Digital Commons Network^™

Compliance, Title Ix, And Equity; Women's Athletics At The University Of Mississippi, Savannah G. Davis

Honors Theses

This project investigates the Education Amendments Act of 1972, also known as Title IX. Specifically, the focus areas are scholarship dollars, proportionality, and equitable benefits promoting gender equity as required by Title IX and the NCAA. Data was collected through standard interview procedure and research through the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act Online Database. My findings include that Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools spend more operationally and on recruiting male athletes, on average, than non-SEC schools, (2) the deviation for female athletes is not as large when surveying SEC and non-SEC schools, and (3) the male-female financial aid percentage gap is …

An Ethical Analysis Of Sports Specialization And The Harms It Poses To Youth Athletes, Caleb Bohannon

Honors Theses

Whereas youth sports in the United States were once commonly funded by local or state park and recreation commissions, current commercialization trends within the industry have caused youth sports to become increasingly commodified. Now, youth sports use private pay-to-play, or “competitive” sports models. Attempting to maintain a competitive advantage over their peers and further their athletic pursuits in this context, more youth now seek to specialize in their respective sports. When youth specialize, they focus their participation on a single sport for most of the year, which interferes with their participation in other sports and activities. This thesis explores neglected …

Coastal Resilience: Environmental Hazards, Development, And Insurance In Southern Mississippi, Mia Mckey

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the intricate dynamics of environmental hazards, coastal development, and insurance in Southern Mississippi, through the lens of development professionals. It critically assesses the region's resilience in the face of escalating climate change-induced natural disasters. The findings reveal a concerning lack of preparedness and resilience in Southern Mississippi, attributed to unchecked development and inadequate sustainable practices along the coast. The research employed a qualitative research design, involving in-depth interviews lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. These interviews (n = 10) were transcribed, coded, and analyzed to unveil major themes and sub-themes related to environmental hazards, development, and insurance. …

A Compilation Of Financial Accounting Case Studies, Molly O'Connor

Honors Theses

The case studies comprising this thesis place accounting in the context of the broader political and economic landscape. Through multimedia platforms and group discussions presented throughout the spring and fall semesters of 2023, I considered the interplay between legislation and business and reflected on the ultimate impact these events have on Americans. In- class discussions regarding references to current events, such as the war in Ukraine and impending legislation, prompted me to see the need to be well-informed if I want to be an effective auditor as well as a responsible citizen. In Case 1, I was offered the opportunity …

Benzo[A]Pyrene-Induced Multigenerational Gene Expression And Dna Methylation Changes Are Influenced By Paternal Epigenome, Caroline Sturgis

Honors Theses

The objectives of this study were to determine the sex-dependent contributions to developmental and behavioral effects of preconceptional exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). BaP is implicated in numerous adverse outcomes in offspring of exposed parents, but the molecular mechanisms for the developmental and multigenerational effects associated with BaP exposures have yet to be fully elucidated. To assess the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), a waterborne exposure of the offspring of ahr heterozygous (ahr^+/-) parents was conducted. At 120 hpf, BaP treated fish moved significantly less in the dark phase regardless of genotype. At 3 wpf, there …

Sleep's Relationship To Executive Functioning In Toddlers, Ella Havertape

Honors Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between toddlers’ sleep and executive functioning. While there are a few studies that examine the relation between sleep and executive functioning in this age group, the majority of research focuses on older populations. Regardless, previous research has found a correlation between sleep problems and executive functioning abilities. This study utilized a parent reported questionnaire to measure children’s sleep and a battery of tasks to measure executive functioning. The results revealed no correlation between sleep duration and executive function performance, however, I did find a correlation between night wakefulness and …

Development Of A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (Cure) Using The Bess Beetle, Sreya Maddali

Honors Theses

Participating in scientific research has increasingly been important in helping students develop necessary science learning skills, like critical thinking. One way of introducing students to these experiences is a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). CUREs enable students to improve in similar ways to internships and are more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. The goal was to create a CURE centered around ecological genetics, using the Bess Beetle (Odontotaenius disjunctus) as the focal organism of a 16-week course. This species was selected because of its wide geographic range and divergent genetic lineages based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) …

