Digital Commons Network^™

Online Clustering With Single-Pass Topology Based Fuzzy Clustering Algorithm, Abhishek Jaiantilal

Theses

Online clustering is of significant interest for real-time data analysis. Generic offline clustering methods such as K-Means, C-Means and others are computationally expensive. The computational burden of these methods increases non-linearly with the size of the data set. In addition these methods usually require a good amount of supervised knowledge yielding a non-unique solution. For real-time data analysis, there is an important tradeoff between accuracy and computational efficiency. An unsupervised one-pass clustering method that efficiently adapts to data distribution and evaluation is proposed. This method, Topology-Based Fuzzy Clustering (TFC), uses the topology of data to discover clusters. TFC uses the …

The Satisfaction Of Unexpected Discoveries, Kirsten Bassion

Theses

Not included.

Repetition/Series, Anthony Trinchera

Theses

Not included.

Absence & Presence, Tim Clark

Theses

I came to graduate school with a passion for producing ceramic sculpture, a love of the materiality of clay, and an interest in learning more about contemporary art. Upon arrival at the School for American Crafts, at the Rochester Institute of Technology, my work was primarily concerned with formal issues pertaining to objects, such as mass, visual weight, form, volume, and line. My journey throughout the two-year graduate program involved exploration of the ceramic processes, experimentation with methodologies of fabrication, and investigation into form and content. Academic classes, including Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics, Graduate Seminar, Forms of Inquiry, an …

School Climate: Comparing Student To Teacher Perceptions, Catherine S. Curione

Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare student and teacher perceptions of school climate. The participants included 51 junior and senior high school staff members, 256 senior high school students, and 109 junior high school students. It was found that teachers have strong positive views on the following school climate factors; school building, equity and fairness, and staff dedication to student learning. There is more disagreement among staff members on the following school climate factors; order and discipline, school/parent/community involvement, collaborative decision-making, and leadership. High School students do not take on a controlling role as far as school climate …

Diversifying A Tourist Destination Through Experiences: The Case Of Long Lake, The Adirondack Park, New York, Bozana Zekan

Theses

Demand for experiences is a major trend in the tourism industry that came as a response to commoditization of services. As many destinations have similar (or same) services in place, it became difficult for travelers to diversify one destination from another. What is nowadays happening is that travelers are no longer satisfied with traditional services only and instead seek something that they did not have a chance to experience elsewhere. Challenge that destinations consequently face is to answer travelers' demand for diversified experiences and at the same time to differentiate themselves from their competition. Hence, this study addresses how destinations …

Character Education: Efficacy Of Character Development Initiatives In High School Settings, Susanne M. Nowatzki

Theses

An outcome study of a character education program (CEP) was conducted in a high school setting, in order to illustrate efficacy of high school character development initiatives. This study measured character education performance outcomes by comparing the survey results and record reviews of high school students before and after the implementation of a CEP. Over 300 students in grades 9-12 completed the presurvey, and over 300 participants completed the follow-up character education profile. Follow-up participants have taken part in a CEP for two years, prior to completion of the School as a Caring Community Profile. Performance outcomes were measured based …

The Relationship Of Scores On Dynamic Indicators Of Basic Early Literacy Skills, Word Use Fluency To Word Knowledge And Shyness, Janette M. Keyser

Theses

Limited research has been conducted to determine the link between the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DD3ELS); Word Use Fluency, and reading ability. In addition, a link between the personality trait of shyness and lower performance on language tests has been established. The purpose of the present study was two fold. First this study aimed to determine how well the DIBELS Word Use Fluency indicator measures vocabulary knowledge. Second, the strength of the relationship between scores on the DIBELS measure and shyness was established. This helped to understand if Word Use Fluency underestimated the vocabulary knowledge of students …

Shopping Motivations And Their Influence On Shopping Experience In Australia And Indonesia, Tjong Budisantoso

Theses

The main focus of this study is on motivation. In particular, the study aims to investigate the relationship between the in-store experience of shoppers and their motivation for shopping. The in-store experience as defined in this study includes the perception of store atmosphere and cognitive responses. Another interest of the study is to test the relationship between cognitive responses and store atmosphere in two different countries. Lastly, this study explores the relationship between in-store experience and store patronage satisfaction, which in turn can influence shoppers’ repatronage intention. All the hypotheses in this study have been tested in Perth, Australia and …

