Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Ua94/6/18 Stephen Flora Student / Alumni Papers, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Stephen Flora during his years as a student at Western Kentucky University.

The Guardian The Month Of January 2024, Wright State Student Body

The Guardian Student Newspaper

News articles from The Guardian for the Month of January 2024. The Guardian is the official student-run newspaper for Wright State University. It has been published regularly since March of 1965.

Examining Connectivity And Mental Health Amongst Generation Z And Millennials, Regina M. Luttrell Ph.D., Alexandra Hosilyk, Nyah Jones, Grace Kos-Dondlinger, Runchu Lang, Katerina Miller

Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab

The Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab tasked our research team to develop findings based on two generational cohorts and mental health. Our team decided to research Millennials and Generation Z in relation to their mental health and connectivity habits. In addition to these general topics, we analyzed how remote work, the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. political turmoil have played a role in the mental health status of these two generational cohorts.

The Millennial generational cohort is defined as individuals born from 1981 to 1996. The Generation Z generational cohort is defined as individuals born from 1997 to 2012. In order …

The Impact Of Loneliness Post-Pandemic And Immersed In The Upcoming Political Election, Regina M. Luttrell Ph.D., Gwen Pratt, Abigail Kludt, Amy Barone, Kwadwo Osei-Poku, Lihan Wang

Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab

The Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab emerged with a partnership between Real Chemistry and the Public Relations department at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and serves as a multidisciplinary research center focusing on analytics, artificial intelligence, digital and emerging media for a number of organizations regarding communications.

Healthcare professionals and organizations are interested in identifying how mental health impacts different U.S. generational groups after the COVID-19 pandemic and the intersectionality of U.S. Politics. Our team focused on two generational cohorts – Generation X (1965-1980) and Generation Z (1997-2012) – as an entry point into navigating the impact of …

The Study Of Baby Boomers And Generation Z’S Attitudes Towards Generational Mental Health Dynamics, Regina M. Luttrell Ph.D., Hunter Harpin, Emma Grace Reville, Yunxiang Yu, Abagail Sweeney

Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab

The purpose of this research is to compare and contrast how different historical events have impacted Generation Z members’ and the Baby Boomers’ attitudes towards mental health and how those attitudes have guided members of these generations to feel about medical experts and the technology that they use to deliver their services in the post-COVID era. Studying these topics allows our group to make recommendations as to how medical experts should go about interacting with members of the Generation Z and Baby Boomer generations respectively, based on how historical events have influenced their attitudes towards mental health topics, their perceived …

Effects Of Dehumanization And Disgust-Eliciting Language On Attitudes Toward Immigration: A Sentiment Analysis Of Twitter Data, Katherine S. Wahrer, Cynthia J. Najdowski, John V. Passarelli

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

Attitudes towards immigration have been shown to be driven by dehumanization and disgust. The more people dehumanize immigrants and the more disgusted they feel, the more negative attitudes they tend to have toward immigrants. However, little is known about how exposure to social media content that links dehumanization, disgust, and immigration influences users’ attitudes on this issue. This is important to consider because the majority of adults in the United States are on social media. We used Twitter data, machine learning, and sentiment analysis to investigate whether exposure to dehumanizing or disgust-eliciting tweets about immigration impacts users’ own sentiment toward …

The State Of Women In The Media: Representation, Coverage And Framing Of Women In East African Media, Aga Khan University, Graduate School Of Media And Communications

Graduate School of Media and Communications

This research examined the representation of women in East African news media organisations and the coverage and framing of women in top East African newspapers, TV and digital platforms. The study is premised on existent literature on the intricate interplay between media framing, coverage dynamics, and the representation of women in newsrooms’ workforce, given the consequential role all these play in shaping public perceptions of gender issues and shifting norms. Through a comprehensive methodology that incorporated content analysis, document analysis and interviews on the responsibilities and assigned roles of women in media organisations, the research presents findings from a content …

Wright State University Magazine, 2024, Wright State Alumni Association And Wright State Foundation

Wright State University Magazine

Fifty-two page issue of the Wright State University Magazine. This magazine is published once a year and focuses on news related to Wright State alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the university.

