Digital Commons Network^™

E Classroom+, Ami B. Jariwala

Systems Manuals - 2026

A software platform that enhances many processes correlated with learning is called a learning management system (LMS). It is also known as a management software package that enables the delivery of learning content, resources and activities and also that handles the correlated administration operations. In classrooms, today, teachers, are being commenced with convenience to remodel learning from a traditional transmission model to a student-centered model where students are mostly responsible for their learning. The research conveys that in order to remodel learning, schools require to support a student-centered approach where students can be supported in finding, analyzing, organizing, evaluating, internalizing, …

Kta System Manual, Cayden Garcia

Systems Manuals - 2026

The purpose of this document is to explain the ins and outs of KTA. This includes but not limited to:

- The problem that colleges face when it comes to data analysis and collection

- The history of data analytics at a collegiate level

- Software and hardware requirements for KTA – Developer and User

- The overall design of KTA, how the software is structured and how the stack interacts with one another

- How to install KTA on your machine

- Sample Sessions – including issues that the user may run into and how to fix them

Smart Atm, Majid Hakeem

Systems Manuals - 2026

The Smart ATM is a new system that goal is to create a new experience for ATMs users by creating a different way of using the ATM. It would protect users from germs and bacteria. Instead of using buttons and touch screens, the main input for this system will be the motion sensor. To specify, the system uses Microsoft Kinect, which is the motion sensor for the Xbox One.

This document is a user guide, which is intended to give assistance to users for using the Smart ATM. This document contains an application overview, list of user requirements, the design …

Idioma Tutor, Oralia Mijares

Systems Manuals - 2026

The Idioma Tutor was developed specifically for individuals who desire to learn English through a non-traditional approach, eLearning. Idioma Tutor is an interactive game designed to strengthen individual’s English language adaptation, using an individual-learner approach. The game uses immediate feedback to provide self-analysis for learners. It captivates users and applies best-practices in eLearning and game development to retain and fully engage learners. This system manual outlines provides detailed information for using the Idioma Tutor. This system will be used as a catalyst to support the success of individuals who desire to learn the English language in a fun and interactive …

Solving Rubik's Cube By Using Artificial Intelligence, Polat Coban, Seth Reed

Systems Manuals - 2026

This document will detail a proposal to build a Rubik’s cube simulator, and a Rubik’s cube solver. It is broken into several sections which in turn are broken into subsections.

Data-Driven Characterization Of Counties In The Prison Industrial Complex Using Clustering Analysis, Riley N. Tuccio

Capstone Projects

This project investigates the complex relationship between counties that house prisons in the United States and the rurality associated with them. The central research question explores how both county characteristics, such as variables corresponding to cost of living and demographics of a county, and prison characteristics, such as programming available to inmates and staffing levels, differ across the census-designated rural-urban distinctions. Furthermore, the study examines whether modern data science methods can more accurately define and distinguish these characteristics, providing a nuanced understanding of the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) and its manifestation across various American communities. The motivation for this research …

Exact X2 Statistic Critical Values For Dice Fairness Testing, Warren Campbell

SEAS Faculty Publications

Two questions were addressed: 1) What are the exact values of the c² statistic critical values? 2. Does a dice tower offer improved fairness of dice rolls?  Critical values of the statistic asymptotically approach those given by the continuous chi-square distribution, but the exact distribution is discrete.  The exact distributions only asymptotically approach the chi-square distribution, and the convergence is slow (1/number of rolls).  Th exact distributions are a function of the number of rolls, the chi-square distribution is not a function of the number of rolls.  Exact values of c² at the 90, 95, and 99 percent …

Department Of Justice Office On Violence Against Women Campus Program Grant: Cwru Impact Evaluation, Hannah Regan, Emma Getz, Megan Gergen

Mather Center Research Briefs

This brief reviews the goals of the Mather Center's DOJ Campus Program grant and evaluates their impact on our campus. It also outlines how we intend to sustain this work following the conclusion of the grant's funding period.

