28653 research outputs found
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Community confluence
No full textUrban settings typically do not provide the innate human connection to nature
that provides physical and mental well-being. Too often, design priorities tend
to stray away from access to nature as a necessary part of human wellness.
This thesis will explore community connectivity through design as a method of
increasing opportunities to enrich the experience of ecological systems in an
urban setting. Outcomes will work to incorporate passive systems to promote
occupant comfort and well-being through community-nature connections.
Milwaukee has a wide array of ecological opportunities through several rivers,
striking topography, and its connection to Lake Michigan. The thesis site
provides a unique transition from a vibrant urban condition near Milwaukee’s
downtown to an ecological stepping down to the Milwaukee River. This
thesis explores the design of a community center marketplace for artists and
community members to gather. Converging ideas of ecology and community
creates an experiential network connecting an active existing art scene to the
river walk and nature trails. By embedding the design into the steep topography,
ecological connections are strengthened through breaking down the distinction
between interior and exterior experiences. This thesis project defines an
architecture that bridges a gap between existing cultural and ecological
corridors.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Perfectionism
No full textThis thesis explores the concept of perfection and the pressures that accompany it, as reflected in my personal experiences, heritage, and artistic influences. Through a series of paintings and mixed-media works, I examine the expectations placed upon me as the eldest daughter in a large family and the emotional weight of striving for flawlessness. Experimentation with constructing and integrating three-dimensional subjects allowed me to physically manifest the weight of expectations and pressure, making the themes of the exhibition more tangible. By using floral imagery, symbolism, and interactive elements, I aim to prompt viewers to reflect on their own experiences with perfection, self-expectations, and the beauty found in imperfections.B. A.School of Ar
Fish assemblages of White River tributaries: analysis of historical tributary fish assemblage data ALTERNATIVE TITLE: ANALYSIS OF HISTOTICAL FISH ASSEMBLAGE DATA OF WHITE RIVER TRIBUTARIES"
No full textIn 1997, the White River in Indiana was considered as one of the most threatened rivers
by pollution and other local anthropomorphic influences in the United States. Previous
studies found that the mainstem fish assemblages health has improved during recent
decades. Local studies and work were conducted to protect, understand, and restore
the fish assemblages and ecosystems of the river. Whereas work was primarily on the
main river, little is known of historical changes in fish assemblages in tributaries. Fish
assemblages of five tributaries were monitored and sampled by the Muncie Bureau of
Water Quality starting in 1978, and has continued to this present day, creating a
historical fish assemblage database. However, these data were not analyzed for
temporal trends. We analyzed the tributary fish data using multivariable analysis to
identify temporal variation. Our findings indicate that species richness has increased in
three of the five streams sampled, while fish assemblage variation was significantly
correlated with year.M. S
Peer relationship and academic motivation
No full textThe aim of this paper is to review existing literature on peer influence and academic motivation. Given the critical developmental stages of children and adolescents, and the fact that they spend most of their time in school, this review focuses specifically on how peer relationships influence the academic motivation of school-going students. Initial discussion addressed the traits of friends, such as the characteristics and social status of friends, and the importance of having friends from different ethnic and racial backgrounds is emphasized to equip students with more social and emotional resources. The importance of having a good-quality friendship is also highlighted, and the need to address the long-lasting detrimental effects of peer victimization and rejection is emphasized with a focus on early intervention. In the latter part, a healthy school climate is presented as a protective factor, where positive peer relationships can be built and nurtured. Overall, these findings can serve as an effective educational tool for parents, teachers, and educators in promoting an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative academic context, which ultimately will reflect stronger academic motivation among students.M. S
The canopy
No full textThis project aims to establish small town identity through architecture by using
Fortville Indiana as a case study example. To establish identity in Fortville
specifically, this thesis looked at themes of tradition and connection within
the town and highlighted new ways in which these themes could be carried
out in design. Through the incorporation of local building materials and design
references to the town’s history, this project highlights the community’s heritage
and culture. Additionally, by transforming the train track into a trail, the design
integrates with Fortville’s existing infrastructure and connects it to neighboring
communities in central Indiana.
At the heart of the design is a pavilion, which serves as both a physical and
social connector between the buildings. The pavilion’s bays are staggered
between the existing structures, creating dynamic pockets of space underneath.
These spaces vary in privacy, with intimate seating areas to the north and
open entertainment spaces to the south, supporting a vibrant environment for
diverse activities and community interactions. The pavilion’s structure is inspired
by a tree canopy, with the perforated roof symbolizing leaves, the columns
representing tree trunks, and the cross bracing acting as branches. This design
concept strengthens the connection between nature, community, and Fortville’s
heritage, helping to showcase the town’s unique essence and identity.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
The influence of politically (dis)similar views on romantic relationships and relationship satisfaction in Ghana
No full textThis study explores the factors that influence relational satisfaction among couples with
political dissimilarities in Ghana, a younger democracy with strong communal and familial ties.
