Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Stock Splits: A Re-Evaluation, Gary N. Smith

Pomona Economics

In theory, stocks splits do not affect a firm’s aggregate market value. Yet, firms often split their stocks in order to keep the price in a desired trading range and, perhaps, to make the stock more affordable to individual investors. Past studies have been inconclusive about whether shareholder returns are affected and whether the effects, if any, are due to affordability or signaling. Using fresh data, all since the decimalization of prices, I find positive effects on shareholder returns, but not because splits make stocks more affordable. The more compelling argument is that corporate stock splits signal a board’s confidence …

The Impact Of High School Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (Stem) Magnet Program On The Academic Performance Of Students, Gilberto D. Bonce

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Concern about the impact of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs on society are not new. STEM employment in the United States has grown twice as fast as other fields during the last decade. School districts have been encouraged to consider STEM-focused schools to meet this demand and have responded by offering STEM magnet program options. This mixed-methods study used Lewin’s Theory of Change and Fullan’s ideas on Coherence as the theoretical frameworks to examine how students who participate in a high school STEM magnet program perform academically. Academic performance was measured using grade point average (GPA) and graduation …

Age-Related Differences In Inhibitory Function: Investigation Of Simon And Flanker Conflicts In Erps, Rachel Scrivano

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

It is unclear whether or not older adults experience more difficulty managing cognitive conflict by inhibiting distracting stimuli and/or ignoring irrelevant information than younger adults. A common procedure used to measure inhibitory function is through the use of congruent and incongruent stimuli. Specifically, past literature that used tasks like the Simon and flanker have found differing effects on reaction times and various event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes and latencies, suggesting that either inhibitory function is a unitary mechanism or multifaceted. Moreover, research exhibits uncertainty for whether or not age influences deficits to inhibitory function. Another way to measure inhibitory deficits with …

Exploring Higher Order Thinking Strategies In Georgia's Top Performing Middle Schools, Karen Kister

Ed.D. Dissertations

Developmental psychologists defined adolescent cognitive development as a period of time when individuals learn to mentally separate from adults and establish a self‑sufficient identity capable of the autonomous thought necessary to apply higher-order thinking. In contrast, college professors of the millennial generation stated that students demonstrate increased immaturity levels inconsistent with those of prior generations. Hence, the focus of this study was to examine the higher-order thinking strategies that teachers of adolescents have implemented within the five top performing middle schools in the state of Georgia. The findings offered a potential coexistence of higher-order thinking abilities and autonomous behavior and …

Using Labeling Theory As A Guide To Examine The Patterns, Characteristics, And Sanctions Given To Cybercrimes, Brian K. Payne, Brittany Hawkins, Chunsheng Xin

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Over the past decade, reports of cybercrime have soared across the globe. Criminologists agree that the increase in cybercrime stems from technological advancements that have changed all facets of societal interactions. While it is agreed that technology has shaped cybercrime, there is less understanding about the dynamics of cybercrime. In particular, some researchers have explored whether these offenses are simply traditional types of crime that are now carried out through different strategies, while others have argued that cybercrimes are, in fact, new types of crime. This ambiguity potentially limits prevention and intervention strategies. In an effort to build our understanding …

Part 2: Virginia's Metropolitan Areas: Moving Forward, Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

Many indicators of economic performance suggest that the Commonwealth’s metropolitan areas grew in 2018 and into 2019. Unemployment is below 3% across Virginia’s metros, and average wages have risen over the last three years. Compared to 2015, the metros are in a better place today but there are storm clouds on the horizon.

Part 3: The Virginia Retirement System: Assessing Its Challenges And Charting Its Future, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) manages the assets in the Commonwealth’s public employee retirement systems. The available evidence suggests that the VRS has been well managed and has outperformed many other state pension funds. We evaluate the VRS’s performance and suggest changes that could enable it to lower its costs even while improving its rate of return.

Front Matter- 2019 State Of The Commonwealth Report, Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

Cover, front matter, table of contents, sponsors, and other materials for the 2019 State of the Commonwealth Report authored by the Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at Old Dominion University.

Part 5: Federal Spending In The Commonwealth: A Primer, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

In fiscal year 2018, federal government awards in Virginia totaled $109 billion, or $12,866 per Virginian. The Commonwealth’s economy is fueled, for better or worse, by spending decisions in the halls of Congress and the White House. We explore how the federal government spends money in Virginia and highlight procurement spending in the state’s metropolitan areas. We also look back at the impact of the Budget Control Act of 2011 on the economies of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

Part 4: Marijuana In Virginia, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

Over 30 states permit the personal use of marijuana for medical purposes and more than 10 states have legalized the possession of small amounts for personal use. With increasing calls in Virginia for the decriminalization or legalization of small amounts of marijuana, we examine who uses the substance, who is being arrested for possession or use, and what the revenue impact might be if marijuana were legalized in the Commonwealth.