A Philosophical Inquiry Into The Development Of The Notion Of Kalos Kagathos From Homer To Aristotle, Geoffrey Coad

Theses

In this thesis, I shall attempt to show that the Greeks believed in the ideal of a marriage between the beautiful and the good. This important philosophical ideal rests upon the premise that beauty depends upon function, behaviour and the intention of the agent. It is the anti-modernist position. This notion known to the ancient Greeks as kalos kagathos, which dates back to the times of Homer, seems to have been forgotten in our times. This study will trace the development of this ideal from Homer to Aristotle. This world view differs from the one we have come to understand …

Can Blending Face-To-Face Teaching With E-Learning Support The Development Of Phase 4 Apprentices In Mathematics: A Formative Evaluation Research Study, Peter Hinch

Theses

This thesis is a formative evaluation research study_ Its purpose is to establish if

blending face--to-face and e-leaming delivery methods can support the development of

Phase 4 apprentice plumbers in mathematics in the Department of Construction Skills in

the Technologicl University Dublin. The study also included the design, development

and evaluation of a mathematics web site called Plumatics 4 U which is grounded in

established theoretical criteria for effective blended delivery within third level

education. This web site is currently in use by Phase 4 apprentice plumbers and is

delivered through WebCT. The CD accompanying this thesis contains a short …

An Empirical Study Of The Importance Of The American Tourist To Ireland: An Emotional, Connectional, And Motivational Context, Angela Wright

Theses

This study examines the place and importance of the American tourist within the Irish tourism industry. The research explores in detail the many facets of the relationship existing between this client sector and the island of Ireland. This study responds to the expressed concerns of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue, T.D., and relevant industry leaders in Ireland, that the tourism sector is under-researched.

This study affirms that the American tourist contributes more per capita to the Irish tourism industry than any other tourist. The essential importance of tourism to the economy of Ireland is proven by …

School Connectedness: Using School Websites To Foster A Sense Of Belonging In School, Valerie L. Mergler

Theses

The current study explored the relationships between adolescents' internet use, feelings of school connectedness, social anxiety, and interest in the school's website. Participants were 8th (n = 121) and 11th (n = 71) grade students from a rural upstate New York, middle and high school. Data was collected using the Social Use of the Internet Survey, which was designed to measure participants' internet use, interest in the school's website, feelings of school connectedness and loneliness. No significant mean differences were present between the 8th and 11th grade groups on school connectedness and on interest in the school's website. Multiple regression …

Local Norms For Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Students, Kecia A. Boncek

Theses

Deafness is a low incident disability and therefore deaf children are frequently not included in the norm group of norm-referenced tests (Braden, 1994). The necessity of local norms is an ongoing debate among professionals who assess deaf children (Braden, 2005). This study evaluated the utility of local norms for three different intelligence tests. One sample t-tests were run to determine significance differences between means for a deaf and hard-of-hearing sample compared to the norm group, for the Differential Ability Scales (DAS), Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT), and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III). Verbal cluster and Word Definition …

Parent Perceptions Of School Climate And Its Impact On Their Child's School Performance, Danielle Malinowski

Theses

This study compared the relationship of student and parent perceptions of school climate to the student's academic performance and school problem behaviors (disciplinary referrals, unexcused absences, and tardiness). A sample of students (n=531), grades 7-12, completed the School Climate Survey (Haynes et al., 1996). Additional information was obtained regarding each student's academic performance and school problem behaviors. A randomly selected sample of parents were sent the School Climate Survey,

Parent Edition and were asked to voluntarily return them (n=45). Correlation results found no significant relationship between parent and student perceptions of school climate. A significant relationship was found between Parent …

Perspective By Incongruity In Visual Advertising: Applying Kenneth Burke's Theory To The Adbusters Anti-Consumerism Campaign, Elizabeth B. Gorman

