Digital Commons Network^™

Career Aspirations And Gender Norms: How Socialization Influences Women’S Professional Choices, Emily Rose Hunt

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

While legal frameworks grant women equal rights and opportunities to participate in any occupation, gender inequality continues in part due to the persistent gender segregation within the workforce. Gender socialization places women into roles that limit their occupational opportunities, so this study explores women’s understanding of their career options based upon the potential constraints that come from their identity as a woman. This study uses a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews conducted with students at Butler University to gather information on women’s personal perspectives on how their gender impacted their perceived career options. A sample of nine undergraduate women were …

The Identity Of “I’M Sorry”: Perceptions Of Apologies In False Confessions And The Influence Of Suspect Gender, Frances Anna Storgion

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Apologies serve as a mediator between victims and wrongdoers to promote forgiveness and enhance moral perceptions, while ostensibly reinforcing the guilt of the offender. These effects are further tempered by the gender of the apologizer. Paradoxically, content analyses show that apologies are not uncommon in false confessions and may reinforce false judgements of guilt. The current experiment aimed to elucidate the role that suspect gender and gender stereotypes of apologies play in shaping observer perceptions of coercion and guilt within confession contexts. This experiment conformed to a 2 (suspect gender: woman vs. man) x 3 (gender expectations of the apology: …

Cognitive And Social Vulnerabilities: Adolescents’ Pragmatic Inferences Of Leniency In Response To Minimization, Madelyn P. Stine

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The current study expands upon Luke and Alceste’s (2020) experiments to explore the effects of minimization via pragmatic implication on adolescents compared to adults in the context of police interrogations. Adolescent and adult participants read a police report and were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions (control, minimization, direct promise, and honesty) to gauge how differing perceived implications of leniency in interrogation tactics impact one’s perceptions of suspect outcomes. Drawing on empirical research on the social and cognitive vulnerabilities of minors (e.g., Bettens & Normile, 2023; Kassin & McNall, 1991; Kostelnik et al., 2006), I hypothesized that adolescents …

‘Dark Grandmothers,’ The Art Of The Individual Over The Craft Of The Collectives: A Case Study Of Klaas Rommelaere And His Madams, Rachel L. Burner

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

An examination of Belgian artist Klaas Rommelaere with a focus on his internationally renowned embroidered sculpture series, Dark Uncles (2020). Despite his role as the artist and the public face of the craft-based collaborative project, Rommelaere’s physical involvement is minimal when compared to “the madams,” the true executors of Rommelaere’s labor-intensive craftwork. This raises critical questions about authorship and reception in contemporary art, particularly the institutional reliance on the individual artist as a figurehead to promote collective craftsmanship. By analyzing Dark Uncles through a post-structural feminist lens and considering the liminality of craft production under capitalism, the paper highlights the …

Beyond The Numbers: Redefining Accounting To Attract The Next Generation Of Professionals, Ella Million

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The demand for accountants and auditors is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, yet the number of students entering the profession is declining. In the 2021-2022 academic year, the number of U.S. accounting graduates fell by 7.4%, marking the largest single-year decline since at least 1994-1995 (AICPA 2023). This decrease in new entrants contrasts with the growing industry need, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the profession. Research suggests that perceptions of accounting as routine, solitary, and lacking creativity or social engagement may contribute to students opting for other business fields (Steenkamp & Wessels 2009). Given …

The Interaction Between Phonological Reading Skills And Executive Functioning In Adults With Cochlear Implants, Tierney Marie Maurer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Little research has been conducted concerning the interaction between phonological reading skills (the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds of language) and executive functioning (a set of processes that are necessary for the cognitive control of behavior) in adults with hearing loss. The current study examined the potential association between phonological reading skills, hearing loss, and executive functioning in post-lingually deaf and hard of hearing adults who use cochlear implants. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) adult cochlear implant users have weaker executive functioning and phonological reading skills compared to their hearing peers; 2) adults with hearing loss who use …

Looking Green: A Rhetorical Analysis Of Greenwashing In Fossil Fuel Advertisements, Elizabeth Schohn Hein

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The world’s leading oil and gas companies knew the impact of fossil fuels on climate change as early as the late 1970s. Despite this knowledge, the fossil fuel industry proceeded to invest money in publicly denying the link between burning fossil fuels and climate change. There is increasing hindrance by American consumers towards fossil fuels as the consequences of their extraction and production become more glaring and evident in the environmental destruction and consequences of climate change across the globe. Growing environmental concerns about the impacts of fossil fuels, like oil and natural gas, from the general public resulted in …

