Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Outlier Impact And Accommodation On Power, Hongjing Liao, Yanju Li, Gordon P. Brooks

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

The outliers’ influence on power rates in ANOVA and Welch tests at various conditions was examined and compared with the effectiveness of nonparametric methods and Winsorizing in minimizing the impact of outliers. Results showed that, considering both power and Type I error, a nonparametric test is the safest choice to control the inflation of Type I error with a decent sample size and yield relatively high power.

Book Review: Multivariate Statistical Methods, A Primer, C. R. Rao

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Multivariate Statistical Methods, A Primer, 4th Ed. Bryan F. J. Manly and Jorge A. Navarro Alberto. NY: Chapman & Hall / CRC Press. 2016. 264 p. ISBN 10: 1498728960 / ISBN 13: 978-1498728966

Jmasm44: Implementing Multiple Ratio Imputation By The Emb Algorithm (R), Masayoshi Takahashi

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Although single ratio imputation is often used to deal with missing values in practice, there is a paucity of discussion regarding multiple ratio imputation. Code in the R statistical environment is presented to execute multiple ratio imputation by the Expectation-Maximization with Bootstrapping (EMB) algorithm.

A Qualitative Study Of The Healthcare Experiences Of Hispanic/Latino Persons Of Limited English Proficiency In The Rural Midwest, Emily Pauli

Honors Thesis

The U.S. population is becoming more diverse, and this diversity calls for adaptations that allow our healthcare system to adequately care for all individuals. The group that is currently growing the most quickly in the United States is Hispanics/Latinos (United States Census Bureau, 2016). This group faces additional challenges when it comes to receiving healthcare services, particularly when it comes to rural settings. For those Hispanics/Latinos with limited English proficiency (LEP) residing in rural settings, it can be quite difficult to access healthcare in Spanish, creating for less-than-ideal healthcare experiences.

In the following pages, we will examine some of the …

Ending Rape: Effective Strategies For Reducing Sexual And Relationship Violence On A College Campus, Seth Quam

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

This capstone was done in conjunction with the Maxwell Citizenship and Civic Engagement program (CCE) and consists of a CCE Action Plan conducted in Spring 2017 as well as this accompanying essay. The action plan created a program called “Don’t Cancel That Class” that encourages professors who would otherwise have to cancel class to instead have the Office of Health Promotion (OHP) use the time to conduct a training session on sexual and relationship violence prevention. As part of the action plan, I worked with OHP to develop a webpage where professors can easily request a program. Don’t Cancel That …

The Contribution Of Technology To An Undergraduate International Learning Partnership: The Ritual Perspective, Liene Ločmele, Barbara R. Burke

Communication, Media, and Rhetoric Publications

This study is part of a research project on a learning partnership between undergraduates of ViA, Latvia and UMM, USA. During the joint media course in Spring 2016, students participated in Skype discussions, completed shared assignments and reflected upon their learning experience. The transcripts of these activities form the body of qualitative data. We employ the perspective of Ethnography of Communication (Hymes, 1962; Philipsen, 1997) and Cultural Discourse Analysis (Carbaugh, 2007) in order to answer the following research questions: (1) what is the nature of the studied technology-mediated learning discourse, and (2) how dot he constructed meanings around the use …

Social Factors In Prescription Stimulant Abuse Among College Students, Trevor J. Levingston

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In an attempt to maximize their academic performance, many American college students turn toward such prescription stimulant drugs as Adderall and Ritalin, which can increase users' attention span and ability to focus, but are not without risks, including such aversive side effects as anxiety, migraines, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Prevalence rates for prescription stimulant abuse (PSA) by college students vary widely, with rates as high as 50.6% (McCabe, West, Teter, & Boyd, 2014). PSA among college students is most commonly endorsed for perceived academic benefits, but many students report engaging in recreational PSA, often to resist the depressant effects of alcohol …

Social Support And Well-Being In Lgbt Adults, Jessica D. Brown

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among positive mental health, well-being, and perceived social support in individuals who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). The participants included 251 individuals from a rural area in the Midwest who completed an online survey; 47 of these individuals identified as LGBT. Well-Being was measured using the Warwick- Edinburg Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS; Stewart-Brown et al., 2002), and perceived social support was evaluated using the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet & Farley, 1988). Scores were compared between LGBT and Non-LGBT participants. At an …

