Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Legal Advocates As Lifelines: Initial Psychometric Evaluation Of Victim Rights Within A Community-Based Agency, Jaylee York

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Navigating the legal process after sexual violence is often distressing and poses a risk of secondary victimization (Campbell, 2013). Victim Bill of Rights legislation throughout the U.S. aims to establish legal protections for victims. Organizations such as the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) offer independent legal advocacy. This dissertation sought to engage in socially responsive research with KCSARC to better understand the needs of both the organization and the survivors they serve.

This study developed and psychometrically evaluated two new measures: Victim Rights to Process (VRP), assessing whether a victim feels their rights to the legal process have …

Booked Or Buried In Texas: Risk Factors For Prebooking Suicide And Homicide Deaths Of Individuals With Sex Offenses, Nicole Moreira

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Preventable deaths during law enforcement encounters, particularly those violent in nature, such as suicide and homicide deaths, are of considerable public concern. Prebooking, the law enforcement custody stage that includes arrest, serving warrants, wellness checks, traffic stops is often the most dangerous and fatal stage of custody. Despite being the most potentially dangerous and unpredictable of any custody stage, prebooking remains grossly understudied in comparison to jail and prison research, underscoring the need for focused research. To address this gap, the present study examines risk factors for suicide and homicide deaths among individuals with sex-related offenses during prebooking custody. Individuals …

Does A Star Player’S Jewelry Matter? An Analysis Of Nba Real Team Value, Brandon C. Penticoff

Undergraduate Economics Working Paper Series

This study dives into the financial and sport factors that impact team market value and revenue. This study's results confirm that star players significantly enhance team value, with NBA Superstars adding nearly $500 million annually. This study discovered the prominence of a Principal-Agent Problem between star players and NBA front offices over the issue of championship pursuit. The analysis also identifies an optimal style of play for revenue generation, but that could oppose longer-term team value. These findings have critical implications for NBA front offices, owners, and coaching staffs.

The Hecks Angels: A Look At The City Of New York's Electric Motorcycle Community, Mckenzie A. Corey

Capstones

Motorcycles are a common mode of transportation globally, but within the U.S., they tend to imply a certain demeanor—maybe someone who's brash or a risk taker. I mean, it makes sense. You've got to be a bit daring to ride off into the sunset on something that screams when it shifts gears and begs to be revved at a red light. But in New York City electric motorcycle enthusiasts appear to have slapped a fresh coat of paint on the old concept of what it means to live a life on two wheels.

"This Revolution Been Televised": Media As A Tool Of Justice And An Apparatus Of State Violence, Nahal Rastegarpour

Dissertations and Theses

This study utilizes case information from an online database called Fatal Encounters, which has over 30,000 incident reports of civilian deaths involving a police officer. From this larger population, a sample of 415 cases is used to run an additional mixed method research design, which integrates quantitative data analysis and qualitative content analyses. The quantitative analysis sample includes all 415 cases, and the qualitative content analysis uses a subsample of 34 cases. Using demographic data provided by Fatal Encounters, this study expands case information to create new data sets. Both quantitative and qualitative data are collected, developed, and then analyzed. …

How Veterans Can Benefit From Skills-Based Hiring, Adam Pritchard, Rosalinda V. Maury

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

There are many advantages for veterans when employers enact a skills-based employment strategy. Veterans bring unique skills and attributes to the workforce, many of which are critical today and expected to be increasingly sought after in the future of work. Skills-based employment opportunities can benefit both employers and veterans. This data brief summarizes key insights from the IVMF report The Skills-Based Business Case for Hiring Veterans.

Tulsa Remote’S Benefits For Other Tulsa Residents: Results And Implications, Timothy J. Bartik

Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Chinese American Experience, Katherine Chan Sorensen

2025 Symposium

This paper examines and identifies conflicts of second-generation Chinese Americans, focusing on the interplay of cultural values, gender roles, and societal stereotypes. Through an interview with Connor Chan, a 23-year-old Chinese American, the study illuminates the tension between traditional Chinese patriarchy and evolving American norms. Intergenerational conflicts arising from differing acculturation experiences are explored, highlighting the emotional strain of navigating two distinct cultural landscapes.

