Digital Commons Network^™

Global Change Effects On Carbon Cycling In Terrestrial Ecosystems, Guopeng Liang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since terrestrial ecosystems store approximately 3 times more carbon (C) than the atmosphere, they have a significant effect on the atmospheric CO₂ concentration. Although many studies have been conducted to determine global change effects on C cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. To address this knowledge gap, I utilized meta-analysis, laboratory experiments, and soil microbial community analysis.

In chapter 2, I conducted a meta-analysis to examine whether effects of long-term N addition on plant productivity can shift over time. I found that 44% of studies showed a marked trend (increase or decrease) in the strength of …

Fitting Physical Models To Spatiotemporal Observations: Discovering Developmental Regulatory Networks Of Drosophila, Dj Holt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Deep learning continues to solve significant scientific and engineering problems, but the solutions found are neural networks with thousands of parameters that provide no scientific or engineering insights. A solution to this problem, explored in this work, is to learn mathematical models that represent mechanisms that can be interpreted by scientists and engineers.

A challenging learning problem is to discover the genetic regulatory mechanisms that drive pattern formation during early biological development. Using known mathematical models of these processes, consisting of coupled ordinary differential and partial differential equations, we aim to identify the model parameters that describe the biological mechanisms …

Measuring Changes In Motivation In Response To An Online Repeated Reading Intervention With Self-Monitoring, David N. Longhurst

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Reading is a complex cognitive process that is integral to learning, achievement, and future life outcomes. Students with reading disabilities struggle to obtain information and develop specific interests. Unfortunately, many students in the United States do not meet expected reading benchmarks. Also due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has presented multiple challenges for student academic reading growth. Motivation beliefs, such as self-efficacy, interest, and goal-directed behavior, play an important role in students’ education and development. This study examined whether motivational constructs change throughout the course of an online repeated reading intervention with self-monitoring. Five elementary students were selected …

Student Centered Language Teaching: A Focus On Student Identity, Rachel Mano

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

This portfolio is a compilation of essays that describe what the writer has come to see as essential topics in second language acquisition. It begins with a professional environment piece, and then a teaching philosophy statement focused on student identity and interaction in the classroom. This is followed by an essay on observations of teaching. The next two sections focus on pragmatic resistance among advanced learners and the importance of preparing learners for peer interaction. The portfolio concludes with an annotated bibliography outlining the main concepts associated with Communicative Language Teaching, a method that is commonly employed in second language …

The Effects Of A Mindfulness Curriculum On Sixth Grade Students In A Title I School, Jason A. Tackett

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

Mindfulness is being integrated and studied across school settings as studies continue to reveal its beneficial effects. One of the largest mindfulness-in-schools organizations is Mindful Schools, which published a revised version of The Mindful Schools Curriculum for Adolescents (MSC-A) in 2019. While the effects of previous versions of the MSC-A have been evaluated in past studies and shown to be beneficial for students, the effects of the 2019 MSC-A have not been explored. This project sought to identify the effects of a condensed schedule of select lessons from the 2019 MSC-A on student and teacher perceptions of student mindfulness as …

Methods In Costume And Projection Design For Theatre, Jessica Wallace

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

A report detailing multiple practices for theatre design in costumes and projection. It is focused on playscript analysis, the design process, and the final build of the design for production.

School Garden Programs, Food Pathways, And Environmental Justice: Modeling Ethical Frameworks To Reclaim The Value Of Care Work Through Education, Charlotte Borland '22

Honor Scholar Theses

No abstract provided.

In A Galaxy Far, Far Away: Deconstructing Binaries In Star Wars, Joanna Berry '22

Honor Scholar Theses

This thesis is separated into three sections. Section I: “Resisting Bloodlines, Destinies, and Traditions” examines Luke Skywalker and Rey Skywalker’s respective character arcs in regards to their familial lineages through psychoanalytical and deconstructive frameworks; Section II: “Resisting Gender Norms and Expectations” outlines the depictions of the most prominent women in Star Wars films: Leia Organa, Jyn Erso, Padmé Amidala, and Rey Skywalker; an additional chapter interrogates the sequel trilogy villain Kylo Ren through a feminist lens; the third and final section, “Resisting Binaries and Absolutes,” again employs deconstructivism and poststructuralism to explore the utility of masks and helmets and their …