South Korea's Scramble For Diplomacy In African Development, Binta Fadiga

Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes South Korea’s motivations for growing engagement in African development hypothesizing that diplomacy is a main driver in Korean interest in Africa. South Korea conducts official development aid through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Korea contrasts itself against conventional donors of official development aid, portraying itself as a model of economic development to emulate to recipient countries. Yet, KOICA discloses little regarding developmental methodologies it exports to recipient nations beyond its use of its development expertise and experience. I conducted qualitative analysis using country partnership strategies, official Facebook pages of KOICA Senegal and Rwanda offices, and mid-term …

We Get To Live Here?: Housing Insecurity And Assistance Availability In Oxford, Mississippi, Ashlyn Hinton

Honors Theses

As Oxford continues to thrive as a university town and tourist destination, the rates of housing insecurity are rising for full-time residents in the community. The types of housing insecurity experienced and their effects can range broadly across households in Oxford, but they consistently lead to low to middle income families experiencing the negative side effects associated with increased transience, poor housing conditions, or being cost-burdened by housing. This study seeks to determine the factors contributing to housing insecurity in Oxford, how this affects residents, and if the current resources are accessible and proportionate to the levels of need within …

Predicting Personal Growth: An Analysis Of Self-Relevant Approaches, Cole Morse

Honors Theses

Identifying predictors of personal growth–defined as striving to fulfill one’s unique potential–may be important for achieving a life of flourishing (Ryff & Singer, 2008). While existing research demonstrates the link between self-esteem and personal growth, gaps remain in our knowledge of the relationship between other potential self-referential predictors and personal growth (Paradise & Kernis, 2002). The intention of the current study is to not only conceptually replicate the link between positive self-regard (i.e., a positive self-evaluation that is theoretically akin to self-esteem) and personal growth, but to also investigate whether different ways of relating to the self offer unique pathways …

The Effects Of Additive Manufacturing On Canine Hind Limb Repairment Surgery, Annabel Keers

Honors Theses

The intention of this project is to explore some of the ways that additive manufacturing is affecting veterinary medicine. I will specifically be delving into canine hind limb repairment surgeries, such as cranial cruciate ligament reconstruction. 3D printed prototypes have been utilized in the human medical field for quite a while, and it has inspired such technology to expand into the world of veterinary medicine. Such emerging research is expected to take-off as the pet market grows in size and level of care for the health of our animals.

I took special interest in this field as I will be …

Your Money Or Your Life: A Study Of Medical Debt In The Southeastern United States, Grace Barrett

Honors Theses

A major issue has emerged from the U.S. healthcare system: medical debt. Medical debt is a serious problem in the U.S. that often cripples those who received healthcare services, but are unable to pay the bill. The most common scenario is when an unexpected major medical issue occurs, e.g. a heart attack, an automobile accident, cancer or anything requiring an emergency room visit. These hospital visits often result in very large, very unexpected expenses. These expenses are ultimately owed to the healthcare provider by the patient (or the patient's insurance policy) and increasingly, cause lifelong financial stress to those who …

Moca Normative Data On Young Adults Using An Adapted Version And Remote Administration Via Zoom, Elizabeth Johns

Honors Theses

Overview:

Cognitive decline is often associated with the emergence of dementia and other negative developments in health. Due to the potential for harm that cognitive decline can cause, it is essential that clinicians are able to detect and identify when it is occurring. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is useful clinically mainly because of the test’s ability to identify mild cognitive impairment. Following the pandemic in 2020, telehealth has become prominent. Previous studies considering MoCA have mostly used samples of older adults, but it is important to understand the impact of traumatic brain injuries on young adults. The following study …

Climate Change In Mississippi: A Journalistic Exploration Of Education And Activism, Kala Nance

Honors Theses

Climate Change in Mississippi: A Journalistic Exploration of Education and Activism takes an investigative, journalistic approach toward climate change in Mississippi. Specifically, how education and awareness have a direct impact on Mississippi industries, people and legislation. The project explored the level of acknowledgement of climate change across the state, and how certain individuals used advocacy to encourage education about climate change to raise awareness of the severity of the situation. This project includes interviews with university professors and researchers, non-profit organizations, educational groups and working individuals in some of Mississippi’s largest areas of employment. Additionally, this project draws on research …

Manipulative, Dark, And Unethical Design Practices In Ui & Ux Design, Ryan Edward Brown

