Communication Commons^™

Is The Loop Really Closed?: The Assessment And Reassessment Of Communications 101 Learning Outcomes, Carrie A. Gaxiola

Library Faculty Presentations

Conclusion: The students received good grades from Phase I library instruction, however did they really learn what we targeted? We could not really say for sure. This case study reveals that an appropriate method and instruments are imperative for retrieving valid data. This case also displays the importance of collaboration and teamwork. Communication was always open between all members of the team as well as with the library instruction department. We were able to forge a great relationship with the Communication Studies Director– the libraries’ liaison and the Communication Studies Director authored a textbook chapter together about the library for …

Utilizing Technology In A Randomized Pilot Study For A Smoking Cessation Intervention: An Innovative Approach Using Sms Messaging Systems, Elise Garcia

McNair Poster Presentations

Objective: Previous randomized controlled trials of Short Message Service (SMS) technology in smoking cessation interventions have been proven to be effective. Upon the completion of our pilot study, we will investigate the combined effects of delivering self-help SMS text messages with candidates that rate < 8 on the Contemplation Ladder (intention to quit scale)in natural-based setting.

Method: A sample of (N=60) adult smokers from the Eugene Community intending to quit will come in our lab for two sessions (baseline and follow-up) where physiological tests and selfreports will be measured. Smokers will be allocated to one of three condition groups where they will be sent 6 text messages per day for …

Withholding Political Authority: Civil Society And People's Power In Zimbabwe, A. Scott Dupree

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relationship of civil society to the state is rarely antagonistic and at most times supportive. The political regime and civil society are taken to be interdependent social structures that interact through hegemonic, supportive and socially constructed dimensions. Given this interdependency, when does civil society challenge authority or does its efforts rise to the level of a people's power revolution? When does it act to dismantle the political regime or seek to reconstruct it? This project attempts to shed light on how civil society mobilizes a people's power capable of challenging political authority through the story of its ongoing struggles …

Therapeutic Listening In Caring Relationships, Jennifer Mae Defoe

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Therapeutic listening is a proven and highly valuable tool used in professional, semi-formal, and formal caregiving relationships. The following work is a pilot project intended for use as a continuing education tool in the training of formal, yet unpaid, caregivers in a spiritual ministry serving in long-term, one-to-one relationships with a single care receiver. Methods used were derived from adult learning theory, small group communication theory, humanistic psychology, behavioral learning theory, social learning theory, symbolic interactionism, and interpersonal communication theory to name a few. Active listening and active learning strategies designed for adults are explored and utilized. The final project …

Cross-Culture Communication: Linguistic And Nonverbal Accommodation Within An English As A Second Language Classroom, Patrick Snyder

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Immigration to the United States presents difficulties to culturally diverse communities because of various customs, beliefs and languages. Daily social interaction and differing behavioral norms in these communities harbor positive and negative interethnic interactions. English as a second language (ESL) classrooms are common places in which people of numerous nationalities meet and work. The goal of this ethnography study is to observe the students’ and teachers’ interactions within an ESL classroom aided by Howard Giles’s communication accommodation theory (CAT) as a lens through which to view these issues. The communication interaction patterns and themes are divided into groups based on …

Expectancy Violations: Their Impact On Organizational Change Messages, Kristie Ward

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study looks at expectancy violation theory (Burgoon, 1978), the application of the theory in organizations, and foundational pieces of organizational communication to address how violations impact the reception of change messages among non-managers. Organizations grow and downsize for various reasons, including business performance and economic climate. Regardless of the reasons, downsizing is a hard message to deliver. It can matter little if it is to the employees who will be leaving the organization or to the „survivors‟ left behind. How the messages are delivered and understood are important for the organization to move their employees through change and move …

Endometriosis And Livejournal: How Women Use Social Media For Health Communication, Beena Gohil

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examined how women who have or are affected by endometriosis use the social blogging site LiveJournal as a means of communicating about the disorder, and what gratifications they received in the process. The philosophical framework for this study stemmed from Martin Buber’s (1923/1958) work on “dialogic ethics.” The theory that grounded this study is a version of Uses and Gratifications theory that has been expanded so that it is applicable to social media. The data was gathered as part of a content analysis study in which blog posts and their comments were collected, coded, and analyzed. The results …

Does Social Media Usage Translate To Offline Voting And Civic Engagement?, Sara Cureton

