Digital Commons Network^™

Ensemble Learning With Recursive Partitioning Methods To Explore Relationships Between Mental Health And Physical Activity, Jessica Gilmore

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Physical and mental health are imperative to maintaining a well functioning immune system, which is especially critical during a global pandemic. Moreover, physical and mental health contribute to the overall quality of life experienced by an individual. Consequently, it is important to explore factors that contribute to both physical and mental health. Physical activity has been previously shown to improve physical and mental health yet many individuals do not get enough physical activity daily. Using data collected during the larger Exercise is Medicine (EIM) study, the current study utilized ensemble learning with recursive partitioning methods to explore the relationships that …

Soviet And Russian Masculinities: Rethinking Soviet Fatherhood After Stalin And Renewing Virility In The Russian Nation Under Putin, Amy E. Randall

History

Vladimir Putin’s macho image and his deployment of a masculinized Russian nationalism have fascinated Russians and non-Russians alike, generating considerable public and scholarly analysis. This article argues that the appeal of Putin as a powerful and hypermasculine leader over the last twenty years is best understood not just in the larger geopolitical context of Russia’s national and economic decline in the 1990s but also in terms of Soviet and post-Soviet discourses of failed manhood. In particular, this work focuses on the widespread critique of men as fathers in the 1950s and 1960s and the accompanying campaign to create a new …

Narcissus Online: An Investigation Of Narcissism And Self-Concept Clarity In Relation To Online Dating Behaviors, Maryam Tajmirriyahi

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

Nemours studies over the years have provided extensive knowledge about the association between narcissism and romantic relationship initiation. With the increased interest in using online dating sites for finding sexual/romantic partners, it is important to examine the behavior of narcissistic individuals in online dating context. The current study systematically examined how grandiose and vulnerable narcissism (as measures of an inflated self-view), in conjunction with the level of self-concept clarity (as an additional measure of a fragile self-view) can influence a number of online dating behaviors (e.g., photographic self-presentation, inauthentic self-presentation, assertive self-presentation, self-disclosure, verbal behavior, derogatory behavior toward other daters …

Transportation Barriers For Substance Abuse And Mental Health Outpatient Treatment Programs: A Scoping Review, Joseph David Harwerth

Social Work Theses - Archive

Purpose: The purpose of this manuscript is to help identify transportation barriers and facilitators that impact treatment initiation and continuation for clients with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and/or mental health needs seeking outpatient services. The author also documented how these barriers were operationalized and measured while seeking to understand which populations have been most impacted by transportation barriers. Methods: The author conducted a scoping review and documented all of the relevant academic literature regarding transportation barriers and facilitators for individuals seeking outpatient treatment with SUDs and/or mental health concerns. Results: The author identified 28 studies. Some marginalized groups, such as …

Full Issue, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

About The Mcnair Scholars Program, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Diversity Matters: The Effect Of Campus Racial Diversity And Cultural Competence On Job Choice, Jillian Daugherty

2020 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

This study investigated the effect of campus racial diversity and level of cultural competence on students’ post-graduate job choices. Two methods were used to answer the research question: 1) a survey of undergraduate students at two of the most diverse and two of the least diverse Texas public universities and 2) a review of relevant scholarly Management literature. The analysis revealed the diversity of the university was an important consideration for students when choosing their post-graduate job. Similarly, analysis revealed cultural competence is an additional indicator of students’ desire for diversity during their job search. These revelations suggest interacting with …

Adolescent Birth Expectations And Psychological Birth Trauma: A Mixed Method Approach, Faith Akinmade

2020 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Published research often describes risk factors for birth trauma among adult populations yet risks for trauma and stress disorders have been found to be higher in adolescents. The aim of this study was to explore birth expectations among a diverse group of low-income adolescents and determine if unmet birth expectations correlated with psychological birth trauma, and to see if younger age (13-16) adolescents held different expectations of birth than older age adolescents (17-19). The Impact of Event Scale (IES) was used to measure psychological birth trauma, and written narratives reflected adolescents’ expectations. Results indicated that birth expectations were not found …

Exploring The Relationship Between Student Online Discussion-Board Activity And Student Grades, Frank Robert Talbott

