Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Document Classification By Integrating Human-Crafted Semantic Knowledge, Lubomir Stanchev, Zachary Weinfeld

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Document classification is a pivotal task in various domains, warranting the development of robust algorithms. Among these, the Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) algorithm, introduced by Google, has proven to perform well when fine-tuned for the task at hand. Leveraging transformer architecture, BERT demonstrates stellar language understanding capabilities. However, the integration of BERT with a range of approaches has shown potential for further enhancing classification accuracy. This paper investigates three techniques that leverage semantic understanding to improve the performance of document classification models trained with BERT. First, we balance corpora afflicted by imbalanced training data distributions. Next, we substitute …

Artificial Intelligence And The Protection Of Gender Equality, Edoardo C. Raffiotta

California Western International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

2024-2025 Catalog, Governors State University

Catalogs

The 2024-2025 Governors State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog is a comprehensive listing of current information regarding:
Degree Requirements
Course Offerings
Undergraduate and Graduate Rules and Regulations

Addressing The Big Picture As A Community-Engaged Linguist: Community-Engaged Scholarship And Applied Learning For Systemic Change, Rachel E. Showstack

International Journal of the Linguistic Association of the Southwest

Through a narrative about the formation and advancement of Wichita State University’s community-based health equity initiative Alce su Voz (‘Speak Out’), this article presents a reflection on the author’s role as a community-engaged scholar and the multiple levels of work in which linguists can engage to support linguistic social justice. The paper begins with a discussion of the role of the applied linguist in social change and a discussion of community-engaged scholarship, including community-based learning and community-based research. Then, using Alce su Voz’s approach to improving health equity for speakers of Spanish and Indigenous languages as an example, the author …

Pediatric Vaccination Adherence: Enhancing Compliance Among First-Generation Asian American Parents, Katelyn Leong

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Vaccine adherence in the pediatric population refers to receiving vaccines as per the recommended schedule, which significantly reduces vaccine-preventable diseases and enhances community immunity. Vaccine hesitancy, driven by concerns such as safety, misinformation, or cultural beliefs can affect adherence. National coverage of state-mandated vaccines among kindergarteners declined from 95% to around 93% between 2019 and 2022, varying across different vaccines. Objective: This research proposal’s focus is to determine if an educational intervention targeting first-generation Asian Americans, who have adopted their immigrant parents' misinformation about vaccines, will effectively increase vaccination rates among their children. The study aims to assess the …

Heirs Of Pietism In World Christianity: The 19th To The 21st Centuries, Wendy J. Deichmann, Scott T. Kisker

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

In Order For My Voice To Be Heard, I Had To Create My Own Space: A Critical Narrative Analysis Of Black College Student Success In Creative Majors, Rachel Horton

Dissertations of Practice

This critical narrative inquiry explored the strengths of Black undergraduate students who study the creative arts. The research centered on the unique wealth that Black students bring to their institutions, as highlighted through the Community Cultural Wealth model. The study found that participants: used aspirational capital to fuel them in attending college and pursuing the arts; used linguistic capital in general, and code switching in particular, to navigate various cultures and spaces, to facilitate hard conversations on topics such as racism, and to ensure that their voices were heard and respected; networked with other artists to create strong work through …

Guerreras (Women Warriors): Latina Faculty Utilizing Their Cultural Capital To Advance Transformative Change, Dora E. Escobar

Dissertations of Practice

This qualitative study embedded the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) framework within the critical counter-narrative methodology to examine the lived experiences of 11 Latina faculty from CA community colleges as they navigated their campuses in the quest to transform their institutions. Drawing from their cultural capital and the methodological approach, four distinct themes emerged from their counter-narratives: (1) through critical reflection, their awakening to the oppressive educational system that marginalizes communities of color afforded them the opportunity to use their transformative resistant capital and aspirational capital as the driver for transformative change; (2) in challenging the status-quo, they encountered barriers centered …

Investigating The Perceptions Of The Professional Development Experience Of Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (Siop) In A Pk-8th Grade District, Joseph Trsar

Dissertations of Practice

INVESTIGATING THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE OF SHELTERED INSTRUCTION OBSERVATION PROTOCOL

(SIOP) IN A PK-8TH GRADE DISTRICT

This dissertation explores the perceptions of staff members who have received professional development in Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) and their motivation to implement the strategies learned during the training. There is an increasing number of non-native English speakers in the Illinois education system and a large emphasis on how to best serve this growing population. Providing educators with professional development in SIOP is one strategy many districts utilize to meet this growing population. This dissertation investigated the experiences of several …

