Digital Commons Network^™

Conspiracy Theories And The Zika Epidemic, Shawn C. Smallman Ph.D.

Journal of International and Global Studies

After a Zika outbreak began in Brazil in April 2015, narratives blamed the virus on a variety of international actors, including chemical companies and the Gates Foundation. Many of these narratives drew upon older conspiracy theories that had circulated in Latin America during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Whether these narratives denounced transgenic mosquitoes or pesticides, they reflected not only the fear created by a mysterious wave of birth defects but also a profound mistrust of health authorities and transnational corporations. This paper will examine the narratives that circulated on YouTube, blogs, podcasts, and other alternative media sources, which typically …

Public Comment Sentiment On Educational Videos: Understanding The Effects Of Presenter Gender, Video Format, Threading, And Moderation On Youtube Ted Talk Comments, George Veletsianos, Royce Kimmons, Ross Larsen, Tonia A. Dousay, Patrick R. Lowenthal

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Scholars, educators, and students are increasingly encouraged to participate in online spaces. While the current literature highlights the potential positive outcomes of such participation, little research exists on the sentiment that these individuals may face online and on the factors that may lead some people to face different types of sentiment than others. To investigate these issues, we examined the strength of positive and negative sentiment expressed in response to TEDx and TED-Ed talks posted on YouTube (n = 655), the effect of several variables on comment and reply sentiment (n = 774,939), and the projected effects that …

Conspiracy Theories And The Zika Epidemic, Shawn Smallman

International & Global Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

After a Zika outbreak began in Brazil in April 2015, narratives blamed the virus on a variety of international actors, including chemical companies and the Gates Foundation. Many of these narratives drew upon older conspiracy theories that had circulated in Latin America during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Whether these narratives denounced transgenic mosquitoes or pesticides, they reflected not only the fear created by a mysterious wave of birth defects but also a profound mistrust of health authorities and transnational corporations. This paper will examine the narratives that circulated on YouTube, blogs, podcasts, and other alternative media sources, which typically …

Towards A Series Of Academic Norms For #Lawprof Twitter, Carissa Byrne Hessick

Marquette Law Review

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Evaluating The Potential For Social Change Through Fashion Blogging, Nina Anastasia Doering

Journalism

As fashion blogs grow in popularity and number, much research has been done to evaluate their potential for commercial gain. Little research, however, has been done on fashion blogging’s potential as a vehicle for political and social advocacy. This paper seeks to address this gap by examining two fashion blogs, StyleLikeU and Chinatown Pretty, that combine style blogging with advocacy, in order to understand how they communicate with audiences to pursue their advocacy-oriented missions. In a world where fashion blogging is only growing in popularity, but is increasingly tied to commercial goals, this study is more relevant than ever. This …

Domestic Asset Tracing And Recovery Of Hidden Assets And The Spoils Of Financial Crime, Nathan Wadlinger, Carl Pacini, Nicole Stowell, William Hopwood, Debra Sinclair

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract forthcoming

A Status Update For Texas Voir Dire: Advocating For Pre-Trial Internet Investigation Of Prospective Jurors, Luke A. Harle

St. Mary's Law Journal

The Internet provides trial attorneys an additional tool to investigate the backgrounds of prospective jurors during voir dire. Online searches of a person’s name and social media accounts can reveal information that could be used as grounds for a challenge for cause or to facilitate intelligent use of peremptory strikes. Texas lawmakers have not yet provided any official guidance as to whether attorneys can investigate prospective jurors online or how they might do so, should it be allowed. Texas’s current voir dire structure, judicial opinions, and ethics opinions, together, support the notion that Texas trial attorneys should be given opportunities …

“That's How She Talks”: Animating Text Message Evidence In The Sexual Assault Trial, Heather R. Hlavka, Sameena A. Mulla

Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

This ethnographic study of criminal sexual assault adjudication shows how prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses animate text message evidence. In contrast to other forms of courtroom testimony, text messages function as multiauthored representations of recorded correspondence in the past. Attorneys and witnesses animate texts authored by or said to characterize persons represented at trial. By whom and how the texts are animated shapes trial processes. Through a detailed comparative case analysis of two Milwaukee, WI, sexual assault trials, this article attends to the process by which text messages are said to personify or characterize authors’ meaning and intent. This animation …

