MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
Not a member yet
2252 research outputs found
Sort by
Motivations in Political Conversations
No full textAn important part of being a participating citizen in a democracy is to share alternative perspectives. However, political conversation can be polarizing, and ensuing conflict can damage relationships. Therefore, it is valuable to understand why conflict may occur in order to design suggestions to reduce the intensity of such conflict.
This project examines the motivations people bring to political discussions when talking to people they disagree with. Specifically, the motivations to educate self and influence others. We also explored the way that the relationship with the other person can impact motivations and the perception of those motivations in others.
MacEwan students were asked to recall a disagreement conversation with either a strong-tie, such as a close friend or family member, or a weak-tie, such as a casual acquaintance or co-worker. They were asked to indicate their perceptions of the other person. The results indicate that people were motivated to express opinions and learn about others, and perceived the other person to be motivated to express opinions and influence others. However, there were not significant interactions between motivations and relationship type.
In follow-up exploratory analyses, we found that participants reported the experience to be more positive when they perceived the other person to be motivated to learn about them and build relationships. They also reported that the other person could have been more open-minded and listened more than they themselves could have, perhaps indicating that people tend to believe other people, and not themselves, are the cause of problems in conversations.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Craig Blatz 
A psychophysiological examination of the automatic arousal response caused by being watched
No full textPrevious research has shown that when we make eye contact with another person, there is a significant enhancement in the skin conductance response (SCR). Mounting evidence suggests that soon after eye contact is made, many mentalizing and self-awareness processes begin. For instance, we think about the person like who they are, how we know them and any feelings associated with them. Our thoughts also might turn towards ourselves as we become aware of the fact that we are being watched. We process things like why are they looking at me? How should I act? Our hypothesis is that the part of the physiological response that occurs during direct eye gaze is from the belief that we are being watched, even if we can\u27t see the eyes of the person watching us. By using a one-way mirror and SCR monitoring equipment, two participants will sit on each side of a one-way mirror where one participant cannot see the other one but knows they are being watched. They will be instructed to direct their gaze towards each other (eye contact) and away/averted from each other. We expect that SCR will significantly increase in the direct eye gaze condition where the participant cannot see the other person’s eyes but knows the other person is looking at them. This research could provide further evidence that psychophysiological response to eye gaze are attributed to being watched rather than just seeing the eyes of another person.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michelle Jarick 
Sexpectations: Coercive Control Experiences in Sexual Minorities
No full textPrevious research has demonstrated that sexual minorities (gay, lesbian, or bisexual) experience disproportionate rates of sexual violence relative to their heterosexual counterparts. While sexual violence is a broad construct, recent studies have focused on the use of coercive tactics to obtain sex and whether these tactics influence perceptions of consent. Limited research exists that has assessed sexual coercion in the context of sexual minorities, and how perceptions may differ as a function of a victim’s sexual orientation. The present study uses a 2-part design to evaluate relationships between sexual minorities and sexual coercion. Part 1 will address experiences of sexual coercion across various sexual identities in relation to both victimization and perpetration. Part 2 will examine whether sexual orientation influences perceptions of sexual coercion and consent. Participants will be presented with vignettes that vary according to sexual orientation (heterosexual/gay/lesbian/bisexual), level of sexual coercion (low/high), and relationship context (stranger, acquaintance, dating, established relationship). Participants will provide ratings of levels of coercive control, sexual consent, and the degree to which victims are viewed as ‘responsible’ for their experience. In general, we predict that sexual minorities will report more instances of perpetration and victimization in relation to coercive control. Further, we predict that coercive experiences within sexual minority orientations will be minimized and more victim blaming will occur. This study has implications for how the experiences of sexual minorities are interpreted and evaluates whether minority sexuality presents further barriers to reporting sexual violence.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kristine Peace 
BIPOC Community Contributions in Volunteerism and Civic Engagement
No full textThe purpose of this project is to challenge the lack of representation and acknowledgement in the nonprofit sector, related to helping from the BIPOC community. Dominant discourse and ideology through a neoliberal, western cultural lens highlights deficit-based constructs when it comes to community engagement with BIPOC folks. Through Photovoice and storytelling, we can challenge this deficit-based perspective with positive examples of BIPOC people contributing to community through volunteerism and civic engagement.
