Digital Commons Network^™

Sir Deadpool: A Revival Of Arthurian Morals In Modern Anti-Heroes, Jane Katherine Sible

Honors Program Theses

Superheroes have always been a large part of my world. For too many Halloweens than I’d care to admit, I donned the same pink Power Rangers costume. Watching the costumed heroes never failed to entertain and inspire me as they protected their city and often times the planet. When the Power Rangers were busy, the X-Men took their place alongside Superman and the Justice League. My Saturday morning cartoons were filled with a myriad of characters clothed in brightly colored spandex beating up evil monsters and caring for the innocent who couldn’t protect themselves. That's what I most loved and …

Science Curriculum Alignment To The Ngss, Whitney E. Canaday

Honors Program Theses

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a set of standards and criteria that support the most effective way to teach science. Twenty states and the District of Columbia (representing over 36% of U.S. Students) have officially adopted the NGSS as their science standards. In addition, twenty-four states (representing 35% of U.S. students) have developed their own standards based on recommendations in the National Research Council (NRC) Framework for K-12 Science Education, which is the same frameworkthat the NGSS was developed from (NSTA) (NRC, 2012). In those 44 states (71% of the U.S. student population) teachers should ask students to …

Critical Thinking In A Service-Learning Course: Impacts Of Information Literacy Instruction, Heather R. Kennedy, Anne Marie H. Gruber

Library Faculty/Staff Publications

It is well demonstrated that service-learning positively impacts a variety of student outcomes. However, methodological limitations have contributed to a lack of clear understanding of the mechanisms through which these effects occur. Additionally, little research has connected information literacy instruction explicitly with outcomes in service-learning courses. The present study used a pre-/post-test design to investigate cognitive outcomes, including critical thinking, using the Problem-Solving Analysis Protocol (P-SAP). Fifty-nine students from an undergraduate family services course participated. Results highlight the importance of library instruction to students’ critical thinking skills and suggest implications for collaborations between discipline faculty and library faculty in service-learning …

Impact Of Positive Psychology In Pk-12 Settings, Daniel Paul Butler

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Educator burnout is threatening the well-being of society, having a financial impact on the United States, as well as influencing the optimal growth of students and the quality of our educational system. Overexposure to stress while trying to meet countlessdemands can lead to burnout and jeopardizeworkforceretention. Stress, burnout, and teacher attrition have reached alarming levels, threatening quality instructionand subsequent student achievement (Steinhardt et al., 2011). The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding ofthe effect of the Happiness Advantage | Orange Frog positive psychology framework and whether schools that employ these techniques experience a significant difference in their …

"I Never Did Those Things They Said!": Image, Coercive Control, And Intrusion From Former Partners' Techology-Mediated Abuse, Katie Lever, Jessica Eckstein

Iowa Journal of Communication

The pervasive nature of the internet and social media presents new dynamics for abuse perpetrators engaging in obsessive relational intrusion practices. Drawing on Katz and Aakhus’s (2002) Theory of Apparatgeist, we explore how abuse victims understand the “spirit” of technology when used against them. Victims’ (N = 187) qualitative responses were analyzed to uncover meanings attributed to technology-mediated abuse after leaving their violent partners. Primary themes of harassing intrusion and coercive control were understood by participants in a number of ways – both overlapping and distinct. We discuss these findings in terms of victims’ primary identity concerns related to presenting …

The Impact Of Virutal Connectedness On Boundary Management Choices, Kim Smith

Iowa Journal of Communication

Technological innovation has created countless opportunities for employees to complete their work anytime, anywhere using nontraditional work arrangements. The proliferation of communication technology use, along with organizational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, challenge the traditional types of boundaries that employees typically create around their work and home roles. This study connects boundary management profiles developed by Kossek, Ruderman, Braddy, and Hannum in 2012 to the concept of virtual connectedness, suggesting that the extent to which an employee is virtually tied to their organization may influence the amount of control that individual has over their work-nonwork boundaries. Findings suggest that, while …

Keeping It Casual Or Lifelong Connection? The Effect Of Digital Affordances On Attraction In An Online Dating Profile, Brianna Lane

Iowa Journal of Communication

Dating has changed significantly in the past 30 years. New methods of finding a partner have evolved with the changing media and online dating sites influence these communication processes. In this experiment, we examined how digital affordances influenced attraction. Participants (n = 315) were randomly assigned to view an online dating profile from either eHarmony, Tinder, or Craigslist and asked to report their romantic, social, and physical attraction. Our results indicated the language, the website, and the sex of the profile owner influence romantic attraction. Additionally, the language and the website influence social attraction and the photograph influences physical attraction. …

Gossip Via Text Message: Motivation For Using Text Messaging To Share Gossip, Samantha Quinn

