Digital Commons Network^™

Using A Progressive Time Delay To Increase Mands In A Child With Autism, Brielle Babcock

Honors Theses

Mands are a building block for all communication and are therefore important to teach to individuals who do not consistently use mands. Skinner defined a mand as a “verbal operant in which the response is reinforced by a characteristic consequence and is under the control of relevant conditions of deprivation or aversive stimulation” (Hall & Sundberg 1987). By providing individuals with a way to express their desires and needs, individuals display less problem behaviors. A functional form of communication is imperative to typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorders alike. The goal of the current study was to …

Establishing Auditory Discrimination And Echoic Stimulus Control With An Auditory Matching Procedure, Matthew Von Holst

Honors Theses

An echoic is a verbal operant which is controlled by a verbal discriminative stimulus and is characterized by the repetition of the verbal behavior of another speaker with point-to-point correspondence between the sound of the stimulus and the response (Skinner, 1957). These echoic responses are very important for children with developmental disorders because their language development is very unpredictable and may not appear at all, potentially causing difficulties in school and problems with social development (Reed, 2005). Teaching language acquisition skills can help offset these problems because it reinforces future echoic responses and helps develop advanced verbal operants such as …

"The Tyranny Of The Majority" A Framework Proposal To Assess The Moral Justification Of Voter Identification Laws In The United States, Sally Jordan

Honors Theses

One of the most fundamental rights of democratic citizens is the right to vote. As a result, voters are entitled to equal opportunity to access the polls. Yet recently, states have begun instituting policies that impact individual access to polls, such as voter identification laws.

Since the 2013 dismantling of the Voting Rights Act, 35 states across the United States implemented voter identification laws varying in strictness and the forms of identification they accept. Numerous studies and articles have been written regarding the justification of these voter identification laws in conjunction with their disproportionate effects on certain minorities; however, many …

Exploring Soil Texture Effects On Mustard Seed Meal Suppression Of The Weed Velvetleaf, Daheun Danielle Harning

Honors Theses

The use of mustard seed meal (MSM) as a biofumigant in managing weeds in agricultural settings has been well documented. Previous work with MSM has shown that soils with a higher sand content were better at weed suppression than soils with lower amounts of sand. It was hypothesized that the elevated sand content created more air space for volatile inhibitory compounds to diffuse and inhibit seed germination and growth. Although initial results from bioassays systematically testing the comparison of 5 differing levels of sand showed support for this hypothesis, further testing with micron-sized glass beads showed that loss of airspace …

Nothing Has Changed Since Yesterday, Why The Role Of Social Media In Radicalization Is More Complex Than It Seems, Robert T. Pollard

Honors Theses

In recent years there has been a seeming resurgence of political radicalism such as the alt-right and openly socialist groups that have coalesced around former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. This sudden resurgence of radicalism has often been blamed on Social Media and its perceived ability to create echo chambers and help these groups organize. The goal of this paper is to refute the idea that social media is the sole cause of this recent wave of radicalism by building a framework of radicalization agnostic of social media, and then to explore how social media interacts with that framework. The paper …

The Effects Of Yoga On Balance For Elementary School Aged Children Receiving Occupational Therapy, Amelia J. Hunley

Honors Theses

Balance is crucial to many daily life activities and is an indicator of independence. The addition of yoga has been shown to improve balance deficits in children, self-reported healthy adults, elderly individuals, and those with Other Health Impairments such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Yoga is a holistic method, incorporating mind, body, and soul. This holistic method is what occupational therapy operates under as well, allowing the two to work in tandem for the improvement of balance. This study explored the effects of implementing yoga to students receiving occupational therapy services for balance deficits. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency balance …

Assay Development For Isolation And Characterization Of Anticancer Properties Of Marine Fungi, Kyra Ricci

Honors Theses

Metabolites from fungi have potential use in the drug discovery process and have been used in the past to develop therapeutic agents for human use. Initial characterization of potential therapeutic properties of fungi is thus an important first step in identifying novel therapeutic compounds. In the present study, marine fungi were isolated from Myrtle Beach and assayed for anticancer properties using the soft agar colony formation assay in a 3D in vitro cellular environment. Many species were isolated from environmental samples, displaying unique morphologies and growth patterns. To optimize the soft agar assay in a six-well cell culture plate for …