Art Walk 2022: An Exploration In Collaboration And Creativity, Elena Collins '22

Honor Scholar Theses

My thesis project consists of three parts: research, organization of Art Walk 2022, and an original curation. It begins with researching community engagement, interdisciplinary studies, general arts administrative skills, and artistic curation. Using this research, I will facilitate and manage an arts festival (Art Walk 2022) that focuses on interdisciplinary projects created by various students at DePauw. Further. during Art Walk 2022, an installation of original art will be produced and displayed that synthesizes past projects with new ideas. This combination of theory and practice will help me synthesize the many, varied roles of an artist-curator and will allow me …

The Decline Of Mental Health: Pandemic Effects In School-Aged Children Katherine Lenger Depauw University Honor Scholar Program Class Of 2022 Rebecca Schindler,, Katherine Lenger '22

Honor Scholar Theses

This research project examines the mental health impact of Covid-19 on children in primary school. When I first began this research project, there were not many reports on children’s mental health in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. There were already published studies about adult mental health, college students, and even teenagers, but not much about school-aged children. That is what prompted this study. Since I have begun my research, there have been a few more reports published, including some by the US Department of Education, that have drawn more attention to the current lack of sources available for younger children. …

Pain Is Personal: Understanding Pain Relativity And The Importance Of The Biopsychosocial Model, Riley Kathleen Magoon '22

Honor Scholar Theses

Pain is undoubtedly a universal concept; however, the way in which one experiences pain is vastly different depending on the individual. These variations are due to pain reflecting one’s identity which encompasses expansive factors including age, sex, ethnicity, coping mechanisms, and past experiences. Because pain is multidimensional, healthcare providers need to integrate a method that treat patients comprehensively. The biopsychosocial approach prioritizes extensive assessment and treatment as well as consistent communication between patient and provider. For healthcare to implement more effective and empathetic care, the biopsychosocial model needs to be integrated in more fields of medicine. This implementation begins with …

Property Blockchains Have Failed To Realize Their Promise, Alexander Walton '22

Honor Scholar Theses

We analyze the introduction of blockchain technology in the U.S. home sales market. The introduction of blockchain technology into the real estate industry has failed to meet high expectations to streamline operations and reduce costs. Required legal changes in the management of property deeds, high investment costs and unproven technology met resistance in a fragmented industry with many players, some holding monopoly control. Many parties in the complex chain of real estate transactions have resisted the natural Schumpeterian wave of creative destruction which, at the macro level, should bring huge savings. At the micro level, title insurers have the most …

Furthering Philosophy For The Future: An Exploration Of The Benefits Of High School Philosophy Education And The Barriers It Faces, Alexander Spencer '22

Honor Scholar Theses

In this paper, I will present a picture of how philosophy education should be integrated into American high schools, I will build a case for the benefits of this integration, and I will respond to some challenges to the process of bringing philosophy into the classroom. I hope to show that expanding philosophy education and encouraging critical thinking is important. American high schools are in need of new methods of instruction in this era of misinformation and fruitless political discourse. I hope to show that philosophy education is one tool in the project of improving education, and thus society in …

The Red Line: An Examination Of The Power Dynamics And Concepts Impacting The Bus Rapid Transit Plan For Marion County, In, Kelby Stallings '22

Honor Scholar Theses

I intend to apply critical theory to the relationship between historic Home Owner’s Loan Corporation (HOLC) residential security maps and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system currently being developed for Marion County, Indiana. This critical examination will aid in the visualization of current power dynamics contained within the Indianapolis city system, which are partial artifacts of the historic HOLC mapping of the city. Visualizing the Indianapolis city system from a critical perspective may in turn help to indicate who will be privileged by the structure and redevelopment of the Indianapolis city with the advancement of zero-emission and/or sustainable infrastructure in …

Public Art In The United States By Black Artists (1980s - Present), Anthony L. Treadaway '22

Honor Scholar Theses

The purpose of this project is to do further research on public art created by Black artists and to explore how their work has created change by looking through the lens of the specific mural and sculpture exhibits. I will be specifically focusing on artworks and artists from the early 1980s to the present day. In the end, this piece offers insight into the importance of public art in our diverse communities. Public art serves as a form of representation and historically Black voices have been silenced in this arena. The stakes of increasing the amount of public art that …

