Returning children from public care

Research Briefing 4

Playing with Death: The Potential for Violent Video Games to Induce Mortality Salience

Mortality salience, the realization of the inevitability of death, creates intense psychological terror within humans. Terror Management Theory posits that particular behavioral patterns, such as establishing and defending a worldview, reduce this terror (Greenberg et al., 1990). Behaviors due to mortality salience are strikingly similar to behaviors seen with violent video games. Violent video games may induce mortality salience in video game players, thus some of the outcomes of violent video games may be in part due to mortality salience. This paper will provide an explanation of mortality salience and Terror Management Theory, investigate behavioral patterns surrounding mortality salience and violent video games, propose a study exploring if violent video games can induce mortality salience, and discuss implications of mortality salience within violent video games

Visual Framing: A Study in Face-ism from the Websites for the 108th United States Congress.

Websites are being used by increasing numbers to target a market with a message unfiltered by the media. This content analysis examined the website front-screens for the members of the 108th United States Congress to determine if the photographic images displayed reinforced the media\u27s stereotypical frame of female politicians. A total of 3,892 photographic images were captured from 540 websites and coded using the face-ism index. Overall, the results supported the face-ism theory. Images of females were cropped lower on their bodies than images of males. The face-ism effect was not supported until the number of people in the photograph numbered six or more. Results revealed that photographic images of female representatives and senators were cropped no differently than their male peers. The research indicated females in Congress are successful in framing their own image but future website designs can portray a positive frame for all females presented on Congressional websites

DETERMINING VULNERABILITY USING ATTACK GRAPHS: AN EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT FAIR MODEL

Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR) provides a framework for measuring and understanding factors that contribute to information risk. One such factor is FAIR Vulnerability; the probability that an event involving a threat will result in a loss. An asset is vulnerable if a threat actor’s Threat Capability is higher than the Resistance Strength of the asset. In FAIR scenarios, Resistance Strength is currently estimated for entire assets, oversimplifying assets containing individual systems and the surrounding environment. This research explores enhancing estimations of FAIR Vulnerability by modeling interactions between threat actors and assets through attack graphs. By breaking down the scenario into more representative and quantifiable parts, more detailed and precise analyses are possible

The Effects of Formative Feedback and Assessment Tools on Writing Proficiency and Motivation in Elementary Classrooms

This action research aimed to determine the effects formative feedback and rubrics play on student motivation and proficiency levels in writing. This four-week intervention took place in a suburban 1st-grade classroom and an urban 3rd-grade classroom through whole group and small group instruction, collaborative conversations, student reflections, and student attitude inventories. Data was collected through the use of pre-and post-intervention writing attitude surveys. In addition, a pre-intervention, rough draft, and final draft writing sample that the teacher and student graded was utilized. Finally, data were collected during small group, reflective conversations involving student understanding and application of rubrics alongside writing samples. An increase in student proficiency was demonstrated following the use of formative feedback alongside rubrics when crafting personal narratives. Additionally, an increase in motivation was demonstrated, yet not significant enough to say that formative feedback paired with the use of rubrics increases student motivation in writing. Research should continue to identify patterns in students\u27 confidence or attitudes towards their writing and proficiency levels over time. Furthermore, a longitudinal study involving Kindergartners-3rd grade would be beneficial to measure proficiency and motivation rates in writing over an extended period to identify patterns. This research can support educators so that we may better understand rubrics, formative feedback, and their influence on proficiency and motivation levels over time. Moreover, we can utilize the information to best inform our instruction and support systems with elementary student writers

Remember: Building Displays to Promote a Prominent Collection in the Community

Poster presentation discussing some of the Wright State University Libraries\u27 displays and programs to educate and mark Holocaust Remembrance Month

Pubic Lice (Pthirus pubis): History, Biology and Treatment vs. Knowledge and Beliefs of US College Students

Pubic lice (Pthirus pubis) maintain a worldwide parasitic population infesting two to over 10 percent of human populations, continuing a presence that has been constant since early evidence 10,000 years ago. Outbreaks in the 1970s have been recorded, but incomplete records preclude description of a definitive population cycle. Current levels of infestation in a US college student population were investigated in this study. Knowledge and opinions of students were also recorded in an online survey administered to college students taking a basic health course at a mid-sized East Coast University. In a group of 817 students, 35 reported experience with pubic lice or other STD infection. Knowledge, beliefs, and treatment attitudes were examined for the 782 students who did not have experience with either pubic lice or STD infection. These students deemed antibiotics as a viable treatment for pubic lice infestation. They also indicated negative attitudes toward the use of pesticide crèmes, which are the most useful prescription. Symptoms and transmission myths in student answers are described. Publisher's version available at: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/6/2

Make a Difference! Mentor Teens in Your Community

Learn how library staff from three different locations mentor teen interns and volunteers in their communities. Attendees will also hear about the presenter’s experiences taking part in PLA’s Inclusive Internship Initiative program