17504 research outputs found
Sort by
Effects of Time and Jargon on the Understanding and Quality of Informed Consent Forms
No full textConsent forms are crucial for ensuring that participants are informed about experiments and allowing research to be conducted ethically. However, people often struggle to understand the content of consent forms, fail to realize their importance, or ignore parts of the form altogether. In the present study, I randomly assigned participants to two consent-form groups, one with academic jargon and one without this jargon. After reading these consent forms, participants completed an assessment on the consent form. Half of the participants were given this assessment immediately after reading the consent form, and the other half took the assessment after a delay. The assessment measured both their memory of the consent form, as well as asking their opinions on consent form. Results showed no difference in the memory of the consent forms between participants who received the jargon or no jargon form, as well as no difference in memory based on delay. There was also no difference in opinion between the two groups based on jargon, but participants in the no-delay group found the consent form higher quality and more readable than participants in the delay group. Consent forms are still often poorly understood by participants, but factors other than jargon must be used in improving them
Monetary Policy in the Political Arena: Quantifying the Impact of Party Control on Federal Fund Rates around the Humphrey-Hawkins Report
No full textThe relationship between political dynamics and monetary policy decisions in the United States is a topic of considerable importance and complexity. This study quantifies the interaction of party control, the timing of the Humphrey Hawkins report, and federal interest rates, with the goal of enhancing our understanding of the dynamics that shape monetary policy within a political context. Utilizing ordinary least squares multivariate regression analysis, the study examines 832 observations of monthly federal interest rates with degrees of interbranch control, and monthly national unemployment levels.
The findings indicate that party control alone does not have a significant impact on interest rate fluctuations. However, when there is alignment between the presidential party and both houses of Congress, there is a notable decrease in federal interest rates. Interestingly, the hypothesized interaction between party control and Humphrey Hawkins report timing did not yield significant results. Methodological considerations, such as variable operationalization and data limitations, may have influenced the results. Furthermore, the relatively low R-squared value indicates that the variables included in the model explain only a small fraction of the observed variability in interest rates, suggesting the presence of unaccounted-for factors.
Despite these limitations, the study offers valuable insights into the complexities of monetary policy decision-making and emphasizes the significance of considering multiple factors when analyzing interest rate adjustments. Further research is necessary to address the outlined limitations and achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence federal interest rates
Voter Restrictions, Political Efficacy, and Latinx Turnout: Do You Belong?
No full textThis thesis aims to answer the question of whether a loss of political and social efficacy mediates the relationship between an increase in voter restrictions and a loss in voter turnout within the Latinx community, a minority group with very low voter turnout. Prior literature discusses that an increase in voter restrictions causes lower Latinx voter turnout, as well as that a loss of social and political efficacy lowers Latinx voter turnout. No prior literature, however, has attempted to research the link between these notions. Combining the Collective Multiracial Post-Election Survey with the Cost of Voting Index results show that voter restrictions do lower Latinx voter turnout, as in line with prior literature. Social and political efficacy, however, do not mediate voter restrictions and Latinx voter turnout. The insignificance of social and political efficacy acting as a mediator may be due to the Collective Multiracial Post-Election Survey being a nationally representative survey rather that State representative. This may have resulted in more respondents recording their state of residence as being a state with fewer voter restrictions, which could have lowered the respondents’ scores of social and political efficacy overall
Me, Myself, and My Relationships: Examining Adaptive and Maladaptive Narcissistic Traits’ Association with Desire for Emotional Intimacy, Commitment, and Relationship Satisfaction
No full textThis paper aims to explore desire for emotional intimacy, desire for commitment, and relationship satisfaction in emerging adults adjusting for adaptive and maladaptive narcissistic traits. The purpose of observing these variables is to determine whether separating adaptive and maladaptive traits in grandiose narcissism results in varying data compared to testing narcissism as a single measure. Participants were 295 emerging adults (M age = 20.26 , SD = 1.99; 62.4% women). Participants completed the grandiose narcissism scale (GNS) and then answered questions regarding their desire for intimacy and commitment in their ideal romantic relationships, and their overall relationship satisfaction. Results revealed that emerging adults with higher levels of maladaptive narcissism desire less intimacy and commitment in their ideal romantic relationships. This finding leads us to believe that grandiose narcissists may differ in behavior and belief patterns regarding relationships, in that those with higher maladaptive traits may desire less intimacy and commitment with their romantic partners and thus act in ways that display this lessened desire
My Language is My Culture: Language Attitudes, Language Use, and the Linguistic Identity Construction of Moroccan University Students
No full textMorocco’s multilingual and multicultural makeup has produced a series of conflicts, particularly concerning language and identity. My study focuses on identity construction, language attitudes, and language use as they relate to Modern Standard Arabic, Darija, Amazigh, French, and English. To comprehend these relationships, this study draws on ethnographic surveys and interviews administered in the spring and summer of 2023 to students at University Mohammed V at the Faculties of Letters and Human Sciences in Irfane and Agdal and the Faculty of Sciences in Agdal. These methods aim to determine the languages spoken, the attitudes held toward languages, and the usage of languages in Morocco. The project, through an analysis of my contributors’ responses, reveals language attitudes and language use to be deeply influential on how Moroccan university students individually construct their identity and perceive the overarching process of identity construction. My study also calls attention to the issue of identity rejection amongst Morocco’s indigenous Amazigh peoples due to widespread negative language attitudes in and outside the community and an overall decline in Amazigh language use, both currently and across generations. Finally, my