Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Enter The Battleverse: China's Metaverse War, Josh Baughman

Military Cyber Affairs

No abstract provided.

Generating Speed - Momentum Analysis In Discus Throwing, Andreas Maheras

Track and Field Faculty Publications

To understand the process of generating the speed of the discus relative to the center of mass (c.m) of the thrower+discus system, we will need to look at the angular momentum of the thrower, the angular momentum of the discus and the angular momentum of the combined thrower+discus system. Although the discus speed is the ultimate goal, one cannot look exclusively on the raw speeds because speed alone does not explain the dynamic relationships between the speed of the discus, the forces made by the thrower on the ground and the motions of the thrower. Essentially, the angular momentum of …

The Necessity Of Trauma-Focused Curricula In Mental Health Graduate Programs: Advocating For Comprehensive Trauma Etiology And Treatment Education With Proposed Course Outline, Aaron S. Gillespie

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

During the past four decades, it has become increasingly clear how prevalent trauma, polytrauma and co-morbid trauma-related disorders are within our shared, global communities. A growing body of research continues to uncover the mind-boggling impact these overwhelming experiences have on individuals, their families, and the communities that support them, including mental health professionals. It behooves us as allied mental healthcare providers to learn what trauma is, how it may affect the individual across the lifespan, as well as how to effectively identify and treat the trauma-related symptoms our clients present with. However, despite a proliferation of research demonstrating the growing …

Social-Emotional Learning: A Literature Review, Stella M. Westhoven

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Social-emotional learning targets the development of positive interpersonal relationships, empathy, emotional regulation, healthy identities, personal/collective goal orientation, and responsibility in the decision-making process (CASEL Organization, 2021). Schools, however, have the main objective of ensuring that academic measures are met. Linking social-emotional learning and skills to the school system’s principal goal, academic results, can facilitate the greater implementation of such programs within the school setting. This systematic literature review examined the relationship between social-emotional learning programs in schools and academic outcomes, such as grades, test scores, or grade point averages. Secondly, it explored the relationship between students’ social-emotional skills and …

Going Virtual: Addressing The Challenges Faced By Organizational Leaders When Employees Transition To Virtual Environments In Times Of Crisis, Mary Susan Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities across the world moved their operations online. While a great deal of focus was placed on the value of teaching and learning during a crisis period, very little attention was paid to the other side of higher education institutions—the business side. Suddenly these institutions and their operational staff were forced to discover new ways to perform tasks that had always been completed in person. The leaders of these organizations faced the added challenge of ensuring that their workforce remained engaged and motivated while working in the midst of stressful, even chaotic …

Servant Leadership Impact On Organizational Performance, John W. Wesevich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership matters because individuals desire to improve their personal, social, and professional lives; corporations seek individuals with specific leadership qualities to improve organizational and financial performance and gain a competitive advantage; and universities provide programs in leadership studies. Leadership encompasses influence over others to accomplish a specific or common goal (Northouse, 2019). This qualitative research study focused on a contemporary leadership approach, servant leadership, and its influence on organizational performance. Researchers have acknowledged a positive relationship between servant leadership and organizational performance (Chiniara & Bentein, 2016; Saleem et al., 2020; A. Wong et al., 2018). This qualitative case study corroborates …

The Worship Leader: Intentional Worship Equilibrium Of A Christ-Centered Perspective On College Campus And In The Community, Wayne Darrell Ravenell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Because of the diversity of collegiate cultures, Christ is depicted in various ways on campus; hence this study focuses on the gospel choir leadership influence. The impacts of Christ-centered gospel choir leadership are demonstrated in this qualitative study, as well as how it will lead to academic and community leadership influence. This study investigates the impact of collegiate gospel choir leadership on campus and local community worship. College and university gospel choirs from Charleston, South Carolina, provide the context for this qualitative study. This vital research takes a phenomenological approach to the impacts of mentorship and development of a collegiate …

Invisible Disabilities, Academic Capital And Competitiveness Of Genetic Counseling Applicants, Natalie E. Stoner, Meagan Choates, Carla Mcgruder, Debra Murray, Theresa Wittman, Sara Wofford, Claire N. Singletary

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

The field of genetic counseling has historically lacked diversity. Recent research has begun to explore how visible diversity may present barriers to a genetic counseling applicant becoming competitive, but has not yet characterized potential barriers with invisible diversities, such as being a first-generation college student, or a part of the LBGTQ+ community. Therefore, this study aimed to address this gap among those with invisible diversities, as well as explore their academic capital (AC), a theoretical framework used to identify factors that make students more likely to succeed in post-secondary work including supportive networks, trustworthy information, family uplift, college knowledge, overcoming …