Dissertations

As students, instructors, and higher-education administrators delve further into cyberspace, scholarly literature and practice require further insights into the dynamics of online learning. This study examined the relationship between online student discussionboard activity and student grades and, consequently, addressed a dearth in the literature about this relationship. Student Involvement Theory provided the theoretical foundation of this research. This study’s sample consisted of 200 online undergraduate students in online business-analytics courses. Regression-analyses findings supported the relationship between student postings of certain mathematical-symbol references (e.g., for equalities, inequalities, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and student grades. Therefore, administrators, faculty, and course designers …

Towards A Working Definition Of Open Pedagogy, Alan Witt

Milne Library

This paper analyzes recent literature on or using the term “open pedagogy” in order to distill a working definition. The term is currently contested, and is discarded completely by some influencers due to a lack of definition and thus usefulness as a rigorous academic term. This study analyzes how researchers currently use the term in the literature, searching for commonalities, with the goal of proposing a synthesis that encompasses the majority of the field and can provide potential common ground for further research on the subject.

The result was a pool of 98 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, which were …

Choice Of End State Comfort Based On Time Spent At The Beginning State And The Precision Requirement Of The End State, Tucker Gregory Gamble

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

People choose actions based on many different variables. In particular, choice of posture while grasping an object typically depends upon several factors including the time spent in that posture, what postures were held prior to choosing that posture, and the precision required by the posture. The purpose of this study was to test a trade-off between choice of end-state comfort based on time spent in a posture at the beginning-state and the precision requirement of the end-state. A comfortable grasp is classified when a person has a full grasp on an object with their thumb pointing up. This posture also …

Mining For Gold: Reimagining The Role Of Curricular Texts In Writing Instruction, Carrigan Price

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Secondary schools in northern Utah frequently combine literature and composition studies into a single English Language Arts course, limiting the time English teachers have to teach the skills and content important to both. Literature and reading often overshadow writing instruction in this situation, leading to concentrated writing instruction dependent on pre-made writing curriculum and texts. The way curricular materials used during writing instruction in ELA courses present the purpose of writing, the process of writing, and the identity of writers can impact student learning and academic identity in the short- and long-term. A rhetorical analysis, looking specifically at the writing …

The Patriot Act: How It Hurts Democracy, Madison Racquel Wadsworth

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

After the devastating attacks on American soil on September 11th, 2001, the world's perceptions of security changed forever. Immediately following the attacks, the United States government passed the USA PATRIOT Act, broadening definitions of terrorism and codifying unconstitutional acts, such as unwarranted searches of private property, indefinite holding of suspected terrorists, and ultimately torturing those suspects. This act has had several long term implications leading to a reduction in the quality of American democracy, which subsequently affected other liberal democracies around the world through violations of basic democratic principles, or civil liberties, such as: due process, physical attacks, and freedom …

Analyzing Human Resource Competency Development Through The Lens Of Adult Learning Theory: A Qualitative Case Study On Change Management Competency In A Global U.S.-Based Firm., Angela K. Jorgensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

HR as a profession has sought to be more strategic in order to address the increasing complexities of the business world, but many find that, in general, it is not happening in practice. Academic research has sought to define a set of competencies to guide the work and development of HR professionals; specifically, managing organizational change is one of the recommended core competencies. The extant literature suggests that there is a gap in the formal learning higher education offerings for HR professionals to be able to develop the set of knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be proficient in organizational …

Perceptions Of Executive Functions And Self-Care Actions In Major Depressive Disorder., Melanie G. Walters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation encompasses a study of the effect of impaired executive functions on decision-making and self-care of depressive illness. The first chapter provides an introduction and summarizes the body of literature on the executive functions and its association with depressive symptoms. The second chapter contains the second of two systematic reviews which examines conceptualizations of executive functions, classical and current measures used to assess the executive functions, and challenges and limitations related to current methods of assessment. The third chapter describes the development of a vignette technique and its use in a study to examine the association of depressive symptoms …