study questions the efficacy of growing efforts to revitalize Amazigh languages and the issue of officialization through reforms such as the constitutionalizing of Amazigh as Morocco’s second official language. Despite these movements and reforms aimed at rectifying linguistic and cultural inequality, Morocco’s linguistic environment remains deeply stratified, with each language possessing a different status and level of vitality. This outcome poses a severe threat to the remaining Amazigh languages in Morocco, each of which runs the risk of language death if systemic changes are not made.La composition multilingue et multiculturelle du Maroc a engendré une série de conflits, notamment en ce qui concerne la langue et l\u27identité. Mon étude se concentre sur la construction de l\u27identité, les attitudes linguistiques et l\u27utilisation de la langue en relation avec l\u27arabe standard moderne, la darija, l\u27amazigh, le français et l\u27anglais. Pour comprendre ces relations, cette étude s\u27appuie sur des enquêtes ethnographiques et des entretiens menés au printemps et à l\u27été 2023 auprès d\u27étudiants de l\u27Université Mohammed V aux Facultés des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines d\u27Irfane et d\u27Agdal et à la Faculté des Sciences d\u27Agdal. Ces méthodes visent à déterminer les langues parlées, les attitudes à l\u27égard des langues et l\u27utilisation des langues au Maroc. Le projet, à travers l\u27analyse des réponses de mes collaborateurs, révèle que les attitudes et l\u27utilisation des langues influencent profondément la façon dont les étudiants universitaires marocains construisent individuellement leur identité et perçoivent le processus global de construction de l\u27identité. Mon étude attire également l\u27attention sur le problème du rejet de l\u27identité parmi les peuples amazighs indigènes du Maroc en raison d\u27attitudes linguistiques négatives largement répandues au sein et en dehors de la communauté et d\u27un déclin général de l\u27utilisation de la langue amazighe, à la fois aujourd\u27hui et d\u27une génération à l\u27autre. Enfin, mon étude remet en question l\u27efficacité des efforts croissants visant à revitaliser les langues amazighes et la question de l\u27officialisation par le biais de réformes telles que la constitutionnalisation de l\u27amazigh en tant que deuxième langue officielle du Maroc. Malgré ces mouvements et ces réformes visant à rectifier l\u27inégalité linguistique et culturelle, l\u27environnement linguistique du Maroc reste profondément stratifié, chaque langue possédant un statut et un niveau de vitalité différents. Cette situation constitue une grave menace pour les langues amazighes restantes au Maroc, qui courent toutes le risque d\u27une mort linguistique si des changements systémiques ne sont pas apportés
“I lost my limb, not my mind”: An Investigation of Phantom Limb Pain, the Current Treatments, and the Effects on Quality of Life in Amputees
No full textPhantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a common experience for those who have had a limb amputation and is defined by having painful sensations in the amputated limb. Despite being recognized for over 50 years, PLP still lacks a definitive etiology but there are multiple theories involving both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Despite the research on PLP, there is not a treatment that is consistently effective with limited drawbacks. This study used an online survey for amputees to collect data about their amputation and PLP experiences, effectiveness of received treatments, and Quality of Life (QoL). Of the 17 participants that completed the survey, majority were lower limb amputees that had prosthetic limbs. The only significant differences found within the data were between QoL pre- and post-amputation where QoL was worse following amputation contrary to the hypothesis. Overall, this survey was limited by the small sample size despite initial feedback, but it did provide insight for future investigation into PLP and QoL
The Final Frontier of Diplomacy: Analyzing the Intersection of Space Policy and Private Corporations
No full textDespite continuous technological evolution and political actors working to keep pace, very few scholars have directed their focus to how industry is influencing policy in the space sector. This study applies constructivist theory and the norm life cycle framework to analyze two cases of private space actors (PSAs) engaging in activities to alter space policy. Specifically, this Independent Study will examine both the successes and obstacles PSAs encounter in their efforts to influence space governance on domestic and international levels. This study concludes that PSAs have an influential and often contentious role in shaping international space policy, and the power wielded by international regulatory bodies can play a part in the effectiveness of policy change due to the complexities exhibited by PSA-state interactions
Exploring the Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Mental Well-Being Post-Pandemic Using Random Forests and Decision Trees
No full textWith data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, an investigation into the impact of social determinants of health on the mental well-being is launched on a post-pandemic population. The principles of random forests and decision tree statistical models working alongside machine learning algorithms highlight contributing factors to indicate a need for intervention resource mobilization
Lights, Camera, Profits: Exploring What Makes a Movie Profitable and if this can be Predicted Through Statistical Approaches
No full textHollywood and the business of making movies has been in existence for over 100 years and has faced several changes both in business and technology. With data becoming more integrated into everyday life, businesses have now started to use data to change the way that they make decisions. However, the movie making industry does not appear to be taking advantage of this trend. It was after the release of the movie Jaws that Hollywood had its new business model which is being followed to the present day. Interest in the combination of the existing Hollywood business model and the emerging technology of data and business analytics, is the driver for the research, in which we examine what factors are most beneficial to a movie\u27s success and if this success can be predicted. The research focused on measuring the success of a film by looking at how much money a movie made in total worldwide sales and how much money a movie actually made when taking into consideration the cost of producing the movie. With sales as our measure, the research then took the other variables of a movie\u27s release, rating, length, genre, how much it cost to make, what audiences thought about the movie, and who was in charge of making the movie (distributor, director, writer, and star) to see if certain actors, directors, and stories are better predictors than others. The research accomplished this through creating linear and logistic regression tests, decision trees, and random forest models. The research found that the monetary success of a movie can be predicted with a 1 percent mis-labeling error. However, there was still a considerable amount of over-prediction as opposed to underprediction