Sympatric Behavior Of Tree Squirrels In An Urban Environment, Ryan L. Snyder

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) are ubiquitous in urban ecosystems like university campuses despite the habitat loss and fragmentation often associated with urbanization. While populations of both species usually do not overlap in their native geographic ranges, gray and fox squirrels are sometimes forced into coexistence in urban habitats where fewer green spaces are available. The coexistence of both species at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana refutes the competitive exclusion principle, and niche partitioning is likely necessary for them to coexist. This study assessed the activity patterns of fox and gray squirrels at Butler …

Embodied Feminist Authorship In Stage And Screen Adaptations Of Mary Shelley’S Frankenstein, Abigail Marie Hoehn, Leah Grace Ollie

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Mary Shelley’s feminist ideals and lived experience have been illuminated by years of adaptation, retelling, and counter-discourse that have told her own story within that of her acclaimed novel Frankenstein. In this thesis project, we argue that through the process of reproducing the narrative of Frankenstein, such adaptations — on both stage and screen — have memorialized authorial identity on Shelley’s behalf, as well as highlighted her feminist outlooks on birth, motherhood, loneliness, and womanhood that live on in her creative works. By first surveying a selection of films that tell the story of both Frankenstein and its storied author, …

Reconstructing A Voice In The Diaspora: Language And Hegemony In Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's Dicteé, Ryann Bahnline

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

“Reconstructing a Voice in the Diaspora: Language and Hegemony in Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's Dicteé” is a close reading into the experimental work Dicteé by Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. The text explores the interplay of language, identity, and cultural hegemony and primarily focuses on how Cha deconstructs language and narrative to critique colonialism, patriarchy, and the diasporic identity that generations feel after losing their voice. The fragmentation of the text mirrors the effects of diasporic trauma, specifically with symbolic violence and the fragmentation of the self. Pierre Bourdieu, Antonio Gramsci, and Victor Turner’s theories — symbolic violence, cultural hegemony, and …

Initiating Partnership With The Persecuted Church, Cristian Istrate

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Implementing Online Evidence Based Educational Program In Diabetics., Michele Lynn Gervase

DNP Projects

Background: Educational online videos about diabetes can significantly improve patient outcomes by enhancing understanding and promoting effective self-management practices. These videos provided by the CDC provide a visually engaging and easily accessible content that simplifies complex medical information, making it more relatable for individuals living with diabetes. Online videos cater to various learning styles and can be watched multiple times to reinforce key diabetes management concepts and strategies. This awareness and competency improve adherence to treatment plans, creates a supportive community, and enhances health outcomes and quality of life.

Project Goals: To trial online evidence-based educational videos in patients with …

Growing Confidence: Women Forest Landowner Workshops In Georgia, Neil R. Dingley Jr., Nicholas E. Fuhrman, Kris Irwin, Elizabeth Mccarty

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The number of female forest landowners (FFLs) has been growing throughout the United States. This growth demands educational outreach for a demographic that is often behind their male counterparts in experience and education. The purpose of this exploratory study was to design and host educational workshops geared towards FFLs and to answer the following questions using quantitative and qualitative methods: (1) Are the workshops changing FFLs’ confidence in land management? (2) What are FFLs’ intentions after attending workshops? (3) Does confidence or participants’ intentions with their land vary with demographics? (4) Are workshops providing a platform to start FFL social …

Data Portability Revisited: Toward The Human-Centric, Ai-Driven Data Ecosystems Of Tomorrow, Mark Fenwick Professor Of International Business Law, Michael Fertik Managing Partner, Paulius Jurcys Senior Lecturer, Timo Minssen Professor Of Law

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

This Article critically examines the contemporary regulatory framework and discourse surrounding data portability in the United States. Using recent regulatory developments in the European Union as an illustration, this Article suggests that although data access and portability are identified as vital issues in multiple policy instruments, in its current iteration, at least, legal conceptions of portability continue to reinforce the interests of service providers and data controller enterprises rather than individual end users. This Article argues that a paradigm shift toward a more human-centric data approach to data governance must occur, under which data would be recognized as fundamental to …

Routine, Twisty, And Queer: Pasts And Futures Of Games Programming Pedagogy With No And Low Code Tools, Daniel Cox, John Murray, Anastasia Salter

Faculty Publications – Creative Technologies

This paper traces a history of platforms targeting no-code and low-code audiences. It connects historical moments addressing accessibility challenges related to computer programming up through the more recent adoption of generative AI in game engines. Across these moments, this paper identifies communities that claimed authoring platforms, establishing their identity by rejecting other, potentially more efficient or expressive options. We argue these community dynamics have shaped the evolution of current game development platforms. By contextualizing current efforts in pedagogy as part of larger shifts in computer programming and game engine practice, we present a better understanding of the origins of platforms …

Unspoken Bonds, Atharva Tilwankar

All Theses

This thesis explores the art of non-verbal storytelling through 3D animation, focusing on a short narrative about the blossoming friendship between a young boy and girl. The story revolves around a boy who uses magical elements to attract the attention of a girl absorbed in her book, set in a simple environment featuring a single bench.

