Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Renew, Reflect, Rejoice: Immersion To The Rescue, Pamela N. Martin, Erin Davis

Library Faculty & Staff Publications

Feel burned out from teaching the same monotonous one-shot library instruction sessions? Worry that all of your colleagues are always creating dynamic lesson plans, while you’re stuck using the same one? Forget the last time you even thought about why you’re teaching? As library instructors, we’ve all felt this way. As the pressures and demands on teaching librarians grow, we believe the need for Immersion is more essential than ever. Many, if not most, librarians receive little or no formal training focused on instruction, but Immersion can help address this critical gap and pave the way to more thoughtful library …

The Changing Face Of Scholarly Communication: University Libraries And Presses Transform The Book, Richard W. Clement, Cheryl D. Walters, Andrew Wesolek, Michael Spooner

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

The rise of electronic publication is irrevocably altering the landscape of scholarly communication. Discussions of electronic modes of publication typically focus on new business models, open access, OAI protocols, and retaining the authority of the peer review process in a world increasingly relying on crowdsourcing. This presentation focuses on a less-discussed but very fundamental aspect of the epub revolution in scholarly communication: the evolution of codex-based monographs, and articles to the next form. We survey how university libraries and presses are pushing the boundaries of traditional scholarly monographs and articles, giving us a sneak preview, perhaps, of what scholarly communication …

A Systematic Review Of Psychological Treatments For Combat-Related Ptsd, Benson G. Munyan Iii

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

With ongoing military operations spanning the globe, a new population of combat veterans is emerging. Posttraumatic stress disorder is an enormous issue for veterans, and knowing the status of psychosocial treatments for it seems necessary. The current study seeks to provide a more comprehensive description of the current status of outcome research for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder, including treatments being utilized, attrition rates, percent responders/nonresponder, and population conflict (i.e., OIF, OEF, Vietnam). The literature was systematically reviewed and 10 randomized controlled trials were identified that focused solely on veteran populations with posttraumatic stress disorder. Treatments utilized in these studies included …

Estimating Willingness To Pay For Continued Use Of Plastic Grocery Bags And Willingness To Accept For Switching Completely To Reusable Bags, Jarod Dunn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis demonstrates a surveying method to collect data to obtain tax levels for plastic grocery bag usage. This data was collected through asking respondents about a hypothetical situation in which they were required to pay a tax for using plastic bags or whether they would instead switch to using reusable bags that could be purchased at the grocery store. The respondents were also asked if they already were using reusable bags, how much would the store have to pay them for them to use reusable bags for all grocery shopping trips. From our analysis, people who use reusable bags …

Juvenile Drug Court: Predictors Of Graduation And Non-Graduation Status, Joshua D. Hoyt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Joshua Hoyt and Dr. David Stein at Utah State University evaluated the differences between juvenile drug court participants who graduate and don’t graduate from the juvenile drug court program in Idaho. Joshua Hoyt and Dr. David Stein coordinated this project with Scott Ronan, Idaho Supreme Court felony sentencing alternative specialist. Dr. David Stein has significant experience in conducting research projects centering on drug courts and will be assisting Joshua Hoyt in the implementation of this thesis project. Further, Scott Ronan has significant experience in working with the juvenile drug court program and has access to data that were used in …

Marital Quality, Acculturation, And Communication In Mexican American Couples, Audrey Lyn Schwartz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Marital quality is a broad measurement of perceptions of satisfaction, happiness, and stability by partners in an established relationship. Marital quality has been relatively understudied among Mexican Americans, a population that warrants the inclusion of cultural constructs in any model concerning relationship outcomes. Therefore, acculturation differences between Mexican American couples were conceptualized as a distal context for understanding marital quality. Traditional gender role values and communication style (warmth and hostility) were included as proximal contexts. Data from Conger’s California Families Project were utilized; results indicated that while most measures of acculturation did not impact marital quality, language use interacted with …

An Exploration Of The Relationships Among Connectedness To Nature, Quality Of Life, And Mental Health, Peter G. Tauber

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent decades, a new branch of psychology has emerged—ecopsychology. This field looks at the complex relationship between human beings and the natural world. Previous research has shown the importance of direct experiences in nature for the promotion of human health and well-being. However, it is still not understood why these experiences in nature carry so much importance.

