Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Diminishing Creative Returns: Predicting Optimal Creative Performance Via Individual Differences In Executive Functioning, Kent F. Hubert

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A robust finding in creativity research is that during idea generation, later (vs. earlier) responses on a divergent thinking task tend to be more creative, while the number of responses start off quickly, and then slow down over time, termed the serial order effect. Divergent thinking and time may follow a diminishing returns curve, where there is an optimal amount of time that should be spent while generating ideas. Executive functions (inhibition, updating, and shifting) have been associated with divergent thinking, specifically with the idea generation phase, but the effect of individual differences on the temporal dynamics of divergent thinking …

Airbnb Valuation: A Machine Learning Approach, Katherine Wyatt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses a geospatially-enhanced, machine learning approach to investigate variations in rental success on the peer-to-peer property sharing website Airbnb.com. Geographic factors, listing attributes and amenities, customer response metrics, and host attributes are included in decision tree modeling to predict the short-term probability of receiving a review. The most important variables in increasing model accuracy are assessed and variations in the importance of these variables investigated using Shapley values.

Citizenship And Human Rights: The Path To Reparation, Larissa Rocha

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human rights and citizenship are strictly tied together. Without citizenship to a country, one cannot have their human rights guaranteed. In the framework of reparative citizenship, and methodology of feminist political philosophy, I search for solutions for the statelessness and citizenship issues in India and Ukraine. I offer an analysis of the differences and similarities between both cases while going through both countries' colonial histories and understanding their impacts on the issues they are facing today.

Criminal Justice Update - December 2023, Delaney Rabenold

Criminal Justice Updates

The Criminal Justice Update is a monthly newsletter created by the Adams County Bar Foundation Fellow providing updates in criminal justice policy coming from Pennsylvania's courts and legislature as well as the US Supreme Court.

Contents:

• Updates from PA Governor's Office (no new updates this month)

• Updates from the PA Legislature

• Updates from the Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court (no updates this month)

  • PA Supreme Court (no updates this month)

  • PA Superior Court

Beyond The Plate: Leisure Studies As A Recipe For Food Justice, Julia M. Montano

Undergraduate Honors Theses

To address the issues that have been derived from the dominant forces in our food systems, movements such as food justice strive to find solutions through decolonization and addressing barriers to accessing healthy, affordable and culturally representative food. One group of individuals that are heavily involved in, and impacted by, food justice are college students. This study seeks to explore the extent to which college students’ involvement in food justice is shaped by their free time. With this research, I strive to bring in the voices of college students, while also bridging a gap in the field by bringing leisure …

Should State Land In Southern California Be Allocated To Warehousing Goods Or Housing People? Analyzing Transportation, Climate, And Unintended Consequences Of Supply Chain Solutions, Tianjun Lu, Jian-Yu Ke, Azure Fisher, Mahmoud Salari, Patricia Valladolid, Fynnwin Prager

Mineta Transportation Institute Publications

In response to COVID-19 pandemic supply chain issues, the State of California issued Executive Order (EO) N-19-21 to use state land to increase warehousing capacity. This highlights a land-use paradox between economic and environmental goals: adding warehouse capacity increases climate pollution and traffic congestion around the ports and warehouses, while there is a deficit of affordable housing and high homeless rates in port-adjacent underserved communities. This study aims to inform regional policymakers and community stakeholders about these trade-offs by identifying current and future supply of and demand for warehousing and housing in Southern California through 2040. The study uses statistical …

Learning About Street Harassment On Transit: A Survey Instrument For Transit Agencies, Asha Weinstein Agrawal, Jon Canapary, Carol Anne Caroll, Tam J. Guy, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris

Mineta Transportation Institute Publications

This study was conducted in accordance with California Senate Bill 1161 (2022), legislation that directed the Mineta Transportation Institute to develop a reliable, easy-to-use survey instrument for collecting information from public transit passengers about the extent, location, and characteristics of any street harassment they experience. Although the legislation is focused on large California transit agencies, the study findings are equally relevant to smaller agencies and agencies outside the state. To develop the recommended questionnaire, we reviewed literature about street harassment, analyzed transit passenger surveys to explore the questions asked about safety and harassment, received feedback on iterative drafts of the …

Exploring Traffic Speed Patterns For The Implementation Of Variable Speed Limit (Vsl) Signs, Panick Kalambay, Srinivas Pulugurtha

