MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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Examining the relationship between music training and early reading skills in children
No full textPast research has found a unique relationship between musical perceptual abilities and reading skills. The literature is highly inconclusive as to why that relationship may exist, with many researchers reporting contradictory results. There are two main theories of thought that overarch the research in this area. One is that the relationship is of a domain specific nature, the other, that it is more domain general. There is evidence to support each of the previously mentioned hypotheses, which has created a very contradictory and confusing explanation of the relationship. However, the inconsistent findings may be due to a lack of clearly defined musical perception measures. The present study attempts to clarify some of the inconsistencies in past research by using real musical stimuli and age appropriate tasks for children, elements that have at times been overlooked in previous studies. The children completed a standardized musical perception task and an abridged version of the Mini Profile of Music Perception Skills (Mini-PROMS). This task assesses perceptual ability to detect changes in speed, tuning, accent and melody. Participants were also tested using the Beat Alignment Task and asked to identify drummers who are on versus off the beat. Musical perception scores were then compared to reading scores on standardized tests. We hypothesize that by examining musical perception and reading in this way, we will find evidence of a domain general relationship between music perceptual abilities and amount of training and reading.
Discipline: Psychology (Honours)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kathleen Corrigal
Discovering Changing Demographics in the Canadian Census Using Data Analysis
No full textAn analysis on the Canadian Census using data analysis techniques to find the changing patterns in it\u27s diverse demographics
Discipline: Computer Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mohamad El-Haj
Effects of Feedback Templates on Student Performance
No full textThis study examined the differences in student performance following different types of feedback. These feedback templates demonstrated strong, weak, or control feedback. After statistical analysis, it was found that the strong feedback led to positive outcomes that were statistically significant for assignment resubmission compared to weak or control feedback templates. We provided feedback on failing assignments using templates of good/weak exemplars, or ‘control’ feedback that pointed out errors. Students could revise and resubmit for marks. Students who received the ‘good’ template were significantly more likely to resubmit a passing assignment, but that effect did not generalize to subsequent assignments.
Discipline: Psychology (Honours)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lynne Hone
To Come Up with Strategies for the Discovery of New Exoplanets using Transit Method and Robotic Telescopes
No full textthe aim of this study is to observe as many star clusters as possible during the suitable weather conditions and to combine the observations of different telescopes available on skynet website for the discovery and confirmation of new exoplanets. A few different key aspects are considered to chose the star clusters like declination of the stars, brightness of the stars within clusters and exposure times needed to observe each cluster to determine how to optimize these observations and watch as many stars in a cluster as possible.
Discipline: Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stefan Cartledg
Net-Zero Automated Vertical Farming System
No full textVertical farming is the growth of crops vertically on structures as opposed to horizontally on land. This concept is critical since growing populations will result in more produce being required to feed the masses. With limited land, building vertical structures to grow crops will help sustain future populations. In addition, vertical farming can be integrated into urban environments which would result in less water usage, less pesticides required, and reduced carbon footprint. There are current limitations on vertical farming including: reduced direct sunlight and reduced pollination due to reduced insects present. This project tackles the limitations on vertical farming by the development of a net-zero energy and water management system integrated with urban bee-keeping.
Discipline: Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Davi
A Terrorist Or A Criminal? It’s Your Choice
No full textTerrorism is becoming more prevalent in the world today. We see this through mass shootings, suicide bombers and vehicular explosions. Healthcare profession will be called upon to provide care to all people involved in these acts, including the perpetrator. Many health care professionals are likely ethically and emotionally unprepared for providing health care to terrorists. It is important to consider the potential ethical dilemma that may arise; whether the healthcare provider is obligated to care for a terrorist like any other patient that may be in their care. It is important to consider that regardless of personal values and beliefs of the healthcare professional and of society, terrorists are still entitled to medical care through the International Humanitarian Law. Like any other criminal, murderer or rapist who inflicts harm, terrorists are still protected by this law, and obligated to receive treatment in an ethical and humane way. In hopes of uncovering the underlying issue of terrorists rights to medical treatment and how it impacts nursing care, this poster will help guide future recommendations and research for those healthcare providers caring for terrorists.