It is possible that the concept of connectedness to nature (CTN) plays a role in this relationship between nature and wellness. CTN is defined as feelings of close affiliation with the natural world in a physical, cognitive, and emotional manner. Previous research …

First-Time Homebuyers' Perceived Preparedness: A Realtors' Perspective, Jordan Jerome Aaberg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Realtors are usually homebuyers' first contact in buying a home. It is the realtor's goal to work in the best interest of the client. Agents provide all avenues of opportunity to first-time homebuyers (FTHBs) such as FTHB programs, mortgage options, and connections with inspectors, appraisers, and title companies. Realtors work with clients and other real estate agents in connecting sellers and buyers and creating real estate transactions. FTHBs have the option to trust their agents wholeheartedly and accept what they are saying to be true and in their best interest, or they can become educated about the home-buying process and …

Reinforcer Magnitude And Resistance To Change Of Forgetting Functions And Response Rates, Meredith Steele Berry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Enhanced memory that is less susceptible to disruption has been demonstrated previously, by presenting more reinforcement for correct responses (e.g., a higher probability of reinforcement) in a conditional discrimination task. The purpose of the present experiment was to extend our current understanding of this phenomenon to a different dimension of reinforcement (i.e., magnitude). This would offer additional techniques for delivery of reinforcement within applied settings (e.g., a classroom) that could promote accurate and persistent memory. The present experiment, therefore, was conducted to investigate the effects of reinforcer magnitude on resistance to disruption of remembering and response rates. Pigeons were exposed …

The Role Of Educational Attainment In Migration Probability And Destination Selection For The Metropolitan Rust Belt, 1980-2000, Paul D. Jacobs

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The metropolitan Rust Belt has long been recognized as the industrial center of the United States. By the year 2000 many Rust Belt residents were leaving these industrial metropolitan areas for other parts of the country. My research looks to examine how deindustrialization triggers out migration in selected industrial metropolitan areas as well as how migrants are selected by educational attainment. Following this analysis, I examine proximate measures of social capital compared to educational attainment to determine which factors are most important for interregional migration decisions.

Using census data for 1980, 1990, and 2000, I find that higher levels of …

Agreement Of Peer Comparison Data Between Direct Behavior Rating Scales And Systematic Direct Observation Methods, Elizabeth Ashley Popescue

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Elizabeth Popescue, M.A. and Donna Gilbertson, Ph.D. at Utah State University (USU) propose to evaluate how a new type of tool to measure classwide behavior in a
school classroom compares to the current gold-standard tool. They will coordinate with undergraduate professors teaching psychology classes to be able to videotape classrooms of students to use as subjects to observe behavior with the different types of tools. The advantage of the new tool is the reduced amount of effort and time it takes to collect the behaviors observed. This could lead to a more efficient way for school personnel to collect data …

The Effects Of The Political Landscape On Social Movement Organization Tactical Choices, Jennifer Marie Swalboski

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis examines the tactics used by organizations in Minnesota and Utah pursuing rights and protections for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community. Minnesota and Utah provided good examples of LGBT movements that are pursuing moderate goals such as anti-discrimination or anti-bullying legislation. Minnesota movement organizations operate in a political context that offers a relative balance of political party power and diverse religious, racial and ethnic groups. By contrast, Utah represents a very conservative political context in which Republicans have completely dominated both the legislative and executive branches for decades. Utah also has a very monolithic culture which …

Late Adolescents’ Perceptions Of A Digital Generation Gap And Perceived Parent-Child Relations, J. Mitch Vaterlaus

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The primary objective of this study was to determine if late adolescents (18-25 year olds) perceived differences between their own knowledge about interactive technology and what they thought their parents knew about the same technology. Secondly, the study sought to understand how differences in these perceived technology were related to adolescent perceptions about their interactions with their parents. The parent-child relationship characteristics of interest in this study were parent-child quality time, parent-child conflict, and parents’ knowledge of their childrens’ behaviors.