Using the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) and the Investment Model of Commitment,
the research analyzes data from dyadic and individual interviews with couples who identify as
politically dissimilar. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: religious influence,
relational resilience, family and societal impact, and strategies like avoidance or humor to
downplay political conflict. Findings show that in contrast to WEIRD contexts where political
alignment often drives compatibility, Ghanaian couples prioritize shared values, emotional
maturity, and cultural or religious alignment over political similarity. This research expands
current literature by situating political dissimilarity within a non-Western, postcolonial context,
highlighting the role of identity negotiation, and relational commitment. The study has practical
implications for relationship counseling and civic education, promoting understanding across
ideological divides in evolving democracies.M. A
Perfectionism
No full textAbstract
This thesis explores the concept of perfection and the pressures that accompany it, as reflected in my personal experiences, heritage, and artistic influences. Through a series of paintings and mixed-media works, I examine the expectations placed upon me as the eldest daughter in a large family and the emotional weight of striving for flawlessness. Experimentation with constructing and integrating three-dimensional subjects allowed me to physically manifest the weight of expectations and pressure, making the themes of the exhibition more tangible. By using floral imagery, symbolism, and interactive elements, I aim to prompt viewers to reflect on their own experiences with perfection, self-expectations, and the beauty found in imperfections.B. A.School of Ar
Storyboarding as a technique of visual note-taking: a comparative study
No full textThis study investigates the effectiveness of storyboarding as an alternative note-taking method
for students who struggle with traditional techniques, aiming to enhance engagement and
understanding of learning materials. Grounded in the Dual Coding Theory, which posits that
combining visual and verbal information improves recall, the research explores whether
storyboarding can serve as a viable educational tool. A mixed-methods approach was
employed, involving 30 participants randomly assigned to either a storyboarding group or a
traditional note-taking control group. Both groups engaged with the topic "Kohlberg's 6 Stages
of Moral Development," with pre- and post-tests assessing comprehension and surveys
evaluating interest and perceived difficulty. Results indicated no statistically significant
differences in quiz scores or interest levels between the groups, though qualitative feedback
revealed challenges in implementing storyboarding, such as translating text to visuals. Despite
these hurdles, participants successfully adopted the technique without detriment to their
performance, suggesting potential for further refinement and application in educational
settings. The study contributes to the limited literature on alternative note-taking methods and
highlights the need for additional research to optimize visual-based learning strategies.
Keywords: storyboarding, note-taking, Dual Coding Theory, student engagement, visual
learningM. S
Public perception of AI: investigating the influence of knowledge and demographics on trust, enjoyment, and attitudes towards artificial intelligence
No full textArtificial Intelligence (AI) continues to play a transformative role in various sectors, including healthcare, finance, education, and digital media. However, public perceptions of AI remain diverse and are influenced by multiple factors, including knowledge levels, trust, enjoyment, and attitudes. This study employs a quantitative research methodology to examine these relationships, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that shape AI perception and acceptance. A cross-sectional survey design was implemented to collect data from a diverse population aged 18 to 65, ensuring the inclusion of individuals with varying levels of familiarity with AI technologies. The study utilized a structured online survey incorporating Likert-scale questions and open-ended responses to assess AI knowledge, trust in AI systems, enjoyment of AI-driven interactions, and overall attitudes toward AI adoption. A purposive sampling method was employed to ensure a representative cross-section of participants across different demographic categories, including gender, educational background, and socioeconomic status. The research is grounded in a theoretical framework that explores the intersection of AI knowledge and trust, emphasizing the psychological and cognitive factors that influence user engagement with AI systems. Key constructs examined include self-reported AI familiarity, perceived AI reliability and ethicality, cognitive adaptability, and user enjoyment. Statistical analyses, including correlation, regression, and inferential statistics, were performed to assess the relationships between these variables. The findings indicate significant correlations between AI knowledge and trust, enjoyment, and attitudes toward AI. Higher levels of AI literacy were found to be positively associated with increased trust and enjoyment of AI applications, while cognitive adaptability emerged as a strong predictor of positive attitudes toward AI. Additionally, demographic factors such as age, education, and prior exposure to AI technologies were found to influence AI perceptions, underscoring the need for targeted AI literacy programs and inclusive technological policies.
This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on AI perception and adoption, providing empirical evidence that can inform policy, AI education, and user-centered AI system design. By identifying key factors that influence trust and engagement, the findings offer practical insights into strategies for fostering responsible AI deployment and increasing public confidence in AI technologies. The study underscores the importance of AI education in bridging knowledge gaps and promoting informed interactions with AI systems, ensuring that AI adoption aligns with societal needs and ethical considerations.M. A
Green space exposure and perceived stress among university students: exploring the moderating role of season and dispositional midfulness
No full textUniversity students are often met with rigorous academic expectations and workloads which may contribute to stress. Students look toward several strategies to manage these stressors, though two in particular – green spaces and dispositional mindfulness – are underexplored in research. This study examined the association between green space exposure and perceived stress among university students, along with the potential moderating roles of dispositional mindfulness and seasonal differences in green space exposure. 315 university students completed an online survey assessing their frequency of green space exposure, stress, and mindfulness. Data was collected at two different time points –the summer and the winter – to test for seasonal differences. Results showed that green space exposure was not associated with stress, but higher dispositional mindfulness was associated with lower stress. Moreover, neither dispositional mindfulness nor season were significant moderators in the association between green space exposure and stress. However, an exploratory moderation indicated that dispositional mindfulness moderated this association during the winter but not the summer. Implications of green space exposure and its measurement, along with the roles of dispositional mindfulness and seasons are discussed.M. A