Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences Weblog

Mario B. Rojas, IV, Newberry College

Full paper: www.kon.org/urc/v11/rojas2.html

Abstract This paper, applying Hofstede's (1997) dimensions of culture and Hall's (1990) contextual paradigm, explored and analyzed the stressed relationship between China and Norway. The paper notes that the stressed relationship is most notable in recent negotiations between the two countries. Further, the paper concluded that at least in the area of negotiations, relief for this stressed relationship could manifest if both sides were more aware and willing to respect the power index differential.

Continue reading "Why Do Negotiations Tend to Fail in a Cross-cultural Milieu? The China and Norway Affair" »

Matthew Hagler, Catherine Lambert, Natalie Rothwell, and Karen Yu*, Sewanee: The University of the South

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/v11/hagler.html

Abstract Generosity, defined as one's willingness to give, has been studied in a variety of contexts. The present study sought to uncover the effect of perceived social norms on generosity. Undergraduate students completed an electronic questionnaire supposedly examining community engagement. We exposed participants to one of three different social norms for generosity by embedding different statistics regarding the behavior of the average undergraduate student within the questionnaire. Following this manipulation were two evaluative questions measuring generosity via participants' allocation of funds to outreach and charity, followed by an abbreviated version of the Interpersonal Generosity Scale (IGS).

Continue reading "Do Perceived Social Norms Affect Generosity?" »

Victor Counted, West Africa Theological Seminary (Nigeria)

Full paper: www.kon.org/urc/v11/counted.html

Abstract Daily, we see the unethical hijacking of e-contents in the "high sea" of intellectualism--of materials, literature, and other resources of worth--without regard to its original proponent. Upon reflection on the ethics of ownership and place of ethics in research, we seek a solution to this act of infringement, which for centuries has been of knotty problem. The Internet with its TCP/IP network protocols can facilitate data transmission and easily scan selected parts of works that become instances of plagiarism.

My motivation is personal, having being a victim of this villainous act. A few years ago, I purchased a book that had interspersed in it the exact ideas I posted on my blog. For this reason, I answer some ethical questions, share perspectives, and then proffer possible solutions that could be helpful in curbing this intellectual fraud.

Continue reading "E-Content Management and Development: Hijacking Plagiarism on the High Sea of Cyber-Intellectualism" »

Tracey Cannova, Mary Beth Schaefer*, St. John's University

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/v11/cannova.html

Abstract: After studying the literature on the effects of SAT preparation programs, it was found that students who received coaching had more positive outcomes. No study considered the affective effects among students who received some kind of formal SAT preparation nor did the studies address how to increase access to preparation programs to serve the needs of lower-income populations. The authors of the present study designed and implemented a small-scale SAT program to deliver preparation to an underserved community and measured its impact on students' achievement scores and attitude towards the SAT. This study confirmed the findings of other studies in that students who were coached exhibited higher achievement scores; additionally, it was found that students who were coached developed a more positive attitude towards the SAT and college.

Continue reading "SAT Coaching in Unlikely Places: Offering Achievement Test Preparation to Students with Academic and Economic Need " »

Alexander M. Fireman, Alecia M. Santuzzi*, Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/v11/fireman.html

Abstract: The following study examined the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying. To achieve this goal, a survey was administered through Amazon.com's Mechanical Turk (n =122). The study set out to determine if workplace-bullying experiences could be correlated with other emotional states. Positive correlations were found among workplace bullying intensity, workplace incivility, and paranoia, while a negative correlation was discovered between workplace bullying intensity and self-esteem.

Continue reading "The Emotional Impact of Workplace Bullying " »

Jordan Hyde, Alex North, Brigham Young University - Idaho

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/v11/hyde.html

Abstract: This qualitative study examined the extent to which expatriates accommodate local worldviews and the implications of such accommodation on intercultural relations. Participants were interviewed and transcripts were analyzed and coded for themes. Most participants did not accommodate local worldviews per se, but most recognized the ecological benefits of the other cultural traditions. Various factors influenced the degree to which they accommodated local perspectives. Those who empathized with local perspectives expressed more positive relations with the host culture.

Continue reading "Not All Cultural Misunderstandings are Negative: The Inadequacy of the Concept of Ethnocentrism" »

Lorraine M. Rindahl, Marie A. Stadler*, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/v10/rindahl.html

Abstract The purpose of this project was to discover differences in the referential communication skills of bilingual and monolingual children. The children participated in two barrier tasks, one in which each child followed verbal directions and one in which they gave verbal directions, each without benefit of visual cues. Differences were found between the two groups of children with the monolingual children outperforming the bilingual children with receiving and giving verbal directions, even though the bilingual children were considered fluent in English. 

Continue reading "Referential Communication in Bilingual and Monolingual Children" »

Heather MacArthur, Carmen Poulin*, University of Brunswick

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/v10/macarthur.html

Abstract The present research investigates the ratio of male to female characters in a selection of 92 children's picture books chosen at random from the local library of a small Atlantic Canadian city. Results indicate that, consistent with past findings, male characters are depicted more often than female characters in the titles, cover illustrations, main characters, and page illustrations of the sample. When the results are broken down, however, it is apparent that human male and human female characters are depicted relatively equally, while male animals are represented significantly more often than female animals. Reasons for these findings and the implications for young readers are discussed. 

Continue reading "Gender Representation in a Selection of Children's Picture Books: A Skewed Ratio of Male to Female Characters?" »

Stephanie L. Summers, Christie Chung*, Mills College

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/v10/summers.html

Abstract This paper reviews the major findings and controversies relevant to military-related Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from various disciplines (mainly psychology, medicine, and neuroscience). The aim is to aid readers in examining the topic from a multidisciplinary perspective that takes into consideration the interconnection of the various domains of functioning affected by a military TBI in order to better understand the complicated challenges faced by military personnel who are returning to our communities with such injuries. I will begin by briefly defining TBI and explaining how a TBI may occur, followed by a review of studies regarding biopsychosocial outcomes that represent the most commonly noted changes, complications, and challenges an individual with a military TBI may face. Then, the implications of the research are presented, the connections that can be made between them, and the new directions the research community should pursue in order to further our understanding of the military TBIs on all levels of functioning and from injury to outcome.

Continue reading "A Holistic Approach to Understanding Military TBIs: A Multidisciplinary Perspective " »

Luke Brenneman, Wes Bass, Jordan Peterson, Huntington University

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/v10/brenneman.html

Abstract Despite extensive research and widely-held belief supporting the fact that educators call on males more than females in the classroom, the sex of students may overshadow the importance of the body language typical of each sex in classroom interactions between educators and students. This study sought to explore how significantly body language influences professor-student interactions through the use of classroom observation and self-reported surveys at a small Midwestern university. Results of both observation and surveys were analyzed primarily by using frequencies and percentages in order to measure the extent to which the independent variable, body language and sex of students, is correlated to the dependent variable, student participation and professors' interactions with students based on sex. Results indicated that a combination of a student being a male and exhibiting several specific positions of male-associated body language is correlated with more professor-student interactions than any other variable combination. When combined with data about females displaying certain elements of each sex's body language, results strongly suggested that a combination of sex and sex-associated body language determine frequency and quality of educator-student interactions.

Continue reading "Professor-Student Interactions and Student Participation: Comparing the Effects of Body Language and Sex on Classroom Participation" »