Social Media Use And Its Impact On Relationships And Emotions, Spencer Palmer Christensen

Theses and Dissertations

A large majority of the people throughout the world own a smartphone and access social media on a daily basis. Because of this digital attachment, the author sought to understand to what extent this use has impacted the users' emotional well-being and offline interpersonal relationships. A sample size of 627 participants completed a mixed-methods survey consisting of Likert scale and short answer questions regarding social media use, emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships. Results revealed that the more time an individual spent on social media the more likely they were to experience a negative impact on their overall emotional well-being and …

Multi-Task Learning Framework For Mining Crowd Intelligence Towards Clinical Treatment, Shweta Yadav, Asif Ekbal, Sriparna Saha, Pushpak Bhattacharyya, Amit Sheth

Publications

In recent past, social media has emerged as an active platform in the context of healthcare and medicine. In this paper, we present a study where medical user’s opinions on health-related issues are analyzed to capture the medical sentiment at a blog level. The medical sentiments can be studied in various facets such as medical condition, treatment, and medication that characterize the overall health status of the user. Considering these facets, we treat analysis of this information as a multi-task classification problem. In this paper, we adopt a novel adversarial learning approach for our multi-task learning framework to learn the …

Hearsay In The Smiley Face: Analyzing The Use Of Emojis As Evidence, Erin Janssen

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract forthcoming

Like And Shout: Brand Loyalty, Framing, And Fan Interactions On The Byu Football Facebook Page, Zachary Anderson Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This research is intended to provide the stewards of social media for Brigham Young University's football program with information that will allow them to make better decisions on what kind of content will maximize engagement and enhance brand loyalty among fans and consumers on Facebook. Using several variables, including the type or theme of content, post frequency, and sponsorship, content was compared against that from the University of Oregon's football program for the 2017 season. The results, found using quantitative data analysis, reveal that some variables have a significant impact on the quantity of engagement from viewers for both programs …

“We Smoked A Gator!”: An Exploration Of College Football Fans’ Instagramming Of Food, Mark A. Slavich, Brendan O'Hallarn, Craig A. Morehead

Communication & Theatre Arts Faculty Publications

The ritual of tailgating is a staple of college football Saturdays, particularly for fans of teams in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Fan traditions help infuse pregame gatherings around the stadiums with team spirit, as fans frequently theme their food and drink to represent their chosen team. New social media platforms—particularly photo-sharing platforms such as Instagram—have taken tailgates to the virtual space. Through interviews with participants who partake in the phenomenon, this study sought to ascertain what fans of SEC teams gain from the process of social media participation. Utilizing the critical framework of symbolic interactionism, this exploratory study examines meaning …

Can Social Media Networks Like Facebook And Twitter Influence The Agenda-Setting Of Traditional Media? Two Case Studies From Egypt., Salma Ibrahim Oda

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to examine if social media content that is widely shared or commented on can influence the agenda of traditional media on women issues namely the sexual harassment and undocumented marriages, to what extent and whether or not the same framing applies when the discussion moves from traditional media to social media. The topics chosen were related to sexual harassment and undocumented marriages which are two crucial, sensitive topics for Egyptian women. Three traditional media outlets were purposefully selected for this study channels. Interviews with the producers of the primetime TV showswere also conducted to assess how and …

A Framework For Using Data Analytics To Measure Trust In Government Through The Social Capital Generated Over Governmental Social Media Platforms, Nahed Azab, Mohamed Elsherif

Faculty Book Chapters

© 2018 is held by the owner/author(s). It has been noted that citizens' trust in public institutions is continuously declining. Low social capital has been confirmed as one of the main reasons for this decrease in trust towards government. As social media offer a number of features that could foster social capital, governments worldwide are embracing these new tools in an attempt to restore citizens' trust. Having an existence on social media doesn't guarantee that it would increase trust; it can even compromise on the reputation of a public agency in the absence of a clear strategy targeted towards developing …

Online Marketing Using Social Media Performed By Star-Up Entrepreneurs In Kediri Regency, Fika Dwi Rahmania, Budi Eko Soetjipto, Wening Patmi Rahayu