Narrative Language Development In Deaf Children As Assessed Through American Sign Language: A Comparative Analysis Utilizing Retells And Original Stories, Cathy Milliren

Theses and Dissertations

Despite advances in hearing technology, legislative changes, and instructional strategies, Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) students continue to demonstrate language delays on standard assessments. Although there are assessments that evaluate a child’s American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency, research thus far has assessed the language structure of D/HH students through their use of English not ASL. Through a convergent mixed methods study, the Narrative Scoring Scheme (NSS) was used to compare the scores of D/HH fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students with their hearing peers to compare their story structure with original stories and retells. Using t tests and multiple linear regression analyses, …

In Support Of A Read-Aloud Accommodation: A Meta Analysis Study, Sarah Elizabeth Ryan

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the read-aloud accommodation benefits for students with disabilities (SWD) and students without disabilities (SWOD). In this study, researchers recommend ways in which to remove encumbrances faced by SWD in reading comprehension. In general, research has shown that both SWD and SWOD have met some degree of success from the read-aloud accommodations. Further, this meta-analysis will attempt to reveal important factors that influence the effects of read-aloud accommodations. For example, how the accommodation effect size influences the subject area of reading versus that of math. This study will also show that the effect of read-aloud accommodations is significantly …

Defining Scribbles: How Do Early Childhood Teachers Perceive Scribbles As A Part Of Emergent Literacy?, Sandy Dellalonga

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to understand early childhood teachers’ perceptions surrounding the topic of childhood scribbles as they relate to emergent literacy. Sociocultural theory provided a foundation for this research because of its focus on relationships between children, other children, and teachers to foster learning experiences (Gee, 2011; Vygotsky, 1978, 1998). Additionally, social semiotic theory also guided this research because childhood scribbles represent children’s “signs” which can also influence communication and literacy skills (Kress, 1997). The participants were nine preschool, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade teachers (N=9) who volunteered to complete an open-ended survey, follow-up …

Discursive Exclusion Of Chinese Americans:A Case Study Of New York City’S Political Media Landscape, Andrew G. White Iv

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to answer the following question: Between November 2020 and November 2021, were Chinese Americans discursively excluded from New York City’s political media landscape? The Chinese American experience has been punctuated with countless examples of faith and investment in the American ideal. Despite that fact, it has also been marred with periods in which that faith was tested and in which the return on their investment fell short of expectations. To arrive at this study’s findings, a summative content analysis of two-hundred-forty-three news articles was conducted. To reinforce these findings, a subsequent, discursive analysis, of …

A Phenomenological Inquiry Into The Experience Of Machine Translation Use Among Chinese Undergraduates, Corey T. Larsen

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explores the experiences of machine translation (MT) use among Chinese undergraduates in a Chinese-foreign, English medium instruction (EMI), joint degree program in southern China. Advancements in MT technology have raised questions about its application in academic settings, particularly in foreign and second language learning. Educators express concerns over potential misuse for cheating and its potential impact on language development, despite acknowledging it may also offer some benefits for language learners depending on the setting and the students’ level of L2 proficiency. Using translanguaging as a theoretical framework, this study aims to shed light on these concerns by …

Examination Of Reading Motivation Levels And Associated Factors In Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Adolescents, Sarah Carlton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine self-rated levels of reading motivation and reading activity among Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) Adolescents and the relationship to overall Language Arts skills. This study is framed by social learning theory and self-determination theory. DHH Adolescents (n=38), between the ages of 11 and 17, with bilateral hearing loss, located in Southern California participated in the study. Data collection included administration of the Motivation for Reading Questionnaire (MRQ), Reading Activity Inventory (RAI) and a demographic survey. Phase 2 included a focus group of Phase 1 participants (n=5). Survey data was analyzed quantitatively for mean …

Decodable Deliberations In Early Reading Instruction: A Mixed-Methods Study Of First-Grade Teachers’ Perceptions, Selection, And Use Of Decodable Texts, Patricia Gallery

Theses and Dissertations

The fundamental significance of literacy achievement cannot be overstated. However, the 2022 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) divulges alarming findings, with a mere 33 percent of the nation’s fourth graders performing at or above proficiency in reading (NAEP, 2022). Exploring the nexus of research-informed pedagogy and practice is imperative to disrupt this deleterious trajectory. This mixed-method study will examine how first-grade teachers select and use texts for beginning reading instruction with a critical lens on teachers' perceptions of decodable text to fully understand the complex intersection of intentionality and attitude when choosing texts for early reading instruction. This study …