This project examines the unique challenges and opportunities presented by “Unspoken” 3D animation. It delves into the techniques of creating expressive characters and a compelling narrative arc without relying on spoken language. The study also explores how body language, facial expressions, posing, and composition …

Are You Really “Just A Girl?”: A Rhetorical Analysis Of Female Identity Construction On Tiktok, Gabriella R. Molseed

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This paper analyzes the use of the phrase “just a girl” on the social media platform TikTok through a feminist rhetorical lens to understand how female identity is being constructed and defined by the young women who use the phrase. By analyzing fourteen videos using the phrase “just a girl,” this paper identifies themes of incompetence, innovation, vanity, and overconsumption. The phrase functions similarly to the phrase “boys will be boys” by infantilizing the people being described while assigning specific behaviors to gender. Men are expected to be dangerous and violent, while women are expected to be incompetent and vapid. …

Successful Management Of Human Parainfluenza Virus-3 Outbreak In A Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Nabiha A. Bouafia, Mohammed F. Qureshi, Reham Q. Alwetishi, Naoufel M. Kaabia, Dalal Bukhari, Mohammed A. Althomali, Souad M. Alateah, Fawaz T. Kashlan, Hania M. Farhan, Ziyad H. Alhaje

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe the role of infection control measures in controlling human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) outbreaks in the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary military hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This single center, retrospective study collected clinical and diagnostic data from date to date. We collected nasopharyngeal swabs from symptomatic patients and processed using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assays to detect HPIV-3. Results: The HPIV-3 outbreak occurred between December 2022 and January 2023, and affected 22 patients (mean age: 13 months), among whom 18 had underlying chronic medical conditions. Most patients (n=18) presented with …

Managing Refractory Epilepsy In A Resource Limited Setting—Doing More With Less, Ruta Yardi, Kurupath Radhakrishnan, Pauline Samia, Janet Wilson, Amza Ali

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) disproportionately affects individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where access to affordable and effective care remains a significant challenge. Patients with DRE face high healthcare costs, inadequate access to epilepsy surgery, and limited availability of trained professionals. This review explores a multifaceted approach to managing DRE in resource-constrained settings. Key strategies include rational polypharmacy with cost-effective antiseizure medications (ASM), implementation of dietary therapies like the ketogenic diet, and cost-conscious presurgical evaluations. Enhancing emergency care systems, particularly for conditions like status epilepticus, is critical, as is the development of standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols and training programs …

Assessing Student Satisfaction Using Courses Generated By Artificial Intelligence, Althaf Hussain Kallamadugu

All Theses

This research explores the effectiveness of using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated voice-over presentations as an alternative to traditional human-narrated lectures in online education. The study focuses on students preparing for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 exam for Commercial small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUASs). By comparing AI-generated lectures with human-narrated content, the research aims to assess the impact of AI on student satisfaction, engagement, and performance. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative analysis of exam scores and survey data with qualitative insights from student interviews. The methodology includes the creation of AI-generated voice-over presentations, survey distribution to both control …

Athlete Soreness Self-Reporting For Increased Sports Recovery, Marissa Bennett

All Theses

With 70-80% of athletes choosing to withhold soreness/injury-related information from sports staff (Jessiman-Perreault et al., 2016; Whatman et al., 2018), the need for more research in this sector of sports communication is apparent. This study aimed to take a step in closing that research gap by identifying barriers to soreness reporting and taking measures to try and work around those barriers in partnership with a Division I, southeastern, public university football team over the course of the 2024 season. The 2024 season’s data was then compared to data collected in the 2021-2023 seasons. Exploratory research into a Division I, southeastern, …

Bim-Based Automated System For Carbon Emissions And Construction Costs Estimation (Bas-Cc) In Modular Design And Production, Roshan Bandiwadekar

All Theses

Modular construction adopts a manufacturing-like construction process, enhancing the management of embodied carbon emissions in production and construction phases. However, estimating these emissions presents challenges due to the involvement of diverse stakeholders across various lifecycle stages. Additionally, cost considerations often influence design choices and material selections in modular constructions, neglecting the impact of embodied carbon emissions. To address these challenges, we present a proof-of-concept for an automated Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based system to estimate both carbon emissions and construction costs. This system automates the calculation of embodied carbon and cost implications of different modular designs and materials, enabling informed decision-making. …

