path to recovery following the unsettling experiences of generalized violence caused by Boko Haram terrorist attacks in Northeastern Nigeria, there is a need for best practices to mitigate challenges during reintegration for internally displaced returnees. With an estimated 2.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Northeastern Nigeria at the end of 2022, 1.98 million have returned to their prior residence, where they must cope and survive while attempting to reintegrate without effective and efficient support to …

Two Studies Examining The Effects Of Industry Controversy On Accountability And Social And Environmental Accounting, Jacob Lennard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The following dissertation consists of two studies investigating the relationships between industry controversy and accountability. In Study 1, I develop a theoretical framework for identifying industry controversy and I discuss the applications to accountability in social and environmental accounting (SEA) research. The framework consists of criteria to define industry controversy (a difference of opinion at a societal level about a routine feature) as well as two primary theories (organizational legitimacy and organizational stigma) and two secondary theories (utility attribution and stigma transfer) that can explain organizational outcomes. Study 1 concludes with a discussion of areas of accounting research where this …

University Of Central Florida Graduate Catalog, 2023 - 2024, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 2023 - 2024, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Intimate Partner Violence, Miami-Dade County, And System Responses, Julio Montanez, Amy Donley Phd

Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS)

In 2022, the UCF Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS) undertook a year-long study of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Miami-Dade County. Using an array of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, ISBS has developed a report to summarize its efforts.

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Mango Languages, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

Are you interested in learning a new language? From refreshing your knowledge of French from those classes you took in high school to taking on the challenge of Korean or Igbo, Mango Languages has all of the resources you need to progress!

Below, I give a brief rundown of the content Mango Languages has to offer and maybe how to say a phrase or two in Pirate!

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Special Collections & University Archives, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

If you’re looking for a sixteenth-century book, artifacts from the early days of Walt Disney World, or the history of UCF, the UCF Libraries Special Collections & University Archives has what you need. Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) houses the library’s rare, unique, and one-of-a-kind materials.

SCUA also provides an opportunity for students to showcase their art and potentially win a monetary prize. To learn more about the department, read on!

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Study Spaces, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

With the end of the Spring 2023 semester right around the corner, finals are much closer than we like to think they are. Preparing for these exams are half the battle, especially when we can't find peace and quiet at our respective homes, nor can we void ourselves of the distractions of the student union and nearby cafes.

I can help with that!

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Arc & General Collection, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

If you've been inside the John C. Hitt Library, you'd find it a bit hard to believe that in the north side of the building, there is a room containing nearly 800 thousand volumes of the library’s print collection, placed in bins three stories high, for retrieval by 3 robotic cranes.

Below, I give you everything you need to know about the technology that makes retrieving library materials for student-use quick and easy!

Saving Faculty Time, Saving Students Money, Lily Dubach, James Paradiso

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This presentation was for Teaching & Learning Day, hosted by the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning at the University of Central Florida. The session shared how the UCF Libraries and Center for Distributed Learning (CDL) can help faculty connect to free (open or library-sourced) resources and tools to find, adapt, or author course materials and reduce student out-of-pocket cost to zero ($0). Session activities included constructing queries to find quality, relevant free/open materials and using AI technology to automate the course assessment creation process.

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Knight Reads & New Books, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

Considering the majority of titles you can grab off of the shelves in the UCF John C. Hitt Library are academic journals and articles, it can difficult to find current, popular titles and YA novels. While physical access to these novels may seem impossible, UCF actually has two sections in which you can find popular titles. Read on below to learn about Knight Reads, New Books, and how to access the catalogs for popular titles!

Diamond's Hidden Gem - Ask Us, Ucf Libraries, Diamond Williams

Libraries' Documents

Are you working late on a research project, unable to find the exact resources you need? Do you think the only way to get help from a librarian is by walking up to the help desk? Think again!

Whether you’re too busy or simply don’t have time to run to the library, Ask Us provides virtual access to UCF librarians.

Available six days a week, the librarians staffing this service have the knowledge and expertise to point you in the right direction.

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Sage Research Methods, Diamond Williams

Libraries' Documents

Nearly everyone at UCF is involved in research, from students learning how to conduct research for the first time to faculty conducting research for publication. There are many programs and resources that motivate students to participate, from the Student Scholar Symposium to the Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

SAGE Research Methods supports research at all levels by providing material to guide users through every step of the research process. Read on to learn more about what this resources can do for you, and how to access it!

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Library Streaming Videos, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

UCF is no stranger to the value of academic videos, hosting a plethora of streaming platforms with free access to students.

In fact, videos are one of the best ways to provide a personalized learning experience. They increase motivation and can specifically impact students' ability to facilitate discussions and identify problems. Learning through film is memorable, comprehensive, affordable, accessible, and inclusive.

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Chinese Lunar New Year, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

Whether you're visiting the John C. Hitt library or simply walking through, you've probably noticed the latest exhibit on the art wall, as well as several exhibit cases. This display depicts the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year exhibit, and will be up until the end of January!

Protection Or Control? – The History & Impact Of The Major Crimes Act On Native Americans And Its Future In Criminal Law, Cameron A. Garrow

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In this thesis, I traced the history of the Major Crimes Act of 1885, focusing on United States Supreme Court cases regarding the Act's enforcement and its constitutionality. In particular, analysis focused on how the USSC's decisions affected Native Americans within the field of criminal law, both as defendants and victims, and how these decisions prove to be contradictory or unjustly detrimental in nature. There is also focus on the ongoing issues in the state of Oklahoma resulting from the Major Crimes Act's enforcement that have begun to spread from a state-level crisis into a nationwide problem. The thesis concludes …

U.S. Party Platforms And Their Response To Racial Issues, Megan Moylan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines the handling of racial issues in United States political party platforms from 1964 to 2016. The primary objective of this study is to analyze how the two major political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, have approached issues of race in their platforms.