Journalism In The Digital Age: The Adaptation Of Facebook Live In News Organizations, Brittany Stephanis

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Given the prevalence of technology and the ability to go live on mobile phones, journalists and news organizations alike are learning why Facebook Live is such an important tool. As part of my research, I found online articles explaining the impact Facebook Live has had on the journalism industry and interviewed three different experts on the subject. In doing so, I was able to demonstrate the perspectives of someone from network news, a print and online publication, as well as a well-versed academic. My short documentary covers the rise of “fake news” and citizen journalism on the social media platform. …

Witness The Spectacle, If You Can: An Investigative Analysis Of The Accessibility Of Democracy In Syracuse Local Government, Alexis Rinck

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

This qualitative study seeks to explore, analyze, and challenge the structure and participants in Syracuse local government. In 2015, a study done by Rutgers University professor, Paul Jargowsky, named Syracuse as the city with the poorest Black and Latino populations in the United States (Jargowsky 2015). This study has culminated into an in-depth examination of Syracuse local government and the accessibility of its representative democracy. This study utilizes qualitative methods: participant observation and in-depth semi-structured interviews to explore how groups of citizens engage with the local government through attending public meetings. Three primary themes include: the emergence of a political …

"Why Girls?": A Content Analysis Of The #Bringbackourgirls Movement And The Transnational Significance Of The Chibok Girls, Halima Shehu

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

In the 2016-2017 academic year, I researched the transnational advocacy campaign #BringBackOurGirls, which was created in response to the kidnapping of 276 girls from Chibok, Nigeria by the Boko Haram. Boko Haram has committed many atrocities from 2011 to the present. However, the broader humanitarian crisis did not receive nearly as much attention as the kidnappings of the Chibok girls. Therefore, we must ask, why this is the case

This thesis contributes to the literature by introducing a theory of event adoption to describe the relationship between an event-based advocacy campaign and Transnational Advocacy Networks. My research seeks to understand …

Challenging Structures: A Case Study Of Middle East And North African States In The United Nations System, Emilie Scardilla

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

This project consists of two complementary studies exploring structural challenges of the United Nations through a case study of the Middle East and North African states. The research focuses on the major organs of the General Assembly, Security Council, Peacebuilding Commission, and Human Rights Council to analyze and assess their representativeness and legitimacy. The project is framed as supportive of increased diverse representation in order to provide legitimacy to organs and policies within the United Nations.

Circulating Literacies: When Storytelling Meets Policy, Nedda Sarshar

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

We have recently come to terms with a rush of xenophobia, both on the federal and local level. Racist and discriminatory policies have always been at work, but they have been given a higher platform in recent times. This project attempts to understand how and why racist rhetoric is allowed to exist, and how marginalized voices can be circulated throughout the public sphere to maintain their own agencies.

The term “literacy” is typically limited to the Western definition of “reading and writing English”. This project attempts to disrupt that hegemonic narrative, and instead make way for other types of literacy …

The Influence Of Values And Recipient Groups On Social Welfare Policy Opinion, Christopher Pulliam

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

The following paper examines how value-based considerations for social welfare policy opinion are affected by changes in the race of the program recipient. I propose a new model to understand social welfare policy opinion called the interactive model—where instrinsic considerations are tempered by extrinsic considerations. Through an original survey experiment, I find that humanitarianism and economic individualism do not have significant effects on social welfare policy opinion. However, egalitarianism is found to have a strong impact. When the race of the program recipient is changed from white to African-American, the impact of egalitarianism increases for views of Medicare. When the …

The Communication Of Cheating: A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Communication Major League Baseball Players Use When Accused Of Taking Performance Enhancing Drugs., Andrew Mallon

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

There has always been a strong bond between baseball and controversy. Most recently, this connection has manifested itself in the form of the steroid era in baseball. While that chapter in baseball history has closed, there are lingering effects. Each season, players are receiving suspensions for performance enhancing drug (PED) use by Major League Baseball.

