Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Mixed Methods Study Of The Intersection Of Sexual Orientation And Spiritual Development In The College Experience, Kevin C. Snow

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This two-phase, exploratory sequential mixed methods study explored the intersection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning (LGBQQ) sexual orientation and spiritual development for college students. The first phase entailed a phenomenological study exploring the lived experiences of LGBQQ former college students (N= 10) concerning how their sexual orientation influenced, if at all, their spiritual development during college. Findings from this qualitative phase were used to develop a quantitative instrument to explore the spiritual-sexual orientation development of college students further (N= 171). This study provides suggestions for working with LGBQQ college students for college counselors and …

Nato Educational Readiness For The Millennials, John Patrick Kelley

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), formed in 1949 and described as the most successful alliance in history, is facing change. By 2020, the majority of students in the NATO educational institutions will be Millennium Generation students. To best meet this student group's educational needs, changes to the delivery of educational content may be needed. This study determined how Millennial Generation characteristics may change as Millennials mature, how military service may change Millennials, confirmed the international nature of Millennial characteristics across the 28 nations of NATO and predicted the state of educational technology in 2020.

This qualitative study investigated these …

Motivation, Marital Quality, Maternal Gatekeeping, Breadwinning, And Father Identity: Models Of Biological Fathers’ And Stepfathers’ Involvement In Childcare, Jessica E. Ladage

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Compared to biological fathers, there is far less knowledge about stepfathers in reference to their involvement in childcare. As stepfathers continue to increase in number in the United States, it is important to understand the factors that influence a stepfather to be more or less involved in the care of their stepchildren. Few studies have examined both biological fathers and stepfathers together on multiple sets of parenting variables. Thus, the current study aims to compare biological fathers and stepfathers on a model of paternal involvement.

Participants were 306 biological fathers and 69 stepfathers. In order to participate, fathers had to …

Identities And Interactions In A Transcultural Online Collaboration Project, Zsuzsanna Bacsa Palmer

English Theses & Dissertations

The traditional theoretical frameworks and assumptions about intercultural technical communication are no longer adequate to describe and teach intercultural communication now frequently happening through digital networks. My dissertation proposes to use the theory of cosmopolitanism as it has been recently applied in several social science fields as a framework for pedagogical project design in order to teach intercultural communication skills applicable in the global age.

The dissertation describes a transcultural online pedagogical project between Hungarian and U.S. students that I designed according to the principles of cosmopolitan theory. In this project, students were introduced to the basic tenets of cosmopolitanism …

Texting While Driving: A Test Of Self-Control Theory, Charles R. Gray

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The consequences of texting and driving have never been more pertinent concerns than they are presently. As reports of injuries and death increase and are paralleled by direct and indirect emotional and financial costs, it is important to uncover why, even in the face of such escalations, individuals choose to engage in this behavior. This study examines texting while driving behavior in the context of self-control theory and postulates that low self-control is a significant predictor of the conduct.

An online questionnaire was distributed via email to all enrolled students at Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk Virginia, during the …

Playing With Food: Practices Of Consumption Cuisine And Embodiment In Video Games, Zachary Graham Hill

English Theses & Dissertations

The implementation of food in video games is extremely common to the medium, yet its function and placement within the cultural paradigms of video games remain unexamined. The purpose of this thesis is to examine games where culinary practices and foodways are brought to the forefront, making them either a key element to gameplay, or the only element of gameplay. By critically examining the various usages of food in game-spaces, this thesis examines the embodied relationship in video game spaces between players and their avatars through their encounters with food in these spaces. The relationships between player, avatar, and food …

Implementing Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Strategies Using Children's Literature In The Urban Multicultural Preschool: Examining Teachers' Language Dialect Beliefs And Practices, Nicole Victoria Bailey Austin

Teaching & Learning Theses & Dissertations

This study examined preschool teachers' implementation of culturally and linguistically responsive strategies using children's literature in an urban multicultural preschool. Through a qualitative phenomenological design, this research aimed to expand understandings of language dialect and achievement in early childhood education and examine preschool teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and instructional practices regarding identified home languages—African American Vernacular English and Hispanic American English, Academic Language, and code switching. The phenomenon under investigation was early childhood professionals' beliefs and frequency of home language dialect use within the classroom and implementation of culturally and linguistically responsive strategies within the classrooms of an urban multicultural preschool …

Key Factors Driving Personnel Downsizing In Multinational Military Organizations, Ilksen Gorkem

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Although downsizing has long been a topic of research in traditional organizations, there are very few studies of this phenomenon in military contexts. As a result, we have little understanding of the key factors that drive personnel downsizing in military settings. This study contributes to our understanding of key factors that drive personnel downsizing in military organizations and whether those factors may differ across NATO nations' cultural clusters. The theoretical framework for this study was built from studies in non-military contexts and adapted to fit the military environment.