Theses

Kenneth Burke developed the theory of "perspective by incongruity" in which he claimed that oddly juxtaposed symbols influence audiences to have new perspectives by challenging their habits of thinking. This study applies Kenneth Burke's rhetorical theory of perspective by incongruity to the Adbusters anti-consumerism campaign. Twenty "spoof ad" postcards created by the Adbusters Media Foundation were analyzed to see how they utilize the technique of incongruous juxtaposition. The analysis concluded that the cards either juxtaposed two incongruous images, two incongruous phrases or words, or a combination of incongruous words and images in order to create new insights about consumer advertising …

Self-Directed Work Teams: Do They Impact Employee Motivation And Accountability To Reduce, Melissa Noyes

Theses

This thesis attempted to tie Self-Directed work teams (SDWT) to safety performance through research, employee surveys and statistical analysis. The ultimate focus of the thesis was to answer two related research questions. To answer the questions required a trip down a road that is not, at this time, traveled frequently by safety professionals or other management. It is not to say that managers throughout the world are unaware of SDWT, but because SDWT are not used in many companies, it was difficult to obtain information to fully attack the problem. However, the focus remained on answering the problem, and defining …

The Phenomenon Of Cyberstalking On The Rit Campus: Definitions, Behaviors And Normalization, Julia Phillips Dickinson

Theses

Stalking via the Internet (cyberstalking) occurs via technologies such as email, instant messaging, chat rooms, discussion groups, and social networking websites. Recent news reports indicate a growing concern about the ease with which personal information can be accessed on the Internet - a fact that is shaping new social norms for young adults and children who have grown up using the Internet. This thesis measured the prevalence and nature of cyberstalking among Rochester Institute of Technology students. A survey was conducted and the results were evaluated with SIDE theory and social conduct theory as guides to understand if cyberstalking behavior …

The Mainstream Press: Then And Now Has The Prominence Of Sensational News Changed In 100 Years?, Kathleen Marchaesi

Theses

The present research explores the levels of sensational news reporting in three distinct periods of journalism history by examining the largest mainstream newspaper in America, The New York Times, during the yellow journalism, jazz journalism and modern eras. The front pages of a representative sample of the newspaper were analyzed to determine the extent to which prominence of sensational news topics in the modern press differs from that of the yellow and jazz eras. The style of sensational reporting was examined to determine if the treatment of news has changed. The results of a content analysis indicate that readers are …

Relationship Of Human Figure Drawing With Executive Functioning And Achievement, Julie M. Miller

Theses

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between aspects of children’s human figure drawings to their executive functioning and academic achievement. Participants consisted of 80 third and fourth graders, ages 8 to 10 years, along with their parents. Correlational analysis showed no relationship between the developmental scoring of the Goodenough-Harris or Koppitz with measures of executive functioning, as measured by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF; Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000) and the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS; Naglieri & Das, 1997). However, Koppitz’s emotional indicators were significantly correlated with all aspects of BRIEF and …

The Bender Ii And Its Relationship With Executive Functioning And Academics, Katharine A. Warsinske

Theses

The Bender-Gestalt Test and tests of executive functioning have been linked to academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Bender II as compared to Koppitz's Developmental Scoring System (DSS), as well as to determine the relationship between the Bender II and executive functioning. A total of 82 children participated in this study. A significant correlation was found between the DSS and the Bender II, with the Bender II mean approximately 10 standard score points higher than the DSS. The Bender II was also significantly correlated with more scales on the BRIEF than the …

Optimal Design Of Ink Spectra For Multiple-Ink Color Reproduction, Yongda Chen

Theses

Conventional four-color printing systems are limited by a relative small color gamut, poor color constancy, and a high degree metamerism. In this dissertation, these problems were addressed by increasing the ink number, optimizing the spectral ink curves, and the lookup tables for multiple-ink printing. First, a computer simulation was performed to investigate the optimum combinations of different ink number to maximize the color gamut for halftoning printing. By analyzing the color gamuts achieved by real ink sets and virtual ink sets, the conclusions were drawn that the color gamut can be improved by increasing ink number and optimizing spectral ink …

