Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Best Practices In Multi-Agency Volunteer Programs, Lanelda Rolley, Donna Grady, Chuck Williams

Interagency Science and Research Strategy

• Strengthen the national fabric in support of public lands.

• Provide people of all ages with opportunities to participate in the enjoyment, protection, and responsible use of our public lands.

History Once Submerged, Now Revealed: Archaeological Investigations At Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Gregory Haynes, Public Lands Institute

Archaeology

Archaeological Investigations at Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Technical Risk Information: Decision Tool Or Rhetorical Ammunition? Undisputed Facts In The Yucca Mountain Debate, David M. Hassenzahl, Denise Tillery, Paulette Laidler

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

This paper examines how both opponents and proponents of the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca mountain Nevada claim that uncontroversial information supports their conflicting positions. Four pieces of information in particular are claimed by both sides: the distance of the proposed site from Las Vegas, the volume of waste that has been produced, the threat of terrorism since 9/11/01, and the occurrence of an earthquake in early 2002. Possible explanations for the difference include naive positivism, social constructionism, persistent beliefs and implicit warrants. The latter two models better explain observed knowledge/preference states. If so, more or better information …

Microwave Backscatter Modeling Of Erg Surfaces In The Sahara Desert, Haroon Stephen, David G. Long

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

The Sahara Desert includes large expanses of sand dunes called ergs. These dunes are formed and constantly reshaped by prevailing winds. Previous study shows that Saharan ergs exhibit significant radar backscatter (σ°) modulation with azimuth angle (f). We use σ° measurements observed at various incidence angles and f from the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT), the SeaWinds scatterometer, the ERS scatterometer (ESCAT), and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission's Precipitation Radar to model the σ° response from sand dunes. Observations reveal a characteristic relationship between the backscatter modulation and the dune type, i.e., the number and orientation of the dune slopes. Sand dunes …

Modeling Microwave Emissions Of Erg Surfaces In The Sahara Desert, Haroon Stephen, David G. Long

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

Sand seas (ergs) of the Sahara are the most dynamic parts of the desert. Aeolian erosion, transportation, and deposition continue to reshape the surface of the ergs. The large-scale features (dunes) of these bedforms reflect the characteristics of the sand and the long-term wind. Radiometric emissions from the ergs have strong dependence on the surface geometry. We model the erg surface as composed of tilted rough facets. Each facet is characterized by a tilt distribution dependent upon the surface roughness of the facet. The radiometric temperature (T(b)) of ergs is then the weighted sum of the T(b) from all the …

Southern Nevada Guide: Tree Selection And Care, City Of Las Vegas, Nevada

Publications (SD)

Trees for Tomorrow was created to educate Southern Nevada residents on the benefits of trees and to help homeowners choose the right trees for their landscape setting. The goal of this booklet is to help homeowners successfully select and establish trees. This Centennial edition recognizes the 100-year celebration of the founding of the City of Las Vegas. Planting trees is a necessary adaptation to human settlement in arid environments. A strong, healthy community forest is built tree by tree, home by home. Tree canopies help to reduce energy demands, reduce water demands, reduce local air temperatures, reduce air pollution, provide …

Northwest Open Space Plan, Greenways Incorporated

Publications (SD)

The purpose of this Open Space Plan is to protect non-programmed and programmed open space which in the future can be devoted to 1) the preservation of natural resources; 2) outdoor recreation; 3) preservation of hsitoric and cultural property; 4) protection of scenic landscapes; and 5) protection of public health, safety and welfare. To accomplish this purpose, the city of Las Vegas needs to adopt aggressive policies and programs that balance growth with natural resource conservation. The city is in need of a stewardship program that protects valued open space before it is permanently lost to development.

Conservation Element Of The Las Vegas 2020 Master Plan, City Of Las Vegas, Nevada

Publications (SD)

There is a dual purpose to the Las Vegas 2020 Master Plan Conservation Element. The first purpose is to address the requirements of state law, as provided in the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 278.150(4). This section of the NRS requires that governing bodies in Nevada counties with a population of 400,000 or more ensure that their master plans address a stipulated list of subjects, including a conservation plan.

Rehabilitating The Importance Of The Non-Cognitive: An Interview With MichèLe Lamont, Despina Lalaki

Publications and Research

In spring of 2006, Michèle Lamont, Professor of Sociology and African and African-American Studies at Harvard University, was invited to give a lecture for the New Sociological Imagination Lecture Series, organized by the New School for Social Research. This lecture concerned her book Cream Rising: How Peer Review Finds and Defines Excellence in the Social Sciences and the Humanities, which is to be published by Harvard University Press in 2008. Drawing on 81 interviews with panelists serving on five multidisciplinary fellowship competitions in the social sciences and the humanities, the book analyzes (1) the meaning panelists give to academic excellence—including …

The Evolving Impact Of Institutional Repositories On Reference Librarians, Marianne A. Buehler, Adwoa Boateng