Part 1: Virginia's Growth Improves In Uncertain Times, Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

Virginia’s economy is poised to grow for the fifth consecutive year. The number of jobs and people employed set new records in the summer of 2019 and CNBC recently ranked the Commonwealth as the most business-friendly state in the country. However, increasing economic uncertainty threatens the promise of a bright start to the coming decade. We assess the performance of the Virginia economy and ask what the future holds.

2019 State Of The Commonwealth Report, Vinod Agarwal, Barbara Blake, Ethan Crouson, Steve Daniel, Addie Gregory, Nikki Johnson, James V. Koch, Tim Komarek, Feng Lian, Sharon Lomax, Janet Molinaro, Bailey Park, Terry Park, Jay Walker, Hannah White

State of the Commonwealth Reports

This is Old Dominion University’s fifth annual State of the Commonwealth Report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the university, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion, its president, John R. Broderick, the Board of Visitors, the Strome College of Business or the generous donors who support the activities of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy.

While the enthusiasm we have for our work remains high, it has been dampened by the recent passing of George Dragas, the individual most responsible for perceiving the need for an …

Life In Hampton Roads Survey Press Release #4: Neighborhood Flooding And Flood Insurance, Social Science Research Center, Old Dominion University

Life in Hampton Roads Survey Report

[Introductory paragraph]

Respondents were asked whether or not they own or are in the process of buying their home, rent, or have some other arrangement. Similar to past years, the majority of residents reported that they own or are in the process of buying their home (66.8%), marking the second highest percentage in the past five years, only behind last year’s percentage of 67.7. Another 28.6 percent indicated that they rent, while only 2.8 percent reported having another arrangement.

Empowering Collaborations And Creating Brave Spaces: People Of Color In Library And Information Science Summit, Nataly Blas, Aisha Conner-Gaten, Rachel Deras, Jessea Young

LMU Librarian Publications & Presentations

The William H. Hannon Library at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles, California, held the first People of Color in Library and Information Science (POC in LIS) Summit on July 13, 2018. The summit was a collaborative planning effort by LMU librarians to create a productive and brave space for POC, especially women and marginalized identities, working in the information sector. The POC in LIS Summit invited participants to challenge their roles as information workers and acknowledge that dominant narratives may be disrupted.

The Big Picture: A Holistic View Of E-Book Acquisitions, Ronald M. Lewis, Marie R. Kennedy

LMU Librarian Publications & Presentations

The merging of two departments into the Acquisitions and Collection Development Department afforded Loyola Marymount University an opportunity to rethink existing workflows, with the acquisition of electronic books (e-books) being identified as a critical task to review. Process mapping was used to show the complexity of different tasks being performed in the department and to provide a visualization mechanism for staff to see how their work fit into a sequence of actions as part of a larger workflow. The authors listed the types of acquisition models used at their library for e-books and constructed process maps for the following six …

Mindfulness Training For Pre-Service Teachers Using Ecological Momentary Assessment, Emily A. Hattouni

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

There is a high-rate of burnout among teachers around the US often linked with the increasing stressors and demands (e.g., Iancu, Rusu, Măroiu, Păcurar, & Maricuțoiu, 2018). Additionally, Jennings and Greenberg (2009) demonstrated the importance of teachers’ social and emotional competence for promoting well-being and academic success in classrooms. Stress that is overwhelming or unaddressed can lead to teacher burnout, but there may be effective ways of promoting self-care among teachers, such as mindfulness-based practices. The current project included psychoeducation on the applications of mindfulness for teachers and repeated collections of self-report questionnaires to investigate the utility of mindfulness-training for …

Islamophobia In U.S. Education, Shabana Mir, Loukia K. Sarroub

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

Anti-Muslim sentiment has grown in scale and visibility far beyond its association with the horrific attacks of 2001. The US government’s “War on Terror,” which began after the attacks, often pervades the domestic landscape as a war on Islamic religious “extremism.” The definitions and content of such religious extremism are so extensive that they encompass large numbers of Muslims, and they highlight Muslims as being inherently problematic. For example, the success of the 2016 presidential campaign can be said to have relied significantly on a right-wing Islamophobic fear-mongering that shariah was set to take over the US. As we grappled …