This research relies on historical data from one of the largest multinational …

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Military Leaders' Operational Adaptability And Knowledge Transfer, Vahap Kavaker

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A variety of research underlines the increasing need for adaptable leaders in the military and enhancing operational adaptability is accepted as one of the crucial factors for achieving success in future military operations. In general terms, operational adaptability is the ability to successfully respond to unforeseen changing situations during military operations. However, this study reveals that operational adaptability is not clearly conceptualized and supporting factors are not investigated in detail in the literature. Among possible factors, knowledge transfer is claimed to be an important practice that increases personal performance and effectiveness.

This research conceptualized operational adaptability and investigated the relationship …

Analyzing Driver Behavior And Traffic Flow Breakdowns At The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, Michelle L. Allen

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) is a major link for activity in Hampton Roads. The eastbound direction also suffers from congestion during both morning and peak hours. During these periods of congestion, the flow rate varies in regards to the location of the congestion. This study focuses on investigating driver behavior during these different conditions and briefly investigates the cost of delay due to the different capacities. To accomplish this, per vehicle record data (PVR) is used. This data, collected at the exit of the tunnel, provides information on arrival time, speed, lane location, vehicle class, and time headway. …

Predictors Of Self-Esteem In Children Exposed To Potentially Traumatic Events, Colleen Michelle Ray

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

Self-esteem is not only important for the well being of a child, but the effects of low levels of self-esteem can continue well into adulthood. Past research identifies many possible predictors of self-esteem including: age, gender, Ethnicity, interpersonal relationships, parenting techniques and locus of control. One downfall of previous literature is the lack of exploration performed with high-risk samples. This study aims to begin to fill this void.

Utilizing data from the INVEST project, the current analysis examines predictors of self esteem among 161 children and adolescents aged 8-17, referred to a hospital based Child Advocacy Center due to exposure …

Determining If Development Capacity Leads To The Attainment Of Redevelopment Goals For Six Communities Affected By Base Realignment And Closure (1988, 1991, And 1993), Paula J. Loomis

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

The McGuire et al. model (1994) showed that development of a strategic plan led to higher development capacity, but did not address the relationship between development capacity and redevelopment success. This study examined the link between development capacity and redevelopment success.

This study examined six base realignment and closure communities. Following the Yin Multiple Case Study Method, each community was evaluated on its own merits before being compared with other communities. In this study the McGuire et al. model was expanded to fourteen variables in three categories; citizen participation, community structure, and development instruments. Redevelopment success was measured by attainment …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Counselors' Perceived Degree Of Preparedness When Working With Suicidal Clients, Heather Danielle Dahl

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Little is known of counselor perspectives of their training and level of preparedness when working with suicidal clients. Although professional standards and guidelines regarding counselor competency in this area exists, training may not be occurring throughout a trainee's program, or is occurring inconsistently. The purpose of this phenomenological inquiry was to understand the essence of counselors' perceived degree of preparedness working with suicidal clients, and to provide clinical and training recommendations in this subject area. Using individual semi-structured interviews, 10 participants were recruited, using maximum variation and criterion sampling who had previous experience working with suicidal clients. The results of …

African American Pastors And Their Perceptions Of Professional School Counseling, Krystal L. Freeman

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

The Black Church and its pastors are important in the African American community, and influence many aspects of daily life including education. There is a gap in the literature concerning professional school counselors' specific interaction with African American pastors. This phenomenological study examined the experiences of ten African American pastors regarding professional school counseling, including referral, collaboration, and consultation. The results highlighted three emerging themes: school counseling experiences, barriers to collaboration, and clergy-school collaboration. School counseling experiences focused on personal and professional experiences. Barriers to collaboration included themes such as separation of church and state and lack of visibility. Finally, …

Examining Disordered Eating Amongst Sorority Women, Andrea Joy Kirk

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Eating disorders have the capability of causing significant effects on a person's psychological and physical health. The average onset of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is 19 and 20 years, respectively, making college students a vulnerable population (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). Female college students choosing to participate in Greek life are at an even greater risk for disordered eating (Basow, Foran, & Bookwala, 2007). Using semi-structured interviews and photography, this phenomenological study examined the overall experiences of 10 sorority members' lived experiences with various disordered eating behaviors as well as how these women perceived their sorority sisters' eating …

An Examination Of Supervisory Working Alliance, Supervisee Demographics, And Delivery Methods In Synchronous Distance Supervision, Robert Milton Carlisle Iii

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

The use of technology in synchronous supervision has increased throughout counselor education. The current study explored the degree of technology used in synchronous university supervision across counselor educations programs, examined the relationship between demographic variables (income, location from university, children 18 and under, and hours worked per week) and synchronous distance supervision, and examined the relationship between various synchronous supervision delivery methods and supervisory working alliance. A cross sectional, non-experimental correlational design was used and participants ( N = 673) consisted of supervisors and supervisees from CACREP accredited counselor education programs who have participated in university supervision. A statistically significant …

Effect Of Psychological Capital On Elementary Teacher Stress And Workplace Affect, Scott Stephen Casad