Student Attitudes, Collaborative Group Work And Technology Use In Elementary Mathematics Classrooms: Examining Connections, Katie Kukulka

Honors Theses

Understanding how the structure of a group of students impacts how they work together has always been an interesting concept for me, as sometimes my teachers strategically placed certain students with other students, and sometimes we got to choose our seats in class. Recently, I began to focus on how my college peers worked together in groups in my mathematics classes. For example, I noticed how some students would start to lead and take ownership for a group, others would facilitate these group conversations, commenting on the lead students’ suggestions or perhaps recording answers to group work but not necessarily …

Surviving Cancer Is Not The End Of The Story: Effects Of Chemotherapy On Heart Function., Jacey S. Griffith

Honors Theses

Cancer is a disease that has killed millions and cost trillions. It is a tragic disease, and while the treatment used may help fight cancer, potential long-lasting damage is inflicted onto the heart. Chemotherapies are widespread drugs used to treat any and all kinds of cancer. There are many different classes including, but not limited to, the anthracyclines, taxanes, monoclonal antibodies, alkylating agents, tyrosine kinases, and antiestrogens. For patients with breast cancer, there are about 69 different chemotherapies approved for treatment, and they are all from a variety of different classes. However, most of the classes of chemotherapies are associated …

Vaccinate Her? I Hardly Know Her!: Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy, Zachary M. Marcum

Honors Theses

Vaccines are a first defense against highly communicable diseases such as measles. For vaccines to protect the population, a vast majority must be vaccinated to maintain herd immunity. Vaccine hesitancy is delaying vaccination from the suggested schedule or refusing vaccination outright. The hesitance is commonly portrayed as a lack of knowledge or scientific literacy. But highly educated people are still just as likely to be hesitant. The basis of hesitance is likely ethically similar to that of vaccination. Understanding the methods of the vaccine hesitant will better inform attempts to persuade them. Individuals have an obligation to the community to …

Developing A Paradigm For The Measurement Of Cortisol, Megan N. Hurley

Honors Theses

Stress is a set of physical and mental states accompanied by specific physiological responses. The psychophysiological activation of stress centers around the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a group of structures that help the body cope with stress. Cortisol is the principle glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex and is known as a stress hormone. Cortisol allows the body to stay on high alert during the stress response and recording changes in cortisol can be useful in a variety of research studies. This thesis focused on the utility and pitfalls of cortisol testing and research design. Cortisol can be testing through blood, hair, …

"Skin Cancer Types And The Effectiveness Of Mohs Surgery Against Them", Andrew M. Brockman

Honors Theses

Skin cancer is the number one form of cancer around the world today. It affects people of all races, and discriminates no one when it comes to how deadly it can become when it metastasizes. As rates of skin cancer continue to increase year after year, research is being conducted at a very high rate on possible treatments for this disease. Understanding the three basic types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma gives a wary victim of skin cancer a guide for what they are dealing with as they progress through possible treatment. There are …

Using Multimedia To Counteract The Csi Effect, Haley Wagner

Honors Theses

The CSI Effect is a phenomenon where people’s views of forensic science and the criminal justice system are unfavorably influenced by watching television crime dramas. The dramatized elements from the fictional shows are thought to give viewers unrealistic expectations of forensic evidence, which is debated by researchers if this could cause real-world consequences, especially where the court room is concerned. Surveys were sent to EKU students to gauge the level of awareness students have of the CSI Effect, particularly comparing the awareness of forensics majors to non-forensics majors. Interviews were also conducted with professionals in the fields of forensic science …

Writing Systems As A Reflection Of Ancient Societies, Sarah M. Gripshover

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the writing systems of two ancient societies: the Latin alphabet as a writing system within the Roman Empire and the hieroglyphic writing system within the Maya city-state. This thesis first situates writing as a technology and explains the common uses of writing systems in modern contexts, before turning to an examination of the past. Next, basic literary patterns—including estimated literacy rates, education patterns and opportunities, types of documents, and themes within writing—are examined within the context of both societies. After evaluating these literary patterns, as well as the social, political, and economic organization of both societies, this …