A Cautionary Tale From Nevada's Desert-People Before Company: A Case Study On Economic Development Approaches In Nevada, Ryann P.S. Juden

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This project utilized a mixed methods research design consisting of a case study of Nevada to explain the state’s reliance on company-based government incentives to attract new businesses to the state. Additionally, the project applied a comparative analysis of Brazil’s and Tennessee’s use of company-based government incentives, and a more detailed comparative analysis of Virginia’s people-based government incentive approach to economic development incentives to explore policy alternatives available to decision makers. This project used the historical institutionalism approach to show how policymakers have certain institutionally dominated predispositions impacting policy outcomes leading to a path dependency where rational choice theory’s credit …

What Connects Us: A User Experience Frame Analysis Comparison Of Secular And Religious Online Dating Sites, Alexa L. Miller

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study uses a frame analysis comparison of the website design of secular and religious online dating websites and how these design choices may shape users’ self- presentation. Literature is reviewed regarding the history of dating in secular, religious, and online contexts, self-presentation within Goffman’s The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, and user-experience design patterns. Methodology explored a user-experience frame analysis of the initial boarding experiences navigating the presentation (homepage) and interaction features (profile-building page) on three dating sites (two secular, Tinder and Bumble, and one religious, Christian Mingle). Frames analyzed were Options, Fun, Safety, and Control based on …

Consumers Of Sex, Romance And The Spectacle: An Ethnographic Study Of Female Tourists In Bangkok’S Adult Entertainment Zones, Jason H. Scott

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research is an ethnographic study of female sex tourism in Bangkok, Thailand and explores how women, as consumers, participate in activities and spaces that were historically reserved for male tourists. Much of the existing scholarly literature investigates the way men from the global North participate in sex tourism practices. Very little attention, however, has been given to the way female tourists engage as consumers in the global sex tourism industry. Studies conducted in the Caribbean suggest that sexual consumption practices among female tourists are dichotomously different from men because of traditional gender roles and sexual scripts. To guide this …

What Happens In Vegas: The Influence Of Las Vegas On High-Risk Attitudes And Behaviors, Marissa Tiemann

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The probability of victimization is affected by various factors, such as child abuse, a history of victimization, sexual assault, substance abuse, and risky behaviors. Previous research has attributed differences in victimization risk to differences in lifestyle. Overtly sexual cultures like Las Vegas, Nevada, could impact the adoption of risky behaviors (e.g., binge drinking, casual sex, and substance abuse) that could increase victimization risks. This study seeks to understand the impact of the city of Las Vegas on adopting high risk sexual attitudes and behaviors by examining the length of time an individual has spent in Las Vegas. This study used …

Time For A Change? The Lived Experiences Of Abortion Workers Who Left The Industry, Susan Marie Cole

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain insight and understanding into the lived experiences of those who have worked in a medical facility or freestanding clinic providing abortion services and eventually chose to leave the industry due to moral distress. Two research questions are addressed in this study: What is the lived experience of former abortion workers who left the field due to moral distress both before and after their transition from the industry? And, What were (and are) the perceived bio-psycho-social-spiritual impacts of abortion work for those who ultimately left the field due to moral distress? A …

Using Bible Reading In Moral Injury Therapy: A Mixed-Method Approach, John Ikenna Onuoha

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The debilitating effect of moral injury on members of the Sergeant Major Association of California in the Bay Area/Central Valley/Los Angeles area has deprived member veterans of a good and meaningful quality of life. This study aims to recognize the challenging impact of moral injury on adult Bay Area/Central Valley/LA veterans, address its symptoms using Bible reading therapy, and reassess their progress for an effective and lasting solution to veterans who are battling with war’s unseen wounds. The study used mixed research methods that incorporate the technical and social features of the combination of qualitative and quantitative means to help …

Displacement And Diffusion: Rural Hotspot Policing And Drug Arrests In Southwest Virginia, Melissa C. Minton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Drug production, distribution, and trafficking is a growing problem in Southwest Virginia. Routine activity theory and situational crime prevention theory focus on the specific characteristics and have led to many policing initiatives such as hotspot policing. Many policing approaches, including hotspot policing, have positively impacted the production, distribution, and trafficking of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in rural Virginia. However, there is little known about the impact these approaches have had on the displacement and diffusion of these drugs in the areas where the biggest law enforcement operations have taken place. Displacement and diffusion are common consequences of any drug …