Mineta Transportation Institute Publications

Traffic congestion is a prevalent issue during peak travel hours on roads in the United States. This study focuses on identifying suitable road links in Charlotte, North Carolina, for implementing variable speed limit (VSL) signs. Real-world traffic speed data collected over one year was analyzed to identify specific road links with favorable characteristics for VSL sign installations. The analysis considered weekdays, weekends, and specific times of the day to capture variations in speed patterns. The results revealed that roads with lower speed limits consistently experienced speeds exceeding the posted speed limits, suggesting additional enforcement or safety measures. For roads with …

An Exploration Into Health Equity Discourse In Mississippi: Organizational Commitments And Practitioner Perspectives, Thuy-Vy Lillian Pham

Honors Theses

This thesis takes a sociological approach to examine healthcare workers' beliefs and medical organizations’ solidarity statements related to diversity and equity and how these discourses aligned and/or diverged. Through interviews with healthcare providers in Mississippi and content analysis of solidarity statements, the study finds that discussions on health disparities more frequently addressed socioeconomic inequality rather than systemic racism, diverging from organizational statements. This emphasis may partly stem from the demographics of the study participants, who were predominantly White—which also reflected the staff where they worked. Additionally, while healthcare workers recognized structural issues related to health disparities, they often showed hesitancy …

Organizational Supports For Evidence Use In Child Welfare, Emmeline Chuang, Crystal Collins-Camargo, Bowen Mcbeath, Monica Perez Jolles

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite its importance to achieving positive outcomes for vulnerable children and families, use of evidence by child welfare managers and practitioners remains limited. This study describes four types of organizational supports that child welfare agencies may use to facilitate evidence use. Data collected in 2016 from a six-state sample of private child welfare agencies are used to examine agency investment in different supports for evidence use and their association with managerial evidence use. We also identify contextual, organizational, and managerial factors associated with agency investment in these supports. Findings suggest that technical infrastructure is necessary but not sufficient for promoting …

Possible Futures For Colonial Collecting Institutions: A Study Of Historical Societies In The United States, Jen Hoyer

Publications and Research

This article explores how collecting institutions with deeply colonial roots can move into a decolonial future existence, through an in-depth study of historical societies in the United States. Examining their historic roots in colonialism of the United States and the persistence of these colonial identities in spite of a variety of evolutionary trends over the 20th century, this article asks: what decolonial possibilities exist for their future? If institutional shifts have not undone the colonial identities of some collecting institutions, what can? Turning to Sarah Ahmed’s theory on queer use and Saidiya Hartman’s method of critical fabulation, I suggest practical …

Joining A Currency Union To Improve Financial Development And Competitiveness: The Case Of Slovakia, Etsub Tekola Jemberu, Bruce Dehning

Accounting Faculty Articles and Research

Enhancing competitiveness is a priority for nations seeking to promote economic growth. One of the critical drivers of a nation’s sustainable competitiveness is financial system development. However, whether joining a currency union has a positive impact on a country’s financial system development requires further investigation. This study evaluates the impact of euro adoption on Slovakia’s financial system development using a synthetic control method with lasso regularization methodology. A comprehensive index that captures the depth, access, and efficiency of financial institutions and markets is used to measure financial system development. Based on a donor pool composed of non-euro OECD countries, the …

Volume 43, Number 4, December 2023 Olac Newsletter, Meg Wang, Nerissa Lindsey, Amanda Mack, Alex Whelan, Tanesa King, Lisa Romano, Sarah Hovde, Michelle Cronquist, Jan Mayo, Yoko Kudo, Kelley Mcgrath, Morris Levy

OLAC Newsletters

Digitized December 2023 issue of the OLAC Newsletter.

Fifty-One Years Later: A Case Study On Title Ix Implementation Practices Of The Ncaa, Reece Jason Wisler

Experience Industry Management

Since the implementation of Title IX, the law has increased opportunities for female participation in intercollegiate athletics and changed the perception of women's sports. The purpose of this study was to examine the practices that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) implemented to support Title IX. The methodology of the case study was to create research questions and an instrument that was utilized to guide the researcher when collecting data. The findings of the study concluded that the governmental structure of the NCAA lacks the necessary power to implement policies that support Title IX, but the committees within the organization …

Examining High School Girls’ Experiences In A Global Leadership Program: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study, Erika Haskins

Theses & Dissertations

The proportion of women in influential leadership positions continues to grow at a slow pace (Beaupre, 2022; Hoyt & Johnson, 2012). Inequalities are still present in the representation of leadership and salary wages (Catalyst, Inc., 2022; Choi, 2018). While progress is evident in regard to diversity and inclusion policies and practices in the workplace, barriers continue to exist that hinder opportunities for women who strive to achieve higher-level positions (Elias, 2018). With more women in leadership positions, advocacy for women and girls can occur, such as access to leadership development programs in schools and organizations (Beaupre, 2022; Shier et al., …