Testing Investment Strategies For Superior Predictive Ability, Jack K. Baldwin

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

When different models are tested on one data sample and repeatedly altered in order to be found significant, the results are likely spurious. This is data-snooping – an ever-growing problem in the finance industry likely due to fierce competition and developments in data processing capacity. In academia, although recognized as a deplorable practice, data-snooping is likewise pervasive perhaps as a result of poor incentive structures at both the university and publisher levels. I manifest the problem of data-snooping through multiple academic and industry examples and then summarize Halbert White and Peter Hansen’s offered solutions, White’s Reality Check and Hansen’s Test …

An Evaluation Of The Effects Of Behavioral Skills Training On A Mindfulness-Based Protocol, Chealsy Darby

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This evaluation examined the effects of behavioral skills training on the correct implementation of a mindfulness-based protocol by direct support staff who provide services to adults with intellectual disabilities in a community, residential setting. Participants included two direct support staff who provide services to two different adults with intellectual disabilities who have a mindfulness-based protocol as an intervention for problem behavior described in their behavior support plan. The participants were exposed to a behavioral skills training package and were required to demonstrate mastery criteria of the mindfulness-based protocol as part of their regular job duties. The results of this evaluation …

Subscribe Now For December Events And Support Local Arts Organizations, Shannon Thomason

Browse All News

No abstract provided.

Body Image And Depressive Symptoms Among Transgender And Cisgender Adults: Examining A Model Integrating The Tripartite Influence Model And Objectification Theory, Jessica Strübel, Natalie J. Sabik, Tracy Tylka

Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design Faculty Publications

Studies have shown higher levels of body image concerns and depression among transgender individuals, which may result from the internalized stigma of living in a body that does not conform to the expectations of their affirmed gender. We integrated objectification theory and the tripartite influence model, which both address how internalizing gendered appearance-related expectations are linked to body image and depression, and then determined whether this integrated model varied based on participants’ gender identity. Participants included 715 cisgender women, 207 cisgender men, 186 trans men, and 71 trans women from the U.S. A multiple group analysis indicated that thin-ideal and …

A Phenomenological Study Of Kindergarten Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Students In The Age Of Kindergarten Readiness., Adam Nelson Stephens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kindergarten has changed dramatically from a play-based, social experience a generation ago to the literacy- and numeracy-based curricula of today. With this shift in academic expectations, children now take a kindergarten readiness assessment at the beginning of the school year to determine their likelihood of success based on their pre-kindergarten preparation. While previous studies have examined teachers’ perceptions of current kindergarten practices, expectations, and students, few use teachers’ descriptions as the data (Abry et al., 2015; Hustedt et al., 2018). This phenomenological study reports how kindergarten teachers at three Central Kentucky elementary schools describe their attitudes about their own kindergarten …

Undergraduate Students Use Moral Reasoning And Belief In Genetic Determinism In Response To A Crispr/Cas9 Socioscientific Issue., Katie M. Seiter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores how students reason about genetic engineering socioscientific issues (SSIs) related to a recently developed, powerful genome editing technology called CRISPR/Cas9. It is divided into three chapters. Chapter One describes an exploratory study that characterized students’ moral reasoning using a sociocultural theoretical framework. I used content analysis and logistic regression to investigate how academic and social factors influenced moral reasoning. Students generally opposed the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for non-medical enhancements, and the moral considerations used were influenced by genetics knowledge level and demographic variables such as gender and socio-economic status. Further investigation of moral perspectives for students …

Chronic Pain Treatment Strategies In Parkinson’S Disease, Amber N. Edinoff, Niro Sathivadivel, Timothy Mcbride, Allyson Parker, Chikezie Okeagu, Alan David Kaye, Adam M. Kaye, Jessica S. Kaye, Rachel J. Kaye, Meeta M. Sheth, Omar Viswanath, Ivan Urits

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

Neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), have increased in prevalence and are expected to further increase in the coming decades. In this regard, PD affects around 3% of the population by age 65 and up to 5% of people over the age of 85. PD is a widely described, physically and mentally disabling neurodegenerative disorder. One symptom often poorly recognized and under-treated by health care providers despite being reported as the most common non-motor symptom is the finding of chronic pain. Compared to the general population of similar age, PD patients suffer from a significantly higher level and prevalence of …

Telltale Marks: Looking Beyond Censorship Of Guantánamo, Aliana E. Sheers

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

In the United States, the government holds a storytelling monopoly; the stories it tells of Guantánamo dictate its reality, regardless of whether or not those stories are true. I will examine the government’s public statements about Guantánamo, then contrast these with covert communications and actions taken. Additionally, I will analyze iconic American images painted by detainees in classes at Guantánamo to garner the detainee perspective on the prison and the U.S. Acceptance of a single story is the antithesis of democracy; only when we strive to uncover the whole truth can we claim we have freedom of speech.