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims at finding out the reasons for start-up entrepreneur to do online marketing using social media, the entrepreneurial strategy used by start-up entrepreneur in doing online marketing using social media and the benefits that the start up entrepreneur get in doing online marketing using social media. This study uses in-depth interviews and documentation. The research type is qualitative with phenomenology approach. The subject of research is 5 start-up entrepreneurs of food and beverage business in Kediri regency. The reasons for using social media are various. First it is because competitors also use social media for marketing. Another reason …

Understanding “Southern” Identities And Confederate Iconography: Internal Orientalism, (Mis)Representation, And Social Media, Robert W. Perham

LSU Master's Theses

In light of recent debates surrounding Confederate iconography (flags, statues and symbols), this thesis has three foci. First, the continued construction of the American “South” as an internal “Other.” Second, the reactive perspectives taken by self-identifying “Southerners” who both support and denounce Confederate iconography. Third, the role that social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) have as sites that both disseminate hegemonic discourse and facilitate resistance. Drawing on a Foucauldian discourse analysis of content (news articles, posts, videos, images, memes) published and discussed on social media, I explore whether "the South" continues to be portrayed as a lesser "Other" nationally, …

Film Marketing On Instagram: A Model For Effectively Employing Influencers, Bryce Earhart

University Honors Theses

This article discusses the diffusion process of Instagram influencer marketing for a film as sponsored content moves from an influencer through Instagram’s social network. Instagram influencer marketing is broken down into three major pieces: the influencer, the social system, and the message. Each piece is explored within the context of Rogers’ theory of Diffusion of Innovations to build a model that explains successful campaigns. This model is laid onto a case study of Universal Studios’ 2017 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom campaign to showcase an Instagram influencer effort employed by a major film studio. Identifying the diffusion that occurs during Instagram …

An In-Depth Look Into Cybercrime, Brandon Mcdaniel

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

Cybercrime is an increasing area of study in the field of criminology. With the advancement of technology and the growing use of social media, people are connected all over the world more than they have ever been before. It is not the invention of new crimes but technology has allowed old crimes to be committed through a new medium. This paper explores the realm of cyberspace and how old crimes are being committed in new ways by different countries and people.

Watch Or Report? Livestream Or Help? Good Samaritan Laws Revisited: The Need To Create A Duty To Report, Patricia Grande Montana

Cleveland State Law Review

In July 2017, a group of five Florida teenagers taunted a drowning disabled man while filming his death on a cell phone. In the video, the teenagers laughed and shouted harsh statements like "ain’t nobody finna to help you, you dumb bitch." At the moment the man’s head sank under the water for the very last time, one of the teenagers remarked: "Oh, he just died" before laughter ensued. None of the teenagers helped the man, nor did any of them report the drowning or his death to the authorities.

Because the Good Samaritan law in Florida, like in most …

User Beware: Determining Vulnerability In Social Media Platforms For Users In Ghana, Kodjo Atiso, Jenna Kammer

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

There is a limited academic scholarship that examines vulnerability in social media use for people who live in Ghana. This study examines 1) user motivation for social media use, 2) user vulnerabilities in the online environment and 3) user preparedness prior to entering the online environment. In Ghana, people rely on social media for communications to circumvent an expensive telecommunications system and interact with family and friends who have had to travel for education or business. This study uses qualitative methods to engage with Ghanaian citizens within social media platforms like WhatsApp, Viber and Imo to learn more about their …

Catpanion: A Ui/Ux Ios-Based App Design To Support Cat Adoptions, Chenchen Ji

Theses

Homeless and abandoned cats are becoming an issue in urban areas around the world: a majority of them may carry illnesses that may lead to infectious diseases. Once back in the wild, cats may also harm the ecological equilibrium of urban areas as they are known to be hunters of birds and smaller mammals.

The popularity of online cat-related material has ballooned over the past decade. Within the confines of social media, cat-related matters have gained an enormous amount of attention. Due to the increase in cat enthusiasts, celebrities occasionally help post information about cats and have even helped ask …

The Mapping Of Internet Marketing Potential For Smes Working On Indonesian Traditional Fabrics, Prima Nurita, Ixora Lundia

BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi dan Organisasi

Due to their rapid development, technology and internet are widely used in business, particularly for marketing. Internet marketing generates numerous benefits. This study illustrates and analyzes the potential of internet marketing for Small and Mendium enterprises (SMEs) working on Indonesian traditional fabrics in three regions: Palembang, Solo, and Banjarmasin. The study focuses on the extent to which SMEs working on traditional fabrics in these districts apply internet marketing, mapping the potential, and providing recommendations related to a better preparation of internet marketing for SMEs to tackle competition on a global level. This study applies post-positivist paradigm by using qualitative methods. …