Library Faculty Research

Purpose – The paper's purpose is to share the insights that the staff of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Libraries (Wallace Library, RIT Archives, and the Cary Collection) gained into the role of reference librarians in establishing and operating an institutional repository (IR). Design/methodology/approach – The paper conducts a literature review on a range of published (1999-2005) works to research the background of IRs and to incorporate it with the authors' own experiences. Findings – The research findings, involving implementing IRs and specifically the effect on the role of the reference librarian in academic libraries, were found to be …

New Program Growth And Its Impact On Collection Assessment At The Unlv Libraries, Reeta Sinha, J. Cory Tucker

Library Faculty Research

Purpose – Seeks to describe how Lied Library has responded to a rapid increase in the number of new academic programs and degrees at UNLV resulting from new strategic initiatives and tremendous growth of the university's student population during the past four years. Design/methodology/approach – The authors focus on the role of the Collection Development (CD) department in the university's approval process for new academic programs and the role of subject librarians in assessing how well the Libraries' collection meets the demands of new programs proposed by faculty. Findings – Detailed descriptions are provided of the process used by subject …

Metaconversations: Ongoing Discussion About Teaching Research Writing, P. S. Mcmillen, E. Hill

Library Faculty Research

This article is a follow up to an earlier publication that developed the rationale for using conversation as a metaphor to teach research writing. We presented this proposed teaching approach at several conferences, including WILU in May 2005 at Guelph, Canada. The discussions with participants in these presentations validated the tenets of the conversational metaphor for research writing. Here we provide a description of the research activities in the presentations, the subsequent responses by participants, and our thoughts on these responses. This dialogue between participants and the authors/presenters constitutes the metaconversation about teaching research writing.

Branch Libraries And Technology: Impact Of A New Main Library, Jeanne M. Brown, Jennifer L. Fabbi, Cheryl T. Taranto

Library Faculty Research

Purpose – To explore the interactions between branch libraries and a new main library, in the area of technology equipment and services.

Design/methodology/approach – Following an introduction which highlights the major elements in place at UNLV Libraries for networking and equipment, each branch situation is described and evaluated.

Findings – The advantages of UNLV Libraries' philosophical approach to consistent patron access at all points of service are found to be substantial, and include regular equipment and software upgrades, as well as systems expertise. The major disadvantage proves to be flexibility in approaching patron needs.

Practical implications – Provides a philosophical …

Food And History, Volume 1, No. 1. . The European Institute Of Food History, Tours, France. :. Brepols. ,. 2003. . 274 Pp. € 50., Ken Albala

College of the Pacific Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

Inside Unlv, Erin O'Donnell

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Education About The Environment Discover Mojave Programs, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (PLI Education)

Increases people’s knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make informed decisions and take responsible action” (UNESCO, Tbilisi Declaration, 1978)

Science In The Community: A Look At Informal Science Organizations In Clark County, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (PLI Education)

UNLV’s Public Lands Institute is partnering with area-wide Informal Science Organizations to provide experiences that can have significant and lasting impacts on student learning.

Beyond Megalopolis: Exploring America’S New “Megapolitan” Geography, Robert E. Lang, Dawn Dhavale

Brookings Mountain West Publications

The Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech identifies ten US “Megapolitan Areas”— clustered networks of metropolitan areas that exceed 10 million total residents (or will pass that mark by 2040) . Six Megapolitan Areas lie in the eastern half of the United States, while four more are found in the West. Megapolitan Areas extend into 35 states, including every state east of the Mississippi River except Vermont. Sixty percent of the Census Bureau’s “Consolidated Statistical Areas” are found in Megapolitan Areas, as are 39 of the nation’s 50 most populous metropolitan areas. As of 2003, Megapolitan Areas contained less than a …

Integration Of Service-Learning Into Civil And Environmental Engineering Curriculum, T. C. Piechota, Shashi S. Nambisan

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Service-learning is defined as integrating the community service experience of students with their academic study so that learning is enhanced. The level of student participation in community service is at an all time high as students feel the need to confront today's technical and societal problems. However, service-learning is more than community service or volunteerism. Service-learning as defined above, integrates the community service experience with the student’s academic study (note the hyphen in "service-learning" means that both are considered equal). This enhances learning which is a fundamental goal of colleges and universities. Boyer highlights the need for service-learning stating that …

Competent Counselor Practice For Use Of Bibliotherapy, D. Pehrsson, P. S. Mcmillen

Library Faculty Research

We love books; those who know us know that the perfect present for either of us is a book, any kind of book, or something related to books. We are voracious readers. We recommend books to friends, to students, to clinicians, to faculty, and of course, we recommend them to clients. We began to wonder, “How should a counselor choose the appropriate book for a particular client?” We pondered, “Is it simply a matter of trial and error?”

