Digital Commons Network^™

Human Factors Approach Towards Improving Readability Of Bus Schedules, Anand Tharanathan

Theses

Due to an increasing concern over the readability of existing bus schedules of a public transportation agency the schedule format was redesigned. Two prototype schedules were designed based on the gathered information from the literature survey, focus group meetings and data from other public transportation agencies' schedules. One of the prototypes was designed by giving primary importance to the direction of travel and was named the directional prototype schedule. The other prototype was designed by giving primary importance to the day of the week, and was named weekday / weekend prototype schedule. A time based laboratory experiment and a subjective …

Comparing The Writing Ability Of Transfer And Non-Transfer Students Enrolled In A Technical Writing Course At New Jersey Institute Of Technology : A Case Study, Lisa S. Young

Theses

The mission statement of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) calls for the preparation of "leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century" (http://www.njit.edu/about/overview/index.php). NJIT's students, therefore, need to have established prior to graduation communication skills at a level of performance that allows at least this aspect of NJIT's mission to be met. But with no assessment of community college writing education other than the incoming transcripts of the transfer students, the quality of academic preparedness that transfer students bring to their degree programs at NJIT is difficult to determine.

A case study was performed in January …

Osha Laboratory Safety Standard 29 Cfr 1910.1450 And Achieving Compliance In The Microelectronic Laboratory, Danielle M. Digironimo

Theses

This thesis is a practical application of occupational exposures to hazardous substances in a microelectronics laboratory. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard for the safety in laboratories is (29 CFR 1910.1450). The application is a demonstration of the implementation of the standard in a university setting. Hazards that exist in laboratory settings are very complex and the task of providing a safe workplace can become increasingly complicated. A laboratory can and does impose different health and safety concerns that a standard industrial workplace setting might not have. The need for a laboratory safety standard program to be implemented …

Persuasion By Association: A Content Analysis Of Cigarette Advertisements Aimed At The Youth Market, Pamela L. Carmichael

Theses

Past research suggests that manufacturers market cigarettes through advertisements associating cigarettes with qualities and behaviors valued by the target audience. Using content analysis, the present study compares the visual and verbal/textual product associations in cigarette advertisements in youth- (People and Sports Illustrated) and adult-oriented (Time and Better Homes and Gardens) magazines. Results show significant differences in product association categories, with ads in youth magazines significantly more likely than those in adult magazines to employ associations related to social gatherings/friendship, romance/eroticism, independence/self-reliance/rebellion, prize giveaways/merchandise, and pleasure/refreshment/flavor/quality. This study adds to the body of knowledge on the content of cigarette advertisements and …

What Educators Must Know About The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Interventions For Children With Autism, Renee' L. Henke

Theses

The diagnosis of autism is on the rise. There are many misconceived definitions of autism, even in the educational profession. Educators in all areas must become informed of behavioral intervention and modifications to help autistic students succeed.

This paper will reveal facts and information regarding behavior intervention and modification based on the Lovaas theory and method. It includes a case study of an eleveny-ear- old high-functioning autistic boy who has made great strides and is successful.

Evaluation Of Postural Stability Using Sensory Organization Test, Tiffany Sims

Theses

Poor postural stability of the elderly and other patients has been a major concern.The cost of treating injuries due to poor stability is expected to rise to $32.4 Billion by 2020. Many interventions have been proposed and used to improve stability. In order to determine the efficacy of these interventions, an objective evaluation of postural stability before and after intervention is important.

The aim of this thesis was to scientifically analyze the ambiguities in the equilibrium score (ES) given by the Neurocom Smart Equitest (NSE) machine, and compare it to a new measure of stability that has been proposed by …

Development Of Fmri Compatible Lower Body Negative Pressure System, Pratap Singh Kunwar

Theses

The lower body negative pressure (LBNP) system provides a controlled, measured orthostatic stress to the cardiovascular system, which can be used with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine to study cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses to graded LBNP. In the past, even though functional MRI (fMRI) was considered as one of the best modalities with which to measure small metabolic changes in the brain, it has not been used with an LBNP system to measure cerebrovascular changes. This was due to the lack of an fMRI compatible LBNP system.

In this project, an tMRI compatible LBNP system was first constructed without …

The Sociological & Psychological Impact Of Reality-Based Television On The American Culture, Tiffany J. Ruocco

Theses

No abstract provided.

Designing For Two Young Lovers In "All My Sons", Li-Hui Liu

Theses

Unavailable.

