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Advanced Literacies in the 21st Century: Examining A Narrative-Based Video Game as A Stealth Assessment for Comprehension
No full textIn our technology-rich 21st Century, the need for valid, reliable, and fair literacy assessments remains pertinent to the field of education. This study defines literacy as advanced literacy where comprehension is considered a holistic product of applying acquired knowledge, skills, or abilities (KSA) to contextualized situations. Conventional assessment methods have traditionally parceled out the construct into its component parts (i.e., vocabulary, phonics, fluency, etc.) as a means of understanding the meaning making process from a traditional literacy perspective. Stealth assessments utilize the Evidence-Centered Design (ECD) framework as a robust method for assessing complex constructs holistically within technology rich environments. Adapting from Shute’s (2011) stealth assessment design, this study operationalized video game behaviors as psychometrically sound measures of comprehension skills by employing McCreery’s et al. (2019) Behavioral Assessment Matrix (BAM).The Behavioral Assessment Matrix for Comprehension (BAM-COMP) was developed to systematically code operationally defined game-play behaviors that could be linked to comprehension. Rounds of expert scrutiny identified eight observable game-play behaviors that demonstrated high inter-observer agreement and acceptable internal consistency, confirming reliability of the instrument. Convergent validity for the BAM-COMP was established through small positive correlations with the well-established external literacy assessment The Woodcock- Johnson IV Tests of Achievement: Reading Cluster (WJ-IV: ACH Reading Cluster). T-tests showed that were significant differences in scores between the two instruments, indicating that practical applications of KSA may be distinctly different than rote knowledge for test taking procedures. Concurrent validity was established through multiple regression analyses by regressing the WJ-IV: ACH Reading Cluster onto the BAM-COMP subscales. The results indicated that the BAM-COMP was a valid measure of comprehension by accounting for 11% of the variance in scores on the WJ-IV: ACH Reading Cluster. Additional regression analyses were conducted by regressing the WJ-IV: ACH subscales Passage Comprehension and Reading Recall onto the BAM-COMP subscales. Results showed that both BAM-COMP subscales were significant predictors of comprehension scores on the WJ-IV: ACH Passage Comprehension subscale and the Reading Cluster omnibus scale, further confirming concurrent validity of the BAM-COMP instrument. BAM-COMP was not a significant predictor of the WJ-IV: ACH Reading Recall subscale. Such results emphasize the importance of how participants may apply comprehension skills within context, and the impact such applications may have on advanced literacies and learning. Fairness of the BAM-COMP was established through four separate two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) examining gaming habits, gender, and reading habits. Results indicated a significant difference in scores on the BAM-COMP for participants with higher reported gaming habits than those with lower reported gaming habits. Pairwise comparisons showed that a distinct threshold of gaming every day may impact scores on the stealth assessment. These results emphasize the BAM-COMP’s potential to fairly and accurately assess comprehension as an experiential behavior regardless of prior reading knowledge or abilities. Taken in aggregate, the results of the study provide empirical evidence that the BAM- COMP can be considered a valid, reliable, and fair assessment of comprehension as a holistic construct. Further, the results offer valuable insight into the nature of comprehension skills as a contextualized experience, and the impact of how applying such skills situationally differs both inter and intra-individually. As such, this study underscores the need for psychometrically sound performance-based assessment models within the field of education
The Mindful Officer: Enhancing Officer Mental, Physical, and Social Wellness Through Resilience Training
No full textThe issue of mental health among the U.S. population has gained national attention, with numerous wide-scale initiatives aimed at providing resources for the public. However, certain professional populations encounter unique challenges in their occupation and often lack specific support for their mental and physical health needs that stem from long-term exposure to unpredictable stressors. One population facing these issues is law enforcement. Police officers regularly experience chronic stress related to their job demands, as they manage high-pressure situations and exposure to significant trauma, all while being under increased public scrutiny in recent years. Previous research has highlighted the effects of chronic stress on the mental and physical health of police officers. This current study builds on that research by examining the influence of a Mindfulness-Based Resilience Training (MBRT) program on the social and interpersonal health of state law enforcement officers, as well as their physical and mental health. The findings and their potential implications will be discussed
Pre-Service Teacher Self-Efficacy for Classroom Management and Evidence Based Practices for Managing Classroom and Challenging Behaviors
No full textThis study investigated the relationship between pre-service teachers\u27 self-efficacy (TSE) and their knowledge of evidence-based practices. Teacher self-efficacy, defined as the belief in one\u27s ability to achieve specific teaching goals, plays a pivotal role in shaping teaching behaviors and student outcomes. Evidence-based practices, grounded in scientific research, are essential for effective teaching and problem-solving in diverse classroom settings. This study highlighted the importance of the two specific resources of self-efficacy and knowledge of evidence-based practices for managing classrooms and challenging behaviors. By exploring pre-service teacher resources, this study aimed to contribute to the body of literature exploring the challenges facing educators during their preparation and ultimately in the classrooms they will be responsible to effectively managing
The Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Objective Structured Clinical Exam & Student Self-Efficacy in Preparation for Fieldwork Rotation
No full textThis capstone project focuses on exploring the effectiveness of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Occupational Therapy’s Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) on students’ perceived self-efficacy in preparation for and throughout fieldwork rotation. This retrospective study analyzed repeated measures of the New General Self-Efficacy (NGSE) Likert Scale collected from a sample of 49 occupational therapy students across five time points. Findings indicated a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy over time (p\u3c .001). These results suggest that the OSCE may play a meaningful role in enhancing students’ self-efficacy in their clinical hands-on skills, supporting its continued use in occupational therapy academics
Gotta Be Fresh: Comedy Central’s Workaholics, Masculinity, and Paratextual Decay
No full textThis thesis examines social media marketing materials for Workaholics, a sitcom aired on Comedy Central from 2011 to 2017, to study paratextual temporality/ephemerality, the “brand as friend” social media strategy, and how masculinity is articulated through paratexts. The project incorporates theories from the fields of social media and internet marketing studies, television content and industry studies, and promotional paratext studies. Research centered on 100 Workaholics X (formerly Twitter) posts, published from January 2012 to March 2017. Posts were collected using Google Chrome extension TwExportly. Qualitative textual and content analysis of these paratexts results in three categories of findings. First, I discuss the brand’s relationship with the audience developed through social media paratexts, observing the evolving writing style of the profile - from informal with errors in 2012, to polished and professional through 2014. Second, I examine the show’s prominent theme of masculinity: how its satire of toxic masculinity manifests as misogyny in paratexts, how these paratexts reinforced the Comedy Central brand of immature heteronormativity, and how the 2010s masculinity crisis was articulated through similar discourse in various online subcultures. Lastly, by exploring the temporality of ephemeral paratext meaning, I introduce the term “online paratextual decay,” the process of paratexts actively losing meaning primarily due to external technical factors and corporate participatory space oversight. I conclude with a discussion solidifying the concept of paratextual meaning decay: situating it in paratextual literature, identifying the corrosive relationship between toxic masculinity and paratexts, and the potential national implications of this decay effect
How Returning to Work And Sense of Belonging Influence Acquired Brain Injury Survivors: A Descriptive Case Study
No full textPurpose. This capstone project explored the experiences of an individual with acquired brain injury (ABI) returning to work (RTW), highlighting their sense of belonging (SoB) in the workplace. While literature emphasizes SoB\u27s importance for mental health and quality of life, its impact on workplace reintegration for ABI individuals is underexplored. This project intended to address the gap in understanding ABI individuals\u27 workplace belonging, potentially enhancing OT practices and outcomes for reintegration.Methods. A descriptive single case study approach using a qualitative phenomenology methodology, including semi-structured interviews and site observations, was used to gather insights from an individual who has re-entered the workforce post-injury. Results: The participant’s experience revealed key factors affecting RTW and SoB after ABI. Identified successful RTW facilitators included access to rehabilitation services, adaptive workplace accommodations, personal resilience, and opportunities for engagement. Barriers involved unclear job responsibilities, physical limitations, and insufficient stimulating tasks. A strong SoB, supported by coworkers and an inclusive culture, is vital for long-term job retention. These findings advocate future research addressing social and structural aspects in vocational rehabilitation and OT practice. Conclusion: Findings from this capstone project suggest that development of SoB is vital in sustaining long-term employment for individuals with ABI. Future studies should continue to explore SoB, using diverse methodologies and broader participant samples to strengthen evidence-based practice
Vegas Reborn: An Ethnographic Exploration of Female Fans of The National Hockey League’s Vegas Golden Knights
No full textThis dissertation examines the experiences of female fans of the Vegas Golden Knights (VGK), emphasizing how they construct their identities, navigate gendered expectations, and engage with fan communities. As a National Hockey League (NHL) expansion team in a non-traditional hockey market, the VGK offers a unique opportunity to understand how sports fandom develops and fosters collective identity in a newly emerging market. This qualitative, multi-method approach includes ethnographic participant observations, semi-structured interviews, and netnographic analysis of online fan communities. The findings of this research reveal that female fans actively challenge gendered stereotypes and resist the “puck bunny” label, asserting their legitimacy within a traditionally masculine sports culture. Digital spaces provide a supportive environment for women to establish authority and reshape dominant narratives about female sports fandom. By examining the intersections of gender, sports, and cultural identity, this research contributes to broader discussions in cultural sociology, gender studies, and the sociology of sport. The findings highlight that female fans are not passive spectators but active participants in shaping sports culture, community identity, and the evolving landscape of hockey fandom
The Dual Impact of Moral Injury: Links to PTSD Symptoms and Disinhibited Externalizing in U.S. Combat Veterans