Discipline: Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Lisa McKendrick-Calde
Deaf Culture Identification, Cochlear Implants, and Life Satisfaction
No full textCultural identification within the deaf community is a new field of research that looks at the differences in acculturation between deaf individuals. Glickman (1993) created a Deaf Identity Development Theory, constructed from the Minority Identity Development Theory, which outlines that deaf individuals either identify with the hearing community, the deaf community (immersion), both communities (bicultural), or do not necessarily identify with either (marginal). Research by Chapman and Dammeyer (2016) found that individuals identifying with either the deaf, hearing or marginal communities have significantly higher psychological wellbeing than deaf individuals identifying with neither the deaf or hearing community. Research has not looked directly at the effects of cochlear implants on the overall life satisfaction and wellbeing of these individuals and how the implants may create changes to their cultural identification. The proposed study seeks to find a link between cochlear implants, deaf cultural identification and overall life satisfaction within the deaf community and hypothesises that individuals with cochlear implants and strong culture identification will show significantly higher levels of overall life satisfaction than those who do not. Additionally, the proposed study will consist of a sample of school aged deaf children from grades 7-12 from the Alberta School for the Deaf and will include three measures: the Deaf Identity Development Scale, the Deaf Acculturation Scale and the Life Satisfaction Scale. The findings expand our understanding of deaf culture and life satisfaction within the community.
Discipline: Psychology (Honours)
Faculty Mentor: Sean Roger
Surviving Violence and Trauma: Symptoms, Treatment Options, and Resources
No full textThe World Health Organization defines violence as “The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development or deprivation”. This definition demonstrates the broad nature of violence and the many ways it occurs. One-in-three women worldwide will experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Men can also be the target of violence, making up 60% of reported incidents of physical violence in the workplace. Additionally, Indigenous people are twice more likely to experience violence than are non-Indigenous people. Various symptoms are common for survivors of violence, such as feeling helpless, out of control, depressed, ashamed, anxious, frightened, disorganized, and have suicide ideation. Those who have experienced violence may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms may include distressing dreams, negative mood, and social withdrawal. On behalf of the Edmonton Police Service, a research-informed guide was created on the topic of violence and trauma. The purpose of this guide is to help inform survivors – strong individuals who are fighting through hardship – of the different ways such experiences can affect psychological health, and the different treatment options available. This includes discussing evidence-based psychotherapies recommended by the American Psychological Association, such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive-Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy.
Discipline: Psychology (Honours)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Howel
Applied political philosophy: Combating the dangers of transhumanism by placing human dignity in the battle over bioethics and human enhancement in America
No full textThe desire for human enhancement dates back to the initial conception of human civilization. For thousands of years we have continuously attempted to enhance physical and mental capabilities through various means, sometimes with inconclusive, comic, or even tragic results. The industrial and technological revolutions alleviated many of our social and individual health requirements, but also intensified our desire for enhancement. However, up until this point in human history, most biomedical advances, whether successful or not, merely attempted to restore things that were perceived to be deficient, such as vision, hearing, or mobility. Inventions that have attempted to improve on nature, such as anabolic steroids or Ritalin, have been relatively modest, incremental, or detrimental to overall long-term human health. Regardless, recent scientific and technological developments in areas such as biotechnology, information technology, and nanotechnology, humanity appears to be on the cusp of an enhancement revolution (Masci, 2016, para 3). If, or more likely when it comes, this societal transformation will be prompted by continuous efforts to aid people with disabilities and heal those who are diseased. While biomedicine is constantly making rapid progress in new restorative and therapeutic technologies, these could in turn have immense implications for human enhancement.
Discipline: Political Sciences (Honours)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gaelan Murph
Balanced Scheduling to Reduce Procrastination: Can Scheduling Enjoyable Activities Increase Productivity and Satisfaction?
No full textThe present research examined the effectiveness of a novel scheduling application in which the emphasis is paradoxically on scheduling leisure activities before scheduling work activities. According to the developer of this method, when we neglect to prioritize leisure activities, work activities can become tedious to the point that we begin to procrastinate. To assess this possibility, undergraduate students (n = 27) completed a two-week baseline of their study activities, during which they recorded both the duration and satisfaction level of each study session. This was followed by a four-week intervention in which the participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) a traditional scheduling condition in which they scheduled their study activities for the coming week, and (2) a balanced scheduling condition in which they scheduled their leisure activities first and study activities second. We found no significant difference between the traditional scheduling and balanced scheduling groups in either study duration or satisfaction. For the combined group, however, we did find an overall effect of scheduling, with improvements from baseline to treatment in study duration (p < .001) and study satisfaction (marginally significant, p = .07), as well as an overall decrease in scores from pre-study to post-study on a standardized measure of academic procrastination (p = .01). These findings suggest that weekly scheduling, regardless of whether it includes scheduling one’s leisure activities, may be an effective intervention for improving students’ study behaviour and reducing procrastination. Limitations of the study include a small sample size and lack of appropriate controls for possible confounds.
Keywords: balanced scheduling, traditional scheduling, study time, satisfaction, procrastinatio