Ultrasound-Guided Iv Placement In Difficult Access Patients, Hilary P. Babb Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In hospitalized adult patients with difficult intravenous access, how does ultrasound-guided peripheral IV catheter insertion compared with traditional landmark/palpation techniques affect first-attempt success and catheter failure rates during hospitalization?

Enhancing Colonoscopy Effectiveness: The Impact Of Split Dose Bowel Preparation, Samantha Balestrieri Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In patients undergoing screening colonoscopies, does a split-dose bowel preparation regimen, compared with a standard single-dose regimen, result in improved colonic visualization and adenoma detection?

Optimizing Nursing Management Of Alcohol Withdrawal In The Emergency Department: A Comparison Of Benzodiazepines And Phenobarbital, Brook Kulis Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In adult patients presenting to the emergency department with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, how does phenobarbital treatment compared with benzodiazepine-based treatment protocols affect emergency department and hospital length of stay, medication requirements, rates of hospital readmission, and overall patient outcomes?

Improving Patient Outcomes Through Nurse-Led Care Coordination, Anna Berry Rn

Nurse Residency

In patients admitted to the hospital, how does nurse-led care coordination compared to none, or patient reliance alone, impact better patient outcomes, better medication management and reduce hospital readmissions?

Reducing Caregiver Burden In Hospice Care, Aubrey Martin Bsn, Rn

Nurse Residency

In family caregivers of adult hospice patient’s, does a nurse-led support program, compared with usual hospice education, reduce caregiver burden?

The Impact Of Emergency Nurse Experience On Triage Accuracy During High-Volume Emergency Department Shifts, Grace Littlefield Rn, Mia Cianchette Rn, Benjamin Drummey Rn, Charles Stever Rn

Nurse Residency

PICOT Question: In adult emergency department patients, how does assigning an experienced emergency room nurse to the triage role compared to assigning a less experienced nurse improve triage accuracy rates during high-volume shifts?

Manual Blood Pressure Readings Versus Automatic Blood Pressure Readings, Logan Delano Rn, Rae Hebert Rn, Hannah Rogers Rn

Nurse Residency

In patients under 60, how does manual blood pressure readings compared to automatic blood pressure readings affect the treatments received in a single hospital admission?

Purdue University Extension Program Evaluation Professional Development Pilot Study To Assess Evaluation Competencies Among Educators, Mariah K. Awan, Rama Radhakrishna, Hui-Hui Wang

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

For the first part of this study, we conducted a descriptive research study with Purdue Extension educators to determine their evaluation competencies and their perceived level of importance for evaluation activities. We also asked about their competence in evaluation methods. For part two, we interviewed Purdue Extension administrators about their perceptions of Program Evaluation as a whole within Indiana Extension. The interview protocol questions were related to perceived roles of administrators, perceived strengths and opportunities for Purdue Extension Program Evaluation efforts, evaluation knowledge needed by educators, and possible future evaluation directions for Purdue Extension. We found that educators indicated mid-level …

Working Out Loud Resilience In Cooperative Extension: Results From An Internal Pilot Program, Lyndi M. Buckingham-Schutt, Debra Sellers, Barbara Dunn Swanson, Jody Catherine Gatewood

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study evaluates Working Out Loud (WOL) Resilience, a program designed to enhance resilience through peer-to-peer learning, targeting social isolation and self-determination. The WOL Resilience pilot program, delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach facilitators, included 29 participants and 5 facilitators over 8 weeks. Participants engaged in weekly sessions focusing on 8 resilience attributes. Evaluation included baseline, midpoint, and post surveys; facilitator feedback forms; and interviews. Results showed improvements in resilience attributes from baseline to post-program and indicated high program acceptability and positive behavioral changes. The peer-to-peer learning model proved beneficial for participants and feasible for delivery through Extension …

Using Needs Assessments To Hear The Voices Of Extension Non-Clients, Odunayo O. Omotilewa, Omolola A. Adedokun