Beyond Higher Ed Marketing: Unsanctioned User Generated Content, Jordan Taylor Salvador

Honors College Theses

The impact of User Generated Content (UGC) on higher-education marketing is an entirely untouched area of marketing research, therefore the current study aims to better understand how widely disseminated this content is among students, how they perceive this content and its impact upon their university, as well as what kinds of students are drawn to participate in and consume this content. A sample of 187 university students at a large public institution were surveyed regarding their engagement with UGC content associated with their school, and the ways in which it may effect their perception of the institution.

The Use Of Social Media Tools In The Classroom: Perceptions Among Community College Students, Shivochie L. Dinkins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the community college students’ perceptions on the use and effects of social media and social networking sites as well as any differences in perceptions based on students’ demographic characteristics. A community college in the state of Mississippi was chosen for this study. This community college is a comprehensive educational institution, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The population for this study was currently enrolled freshman and sophomore students at one of the multiple locations. The respondents in this study were gathered by using a …

Language Educators’ Perceptions Of Their Use Of Social Media For Pedagogical Purposes, Alessandro Cesarano

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Technology has changed the way we communicate, teach, and learn. Today’s generation of college students has never known what it is like to be without a cell phone or a computer. Social media is an integral part of their lives. As technology evolves, so do students’ expectations for a learning experience. This experience goes beyond the traditional classroom boundaries’ constrains. Understanding how to take advantage of the pedagogical potential of new technologies is therefore essential for language educators. Broadly speaking, there is much discussion about the integration of social media in language education. However, little is known about how these …

Effects Of A Multi-Tiered Approach To Impact Immunization Compliance Of Students Attending A Medium-Sized Public University, Emily Watson, Stephanie Muertz, Kate Traum

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: College students in Illinois must comply with laws regarding proof of immunity for specific vaccines. These laws, however, do not guarantee compliance with immunizations. Unvaccinated persons living in highly-vaccinated communities, such as college campuses, are at risk for many preventable diseases. Objective: The primary aim of this project is to collaborate with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Health Service to develop, implement, and evaluate the effects of multi-tiered interventions to increase immunization compliance rates of first-semester college students. Methods: A brief YouTube video was presented to freshmen students, an eye-catching educational flyer was distributed by advisors and throughout campus, …

Just Do It: Sport Apparel Branding On Twitter, Kelsey Slater

Theses and Dissertations

Collegiate athletic departments are experiencing large financial growth in part to their relationships with sport apparel brands. The big three apparel companies of Nike, adidas, and Under Armour control all athletic department apparel contracts within the Power 5 conferences. This study examined what benefits apparel companies receive from their connection to collegiate basketball teams by analyzing the frequency and use of the brand name and brand hashtag on Twitter by fans of fifteen collegiate sport organizations. Through the lens of the social capital theory, the researcher found a limited connection between the sport apparel brands and the individual basketball teams. …

Constant Connection: College Students’ Smartphones Attachment And Close Relationship Attachments Across Domains, Angela M. Pezzella

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This study aims to conceptualize the way individuals, more notably college students and emerging adults, use their smartphones, applying an attachment framework. Recently, research has shifted from using vocabulary akin to addiction, and researchers are beginning to see similarities and consistencies in how individuals relate to their phones and how attachment was originally conceptualized in the infant-mother relationship. Moreover, research is moving away from considering attachment as categorical, and is instead considering it continuous, and as varying in domains from individual to individual. This research used a new assessment tool (the YAPS) to assess college students’ attachment to phones, their …

Echo Chambers And Political Polarization On Social Media, Sathvik Palakurty

Library Research Scholars Program 2017-2018

In the pre-social-media age, individuals interacted with far fewer people. I argue that people have less choice in these interactions. This lack of choice drives exposure to diverse and dissenting opinions. However, post-social-media, individuals interact with far greater numbers of people and have much more choice. This increased choice gives individuals the liberty to ignore dissenting opinions and dwell in their own echo-chamber, a subnetwork within the larger network in which individuals share the same opinion. While some have argued that the design of algorithms favors the creation of echo chambers, the formation of these structures might be individual-driven rather …