OSU Journals (Oklahoma State University)
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Impact of Municipal Sewage Effluent on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Dynamics and Growth of Resident Filamentous Algae in a Second Order Stream in West-Central Oklahoma
Get PDFQuieted Voices: A Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Black/African-American Collegiate Aviation Students
Get PDFThe aviation industry lacks racial and gender diversity. It is White-male dominated, with 94% of professional pilots identifying as White males, only 3.4% identifying as Black Americans, and less than 5% are female. Research focusing on the participation rates and experience(s) of Black Americans in aviation is scant. The purpose of this study was to understand the experience(s) of Black American collegiate aviation students so higher education and aviation industry leaders could make informed policy decisions and rectify inhospitable work environments, respectively. A phenomenological approach was used to capture the phenomenon via semi-structured interviews of 10 participants. The study revealed three major battles Black aviation students fight due to external and/or internal pressures, which significantly impact their collegiate experience(s) and, to a certain degree, retention. Being a Black woman or a “double only” in an underrepresented space yielded an experience that Black males were unaware of and did not experience but made the collegiate experience of a Black woman very different than that of their male counterparts. Additionally, a student’s involvement in a community of support seemed to be a notable difference-maker in one’s collegiate experience(s). These communities provided salient socio-emotional support for students, helping reduce instances of social isolation and assimilation many of the participants described. Pointed recommendations on how to improve the retention of Black students and Black Americans in collegiate aviation programs and the aviation industry, respectively, were furnished to conclude the study, which were aimed at higher education and industry leadership
Safety in Focus: Analyzing Aviation English Competency Among Ab-Initio Pilots
Get PDFThe proficiency in Aviation English among ab-initio pilots raises significant concerns within the aviation industry, prompting the need for thorough research to explore the root causes, issues, and consequences. This investigation specifically concentrates on the competence of ab-initio pilots in Aviation English within a Turkish foundation university, utilizing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. The results obtained from the modified 'Competency in Aviation English' questionnaire, encompassing responses from 90 student pilots, along with focus group interviews involving 45 participants, highlight notable apprehensions, particularly in speaking and listening skills. The study aims to evaluate the competency of ab-initio pilots in Aviation English and shed light on existing issues by identifying root causes and their extensive impacts. Participants underscore challenges in maintaining fluent speech during emergency situations, comprehending diverse accents, and managing workload and noise. Root causes encompass language proficiency, cultural factors, fear of making mistakes, teaching styles, and a lack of practice materials. Adverse consequences involve stress, compromised flight performance, and safety concerns. The study advocates for tailored pedagogical approaches, proposing enhancements in proficiency exams, customized programs for ab-initio pilots’ better integration of flight and language training. In addition, realistic fluency goals, stress management, and technology integration are crucial for effective training
The Role of Mental Health Training and Education in Achieving Resilience for Collegiate Aviation Pilots
Get PDFThe tragic events surrounding Germanwings Flight 9525 and similar safety events have highlighted the urgent need to address mental health (MH) issues in aviation, particularly among Part 141 collegiate pilots. This ongoing quasi-experimental study evaluates the effectiveness of a Mental Wellness workshop intervention aimed at enhancing collegiate aviation pilots' knowledge and skills in recognizing and managing MH challenges. Conducted over five days and integrated into the flight safety course curriculum, the workshop focuses on resilience, stress management, emotional regulation, and lifestyle changes. Using a one-group pretest-posttest design, participants will complete the Predictive 6-Factor Resilience Scale (PR6-50) before and after the workshop, alongside demographic questions to capture descriptive data. The study will employ SPSS® to conduct a paired t-test to determine significant differences in resilience scores. Qualitative data will be analyzed to explore participants’ experiences concerning existing models of mental health awareness and stigma reduction in aviation. Expected findings include significant improvements in resilience scores, increased awareness of MH issues, and reduced stigma surrounding help-seeking. Participants are anticipated to report enhanced skills in stress management and emotional regulation, fostering healthier lifestyle choices and greater willingness to seek support for MH concerns. The study's conclusions will emphasize the importance of MH training in aviation and advocate for supportive systems that encourage collegiate pilots to prioritize their mental well-being, advancing the safety objectives established by the Federal Aviation Administration and bolstering the overall safety performance of the U.S. National Airspace Syste