‘It’S An Accessible World After All’: Evaluation Of Amusement Park Accessibility And Accommodations For Guests With Disabilities, Morgan Carl

Honors Theses

The word “disability” is defined as, “A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities” (Brennan, p. 1, 2013). In order to provide more inclusive environments for individuals with various disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed and passed by George H. Bush in 1990 which supported their natural human rights and prevented discrimination. However, any architectural structures built before the passing of this act may be inaccessible and cause segregation due to the lack of Universal Design (UD) for people requiring special needs, which includes a handful of long-standing amusement parks. Therefore, it …

Negative Perception Of Generic Versus Name Brand Pharmaceuticals, Rebecca Kavalauskas

Honors Theses

With generic products, the generic version is typically given a bad rap, with claims that these versions “are not as satisfactory” – but these products are usually the same product with two different labels being printed. Sometimes these products are even coming from the same lab. In the pharmaceutical world, the generic version carries the same sort of stigma – the idea that it is less effective, and sometimes individuals believe that this version does more harm than it does good. However, if one were to look at the list of ingredients on a bottle of Tylenol and then a …

Investigating The Gap: A Study Of The Diversity In Elementary Literature, Sydney N. Taylor

Honors Theses

This study looks into the diversity of elementary level literature used in classrooms for read alouds. Research has shown (e.g., Crisp, 2016; Harrington, 2016), that in many schools, there is a lack of diversity in the literature created for young students. This leaves students feeling that they are not a valued member of the community when they are not represented in the literature read and other students are unable to accept and appreciate the diversity found in their community.

This study worked with two first-grade teachers and had them keep a list of all books that they read aloud over …

Systematic Review Of Integrating Care To Improve Quality Of Life Within Chronically Diseased Patients With Mental Illness, Brooke R. Goble

Honors Theses

Chronic disease and mental illness affects a multitude of individuals in the United States. Sufficient treatments exist for chronic diseases and mental illnesses, separately. However, a gap in care exists in individuals who have co-occurring conditions. The presence of one or more chronic conditions, or comorbidities, has been observed by several providers, yet there is a crucial need for integrated care in the case of chronically diseased individuals with mental illness. Increasing quality of life within this vulnerable population is a necessity. The purpose of this systematic review is to determine whether integrated care and collaboration between behavioral health and …

Substance Abuse: The Impact Of Maternal Drug Use On Families, Anne Kinsman

Honors Theses

This research study was conducted through interviews at Liberty Place in Richmond, Kentucky, a rehabilitation center for women. The women who volunteered to participate in this study at Liberty Place had to have at least one child. The six participants were asked eight questions regarding their experiences as a mother at Liberty Place. They were also invited to do a painting activity to create a canvas to honor mothers like them seeking treatment at Liberty Place. This honors thesis highlights issues that arise when a mother is abusing substances. There are countless problems that family members may face when someone …

Structured And Unstructured Movement In Elementary School Classrooms: Effects On Student Performance, Savannah E. Watson

Honors Theses

Research has shown the benefits of movement for adults and children alike. Not only are there physical benefits to movement, including physical fitness and health, there are also mental benefits. In this study, the researchers sought to discover how movement impacts student performance on exit slips and assessments given during a unit of instruction.

The Experimental Effects Of Acute Exercise Intensity On Retrieval-Induced Forgetting, Joshua Franklin

Honors Theses

Accumulating research has shown that acute exercise can enhance memory function. Although counterintuitive, acute exercise may also facilitate aspects of forgetting. Specifically, retrieving a subset of items from memory can facilitate the retention of retrieved items (retrieval practice; RP) and inhibit the subsequent retrieval of non-retrieved items (retrieval-induced forgetting; RIF). Given that acute exercise has been shown to enhance cognition-related inhibition, acute exercise may facilitate RIF. A sample of 225 young adults completed either a control (N=75), moderate-intensity acute exercise (N=75), or vigorous-intensity acute exercise session (N=75). Both acute exercise sessions lasted 20 minutes. Participants then completed a standard retrieval-induced …