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

One of the most important objectives of media is to provide citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions. Based on the theory of technological determinism by scholars such as Marshall McLuhan, the innovations of a society are driven by its technology, so the widely-used medium of social media has been found to have a growing influence in civic matters. This thesis examined how social media usage impacted offline civic engagement. Through an analysis of a sample of 49 political candidates' Facebook and Twitter activity, this study questioned whether social media impacted the outcome of the 2012 General …

Multi-Generational Differences: Bridging The Gap, Leigh Mcmaster Bowes

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Today's business market is experiencing several trends such as organizational restructuring, corporate takeovers, changes in technology, mid-life career changes becoming more common, older employees choosing partial retirement rather than full retirement and the aging oftoday's largest workforce. As a result, the business community is faced with a new dynamic environment comprised ofmulti-generational difference and it is imperative that managers understand the generational differences and use their knowledge as a tool to create more employee productivity, innovation and loyalty (Fogg. 2009). This thesis used Constructive-Development Theory and Generational Cohort Theory to guide this research. Survey results concluded that managers did observe …

Face, Speech, And Other Concerns Of Global Business Communication, Lynne Elaine Tarter

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore global leadership communication competencies, as the communicative knowledge, skills and abilities of current business leaders do not meet the current sophisticated and fast-paced business demands of the interconnected global marketplace. Specifically, this study examines what attributes comprise communication competency for corporate leaders with global responsibilities, how those competencies are developed, and finally the impact the competencies have on organizations. A qualitative field study was conducted with two global leaders from two different regions of the world as they interacted with others from different cultures. A separate quantitative survey was administered to 95 …

"Nothing Sacred": Ignatian Principles Of Heroic Leadership In Entertainment Media, John Briand Levesque

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The series Nothing Sacred lasted less than one full season on broadcast network television. Critically acclaimed for its writing but also vigorously opposed for having an anti-Catholic agenda, it embraced a set of values consistent with Ignatian leadership philosophy. Scholars paid little attention to the show after its cancellation in 1998, but an examination of several episodes and the writing of its co-creator, a Jesuit priest, suggests that the series propagated the principles of Ignatian leadership in much the same way as Lowney (2003), who proposed that the 16th-century philosophy of leadership espoused by Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuit …

Print Media In The Digital Age: Creating Conversation And Community, Hilary E. Parker

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

With the rise of the Internet, print media has been forced to reinvent itself. Now, with the growing acceptance of social media networks such as Facebook, the industry must once again find relevance within the new technology. As social networks have become widely accepted within the general population, it behooves print publications to be involved in the same milieu as its readers. Becoming part of the social networking community as well as a publication’s geographic community may reap rewards as publications begin to participate in and foster conversations around topics of interest in the community. This thesis discusses the link …

The Role Of Communication In Sustainable Development, Tracy Ging

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

As population growth accelerates, there are new strains on agricultural production and a growing consideration for sustainable development. Within the field of sustainable development, collective action models or collaborative processes have been favored as a way to engage multiple stakeholders and address complex issues. Collective and collaborative action studies have emphasized communication, but little specifics have been offered about the role of communication. Using a qualitative interview process and ethnographic analysis, this case study explores the role of communication in collaboration. In addition to developing insights into specific communication practices, the research reveals a significant emphasis on mutually supportive relationships …

Etymology, Contemporary Usage And Intercultural Implications Of The Word: Gringo, Jaren Scott

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examines intercultural perceptions between Americans and Mexicans, and the etymology/implications of the term gringo. Whereas most investigations have focused on the Hispanic experience within the United States, this research asks participants to create a cultural casting of the typical gringo. Historical events combined with current academic literature in intercultural communication theory examine these stereotypes and their implications in a rapidly merging, or mutually integrating society, consisting of the United States and Mexico. The thesis surveys modern Mexican attitudes in regards to their North American neighbors with emphasis on Stella TingToomey’s identify negotiation and face theories. More importantly, the …

Employee Perceptions Of Productivity: Virtual Workplace Location Vs.Working In The Office, Stephen Patrick Guida

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study focused on perceived productivity. The key question answered explored how the perception of one’s productivity when working in a virtual workplace setting compared to working in the office. A 24 question survey was given to 100 employees within a financial organization resulting in 46 total useable surveys to analyze. Findings revealed that workplace setting does not significantly affect an employee’s perception of productivity. The result supports the Coordinated Management of Meaning theory of interpersonal communication as presented by Pearce and Cronen (1989) because communication required of an employee to be productive within an organization is learned and constantly …

