Great expectations and post-feminist accountability: negotiating femininity in a modern day sorority

The purpose of study was to understand how femininity is produced within historically white sororities. In order to achieve this understanding, participants’ experiences were analyzed through a qualitative lens informed by post-feminism and girls’ studies. Drawing theoretically from Anita Harris’ discourse of girl power (or the can-do girl) and Angela McRobbie’s (2009) post-feminist concepts of double entanglement, post-feminist masquerade, and ‘the perfect’; the construction of femininity, was explored within the context of sorority membership. Specific attention was given to the effort required, of sorority members with formal leadership experience, to interpret, negotiate, reproduce, and resist femininity. The goal of this study was to provide a more complex understanding of sororities and their members. Since this is an initial study, limitations were discussed as well as recommendations for future study. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Beyond Atkins: how do the prongs perform during sentencing?

In Atkins v. Virginia (2002) the High Court categorically excluded individuals with intellectual disability (ID) from a punishment of death due to the limited judgment, poor reasoning, and reduced levels of impulse control inherent in the disability. This research explored the impact of the diagnostic prongs during sentencing for offenders found guilty of a capital crime and who failed to prove ID during an Atkins hearing. The current study used a mock jury deliberation paradigm with a large sample of undergraduate students divided into four-, five-, or six-person mock juries. Two of the three diagnostic prongs, limited intelligence and deficits in adaptive behavior, were manipulated with the goal of identifying how these deficits (or lack thereof) are interpreted independently, and in conjunction with, one another during capital mitigation. The results indicated that both IQ and AB deficits are considered mitigating by death-qualified mock jurors, and information about deficits in one or both of these areas was associated with a 1.8 times greater likelihood of a sentence of life without the possibility of parole relative to the condition in which neither IQ nor AB deficits were present. Consistent with the High Court’s ruling in Atkins v. Virginia (2002), participants who believed the hypothetical defendant had ID were significantly less likely to sentence him to death as opposed to life in prison without the possibility of parole. More broadly speaking, the current study also provided evidence that perceptions of mitigating factors mediate the relationship between individual attitudes and ultimate sentencing determinations, and perceptions of mitigating factors can be understood through the lens of attribution theory. Implications are discussed with a particular emphasis on how this information can be used in the courtroom. Recommendations for research are offered. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Effects of unfolding case studies on nursing students' understanding and transfer of oxygenation

Utilizing unfolding case studies as a teaching strategy has a number of potential benefits towards enhancing student understanding and transfer of knowledge. A major goal of these strategies is to enhance the competence levels of nursing students and improve patient care outcomes. Literature has suggested that utilization of knowledge to align classroom, clinical, and laboratory learning experiences will lead to nursing students who are better able to discern critical aspects to focus on within clinical situations, allowing them to render more competent care (Benner, Sutphen, Leonard, & Day, 2010). Although unfolding case studies have the potential benefits, listed above, there is little empirical research in nursing education to warrant such claims. This study begins to address this gap by examining differences in understanding and transfer between a classroom that utilized a lecture-based approach (n = 45) and a classroom that utilized unfolding case studies (n = 44). Specifically, this study tested the effects of using unfolding case studies within an oxygenation module in a Fundamentals of Nursing Course at a community college in the southeastern United States. Pre and post module tests, a final examination, a teaching rubric, and personal perceptions of achievement through survey questions were utilized to measure achievement levels and students perceptions about using unfolding case studies. Results from an analysis of variance indicate that students in the unfolding case study classroom learned at a statistically significantly greater rate and demonstrated greater understanding after the module than students in the lecture-based classroom. Further, students in the unfolding case study classroom demonstrated significantly higher transfer of understanding on the final examination. Results from the survey questions offer suggestions for educational design for nursing students by guiding pedagogical strategies for the alignment of classroom, clinical, and laboratory experiences. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Using computer adaptive quizzing as a tool for nclex-rn success