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Using data from the University of Kentucky (UK) Extension statewide community needs assessment, this study uncovers the Extension education needs of Kentuckians who are not familiar with the Extension program. Typically, the Extension program development and evaluation model begins with a needs assessment to identify and prioritize community needs, issues, and/or opportunities that can be addressed through targeted educational programming/outreach. As such, needs assessments amplify and empower the voices of community members, especially those who may not be familiar with Extension, and uncover their self-reported need for practical education and assistance. This study investigates differences in Extension education needs between …

Building Community Leadership Capacity Through Extension Partnerships: An Evaluation Case Study, Paul A. Hill, Lendel K. Narine

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This evaluation study examines the effectiveness of the Leadership Dixie program in enhancing leadership capacity among participants in Washington County, Utah. As a program partner, Utah State University (USU) Extension conducted the evaluation on the program’s 25th class, comprising 27 participants (N = 27). The program, characterized by 10 monthly “Challenge Day” field tours, was evaluated using two instruments to collect data on participant learning and satisfaction levels, overall program experience, demographics, and impacts on social capital, interpersonal leadership skills, community engagement, and volunteerism. Results indicate strong positive outcomes in social capital, community engagement, and volunteerism while highlighting areas for …

Needs Assessment For Evaluation Competencies Among Extension And Outreach Professionals, Mariah K. Awan, Hui-Hui Wang, Rama Radhakrishna

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

We conducted an extensive literature review to develop an assessment tool with both quantitative and qualitative items that can be used to conduct a statewide needs assessment of professional development needs in program evaluation for Extension educators and similar non-profit organizations. This tool can be used to identify priority topics for evaluating professional development trainings and materials. It can be easily distributed via Qualtrics. The results of the literature review and the needs assessment survey instrument are shared.

Evaluating The Impact Of A Community-Based Prenatal Education Program On Maternal Knowledge And Intentions In Utah, Aaron T. Hunt, Jenna Dyckman, Kaylee Cox

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Maternal and infant health in the U.S. has worsened, with rising rates of maternal mortality, gestational diabetes, postpartum depression, and infant mortality. Prenatal education is a proven strategy to improve outcomes, yet many expecting parents rely on unvetted information or lack access to reliable resources. To address this gap, a pilot prenatal education program was implemented through Utah State University Extension to improve knowledge, attitudes, and intentions related to breastfeeding, nutrition, mental health, and other key topics. The program consisted of 3 1-hour, evidence-based workshops incorporating lectures and interactive activities. A retrospective pre-post survey was completed by 28 pregnant participants …

Agricultural Extension Agents’ Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Social Media In Extension Work, Howard M. Wallace Ii, K. S. U. Jayaratne, Wendy Warner, Dara Bloom, Julia Mckeown

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Social media enables Extension agents to reach a large group of clients efficiently. However, research on agricultural Extension agents’ perceptions about social media use in Extension work is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of agricultural Extension agents regarding the use of social media in Extension work. This was a descriptive research study conducted online. Findings confirmed that agricultural Extension agents in North Carolina State find social media helpful in Extension work, such as for the distribution of information to their clients and extending its reach to a larger audience. Extension agents perceive that using …

Affirming Farmer Assets And Visions: Results From A Pilot Appreciative-Inquiry-Based Asset-Mapping Workshop, Andrew R. Smolski, Elisabeth Ramsey, Cathy Royal, Michael Schulman

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Cooperative Extension Services and non-profit farm advocacy organizations assist farmers through network development and resource referrals to access information and services needed to operate resilient farms. One method for building networks and assessing existing resources is through participatory asset-mapping tools to document community strengths. In this research brief, we describe the results of a pilot study to test, evaluate, and refine an asset-mapping tool based on Appreciative Inquiry principles. Our goal in the pilot project was to assist the assembled farmers in identifying objectives for a sustainable future and understanding the existing set of resources that would empower them toward …

From Crayons To Career Education: Practices And Perspectives Of Elementary Educators, Christopher Sneed, Karen L. Franck, Ann A. Berry