American Prisons And Jails: An Encyclopedia Of Controversies And Trends, Rob Tench

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Violence In Popular Culture: American And Global Perspectives, Rob Tench

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

The American Flag: An Encyclopedia Of The Stars And Stripes In Us History, Culture, And Law, By J.R. Vile [Book Review], Rob Tench

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Shakespeare's Globe Archive: Theatres, Players & Performance, Rob Tench

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Latinos In The American Political System: An Encyclopedia Of Latinos As Voters, Candidates, And Office Holders [Book Review], Rob Tench

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

The Handbook Of Research On Black Males: Quantitative, Qualitative, And Multidisciplinary, Rob Tench

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

African Americans And The Presidents: Politics And Policies From Washington To Trump, Rob Tench

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

Book review of African Americans and the Presidents: Politics and Policies from Washington to Trump, by F. Erik Brooks & Glenn L. Starks, Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, ISBN 9781440862113.

[Social Work] Newsletter, 2019, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Social Work.

Social Work Newsletter

Inside This Issue
-- Year in Review: Fall 2018-Spring 2019
-- Faculty Highlights
-- BSW Student Spotlight
-- MSW Student Spotlights
-- Alumni Spotlight
-- Student Services
-- Masters in Social Work Student Association
-- Highlights From the Field

Managing Cyber Risks & Business Exposure In The Surface Transportation Ecosystem, Jacques R. Francoeur

Mineta Transportation Institute

This report focuses on Surface Transportation (ST), both fixed and route-based, and the growing threats to their information technology (IT) infrastructures. As an industry, ST seeks to optimize the movement of people and goods, while ensuring safety and resiliency and minimizing environmental impact. Cyber threats are a powerful medium for those with the political, social, and economic motivations and wherewithal to disrupt and destroy existing ST systems. The ultimate objective is to develop a new paradigm to define, describe, design, and deploy the most effective protection, at the lowest cost, in the shortest time within the limits of available resources. …

Application Of Geodetector Method And Other Statistical Methods To Study Groundwater Vulnerability To Nitrate Contamination In The Central Valley Aquifer, California, Anil Shrestha

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The Central Valley (CV) Aquifer, California is one of the most productive regions of the United States, where large amount of nitrogen fertilizer has been applied for the last few decades to increase the crop productivity. The application of excessive fertilizer has increased the level of nitrate (NO3-N) in the groundwater to above EPA’s maximum contamination level (MCL) of 10 mg/L in several domestic, public and monitoring wells. The concentration of nitrate in the groundwater can vary spatially depending on the local nitrogen sources, aquifer characteristics and geochemical condition of the area. The changing hydrogeological conditions of the valley due …

Applications Of Bayesian Functional Data Analysis, Hao Shen

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Functional Data Analysis (FDA) is a set of statistical methods that can deal with the data which represent curves or functions. In this dissertation, we consider two extensions of FDA to two types of data, circadian data and multidimensional data. The first part of the dissertation is concerned with the analysis of circadian data. We estimate circadian functions by using Bayesian smoothing splines under the generalized linear model, and extract two measures from each estimated function, magnitude and roughness. Based on extracted measures, we cluster individual functions into normal group and abnormal group by utilizing a density based clustering method. …

The Association Of Victimization And Depression: An Investigation Of The Implicated Factors Of Social Anxiety, Body Esteem, And Social Support, Jacqueline Jo Klossing

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Victimization is an experience that affects a substantial portion of the adolescent population, and it is well established that it is associated with a host of negative outcomes, including depression. While the relations between victimization and depression have been researched extensively, there are a number of factors that may contribute to this association. Furthermore, both internal and external factors can play a role. Internally, the unique attribute of being socially anxious as well as the perceptions one carries regarding their appearance (i.e., body esteem) are implicated as potential mediators between victimization and depression. Externally, the social support an adolescent perceives …

African American Army Women's Journeys: A Question Of Mentoring, Renee Adryce Rouse

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study examined how mentors aided the career progression of African American women who held leadership positions in the U.S. Army. It was focused on mentoring relationships of African American army women, challenges and successes of their mentoring experiences, and their perceived effects these mentoring relationships had on their career advancement and construct of success. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 women aged 32 to 64 years old, of varying rank ranging from Sergeant Major to Colonel. The majority enlisted to assist with their incurred college expenses. At the time of the interviews, the participants were either on …