Late adolescents did perceive generational differences in technology knowledge in the areas of video chat, cell phones, general social networking, …

Asian College Students’ Perceived Peer Group Cohesion, Cultural Identity, And College Adjustment, Xin Zhao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although there has been an increased focus on multicultural research of college adjustment, Asian students’ adjustment is still a major concern that is under studied. Asian students, like other minority students, may be experiencing difficulties such as changes in family expectations and support, acculturation, ethnic identity issues, intergenerational conflict, immigration status, and racism and discriminatory treatment. Successfully adjusting to changes encountered during college requires the use of effective coping techniques, such as social support, to help relieve the stress. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived cohesion and university-based peer group’s college adjustment of Asian …

Review Of The Lone Arranger: Succeeding In A Small Repository, Erin Passehl

Journal of Western Archives

A book review of Christina Zamon's The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository.

Microfinance As An Effective Development Solution: The Case Of Mongolia, Kjersten Adams

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Microfinance is increasingly looked at as a development solution for countries around the world. Its development and practice in former communist countries, however, has been relatively unexplored. This study seeks to fill this gap by asking how the practice and operation of microfinance in Mongolia compare to global best practices. Using global best practice frameworks regarding regulatory and organizational environments for microfinance, data gathered from surveys and onsite training observations at Xacbank is used to assess Mongolia's financial sector and its relative compliance to said practices. The analysis helps address the question of whether microfinance has helped or hindered Mongolian …

Liberalis, Summer 2012, Utah State University

Liberalis

Freedom to Think, Discover, and Create. The alumni magazine for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Utah State University.

Who Uses This Stuff, Anyway?, Andrew Wesolek

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

A great deal of the professional literature is devoted to developing content and faculty buy-in for institutional repositories. However, little is known about the end users of these repositories. This is unfortunate since great content is of little value if no one uses it and knowing more about users and their needs leads to more relevant content. So, we need to ask ourselves: "Who exactly is using this stuff, anyway?" Since 2010, Utah State University has begun surveying its IR users to answer this question. DigitalCommons@USU houses more than 26,000 documents with full-text downloads of over 800,000. With this much …

I'M Not Stressed: Effective Stress Coping Techniques, Naomi Weeks, Kimberly Stanley

All Current Publications

This publication gives tips on how to respond to stress and how to cope with stressful situations.

Review Of A Different Kind Of Web: New Connections Between Archives And Our Users, Megan K. Friedel

Journal of Western Archives

A review of A Different Kind of Web, edited by Kate Theimer.

Review Of Waldo Gifford Leland And The Origins Of The American Archival Profession, Debra Hansen

Journal of Western Archives

Review of Waldo Gifford Leland and the Origins of the American Archival Profession.

Tracing The Source Of Irrigation: An Examination Of Colorado Ditch Company Collections In Archival Repositories, Patricia J. Rettig

Journal of Western Archives

The history of irrigation is significant in the western United States, which has now experienced over 150 years of irrigation development. When considered fully, the history of Western irrigation goes beyond agriculture and extends to engineering, economics, business, sociology, law, politics, ecology, and more. The historical understanding to be gained from any of these viewpoints depends on the preservation and accessibility of original records created by irrigators. In the West, ditch company records are the earliest and best source of irrigation history. This article examines to what extent historical records of Colorado ditch companies have been preserved in and made …

Ping-Pong And Power Plays: How The Redefinition Of U.S. - China Relations From 1971-1972 Affects U.S. Foreign Policy Today, Michelle Allgood

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In 1972, President Nixon visited the People’s Republic of China in an attempt to redefine U.S.-China relations. Since that time, China has progressed in standing and prevalence and is becoming an increasingly powerful influence in the Asian-Pacific region. The U.S. influence and presence in the Asian-Pacific region has been diminished by China’s growing power. This shift in roles will continue to influence U.S.-China relations along with U.S. relations in the Asian- Pacific area. Using the balance of power theory and balance of threat theory, I will analyze the circumstances surrounding the U.S.-China rapprochement from 1970-1972. An understanding of the events …