Photographic Strategies For Graphic Design Problem Solving, Suthida Sakulsurarat

Theses

Graphic design and photography are both forms of visual communication although they are separate disciplines. This thesis will explore the potential benefits of applying useful approaches in photography and demonstrating their potential for solving graphic design problems. ... The main goal of this project is to outline the possibilities of bringing principles of photographic approaches into graphic design. This thesis attempts to help designers understand that two different disciplines can support each other to provide a wider range of opportunities. In addition, the thesis is designed to enlighten, challenge and inspire designers. To accomplish the thesis, the designer will research …

Preparation For Radiological Disasters: A Radiation Effects Epidemiological Database, Martha S. Raj

Theses

Not Included

Influence Of Teacher Immediacy On Student Evaluations Of Teachers In American And Chinese Classrooms, Wenli Gao

Theses

This study investigated student perspectives on teacher immediacy in American and Chinese classrooms, and the correlation between immediacy and teacher evaluation. Specific immediacy behaviors that are most associated with teacher evaluation among American and Chinese students were also examined. Two hundred seventy-seven university students responded to instruments designed to measure teacher immediacy and teacher evaluation. Chinese students perceived a lower amount of instructor nonverbal immediacy than American students, but there is no significant difference between the two groups on verbal immediacy. Significant positive correlations were found between teacher immediacy and teacher evaluation in both groups. Praising students' work and soliciting …

The Relationship Between Emotional Recognition And Personality Traits, Lyndon A. Mitchell

Theses

This study investigated the relationship between personality traits and the ability to recognize emotions from facial expressions. A sample of undergraduate and graduate students (n = 52) were administered the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire 5th Edition (16PF-5) (Cattell, 1993) and an abbreviated version of Ekman's Pictures of Facial Affect (Ekman & Friesen, 1976). Pearson product-moment correlations revealed that the personality trait, Apprehension, was associated with the accurate recognition of most of the emotions. Further, regression analyses revealed that the recognition of fear was best predicted by the 16PF factors Dominance, Self Reliance and Apprehension. Personality differences were also identified between …

Parent Leadership Initiative, Evanna M. Disalvo

Theses

Parental involvement in urban public schools is a vital part of any strategic plan to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap, but many parents lack the leadership skills that would enable them to spearhead activities that positively affect school or neighborhood climate and support teamwork with teachers and school administration. My project was to familiarize parents with Kouzes and Posner's five practices of exemplary leadership from The Leadership Challenge using family films to demonstrate leadership, give the parents practice in writing SMART objectives to develop a plan of action, and coach them in implementing a project directed at …

Enhancing Science Education Through Engaging Visual Content, David Kavanagh

Theses

In recent years a decline in the number of Irish students choosing to study science, at second level and on into third level, has become potentially harmful to the desired creation of a science-based knowledge economy. A primary contributing factor towards this decline is a lack of interest in the subject within the classroom, as was established by The Task Force on the Physical Sciences in 2002.

The primary aim of this Masters research is to investigate the role of visualisation in making the study of science more accessible and engaging to students to counter this decline. To this end …

Recommendations For A Comprehensive Identity Theft Victimization Survey Framework And Information Technology Prevention Strategies, Sara Berg

Theses

While steps have been undertaken in the last five years to better understand the problem of identity theft, there has been little research done in the areas of high tech crime victim profiling and prevention. Most studies focus on victim demographics without examining ways in which the victimization may have been facilitated technologically. Attempts to look at precipitating behaviors in the context of victimization are limited. As such, a weak empirical base exists on which to generate additional research and potential solutions to identity theft victimization. This thesis bridges previous identity theft research with other empirical studies in order to …

Predictors Of Reading Success For Hispanic Children Learning To Read In English, Therese A. Lawson

Theses

The utility of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) for documenting the reading progress of English Language Learners (ELLs) was investigated. Relationships among the DIBELS measures were explored using a correlational matrix. The predictive validity of the DIBELS for determining later literacy outcomes was assessed via a series of step-wise regressions. Results suggest that the DIBELS are valid for assessing the reading progress of Spanish-speaking ELLs. Growth was seen on all measures and established DIBELS benchmarks were generally met on time. Differing from previous findings, PSF did not positively correlate with NWF for first graders, and only …