No full textMoral injury is an experience of psychological distress that occurs when a person’s morals are violated by themselves or others, including institutions and organizations. Such violations of morality can be impairing and have high rates of comorbidity with internalizing disorders (posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, suicidality), which may indicate that moral injury is a transdiagnostic construct. This study had four aims, which were accomplished using from a nationally representative, probability-based sample of 1,353 US military veterans. In the first aim, we created structural models of moral injury using the Moral Injury Events Scale (for which a bifactor structure with a specific factor of perceived betrayals fit best) and posttraumatic stress using the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (for which a seven correlated factors model fit best). The second aim created a bifactor structural model of disinhibited externalizing with symptoms of alcohol use, drug use, and gambling disorders as markers of the general factor alone, with a specific second-order normal-range inhibitory personality factor comprising traits of conscientiousness, cognitive impulsivity, and grit. In the third aim, we found that the general factor of moral injury was associated with the unique variance in the reexperiencing factor of PTSD along with disinhibited personality traits and drug and gambling use disorder symptoms.The perceived betrayals factor was associated with the unique variance in the anhedonia factor of PTSD. In the fourth aim, we verified that these relationships remained after adjusting for lifetime trauma and combat exposure. These results highlight the importance of examining these constructs at multiple levels to understand their relationships and formulate treatments targeted at the appropriate level of symptom presentation
The Inclusion of Multiracial Participants in Alzheimer’s Disease Research
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a growing public health issue which disproportionately affects ethnoracially minoritized individuals and efforts have been made to increase the diversity of research samples. Neuropsychology plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research as it is used to characterize symptom profiles and disease trajectories. In neuropsychological research, racial identity often acts as a proxy, representing common lived experiences such as school segregation, Native American boarding schools, and other differential treatment on the basis of race which may ultimately influence cognition or its measurement. Despite calls for more ethnoracially representative research that accounts for diverse lived experiences, data from multiracial participants (those identifying with two or more racial groups) seem absent from the literature, with current research focusing on monoracially identified participants. Methods for analyzing and reporting data in ADRD studies have not been established but are needed, as the use of multiracial data regularly requires its misrepresentation or exclusion. Given the confluence of disease, cognition, and race, further research is needed to ensure the ethical inclusion of neuropsychological data from multiracial participants. This dissertation sought to explore the inclusion of multiracial participants and their neuropsychological data in ADRD research through three unique research projects. Study One characterized the use of neuropsychological data from multiracial participants in ADRD research literature and made recommendations for improved inclusion. Study Two examined the impact of typical clinical trial inclusion and exclusion criteria on participant eligibility and retention, with a special focus on multiracial individuals. Through interviews with multiracial adults, Study Three explored common themes in reactions to current common classifications in the analysis of data from multiracial participants to better inform analytical practices. Findings from this dissertation have implications for the inclusion of multiracial participants and their neuropsychological data from study designthrough recruitment, participation, analysis and reporting
Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Viewer Experience in Guided Live Streaming Tours from Service-Dominant Logic and Customer-Dominant Logic Perspectives
No full textThis study develops and validates a scale to measure viewer experience in guided live streaming tours (GLST), a structured and professionally led format of live streaming distinct from user-generated content. Despite its rapid growth, GLST remains underexplored in theory and measurement. To address this gap, the study adopts an integrated lens of service-dominant logic (SDL) and customer-dominant logic (CDL) to conceptualize GLST as a multidimensional viewer experience.Scale development followed five phases. A literature review and in-depth interviews identified initial constructs. The expert panel review refined item content. A pilot study and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed seven dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) compared four models: the Single-Factor Model (M1), the Second-Order Factor Model (M2), the Two-Factor Second-Order Model (M3), and the Seven Correlated First-Order Factors Model (M7). M1 was excluded due to poor fit and theoretical weakness. M2, M3, and M7 were tested in structural equation modeling (SEM). M2 showed the best overall fit and offered conceptual parsimony by capturing the GLST experience through an integrated SDL/CDL perspective. Therefore, M2 was selected as the final measurement model. The validated GLST scale comprises seven reliable and distinct dimensions: Interactivity, Informativeness, Functionality, Professional Competency, Practicality, Immersion, and Knowledge Acquisition. Nomological SEM analysis confirmed that GLST experience significantly predicts trust, which in turn mediates behavioral intentions, word-of-mouth, reuse, and visit intention. These results validate the theoretical framework and clarify how GLST design influences viewer trust and engagement. This study contributes a theory-based measurement tool tailored to guided live streaming, expanding virtual tourism research with SDL/CDL integration. It also provides practical guidance for improving professional live streaming sessions by emphasizing experience dimensions most critical to viewer trust and behavioral response