Essential Components For A Uas Standard Operating Procedure Manual For State Departments Of Transportation, Nurudeen Segun Lawal

All Theses

The integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) has become increasingly essential for improving efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance in transportation operations. However, the lack of a standardized approach to UAS program management has resulted in variability in policies, procedures, and implementation strategies across state agencies. This study examines how state DOTs incorporate the Association of Unscrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Organizational Implementation Guide (OIG) 35 essential components into their UAS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and identifies 13 additional components that address agency-specific operational, regulatory, and administrative needs. Through an analysis of publicly available SOPs …

From The Bleachers To The Browser: Redefining Fan Experience With Ar And Ai In Smaller Teams, Jennifer Lee Wunder

Theses

This project documents the creation and deployment of HootyHoo, an interactive augmented reality (AR) mascot experience designed for the O’Fallon Hoots, a small-scale collegiate summer baseball team. Built using accessible, open-source tools such as WebXR, Mixamo, Meshy, Botpress, Claude and ChatGPT, this prototype merges AI-driven conversation with animated 3D avatar interaction—redefining how fans engage with sports organizations digitally. Unlike enterprise-level applications used by professional franchises, HootyHoo is entirely browser-based, eliminating the need for app downloads and ensuring maximum accessibility for families and new fans with smartphones. The experience centers on Hooty, the team mascot, who answers questions about baseball and …

Countering The Traditional Feminine: The Abject In The Works Of Johanna Hamann, María Evelia Marmolejo, And Regina José Galindo, Sierra Myers

Theses

This thesis explores the ways in which Contemporary Latin American feminist artists have been able to subvert the Western constructed ideas of gender that work to locate the feminine Other as subordinate and inferior. Focusing on the installations and performances by Johanna Hamann, María Evelia Marmolejo, and Regina José Galindo, there is an emphasis on the role of the abject which is used to defamiliarize our established concepts of the traditional feminine in order to allow space for a redefinition and portrayal that excludes a detrimental modern semiology rooted in a zero point epistemology. By analyzing these artists' works in …

The Impact Of Tik Tok Marketing On Consumer Behavior In The Fashion Industry: Strategies For Effective Engagement And Sales Conversation, Latoya Burns

Theses

This thesis investigates the impact of TikTok marketing on consumer behavior within the fashion industry, focusing on strategies for effective engagement and sales conversion. As social media platforms, particularly TikTok, reshape the dynamics of fashion marketing, this research explores how short-form video content, influencer partnerships, and user-generated content (UGC) drive brand awareness, loyalty, and purchasing decisions among consumers, especially Gen Z and millennials. The study compares TikTok’s effectiveness to traditional marketing channels, highlighting the platform’s ability to foster interactive, real-time engagement and democratize trendsetting through its algorithm-driven content delivery. The thesis uses quantitative research to examine how TikTok influences consumer …

Partnering With Parents: Encouraging Families To Take Part In Their Child’S Educational Growth, Kayla J. Wagner

Honors Theses

Family involvement in their child’s education is a topic not discussed enough. While many teachers and parents or guardians know the academic benefits that family involvement and family-teacher partnerships bring for a child, they do not know where to start. Teachers play a crucial role in encouraging and providing resources for families to support their child’s learning. I have selected twelve various tips and tools that will equip Kindergarten through grade 5 teachers with the knowledge and resources to partner with parents and families to encourage the success of each child in their classroom. These tips and tools have been …

Animation Therapy, Leah Bernhardt

Honors Theses

Can viewing a meditative animation help student athletes with their mental health? My creative project involves seven one-minute animations that are based on the concept of the seven chakras found in the physical body. Each chakra has specific characteristics that can affect our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. If we can learn how to keep these energies stable within the body, we can learn how to become mentally and physically balanced. My animation consists of animals that best represent each chakra's characteristics. The viewer can imagine themselves as that animal and incorporate those characteristics into their daily life. I presented …

Examining The Impact Of Expert Testimony And/Or Mindfulness Training On Jurors’ Appraisals Of False Confessions, Izabela Rzaca

Student Theses

False confessions continue to be the leading cause of wrongful convictions in the United States, often because of coercive interrogation tactics (Kassin, 2008; Leo & Ofshe, 1998). Jurors frequently view confession evidence as highly persuasive, even when situations suggest it may be false (Kassin & Sukel, 1997). A confession becomes important when there are no other forms of evidence against the defendant, especially in cases where police detectives are pressured to decipher the crime (Gross, 2004). Additionally, confessions have shown to override other types of evidence when jurors make their decisions (Leo et al., 2013). To address this issue, the …

Staging An Intervention For Rogue States, Shai Dothan

North Carolina Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.