MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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A Tale of Tails: The Function of Tail-Flagging Behaviours in Eurasian Red Squirrels
No full textVisual signals are a relatively understudied form of communication in mammals yet may represent a significant way in which to communicate with conspecific and predator perceivers. Eurasian red squirrels produce a diversity of acoustic signals as well as several visual signals. One such visual signal is termed tail flagging behaviour. Here, individual squirrels will purposefully move their tails in an s-movement or flagging way. Currently there is no research on this flagging signal, its use or its potential function. We propose to conduct detailed analysis on the use and potential function of this behaviour by exploring through observation and experimentation, when these signals are produced and to whom they are often directed.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Shannon Digweed
Department: Psycholog
The Legacy of Clytemnestra in Homer’s Odyssey
No full textIn Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, the author places Clytemnestra in stark opposition to Penelope, the wife of the epic’s hero, Odysseus. Clytemnestra, the wife of King Agamemnon, cheated on her husband and killed him upon his return from the Trojan war; an action that placed her in the category of a ‘bad wife.’ In contrast, Penelope uses her autonomy to stay within the traditional social roles of a good Greek wife. Penelope is compared with Clytemnestra and found equal to her, yet above her in morality – for she never betrays Odysseus. Even though Penelope does not act like Clytemnestra, the consequences of Clytemnestra’s action damage the reputation of not only Penelope but of all women. Despite his trust in Penelope, Odysseus treats her with suspicion until the end of the epic – as if she too may betray him. This paper will explain how the legacy of Clytemnestra’s actions impacted Penelope throughout the rest of the epic. In order to fully contextualize the power of Clytemnestra’s actions, this paper will analyze how the literary representation of women in classical works expressed the belief that women by nature behaved like Clytemnestra. Regardless of the faithfulness of Penelope, she remains under the cloud of a bad wife because all women – even good ones – cannot be trusted.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Benjamin Garstad
Department: History
 
An Exploratory Study of Millennial Managers from Employees’ Perceptions
No full textThis study explores the perceptions of employees who have millennial managers. An analysis of employees’ perceptions provides further knowledge to understand how to manage any bias or obstacles that millennial managers may be faced with. This study uses implicit personality theory to understand the subconscious thoughts people have immediately upon meeting them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 employees. The interviews were then transcribed so the analysis could be conducted with ease using the First and Second Cycle coding. This technique led to the creation of 5 themes: important characteristics and work experience of millennial managers, judgements they face, millennials, baby boomers and finally culture. These themes were utilized to form the results of the study. The first main finding is that age discrimination can be seen within these two sectors, even when participants stated otherwise because their age discriminatory comments were being made subconsciously. The results also showed that millennial managers do face challenges in the workforce, such as being doubted, tested and more. This study’s recommendation is millennial managers should encompass some or all of the important characteristics highlighted by participants to aid in preparing them to overcome said challenges.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Theresa Chika-James
Department: Human Resource Management
NOTE: This work is available to MacEwan users only at https://roam.macewan.ca/islandora/object/gm:2111 
The Effects of Climate Change Polarization on Endorsing Non-Normative Political Action
No full textClimate change has become one of the most polarizing issues in recent years and has become a topic of political division (Pew Research Centre, 2014). This research examines the potential relationships between perceived polarization and endorsing non-normative collective actions regarding climate change mitigation. Research suggests that when people perceive others as extreme, they are less optimistic about discussion, (Robinson et al., 1995), and more likely to endorse conflict escalating non-normative actions (e.g., blockades) over cooperative normative actions (e.g., petitions) because they believe their adversaries are incapable of objective reasoning (Kennedy & Pronin, 2008). We hypothesized that those who perceived greater polarization would be more likely to endorse non-normative collective political action. In this correlational study, 231 undergraduate participants completed an online self-report survey, which measured their degrees of personal polarization and perceived polarization of others, their position on climate change mitigation efforts, and their level of support for normative and non-normative political actions advocating for their position on climate change mitigation efforts. The results did not support our predictions; indeed, some effects were counter to hypotheses. Although those with more extreme personal attitudes supported both normative and non-normative action more than those with less extreme attitudes, those who perceived greater extremity in others’ positions endorsed non-normative actions less. Perceived extremity of others did not relate to endorsement of normative action.