A common goal among nurse educators is to adequately prepare graduates to be competent, caring professionals who deliver the highest standard of care. For the nursing school graduate, the first step to attaining this goal is success on the NCLEX-RN. Nurse educators are constantly seeking new strategies to help better prepare graduates for first time NCLEX-RN success. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between student access to computer-adaptive quizzing software program during the final semester of a baccalaureate nursing program and first time NCLEX-RN success. Employing the principles of retrieval practice theory, computer-adaptive quizzing is a strategy used in nursing education to allow students to study, evaluate, remediate, and reevaluate mastery of nursing concepts. Computer-adaptive quizzing was developed using the foundational principles of computer-adaptive testing and item response theory, which have been utilized in education, psychology, and computer science for many years. A retrospective, descriptive correlational design was used to compare NCLEX-RN outcomes of one cohort of students who did not have access to the computer-adaptive quizzing software (n=99) and one cohort who did have access (n=96). The computer-adaptive quizzing software program that was used in this study was PassPoint®, a product of Wolters Kluwer Health. There were no statistically significant differences between the two cohorts related to age, gender, race, pre-nursing science GPA, nursing GPA, nursing course failures, and if other degrees were held. There were no major course changes or revisions over the four semesters of the study other than the implementation of the PassPoint adaptive quizzing software. Chi-square analysis suggested that there was an association between having access to and using the software and NCLEX-RN success (p< .001; df=1) with 16.16% of those not having access being unsuccessful on the NCLEX-RN compared to 1.05% of those with access being unsuccessful. Logistic regression showed the predictive model significantly predicted that 18% of the variability of NCLEX-RN success could be linked with usage of the adaptive quizzing software. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Enhancing the spatial resolution of an active linear referencing system and calibrating a functional merge

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) maintains two linear referencing systems (LRS), the State Trunk Network (STN) and the Wisconsin Information System for Local Roads (WISLR). These two systems, while they were developed at different times and independently from one another, provide WisDOT the capabilities to report Highway Safety Manual data for the entire state and local road network. Because the two systems have limited data sharing capabilities, a functional merge, called the Link-Link table, was previously developed to facilitate a relationship between STN and WISLR. While data translation through the Link-Link table is acceptable, this project seeks to enhance data transfer between these two LRSs. Certain inherent differences exist between STN and WISLR that make accurate data movement challenging even through the link-link table, notably, the poor state route representation in WISLR and the difference in business rules that govern how roadways are represented in each system. This research developed a method to enhance the 12,000 miles of state route line work in WISLR, without disrupting the daily business activities of WisDOT, to match the STN line work. Utilizing the improved WISLR state trunk line work, a method to calibrate the Link-Link table to reconcile the linear offset discrepancy that exists at gore points was developed. A case study evaluated Interstate 94 in Saint Croix County by locating 46 gore locations and calibrating 113 records in the Link-Link table. The calibration technique produced 209 new Link-Link records that were used to translate 534 crashes from STN to WISLR. Results show that greater positional accuracy can be achieved when translating data through the calibrated table. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

A Daoist perspective on George Oppen's poetry and poetics

I use Daoist principles of ontological simplicity and the unmediated relationship between man and the ten thousand things to analyze George Oppen’s poems and poetics. First, I conduct a survey of the current state of American poetry studies and Oppen studies in China. Second, I examine Oppen’s poetics of “a language of silence.” Third, I seek the compatibility between the two Daoist principles and Oppen’s poetic philosophy of silence and clarity. Fourth, I interpret Oppen’s representative poems, particularly his only long poem, “Of Being Numerous” through a Daoist perspective. Finally, I analyze two Chinese scholars’ translations of the first section of “Route,” and I also give an account on how I translate “Of Being Numerous” into Chinese. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Dove "campaign for real beauty"

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty launched in the United States in 2004, challenging the norms of American beauty by featuring everyday women who were not skinny and flawless and who represented a range of ages, ethnicities, and races. Rooted in research and with the commitment to listen to women, Dove rolled out new sections of the campaign, each with a new target audience in mind, but all with the same message: all women are beautiful. However in the first ten years, the Campaign for Real Beauty did not change beauty standards overnight. What initially seemed to be a model CSR campaign proved to be a CSR campaign with many blemishes that has seemed to forget or departed from its original message about women’s “real” beauty. Nevertheless, the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty points to the importance of finding and embracing new technologies and exemplifies a model for an affective economy in the context of CSR. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Shattering the concrete ceiling: exploring the moderating effects of mass media messages as it relates to the perceived self-efficacy of African-American women