Through different methods of rhetorical analysis, four players will be looked at and critiqued on their statements regarding PED accusations. Reading and analyzing the communication through the lens of these players shapes the strategies that each player chose to implement. In a post-steroid era league, …

Power Shift: Germany's Energy Transition, Gabrielle Lichtenstein

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

This project is an analysis of the German energy transition, called the Energiewende, and the dual power shift that is underway in the country’s electric sector. It is both a physical shift from conventional fossil fuels to renewable energy, as well as a socio-political shift in power from centralized utilities to community ownership of energy. The project examines three policy mechanisms — the feed-in tariff, emissions trading, and auctions — through the lens of ordoliberalism, a German variant of economic liberalism that believes in state intervention to maximize fair market competition. Using qualitative research of Anglophone sources, this project draws …

A Content Analysis Of The 2014 Immigration Crisis Media Coverage: An Intergroup Threat Theory Approach On The Age Of Immigrants, Carolee Lantigua

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

The purpose of this research is to understand, through the intergroup threat theory, how the national and local press perceive unaccompanied minors through their media coverage. Using the 2014 immigration crisis, during which an exodus of unaccompanied minors crossed into the United States beginning in 2013, this paper investigates two central ideas: first, how does media coverage of young unaccompanied immigrants differ from the media coverage of non-minor immigrants? Second, how does spatial proximity to the American-Mexican border affect the tone of the media coverage young unaccompanied immigrants receive? I sampled two national newspapers and two local newspapers to interpret, …

An Evaluation Of Mental Health Resources At Syracuse University, Joyce Lalonde

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

This Honors capstone project discusses mental health at Syracuse University. As identified through quantitative and qualitative research, as well as through personal narratives and experiences, mental health resources and awareness at Syracuse University could be drastically improved. This project’s objective is to evaluate these mental health resources on Syracuse University campus and to offer recommendations to improve said resources and build awareness. This has been done through Mental Health Awareness Week and a Mental Health Report with additive research through an annotated bibliography. Through this, the project outlines the trajectory of mental health on campus. Overall, this project has shifted …

The Effectiveness Of Unsc Sanctions: The Case Of North Korea, Victoria Kim

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

UN Security Council sanctions have been ineffective in curbing North Korea’s nuclear weapons proliferation because North Korea’s economy is not open to trade with the rest of the world. Instead, multilateral sanctions provoke threatening nationalist responses from Pyongyang rather than the desired compliance. An alternative approach is needed. Using content analysis of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Debate statements (2006-2016) of the member nations of the Six-Party Talks and archival research of UN Security Council resolutions, this case study examines each country’s priorities and policies in addressing North Korea’s nuclear proliferation. I find that Japan and the Republic of Korea …

The Glocalist: The Creation Of An Online Cultural-Travel Guide To The City Of Havana, Cuba, Jaye Harris

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Glo-cal-ist: one who is a local of several cities or regions.

Locally sourced and globally spread, The Glocalist takes the world and transforms it into your neighborhood.

The Glocalist is an online, interactive cultural-travel guide tailored to young adult travelers. This series of guides offers authoritative information for those looking to dive into the world’s cultural scenes and emerge a local.

Much like the farm-to-table movement, this digital publication seeks to give you locally sourced, nitty-gritty travel information seasoned with cultural flavor. Glocalist readers can ride the local transportation like a pro commuter; sip on the signature drink at …

The Rise Of Panarchy, Connor Hakan

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

“The youth of humanity all around our planet are intuitively revolting from all sovereignties and political ideologies. The youth of Earth are moving intuitively toward an utterly classless, raceless, omnicooperative, omniworld humanity.” - R. Buckminster Fuller

In the future, human beings will transcend from a one planet species to a multi-planet species. When human beings are a multi-planet species, a new form of government will rise above the old republics of democracy. This new form of government is called Panarchy.