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Career development is increasingly recognized as a lifelong process beginning in early childhood. While elementary students are developmentally ready to explore careers, few resources and strategies exist to support this age group. This qualitative, exploratory study investigates how Extension can support elementary career education by examining practices and perspectives of public-school teachers and administrators. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with educators in two urban elementary schools. Grounded theory methods revealed three key themes: barriers, facilitators, and supports/resources needed. Participants viewed career education as essential for helping students make meaningful connections between school and work. However, time constraints, state-mandated standards, and a …

Geomapping With Python: An Innovative Data Visualization Technique, Tirna Purkait, Dipti Dev

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Regional Food Systems And Food Security In Rural Mississippi And Italy, Reinhard M. Knerr, Athan M. Gregory, Anne Cafer

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

In the Mississippi (MS) Delta, more than 40% of residents are food-insecure despite predominantly agricultural land use. We hypothesized that limited social networks and non-navigable food market systems constrain MS producers, limit market viability, and hinder regional food sovereignty. This ethnography compared rural Italian and Mississippian food systems through semi-structured interviews of food producers, processors, and marketers. We described differences in social networks between groups that led to differential capacities to share capital and to overcome producer and labor constraints. We also described key differences in governmental and Extension support of local food systems. Finally, we provided suggestions for addressing …

Making Digital Connections: Extension Educators’ Perceptions And Use Of Qr Codes, Kobina D. Fanyinkah, Jefferson D. Miller, Casandra Cox, Will Doss

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

While Extension educators recognize the potential of digital tools for outreach, there are still barriers to adoption, effective implementation, and acceptance. The goal of this study was to evaluate Extension educators’ perceptions concerning quick-reponse (QR) codes in outreach activities, including their effectiveness, integration, and barriers faced when using them. The study used a qualitative approach in the form of semi-structured interviews of twelve Extension professionals purposely sampled from the Ozark region of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Participants perceived the effective use of the technology to be related to their target clients’ age and technological proficiency. Additionally, Extension professionals reported …

Financial Wisdom Across Political Identities: Exploring Insights From A Convenience Sample Of Participants During The Global Pandemic, Miguel Quiñones, Virginia Zuiker, Yiting Li, Hanna Yu

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global economic crisis that magnified financial hardships and revealed how political affiliation shapes financial behavior. This study examined how U.S. residents with differing political orientations navigated financial uncertainty, drawing on open-ended survey responses collected in fall 2020. Results show both commonalities and nuanced differences across political lines. Across groups, participants emphasized saving for emergencies, living within their means, seeking financial support, and building skills to increase income—underscoring the universality of core financial principles during crises. However, distinctions also emerged: Republican participants more frequently emphasized self-sufficiency, often seeking additional jobs or withdrawing from retirement funds; Independents …

Perspectives Of Scholars, Families, And Advisors On 360-Degree Video Technology In Graduate Education, Oluwatobi A. Mogbojuri, Bridget A. Walsh, Matthew Aguirre

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study explored the experiences of scholars in creating and sharing 360-degree videos, as well as the perspectives of families and advisors who viewed the videos. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted online using a videoconferencing platform. Perspectives from 20 participants (15 scholars, three advisors, and two family members) were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three primary themes were identified: (1) barriers to 360-degree video use, (2) perspective shifts and limited change, and (3) storytelling and scholar visibility. Findings suggest that 360-degree video technology may be an innovative tool for enhancing recruitment and retention, especially for historically marginalized groups, through …

Reflections On Participation In Collective Impact Initiatives: Through The Lens Of Extension Practitioners, Omolola A. Adedokun, Marian Jaitto-Jeffrey, Jacqueline Corum

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Collective Impact (CI) continues to gain recognition as a useful model for guiding the development, implementation, and evaluation of cross-sectoral efforts addressing complex social issues, including substance use recovery and workforce development. However, application of CI in Extension is very scant, and evaluation of its implementation, process, and outcomes remains a persistent challenge. Hence, the need for rigorous process and outcome evaluations of CI initiatives to build the literature base. Using a mix of focus group and survey methods, this process evaluation study examined Extension professionals’ experiences in two CI initiatives, with a specific focus on their perceptions of the …