Integrating Rural Livelihoods And Community Interaction Into Migration And Enviroment Research: A Conceptual Framework Of Rural Out-Migration And Environment In Developing Countries, Hua Qin, Courtney G. Flint

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

This article presents a conceptual framework linking perspectives from migration and environment with rural livelihoods and interactional community research in the context of rural out-migration and environmental changes in developing countries. Household livelihoods and community interaction comprise two core mediating factors between rural out-migration and rural environmental outcomes. Developing an interdisciplinary conceptual framework is an important way to advance migration and environment research that is built on knowledge from a variety of disciplines. By building linkages across different research fields, our conceptual framework provides an overall picture of the relevant mechanisms through which out-migration affects the rural environment. The framework …

Hierarchical Structural Organizations Of State Political Parties, Isaac Mckay Higham

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

From August through November of 2011 I worked as an intern for the Utah Democratic state party at their state party headquarters. I started my internship around the same time as the newly elected chair of the state party, Jim Dabakis, assumed his new role as head of the party. Dabakis did not have the traditional resume of a party chair but rather had his background as an international art dealer and businessman. He had always been politically minded and involved in political causes, but he did not have the extensive partisan politics background that previous chairs had. In anticipation …

Is Analyst Over Optimism Creating Price Inefficiency In The Stock Market?, Juan Mauricio Guiliani

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

This study aims to uncover the relationship between market frictions, measured by price delay, and consensus analyst recommendations on stocks. Analyst recommendations are publicly available to investors, and under the framework of the Efficient Market Hypothesis, should contribute to the efficiency of a stock’s pricing mechanism by providing information to the market that would otherwise not be available. We find evidence that the more favorable recommended stocks in our sample command a higher price delay than less favorably recommended stocks. In other words, the most optimistically recommended stocks are priced less efficiently than other less favorably recommended stocks. We also …

A Synthesis Of Math Interventions For Elementary Students, Stephanie Toone

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

One major concern when developing a Response to Intervention (RTI) multi-tier program is the procedural elements required to ensure effective instruction. Ten studies were reviewed to gain an understanding of the components that result in positive RTI outcomes in mathematics. Elements analyzed included RTI program procedures , tier administration and tier outcomes . Results suggest that several empirically-based math interventions are being used in RTI programs in the literature and the researchers are implementing options as part of the Classwide , Tier 2 and Tier 3 instructional programs. Intervention progress is monitored primarily using Curriculum Based Measurement procedures to evaluate …

Preserving The Digital Past For The Next Hundred Years, Cheryl D. Walters, Tawnya Mosier Keller, Chris L. Erickson

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Digital resources in libraries are fragile, and without proper preservation, these valuable resources will become unusable. This preservation reviews the importance of digital preservation, the problem with preserving digital materials, and then discusses what libraries can do to create a plan for providing long term access to their digital resources.

Leveraged Etfs And Intraday Volatility, Adam Welker

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

This study provides an empirical analysis to determine whether leveraged exchange-traded funds are contributing to excess intraday volatility. The study, which is centered aroudn the introduction dates of six leveraged ETFs, uses high-frequency TAQ data for the S&P 500 constituent stocks to compare volatility before and after the introduction dates. Realized volatility is calculated for the morning, afternoon, and entire trading day during the twenty trading days before, and twenty trading days after each date of interest. There has been a lot of debate recently about whether leveraged ETFs could be increasing swings in intraday volatility. Up until now, this …

Ethnic Disparities In Prenatal Care Utilization In Vietnam, Ha Ngoc Trinh

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

Prenatal care is credited with reducing neonatal, perinatal, and maternal mortality and morbidity. The main purpose of the thesis is to examine the ethnic disparities between majority and ethnic minority women in prenatal care usage. The thesis also analyzes the effects of age, education attainment, female employment, and region on prenatal care utilization in Vietnam. I employ the Demographic and Health Survey 2002 in Vietnam. Descriptive statistic and logistic regression are the two statistical tests employed in this research. Results exhibit evidence of ethnic disparities in type of prenatal care utilization. Although ethnic minority women are likely to enter prenatal …