The research addresses the persistence of traditional gender roles, where male breadwinners are emphasized, contrasting with Americas idea of female empowerment. This dissonance creates internal and external pressures for second-generation individuals. Furthermore, the paper confronts the …

[2025 Winner] Fear Is Knocking: No Abras La Puerta, Destiny Jimenez

Ethnic Studies Research Paper Award

This paper explores the impact of deportations and unauthorized immigration on the Mexican community. By focusing on the social, emotional, and economic challenges faced by Mexican immigrants due to their legal status, this paper examines how deportation policies disproportionately affect their lives. Drawing from my own family's experience, I reflect on my mother's journey as an immigrant and how her experiences shed light on the broader struggles of many in the community.

Nigerian Democratization And Internal Party Contest For Leadership, Salihu Moh. Lukman

Journal of African Policy Studies

It was the American journalist and political commentator, Fareed Zakaria, in the book The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad, who argued that democratization everywhere is shifting power downward. According to him, the process of democratization goes far beyond politics and result in hierarchies, “breaking down, closed systems, are opening up, and pressures from the masses are now the primary engine of social change. Democracy has gone far from being a form of government to a way of life.” The role of political parties all over the world in facilitating the shift of power to the people …

Modern Peace Keeping In Africa: Lessons From Nigeria, Solomon Hailu

Journal of African Policy Studies

Different approaches to conflict resolution and peacekeeping in African failed states have taken the centre stage of this analysis. These approaches are based not merely on theory or doctrine but on the self-perceived interests of the stakeholders in peacekeeping inside Africa. The Western powers have repeatedly expressed the view that they will not commit their armed forces to resolve African conflicts. The West’s desire to place responsibility on African states, rather than sharing it, will not bring peace in Africa. The reason is that Africans are not ready to shoulder such heavy responsibility without direct Western military involvement in African …

Sars And The Nigerian Youth: Odors From A Decaying System, Toyin Falola

Journal of African Policy Studies

Nigeria is home to a thriving contradiction. Here is a country that celebrates its aspirations to greatness—economic success, food security, accountable governance, territorial integrity, internal security, and improved living standards—sabotaging its young and vibrant population. A pseudo-welfarist democracy, Nigeria's young vibrant 'human capital'—the potentially productive portion of its population—must contend with gross insufficiencies, maladministration, corruption, and intimidation in state-owned and administered facilities. In public infrastructure—stable electricity, good roads, and clean drinking water—and public institutions—schools, hospitals, government agencies, and the security outfits—lies a deep and spreading rot; an insufficiency, inefficiency, and inconsistency that constantly mocks any such aspirations to lofty heights. …

The Influence Of (Post-) Colonial Language Policies On Local Languages In Cameroon: An Acquisition Planning Perspective, Alain Flaubert Takam

Journal of African Policy Studies

This paper examines language policy and planning in favour of minority languages during the colonial era and immediately after. It is based on the observation that local languages in Cameroon do not seem to have the ethnolinguistic vitality necessary for their long-term survival. The situation of these languages begs the following question: Did the promotion strategies of national languages in colonial Cameroon pave the way for language attrition that is observable today or is it the language policy choice of the political authorities in independent Cameroon that has caused this language issue? This paper, which falls within the general framework …

Front Matter, Volume 26, Issue 1, Institute On African Affairs

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

The Political Economy Of Pension Reforms: An Analysis Of Policy Design And Practice In Ghana, Michael Kpessa-Whyte

Journal of African Policy Studies

There is a gradual move away in African pension policy from the hitherto predominantly pay-as-you-go social insurance schemes to new social security policies that prioritize private pension. But in African economies where capital market is underdeveloped and private sector is generally fragile, the shift to private pensions has implications for income security of the elderly. This study examines the design and practice of three-tier pension scheme with dual private pillars introduced a little over a decade ago. While discussing the various categories of private pension schemes that operate under the three-tier pension plan, it echoes the view that, the design …

The Plague Of ‘Ghost Workers’: Interrogating Payroll Fraud And Executive-Bureaucratic Conspiracy In Nigeria, Mike Omilusi

Journal of African Policy Studies

Like all forms of corruption, ghost workers present a serious drain on state funds. The Nigerian government has tens of thousands of forged or imaginary names on its payroll. These people inhabit the ranks of Nigeria’s “ghost workers,” who receive pensions from the government without ever working a day. This essay examines the impact of ghost workers on the public wage bill and generally, high cost of governance in Nigeria. It interrogates the renewed efforts of governments at all levels in probing this pattern of fraud, particularly in a period of economic recession. It is submitted in this essay that …

