Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Classroom Contexts: Teachers Talk Teaching Media Literacy, Sakshi Bhalla, Michelle R. Nelson, Michael Spikes

Journal of Media Literacy Education

In this study, we examine the lived experiences of educators who engage with youth through media literacy education. While prior research has examined the efficacy of media literacy education interventions, little attention has been paid to the contexts in which these are conducted. Our analysis of 20 semistructured interviews reveals how the structural context illuminates several “divides,” shaping how media literacy is taught and experienced. Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) teachers and high school students inhabit distinct media worlds, shaping their media understanding differently; (2) the socio-economic status of the school determines whether media literacy is taught …

Battle Cry To “Do The Research”: Vulnerability To Qanon, Alt Media, And Low News Media Literacy, Kaye D. Sweetser, Kalyca Lynn Becktel

Journal of Media Literacy Education

This survey (N = 579) investigated news media literacy among those likely to believe in the conspiracy theories of QAnon. Vulnerability to belief in QAnon conspiracies was predicted by a media diet of alternative media such as 4chan and SnapChat. Those vulnerable to QAnon conspiracy theories had lower news media literacy scores than those who appeared to be resistant to QAnon theories, and rated themselves with lower need for cognition and higher cynicism. Vulnerability to QAnon was predicted by a belief in other specific conspiracy theories, low value of news media literacy, less understanding of the news business, belief …

Disinformation Awareness Via Sms? Exploring A New Modality For Boosting Adult Media Literacy, Jannie Lilja, Ester Tottie, Niklas Eklund, Tobias Lindé, Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Given a rapidly evolving disinformation environment, many initiatives are currently being developed to counter the harmful impacts of disinformation. The aim of this study is to explore how an SMS intervention, as a hitherto untested modality for raising awareness of disinformation with promising potential and wide reach, could boost media literacy among adults. We probe the effects on a national sample of adult Swedish respondents (N = 2536). An initial survey is followed by a five-week text messaging intervention and concluded with a second survey. Respondents’ objective ability to identify false information, and their subjective perceptions of attitude and …

Generalizability Of Existing Ai Models For Automatic Disfluency Detection In Children's Speech, Caryn W. C. Iwakiri

Master's Theses

Achieving consensus in identifying disfluencies and diagnosing developmental stuttering has been a significant challenge for many clinicians, particularly in young bilingual children, who tend to show increased disfluencies. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to recognize more complex yet systematic patterns that might not be easily observable by even trained clinicians. It also has the potential to bring consistency in the measurement of stuttered speech. This study compares the performance of four AI models, their performance on detecting disfluencies including both stutter-like-disfluencies (SLD) and typical disfluencies (TD) in monolingual and bilingual children's data, then explores whether increasing the quantity of …

Investigating The Complexity Of Language Acquisition For Linguistically Diverse Children, Krittin Srisajjakul

Master's Theses

Understanding the natural productions of children's early expressive language development is important to support their development. These natural productions may also be especially complex in children with diverse linguistic backgrounds. A challenge for clinicians is how to assess these natural productions for children’s early expressive language milestones. For example, what does it mean for children to say the same word in two languages and refer to the same concept (e.g., “water” and “agua”)? Or refer to two different concepts, (e.g., “water” and “leche” (milk))? By understanding how children’s expressive language connects to conceptual understanding, clinicians can better support language learning. …

Public Understanding Of And Engagement With Community Health Workers And Promotores De Salud: Findings From Two National Surveys, Elizabeth A. Rohan, Julie S. Townsend, Andrea Torres, Hope L. Thompson, Dawn M. Holman, Avid Reza, Felicia Solomon Tharpe, Erin Caple, Ashley Wennerstrom

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Community health workers (CHWs) can improve health by helping people navigate health care services and systems and connecting them to community services that address nonmedical factors such as food insecurity, housing, and transportation. While CHWs have long been part of the US public health system, there are no data, to our knowledge, on the public's familiarity and interactions with CHWs. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2022 Porter Novelli FallStyles and Estilos surveys, online market research surveys of the general public delivered in English (FallStyles) or primarily Spanish (Estilos). Each survey asked the same 4 questions on familiarity and …

Lindenwood Digest, July 23, 2025, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

The Lindenwood Digest has been a digital employee newsletter since 2009.