I Can't Look Away: Parasocial Relationships With Dance Mom Characters Across Tv And Social Media, Kennedy Kay Pirlet

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2019, Dance Moms ended its airing on Lifetime at the completion of the eighth season. However, the show and its cast members remained popular on social media platforms like TikTok, but we still didn’t know the relationship between watching the show and following cast members on multiple social media platforms or who audiences were closest to. To answer this question, the celebrity-persona parasocial interaction scale and experience of parasocial interaction scale were utilized. These scales were used in this study and found reliable. Snowball recruitment focusing on social media platforms and emails yielded 180 eligible sample participants. Through a …

Journalism In The Digital Era: Making The Case For Media Research Department., Yvonne Okwara

Theses & Dissertations

In a world with social media outlets that are quick on the mark when it comes to breaking news, it is no longer the journalist’s job to be the first or the fastest to break news. That has been disrupted already. What audiences need now more than ever before is confirmation, understanding and analysis of what the news means to them, and how it will affect their lives. What they are looking for is an understanding of the genesis of an event, its progression up until the point the story broke, and why it should matter to them. The study …

An Analysis Of The Contribution Of Industrial Attachment In Journalism Training In Kenya: Challenges And Opportunities For An Effective Framework, Yusuf Ali Lakicha

Theses & Dissertations

In Journalism Schools, industrial attachment is an integral part of media education, offering students valuable opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings and gain practical skills necessary for successful careers in the media industry. It is an essential part of an academic programme where students augment the practical skills learnt in school in an actual work environment. This study examined the contribution of industrial attachment in journalism, with a focus on arguably Kenya’s leading media organization, Royal Media Services, which has three television stations and 12 radio stations. The objective of the study was to assess the structure of …

Digital Transformation In A Legacy Media House: A Case Study Of Nation Media Group’S Tag Brand Studio, Sheila Adam

Theses & Dissertations

Media organizations in Kenya face significant obstacles, with the major ones being financial limitations and technological disruptions. Consequently, these challenges have necessitated the adoption of digital transformation as a means for media houses to sustain their operations and maintain their relevance in the eyes of their audience. Organizations around the world have opted to establish in-house brand studios or agencies to provide creative services and support their branding and marketing efforts by carrying out tasks typically handled by external agencies. Nation Media Group established Tag Brand Studio, an in-house digital marketing agency that develops and implements long-term digital marketing strategies …

Analysis Of Media Convergence At Vision Group Uganda, Semei Wessaali

Theses & Dissertations

This research delves into the phenomenon of media convergence within Vision Group, concentrating on key factors influencing its implementation. Employing a cross-sectional approach, the study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data from Vision Group staff and audiences. The primary objectives include assessing staff perceptions of content quality post-convergence, examining the organizational response to convergence, and scrutinizing audience consumption patterns. The results demonstrate a notable enhancement in content quality, with journalists in a converged system exhibiting improved output. Positive outcomes are also attributed to organizational and cultural changes that support convergence, including staff training, promotion of collaborations, and …

Exploring The Viability Of A Hybrid E-Commerce Portal As An Alternative Revenue Model For Nation Media Group Uganda, Samuel Kanyaihe Barata

Theses & Dissertations

The global media industry, shaped by technological advancements, is facing existential challenges and Nation Media Group Uganda, like its industry counterparts, continues to grapple with declining circulation, viewership, and advertising revenues. These hardships test NMGU's sustainability, pushing the exploration of new digital revenue streams. Paywalls, initially slow globally, prompting a quest for alternative models, notably a hybrid e-commerce portal, prompting this research. To evaluate NMGU's potential hybrid e-commerce venture, the researcher gauged public interest and vendor/service provider willingness using quantitative methods. Out of 102 distributed questionnaires, an 83% response rate yielded 85 valuable insights, forming the primary dataset for analysis. …

The Viability Of Online Niche Market Programming By Radio Stations In Uganda: An Analysis Of Cbs Fm., Samson Bill Nyatia

Theses & Dissertations

This study about niche marketing for a radio operator in Uganda, CBS FM, is set in the context of an altered media landscape in which shifting fortunes and emergent opportunities present the need for new product development, spurred in part by the pressures of balancing the interests of a multiplicity of stakeholders, whose needs outpace the station’s broadcasting and revenue-generating capacity. Faced with intense competition, a disruptive set of new media operations, as well as an aggressive buyer’s market, CBS FM must now consider tapping into the capabilities availed by technology, to serve its clientele better. The first chapter explores …

Examining The Role Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Transforming Print Journalism In Uganda., Robert Mukasa