To accomplish this, a content analysis was conducted on the platforms of both parties during this time period. Each reference to race in the platforms was categorized as either "acclaim," "defend," or "attack." "Acclaim" refers to statements that praise racial progress or advocate for policies that benefit marginalized communities. "Defend" refers to …

Understanding The Interactions Between Conservation Agencies And Rangers: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Christina M. Burton

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Research describing conservation agencies has generally been exploratory and limited in the use of theory. Similarly, organizational theories can provide an understanding for how organizations change and adapt to their given environments, but they have not been applied to conservation agencies with unique challenges and strains from other public bureaucracies or private corporations. In expanding this body of literature, not only were these theories applied conservation agencies, but they were also explored in what Powell and Colyvas (2008, p. 276) called "microfoundations" of organizations, which focuses on the interplay between individuals and organizations. To explore this, a convergent mixed-methods design …

The Successful Characteristics That Contribute To Black Male Students Matriculating Into Medical School, Cedric Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

In 2019, individuals that identified as Black represented 13.4% of the U.S. population, 12.5% of the undergraduate student enrollment population and 7.1% of the medical school population. Subsequently, this has yielded a 5% Black physician population and workforce consisting of just 2.3% Black male physicians (AAMC, 2018). The disproportionately low Black physician representation contributes to greater healthcare disparity outcomes within the U.S. Black population. This study is centered on the post-positive characteristics of Black male medical students that have successfully overcome barriers to entry and matriculated into medical school. The phenomenological post-positive study was conducted through the lens of Self-Efficacy …

Student Perceptions Of Campus Crime And Victim Services, Tracy Gulliford

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Few would argue that college campus crime is a serious problem across the United States. Debate arises, however, regarding why the problem is so pervasive and how best to address it. This dissertation addresses that gap by exploring the nature and magnitude of the college campus crime problem followed by a rationale for studying student perceptions regarding knowledge about and use of victim services resources offered on the University of Central Florida (UCF) campus. Doing so is particularly important in light of the fact that five years have now passed since UCF launched the "Let's Be Clear" campaign designed to …

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Stars, Diamond Williams, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Documents

Publishing student work through journals and magazines is a difficult feat, often requiring rounds upon rounds of revisions. UCF has a way for you to share your work while providing you with tools to assist with the publication process. Continue below to read about UCF's own digital repository. UCF's Showcase of Text, Archives, Research & Scholarship (STARS) provides access to works by, for, and about UCF as broadly as possible, and for as long as possible. The intention is to provide free, open access to a worldwide audience. It is an institution-wide digital repository managed by the UCF Libraries.

STARS …

Nursing Interventions To Decrease Depressive And Anxious Symptoms In Hispanic-American Youth, Vanessa C. Hernandez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Introduction: Hispanic-American youth are less likely to receive mental health services despite being at increased risk for depression and anxiety. Having depression and anxiety at a young age can have detrimental long-term effects such as sexual risk behavior, delinquency, and suicide. Various kinds of nurses interact with this age group which can be a missed opportunity to intervene for the welfare of these youth. Interventions exist for depression and anxiety; however, they are not specific to nurses who care for young Hispanic-American patients. Methods: An integrative literature review was performed to identify nursing interventions for Hispanic American youth with depression …

Speech-Language Pathologists' And Speech-Language Therapists' Role Working With Youth In The Juvenile Justice System, Maria Cuza

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to examine and provide insight into how speech-language pathologists and speech-language therapists (SLP/SLT) in Australia (AUS), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA) work with youth in the Juvenile Justice System (JJS). Currently, many youth involved in the JJS struggle with language barriers and need proper services to overcome them. Studies have shown that an SLP/SLT positively affects young people in the system. This study aimed to examine the demographic, educational, and occupational backgrounds of SLPs/SLTs working with youth in the JJS and the services provided to these youth by …

Exploring Risk Factors Associated With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology In Police, Lori Camacho

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Mental health outcomes, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in police have become more of a concern for law enforcement administrators, peers, family and friends. Using culture as a theoretical framework, the current cross-sectional, convergent mixed methods study explored the relationship between personal cumulative exposure to different types of critical incidents and likelihood of reporting PTSD symptoms in a sample of officers (n=71) from one municipal police department. This study also examined how personal cumulative exposure to different types of critical incidents and likelihood of reporting symptoms of PTSD may be moderated by the degree of perception of social support from …

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery Services, Ucf Libraries, Diamond Williams

Libraries' Documents

Hello, everyone! My name is Diamond Williams; I am a second- year double- majoring in Criminal Justice and Writing & Rhetoric. Welcome to the first installment of Diamond’s Hidden Gems, a blog series in which I introduce you to the University of Central Florida’s library services that you may not have known about!

Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery Services (ILL/DDS)

If you’ve attended the University of Central Florida (UCF) for long, chances are you’ve heard someone mention “ILL” or “loan services” in passing. From professors to library staff themselves, the ILL department is incredibly popular, but remains an under-utilized resource …

Perceived Barriers To And Comfort Levels With Hypothetical Intimate Partner Violence Help-Seeking Among Arab Americans, Jana Mostafa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Members of the Arab American community experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) face unique barriers to help-seeking and have different comfort levels with using formal and informal resources. This thesis surveyed Arab-Americans to identify perceived barriers and comfort levels with IPV help-seeking. A culturally informed and centered approach was taken to examine connections between individual level factors, perceived barriers and comfort levels in using resources. To do so, I gathered data via an online survey with 82 Arab American participants. Findings suggest that participants perceived the greatest barriers to seeking help for IPV are related to how others view and understand …