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Take your time: Using Natural Language Processing on Safety Reports to Reduce Incident Likelihood
Full text linkAbstract Workplace injuries carry significant social and financial consequences for both employees and employers. Through Behavior-Based Safety (BBS), workplaces both identify at-risk behaviors to reduce injuries and their consequences while also encouraging individuals to recognize and reinforce safe behaviors that promote safer practices (Ludwig & Laske, 2022). Most companies already use this process; however, there are often problems with the quality of these reports, aka ‘pencil whipping’ (marking reports blank or lacking any meaningful information). We aim to determine if there is a connection between the quality of safety reporting and incident likelihood, and what dimensions of ‘quality’ have the most impact on reducing incident likelihood. We hypothesize that reports with higher quality descriptions that are specific, actionable, and clear will show stronger associations with reduced incident risk compared to more vague reports. Methods Our analysis will be using three years of safety data from a manufacturing plant in the southwest region of the United States, taken from 2022 to 2024. We will select units with significant safety variance and reporting, then use text analysis to identify ‘pencil whipping’ by examining whether a safety report lacks a description or uses minimal wording (e.g., marking only “safe” or “unsafe”), which would be scored as a low-quality report. Using a natural language processing model (NLP), reports that are determined to be higher quality will be analyzed further by assessing length, specificity, actionability and clarity (Kjell et al., 2023). These ratings will then be used in a hierarchical regression model to understand the effect of each quality measure on incident and near-miss likelihood. Expected Results Because previous literature suggests that certain quality factors contribute to the effectiveness of behavioral checklists (Leslie et al., 2021), higher-quality reports are expected to reduce incident and near-miss likelihood. Specifically, reports that provide adequate actionable detail and high contextual detail are expected to significantly reduce the likelihood of safety incidents and near misses, whereas reports with vague or generic context are expected to show weaker effects. The quality of safety reporting on safety incidents is important for practitioners because it will inform safety training. Organizations that work towards increasing the quality of their safety reporting, can work towards reducing incidents, creating a safer workplace for all
Does messenger matter? Trainer differences in sexual harassment training for young workers
Full text linkAbstract Background In 2016, the EEOC called for the need to spread awareness to young workers about sexual harassment. Previous research has been conducted on this issue by implementing a training specifically designed for younger workers (Stewart & Davison, 2021). The proposed study is an extension of this project. Previous research has examined messenger gender in sexual harassment training or legal policy awareness and suggests that female-led messening may incite stereotyped responses, particularly when coupled with a stereotype-incongruent occupation (Tinkler et al., 2015; Rawski et al., 2024), while diversity training led by white males (non-diverse population) is rated less favorably (Holladay & Quiñones, 2008). This study suggests potential differences in attitudes as well as knowledge gain based on trainer differences (gender and age) as opposed to frequently studied trainee gender. Methods Participants will be approximately 240 students from upper-level undergraduate Management courses at Appalachian State University. The sexual harassment training will be delivered as a part of a course component on one of the regular class meetings. After completing the informed consent form, participants will be provided with a paper pre-training assessment to complete. Upon survey completion, the training workshop will begin. During the training workshop, participants will learn about sexual harassment in the workplace, its prevalence among young workers, and what to do to when encountering such situations. Participants will also watch videos of sexual harassment scenarios for further discussion. The training will be facilitated by either a female or male trainer, with approximately 50% of the participants being in each group. At the end of the training session, participants will complete a paper copy of the post-training assessment survey. Attitudes about sexual harassment, declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge, and attitudes about the trainer will be assessed. Expected Results & Implications Based on previous studies, the researcher expects that males may rate the male-led training more favorably overall and have a greater knowledge gain. Additionally, females may rate the female-led training more favorably but have a similar knowledge gain overall. Lastly, all students may rate the student-led training higher than the instructor-led training as they perceive it to be more relevant to their demographic. Examining the potential effects of trainer differences would allow for a deeper understanding of sexual harassment training effectiveness. Organizations that create sexual harassment trainings can use these results to advise their creation, providing generalizable insight into AI-generated trainings which are becoming increasingly popular
Supervisor-focused impression management and social undermining as self-enhancing responses to perceived job insecurity
Full text linkJob insecurity has become a more prevalent societal issue across many advanced economies since the 1980s. Previous research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of job insecurity on workers’ physical and mental health, as well as their job attitudes and performance. The proposed study aims to explore two active ways in which employees may respond to perceived job insecurity. To preserve their job, we propose that employees experiencing job insecurity will engage in impression management tactics directed at their supervisor or engage in social undermining tactics directed at their coworkers. We hypothesize that this process will be moderated by the employee’s core self-evaluations (CSE), which will influence their appraisal of the situation. Employees with high CSE will be more likely to respond with supervisor-focused impression management, and employees with low CSE will be more likely to respond with coworker-focused social undermining. Data will be gathered through Qualtrics surveys distributed initially via convenience and snowball sampling with the future possibility of utilizing the survey platform Prolific to gather additional participants
Do Perceptions and Explanations of Supervisor Incivility Vary Based on Leader and Manager Prompt Terminology?