Digital Public Library Ecosystem 2023, Rachel Noorda, Kathi Inman Berens

English Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Digital Public Library Ecosystem is the network of digital book collection and circulation specifically through public libraries. Digital book collection and circulation have never been more important than they are today. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans has read an ebook in the last 12 months. Audiobook listening is also high; nearly 1 in 4 Americans has listened to an audiobook in that same time period. Libraries are one way in which readers gain access to ebooks and audiobooks. Despite this, a holistic view of the digital library ecosystem is largely opaque. Three factors contribute to current confusion about the …

A Word From The Writing Team (December 2023), Pam Walter, Mfa, Liz Declan, Ma, Mfa

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

This issue includes:

• Writing Retreats Happens This Friday, December 1^st
• The OPWPC Canvas Page Offers Helpful Tools
• The Yeo Writing Deadline is December 31, 2023!
• Publication Spotlight
• AI and Publishing is a Hot Topic
• Scott Memorial Library Renovations Continue
• Wiley Open Access Fees Waived for Jefferson Authors

Swinging Bridge - December 2023, Ethan Reisler

Student Newspapers & Magazines

Issue contents include:

• Playlist
  • Sabrina's Sweater Weather Soundtracks
• Sink Or Swim
  • Managing Stress
• The Swinging Bridge Devotional
  • Written By Students, For Students
• Meet The Managers
• The Special Olympics
  • Messiah's Original Service Day
• Service Animals
  • An Expansion To The Student Body
• Man VS. Machine
  • The Writing Center's Place Amongst AI
• Student Art Submissions
• Movie Reviews
• Satire

No Evidence That Reasoned Analysis Impairs The Accuracy Of (Or Confidence In) Sports Forecasts, Andrew Langbehn

Masters Theses

When making decisions, people can either rely on a gut feeling or engage in reasoned analysis to make a choice. Past research has made competing claims on whether relying on gut feelings or reasoned analysis leads to better decisions. However, these competing claims may be due to the types of decisions being made. Relying on gut feelings has been demonstrated to be superior in judgments about attitudes and leads to greater post-decision satisfaction. However, prior research demonstrating the benefits of gut feelings has used subjective and mostly unverifiable criteria for which to judge the quality of a decision. On the …

The Impact Of Utilitarian Product Reviews On Brand Perception, Benjamin Libon

Masters Theses

The impact of online reviews on consumer behavior has been increasingly studied as online retail platforms have grown exponentially, and internet research used prior to purchasing products has become more common. However, limited research has examined the impact of those product reviews on the overall perception of the brands selling these products. This study exclusively looked at product reviews for high and low-involvement utilitarian products and analyzed how those reviews affect consumers' perception of a brand. Taking a sample of 301 participants, findings showed that star ratings had a drastic effect on consumers' perception of a brand, associating a low …

If Not Us, Then Who?: Qtbipoc Graduate Researchers’ Experiences Researching Qtbipoc Communities, Vardaan Dua

Masters Theses

Experiences of minority graduate student researchers, specifically graduate student researchers that identify as queer and/or trans and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (QTBIPOC) have been largely underrepresented in current scholarship. Utilizing reflexive thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews, in the current study we explored the experiences of 20 QTBIPOC graduate student researchers who conduct QTBIPOC research. Results revealed five thematic patterns, including: (a) recognizing, resisting, and reforming systemic oppression within academia; (b) encountering interpersonal oppression within academic contexts; (c) personal well-being and the role of QTBIPOC research; (d) relations among one’s personal identities and engagement in QTBIPOC research; and …

Sex Trafficking: Saudi Arabian Women's Perspectives, Jennifer O. Rowland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

International Labour Migration, Farmland Fallowing, Livelihood Diversification And Technology Adoption In Nepal, Karki Nepal, Mani Nepal, Randall Bluffstone

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article investigates the effect of temporary international labour migration on farmland fallowing, adoption of agricultural intensification technologies and livelihood diversification. Using nationally representative data, combined with empirical methods that allow causal inference, the authors find that households with international migrants are over 50 per cent more likely (based on propensity score matching estimates) to have fallow land than those without. Temporary international migration promotes the adoption of some agricultural intensification technologies and causes rural households to diversify their livelihoods. Land fallowing may increase food insecurity, while agricultural intensification may improve it, for an uncertain net effect.