Online Remedial Writing Classes: A Sense Of Presence, Pedagogy, And Digital Divide, Barbara Lorraine Stoutamore

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Remedial math and writing courses have become commonplace on two and four year college campuses. As many as 42 percent of incoming freshman enroll in some type of remedial class whether it be reading, writing, or math (Brock, 2010). More and more students are entering these institutions underprepared for college level work and must take remedial courses to increase their skills to college equivalency. Face to Face (FtF) courses have been developed to meet the needs of remedial students, but recently online courses have begun to be offered as well. Research shows that students who take online courses are less …

Perceived Expectations Of High School Students' Acceptance To College And The Effect It Has On Their Application To College, Aaron D. Cannistraci

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This qualitative study looks at leadership/ASE students of a private secondary school in central California, in an effort to measure their perceived expectations about their college application and correlate them with where these students actually apply to college. The research questions asked: RQl: Do the perceived expectations of high school students' acceptance to college have an effect on where they apply to college? RQ2: Do the perceived expectations of high school students' acceptance to college have an effect on their ambition to go to college? This study grounded in symbolic interaction theory collected data from 30 students in their junior …

Reality Television And Its Effect On The Academic Achievement Of Inner-City High School Students, Natifia Mullings

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The impact of heavy television viewing and the effects it has on young viewers has been a dominant topic since the 1960s. With the ever-changing landscape of television programming, reality television has become increasingly popular, especially among the pre-teen and teen audiences. This study explores George Gerbner‘s Cultivation Theory (1998), which assumes that television has the ability to influence the attitudes and perceptions of its viewers, and uses it as a foundation to determine if there is an association between reality television consumption and the attitudes inner-city high school students have towards education. A total of 251 inner-city high school …

Communication Techniques: Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility, Laurie Beth Fried

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is increasingly important for businesses and their stakeholders. Successful communication ofa companies' CSR program remains a huge challenge. It is important for business leaders to understand how to build customer awareness of CSR efforts, and identify the factors that positively impact customers' beliefs and purchasing behavior, and thus the bottom line. Research for this study was both quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative analysis utilized data from a recent e-mail customer survey conducted by a national retailer. Top CSR Communicators were identified and then a qualitative analysis was applied with in-depth employee interviews. The results revealed that …

Source Credibility And How New Churchgoers Choose A Church, Stephanie Araujo

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The church as a faith community seeks to expand interpersonal and ethical communication by inviting new members. However, much of the effort to successfully communicate with non-attenders has fallen on deaf ears as the church in the United States has seen stagnant growth over the last few decades. This study considers the various tactics employed by the faith community to overcome this malaise and attract new people by asking how new churchgoers choose a church. Using source credibility as the theoretical basis, this study attempts to show that most churchgoers choose a faith community based on the pastor’s source credibility; …

Public Speaking: Breaking Down Barrier And Building Confidence, Cameron Scott Knauerhaze

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This paper is a consulting project for prospective public speakers. This project is intended to help break down barriers and build confidence of students when faced with public speaking situations. The project is designed for adult students. Students will be introduced to public speaking from a historical perspective with the hope they will build a foundation for accepting the remaining course material. The theory of Communication Apprehension (CA) is identified and discussed throughout the paper. As students start to recognize what barriers they possess in public speaking, they will learn simple methods in how to create and deliver a speech. …

Critical Analysis Of Hiv/Aids Communication Messages, Charli Marie Wilson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

For the last thirty years HIV/AIDS has affected the lives of many people in the United States. Since the first introduction of the disease to America, healthcare officials have implemented several methods in various disciplines to prevent new cases. The information in this thesis examines how public health campaigns have contributed to the prevention of HIV. The research method in this thesis assumes a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of three HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and how these media educate men who have sex with men (MSM) about prevention. The CDA method is useful in identifying consistent emerging themes in the campaigns …

"Dear Jane": An Examination Of Female Combat Warriors, The Communiaction Styles Used During War Vs. The Communication Used In The Home, Renee Humphrey

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

War has been happening for centuries. Women have been in the United States Armed Forces since the War of Independence in 1775, with very little research done on how war affects these women once on the home front. The purpose of my research is to evaluate the role of communication because of being a female in a combat zone at a time of war, and how it has affected the female‘s life back home once returned. Specifically, I used Relational Dialectic Theory and Expectancy Violations Theory as a basis of ethnographic research and one on one interviews to research the …