Full text link(1) Proposed and in-progress research The popular practice of using “leader” and “manager” terms synonymously in organizational practice, research, and public discourse has been suggested to pose issues given the implicit assignment of benevolence, merit, and morality to “leader” titles more so than “manager” titles (Learmonth & Morrell, 2021; McLaren, 2013). We contextualize this concern in the phenomenological space of workplace incivility, which consists of “rude, condescending, and ostracizing acts that violate workplace norms of respect, but otherwise appear mundane” (Cortina eta l., 2017, pg. 299). The purpose of our study is to understand what (if any) differences exist in the nature of employee explanations for supervisor incivility when prompts included “leader incivility” terms versus “manager incivility” terms. We used Prolific to collect data from 250 adults over the age of 18 who work in the US, resulting in a sample of 149 respondents who experienced “supervisor incivility” recently. Respondents recalled and described a specific event of “supervisor incivility” then were randomly assigned to one of two conditions, one asking for explanations of their “leader’s” behavior and another asking for explanations of their “manager’s” behavior. These free-response explanations were coded for the presence of reasons, causal histories of reasons, enabling factors, and agreement markers based on Malle’s (2004, 2011) folk theory of the mind framework. A blinded (condition not indicated) dataset was used for coding, and each explanation was coded individually by two of the three research teammates before reconciling codes as a group. Our initial exploratory analysis aimed to detect differences in the occurrence of these explanatory tools based on respondent assignment to “leader” and “manager” conditions. Binomial logistic regression indicated no difference between the conditions with regards to the explanatory tools used to explain supervisor incivility. This finding suggests that titling alone (“leader” vs. “manager”) may not alter how employees interpret incivility. For research, this challenges the assumption that employees view the term “leader” more favorably and emphasizes the need to closely examine the environmental factors that contribute to employees’ incivility explanations. For practice, the results suggest that organizations should be mindful in how they use job titles. Using “leader” and “manager” interchangeably may not protect against negative perceptions of supervisor mistreatment, but having inconsistent titles could influence employee expectations. We are enthused to present these findings and our future analytical directions, which include examining factors such as employee identification, frequency and intensity of interactions, and coding themes and content within explanations
The Pulse of Progress: A Review on Wearable Technology in Healthcare
Full text linkIn recent years the literature that has examined wearable technology has grown exponentially. Healthcare is a field in which numerous studies involving wearable technologies and occupational health have been conducted due to its critical and demanding nature. Wearable devices provide many advantages for research, including offering objective physiological data that can support efforts to better understand and improve the well-being of healthcare professionals. Our research team conducted a literature review of 20 peer-reviewed articles related to wearable technology in healthcare. Online databases (e.g., PsycInfo, Google Scholar) were utilized to collect studies that examined a variety of devices and measures such as heart rate variability, sleep, and stress. Data extracted from the articles included participant demographics, type of wearable device, and occupational health outcomes studied. This information was synthesized to evaluate the current state of research and identify areas for future development. The goal is to provide researchers and practitioners with practical and effective ways to incorporate wearables into future research. Common themes that arose, and will be discussed more thoroughly in the poster, include the prevalence of heart rate variability and sleep quality/duration as physiological measures most commonly collected. These measures were frequently linked to stress and burnout, demonstrating the potential of wearables to connect physiological functioning with psychological well-being. At the same time, several limitations emerged. Studies highlighted the inaccuracy of wearable data in capturing mental health states and noted compliance challenges as healthcare workers often found it difficult to wear devices consistently throughout their workday. Based on our findings, we suggest that future research should focus on improving the integration of wearable data with validated self-report measures. This would allow researchers to better capture complex variables such as stress, burnout, and cognitive performance. Additionally, enhancing device usability and minimizing participant burden are essential to improving data quality and reducing attrition. Further work is also needed to address issues related to algorithm validation, transparency, and cost to ensure that wearable technologies are both reliable and accessible. Wearable technology offers promising opportunities to advance occupational health research in healthcare. By addressing current limitations and refining how data are collected and integrated, future studies can position wearables as powerful tools to support the well-being of healthcare professionals. This project is partially supported by the Clemson University Creative Inquiry program