Overcoming The Myth Of The Contemporary “Starving Artist”: An Exploration Into The Fusion And Viability Of A 21st-Century Career In Art And Design, Miranda M. Myles Jackson

Masters Theses

This research explores the myth of the “starving artist” surrounding the pursuit of a career in the arts. Artists are often dubbed as starving due to the pre-conceived notion that careers in art do not provide longevity or financial stability. Due to this stigma, budding creatives are often dissuaded at home, school, or both from pursuing a career doing what they love. Arts programs are often cut and or remain underfunded, mainly due to this biased perception. Research indicates that careers in the arts have expanded exponentially due to its merge with various fields. According to both the STEM vs. …

Nexgen Create: Graphic Design Interface, Mary Kate Elizabeth Morgan

Masters Theses

Students today do not have many options for college or career preparation in the artistic or creative fields. There are many options when it comes to creative careers that students and parents do not know about. There were 266,300 graphic designers recorded in the US in 2019. Based on the additional graphic designers entering the field and those retiring, in the next 10 years, it is expected that the US will need 16,700 new graphic designers to fill those positions. (See Graphic Designer Overview) This project focuses on teaching the next generation skills in graphic design to apply to college …

Living My Best Life Gifting Program, Jessica Gilmore

Masters Theses

Living My Best Life (LMBL) is a qualitative research study that explores how creative products can help provide a positive impact on children. Research shows that various forms of art are utilized in therapy, classroom settings, outreach programs, and in homes to help children overcome complicated, disturbing, and disruptive behavior due to adverse circumstances they have experienced in their life. The research revealed how strategy that utilizes and implements creative products and activities can actually alter the perspective of children in a more productive and optimistic manner. The products serve as long and short-term interventions against negative thoughts and actions. …

Google It! Supplementing Instructional Material In The Secondary Band Classroom With The Google Suite, Jacob Elder

Masters Theses

In order to meet the needs of the students of the 21st century, the traditional methods for teaching in the secondary instrumental music classroom should be updated. The Google Suite coupled with a variety of commonly used instructional music technology programs is one way to modify the traditional classroom to accommodate modern learners. Data from case studies, information on effectively using the Google Suite, and supplemental programs to use for blended instruction are included as resources for the 6th-12th grade band classrooms. Since technology is rapidly changing, the subsequent information and tools provided will be updated continually. Keeping current on …

Tracing Relations Between Attachment, Social Media Use, Self-Esteem, Loneliness, And Depression: A Mediation Model, Meagan Patricia Sabo

Masters Theses

An extensive amount of correlational research has well-established the link between insecure attachment style and subsequent adverse interpersonal and psychopathological outcomes. Moreover, the rise of social media has precipitated a shift in the methods by which individuals communicate; consequently, this has resulted in the shifting of preexisting dispositions toward dysfunctional behaviors to a more ubiquitous route of manifestation. Given that attachment literature has indicated notable differences in both underlying mechanisms and resulting outcomes of both avoidant and anxious attachment, examination of this alongside social media use provides valuable insight into potential relationships between the two. Further, research has examined the …

Creating A Music Education Curriculum Based On Current Teaching Strategies, Stanley K. Holloway

Masters Theses

Contemporary pedagogical, psychological and sociological researches highlight the need for music education available to every child. Starting from the fundamental point of view according to which music affects the development of the child's whole personality, this idea stands out in history since the 17th century. Various educators in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century emphasized the importance of music education for every child. To nurture a child’s music development, as it is to support the development requires other basic skills in the child’s life. Young children learn most basic life skills from their parents because adults create consciously and …

Disservice: Disabled Library Staff And Service Expectations, Kelsey George

Library Faculty Research

No abstract provided.