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Calling upon principles of positive psychology, the quantitative study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the relationships between teacher psychological capital (PsyCap), role ambiguity, role conflict, role overload, workplace stress, job satisfaction, job commitment, and intention to quit. Valid and reliable instruments from the literature were incorporated into a 64-item survey and distributed to 830 third through fifth grade teachers at seven northern Virginia school districts. In total, 225 complete responses were received. SEM testing rejected the exact-fit hypotheses and revealed insufficient overall fit between the study data and hypothesized models; thereby, providing no support for the proposed causal …

Categorizing Fetal Heart Rate Variability With And Without Visual Aids, Amanda Jane Ashdown

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This present study examined the ability of clinicians and novices to correctly categorize fetal heart rate (FHR) variability with and without the use of exemplars. Clinicians and undergraduate students were asked to inspect FHR images and determine into which of four categories they belonged. Each participant took part in three conditions: one in which they were provided exemplars of prototypical FHR variability to use during their categorization task, another in which they were provided exemplars of nonprototypical FHR variability to use in their task, and a control condition in which no exemplars were available. The results showed that experts were …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of An Interval Estimation And A Visual-Spatial Secondary Task As Measures Of Mental Workload During Laparoscopy, Levi Parker Warvel

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The goal of the present study was to compare two secondary workload tasks, specifically a time interval estimation and visual-spatial task, to determine which of these is most appropriate for the assessment of laparoscopic mental workload. Participants performed a peg transfer task in two conditions: a normal camera angle and a 90° camera angle intended to increase mental workload. Based on multiple resource theory, it was predicted the visual-spatial task would be more sensitive to the workload manipulation than the time estimation task because it draws upon the specific, as opposed to more general, attentional resources required by laparoscopy. Primary …

The Effects Of Mental Models And Expertise On Running Memory And Clinical Handoff Effectiveness, Brittany Lee Anderson-Montoya

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of mental models and expertise on the ability to process handoffs of information. In addition, the role of active or passive processing was examined. Three groups of participants participated, differing in their level of clinical expertise to represent a novice, intermediate, and expert population. Participants performed an abstract running memory span task and two tasks resembling real world activities, an air traffic control (ATC) handoff task, and a clinical handoff task. For all tasks list length and the amount of information to be recalled was manipulated. Further, in the …

Odu Hosts Fema Listening Session On New Flood Protection Standards, Public Affairs & News Bureau, Old Dominion University

News Items

No abstract provided.

Game, Set, And Match: Do Women And Men Perform Differently In Competitive Situations?, Michael Jetter, Jay K. Walker

Economics Faculty Publications

This paper analyzes potential gender differences in competitive environments using a sample of over 100,000 professional tennis matches. We focus on two phenomena of the labor and sports economics literature: the hot-hand and clutch-player effects. First, we find strong evidence for the hot-hand (cold-hand) effect. Every additional win in the most recent ten Tour matches raises the likelihood of prevailing in the current encounter by 3.1 (males) to 3.3 percentage points (females). Second, top male and female players are excelling in Grand Slam tournaments, arguably the most important events in tennis. For men, we also find evidence for top players …

Tools For Managing The Past Web, Michele C. Weigle

Computer Science Presentations

PDF of a powerpoint presentation from an Old Dominion University - ECE Department Seminar, February 20, 2015. Also available on Slideshare.

Panel - Real World Applications: Overview Of Virginia Beach Center For Gis' Geoprocessing Of Storm Surge Models, Dave Arnold

January 23, 2015: Storm Surge Modeling Tools for Planning and Response

No abstract provided.

Storm Surge And Street-Level Inundation Modeling In New York City During Hurricane Sandy, Harry V. Wang, Derek Loftis, Zhou Liu, Jay Titlow, David Forrest, Joseph Zhang

January 23, 2015: Storm Surge Modeling Tools for Planning and Response

No abstract provided.

The Storm Surge Hazard, Jeff Orrock

January 23, 2015: Storm Surge Modeling Tools for Planning and Response

No abstract provided.

Applications Of The Adcirc Storm Surge, Tide, And Wind-Wave Model, Rick Luettich, Brian Blanton

January 23, 2015: Storm Surge Modeling Tools for Planning and Response

No abstract provided.

Agenda, Hr Adaptation Forum

January 23, 2015: Storm Surge Modeling Tools for Planning and Response

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Storm Surge Modeling, Rick Luettich

January 23, 2015: Storm Surge Modeling Tools for Planning and Response

No abstract provided.

Merging Two Worlds: Agent-Based Simulation Methods For Autonomous Systems, Andreas Tolk

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Faculty Publications

This chapter recommends the increased use of agent-based simulation methods to support the design, development, testing, and operational use of autonomous systems. This recommendation is motivated by deriving taxonomies for intelligent software agents and autonomous robotic systems from the public literature, which shows their similarity: intelligent software agents can be interpreted as the virtual counterparts of autonomous robotic systems. This leads to examples of how simulation can be used to significantly improve autonomous system research and development in selected use cases. The chapter closes with observations on the operational effects of possible emergent behaviour and the need to align the …