Speech Enabled E-Learning Technology For Adult Literacy Tutoring, Jason Meade

Theses

This research presents the work involved in developing a speech-enabled e-Learning prototype for use in literacy tutoring. As the main objective was to develop an interface for literacy learning, initial research concentrated on establishing a framework for literacy e-Leaming through the use of speech technology. Requirements for best practice e-Learning and the relevance of learning theories to an e-Learning application were also investigated. The technologies to facilitate this, such as text to speech technologies and mark-up languages, were addressed during the implementation of speech-enabled prototypes. Both server-side and client-side prototypes were implemented to investigate speech technology. Testing found the server-side …

Hcc Architecture - Hormonal Communications And Control Architecture, Paul R. Thompson

Theses

This thesis aims to provide a novel framework for a multiagent system implementation. The major feature of the proposed architecture is the introduction of the biological concept of hormones. The hormones are passed via the communication network to convey limited global system state knowledge. The agents' response to a hormone is interpreted depending on its own local agent state. The primary focus of this thesis is the development of the particulars of the architecture. Prior work of multiagent systems research is reviewed and studied for contributions. Biological studies of hormones are employed to draw out interaction rules and analyze control …

Intellectual Property Law And Digitial Technology: Exploring Thrid-Person Perceptions And Copyright Infringement On The Internet, Janet P. Ofano

Theses

The current study addresses theft of copyrighted music files on the Internet and the perceived effects of media reports surrounding lawsuits brought against individual music file sharers in September, 2003. Professors in several undergraduate communication classes at the Rochester Institute of Technology collected survey responses from 157 participants. Participants were asked to respond to questions related to perceived effect of these news reports on themselves and on others about lawsuits filed by the RIAA against music file sharers. The results of this study were inconsistent with the many previous studies on third-person effect, in that respondents did not perceive others …

Improving Student Learning Through Theme Based Curriculum Design And Team Teaching: An Action Research Study, Brenda Dermody

Theses

This study is concerned with improving the design and delivery of the curriculum on a four year BA in Design Visual Communication programme in the Technologicl University Dublin. The study examines how aspects of curriculum design and delivery affect some of the key stakeholders - the students and academic staff – involved in the programme. It looks at how the design and delivery of the curriculum can be improved with a view to achieving two main aims. The first aim is to promote a deep approach to learning among visual communication students. The second aim is to promote a deep …

Which Aspects Of Time Are The Most Effective When Analyzing And Implementing Schedules For Student Instruction, Sarah Beth Peiffer

Theses

For many years, educators have researched the correlation between student achievement and instructional time. In this study, allocated time, engaged time, and academic learning time will be researched at Walt Disney Elementary in Marceline, Missouri. Through research studies, teacher surveys, and building schedules, the researcher will conclude aspects needed to improve instructional time and student achievement at Walt Disney Elementary.

Teacher perception and opinions are paramount. Classroom teachers completed a questionnaire to address specific strengths and weaknesses within the current scheduling theory. Teacher input regarding administrative requests for information and peripheral job duties were questioned as to their impact on …

Effects Of Family Rituals On The Relationship Between Parent And Child: How Family Rituals Can Strengthen Parent-Child Relationships, Cheryl M.K. Zeise

Theses

A study was conducted to determine if a relationship exists between the frequency of shared family meals and family cohesion. Thirty-three families participated in the study on a volunteer basis from St. Charles and St. Louis counties in Missouri. The study was conducted using the Family Environment Scale to measure family cohesion and a questionnaire to determine the frequency of shared family meals. The study includes an extensive review of research and statistical data revealing the many stressful issues the American family faces on a daily basis. This study includes a review of research that outlines several causes for the …

A Correlation Study Of Retention Research Knowledge And Practice, Donna Weidner Wright

Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary (K-6) principals' knowledge of student grade retention research and the nw11ber of students that were retained in their buildings to see if there was a difference between the grade level retention rates of principals who were aware of the negative affects of retention and those who were not.