Unlv Magazine, Lori Bachand, Regina Barcolas, Barbara Cloud, Holly Ivy De Vore, Gian Galassi, Cayrn Key, Jennifer Robison, Gillian Silver, Jason Vaughan, John F. Gallagher, Cate Weeks, Diane Russell

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

2005- 2008 Unlv Mcnair Journal, Valerie Avery, Shana Bachus, Karmen K. Boehlke, Andrea Flores, Alden Kelly, Erick Lopez, Carol Preussler, Heather Shay, Ava Bookatz, Shaun Elsasser, Veronica Hicks, Shaida A. Jetha, Anthony Quinn, Thurithabhani Seneviratne, Teddy Boado Sim Jr., Liza Ward, Amris Henry-Rodgers, Jacquelynn Kaaa-Logan, Jason Orozco, Juan C. Plata, Bonnie Bartlett, Kathleen Bell, Vacheral M. Carter, Nydia Diaz, Kimberly Hackstock, Julio A. Luna, Charles Mao, Sandra Ramos, Precious Rideout, Benjamin Lee Watrous, Chet R. Whitley

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program

Table of Contents

Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair

Statements:

Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President

Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs

Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach

Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach

McNair Scholars Institute Staff

Use And Satisfaction Of Library Resources And Services By Hospitality Patrons: An Exploratory Study, Faye Hall Jackson, Heidi Sung, Lateka Grays, Joyce K. Thornton

Library Faculty Research

A great challenge for present day libraries is to move from the thought process of being a destination location with a captive audience to positioning its services to meet the needs of its users. This paper explores the frequency of library use and satisfaction of library resources and/or services by hospitality education patrons. Using data collected with patrons (N=368) of five Hospitality Management programs across the country, the study found significant differences in library access, use, and satisfaction based on gender, academic status, and international versus non-international patrons.

Media Coverage Of Athletes In Legal Proceedings : An Analysis Of The Kobe Bryant Case, Brooke Holmquist

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the media's impact when reporting on high-profile athlete's legal proceedings. Through the use of text analysis, the study examined whether sports journalists gave preferential treatment to "home-town heroes" in the Kobe Bryant case. The study also attempted to find differences and similarities between sports reporters and sports columnists with regard to positive and negative treatment of the case.

Expanding The Horizons Of The Wea Legend, Marni Goldenberg

Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration

This workshop examined the WEA Newsletter, formerly the Legend, and recently changed to the Journal of the Wilderness Education Association. During the interactive workshop, participants examined past Legends and set standards and criteria for this new electronic journal.

Physiological And Psychological Responses To Stress In Elite Swimmers, Josie M. Jedick

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of different amounts of outside stress on a group of 13 male and 12 female swimmers from Arizona State University who were involved in the same amount of exercise stress. It was hypothesized that high levels of outside stress in addition to the imposed training stress should correlate with more negative mood and with more health problems. It was also expected that the combination of these effects would contribute to a decline in performance. Several questionnaires were utilized to evaluate the defined variables of life event stress (Life Events Survey …

The Relationship Between Hypergender Ideology And Rape Empathy Among Male And Female College Students, Erin E. Okun, Suzaime L. Osman

Modern Psychological Studies

The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between hypergender ideology and rape empathy. A sample of 157 college students completed a questionnaire packet containing demographic variables, the Hypergender Ideology Scale (HOS) and the Rape Empathy Scale (RES). It was predicted that those indicating stronger adherence to extreme stereotypic gender roles would report more empathy for the perpetrator rather than the victim of rape. It was also predicted that men would show stronger adherence to stereotypic gender roles and less victim empathy than women. Results show significant support for all predictions. Discussion involves implications that the …

Unskilled-Unaware And The Role Of Defensive High Self-Esteem, Kim Wilson, Christine Smith

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between defensive high self-esteem and inability to recognize one's own incompetence. It is hypothesized that individuals displaying defensive high self-esteem will be most likely to show a high correlation between lack of skill and lack of awareness. Participants were assessed for defensive high self-esteem using the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The unskilled-unaware construct was identified through comparison of prediction versus actual performance on a curriculum-scheduled exam. The null was rejected at p = .01, indicating the likelihood that defensive self-esteem can or does play a …

Calculating The Added Costs Of Educating Disadvantaged Students, John Yinger

Center for Policy Research

It’s Elementary is a series of essays on topics in education and education policy. The main focus is on education finance in New York State, but general research findings in education and education policy issues in several other states are also discussed. John Yinger, Professor of Economics and Public Administration at the Maxwell School, Syracuse University is the author of most of these essays, although a few are written by or co-authored with other scholars.

Simulation-Based Two-Step Estimation With Endogenous Regressors, Kamhon Kan, Chihwa Kao

Center for Policy Research

This paper considers models with latent/discrete endogenous regressors and presents a simulation-based two-step (STS) estimator. The endogeneity is corrected by adopting a simulation-based control function approach. The first step consists of simulating the residuals of the reduced-form equation for endogenous regressors. The second step is a regression model (linear, latent or discrete) with the simulated residual as an additional regressor. In this paper we develop the asymptotic theory for the STS estimator and its rate of convergence.