Veteran Transition from Combat to Campus: A Mixed-Methods Study

The current research was carried out to investigate the overall satisfaction and benefits concerning student veteran programs at a public university located in southcentral Kentucky and the possible correlation of effectiveness within the supportive transitioning assistance programs for student veterans. The study included survey(s) distributions to administrators of veteran programs and student veterans. The descriptive investigative study involved both aspects of quantitative and qualitative design, hence categorizing the study as mixed-methods. Descriptive research design is considered a scientific method which involves observing and/or describing behavior regarding the subject without influencing it in any way. Surveys were used during this study to create a confidential and non-biased atmosphere. Student veteran information was limited, yet the information provided was honored and is shared for possible future study. Most administrators of student veteran programs participated in the study; however, there appears to be some inconsistency in the information provided based on survey questions. Therefore, a bias is probable due to the administrator’s position in particular student veterans’ programs. The findings indicate administrators need to become more familiar with the services on campus provided for student veterans, and there may be a lack of communication between departments that serve student veterans. Congruently, there is a possibility of bias among the administrators, according to the student veterans’ department for which they work. Also, the student veterans who participated in the study expressed a concern that information about student veteran services is not provided as well as it could be

Do black lives matter? A systematic review on support for the BLM Movement

Dissertação de mestrado em Sociologia, Políticas SociaisThis master's thesis carefully explores the diverse support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement through a detailed systematic review. Beginning with an exploration of the systemic criminalization faced by Black individuals in the United States, the study progresses to illuminate the emergence, global reach, and resonating impact of the BLM movement. Using rigorous methodologies, the systematic review thoroughly examines existing literature to reveal crucial insights and prevalent themes. The results, showcased in the findings section, encompass various facets of support for BLM, leading to a comprehensive discussion that contextualizes and combines the discoveries made in this in-depth review.Esta dissertação de mestrado investiga o apoio ao movimento Black Lives Matter (BLM) por meio de uma análise sistemática detalhada. Começando com uma exploração da criminalização sistêmica enfrentada por pessoas negros nos Estados Unidos, o estudo avança para esclarecer o surgimento, o alcance global e o impacto ressonante do movimento BLM. Usando metodologias rigorosas, a revisão sistemática examina minuciosamente a literatura existente para revelar quais os temas predominantes nas abordagens relacionadas a este movimento social. Os resultados, apresentados na seção de descobertas, abrangem várias facetas do apoio ao BLM, levando a uma discussão abrangente que contextualiza e combina as descobertas feitas nessa análise aprofundada

Measuring Food Insecurity and the Effectiveness of Food Assistance among Female Food Bank Recipients: A Case Study of Opportunity Junction in Contra Costa County

Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs are designed to provide support to obtain food and promote healthy eating habits for those who fall below the poverty line. This study examined the effectiveness of one program and measured the food insecurities of its female recipients at Food Bank at Opportunity Junction in Contra Costa County. The study also measured change in the nutrition and eating habits of its recipients. Data was collected from Opportunity Junction food bank recipients from questionnaires given during the recipients’ 12 week program and focus group interviews. A review of the relevant literature analyzed similar studies of food insecurities and food bank programs and compared and contrasted their findings. The results of this study also provided public policy recommendations for food banks and other nutritional programs to help alleviate food insecurities. The researcher of this study has volunteered over 100 hours in the Food Bank program at Opportunity Junction over the course of two years. A family member of the researcher was also a recipient of the Food Bank program at Opportunity Junction in 2013 and the family member has since graduated the program and was not part of the study. With this full disclosure of information, the researcher has conducted unbiased and objective research

Buddhist models of self: politics when people matter

Conference Theme: Buddhism Without Borderspublished_or_final_versio

Teamwork in context of diversity

Utilization of teamwork for problem solving is pervasive. Teamwork is employed in classrooms to facilitate learning, but also as preparation for future vocational practice. It is used in research as collaborative ethos. Teamwork features in workplace tasks, leisure time projects, pursuing solutions to intractable trans-situated problems, etc. The space of teamwork is a public space of multidimensional assets. Inherent in it are benefits of collaboration, but it also brings with it challenges that have to be resolved in order for it to work effectively. We pursue the question of effectiveness of team function through team size, given certain identified benefits and disbenefits. We attempt to find out if there is an optimal small team size based on a few characteristics such as burden sharing, transactive knowledge and conflict (e.g. schedule conflict). We employ an agent-based model. For parameterization of variables, we take data from a short questionnaire completed by students and use its results to set values. We create small teams of different sizes and allow the dynamic model to aggregate those values as adopted by agents. We also attempt to see which one of four benefit/disbenefit valuation model specifications might work best

Non-EFL Students’ Spontaneous Technique to Reduce Anxiety in ELT Speaking Practice Class

This research investigated non-EFL students’ spontaneous technique to reduce their English-speaking anxiety. This research proposes an instrument in three areas and the findings are parallel with them. The first scope is the use of various instruments which could give both strengths and lacks to students. The proper instruments help students to maintain the time necessary. The inappropriate use of the instrument lengthens students’ time to perform their speaking. The second finding scope is students' method of reducing anxiety through managing language use which covers diction, synonym, intonation management, length of speech, punctuation use, and repetition. The verbal language used represents students' previous experience and their readiness. The third finding scope is students’ method of reducing anxiety through managing non-linguistic aspects that cover facial expression, eye contact, body language, and changing of standing up position. The main conclusion is that reducing anxiety needs a well-prepared method or program