Volunteer Alberta posted a call for Photovoice submissions through social media and Volunteer Connector, an online volunteer hub. We requested photos from BIPOC community members representing what it means to them to gift their time and energy to helping community either through formal or informal activities. We then asked participants to describe what the photo is depicting, and what is important to them about the image they submitted. Interviews were conducted with 3 participants. Interviews were transcribed and coded for common themes that appeared amongst the participants in relation to their experiences of helping community. Findings demonstrated BIPOC folks are in fact very engaged civically and socially. This suggests more can be done in the nonprofit sector to acknowledge and represent the valuable contributions of BIPOC community members.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Somnoma Valerie Ouedraogo 
A Woman\u27s Role in a Mans World: Understanding Gender in Corrections
No full textCompared to other organizations within the criminal justice system, the world of corrections is hidden from public view, therefore, quickly forgotten. But, like many of these males dominated organizations, there are significant issues regarding gender and women\u27s roles in the job. With the considerable lack of research regarding correctional officers within Canada and the relatively small percentage of women in the correctional workforce, it is vital to expand this topic to understand the complication of a gendered role. Research has shown issues regarding defeminization, over-sexualization, harassment and emotional labour among female correctional officers and the lack of the support they may receive. With all these persistent issues, we ask ourselves, why do women continue on a career path that appears to be working against them? More specifically, how does gender influence women\u27s experience in long-term careers in corrections? To answer this, we conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with women who maintained long-term roles in Correctional Service Canada. This presentation will discuss these women\u27s gendered experiences working within a masculine organization, how their gender affected their relationships and job expectations, and whether the culture has changed throughout their careers.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amanda Nelund 
Long-Term Effect of Donald Trump’s Usage of White Supremacist Rhetoric on Public Discourse: A Content Analysis of Comments to a Tweet About Donald Trump’s Dinner with Nick Fuentes on Twitter
No full textThis qualitative study performed a content analysis of the top 50 comments on a tweet about Donald Trump and his dinner with white supremacist Nick Fuentes. This study aimed to see if any long-lasting effects were caused by Trump\u27s utilization of white supremacist dogmatic rhetoric. The comments were coded for relationships with each other and prevalent themes; five were apparent 1) Criticism of the media, 2) Mention of Trump\u27s base, 3) Use of the term white supremacist, 4) Use of term antisemitism, 5) and Criticism of Trump or Republican Party. The most pervasive themes explored were the sentiment that Trump is associated with white supremacy, a notion that tarnished him and his base, according to the findings of this analysis
Body Image and Social Media Sharing: A Content Analysis of Public Reactions to a Body Positive Post on TikTok
No full textThis study explored the public reactions of society to a post on TikTok created by Nessa May. In this video, Nessa May confidently shows her body, which does not fit the stereotypical beauty standards of society. She explains to viewers that it is okay not to fit beauty standards and to have a body type similar to her own. A content analysis of the 100 most recent comments reacting to Nessa May’s video identified five main themes including: love, thankfulness, emotions (happiness), beauty, and insecurities. The predominant theme seen was that of love towards Nessa May herself, as well as self-love and increased confidence in the commenters themselves (this made up 35% of all comments). Overall findings showed both support for the body-positive post, as well as an emphasis on the effect normative beauty standards have on women
Film-to-Book Design
No full textDead Poets Society is a movie directed by Peter Weir, written by Tom Schulman and a novel adaptation by N.H Kleinbaum. DPS follows the lives of the students of Welton Academy, balancing stressful classes and extracurriculars for a successful future. The rare opportunity of discovering their passions and identities arrives; a new English teacher has been hired and changed their teenage lives forever. The book\u27s cover is reminiscent of the poetry book (Five Centuries of Verse) that the students read in their DPS meetings, from the textured font, the golden wreath and the wear and tear that\u27s complimented with references, quotes, key items and visuals on the inside. Each chapter\u27s beginning, midway or end has important details, evidence of teenagers messing with the book or overall time wearing down the quality after every use. DPS was set in 1959, and the novel uses serif typefaces (Miller Text), type with texture (the title and typewriter notes) and handwritten poems, quotes and doodles to put the reader in the mindset of a teenager in an old boarding school. All dark academia elements, visuals of wear and tear on the cover and each page, handwritten details, limited colour scheme and textured type create a cohesive message that separates the novel from the film. The redesign proves the book did not lazily copy scene by scene and line by line. It provides a different experience and different perspective of the story.
Faculty Mentor: Constanza Pacher 
Conservation Optimism in MacEwan University Undergraduate Students
No full textMany studies in other disciplines support the value of optimistic messaging but there is a lack of empirical evidence proving the positive correlation between this form of messaging and an engaged behavioural response in conservation studies. No studies have taken place testing the effects of optimistic messaging in an academic setting so we will be focusing on MacEwan University undergraduate students. The students will provide survey responses that can be used to run a t-test to compare the changes in emotional responses after different forms of messaging; optimistic, pessimistic, and neutral. We acknowledge there may be other variables that influence the emotional response of individuals and consider this in our Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Results that support the most engagement from a specific presentation type will show it may be a more effective presentation method to encourage support for conservation efforts.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jessica Haines 
Manufacturing Antimicrobial Silver-Coated Wound Dressings: Chemistry Practicum with Exciton Technologies
No full textAntibiotic resistance and the prevalence of superbugs have become a global concern as it is increasing at a rapid rate which threatens our ability to treat common infections and leads to more difficult-to-treat infections1. Exciton Technologies is a manufacturing and research company with a focus on higher oxidative state silver as a cost-effective solution to prevent infection and the spread of disease.
As part of the Chemistry Internship Practicum (CHEM 497), from Jan 2023-April 2023, I interned at Exciton Technologies. My position at Exciton was as a Quality Control analyst. In this presentation, I will highlight my work as a QC analyst, which includes: work in quality control laboratory functions, which involved performing standard analytical laboratory work following standard operating procedures, handling samples and running tests, documenting, reporting, and interpreting results, and maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the lab.
I will also highlight the technical skills that I’ve acquired, which includes: calibrating and verifying laboratory instruments, techniques to properly use these instruments and troubleshoot these instruments, how to perform a variety of analytical tests and interpret the results from these tests, the mathematics and statistics necessary to complete reports and update control charts, good documentation skills and record keeping, how to make workplace labels, how to properly use spill kits, proper disposal of waste, how to properly store chemicals and solutions.
The professional skills that I’ve developed include self-management, time management, communication skills (verbal and written), teamworking, planning and organization, and eagerness to learn and improve.
World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance (accessed March 6, 2023)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Samuel Mugo