Procedure: Responses were received from 32 Missouri public elementary school principals. The respondents were divided into two groups based on responses to the retention knowledge questions. Those respondents whose average retention research knowledge score was 3 or higher were placed in group …

Internal Organizational Communication During Crisis Situations: The Effect Of Supportive Messages On Employee Stress Levels, Carin L. Kosmoski

Theses

This study investigates the effects of supportive messages from immediate supervisors or CEO's on employees during crisis situations. Supportive messages are hypothesized to decrease the stress levels of employees. The extent to which supportive messages from managers or executives during crisis situations affect employee perceptions of support from their organization, their CEO, and their immediate supervisor is also explored. During the research process, 78 volunteer participants received one of three messages from a hypothetical organization following a hypothetical crisis situation. Spearman's ranked correlations comparing reported support with reported stress levels indicate that, for the group studied, there is a negative …

Rationale For User Oriented Design Technique Selection, Susan M. Saeger

Theses

This paper analyzes a set of guidelines for selecting a user oriented design technique. A fictional case study is used to illustrate the application of the guidelines.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration In Graphic Design, Jill M. Kepler

Theses

Not Included

Body/Landscape, Ju Yi Chia

Theses

Not Included

Effective Crisis Intervention In The School: The Role Of Training, Experience, And Self-Efficacy On School Psychologists' Ability To Intervene, Erica J. Deming

Theses

School psychologists' graduate and post-graduate preparation, intervention experience, and self-efficacy regarding crisis intervention services were investigated. A national survey was mailed to members of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) that resulted in a return rate of 38%. Demographic statistics indicated that a majority of school psychologists received at least some preservice crisis intervention training; however, 82.6% do not feel that this adequately prepared them to provide crisis intervention. Experience ratings suggested that school psychologists have little to no experience with gangs, weapons, gun control, natural disasters, and dealing with the media during a crisis. Chrildren's dealing with the …

Brand Color Tolerances: A Comparison Of Memory Color Vs. Paired Comparison Color Matching, Allison K. Santoro

Theses

The proposed thesis topic is to compare two methods of judging brand colors, paired comparison and memory color. Today's current practice for press approval in the graphic arts industry involves an individual using a sensitive comparison of a proof to a press sheet. The resulting piece is later viewed by a user who will have no knowledge of the original (a proof). The exception, however, is the memory of the "logo" or brand color that the user may have. The argument can be made that the additional cost of a press approval is justified by the possibility of accruing extra …

Revealing At The Unraveling, Marie Florence Griffin

Theses

This thesis paper exhibits the progression of my photographic studies over the last two years at The Rochester Institute of Technology. This thesis paper explains the thought process behind the art work and defines the influences and interpretation within each body of work. Through digital processes the work portrays issues of identity that revolve around the body politic through the dictates of Western culture, particularly advertising, on the body's surface. The images also emphasize the emotional responses resulting from the violence, seduction and manipulation that culture presumes on an individual's identity.

Personal Motivations For Philanthropy, Neil Monteiro

Theses

This study discusses the impact of individual motivational factors for charitable contributions. This study is important because it will help R.I.T and similar educational/non profit organizations understand the "intrinsic factors" that motivate individuals to donate time, money, or goods. The results of this study will help the organization understand their donors. This study will "only" address individual philanthropy. This study focuses on the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T) located in Rochester, New York.

At Dusk, Hyeyoung Cheon

Theses

Not Included

Visual Design Systems For Music Education, Andrew D. Baker

Theses

Not Included

Resource For Social Cause Design, Hang Lian

Theses

The goal of this project is to compile a working resource to help graphic designers develop effective solutions for social cause design problems. The intent is to provide a starting place for designers rather than to create a comprehensive resource that covers every aspect of social cause design.

Emotional Recogition Ability Among Incarcerated Youth, Aubrey S. Elmore

Theses

The purpose of this study was to consider emotional recognition ability among incarcerated youth. Specifically, thirty-eight inmates who were eligible for a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) under New York State law participated in the study. Participants were administered Ekman's facial discrimination task (1976), the Sociomoral Reflection Measure-Short Form (SRM-SF; Gibbs, Basinger, &Fuller, 1992), and an Emotional Intelligence Survey (Schutte et al., 1998). Results showed the incarcerated youth were less accurate in identifying emotions from facial expressions than were non-incarcerated young adults. Further, incarcerated youth with identified learning disabilities were even less accurate in their ability to recognize emotions than …

The Persuasive Image, George D. Grove

Theses

The unfortunate suburban migration continues. These newly arrived suburbanites exchange their multidimensional urban city views for those of a carefully constructed and intensely controlled pastoral view. This view from their windows is one that symbolizes their ownership of the land and their freedom from dense urban living conditions. The open space and grass function as powerful reminders of why they live in suburbia. But what would occur if the suburbanites were to exchange their view of plastic Eden with images from the city? What if the view of their altered yards and obsessively manicured gardens were intentionally replaced with views …

Teaching Color Strategies, Carol Fillip

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to improve graphic design education through the addition of an effective series of instructional exercises for teaching color strategies.