Supporting Underprepared Writers In An Academic Success Program, Alison Ersheid

Theses and Dissertations

For decades, colleges and universities have been grappling with the task of closing the readiness gap for underprepared writers entering the higher education system. Traditional developmental education models are costly and inefficient at best, and detrimental to the matriculation of students at worst. Bridge programs have had moderate success, but at a high price tag. Within the last decade, alternate approaches to developmental education, such as accelerated and corequisite models, have emerged. While these approaches have demonstrated success in improving overall student proficiency and confidence, little is known about the specific mechanisms and environments that promote success and improve writing …

Perceptions Of Suburban Middle School Content Teachers On The Importance Of Literacy In Their Classroom: An Action Research Study, Sarah Larson Fennelly

Theses and Dissertations

Students are starting middle school without the foundational reading skills necessary to access the texts in their content area classes, such as science and social studies. This is causing great frustration for the teachers who feel unsure of how to help these students because they did not learn about how students learn to read in their teacher preparation courses. So, would providing teachers with the information they need about how students learn to read, foundational reading skills, and strategies to support struggling readers, change secondary teachers’ perceptions about reading and how they can help their students? This action research interviewed …

Vocabulary Acquisition In High School Classrooms Utilizing Emerging Trends In Literacy Development: Perceptions Of Teachers And Students, Inviolata Lunani Sore

Theses and Dissertations

Current global trends demand that we remain conscious of how distinct norms in groups we affiliate with affect decisions. Among developmental aspects, childhood language acquisition depends heavily on epigenetic interactions between the innate and the immediate environment (Sinha, 2017). This explanatory sequential mixed methods study explored how high school students acquire and incrementally build their vocabulary while utilizing emergent learning trends divergent from traditional curricula. The study leans on schema theory, critical race theory, whole-language theory, and reciprocal model. The independent variable is literacy curriculum, while the dependent variable is vocabulary acquisition. The researcher utilized classroom lesson observations, one-on-one interviews, …

Exploring The Influence Of Culturally Relevant Texts On Black Male College Students’ Literacy Practices: A Case Study, Beverly A. Fields

Theses and Dissertations

African American males often experience literacy challenges in the American school system. Texts related to their lives are rarely available in the curriculum, and some educators need the skillset or strategies to engage these learners with texts related to their lives. Many studies have documented that exposure to culturally relevant texts may enhance African American males’ literacy practices. This qualitative case study explored the following research question: How do culturally relevant texts influence college-age African American males’ literacy practices? Data were collected from the instructor and student interviews, field notes, and document analysis. Seven African American college-age students were recruited …

American Public Diplomacy And Propaganda Efforts To Change “Hearts And Minds” In A Soviet Satellite State (Bulgaria) During The Cold War, 1945-1991, Kristian Kafozov

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates and demonstrates the nature and impact of public diplomacy and propaganda efforts employed by the United States of America across Eastern Europe throughout the Cold War, focusing on the People’s Republic of Bulgaria as a case study. Bulgaria's unique position as a steadfast ally of the Soviet Union underpinned by a deep-rooted Russian-Bulgarian “special relationship” (based on shared cultural, religious, and political ties forged over the course of a century), makes it an especially compelling subject for understanding the effectiveness of American initiatives in penetrating even the most loyal Soviet satellite states during the Cold War. This …

First Grade Teachers’ Self-Efficacy During Transformational Changes In Literacy Instruction, Amy M. Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

Schools across the county are transitioning from balanced literacy to researched based reading instruction. This shift impacts not only instructional practices in reading, but the fundamental understanding of reading development. Teachers are on the frontline of this huge endeavor. This research examined five first grade teachers’ self-efficacy through this transformational change. One-on-one interviews were conducted to explore teachers’ perspectives as they make this shift. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, (IPA) four themes emerged; lack of training, feelings of disconnect, teacher overwhelm, and passion for change. Recommendations for practice include clear and concise communications of the shifts that are necessary when moving …