Faculty Mentor: Craig Blatz
Department: Psychology
NOTE: This work is available as an abstract only. 
Confidence in the Government: A Content Analysis of Reactions to a Reddit Post on COVID-19 and Public Opinions Towards the Government
No full textThis study examined public reactions to a Reddit post about a news article that showed a decreasing level of confidence from the public in response to the government’s actions during COVID-19. A content analysis on the 50 best comments from the Reddit post identified four common themes among user comments: a) sarcastic comments, b) explicit comments, c) personal comments, d) past comments. The most prevalent theme was sarcastic comments, which made up 50% of the sample. While the study mainly focused on low confidence levels in the government due to COVID-19, the study also emphasized ways in which political beliefs can have an impact on one’s attitude towards the government.  
Lie Groups and Quantum Chromodynamics
No full textThis article explores the mathematics of group theory, in particular Lie groups and their representations, and its connection to quantum field theory, specifically quantum chromodynamics. The first half discusses specific Lie groups and their Lie algebras and uses this information to describe the theory of the strong force, its particle constituents and a property of subatomic particles known as colour charge. This article emphasizes the importance of utilizing abstract algebra for the continued advancement of quantum physics in the modern era
The Smart Plant: A Look into the Controversy Behind Plant Intelligence
No full textPlants have long been excluded from the conversation regarding intelligent functioning in living things. This mindset dates back to ancient times, when plants were assigned a low-functioning and unintelligent rung on the scala naturae. In comparison to animals, plants have evolved to respond to their environment with a modular body plan, which lacks a nervous system and ‘intelligent’ organ, such as a brain. Despite this, research has demonstrated that plants are able to sense their environment, transmit sensory information throughout the entire organism, and respond to this sensory information with appropriate physiological responses. Also, plants have been shown to demonstrate aspects of learning and memory -cognitive functions once thought to be restricted to ‘intelligent’ beings (i.e. animals). The argument against plant intelligence is largely semantic-based, and stems from the concept that the word ‘intelligence’ cannot be applied to organisms which lack organs responsible for intelligent functioning. To truly appreciate the intelligent functioning of plants, we must eliminate this semantic barrier through a re-evaluation of our conventional understanding of intelligence. Perhaps this would require us to view intelligence, not as a quality unique to animals, but as a biological property, which in varying degrees is present in all life forms
Student Engagement in MacEwan Career Development and Experiential Learning Services
No full textThe goal of this research in working with MacEwan’s Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL) has been to distinguish the target market so that CDEL can efficiently and effectively promote their services. Having multiple differing variables amongst MacEwan students, our team has analyzed which demographics will respond enthusiastically to marketing efforts.
CDEL should develop their marketing strategies around students of all years of study equally. Creating ‘year of study workshops’ may provide long-term interest for students. It is recommended that CDEL run their online advertisements through Instagram, LinkedIn, Blackboard, and Email primarily, as those are the most used and preferred means of gaining information. Creating relationships with students by their preferred means of communication will provide CDEL with the best response and engagement with the services
Schrodinger Wave Equation
No full textThe father of quantum mechanics, Erwin Schrodinger, was one of the most important figures in the development of quantum theory. He is perhaps best known for his contribution of the wave equation, which would later result in his winning of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1933. The Schrodinger wave equation describes the quantum mechanical behaviour of particles and explores how the Schrodinger wave functions of a system change over time. This project is concerned about exploring the one-dimensional case of the Schrodinger wave equation in a harmonic oscillator system. We will give the solutions, called eigenfunctions, of the equation that satisfy certain conditions. Furthermore, we will show that this happens only for particular values called eigenvalues
A Sport Injury Poster: Alpine Skiing
No full textSkiing is an exciting winter sport; however, it isdefined as a high-risk sport for significantinjuries. Among upper body and lowerbody injuries, common traumas to the body indownhill skiers are sprains of the ulnar collateralligament (UCL), which is part of the thumb joint,and tibia fractures.The analysis and research will outline thefollowing of each injury:• Mechanism of injury• Treatment• Rehabilitation• Preventio