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the pervasive and detrimental effects of manipulative user interface and user experience design (UI/UX) practices on individuals and society. Focusing on three critical areas – accessibility, dark patterns, and polarization – the study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining findings from a comprehensive literature review, an analysis of specific design patterns and methods, and a survey of user experiences.
The literature review covers topics such as the importance of accessibility in design education, the prevalence of dark patterns in mobile and desktop sites, the role of personalization algorithms in shaping user experiences, and the formation of echo chambers …

Are We Ready: Envisioning An Inclusive Higher Education Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At The University Of Mississippi, Bailey Beaird

Honors Theses

An inclusive higher education program (IHEP) exists for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) to foster academic success, employment equipping, interpersonal skill development, and active participation and value validation in the community. Establishing an IHEP can benefit current university students, faculty, and staff, and individuals with I/DDs and their families to create a more informed, inclusive environment. The University of Mississippi (UM) does not currently have an IHEP. Therefore, my advocacy initiative seeks to provide an opportunity for individuals with I/DDs to receive a college education and experience at UM. For two and a half years, I independently researched …

Homophobia: How Straight People Define It, Shirk Responsibility For It, And Abstain From Confronting It In Mississippi, Madeline Burdine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drawing upon 12 in-depth qualitative interviews, this research examines how straight-presenting people in Mississippi define what it means to be supportive of queer people in their own words. It also shows how they distinguish what is (and is not) homophobic and what their understanding of homophobia does (or does not do) for them or the queer people in their lives. Whether they were raised within a homophobic home or a more open-minded home, interviewees use their upbringings to frame their current support for queer people. Interviewees also work to establish themselves as open-minded towards queer people by distancing themselves from …

A Collection Of Case Studies On Financial Accounting Themes, Colton Jones

Honors Theses

This thesis is a collection of accounting case themes. There are eight cases that comprise this thesis including: Operational Risk Assessment, ESG and Cybersecurity Risk Assessment, Audit Risk and Planning, Tax Planning, Famous Economist, Liquidity Crisis, Financial Crisis, and Excel Fundamentals – Formulas for Finance. There is an immense variety of topics presented and studies throughout this compilation. All have given me an immeasurable learning experience. Case I through Case IV contend with the Case Competition that spread throughout the entire Fall semester. The company that these cases focus on is Chuy’s Holding Incorporated.

Imperative Issues Pertaining To The Accounting World, Tessa Willow Crosby

Honors Theses

This paper focuses on current issues surrounding the accounting industry. The company called 3D System’s Corporation is used to point out different issues in accounting. These issues include carbon sequestration, tax cuts, and liabilities to shareholders. By diving into the world of accounting, this paper peels back the curtain to show how corporations operate financially.

Morality In Mississippi Science Education: The Impact Of Instruction On Moral Conviction And Emotions Regarding Genetic Engineering, Emily Jenkins

Honors Theses

Moral convictions have been shown to impact learning about science topics, but there exists a gap in literature about whether education on the mechanisms of DNA technologies, such as the recently developed CRISPR-Cas9 system, can affect moral convictions and emotions regarding its use on humans. To investigate this relationship, we examined the results of how three-hundred and fifty-three introductory psychology students at the University of Mississippi rated their moral convictions and emotions on the subject before and after engaging with instructional material. The results indicated that a majority of participants originally had no position (48.2%) or were morally opposed (41.6%). …

Exploring The Efficacy Of The Advancement Via Individual Determination (Avid) Program At Promoting Student Motivation, Nya Thompson, Nya J. Thompson

Honors Theses

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program was founded by Mary Katherine Swanson in 1980 in Southern California. She created the program as a social justice initiative to provide additional resources to her students of marginalized backgrounds (e.g., low socioeconomic status, racial and ethnic backgrounds) to prepare them to graduate high school and be accepted into colleges. Decades later, the AVID program is nationwide, but there is only one school district in Mississippi with this program that is founded on the roots of equity. In this specific school district located in Northern Mississippi, the AVID program is available in elementary, …

A Collection Of Accounting Case Studies, Julie Mabrey

Honors Theses

This thesis comprises six accounting case studies investigating accounting practices and other broader financial narratives. Dr. Dickinson assigned and advised the case studies throughout the course of Honors Accountancy 420. During the fall semester, Dr. Dickinson placed us in groups to research assigned companies and how they apply accounting principles. My group was given Commercial Metals Company (CMC), and we investigated their operations, ESG and cybersecurity, audit risks, and tax efficiency. At the end of the semester, we presented our findings to accounting professionals from across the country. The professionals provided insight into our research and helped critique our work. …