Robert David Steele is a former CIA officer, and in his book, The Open-Source Everything Manifesto, he defines Panarchy …

Thawing Relations: Reaching The Jcpoa, Alicia Drummond

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Speculation surrounds the JCPOA amongst nearly all of its signatories. This project seeks to understand how the agreement commonly known as the “Nuclear Deal with Iran” came into being. The relationship between the US and Iran in recent history requires special attention for understanding both the difficulty and the significance of reaching the negotiating table. However, the other members of negotiations also enabled the process as a whole and had unique national interests driving their participation. Analyzing this context and depth of incentives reveals political and economic incentives for all seven of the relevant nations. For Iran and 5 of …

Public Relations Research: Syracuse University Catholic Center, Christina Dipietro

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

The Syracuse University Catholic Center (SU Catholic Center) is a Catholic organization, offering students, faculty and staff at Syracuse University with spiritual guidance and support. A primary concern of the organization is the limited presence, and lack of identity, the organization has on the Syracuse University campus. Although the organization serves many publics, this report focuses on increasing attendance and awareness among the students on the Syracuse University campus. I conducted a detailed research report to gain insight on where the SU Catholic Center can improve its communication tactics to help increase attendance, and therefore boost identity among students. I …

An Analysis Of Brexit’S Consequences On The United Kingdom’S Economy, Brigid Cruise

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Following the Brexit referendum decision made on June 23, 2016, much uncertainty surrounds the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the European Union (EU), particularly how that decision will impact its future economy. Due to high levels of globalization, genuine concern exists for the UK’s decision producing a global economic crash, similar to the financial crisis of 2008. Ultimately, the result of Brexit will depend largely on the policy created and implemented once the UK officially leaves the EU. If the UK is able to successfully navigate exiting the EU with little economic consequences, it is conceivable that other EU members could …

From Script To Screen: Capturing The Creativity Of Children, Sara Zadrima

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

For this project, I hosted a script and story writing contest for children ages 5-12 to submit original materials they had written for a chance to be transformed into a short film I would then produce myself. I selected a winning story, rewrote it as a script, and filmed it. I then edited it and incorporated creative motion graphics, sound effects and scoring in order to translate the childlike whimsy and imagination of the original story. I hope to make at least one more film out of the project, and also inspire other creators to collectively work on transforming more …

Meaningful Movement: A Study Of The Benefits Of Dance In An Academic, Social, And Professional Environment, Olivia Blum

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Meaningful Movement: A Study of the Benefits of Dance in an Academic, Social, and Professional Environment is a short film that develops the argument that dance programs are essential on college campuses due to the benefits they provide students. Told through the personal narrative of one student, Olivia Blum, this film delves into what it means to be a dancer, especially at a school supported by Division I Athletics. Meaningful Movement showcases the similarities between these two drastically different activities, one a sport and one an art form. So, why is dance important? Why isn’t it appreciated in the same …

Incarcerated Individuals And The Food System: The Silent Rise Of A New Labor Force, Collin Towensend

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

The explosion of the prison population over the past three decades, and the rise of privatized prisons with little governmental oversight, has opened the doors for Transnational Corporations to tap into this new source of cheap labor. Incarcerated individuals, barred from the protection of labor laws in the U.S., are at the will of these large corporations. Colossal supermarkets, such as Whole Foods and Walmart have recently come under scrutiny for their use of prison labor in producing food items, which raises an interesting question: is using prison labor in the food industry necessarily a terrible thing?

Incarcerated individuals supposedly …

Shallow Bones, Brian Lee Cook

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The research for this thesis examined historical and recent events embodying persecution both directed towards and perpetuated by the Mormon church. In order to convey the complexity of persecution, I examined stories told by church members, accounts written during the early years of the religion, and scholarly pieces written about the church's history. These stories revolved around the assassination of Joseph Smith and the Mountain Meadows massacre.

To portray the events surrounding the Mountain Meadows massacre, I performed a site visit, documented scenery, and discussed the massacre with others visiting the site. The great majority of my Mountain Meadows descriptions …

St. Louis Catholic Deaf Society News Bulletin, May 2017

Saint Louis Catholic Deaf Society News Bulletin

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in St. Louis, MO

Saint Louis Catholic Deaf Society News Bulletin Finding Aid

St. Dominic Deaf Center, May-June 2017

Saint Dominic Deaf Center

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in Houston, TX

Saint Dominic Deaf Center Finding Aid