Veterans And Volunteering: A Phenomenological Study Of Values And Motivations In Serving Others, Felix Edward Alexander

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to understand and describe veterans’ perspectives of volunteering, including their values and motivation. Veterans are internally motivated and committed to helping others. Approximately 92% of veterans regard community service to be extremely important. Some researchers link military service with future volunteering in the community. Veterans possess essential skills and resources that are needed in the community. Current research affirms that social ties, religious involvement, and recruitment contacts promote volunteering. Scholars believe volunteering serves one of three purposes: sociability, self-interest, and/or altruism. It is an individual and collective empowerment with the public good, …

Commercial Sexual Exploitation: A Survey Of The Knowledge, Concerns, And Training Of Transit Personnel In Las Vegas, Nevada, Elena A. Bejinariu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Transportation personnel, in particular bus drivers, encounter young people who are commercially sexually exploited frequently and throughout the course of their daily jobs. Given the frequency of this interaction, bus drivers are perceived to be the eyes and ears of the transportation industry, playing a key role in the identification and prevention of trafficking. To support national efforts in combating human trafficking, between September 1st, 2020 and June 15th, 2021, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada trained all its existing employees and new hires on human trafficking dynamics and reporting protocols. These included legal definitions, victim characteristics, recruitment …

A Feminist Rhetorical Analysis Of Queer Appropriation In Digital Spaces, Derek Bryant

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Appropriation is an invariable part of the way in which people communicate. In order to better understand what appropriation is and how appropriation functions communicatively, this research defines what appropriation is from a rhetorical perspective. As the world becomes more interconnected through the use of popular social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, the popularity of appropriation only continues to grow. This research focuses on popular examples of how queer culture is appropriated and used within mainstream culture by straight individuals as a way for to gain financial and social capital. Keywords: Appropriation, pop culture, digital spaces, TikTok, YouTube, …

Political Discussion And Disagreement: Seeking Validation Through News Media, Michael Carmona

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study explores how often individuals discuss politics with family/friends and acquaintances, how often individuals are exposed to disagreement during those discussions, the strategies they use to respond to political disagreement, and the use of news media following those disagreements. Through the lens of Uses and Gratifications theory, this study examined these elements through an online survey of U.S. adults. The results of this study did not support Hopmann’s, Bjarnøe’s, and Wonneberger’s findings about the relationship between the frequency of political disagreement and the strategies for responding to that disagreement. This study highlights how the discussions and disagreements we have …

An Examination Of Interactions Of U.S. Players With Offshore Gambling Sites And Online Casino Reviews: Are They Offenders Or Victims?, Sinyong Choi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

While the recent liberal stance of the United States has facilitated the proliferation of legal online gambling venues, the ‘black market’ of online gambling remains prevalent. Illegal online gambling poses concerns for the legal market and risks for gambling addiction and consumer protection. Numerous law violations occur in this domain, which are produced by the interactions between players, gambling sites, and online casino reviews. Exploring the interactions of players with online gambling sites and online casino reviews is vital in enhancing our understanding of illegal online gambling activity and therefore allows us to develop preventive measures that can reduce the …

Cost Of Attendance And Competitive Balance In The Ncaa Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Michelle Calica Coyner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) justifies its power and regulatory structure as necessary to promote competitive balance. Despite this, there is limited research on the efficacy of NCAA policies that were implemented with the intention of supporting more parity in Division I conferences. This study examined whether the 2015 cost of attendance (COA) policy was associated with competitive balance in various groups within the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Through the lenses of the Matthew Effect and policy design theory, this study aimed to understand how NCAA policies may hurt or help inequality in college sport. Although not all …

A Convention To Save America, Andrew Todd Looker, Jr.