Measured, Baked And Glazed: Predicting Sales And Securing Wholesale Accounts For Donut Star, Robert Beal-Lancaster

Strategic Communication Master of Arts Thesis Projects

Applied research was conducted, which included reviewing news articles, industry reports, and descriptions of state licensure. Key insights revealed that the bakery's current challenges influenced previous owners to sell Donut Star. This project is the first to gather data and provide a strategic analysis for Donut Star. It aims to help Donut Star increase wholesale accounts and incentivize direct consumers to preorder. Diffusion of Innovation Theory was used to develop the communication strategy. Primary research included in-depth interviews with management and observations of direct consumers. Findings revealed that Donut Star was not making ordering information readily available or effectively tracking …

Project Go, Project Grow: Increasing Participation In Environmental Education, Elizabeth Mettin

Strategic Communication Master of Arts Thesis Projects

Project Get Outdoors, LLC, or Project GO, is a non-profit organization based in Wabasha, Minnesota. The organization’s mission is to provide outdoor experiences that develop healthy kids, particularly for underprivileged and marginalized youth. They do this through training and supporting Southeastern Minnesota community organization leaders and volunteers. Project GO provides three types of outdoor training including Early Childhood Training, Traditional Leadership Training, and Minnesota Master Naturalist Training. The organization has served over 500 adults and 50,000 youth in its 20 years of operation. This project uses research and analysis to uncover strategic and creative solutions to address how Project GO …

The M State Advantage: Engaging Community College Students And Alumni To Cultivate A Culture Of Giving, Shannon M. Britten

Strategic Communication Master of Arts Thesis Projects

This project examines M State Foundation and Alumni’s efforts to increase donations from the alumni of Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State). The donations provide scholarships, emergency grants, food pantry supplies, and academic program support. The Foundation has consistently fallen short of fundraising goals, but with over 19,000 alumni, an opportunity exists to rebuild engagement after years of disconnection due to name changes and mergers. This project leverages research and analysis to develop strategic, data-driven solutions to increase donations by appealing to current students and alumni. A review of institutional effectiveness data, operational metrics, and industry reports provided …

Setting Course For The Future At Westfield Golf Club, Lisa L. Kinowski

Strategic Communication Master of Arts Thesis Projects

Westfield Golf Course is a public golf course in Winona, Minnesota. Westfield opened for business in 1923 and is operated by Westfield, LLC, and overseen by a board of directors that ensures compliance with the terms of a deed for the land on which Westfield sits. The golf course has seen consistent success since its inception, but due to changing economics and increased competition, its membership has declined from a high of approximately 1,200 members in the 1980s to around 300 today. This project uses research and analysis to uncover strategic and creative solutions to address Westfield’s challenges. A review …

Creating A Legacy: Dipping Into The Business Of Selling Ink Artwork, Janelle Sather

Strategic Communication Master of Arts Thesis Projects

Peaceful Wisconsin LLC is a dip pen ink art business in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This project uses research and analysis to uncover strategic and creative solutions to address the business’s core problem of customers not having a way to purchase the company’s artwork. A review of applied research was conducted, which included residential demographic information, art sale methods and statistics, Twitch viewership data, and the company’s financial statements. Key findings showed there is a strong potential market for selling art, and the company can become profitable with minimal sales. The company has never conducted research or a strategic analysis of …

Parlez-Vous Francais? You Betcha: Revitalizing A French Cultural Center By Connecting To Its Minnesota Roots, Ashley Flygare

Strategic Communication Master of Arts Thesis Projects

The Alliance Française Minneapolis–St. Paul (AFMSP) is Minnesota’s only cultural center dedicated exclusively to the French language and francophone cultures. In recent years, participation in its programs and offerings has declined, threatening its financial sustainability. This project utilizes strategic communication research and theory to develop solutions that enhance AFMSP’s community engagement and relevance. A review of organizational performance data, industry reports, and local cultural trends revealed the need for more targeted and persuasive communication efforts. Using Framing Theory and Aristotle’s Theory of Persuasion, this project examines how messaging strategies can be designed to shape public perception and motivate action through …

Christian Identity And Commercialization: A Rhetorical Case Study Of Faith-Based Nil Branding In College Athletics, Santiago Diaz Finochietto

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

This project, “Christian Identity and Commercialization: A Rhetorical Case Study of Faith-Based NIL Branding in College Athletics," explores the intersection of faith, personal branding, and commercialization in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in collegiate athletics, with a specific focus on Christian student-athletes. Since the NCAA's 2021 policy change allowing athletes to profit from NIL, student-athletes have been thrust into a complex landscape of sponsorships, digital branding, and entrepreneurial identity. While this shift offers unprecedented opportunities, it also presents ethical and spiritual dilemmas, particularly for Christian athletes seeking to integrate their faith into their public and commercial presence …