Examing Students’ Perceptions And Attitudes Toward The Educational Systems’ Ability To Improve Their Future: A Phenomenological Approach, Fallon Rubin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine the perceptions and attitudes of students towards education’s ability to improve their future outcomes. This qualitative study employed a phenomenological research design in order to closely examine students’ experiences. Participants for this study were selected from a single district on Long Island from one grade. Student participants were all from similar socioeconomic backgrounds and were all eligible for free and reduced lunch through the school district. Data was collected via various methods. Interviews were conducted with each participant and each interview was recorded and later transcribed to enable for each disaggregation …

God Is A Poet, Matthew Wickman

Inscape

Why do we need literature? Certainly, there is much to admire in thoughtful, beautifully crafted narratives, poems, and plays, in gripping stories, layered characters, and poignant turns of phrase. But need is more intense than admiration, more desperate than mere affection. A graduate school friend and Church member once remarked to me, astutely, that if one surveys all the world’s civilizations over the course of known history, one can find plenty of examples of societies that had no concept of private property or insurance industries or professional sports teams or universities or lawyers or finance capitalists or plastic surgeons (and …

Logos-Sophia, Elliott Norman, Donald Wayne Viney, Keith Elliott Perkins, Addyson Kay Campbell, Hunter Hinds, Scott Squires

LOGOS-SOPHIA: The Journal of the PSU Philosophical Society

Logos-Sophia, Volume 17, Spring 2024. The Journal of the Pittsburg State University Philosophical Society has largely been a student publication with occasional faculty contribution

Measuring Financial Statement Disaggregation Using Xbrl, Joseph A. Johnston, Kenneth J. Reichelt, Pradeep Sapkota

Faculty Publications - Accounting

We develop a measure of disclosure quality using disaggregation of financial statement items from the Form 10-K XBRL filing. Our measure (ITEMS) extends Chen, Miao, and Shevlin’s (2015),DQ measure and is distinct from R. Hoitash and U. Hoitash’s (2018) ARC measure. Our measure provides a simple measure of disaggregation by counting the balance sheet and income statement line items, it does not depend on the data aggregators’ collection process and is readily available shortly after the Form 10-K is filed. We validate ITEMS by showing that firm fundamentals correlate to ITEMS in the predicted direction using …

The Trajectory Of Romance Scams In The U.S., Ld Herrera, John Hastings

Research & Publications

Romance scams (RS) inflict financial and emotional damage by defrauding victims under the guise of meaningful relationships. This research study examines RS trends in the U.S. through a quantitative analysis of web searches, news articles, research publications, and government reports from 2004–2023. This is the first study to use multiple sources for RS trend analysis. Results reveal increasing public interest and media coverage contrasted by a recent decrease in incidents reported to authorities. The frequency of research dedicated to RS has steadily grown but focuses predominantly on documenting the problem rather than developing solutions. Overall, findings suggest RS escalation despite …

Proper Names And Political Claims: Semitic Echoes As Foundations For Claims To The Nephite Throne, Lyle H. Hamblin

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

The Book of Mormon contains examples of phonemes in character names that resemble Semitic root words. The possible meanings of the names and their timing in the Book of Mormon narrative provide a deeper level of context to the Nephite political challenges in the books of Mosiah through 3 Nephi. Specifically, the English phonemes for the Hebrew and Arabic root- word for “king,” M-L-K, appear in character names in the Book of Mormon narrative when the people of Zarahemla, who were descended from Mulek, the last king of Judah, are discovered by the Nephites in the book of Omni. “King” …

The Trouble With Technology, John O'Connor

Conference Papers

In contemporary education, technology is either hailed as the panacea for affordable mass education or dreaded as a threat to our humanity. At the European Culture and Technology Laboratory, technology is understood in the context of the Ancient Greek origin of the word: technē—meaning a system or a method of making or doing, an art or a craft; a technique or a practice, even a way of thinking. The tools humans use are not merely a means of intervention in our environment but also a way of becoming human and thus, technology has a fundamental impact on our identity and …

How’D They Make That?: Analyzing The Ingredients That Produce A Google Ngram Chart, Laura Baker

Library Research and Publications

Preprint for chapter in Digital Humanities Cookbook, published by ACRL in 2024.

Chapter Abstract:

Google Ngram is an online tool that graphs the relative frequency of words or phrases that appear over time in the millions of books digitized by Google. It is often used by digital humanists to analyze the popularity of topics, to track the rise and fall of words throughout the ages, and to explain changes in culture and history. Google Ngram is free and requires very little training to use, making it a popular tool for many. It is astonishingly convenient. Anyone can create an Ngram …