The impact of stereotype threat and grit on the experience of imposter syndrome
Full text linkIn-Progress Research Imposter syndrome (IP) is a psychological phenomenon in which one has an internal experience of intellectual phoniness. This phenomenon is particularly seen within workplaces. Past researchers have found that females tend to report higher levels of IP, with Stereotype Threat (ST) being a cited explanation. A common denominator in much of the literature is how a lack of Belongingness can activate Stereotype Threat in females, especially in male-dominated workplaces. It has been found that individuals high in IP, especially females, tend to experience poor mental health outcomes. Past research has also established a link between IP and Conscientiousness in females, a personality trait related to the facet of Grit. The current study is examining the relationships between IP, Belongingness, Psychological Distress, and Grit. Hypotheses include several predictions between the variables of IP, Belongingness, Psychological Distress, Grit, and ST. Participants (N = 150) are being recruited from Psychology and STEM-related courses (all levels) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. The experiment is utilizing a 3x2 mixed repeated measures design. The measures being utilized in this study include the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), the Domain Identification Measure (DIM), the General Belongingness Scale (GBS), the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), and the Duckworth 12-Item Grit Scale. The data will be analyzed by using Repeated Measures Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs) and Pearson’s Correlations. Expected results include females reporting IP at higher rates than males, individuals high in IP reporting low levels of Belongingness, high levels of Psychological Distress, and low levels of Grit, and ST having an impact on reported rates of IP, Belongingness, Psychological Distress, and Grit. The implications of my research allow us to look at how IP may be impacting individuals in the workplace, as this is where this phenomenon is most observed. Specifically, we can determine if an organizational culture of openness and belonging can positively impact someone experiencing IP. If IP is impacting the mental health of employees, then research needs to be conducted to determine how severe this phenomenon is. Furthermore, there may be a mediating relationship between the personality facet of Grit and whether someone is likely to report experiencing IP. If this is the case, personal development workshops could possibly be created to help employees foster their Grit and in turn, help with their experience of IP
Elementary teachers\u27 perception of preparedness for the elementary science classroom
Full text linkThis dissertation explores the perception of preparedness among elementary teachers to effectively teach three-dimensional science lessons as advocated by the Next Generation Science Standards. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative analysis was employed to gain a full understanding of variables that are related to teachers feeling prepared for the classroom and what aspects of teacher preparation and professional experience are areas of success or areas of growth in terms of implementing effective science instruction in a large school district in southeastern Tennessee. Findings revealed teachers completing a full semester of student teaching perceived themselves to be significantly more prepared for the science classroom than those teachers who only completed a partial semester of student teaching. Teacher experience, science methods courses completed, effectiveness of teacher preparation program, and science content knowledge were not shown to have a relationship with teacher perception of preparation for the elementary science classroom. Teachers identified several strengths in teacher preparation programs including firsthand experiences, exemplar professors, and courses designed around education students. On the other hand, weaknesses were identified in teacher preparation programs including limited science coursework, professor limitations, and overall limited preparation for the science classroom. Teachers identified weak preparation in three-dimensional, inquiry-based science in their preparation programs. Ideas to improve teacher preparation were highlighted including a need to focus more heavily on the new science standards, time to create science lessons with colleagues, more time to observe effective science lessons, and more opportunities to teach science lessons in the classroom. In the professional world, teachers identified more time to collaborate with peers, more effective professional development, and a rise in the importance of science teaching as ways to increase teacher preparation for the science classroom. These results indicate a need to revise teacher preparation programs and preparation in the professional world to increase student achievement in elementary science