Exploring The Use And Effectiveness Of Mediated Communication By Churches, Sarah Christine Syptak Hinrichs

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

In an era categorized by a decline in traditional religious participation, Protestant church leaders in the United States are utilizing computer mediated forms of communication to attract and retain members. Research shows, however, that many churches lack the resources or knowledge to communicate effectively online. To aid in a greater understanding of webbed communication tools, this thesis looks at the ability of dialogic mediated communication to contribute to satisfaction with communication in the church as well as overall organizational satisfaction and involvement. Rooted in the phenomenological tradition and in relationship management theory, the study focuses on mediated communication as a …

Teleconferencing In Large Corporations, Thomas E. Howard

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Technology based communication tools in business represent an area that has been intensely researched. Of all the available tools, teleconferencing remains the most widely and frequently used in business communication. This case study explores whether teleconferencing is a useful communication tool for leadership to express objectives to the organization’s members. Philosophical assumptions in this paper are based on Aristotle’s components of rhetoric: ethos, pathos, and logos. Media Naturalness (Kock, 2004) and Social Presence Theory (Short & Williams, 1976) provide the theoretical basis for this paper. The study is based on qualitative data gathering and analysis surrounding the 3rd Quarter Organization-wide …

Determining Cultural Influence On Crisis Communications, Adam Thomas Holst

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study implemented an interpretive social science approach with an egalitarian perspective. It explores the relationship between culture and crisis communication. The researcher created a fictitious organizational crisis, then surveyed participants to gather their insights and guidance as they related to organizational response. The literature reviewed in this study provides detailed examination of crisis and culture. It calls for examination of how the two impact one another in communication settings. Survey questions were derived from Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural variability, which was the theoretical framework for this study. Efforts were made to include broad participation and incorporate simple random probability …

The Facebook Effect: Considering The Influence Of Facebook On The User's Sense Of Community, Stephanie Jo Hansen

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

A recent report on the impact of social media on children, adolescents and families cautioned that parents should now be concerned about Facebook Depression. This alleged new condition has been gaining popularity in social commentary regarding the effects of social networking websites, such as Facebook.com. Thus, it is critical that the potential effects of this social networking site be studied to counteract under-researched claims. This thesis focused on how the observable community construct created by Facebook may or may not have an effect on the user’s sense of community. Specifically, this paper used Walther’s Social Information Processing theory to explain …

Analyzing Espn And The Agenda-Setting Theory, Justin John Kischefsky

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This thesis initially discussed the agenda-setting theory and framing and then examined how the two concepts related to the presentation of the lead stories on a trio of ESPN outlets in comparison to a pair of non-ESPN sports media outlets. This study was achieved by conducting a content analysis of the lead stories appearing on ESPN's SportsCenter and The Highlight Express televisions shows, ESPN.com, SportsIllustrated.com and CBSSports.com daily for four weeks. While the ESPN outlets made similar decisions to that of the non-ESPN outlets on the priority of story placement, there were enough instances to show that ESPN did frame …

Actor Skills In Managerial And Professional Development: Effective Leadership Training For The Information Age, David Hendrik De Vries

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The knowledge-based economies of today’s information age demand a higher level of communication skills in the workplace. One viable method of teaching communication skills leverages the techniques found in actor training. This thesis explores the use and effectiveness of actor training in the training and development of managers and professionals. The theories of Aristotle, Burke, Dewey and Ong are referenced to understand the value of the performance metaphor—“As a leader, you’re always onstage”—as an underlying approach, while the theories of Wiener, Watzlawick, Baxter, Ting Toomey and others reinforce the viability of actor training in the field of communication. A review …

Computer-Mediated Communication And Educational Games, Stacy Lee Keller

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The continuous development of technology has made Computer-mediated communication the normal means of communication in many organizations. Many educators are beginning to use resources designed to prepare their students for the global world of computer-mediated communication. Even though computer-mediated communication is different from face-to-face, it does not necessarily inhibit collaboration. This study examined the success of a non-collocated team playing MoonWorld using only computer-mediated communication versus the success of a team that was collocated and able to use face-to-face communication. The data showed that there were differences in the collaboration between the two teams, but that both teams were successful …