Theses & Dissertations

This study provides an analysis of the current state of artificial intelligence adoption in two privately funded print media houses in Uganda: The Observer and Daily Monitor." The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into journalism has been touted as a transformative force with several advantages and disadvantages, including improvements in workflow efficiency, content accuracy, and audience engagement. Despite this potential, the adoption of AI in Ugandan print journalism has been slow, due to challenges such as limited access to technological resources and a lack of AI literacy among journalists. Using the Technology Acceptance Model as a guiding framework, the study …

Local Content Monetization Strategies For Revenue Generation Employed By Independent Tv Producers On Ott Platforms In Kenya., Misiko Andere

Theses & Dissertations

The rapid growth of over-the-top (OTT) platforms has revolutionized the way video content is marketed and consumed and provided a unique opportunity for Kenyan content creators to showcase their creative storytelling work to a global audience. However, the lack of bankable/effective monetization strategies poses significant hurdles for local producers; this is largely due to the various ways in which the content is consumed and the variations of the same content on internet-enabled platforms that are linked to the OTT platforms such as mobile and online platforms linked to the streaming services. Accordingly, the objective of this capstone project is to …

An Internal And External Contextual Autoethnography Of A Single Mother's Experience As It Intersects With Misogyny, Patriarchy, And Hegemonic Masculinity, Heidi Sampson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation is a contextual autoethnography of my lived experience with stigmatization, stereotypes, and institutional obstructions as a divorced single mother who previously experienced intimate partner violence and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The purpose of the study is to shed light on the complexity of the single motherhood experience, both internally and externally. From 2009 to 2019, the institutions I accessed for assistance as a single mother and those I interacted with for my children, my job, my health, and even within the church were unnecessarily burdensome financially, physically, and emotionally. This dissertation takes a contextual look at …

Doing The Impossible: Dealing With False Beliefs, Yuliya Filippovska

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Fighting false information, propaganda, open lies, rumors, misinformation, and disinformation by attacking it directly and challenging it is the dominant strategy for dealing with false beliefs (Lazer et al., 2018; Maseri et al., 2020; Van Bavel et al., 2021), and it is an important one. Refuting falsity is crucial. At the same time, there are instances when fighting false information does not work (Ardèvol-Abreu et al., 2020; McIntyre, 2018; Van Bavel et al., 2021). One of the reasons is that it denies another’s worldview, belief systems, and, as a result, their identity and even right to exist. Searching for alternative …

Universities As Innovation Hubs For Television Stations In Uganda., Imokola John Baptist

Theses & Dissertations

Television in Uganda continues to struggle to deal with changes in the industry, which has ultimately led to the closure or restructuring of many organizations. Many of those that remain are also struggling to survive in the market. For them to remain successful and viable, they need to constantly innovate to deal with these changes, as well as satisfy the needs of their audience. Innovation, however, is expensive in terms of time, finances and human resources. This study set out to examine the possibilities of using journalism schools in universities as innovation hubs for the television industry. The study was …

An Analysis Of Ethical Practices In Production Of Youtube Editorial Content In Rwanda., James Munyaneza

Theses & Dissertations

Many scholars have investigated the impact of digital technologies on journalism ethics, citing falling ethical standards and urging the protection of the basic tenets of journalism. YouTube has emerged as a major conduit of information, thereby helping democratise content. But scholars like Ward have wondered if the old journalistic ideals of objectivity and editorial independence apply to citizen journalists as much. Indeed, Hulin attempted to draw a line between journalists and other online content producers, noting that journalists retain a major responsibility in the promotion of democracy. Democracy, he argues, still needs professional journalists. As such, media outlets need to …

Finding Joy And Community In Climate Action, Deanna Kellom

Cal Poly Humboldt Capstone Honor Roll

The goal of this paper is to discuss the ways that the conversation around climate action can be altered to center finding joy and community. Often when people hear about the state of the climate there is a sense of dread that people have reported feeling. Most people feel as though the climate has reached the point of no return and that there is nothing that any one person can do to really make a difference. This paper will talk about some ways that have worked for people in getting them to do climate action while also enjoying the work …

Rhetoric On Climate Change And The Effects On Public Perceptions, Hailey Mina Rose Dossey

Cal Poly Humboldt Capstone Honor Roll

One of the extraordinary challenges humans are facing today is climate change and over the past two decades, the majority of the world has moved from questioning its legitimacy to accepting it as fact. With most people having accepted climate change as a reality, the goal of climate communication has shifted from spreading awareness to motivating audiences to take action. Through this analytical discussion, we will look into effective and ineffective methods of rhetoric as it can help guide us to a better understanding of why certain rhetoric that has previously been successful in other fields may not be the …