Spaced out: an exploration of potential ADHD strategies and the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program
Full text linkThe study investigated how implementing academic and behavioral strategies can improve outcomes for students with ADHD by addressing their challenges with cognitive and executive functioning, which impact academic and social skills. Students with ADHD often experience coexisting conditions like anxiety and depression, and they face difficulties in traditional education systems designed for neurotypical learners. Accommodations such as extended time, preferential seating, and breaking tasks into smaller steps are helpful but insufficient. Other strategies included providing digital and written notes, using graphic organizers, incorporating movement, and offering instant rewards to maintain focus and engagement. The research questions focused on the effectiveness of strategies by gender, their impact on academic performance, and the students’ perceptions of the interventions. The study aimed to increase understanding of ADHD in education, contribute to more inclusive practices, and reduce stigmas surrounding ADHD diagnosis and treatment. The study involved a total of 41students from a high school in rural Appalachia of Southeast Tennessee. Five of the 41 students had documented ADHD. The study used a mixed-methods case study design and examined the relationship between these strategies and student achievement on the TCAP English I Practice Test in writing and reading comprehension. It also explored gender differences in ADHD presentation and how these might have influenced the effectiveness of strategies. After conducting Chi-Square tests, results indicated no statistical significance for RQ 1-4. However, for RQ 5, using a paired samples t-test and a two-way ANOVA, it was found students with ADHD scored lower on the self-perception posttest when compared to their peers without ADHD. RQ 6’s qualitative findings indicated students’ positive perceptions of the teacher’s academic and behavioral strategies used, such as communication tools, organizational aids, and classroom management techniques. Even though there were no statistically significant quantitative results, the findings contributed to the understanding of inclusive teaching practices and improving support for neurodivergent learners. Moreover, this research sought to reduce stigma surrounding ADHD by promoting awareness, improving outcomes, and providing students with coping mechanisms for adulthood
The Need for Standards in Autonomous Driving: Exploring Ethical and Social Implications in the Successful Deployment of Autonomous Cars
Full text linkAutonomous driving incorporates applications and algorithms of AI to enable self-driving vehicles as viable transportation options across the country. Self-driving vehicles may provide advantages over human-driven vehicles in several ways, including cost savings, accessibility to transportation, efficiency, convenience, and reduced traffic. However, there are still challenges due to the added lack of cybersecurity issues, laws, and ethical factors to consider in gaining public trust. Ethical issues such as choosing how to respond to accidents and algorithms for safety decisions are factors in the progression of autonomous vehicles for many companies. Since a gap exists in research and development for ethical and other issues, the purpose of the study is to explore the challenges and problems related to safety and reliability, regulatory and legal issues, technological changes and ethical challenges, scalability, public perception and acceptance, and data security and privacy concerns. The scope of this paper is largely focused on the technical and ethical concerns related to the creation and usage of autonomous cars. This study intends to uncover the gaps in legislation, public opinion, and industry readiness through a data-driven survey of UTC students, case studies, and an examination of recent literature and provide solutions based on this research
Pacific Islander Mental Health: A Literature Review
Full text linkMental health among Pacific Islanders remains an underexplored area in research. This review aims to synthesize existing research on the mental health status of Pacific Islanders, focusing on mental health risk factors and mental health service utilization. A systematic search across APA PsychInfo spanning from 2015 to 2024 yielded 11 relevant articles, which were subsequently analyzed and synthesized. Findings suggest that Pacific Islanders experience unique stressors, including, racial discrimination, socioeconomic disparities, and cultural stigma surrounding mental health. However, there is a disparity in culturally sensitive assessment tools and interventions tailored specifically to this population. Future research should prioritize phenomenological methods, culturally informed assessments, and community-based interventions to better understand and address the mental health implications of Pacific Islanders. Practitioners, clinicians, counselors, and researchers should work together to develop culturally competent approaches that promote mental wellness and reduce disparities among Pacific Islander populations