Black Men And Health Literacy: Strategies For Improvement In A Digital Age Through The Adaptation Of A Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Evelina Weidman Sterling, Laura Stevens, Vanessa Robinson-Dooley, Tyler Collette

Faculty Articles

Health literacy is a critical determinant of health outcomes, yet it is often overlooked, particularly among marginalized groups. This paper explores the significance of health literacy, with a particular focus on low-income African American and Black (AA/B) men, a population that faces unique challenges due to intersecting factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and educational disparities. We examine how these factors contribute to health literacy gaps, highlighting adverse effects on health outcomes for AA/B men compared to the general population. Additionally, we stress the growing importance of digital literacy in an increasingly technology-driven world. Not actively addressing digital health …

Enhancing Medication Communication In The Acute Care Setting To Strengthen Patient Comprehension And Retention, Ashleigh C. Christensen

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Research has shown that breakdowns in communication, especially in the context of medication education, play a critical role in the delivery of safe and effective patient care. These findings underscore the need to prioritize effective communication in medication education. In the acute care setting, effective communication is essential for ensuring patient safety, adherence, and improved patient-centered outcomes.

PICOT: In clinical staff providing direct patient care in the acute care setting (P), does the implementation of the evidence-based teach-back method (I), as compared to current practice (C), improve patient knowledge, understanding, and self-management upon discharge (O), over ten weeks …

Understanding Socio-Environmental Concerns About Bear Lake: Findings From A Community-Engaged Teaching Study, Stacia Ryder, Alexander Theophilus, Charlotte Emelia Williams, Elizabeth Brunner, Jessica Ulrich-Schad, Mufti Nadimul Quamar Ahmed, Zubair Barkat, Nowrin Fatema, Jordan Rowley

Transforming Communities

In the western U.S., climate change is exacerbating already difficult situations in many lake systems, including Bear Lake, which spans the Idaho-Utah border and faces several environmental issues and a new wave of recreational development. In this research note, we discuss preliminary findings from community-engaged research aimed at assessing different concerns that scientists, residents, and community organizations have for Bear Lake and the surrounding communities. To do so, this project connects student research across three courses. Data collected through archival and interview research provides important insights into the socio-environmental concerns related to 1) ecological threats, 2) water management, quality, and …

From Embarrassment To Prejudice: Online “Cringe Culture” As An Affective And Social Phenomenon, Maxwell Seebold

Sociology Summer Fellows

When scrolling through the myriad content found online, you’re bound to find something that leaves you with negative emotions strong enough that you cringe. While this is largely an involuntary response, “cringe” becoming an adjective, and therefore a label, occurs due to the conscious othering of a user for the nature or presentation of their content. This project conceptualizes cringe as a multidimensional phenomenon rather than a singular emotion, which allows us to more easily make sense of how online cringe specifically has morphed into what is colloquially known as “cringe culture.” Through analysis of academic literature (from disciplines ranging …

Straddling The Boundary Of Misleading Information Group: Exploring The Association Between Network Brokerage And Morality Expressions, Yiqi Li, Marina Mitiaeva, Ximeng Deng, Una Joh, Yafei Zhang

iSchool - All Scholarship

Existing misleading information studies mostly focus on either the message content or social network structures, overlooking the association between the content and structural factors. This research examines the role of brokers, the key network actors straddling between misleading and true/regular information groups. Content-wise, morality expressions are examined, which signal social media users’ expressions toward what is right and wrong. This research provides insights into the understudied relationship between network brokerage and moral expressions and identifies connections between moral foundation and network brokerage theories. Findings suggest that binding morality (i.e., authority and loyalty) is dominant among network brokers. Practical strategies are …

Using Artificial Intelligence To Improve Customer Engagement: User Experience With Chatbot Technology, Aicha Zemmouri, Salma Choufari

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on improving customer loyalty through the use of chatbot technology, with a specific focus on the user experience of Moroccan consumers. The increasing integration of AI into customer service, especially through chatbots, represents a significant shift in how companies interact with their customers. Given Morocco’s growing digitalization and the strategic importance of customer loyalty, it is critical to understand how consumers perceive and interact with these technologies. To achieve this, the study used a qualitative research method of semi-structured interviews to investigate consumers’ perceptions, interaction behaviours, and challenges with chatbot usage. …

2025, 1(20)

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

Full Issue 2025, 1(20)

Lindenwood Digest, July 16, 2025, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

The Lindenwood Digest has been a digital employee newsletter since 2009.

Care Coordination In Pediatric Primary Care, Alyssa K. Durzo

Dissertations

No central documentation of care plans exists for children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) in the electronic health record (EHR). Providers of a large pediatric primary care office in St. Louis Missouri were asked to identify CSHCN in the practice. Clinic nurses completed a comprehensive chart review of the patients identified and constructed care coordination documents using a pre-established smart-text phrase. Subsequently, these were documented centrally in the EHR under the Problem List.