An Analysis Of The Use Of Whatsapp In The News-Making Process: A Case Of Bbc Africa., Maureen Nasimiyu Nyukuri

Theses & Dissertations

This study analyses the use of WhatsApp in the newsroom at BBC Africa, with a particular focus on the experiences of journalists, critical success factors and challenges journalists face when using the app. This study was guided by three objectives: To examine the experience of journalists in the use of WhatsApp in the BBC Africa newsroom, to assess the critical factors in the adoption and use of WhatsApp in the BBC Africa newsroom and to explore the challenges that Journalists face when using WhatsApp in the BBC Africa newsroom. It was anchored on the technology acceptance theory (Davis, 1989) and …

You Belong With Me: What Communication Professionals Can Learn From Swifties, Rachel Belle Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Pop powerhouse Taylor Swift has managed to create a dedicated fanbase that has the power to disrupt national sporting leagues and boost the American economy. Her Swifties are an exemplar in the world of fandom. Taylor Swift’s online interactions with fans, especially in the early days of her career, are partially responsible for her success in creating and maintaining this fanbase. Using principles of social informational processing theory (SIPT), this research examines what aspects of Taylor Swift’s computer-mediated communication with fans have fostered such intense feelings of community in her fandom of Swifties. Using in-depth interviews to explore the relationships …

Identifying Youth Appeals In Alcohol Alternative Social Media Content Through Framing, Melina Oneal

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Proposed regulations for alcohol advertising prevent beverage companies from targeting people under the legal drinking age. However, similar regulations for alcohol alternative beverages are less explored, which could allow alcohol alternative products to create awareness for alcoholic beverages among youth. Alcohol alternatives beverages, including no-alcohol and low-alcohol products, are increasing in popularity and can function as compliments to alcoholic products to decrease the total alcohol volume consumed or as substitutes for alcoholic products. Framing theory can be operationalized through the Content Appealing to Youth Index, an index of content elements found in research literature to be appealing to youth, to …

Members Only: Do Mandatory Inclusive Introductions Inadvertently Cause Exclusion?, Leah Marie Mckinney

All Master's Theses

In order to establish the proper way to address peers and colleagues, an introduction is necessary. In an attempt to support inclusion, it has become standard to ask that people state their associated pronouns. Researchers have shown that the proper use of one’s pronouns can help people feel safe in a new environment (e.g., Kramer et al., 2022; Lauscher et al., 2022; Palanica et al., 2022); however, to my knowledge, very few researchers have explored the potential adverse effects of requiring pronouns in introductions. The practice of stating pronouns during introductions has been established relatively recently (MIT, 2020), limiting research …

Making The World’S Favorite, America’S Favorite - A Campaign Focused On Promoting Major League Soccer To Young Adult Americans, Zion Deon Sealy

Global Strategic Communications Student Work

Longevity through connecting with multiple ages groups is key to any brand’s success. For sporting brands, it is crucial that the brand is able to connect to the millennial and Gen Z age groups in order to begin introducing newer audiences to the brand; gaining a deeper appreciation for the brand, the teams, and their players. As the youngest premier league in North America sporting and highest league for North American soccer, Major League Soccer (MLS) is currently growing its market size, although, there are not many fans between the ages of 18-30. With the introduction of world renowned players …

Effective Communication Strategy During Crisis: A Case Of The 2010 Toyota Recall Crisis, Masud Mensah

Masters Theses

Crisis communication is an integral part of public relations and organizational management at large involving the timely and strategic sharing of information during a crisis or emergency. Its primary purpose is to ensure that organizations effectively manage and minimize the negative impact of the crisis on their operations and stakeholders, which invariably helps to maintain trust, credibility and restore their reputation. Based on an interpretivist standpoint, the study utilizes qualitative approaches and takes the form of a case study. It offers a comprehensive account of the crisis, including key occurrences, media representation, and public responses, showcasing its international impact via …

Breaking The Silence: International Students’ Communication About Sexual Assault And Opportunities For Improved Prevention Messaging, Samaha Ghani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The beginning of college campus life is one of the most exciting phases of student life. However, for some students, it might pose a threat in the form of sexual violence. In the United States, sexual violence is highly pervasive, placing college students at a greater risk of victimization. Currently, there is a lack of data on sexual crimes within the international student population on U.S. college campuses due to cultural and language barriers. As such, the purpose of this study is to explore international students’ communication needs around the topic of sexual consent and sexual violence. This vulnerable and …