Masters Theses

Article V of the United States Constitution articulates the methods for amending the Constitution. Amendments are formally recommended by either a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress or by a vote of two-thirds of the state legislatures. This latter method is known as a Convention of States. Despite its inclusion in Article V, no amendment has yet been proposed for ratification by such a convention. This research aims to explain the history of Article V, the process for an Article V Convention, the current efforts to call such a convention, and amendments that should be considered at this convention. …

Police Education And Its Influence On Traffic Enforcement Performance, Shatavia Monique Kennedy

Masters Theses

In demanding occupations, the preference for formal education is presumptive when improving competency and workmanship. This study assesses the correlation between college education and traffic enforcement performance within a local police department in Aberdeen, North Carolina. In this study, performance strictly refers to issued traffic citations and traffic enforcement. The research consisted of a secondary analysis (public records) using qualitative data. Data were collected to determine which officers issued the most traffic citations from the highway patrol unit from January to June 2021. Second, qualitative data were collected via an interview with one of the department officers to obtain demographic …

The Nursing Leader’S Role In Decreasing Implicit Rationing By Improving The Nursing Work Environment, Allison Mchugh

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Despite all the literature about missed care and its contributing factors, it is prevalent in most hospitals worldwide. Missed care is the result of care that is implicitly rationed. For this paper, implicit rationing is defined as how nurses decide what care is delivered based on the present work environment. Many factors influence implicit rationing. One such factor is the work environment. The association between the nursing work environment and implicit rationing is well described in the literature. The nursing leader is in a formal position responsible for patient outcomes and the nursing practice environment. Therefore, it is important to …

Attentional Focus And The Development Of Skilled Performance, Harjiv Singh

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A central question in the development of skilled movement is: how a performer should focus their attention while preparing for the execution of a motor skill? Considerable evidence has shown that directing attention towards an intended movement effect (i.e., external focus) results in performance benefits relative to focusing on body movements (i.e., internal focus). While most of the previous research has emphasized the effects of internal versus external foci, evidence also suggests that external foci located at greater distances from the body (distal foci) are more effective than external foci located in greater proximity to the body (proximal foci) and …

The Occupational Therapy Approach To Pain Treatment: A Pain Curriculum, Rosalee Howell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

It is within the scope of the occupational therapy profession to treat patients experiencing pain. The holistic approach used to assess and treat patients to improve functional performance is vital in treating pain. The focus is to decrease the detrimental impact of pain on the patient’s mental health, enhancing their ability to function in social and vocational roles. However, education is not adequately addressed in occupational therapy programs and is vital in preparing clinicians to meet the patient’s needs effectively.

This Doctoral Capstone was developed to highlight the importance and the benefit of education in preparing clinicians to treat patients …

Exploring Strategy Planning And Execution Methods In Church Missions Programs, Jonathan Daniel Deming

Masters Theses

The aim of this thesis is to explore the extent to which church missions programs employ strategic planning and execution methods. In order to validate available literature on the topic of strategic planning (both biblical and secular), the author contributes a current survey dataset which validates the problem and highlights specific areas of potential improvement. This research successfully articulates the need for North American Southern Baptist Convention churches to focus on strategic planning. In analyzing the survey data, one is able to understand the cause-and-effect relationships between successful strategic planning and a church’s ability to optimize their ability to advance …

Bias As A Worldview Engine, The Terminus A Quo Of The Problem Of Evil, Eric Spencer Mccrickard

Masters Theses

Evidential evil is an encompassing title for moral evil, natural disasters, disease, famine, divorce, suffering, or other calamities in life that yield dissatisfaction or discernable discomfort. This area of evidential evil is the focus of this paper generally, including the argument posed by William Rowe from evidential evil and contemporary treatments offered by Bruce Russell. The argumentation is God’s nonexistence from the platform, or derivative of no greater good observed or known, of the justification or allowance of evil. It is not a refutation of the premises, per se, but instead, the biases associated with them are de facto statements …

Coalition For Prisoners' Rights Newsletter, Vol 47-D, No. 5, Coalition For Prisoners' Rights

Coalition for Prisoners' Rights Newsletters

More Things That Don't Make Sense

Juvenile Incarceration

The Cost of Elderly Prisoners

"Justice Reform Coalition"

Asesinada de una Incursion Israeli

The Least Read Part of the Newsletter

Correction of April 2022 Issue errors

The Letter, 1968 (timely then & now)

The Mailguard Program Stopped

"The Rage of Innocence", Kristin Henning

Leaving The Faith: Factors That Lead To Emerging Adult Apostasy, Sammie Davis-Dyson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present qualitative study used the transcendental phenomenological model. It investigated the three parenting factors of modeling, style, and attachment and their impact on emerging adult decisions to leave the Christian faith of their upbringing. Six participants, ages 21-25, male and female, white or Hispanic college students yielded information demonstrating that the parenting factors mutually interacted with one another. If the parent or parents had a positive impact in the modeling factor, the same was true for attachment and style. A fourth focal point was whether the emerging young adult would seek out a community of faith of his or …