Department of Biology
Empirical Project
Sears, Jaeden; Meyers, David; Cook, Tyson; Justus, Angel Bureau of Indian Affairs Policy and Organization
The point of our poster is to educate more people on the Department of the Interior organization, the Bureau of Indian Affairs. We were interested in this topic because the BIA comes to our campus for wild land fire training. We believe this is a fascinating organization to research because not many people know and understand how the US government works with Indian Government tribes. Also, not a lot of people see or have ever heard of the organization.
Dr. Chevalier
jsears5@missouriwestern.edu
Sears, Jaeden; Hoerr, Ethan Missouri Quail Conservation
Our presentation is to inform more people on the conservation of quail in Missouri. We want to make people understand the importance of predator management, habitat management, and hunting management when it comes to these quail. What sparked our interest was our love for hunting and nature. Overall we want to inform the public on a topic we are passionate in.
Dr. Chevalier
jsears5@missouriwestern.edu
Vulgamott, Savannah; Stafford, Katy Wildlife Policy – Missouri Prairie Foundation Overview
Our group is explaining the basics of an agency or organization that is related to wildlife conservation. We chose to present The Missouri Prairie Foundation and its mission. The Missouri Prairie Foundation is an NGO that protects and grows prairies in Missouri and plays an important role in Missouri’s native ecosystems.
Dr. Chevalier
svulgamott1@missouriwestern.edu
Wellman, Brandi; Kyser, Kate Rainforest Alliance Policy Development
Rainforest Alliance policy as well as generalized activities. The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities.
Dr. Chevalier
bwellman@missouriwestern.edu
Sears, Jerren; Bathke, Ben; Gresham, Seth; Quick, Carson Ducks Unlimited
Our presentation outlines the core principles of Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited is a non-government organization that supports the restoration and building of wetlands across North America. We explain what Ducks Unlimited does, their administrative aspects, and also how people can get involved with them by volunteering, becoming a member, or possibly seek employment.
Dr. Chevalier
jsears4@missouriwestern.edu
Christopher, Destiny Echinacea DNA Sequencing
The genus Echinacea is home to the coneflowers – flowering plants with hardened, spiky centers and a flower-like inflorescence. There are 10 documented species of Echinacea, belonging to the Asteraceae family, which also houses plants such as sunflowers and daisies. Also found in the Asteraceae family are the genera Ratibida and Rudbeckia, which also contain species of coneflowers with similar characteristics to Echinacea. It is believed, however, that the genus Echinacea contains coneflowers that are not as closely related to the other genera of coneflowers as once thought. Through DNA sequencing of the Echinacea genus, we are analyzing the history of the coneflowers to determine how and when each species diverged from their common ancestor and their relationships with each other.
Dr. Roy
dchristopher1@missouriwestern.edu
Cook, Tyson; Root, Connor The Economic, Cultural, and Conservational Importance of the “Lamioid Mints.”
The angiosperm family Lamiaceae (or the “Mint” family) is a very speciose group of plants. Lamioideae is its second-biggest subfamily and comprises plants with a variety of benefits that have a lasting relationship with our economy, medicine, and cultures. Members of Lamioideae also face severe conservation challenges (especially the “Hawaiian mints”). Lamioideae is believed to have originated in Eastern Asia and migrated to the new world either through the Bering Land Bridge or through the North Atlantic Land Bridge sometime around the mid-Miocene period (Roy et al., 2013). Members of Lamioideae have since diversified and now occupy a large part of temperate North America, starting from the maritime provinces of Canada in the north to Mexico in the south, further diversifying to South America and the Hawaiian Archipelago (Roy and Lindqvist, 2015). New world species of mints include those belonging to the tribes Stachydeae and Synandreae. Some of the Missouri native species include Synandra hispidula, Physostegia virginiana, as well as a few species from the genus Stachys. To date, our lab has composed a series of databases detailing the availability and locations of both fresh and preserved target specimens within the Lamioideae group and produced introductory phylogenetic trees outlining distinct tribes within the Lamioideae subgroup
Dr. Roy
tcook23@missouriwestern.edu
VanVickle, Jacob Hawk Sightings: Northern Missouri vs. Southern Missouri
The present research is to observe the number of Hawk sightings between Northern Missouri and Southern Missouri between 2013 to present day and to understand what might have the greatest influence of the total sightings of these raptors.
Dr. Drake
jvanvickle2@missouriwestern.edu
Larison, Teri; Menne, Colleen; Stafford, Katy; Kuy, Jacob; Schneider, Jeremy; Kyser, Kate; Zahnd, Alyka; Frye, Rene; Weber, Sonja; Burroughs, Nora; Pavini, Amadeu; Poush, Jessica A Two-Years Vegetation Success Survey on the John Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie at MWSU
In recent years, the scientific efforts focused on prairie restoration have largely increased, establishing the basis of science-informed management practices. Missouri Western State University, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Northwest Regional Office and private land conservationists, has become one of the championing institutions of on-site prairie restauration in Missouri, restoring a 26-acre campus plot to a conservation prairie, in 2018. The John Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie today serves as model prairie ecosystem designed to facilitate scientific research and education in an applied learning, outdoors setting for students, faculty, and the community.
This work, as part of a long-term eco-physiological study, focused on an initial, two-year survey of the emerging prairie vegetation after the initial seeding, and the relationship between emerging native species and invasive species, prior to the start of scheduled management practices in 2023. We found that in the first two years, only a proportion of the seeded vegetation emerged, while invasive and noxious weed species were still represented in distinct areas of the prairie. About 40% of species captured by our survey was native to Missouri, dominated by species in the daisy family and grasses. Further prairie management and successful competition between prairie species and invasives is expected to alter species composition in the following years, potentially shifting towards a higher success of native prairie species vs. invasives. The planned differential management practices, starting in 2023, are expected to reveal best-fit management practices to ensure native success and conservation, in the following years.
Dr. Barta
cbarta1@missouriwestern.edu
Frye, Rene; Weber, Sonja; Burroughs, Nora; Larison, Teri; Schneider, Jeremy; Pavini, Amadeu; Kyser, Kate; Colleen, Menne Prairie species’ vulnerability to biological invasions: velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) suppresses big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) growth and development.
As consequence of land use change, agricultural repurposing, overgrazing, and biological invasions, the historical North American prairie ecosystem coverage has substantially declined in the past few decades. While agricultural practices substantially deplete soils of nutrients and enhance erosion, the native prairie vegetation features species with long and dense root systems, which enhance species’ water use efficiency and prevent soil erosion. Their interactions with the soil biome enhance soil texture, quality and contribute to efficient nutrient cycling, thus providing particularly valuable ecosystem “services”. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a warm season, perennial species, one of the “Big Four” (with Indian grass, switchgrass and little bluestem) native grass species to dominate the tallgrass prairies of Central North America (USDA, https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/gapmcfs10550.pdf). The current work focused on better understanding the vulnerability of native prairie species to invasions and native-invasive species competition. We found that big bluestem emergence, growth, and biomass decreased when co-planted with velvet bean. Big bluestem biomass decreased by 70%, while the shoot/root biomass ratio favored a higher shoot mass versus roots in the plants exposed to the competitive pressure, indicating repression of root growth in these plants 12 weeks after emergence.
Dr. Barta
Internship Experience
Barriga, Jacobo Hellbender Research Science Aide Internship
This poster is about my summer internship with MDC conducting population surveys for hellbenders in the Ozark Scenic Riverways. Hellbenders are a federally listed endangered species and the largest salamanders in North America.
Dr. Chevalier
jbarriga@missouriwestern.edu
Gunn, Emily Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Internship
During my internship at MDC, Northwest Regional Office, I sampled fish in various aquatic ecosystems by electrofishing, participated in fish population estimates by estimating age using otoliths, and participated in fishing clinics. All of these activities can help with the understanding of the importance of keeping fish populations healthy and sustainable. My poster will show the importance of these activities towards fish management.
Dr. Chevalier
egunn@missouriwestern.edu
Garza, Marissa Water Management Internship Loess Bluffs
The Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is a 4,000-acre refuge located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge provides habitat and protection for endangered interior least terns, as well as a wide variety of other birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. As a part of the beaver management program, a field camera monitoring program was implemented to observe and log beaver activity in the refuge. This included locating areas of beaver use, such as dams, culverts, and caches, and marking these hotspots on the Avensa app. Traps, such as bear traps and snares, were then set up in these areas and monitored to ensure no suffering or damage occurred. Through this program, the refuge was able to effectively manage the beaver population and protect the water structures in the refuge.
Dr. Chevalier
mgarza3@missouriwestern.edu
Literature Review
Thompson, Katie; Oldham, Daya; Pavini, Amadeu Marine Conservation Institute
This poster describes the conservation and educational aspects of the non-government organization known as the Marine Conservation Institute.
Dr. Chevalier
kthompson27@missouriwestern.edu
Johnson, Brandon; Moore, Mia; Vogt, Sam The National Audubon Society
We are wanting to present about The National Audubon Society to explain what the national organization is. Then we also wanted to explain how the Audubon society handles different policies they come across and the policies they help make. Lastly, we will mention all of the different organizations the society is involved with.
Dr. Chevalier
bjohnson52@missouriwestern.edu
Sears, Jerren; Bathke, Benjamin; Gresham, Seth; Quick, Carson Ducks Unlimited
Our presentation outlines the core principles of Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited is a non-government organization that supports the restoration and building of wetlands across North America. We explain what Ducks Unlimited does, their administrative aspects, and also how people can get involved with them by volunteering, becoming a member, or possibly seek employment.
Dr. Chevalier
jsears4@missouriwestern.edu
Bicklein, Walter; Evans, Boaz; Barnes, Stacy Florida department of environmental protection
Our presentation is analyzing the structure and the way that the Florida department of environmental protection works. Our presentation was made for Dr. C’s wildlife policy class. In the presentation we look at what unique assets make up the organization, how it functions, and who its partners are. We also look at what their mission is and how they work towards achieving that mission.
Dr. Chevalier
wbicklein@missouriwestern.edu
Sears, Jaeden; Meyers, David; Cook, Tyson; Justus, Angel Bureau of Indian Affairs Policy and Organization
A briefing of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and what their policies mean for the American People
The point of our poster is to educate more people on the Department of the Interior organization, the Bureau of Indian Affairs. We were interested in this topic because the BIA comes to our campus for wildland fire training. We believe this is a fascinating organization to research because not many people know and understand how the US government works with Indian Government tribes. Also, not a lot of people see or have ever heard of the organization.
Dr. Chevalier
jsears5@missouriwestern.edu
Weber, Sonja; Spradlin, Kyla; Justus, Angel; Allen, Grace The Connection Between Social Networking and the Behavior of Meerkats Against Their Environment; Including Natural History
The focus of this paper is on the social network structure and behavior of meerkats (or suricates, Latin Suricata suricatta). Meerkats are a unique species, compared to other similar species, and in this paper, we discuss the key aspects that make meerkats so peculiar. Social interactions are a key behavior for the survival of the meerkats. We will discuss the meerkat morpho-anatomy and social network, as well as factors that affect their behavior in their groups and interactions with other groups of meerkats. We discuss the environment meerkats inhabit, and the environmental factors which affect meerkats’ lives and survival. In addition, we will also discuss the natural history of this species.
Dr. Chevalier
sweber10@missouriwestern.edu
Chambers, Braxton; Bathke, Ben; Myers, David Rocky Mountain Elk Conservation
Rocky mountain elk, along with many other native North American elk species, have suffered a population decline due to poor conservation management over the last couple of centuries. This literature review observed the history of elk conservation and why elk are important to the American ecosystem. Furthermore, we reviewed aspects of modern elk conservation and how organizations intend to sustain healthy populations in the coming future.
Dr. Chevalier
bchambers4@missouriwestern.edu
Mercado, Terence; Chambers, Braxton; Hendrickson, Zachary MeatEater
A look at conservation and natural resources management through the lens of a non-governmental organization.
Dr. Chevalier
tmercado@missouriwestern.edu
Black, Cy; Gibler, Noah; Weber, Sonja National Park Service
Summary of National Park Service
Dr. Chevalier
cblack9@missouriwestern.edu
Shorba, Jacob; Black, Cy; Cook, Tyson History of the Florida Panther and the Causes of Endangerment for the Species
The Florida Panther was one of the many thriving communities in the Southeastern United States, but after unrestricted hunting and other detriments it has transformed into an endangered species. Our research explores the history of this animal and many of the details that are crucial to explaining its status today.
Dr. Chevalier
jshorba@missouriwestern.edu
Thompson, Thompson; Oldham, Daya; Pavini, Amadeu Marine Conservation Institute
This is a poster describing the conservation and educational aspects of the non-government organization known as the Marine Conservation Institute.
Dr. Chevalier
kthompson27@missouriwestern.edu
Department of Chemistry
Empirical Project
Henning, Weston Dropwise EDTA titration for General Chemistry II laboratory
A General Chemistry II lab experiment was designed to cover real world techniques of measuring water hardness levels. The lab was designed to reduce waste and allow students to organize data and extrapolate results from calibration curves. The experiment was developed from a similar macroscale lab used to determine calcium in grape leaf extract. A dropwise titration was performed using EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as the titrant, Eriochrome Black T as indicator, and a pH 10 buffer. Students prepared a set of calcium standards from a provided stock through an operating range of 0 to 100 ppm ion concentrations. Students then titrated the standards dropwise to an Eriochrome Black T end point. The exact concentration of the EDTA titrant was not needed to perform calculations. Instead, plots of drops of EDTA titrant versus standard calcium concentration provided a calibration curve used to find the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in tap water, interpreted as total water hardness. One of the goals of this work was to prove that the experiment would produce reliable calibration curves, judged by correlation coefficients of 0.98 or better on a routine basis. The experiment was beta-tested in Spring 2023 CHE 120 General Chemistry II, showing acceptable success for future incorporation into the laboratory manual used by all course sections. The full procedure as well as aggregate student results will be presented.
Dr. Hiley
whenning@missouriwestern.edu
Ziebarth, Bowyn Determination of Chloride via Gravimetric Fajan’s Titration
A staple laboratory exercise in an undergraduate analytical chemistry course is the determination of chloride via Fajan’s method. This method, when performed with several lab sections, generates large quantities of silver waste, which is costly to dispose of. Herein is presented a new method for chloride determination. Using microscale quantities, the previous method may be performed gravimetrically, reducing both cost of reagents and disposal, while also introducing the idea that multiple methods can be used to achieve the same result. Initial tests of this method demonstrate success in this new method as judged by accuracy with known samples. CHE 321 Quantitative Analysis students will beta-test this method in Fall 2023.
Dr. Hiley
bziebarth@missouriwestern.edu
Miller, Braysen; Firsching, Macioe The Effect of Strain Energy of Polyhedranes on the Equilibrium of Chlorination Reactions
Computational chemistry is a great method to investigate molecular properties of molecules that may be hard to directly work with in a lab setting due to their instability. Such examples include highly strained molecules like polyhedranes which are alkanes with the formula (CH)n with the shape of polyhedrons. The polyhedranes that we study in this project are prismanes (CH)6, tetrahedranes (CH)4, and their chlorinated forms. These two molecules are extremely strained; in fact, tetrahedranes have yet to be synthesized. This study aims to relate their strain energy to the equilibrium constant of successive chlorination reactions. The basis set 6-311++G(2d,2p), and the density functionals B3LYP-D3, TPSSh-D3, and B3PW91-D3 were used to conduct the computations.
Dr. Woodford
bmiller56@missouriwestern.edu
Miller, Braysen Quantification of Aroma Producing Molecules in Coffee Using GC-MS
Coffee is a drink full of volatile compounds, many of which contribute to their smell. Gas Chromatography is a very strong tool in the analysis of these volatile compounds. Two compounds that are common odor producing molecules in coffee are vanillin and guaiacol. This experiment aims to detect their presence in the coffee sample through the use of gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy.
Dr. Ducey
bmiller56@missouriwestern.edu
Owen, Chad Greener Chemiluminescence Experiment for the Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Chemiluminescence is the emission of light during a chemical reaction that does not produce a significant amount of heat. Demonstrations of chemiluminescence reactions using bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) oxalate (DNPO) and bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate (TCPO) was first published in the Journal of Chemical Education in 1974. The hazards of using 2,4,6-trichlorophenol are noted in many of the laboratory manuals by the late 1980’s. This research project pursued methods of synthesizing an alternative oxalate for the chemiluminescence reaction; one that is less hazardous and potentially more cost efficient while having a more environmentally friendly impact. We followed more traditional methods of oxalate synthesis as well as researching a solvent-free Wittig reaction and a greener solvent for the fluorescer synthesis. We were able to successfully perform the chemiluminescence reaction with most of the alternative reagents.
Dr. Lorimor
cowen1@missouriwestern.edu
Ziebarth, Bowyn; Stapf, Jude; Hinson, Seth Computational Insight on Metal Ion and Ligand Combinations in Octahedral Complexes
The breaking of orbital degeneracy in transition metal complexes due to ligand identity is formally known as crystal field theory. This serves as a gateway to understanding the physical and chemical properties of these complexes. A computational exploration was undertaken to characterize bond lengths, point groups and spin states in different metal ion ligand pairs that are theorized to undergo crystal field splitting. Upon completion trends were derived from the computational data and reported.
Dr. Woodford
jstapf@missouriwestern.edu
Stapf, Jude Synthesis and Characterization of Thioctic Acid Modified Gold Nanoparticles for Room Temperature Ionic Liquid Applications.
Ionic liquid modified gold nanoparticles have application in chemical sensors as well as chemical separation. Synthesis of such a compound is challenging and requires a creative approach. In this work, a reverse engineering strategy was implemented to synthesize high surface density thioctic acid modified gold nanoparticles. These will be used to form methylimidazolium based ionic liquid modified gold nanoparticles. Series of thioctic acid titrations were performed to determine which concentration fully covers the surface of the particles. The synthesis and results will be described in this poster presentation.
Dr. Ducey
jstapf@missouriwestern.edu
Genova, Jessica Quantification of Lycopene in Tomatoes by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Lycopene is an antioxidant that can be found in several red fruits and vegetables. Since tomatoes are considered to be the most common source of lycopene in the human diet, the purpose of this study was to determine if different varieties of tomatoes have higher levels of lycopene. In this experiment, lycopene was extracted from two different varieties of tomatoes using a solvent extraction method. The subsequent extract was then analyzed via UV-VIS Spectrophotometry. The results showed that the Scarlet Pearl grape tomatoes had the highest level of lycopene.
Dr. Ducey
jgenova@missouriwestern.edu
Stapf, Jude Identification and Quantification of Terpenes in Different Teas by GC-MS
Terpenes are a common species found in a wide array of herbal foods and drinks. They contribute to many health benefits that substances like tea, hops, and cannabis have. Terpenes also contribute to the aroma, flavor or even color of the plant. Teas specifically have several kinds of terpenes such as β-caryophyllene, linalool and limonene. These terpenes are consistent in different kinds of teas but in unknown ratios. In this experiment, an isooctane solvent extraction was performed on each of three kinds of teas and analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy to qualify, quantify and compare the terpenes between the different kinds of teas compared to a known standard.