Women and Minorities in Collegiate Aviation: What Factors Lead to Enrollment and Persistence
Get PDFThis project is focused on women and minorities in collegiate aviation. The purpose of this project is to determine the experiences that influence women and minorities to enroll in a collegiate aviation program and the factors that have helped them persist and succeed. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of women and minorities working in the aviation industry is relatively low compared to their participation rates in the total workforce of the United States. Increasing the number of women and minorities working in the aviation industry must begin with increasing their numbers in the nation’s flight schools and collegiate aviation programs. Participants will be interviewed about the experiences that influenced their decision to enroll in a collegiate aviation program and the factors that have helped them persist and succeed. The benefits of this project include information that will help increase the number of women and minorities working in the aviation industry by increasing their numbers in the nation’s flight schools and collegiate aviation programs
Reflections on Gardening, Volunteerism, and Wellbeing in Rural Oklahoma
Get PDFCommon sense and research both support the idea that gardening and volunteerism are good for personal wellbeing but neither body of knowledge has a strong rationale for why these activities are good for us. Using an open-ended survey and follow-up interviews, this phenomenological study set in rural Oklahoma investigated the lived experiences of local volunteer gardeners and explored how gardening and volunteering affect the wellbeing of these individuals. The resulting thematic analysis agrees in many ways with current findings, however, a new theme emerged – personal relationships and gardening – which is worthy of further study to determine how this combination may contribute to improved wellbeing. The authors propose integrating one element of these findings – intergenerational relationships and gardening – with children in local primary schools. Gardening with local older adult mentor gardeners can provide students with a means to alleviate anxiety and improve attention with nature, as well as develop and maintain personal wellbeing through meaningful relationships with older adult mentors, all of which should help improve classroom climate and student learning
An Exploratory Study into the Traumatic Impact of Advanced Cancer among Patients and Partners
Get PDFPeople living with cancer may experience both psychological distress and a sense of personal development. These two responses can be conceptualised using theories of post-traumatic stress (PTS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG), respectively. This hospice-based study investigated the range of experiences of people living with advanced cancer and of their partners, with consideration of how theories of PTS and PTG resonated with their accounts. Strategic sampling (n=11) was used to gather data from eight individuals living with advanced cancer and from three individuals caring for someone with the diagnosis. Q methodology was used to investigate the participants’ subjective experiences. A set of 62 statements, informed by theories of trauma, were sorted by the participants according to the extent to which the individual statements were consistent with their personal experiences of living with cancer. The participants were then interviewed about their Q sorts, to consider the personal meanings that had informed their statement rankings. The Q sort data were factor analysed, and theories of PTS and PTG were used to aid the interpretation of four differing viewpoints: “Accepting and Growing,†“Fearful yet Adapting,†“Resigned and Grieving†and “Traumatised.†These different expressions of the positive and negative feelings associated with living with advanced cancer are considered in relation to professional healthcare provision. The study recommends that future research involve a broader sample of individuals, including patients not accessing hospice care, the partners of this population and cancer healthcare professionals
Quiddity College: Thomas Jefferson’s Legacy for Moral Science
Get PDFWilliam Stephenson clearly regarded this manuscript as one of his major works, an inevitable outcome of his life-long involvement in education. Given his commitment to the importance of subjective science, Stephenson felt the need for him to anticipate what kind of education it should entail, to focus his attention on how subjectivity might be cultivated. Quiddity College is his answer. It describes a two-year college curriculum in which facts are taken for granted – prior to entering Quiddity College students would have already acquired a grounding in physics, chemistry, genetics, etcetera, and everything subjective would be fostered in the College. Part I, drawing on his own experience of both British and North American practices, provides a critique of existing systems at College and University levels. It continues with a presentation of his ideas about subjectivity and the role it should play in an ideal College. The notions of play and communication-pleasure are central to his vision. Part II outlines a curriculum for Quiddity rooted in principles from the Scottish Enlightenment and taught by the seven Fellows of Quiddity College, named after Thomas Jefferson and members of his circle such as Thomas Paine, Joseph Priestley, David Rittenhouse, and Benjamin Rush