Past research has shown that there are few positive ethnically diverse role models in American society (Hackett & Betz, 1981). African-American women have identified the lack of racially identical role models as a significant barrier to attaining leadership positions within Corporate America. A cross-sectional survey was administered to explore how mass media images depicting counter-stereotypical images of African-American role models affect the self-efficacy beliefs of African-American women (195 respondents, 51%). The researcher also examined the participant’s ability to cope with stress and their reported level of career aspirations as predictors of their level of identification with the potential role model. The results indicated that African-American women have lower levels of both self-efficacy and career aspirations than women of other races (187 respondents, 49%). The results also indicated that the participant’s ability to cope with stress and level of career aspirations predicated their level of identification. Furthermore, the study found that a potential role models race significantly influenced the participants level of identification. This research will foster social change by identifying an effective approach to combating historical stereotypes that lower the self-efficacy of African-American women. Increasing the self-efficacy of African-American women could advance opportunities for minority women’s leadership and reduce the leadership gap in Corporate America. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

A qualitative study on the college choice process for first generation college students at a small, private, religious affiliated institution

College accessibility is a common topic amongst higher education professionals in today’s society. One specific example of an underserved population of students that can greatly benefit from the concept of college access is first generation college students. Previous research shows that first generation college students are often at a disadvantage compared to their peers in regards to college enrollment. In order for high schools teachers and guidance counselors as well as higher education administrators and admissions personnel to fully assist these students with their college enrollment, we must be knowledgeable about the factors that influence their college choice process. This qualitative research study investigated the college choice process for first generation college students at a small, private, religious affiliated institution. Using Hossler and Gallagher’s (1987) Model of College Choice, this study examined the three-stage college choice process including predisposition, search, and choice. Interviews were conducted with 31 first generation college students in the freshman class at Shorter University. Each participant was asked a series of 11 questions that coincide with the three stages of the college choice process. The data collected throughout the interviews was analyzed and coded to develop a thematic structure of the findings. The study resulted in three overarching conclusions. First, the aspiration to attend college was the first theme that was apparent during the predisposition stage of the college choice process. The majority of students revealed that they aspired to attend college at an early age in their life. Second, the theme of support from others was prominent in the research. Many of the participants revealed their appreciation for their parents, family members, teachers, and other adult figures that assisted them with their college enrollment. Finally, the obstacles that these first generation college students had to overcome was a prevalent theme in the data. These students handled many challenges throughout the college choice process from their socioeconomic status to their parents’ lack of knowledge about higher education. Though faced with adversity, the first generation college students in the freshman class at Shorter University utilized available resources to successfully enroll in post-secondary education. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Pain and emotional well-being as variability predictors and the role of mindfulness in community-dwelling older adults

This dissertation examines pain, emotional well-being, affect variability, pain variability and mindfulness in community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common chronic illnesses. Its sufferers experience a great deal of pain and a potentially substantial decline in emotional well-being. This data comes from an ongoing research project, Everyday Quality of Life in Osteoarthritis (EQUAL; R01 AG046155), which examines quality of life among African American (AA) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) older adults with a diagnosis of OA. Subjects aged 50 and older complete a comprehensive baseline assessment, as well as an experience sampling method (ESM) procedure. Baseline measures include Philadelphia Geriatric Center Pain Scale, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, as well as the short form Spielberger State Anxiety Scale. Variability was examined via the ESM procedure which includes responses to mood and pain questions 4 times daily over 7 consecutive days. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine whether traditional summary measures of pain and overall well-being are predictors of within-day pain and affect variability. Second, the role of mindfulness as a moderator was examined. Path analyses indicated that baseline pain, negative affect, and number of pain locations predict positive affect variability; negative affect predicts negative affect variability; and negative affect predicts pain variability. Mindfulness moderated the effect of emotional well-being on pain variability, but did not moderate the remaining three hypothesized relationships. These results highlight the complex nature of pain and affect in older adults suffering from OA, and how variability and mindfulness may affect that relationship. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries