Digital Commons Network^™

Responding To A Rumor: How Crisis Response Strategies Influence Relationship Outcomes, Bo Breuklander

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of crisis communication messaging strategies on the relationship between an organization and its key publics. This study found that none of the strategies tested had a significant impact on the relationship between an organization and its publics, however some strategies consistently influenced a relationship more than others.

Using Gamification To Increase Adherence To Daily Living Routines, Lisa S. Kadison

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Gamification, the use of game elements in non-game contexts, is an increasingly popular way to incentivize self-management procedures. Despite the growing popularity of such programs, little objective research has been done in the area. This study evaluated the use of a web-based gamification program called HabitRPG through a multiple-baseline across participants design. HabitRPG is designed to increase the productivity of its users. Baseline procedures included parental scoring of task completion. Intervention consisted of training on using HabitRPG. Target behaviors were scored with data sheets provided to parents of the participants. The intervention increased the percentage of compliance for all participants.

The Weekly Challenger, February 19, 2015, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The February 19, 2015, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

The Weekly Challenger, February 12, 2015, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The February 12, 2015, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Crow's Nest, February 9, 2015, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The February 9, 2015, issue of the Crow's Nest.

The Weekly Challenger, January 22, 2015, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The January 22, 2015, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Draft, Rewind, Carolyn O'Doherty

Hipple Collection of Young Adult Literature Manuscripts

Full draft of Rewind, as sent to editors in 2015.

Southern Chivalry: Perception Of Health & Environmental Justice In A Small Southern Neighborhood, Brian S. Brijbag

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper analyzes heath risk and how it is communicated to, and understood within, a predominantly African American neighborhood in central Florida. Residents accuse the county department of public works of purposeful contamination and discrimination over a period of 30 years. I raise the questions of how risk is perceived and what roles race or class may play. I also developed a model for risk communication that includes all stakeholders. Finally, I expand the conversation of health disparities to include issues of widening gaps in perceptions of health.

This was examined by looking at the following:

1. The lack of …

Documenting Perceived Effectiveness Of Community-Based Health Promotion Coalitions: A Grounded Theory Approach, Alyssa Brooke Mayer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Community coalitions with public health-related missions are formal, semi-permanent, action-oriented partnerships comprised of community members, representatives of government agencies, policymakers, and academic partners. Despite their potential to promote sustainable change, coalitions have had mixed success in effecting long-term improvements in community health. There is a need to assist them in developing strategies for improving and sustaining their functionality. The purpose of this study was to improve understanding of the elements of coalition success and sustainability that are vital to health-related community-based participatory research.

Methods: Although the literature describes coalition functions for effecting sustainable programs and policies, most research reports …

The Weekly Challenger, December 25, 2014, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The December 25, 2014, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

The Weekly Challenger, December 11, 2014, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The December 11, 2014, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

A New Transit Safety Narrative, Todd Litman

Journal of Public Transportation

Public transportation is, overall, a relatively safe (low crash risk) and secure (low crime risk) transport mode. Transit travel has about one-tenth the traffic casualty (injury or death) rate as automobile travel, and residents of transit-oriented communities have about onefifth the per capita crash casualty rate as in automobile-oriented communities. Transit also tends to have lower overall crime rates than automobile travel, and transit improvements can help reduce overall crime risk by improving surveillance and economic opportunities for at-risk populations. Despite its relative safety and security, many people consider transit travel dangerous and are reluctant to use it or support …

The Weekly Challenger, November 27, 2014, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The November 27, 2014, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Crow's Nest, November 17, 2014, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The November 17, 2014, issue of the Crow's Nest.

The Weekly Challenger, October 30, 2014, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The October 30, 2014, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

The Weekly Challenger, October 23, 2014, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The October 23, 2014, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Monitoring And Use Of Social Media In Emergncy Management In Florida, Leila Martini

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The emergence of mobile technologies and social media applications has led to a shift in the emergency/disaster related communication environment. Citizens are playing an increasingly important role in providing real time information to emergency organizations. This shift has resulted in an expectation by the public that emergency management (EM) organizations monitor and respond to calls for help disseminated via these applications. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which Florida EM agencies have incorporated the monitoring of social media into their organizational processes.

The state of social media use in Florida is under researched. In this …

Usfsp Receives $10 Million Gift From Entrepreneur Kate Tiedemann, September 4, 2014, Jessica Blais

USF St. Petersburg Campus News and Press Releases

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Onboard Video Feedback Systems On Reducing Transit Collisions And Injuries, Michael Litschi, Peter J. Haas

Journal of Public Transportation

In the mid-2000s, public transit agencies began testing onboard video feedback systems on buses, which capture short video clips when triggered by an unusual event such as hard braking, a sharp turn, or impact with an object. The objective of this study was to determine whether the systems have enhanced passenger safety by reducing the frequency and severity of collisions and injuries and to identify lessons learned from the implementation of such systems. The study concludes that the systems appear to have a positive impact on transit safety achieved through a reduction in collisions and injuries and the risky driving …

Annual Security And Fire Safety Report, 2014-2015, University Of South Florida St. Petersburg. University Police Services.

Crime Reports, Alerts, and Information

The annual security and fire safety report for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg's campus for 2014-2015. This report satisfied requirements under the Clery Act.

The Endless Pier: A Study Of Iconic Architecture Via The St. Petersburg Pier, Kyle W. Pierson

USF St. Petersburg campus Master's Theses (Graduate)

Over the course of more than a century, the St. Petersburg Pier has become the visual symbol of the city. During that period, the pier has gone through three distinct iterations. First came a functional pier for cargo and passengers. In the 1920s, a grand Mediterranean Revival-style Million Dollar Pier was built. In 1967, it was torn down. In the 1970s, a strikingly modern Inverted Pyramid was built on the same spot. Today, the city seeks a new pier that would be “iconic.” However, the meaning of the term has not been made clear by city leaders. By studying the …

Usfsp Partners With Police On New Internship, July 9, 2014, Jessica Blais

USF St. Petersburg Campus News and Press Releases

No abstract provided.

The Weekly Challenger, July 3, 2014, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The July 3, 2014, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes, Knowledge And Perceptions Of Barriers Among Juvenile Justice Professionals, Esther Chao Mckee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods study examined the attitudes, knowledge and perceptions of barriers toward Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) among Florida Juvenile Justice Service Professionals (JJSP). Previous research established individual factors such as age, gender, years of professional experience and educational attainment are related to attitudes and perceptions of barriers among social service and mental health professionals, but scant research has been conducted among juvenile justice providers (Aarons 2004, 2010; Rubin & Parrish, 2007, 2012; Jette et al., 2003). Most individual factors were found to have no significant effect on attitude and knowledge scores within this population with exception of gender and major …

The Relationship Of Affective Domains And Cognitive Performance In Paramedic Students, Katie J. Lyman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

No universal approach for application procedures has been established for paramedic curriculum programs. The field of pre-hospital, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has evolved quickly from its inception to present date. The educational components of EMS are still in their infancy and lack evidence-based protocols (Drees, 2006). Predicting success in an allied health program typically concentrates on some type of academic instrument. The use of personality inventories has been underexplored; however, literature reveals they may be more reliable in determining academic and employment success compared with other non-cognitive tools (Groves, Gordon, & Ryan, 2007; Marrin et al., 2004; McManus & Richards, …

Crisis Communication: Sensemaking And Decision-Making By The Cdc Under Conditions Of Uncertainty And Ambiguity During The 2009-2010 H1n1 Pandemic, Barbara Bennington

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This study focuses on the process of communication between government agencies and the public during crisis situations, and the development of an effective response strategy when a significant threat to public health and/or safety is believed to exist. My specific research interests are (1) the nature of the decision-making process that influences the communicative choices made during such events, and (2) how decision-makers make sense of an evolving, ambiguous, and unpredictable situation, in order to establish credibility with the public, determine the appropriate response strategy, and gain the public's trust in order to influence its behavior. This is a …

The Use And Effectiveness Of Online Social Media In Volunteer Organizations, Amy J. Connolly

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Volunteer organizations face two challenges not found in non-volunteer organizations: recruiting and retaining volunteers. While social media use is increasing amongst individuals, its use and effectiveness for volunteer recruitment and retention by volunteer organizations is unknown. The dissertation reports the results of three studies to investigate this important question. Using a mixed-methods approach, it addressed the dual nature of social media and its effectiveness by including volunteer organizations and social media users.

This dissertation found that although volunteer organizations are not using social media effectively, they could virtualize requirements of the recruitment process by focusing on relatable events instead of …

The Weekly Challenger, June 19, 2014, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The June 19, 2014, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Geophysical Investigation Of Flood-Induced Sinkhole Collapses, Lakewood Region, Eddy County, New Mexico National Cave And Karst Research Institute Report Of Investigation 6 Nckri Reports Of Investigation, National Cave And Karst Research Institute

KIP Articles

No abstract provided.

Predicting Successful Drug Court Graduation: Exploring Demographic And Psychosocial Factors Among Medication-Assisted Drug Court Treatment Clients, Autumn Michelle Frei

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of psychosocial factors on drug court graduation among a medication assisted treatment drug court population. The extant research identifies drug courts as effective in reducing recidivism and relapse rates; however meta-analyses of the drug court literature reveal that there is little explanation as to why drug courts are effectual and especially for whom. This study examined trauma, mental health, and social support to determine predictive psychosocial factors of drug court participants while controlling for certain demographics. The analyses showed that social support was predictive, but failed to identify trauma or …