The Principles Of Accounting: A Succession Of Case Reports, Kailey Ready

Honors Theses

The following professional project used a variety of prompts to inspire honors

accounting students to think deeply about the world of accounting using information that was taught in a plethora of classes throughout the four years spent at the University of Mississippi. Over the course of the 10 cases presented here, the purpose is to provide a comprehensive understanding regarding the current landscape of accounting as it pertains to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the balance sheet, pensions, liabilities, and the future of the accounting world. As a result of completing this professional thesis, I better understand the concepts we learned …

A Study Of Financial Reporting Principles Through Analysis Of Case Studies, Molly E. Maroney

Honors Theses

The following thesis provides solutions to twelve case studies on various financial accounting standards in agreement with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. In conjunction with the topics learned in Intermediate Financial Accounting, each case focuses on a separate area of financial reporting through application within specific companies. The thesis displays understanding of accounting principles, financial statement preparation and analysis, and current accountancy topics. The case studies were completed under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson in fulfillment of the requirements for the University of Mississippi, Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, and Patterson …

Teaching Leaders: Culturally Responsive Teaching And The Achievement Gap, Kendall Kern

Honors Theses

As the amount of students in the classroom continues to grow, the achievement gap becomes increasingly larger between white students and students of color across the United States of America. This literature review explores the current literature on how culturally responsive teaching impacts the achievement gap. The achievement gap is defined as the gap in academic performance between white students and students of color. Throughout history, the achievement gap has been enforced and widened by racism, stereotypes, low student engagement, and a lack of critical thinking skills. The literature proves that culturally responsive teaching can increase engagement and critical thinking …

The Media’S Response To Vaping: Catch-Up For A Failed Response?, Christian Maynard

Honors Theses

Media coverage on vaping has become more negative and more prolific due to the recent ‘vaping epidemic’ that has incurred over 2,000 hospitalization. Research on vaping has been limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations between vape use increase and media publication increase and the specific focus of the articles. Using secondary data from Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of the Lifestyles and Values of Youth conducted in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and data generated through qualitative coding of The New York Times articles on vaping between 2016 and 2018, we find that media publications …

Adverse Childhood Experience Scores Of Social Work Students Vs. Non-Social Work Students At Western Michigan University, Grace Conrad

Honors Theses

This project researched the differences in Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scores among Social Work students compared to other majors at a Midwest University. The purpose of the study was to research the ACE scores within fields of study and various demographics to target the most at-risk populations on campus. The sample was composed of 185 undergraduate students studying social work and other fields of study. The sample included various grade levels, races, genders, and environments participants were raised. The participants were given a 16 question on-line survey including demographic questions and questions from the ACE score test. The research concluded …

Katie Short's Senior Voice Recital, Katherine Short

Honors Theses

For my honors thesis, I used my Senior Voice Recital. When starting the process, I met with my thesis chair, Dr. Karen Kness to discuss which repertoire I wanted to perform for the recital. We focused on picking song selections ranging from the Baroque musical era to the mid- 1900s. As part of my requirement, I needed to select at least thirty-five minutes of music to present and this music needed to be in at least five different languages. Half of my repertoire was selected from my previous semester of Applied Voice lessons and the other half I learned over …

Senior Viola Recital, Kennedy Dixon

Honors Theses

Coming to the end of my Viola Performance Degree at WMU was a milestone that I have been looking forward to since stepping foot on campus, yet a moment that felt so far away. Preparing for my Senior Viola Recital/Honors Thesis was one of the most exciting, difficult, and overall most rewarding experiences that I will never forget. I’ve had the honor of knowing my currently Viola Professor/Thesis chair since my Freshmen Year of Highschool, where I attend a summer music camp here at WMU, and I can say that I have learned so much about music, responsibility, courage, and …

The Intersections Of Art And Activism, Marisa Weller

Honors Theses

No abstract available.

I Know It When I See It, Grace Wellman

Honors Theses

“Free speech empowers creators to entertain and inform, to challenge and inspire. Copyright ensures creators can benefit from their works and protects against piracy. Combined, these fundamental rights enable creators to thrive and bring great stories to global audiences.”

-Motion Picture Association of America

Censorship occurs when work is deemed “obscene” to a certain age group. However, this definition of obscenity is entirely relative. The American film industry uses the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating system to assess what age group is allowed to see certain content. Other countries have alternative rating systems that apply to different age …