Iowa Journal of Communication

Gossip is common in human communication as individuals are constantly sharing information with and about others. Yet, how we gossip to share information in a technologically advanced world is ever-changing. The present study takes a novel approach to studying gossip by focusing on gossip taking place via text messaging (short message service; SMS), namely, examining individuals’ experiences and motivations for sharing gossip over SMS. Little research exists on gossiping via SMS. Using a functional approach and an online questionnaire the study investigated motivations for and functions of gossip over text message. Additionally, the impact of gossiping via SMS on the …

Book Review: "How To Survive A Pandemic" By John Hudson, Lyricc King

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Iowa Journal Of Communication, Volume 52, Number 1, Fall 2020 [Download Entire Issue]

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Front Matter - Table Of Contents - Preface

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

"It Can Happen To Anybody's Child": How Families Affected By Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma Work Thorugh The Stages Of Family Crisis, Amber Sorenson

Iowa Journal of Communication

Although not frequently discussed in mainstream society, shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma is a significant problem. Victimized children often die as a result of the injuries they face, or they endure many struggles as they move forward in life—often with severe mental and physical disabilities. Families are often physically and psychologically unprepared for how a shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma diagnosis affects their lives for many years to come. This pilot study looks at how ten people affected by shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma work through the crisis situation and learn how to rebuild their lives and interpersonal relationships in …

Discontinuance In Fitness Tracking Apps: An Analysis Using A Diffusion Of Innovations Approach, Kristin Maki, Arun Vishwanath

Iowa Journal of Communication

The diffusion of innovations (DOI) framework has been robust in predicting and explaining the dispersion of numerous innovations. However, despite the prominence of DOI within practical and academic research, discontinuation continues to be an understudied phenomenon. The present study aims to redress this void by examining discontinuation within the context of fitness apps. In addition to examining this construct, the theory of self-monitoring is included as a potential explanatory factor. The present study uses survey results from a sample of undergraduate students (N = 241). The data were analyzed with hierarchical logistic regression, with the results showing an association between …

Clinical Outcomes Of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy In Children Without Concurrent Orthodontia, Julia Logan

Graduate Research Papers

Purpose: Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) addresses impairments in breathing, swallowing, chewing, and/or speech by eliminating maladaptive oral behaviors (e.g., poor position of the tongue and noxious habits); however, there is little evidence regarding its clinical effectiveness separate from concurrent orthodontia. The present study sought to explore early changes in tongue strength, dentition/palatal shape, and orofacial behaviors following OMT in the absence of orthodontic treatment.

De Vos A Tú: Acomodación Lingüística Y Actitudes Lingüísticas En Estudiantes Internacionales De Centroamérica En Los Estados Unidos = De Vos A Tú: Linguistic Accommodation And Language Attitudes Among Central American International Students In The United States, Jose Salinas Herrera

Graduate Research Papers

While usted is considered the formal second person singular pronoun in most Spanish dialects, vos and tú can have similar connotations as intimate or familiar second person pronouns. Even though tú is used in vernacular language in many countries such as Mexico and Spain, in most Central American dialects, only vos and usted are used in most domains. However, research has shown that, in intercultural environments, voseante speakers adjust this aspect of their language according to the speech style of Spanish speaking individuals who use tú. Yet, there is a gap in this field since most of the research …

Front Matter - Table Of Contents - Preface

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Psychiatry Of Pandemics - A Mental Health Response To Infection Outbreak, Lyricc King

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Iowa Journal Of Communication, Volume 52, Number 2, Spring 2020 [Download Entire Issue]

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Welcome From The Editor, Kristen L. Majocha

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Who Feels All The Feels? Individual Differences In Emotional Responses To And Enjoyment Of Depictions Of Romantic Relationships, Valerie Ellen Kretz

Iowa Journal of Communication

This experiment investigated relationship satisfaction and attachment orientations as moderators of emotional responses to and enjoyment of typical movie and television relationship portrayals. The effects of comedy versus drama exposure were also examined. Participants were 306 adults. Results showed that participants with higher relationship satisfaction experienced more amusement in response to the comedies and hope in response to the romantic movies than those with less satisfaction. Participants with higher attachment avoidance experienced less romantic feeling and hope in response to the romantic movies and less amusement in response to the comedies than those with less avoidance. Main effects of relationship …

Stigmas And Filter Bubbles: How The Russian Misinformation Campaign In The 2016 U.S. Presidential Campaign Links To Stigma Communication, Jenn Anderson, Kyle Moody

Iowa Journal of Communication

The spread of so-called “fake news” reveals one dark side of the democratization of information brought about through social media. In this case study, we examine how the spread of misinformation in social networks can not only share false narratives but can also communicate stigma. Our analysis demonstrates that content from the Russian IRA’s 2016 online ads targeting the U.S. Presidential Election contained all four elements of stigma communication identified by Rachel Smith (2007).