Likert score data was obtained from providers on the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention through the verified tools: Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness …

Everyday Life In The U.S.: An Intersectional Approach To A North Korean Refugee Woman’S Identities, And Experiences, Lyounghee Kim

Communication ETDs

This dissertation examines everyday experiences of a North Korean refugee woman in the U.S., centering her narratives as sites of critique, resistance, and meaning-making. Grounded in Critical Refugee Studies, Asian American Studies, and Critical Intercultural Communication and framed by intersectionality, it explores how interlocking structures of power shape and are shaped by her life. Rather than focusing solely on trauma or assimilation, this study highlights her digital storytelling, faith, and mutual aid practices as acts of survival, dignity, and moral agency. Using a qualitative, narrative inquiry approach grounded in critical reflexivity, it thematically analyzes her stories to reveal how she …

Patient Information Needs During Ambulatory Medication Changes: A Qualitative Study, Elaine Giletta, Vanessa B. Hurley, Yushi Yang, Jessica L. Schwartz, Rabia Jalalzai, Nicole L. Mollenkopf, Raquel Mayne, Samantha I. Pitts

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: We performed interviews with patients and caregivers to explore whole-person, whole-regimen information needs at times of routine outpatient medication changes. We categorized information needs in this relatively unstudied context and identified which needs were commonly recognized as insufficiently met.

Methods: We explored the content of the semi-structured interviews, which involved nine patients and two caregivers of pediatric patients, all of whom experienced a recent medication change in the outpatient setting of a large urban academic healthcare system. We used inductive thematic analysis to organize information needs into categories to identify key information gaps.

Results: We identified five categories of …

Effects Of Political Predispositions, Media Use, And Media Evaluation On Policy Malaise Among Indonesian And German People, Irma Garnesia

JURNAL KOMUNIKASI INDONESIA

This study explores a comparative analysis of Germany and Indonesia in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of addressing cross-cultural dimensions in global health crises—a field that remains underexplored. By enhancing preparedness for future emergencies, the research critically examines whether theoretical assumptions developed in Global North contexts can be meaningfully extended to Global South settings. Specifically, this study hypothesizes that political predispositions, media use, and media evaluation are associated with policy malaise, and investigates these associations in light of cross-cultural differences. Using data from Germany (n = 1,458) and Indonesia (n = 1,043), the findings reveal significant …

Digital Technology Usage In Tajikistan, Siyovush Bobokhonov Dr., Pedro Quelhas Brito Dr., Umesh Ramchandra Raut Dr., Prafulla Arjun Pawar Dr.

The Qualitative Report

The rapid development of digital technologies is significantly changing how people live, and these changes have a particular impact on the younger generation in Tajikistan. Our study therefore aims to analyze the factors influencing young Tajiks' opinions as users of digital technology and to examine digital technology usage in Tajikistan. We conducted a qualitative analysis of the opinions of young Tajik individuals aged 18 to 30 and found that they generally consider digital technology to be an integral part of their daily lives. Data collection was carried out through focus group discussions (FGDs) and the data analysis was performed using …

Questioning In Contested Spaces And Cultural Currents In Popular Culture And Pedagogy: Book Bans, Music, Horror And Poetry, Anna Cohenmiller

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Questioning in contested spaces and cultural currents in popular culture and pedagogy: Book bans, music, horror and poetry

How do the texts we encounter affect, and reflect, the cultures in which we live? How about the educational spaces and the communities we inhabit? How might we engage with popular culture texts to better understand today, and create more inclusive futures?

Missing Information: A Content Analysis Of U.S. Missing Persons Alerts Using The Missing And Endangered Persons Message Framework, Lauren Cain, Jeannette Sutton, Hugh Walpole, Micki Olson

Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity Faculty Scholarship

Missing and endangered person (MEP) alerts are a prominent messaging strategy used by law enforcement agencies in the United States to recover missing persons, with over 1,800 AMBER Alerts issued via the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system and nearly 40 similar alerts introduced by state legislatures for other groups of missing people. Despite their prevalent use, the contents of MEP alerts have not yet been empirically examined. Drawing from warning message design and AMBER Alert best practices, we propose a new MEP Message Framework and use it to evaluate the contents of 4,053 MEP WEAs sent from 2013 to 2023. …

Lindenwood Digest, July 9, 2025, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

The Lindenwood Digest has been a digital employee newsletter since 2009.