Eliminating Monitor Overuse (Emo) Type Iii Effectiveness-Deimplementation Cluster-Randomized Trial: Statistical Analysis Plan, Rui Xiao, Christopher P. Bonafide, Nathaniel J. Williams, Zuleyha Cidav, Christopher P. Landrigan, Jennifer Faerber, Spandana Makeneni, Courtney Benjamin Wolk, Amanda C. Schondelmeyer, Patrick W. Brady, Rinad S. Beidas, Enrique F. Schisterman

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Deimplementing overused health interventions is essential to maximizing quality and value while minimizing harm, waste, and inefficiencies. Three national guidelines discourage continuous pulse oximetry (SpO₂) monitoring in children who are not receiving supplemental oxygen, but the guideline-discordant practice remains prevalent, making it a prime target for deimplementation. This paper details the statistical analysis plan for the Eliminating Monitor Overuse (EMO) SpO₂ trial, which compares the effect of two competing deimplementation strategies (unlearning only vs. unlearning plus substitution) on the sustainment of deimplementation of SpO₂ monitoring in children with bronchiolitis who are in room air.

Methods: …

Critical Consciousness & The Rural-Urban Divide, Kendall O'Rorke

University Honors Theses

This study investigated the relationship between conceptions of Critical Consciousness (CC) and urban vs. rural geographic location type. Participants (N = 31) completed the Short Critical Consciousness Scale (CCS-S, Rapa et al., 2020), and 25 additional questions regarding potential location-based Idealogical differences. No measurable differences were found regarding differences in conceptions of critical consciousness (using CCS-S scores) based on rural-urban location, however, other responses supported some current research regarding political typology. Additional research is needed to fully understand this topic.

The Perpetuation Of Hiv Risk In Latinx Immigrations: A Cross-National Perspective, J. M. Aleman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Research indicates that migration is a social determinant of health that increases the risk of acquiring HIV. What is less understood, however, are the pathways through which immigration influences HIV risk. This study employed a cross-national perspective and utilized a social determinants of health framework to understand how structural factors, such as economic conditions and immigration policies and their enforcement, influence HIV risk among migrants. While mobility, migration and displacement are associated with increased HIV risk, they are not inherently the cause but rather a condition under which vulnerability is increased indicating that other distal, upstream, or structural forces are …

"You Kind Of Have To Act Like A Robot": Latina College Students, Emotional Labor, And The Demands Of Service Work, Julia Holguin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis project, my aim was to discern whether a discernible pattern exists in the way Latina college students at UTEP navigate the challenges of work, education, and family responsibilities. Given the evolving nature of the contemporary economy, the selling of emotions in the workplace has become increasingly prevalent. Latinas, often overrepresented in low-wage occupations, find themselves tasked with balancing work demands alongside familial responsibilities and academic pursuits. Existing research has predominantly leaned on Arlie Russell Hochschild's theory of emotional labor, notably showcased in her study on flight attendants, to illustrate the gendered nature of this phenomenon. This qualitative …

Using Team Rewards And Individual Assessment To Incentivize Collaboration In Team Projects, Prasart Jongjaroenkamol

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Team projects are commonly used in higher education across different disciplines to promote cooperation among students. However, achieving this objective can be challenging. To address this issue, educators have explored various strategies, such as implementing peer evaluation or having periodic consultations with teams. In this paper, I present a novel approach to team assessment that combines team rewards with individual assessment. In this assessment, each team member independently takes a quiz, and the team's score is determined by the average performance of its members. Consequently, the team reward becomes intricately tied to the individual learning outcomes of all team members. …

Exploring Teachers’ Reflections And Narratives Of Negative Language, Maya Khemlani David, Ameer Ali, Francisco Perlas Dumanig, Muhammad Hassan Abbasi

Journal of English and Applied Linguistics

Language is used to communicate, express feelings and emotions. In the teaching context, teachers use language to share knowledge and information with students. Teachers’ use of negative language, such as ‘duffer’, ‘stupid’, ‘lazy’, etc. may result in students feeling mistreated, discouraged and worthless. Such language can also negatively affect students’ cognitive processes, feelings and emotions and blunt their curiosity, and their interest in performing better may be reduced. The responses of students to negative language used by teachers has been documented but reasons for the use and purpose of such language by teachers has not been documented. Although much of …

Making Data Meaningful: Stakeholder Perceptions On Data Visualization And Data Management Practices Within A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports (Mtss), Domenick Saia

Dissertations

Data-driven decision-making and collaboration are core pillars of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS); however, timely and accessible data use, as well as data literacy and visualization literacy skills, are challenges school leaders and educators face related to implementing such frameworks. I hypothesized efficient data management systems and data visualization tools enable school teams to predict student learning outcomes, readily communicate, and better understand student data. The purpose of this study design was to highlight a need for more efficient data structures that allow school stakeholders to balance their roles within an MTSS framework more effectively. The context of this …