Back Matter

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Cutting Condition Selection On Tool Life In Sand Milling, Craig Ertl

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was completed to address the problem of determining what effect selected cutting conditions have on tool wear and tool life in robotic sand milling (RSM) operations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the tool wear mechanisms and characteristics that govern the RSM process. The purpose was also to establish an experimental methodology that may be used in future studies to assess tool life when examining various tooling materials and designs, as well as additional sand workpiece materials. Completing this research allowed the machining process to be optimized by analyzing differences in tooling cost with variable values …

Alaska National Parks And Indigenous Peoples: Collaboration For A Protected Future, Siobhan Mctiernan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research examines the relationships between National Parks and Indigenous communities across the state of Alaska. National Parks as a government agency can be perceived in a negative way; but in Alaska, while there are issues and limitations, parks are going beyond policy guidelines to work with communities and help build a resilient future for both the parks and the local people. This work dives into the National Parks policies and practices, projects resulting from engagement of community stakeholders, perceptions of engagement, community capitals, and sustainable development. In particular, the study investigates how these policies, practices, and interactions ultimately contribute …

Three Cases Of Makerspace Integration In School Library Programs In Conjunction With District Initiatives: Steam, Design Thinking, And Literacy, Lisa Tegels

Graduate Research Papers

Note: This study refers to three co-researchers who each collected data in their respective schools and collaborated in reviewing that data, but each separately authored a paper using that data; the co-researchers are Kris Baldwin and Sara Pflughaupt.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine whether makerspace or STEAM activities can support inquiry learning and meet specific American Association of School Library (AASL), Next Generation Science (NGSS) and Common Core Literacy (CCSS ELA) Standards. For purposes of this study, the three co-researchers were also focused on how this type of learning activity can support district initiatives in …

Graduate Recital: Taylor Dengler, Soprano, Taylor Anne Dengler

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

On March 5, 2020, soprano Taylor Dengler and pianist Dr. Korey Barrett presented a recital of song literature in Davis Hall at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The first half of the program comprised three sets of Italian music. It opened with Ilia’s aria, “Zeffiretti lusinghieri” from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s (1756 - 1791), Idomeneo, and was followed by two song sets by Gaetano Donizetti and Giacomo Puccini. The second half of the recital consisted of “Bester Jüngling,” another Mozart aria, from Der Schauspieldirektor, a selection of four Felix Mendelssohn songs, and Libby Larsen’s song cycle “Cowboy …

Evaluation Of The Csr1-2 Allele From Arabidopsis Thaliana Cs3102 As An Imazapyr Herbicide Resistance Marker For Biolistic Transformation Of The Shoot Apical Meristem, Amanda J. Stump

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Plant genetic engineering requires a marker gene to differentiate transformed cells. To test the csr1-2 allele as a selectable marker for the shoot apical meristem (SAM), we cloned a genomic fragment from Arabidopsis thaliana mutant CS3102 which contained the coding sequence and promoter. We then evaluated the utility of this allele on two model systems, Arabidopsis and tobacco, with soybean as the positive control. Initial dose-response experiments were conducted using a seedling plate assay to determine the lethal dose of imazapyr. For the mutant Arabidopsis thaliana CS3102, a concentration of 500 μM imazapyr was required to overcome the resistance phenotype …

Recoverability Of Large Vs Small Muscle Groups, Jacob Alan Clark

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in recovery between muscles with larger cross-sectional area (Quadriceps) compared to muscles with smaller cross-sectional area (Biceps). Recreationally trained male weight lifters aged 18-30 (n = 9) volunteered in this muscle recovery study. All participants were asked to attend two testing sessions in addition to an initial meeting, all of which took no more than 45-mintues per session to complete. After this initial session where the 10 RM in the biceps curl and quadricep extension were determined, participants were scheduled to perform the biceps curl and quad extension for four sets …

Western Media Coverage Of International News: A Content Analysis Of Associated Press Coverage Of Africa, Adukwu Samuel Atadoga

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examines how the Western media frames its coverage of Africa and this impact on Westerners’ views of Africa. To develop the hypothesis and provide the data needed to answer the research questions, I reviewed the literature on framing, the determinants of international news coverage, as well as international media coverage. Newspapers were my data sources, and using LexisNexis with the key word “Africa,” I searchedthe online news service of the Associated Press(AP). Thissearch yielded 1,000 articles and was reduced by including only those published between January,2015 and January,2016,and then using random sampling. The final number of articles analyzed …

A Ground Based Investigation Of Snow Metamorphism Using An Energy Flux Model And Hyperspectral Imaging Across Cropland, Grassland And Barren Surface In Northeast Iowa, Ayan Sasmal

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Snow is unstable under natural environmental conditions; it undergoes metamorphism that can be measurable with an energy flux model. The demand for snow research is increasing due to its importance for maintaining Earth’s energy balance and hydrological applications. Snow metamorphism is a process of transformation of snow particles with an expense of surface free energy. Very few studies have been completed on snow metamorphism in grassland, cropland and barren surfaces that needs farther investigation. In this study, an attempt was made to measure winter snow metamorphism with physical based model and detecting snow metamorphism by using hyperspectral imaging spectroradiameter in …