Big Data As Potential Tool For Success In Developing Countries, Jean-Claude Pedjeu, Aurore J. Kamssu, Jeffrey S. Siepke-Sambo

Journal of African Policy Studies

Big data and the computer technology to analyze it are said to be one of the top 10 revolutions in the coming decade. While the developed world is making strides in the use of big data for decision making purposes, the Low-income countries (LIC) or poor countries and some medium-income countries (MIC) or developing countries are lacking behind in their collection and use of digital data to aid decision making. This is especially the case with many businesses and government agencies that have the potential to benefit in their policy designs and implementations from big data. The purpose of this …

Accounting For The Decline Of Service Delivery In Urban Local Authorities: A Survey Of Zimbabwean Cities And Towns, Wenceslaus Mudyanadzo, Makomborero Y. Nzwatu

Journal of African Policy Studies

This paper presents a review of several factors which account for the decline of service delivery in urban local authorities within Zimbabwe. The study utilised desk research methodology to explore and analyse relevant data which was in government legislation, ministerial statements, public and private media articles, books and journals to come up with the totality of the environment relating directly or indirectly to the decline of service delivery in local authorities (LAs). The evidence cited is based on findings from identified urban local authorities which include Harare, Chitungwiza, Gweru, Mutare, Masvingo and Bulawayo City Councils. Themes surrounding the interference in …

Reinventing E-Governance Policy In Local Governments In Southern Nigeria, Robert A. Dibie, Maryam O. Quadri

Journal of African Policy Studies

This paper examines the extent to which electronic governance policy has contributed to more efficient service delivery in local governments in southern Nigeria. It also explores how e-governance practices has improved the relationship between citizens and local governments in southern Nigeria. It argues that despite the appropriation of funds for the purchase of computers and other electronic equipment in many local governments in the past three decades, the delivery of services in almost all the local governments under study has not improved. The paper uses data derived from questionnaire survey administered to local government staff in southern Nigeria. Two thousand …

Front Matter, Volume 25, Number 1, Institute On African Policy Studies

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

Fear And Oxytocin: Effects Of Intraperitoneal Pretreatment In Rats, Daniel Yeromenko, Kelsie German, Eros Fuentes, Jenna Meade, Ben Bustos

2025 Symposium

INTRODUCTION: Oxytocin is a neuropeptide widely known for its role in social bonding and emotional regulation. Recent studies have suggested its involvement in modulating fear, stress, and anxiety responses, potentially offering therapeutic applications for trauma-related disorders such as PTSD. This study investigated whether pretreatment with oxytocin reduces behavioral and physiological fear responses in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats using a classical fear conditioning model. METHODS : Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats (12 males, 12 females) were assigned to one of four groups: control (no shock, no oxytocin), shock only, shock + low-dose oxytocin (0.5 mg/kg), and shock + high-dose oxytocin (1.0 mg/kg). …

Hospitality Operators And Cannabis Tourism In The South: Insights On Policy & Regulations, Nick E. Johnston, Kelly Way, Chloe Tyner, Betsy Garrison

ICHRIE Research Reports

Cannabis tourism offers new opportunities for U.S. hospitality, although regional adoption is limited and complex due to diverse legal frameworks. Through qualitative document analysis (QDA) of regulatory frameworks in 14 Southern U.S. states, this study compares policies on consumption, sales, and employment in states with limited or emerging cannabis programs. Findings reveal that hospitality operators can enhance guest experiences by creating private, wellness-focused cannabis environments and advocating for gradual policy adjustments. However, compliance with strict consumption, licensing, and workplace rules is essential to mitigate legal risks. This study highlights the South's cannabis tourism potential within politically conservative markets, suggesting that …

Giving Oral Histories New Life Through Community Archiving Collaborations, Marianne Swierenga, Amy Bocko

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Presentations

Oral Histories conducted by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum have found a new life through a collaborative partnership with WMU Libraries. Recorded on VHS in 1995, oral histories from Jewish resort owners in South Haven, Michigan, were digitized, described, and published openly in ScholarWorks, WMU’s institutional repository. This poster describes how the collaboration began, the workflow between institutions, and the resulting final product.

