Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences Weblog

The Undergraduate Research Community, sponsored by Kappa Omicron Nu, has introduced a new publication for high school research manuscripts. See http://www.kon.org/urc/urc_research_journal_highschool.html. Further information can be found at this link. Manuscripts should be submitted electronically to the Managing Editor, Dorothy I. Mitstifer. This new publication is an opportunity for URC to encourage research conducted in the human sciences at the high school level with the hope that beginning researchers will continue their efforts during their undergraduate education.

Ajleeta Sangtani
Southview High School, Sylvania, Ohio

Full manuscript: http://www.kon.org/urc/highschool/sangtani.html

Abstract

The project focused on creating engrams, or neural connections, to effectively retrieve information and find the connection between handedness and memory. The project consisted of seventy-five mixed gender and handedness ninth grade students who studied material for forty-two minutes and took a test two weeks later, each time with a scent or lack thereof, depending on the condition. Results for the olfactory sense part and handedness supported the null hypotheses (R = 0.027, p =.14). Although scores were low overall, results possibly suggested that the scent had a positive effect during study time but not during testing time; further research will need to confirm this.

Sonya Davey
Thomas S. Wootton High School, Rockville, MD

Full manuscript: http://www.kon.org/urc/highschool/davey.html

Abstract What is the age when reading fluency in a certain population begins? It is not only important to know the reading fluency starting age of individuals with learning disabilities in reading but also to compare reading fluency of students at one school versus another. Reading fluency is the ability to read text, not just accurately but also quickly and effortlessly. This study describes a method of determining a reading fluency starting age. Based upon the data obtained from the present research, it was determined that the reading fluency starting age was the age at which the reading fluency score on the alphabetical test versus ages of the population showed a maximum.

Hena Thakur
Thomas S. Wootton High School, Rockville, MD

Full manuscript: http://www.kon.org/urc/highschool/thakur.html

Abstract This study investigates the presence of a correlation between women’s medial arch heights and actual heights. The human body is known to possess several different types of symmetries and proportional correlations; however, no studies have been conducted to determine the possibility of a relation between women’s medial arch heights and actual heights. The existence of such a relation could prove to be a valuable tool for scientists, especially those involved in forensics. In this study, medial arch heights and actual heights of 126 women were taken and regression analyses were performed on the data to determine significance. The results indicate no significant correlation between the foot arch height and actual height of a woman.

Grace Brody, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Columbia University Course)

Full manuscript: www.kon.org/urc/highschool/brody.html

Abstract This study investigates the possible existence and influence of different linguistic patterns in the titles of books aimed for young adults and adults. If these patterns are effective, they could help explain the popularity of some books over others. The existence of these patterns could also demonstrate expectations for what is more appealing to each age group. However, in surveys given to ten adults and ten young adults, the patterns did not correlate to any title preferences among the age groups, suggesting that the titles serve some other purpose.