Adapting A Suzuki And Bornoff Method Curriculum In A Beginning Public School Strings Class With A Class Of Mixed String Instruments, Monica Jane Holy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Perspectives on the combination of the Suzuki Method and the Bornoff Method, and the struggles a string teacher has starting a beginning orchestra program, have emerged as themes through exploration of a small body of existing literature. This study aims to support struggling or first-year string teachers starting a beginning orchestra program in a public-school setting by combining the Suzuki and Bornoff method. Despite a plethora of research that has been written over the Suzuki method and the Bornoff method separately, there is a lack of research on combining the two approaches, particularly within a beginning string class setting. The …

How Homeschooling Happens: A Phenomenological Study Of Educational Practices In The Home Education Setting, Bridgette Whitlow-Spurlock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to examine the educational processes and expand the personalized education theory of gifted and twice-exceptional homeschooling through the lived experiences of home educators at the international level via internet communications. Two theories guided this study. The first was the personalized education theory of gifted and twice-exceptional homeschooling, as it is part of the central focus in expanding the theory to new populations and could provide insight into parents’ experiences in designing their children’s homeschool environment. Secondly, the social cognitive theory was integrated within the findings. The central question guiding this study was: …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experience Of Students Who Have Failed A Nursing Course: Try Again Or Move On?, Deborah K. Tonelli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of students after failing a nursing course, resulting in the students either sitting out a semester prior to repeating the course or making the decision not to return to a program at all. The central research question for this study was “what are the lived experiences of students who fail a nursing course?” This study retrospectively examined the failure of nursing students to better understand how they processed the event, gained meaning from the experience, and found supportive measures that were useful in moving forward to the …

A Standardized Approach To Analyzing Multi-Cultural Presentations Of Christian Worship, Kevin Michael Segner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the growth of the internet, worship pastors can share fine art presentations of the gospel message from cultures worldwide. Since all cultures belong in the kingdom of God, pastors may struggle to validate fine arts performances according to scriptural standards. One of the concerns is the range of interpretations that come from a lack of formal analysis in the literature. Some critics write about fine arts performances based on their own experience and opinion. This may indicate a gap in literature where there is no uniform standard for evaluating those works. Rather than take time to research presentations, a …

The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Anxiety, Stress, And Resilience In Economically Challenged Single Mothers, Gloria Jean Hill-Murray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of economically challenged single mothers during Covid 19. Mitigating the severe anxiety and stress risks linked with COVID-19 has been a goal of public health incentives. Less effort has been spent on studying the psychological issues connected to the worldwide epidemic, particularly among economically challenged communities. The aims of the study were to explore the impact of anxiety and stress of the COVID 19 pandemic on economically challenged single mothers, to determine the needs of this group, and to identify prevention and interventions that might support them in …

A Phenomenology Of Student Perceptions About The Impact Of Participation In The Advanced Placement Program On College Readiness, Leah Michelle Kliewer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand college undergraduate perceptions about preparedness to meet the demands and expectations of college-level coursework based on their experiences with the AP program in high school. Previous quantitative research regarding the AP program has shown students who participated in AP courses in high school do have an edge in college admissions. However, through this study the researcher sought to qualitatively understand the level of confidence and preparedness that former AP students feel when encountering college-level coursework during their undergraduate college experience, using Schlossberg’s transition theory for theoretical guidance. This phenomenological qualitative …

The Power Of Owning Your Narrative And Understanding The Impact Narrative Has On Societal Views Through Media Perception, Anika Ayana James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to understand Black narrative within media communication, particularly how media’s narrative and cultural viewpoints affect society’s perception of the BIPOC culture and perspective. To understand the feelings and effects of false narratives and false ideology on the community, the researcher conducted in-depth interviews and panel interviews with 10 members of the BIPOC community during the months of November and December 2021. The results show