Health, Politics, And Policy: Exploring The Interplay Of Health Status On Voting Behavior And Policy Knowledge Across Political Parties In The United States, Zoey Peters

Honors Theses

ABSTRACT

ZOEY LYNN PETERS: Health, Politics, and Policy: Exploring the Interplay of Health Status on Voting Behavior and Policy Knowledge Across Political Parties in the United States

(Under the direction of Dr. Hannah Allen)

Background. Citizens actively engaging with their politics and government is crucial for the survival of our democracy. Voting and policy knowledge are two significant indicators of citizen engagement and there are many factors that can affect whether people will vote or stay informed on relevant policy. The healthcare system in the United States is a constant topic of controversy in American politics and it impacts every …

Financial Accounting Case Studies, John Montgomery

Honors Theses

This thesis presents a compilation of case studies undertaken during the ACCY 420 course in the 2022-2023 academic year. These studies encompass a wide array of topics, including operational risk assessment, environmental social governance (ESG), audit risks, and tax planning, with a specific focus on 3D Systems Corporation. Alongside, they analyze recent events such as the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the more former Financial Crisis of 2008. These studies aimed to gather substantial evidence and conceptually help us to understand our specific company. The first five cases delve into the financials of 3D Systems Corporation. A team …

Navigating The Modern Accounting Landscape: Esg, Audit Risks, And Tax Planning, Bruce Buehler

Honors Theses

This thesis contains a collection of case studies completed while completing the ACCY 420 course in the 2022-2023 academic year. These cases cover a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to Environmental Social Governance (ESG), audit risks, and tax planning. Other studies included examining current events, such as the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train. These studies consisted of individual and group work, in order for substantial evidence to be obtained. Case 1 through Case 5 focuses on the analysis of Cadence Bank and their respective financials. A group …

An Examination Of The Accounting Profession In Relation To Socioeconomic Factors, Amelia Hunter

Honors Theses

This thesis contains 6 separate case studies that relate to accounting principles and relevant current topics that can affect the accounting industry. These case studies were assigned by Dr. Dickinson during the fall and spring semesters of the Honors Accountancy 420 course. During the fall semester, the class was divided into research groups and were each assigned a fortune 500 company that would be the subject of the case studies. My group was assigned to Flowers Foods, and we were given the opportunity to approach each case study as if the company was a client, and we were the accountants. …

Bursting At The Seams: An Examination Of The Enrollment Changes At The University Of Mississippi, Carrol Trent Imbler

Honors Theses

Enrollment at the University of Mississippi is at an all-time high. As one of the smallest public universities within the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Ole Miss has faced many changes within the past few years because of its growing population. This research answers the question: “How are offices and departments on campus managing their efforts to accommodate an increased number of students?” Through interviews with faculty, staff, and students on campus, I identified multiple departments who had to adjust their usual practices. These include housing, parking and transportation, advising offices within each school, admissions, and other student services. All these factors …

A Collection Of Accounting Case Studies, Danielle Gonsoulin

Honors Theses

Over the course of a year, I performed case studies on various economic and financial topics and events. For the first half of the year, I worked in a group with three of my peers to develop audit, advisory, and tax plans for a publicly traded company named Agilysys. We evaluated economic conditions and the company’s financial and nonfinancial data to determine what areas both internally and externally the company can target in order to improve its operations. Once the four case studies were written and reviewed, we created a slideshow and presented our ideas on Zoom to a group …

Huic Purchasing Group Llc. Business Plan, Grant Hull

Honors Theses

This business plan investigates the feasibility and best strategy to start a dental group purchasing company in the market today. Methods used consisted of interviewing industry professionals (Dentists, suppliers, and executives in a similar market), and market research through public information and trends. The 70 total interviews not only helped verify market projections and social trends, but also verified potential client willingness to join and verified a position in the market. Through this study it was concluded that: There is limited competition in the dental Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) space; to enter the market in a cost-effective way it is …

The Reach Of Accounting And How Our World Uses It For The Benefit Of All, Anna Butler

Honors Theses

The following thesis consists of case studies written throughout a year in order to dive deeper into the aspects of accounting and how our world is affected by the accounting profession. Each case provides an overview of the case study, along with an in-depth analysis of the topic covered. These case studies dive into the impacts of accounting on the economy, businesses, and investors who practice the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Along with the creation of these studies, the Patterson School of Accountancy required that the thesis be completed with group participation in …