Dynamical Evolution Of Kinematic Properties: The Steady Forcing Case, A.D. Kirwan, Jr, Helga Huntley, James Turbett

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

Observations from recent large submesoscale drifter deployments in the ocean exhibit complicated time series of the kinematic properties (KP) — divergence, vorticity, shear and normal strain rates. These are challenging to interpret in the complex ocean-atmosphere system. The evolution equations for the four KP are derived from the two-dimensional momentum conservation equations on the f -plane. The resulting equations capture the submesoscale motion of drifters along fixed ocean surfaces, with time and space scales on the order of days and kilometers. They are linearly coupled through the Coriolis term and nonlinearly coupled through the horizontal divergence. The solution space, even …

Creating Space For Climate Justice In Library And Information Science, Tami Oliphant, Tyler Youngman, Dan Hackborn, Lisa Nathan, Beth Patin

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This article explores the role of LIS in promoting climate justice, advocating for inclusive and sustainable information practices that address environmental inequities.

Disrupting And Facilitating: The Dual Role Of Generative Ai In Reshaping Power, Engagement, And Collaboration Within Organizations, Zain Khalid Baz Haddadin

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping power, trust, engagement, and collaboration in communication-focused workplaces. Guided by a constructivist lens and informed by change management theory, it draws on eight semi-structured interviews and a survey of 40 professionals across agency, corporate, and academic roles. Findings reveal that GenAI does not fully flatten hierarchies, it subtly thins them, enabling junior staff to contribute to strategic conversations earlier while decision rights remain centralized. Trust is highly contextual, shaped by task sensitivity, prompt clarity, and user confidence. GenAI’s impact on engagement was mixed: some participants felt energized; others described increased …

Goodness Of Fit Tests In Spatial Autoregressive Stochastic Frontier Models, Ming-Yu Deng, Yue Fu, Levent Kutlu, Minxian Wang

Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

This article mainly considers goodness of fit tests for the inefficiency in spatial autoregressive stochastic frontier (SARSF) models by utilizing the characteristic function of the centralized composite error term. As a prerequisite of the tests, we propose easy-to-compute moment estimators for distributional parameters of such a term, showing the consistency based on spatial near-epoch dependent properties. Meanwhile, the asymptotic distribution of the estimators is derived by generalizing the central limit theorem (CLT) in Kelejian and Prucha (Citation2001) from linear-quadratic forms to polynomial-trigonometric forms. Then, the cosine and sine tests, being simple to implement in SARSF analysis, are established …

Utah People And Environment Poll 2024/25 Descriptive Report, Jessica Schad, Sydney Fisk, Zubair Barkat

Utah People and Environment Poll (UPEP)

In spring of 2023, faculty and graduate students at Utah State University (USU) started the Utah People and Environment Poll, or UPEP, to survey adult Utah residents about their perceptions on environmental issues of importance to the state. From November 2024 to January 2025 the second iteration of the survey was conducted. While some questions remained the same, others were added to account for new interests of the team and emergent environmental issues of interest.

The Effects Of Family Cohesion On The Relationship Between Trauma And State-Level Social Policy Provision In The United States, Brandon Kendall Ross Fielding

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation examines how childhood trauma and family cohesion interact to shape state-level social policy generosity in the United States. The study begins with a multilevel quantitative analysis using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health and the State Safety-Net Generosity Index to assess how individual-level experiences of trauma and family support relate to state-level welfare generosity. Two trauma indices--one focused on adverse childhood experiences and bullying, and the other on food-related hardship--are used to explore how trauma influences attitudes toward public assistance, and whether family cohesion moderates this relationship. Results from marginal effects analyses indicate that family cohesion, …

Introduction: Mother Tongue As Global Politics, Jessica Chandras, Joshua Babcock

UNF Faculty Research and Scholarship

For racialized speakers living in the wake of colonial modernity, “mother tongues” persist as perilous, precarious terrain. Far from being a straightforward linguistic resource or a totalizing, self-evident identity marker, “mother tongue” is always positioned, partial, and political. As a category, “mother tongue” encompasses projects across disparate sites, histories, and interactional grounds beyond South Asia, where the concept has been most extensively elaborated. Articles in this collection trace the links among collective national identities, individuated personhood, and the denotational codes that get made to refract language-community attentions—not just a group's language, but more essentially, their “mother tongue.” What transformations, investments, …