Displacement And Diffusion: Rural Hotspot Policing And Drug Arrests In Southwest Virginia, Melissa C. Minton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Drug production, distribution, and trafficking is a growing problem in Southwest Virginia. Routine activity theory and situational crime prevention theory focus on the specific characteristics and have led to many policing initiatives such as hotspot policing. Many policing approaches, including hotspot policing, have positively impacted the production, distribution, and trafficking of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in rural Virginia. However, there is little known about the impact these approaches have had on the displacement and diffusion of these drugs in the areas where the biggest law enforcement operations have taken place. Displacement and diffusion are common consequences of any drug …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Trust And Help-Seeking Among Black Women: A Phenomenological Study, Laketa Sutton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Trust and help-seeking are two important aspects of human development, growth, and social functioning. However, there are many meanings about how to define trust and help-seeking in scholarly research. There is also an absence of studies particularly surrounding Black women as it relates to trust and help-seeking beyond psychological and medical domains. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study, using Colaizzi’s method, was to explore and understand the lived experiences of Black women regarding trust and help-seeking. Specifically, the study sought to understand how Black women experience and make meaning of trust and help-seeking. Based on Ajzen’s theory of planned …

How Organizational Leaders Are Challenged As Their Organizations Move To More Virtual Or Digital Work Environments, Brian Anthony Ziroli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Organizations are moving toward more virtual and remote work environments. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need for organizations to be able to operate and grow while some or all their employees work remotely. While this change to work environments has provided some opportunities, it has also presented several challenges to organizational leaders. Research has demonstrated that leaders and managers are challenged with communication issues, including miscommunication, issues with clarity, and issues with information and knowledge sharing; a reduction or loss of employee satisfaction and motivation; lack of employee engagement; issues with onboarding and training; and a reduction in performance …

Shallow Well Church: A Biblical Direction, Eric Paul Burmahl

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The author of this thesis project aims to address the need for the deacons of Shallow Well Church to be trained in first-order doctrines of the Christian faith and the biblical church leadership model prescribed in Acts 6. With the development and implementation of the Deacon Training Manual, the deacons of Shallow Well Church will increase in the knowledge of God and rightly understand the roles of elders and deacons in the local church. Ultimately, through the training and help from God, the church will move from its current denomination which differs in doctrinal beliefs from Shallow Well Church. In …

Responding To Wounds Of The Soul: American Law Enforcement, Moral Injury And Religious Coping, Boston D. Ross

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The concepts of moral injury and religious coping are inherently entwined, based on the common reaction of many to turn to religion when faced with stressors. Specifically, Koch (2010) suggests religion is a common means by which individuals, including police officers, may try and cope with their occupational stress. In consideration of the current focus on police mental health and wellness, examining the literature related to moral injury, religious coping and American law enforcement officers serves as a viable first step in conducting further research. Furthermore, based on the extremely limited body of literature on the aforementioned subject(s) independently, and …

All The Counselors Say, "Amen!": The Lived Experiences Of Counselors Who Engage In Colloquial Prayer In Nonreligious Settings, Matthew Ray Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Among the many helping professions, counselors often have a high risk of stress and burnout. Therefore, it is important that counselors understand the types of coping strategies that can help manage stress and self-care, including religion and prayer. The works of Carl Jung, William James, and Poloma and Pendleton present the importance of religion and religious activities, including prayer. In addition, the literature reviewed indicates that religion and religious activities, including prayer, can be a positive aspect in the lives of others to combat emotional and physical issues. This includes colloquial and meditative prayers. However, a gap in the research …

The Effects Of Remote Learning On Slife Students From Central America During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sarah Katherine Richter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Covid pandemic caused changes in education of which we may never know or understand all its repercussions to the public education system. One group of vulnerable students, newcomers from Guatemala and Honduras with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE), were negatively affected. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one SLIFE program sent its students home in the spring of 2020 to quarantine and did not return to in-person learning again until a year later. The purpose of this quantitative, causal comparative study is to investigate the effects of remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic on SLIFE students’ education while attending …

Perspectives Of Librarians On Quality Assurance Measures For Admission Of Students In Distance Education Programme In Nigeria, Justina Ngozi Igwe Phd, Stella C. Nwizu Prof, Christian N. Olori Phd

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The quality assurance measures for admission of students into Distance Education (DE) programs in Nigeria were evaluated in this study. The study employed a descriptive survey design, with a total population of Librarians and learners in distance learning centers in Southeast in Nigeria, of which 206 librarians were used in the study. The librarians and learners were chosen using a multi-stage sampling technique. The data gathering instrument was a questionnaire. Three professionals independently validated the instrument. The questionnaire's reliability index was 0.97. The data was analyzed using the mean, standard deviation, and analysis of variance. The findings revealed that quality …