Dr. Ducey
jstapf@missouriwestern.edu
Owen, Chad; Wiggins, Andre; Kempf, Sheli A Computational Determination of the Properties of the H-Bond Between Hemoglobin and Tyrosine
This computational study describes the bond lengths and energies required for a hydrogen bond to form between hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting certain molecules throughout the body, and tyrosine, an amino acid that is the constituent of most proteins and is important in the synthesis of some hormones. This is done by using MacMolPlt to create partial initial structures of each molecular configuration, beginning at the site of the hydrogen bond. Partial structures are necessary due to computational limitations. The structures are expanded after each calculation until the computation limit is reached to achieve more accurate values. The bond length and energy requirements are explicitly computed using various optimization and energy calculations at the site of bonding utilizing GAMESS.
Dr. Woodford
cowen1@missouriwestern.edu
Owen, Chad Nitrogen Concentrations in Krug Park Soil
Nitrogen is used by plants for the production of chlorophyll, an essential chemical for photosynthesis. Soil is naturally mixed with the nitrogen from the atmosphere. The atmosphere is made up of about 78% nitrogen. Vehicle exhaust contains 67-71% nitrogen. It is hypothesized that soil in areas with higher vehicle traffic will have less nitrogen content than soil in areas with low vehicle traffic. A quantitative measurement of the amount of nitrate in the soil around Krug Park was determined with grab samples from different areas of the park that experience varying amounts of vehicle traffic. The nitrate was extracted from the samples and measured with IR, UV/Vis, and GC-MS.
Dr. Ducey
cowen1@missouriwestern.edu
Gilpin, Teresa Analysis of Iron in runoff water by atomic absorption
Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, the concentration of iron was found in four different water samples. The samples were drinking water and three runoff water sources collected from various parking lots at Missouri Western State University. Standard solutions of iron were created at 1, 5, and 10 ppm. The standards were run and compared to the water samples. A calibration curve helped to determine the concentrations of iron in the samples. It was determined the concentration of iron is higher in runoff water than drinking water and the concentration varies in different areas.
Dr. Ducey
tgilpin@missouriwestern.edu
Kempf, Shelbi Nitrates in Well Water in Rural Maryville MO
Well water is a common source of hydration and nutrients for families in the United States. The EPA has set a concentration acceptable to prevent against blue-baby syndrome. An experiment was conducted to quantify the concentration of nitrates in well water from a farm in Maryville, Missouri. Standards were run against multiple samples of ground water from farm land that hasn’t been without crops for a very long time. The concentration was measured using a standard curve of absorbance against mg of nitrates. Results will be discussed.
Dr. Ducey
skempf1@missouriwestern.edu
Kempf, Shelbi Nitrates in Well Water in Rural Maryville MO
Many people living in the US have ground water as their primary source of drinking water, and that can people are at risk. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a set concentration for safety and one where they recommend treatment. An experiment was conducted to assess the estimated concentration of nitrates in well water from a farm in rural Maryville, MO. The farm the water came from has been used as farm land for many years and is completely surrounded by more farm land. The experimental involved making standards and comparing multiple samples of well water with said standards. The absorbances for each sample and standard were measures with an Ultra-Violet Visible Spectrophotometer. The concentrations were estimated from a standard curve with known absorbances. Results of the experiment will be discussed.
Dr. Ducey
skempf1@missouriwestern.edu
Mapel, Zachary Terpenes in a Pine Tree
Terpenes are important organic compounds due to their appealing fragrances and medicinal properties In this experiment, samples were taken from the needles and resin of a pine tree located on campus. The four major terpenes found in pine trees (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene, and bornyl acetate) were extracted . The two samples were then analyzed using GC-MS, along with a created standard, and comparisons were made of these spectra. It was found that both the resin and needle sample contained all four of the expected terpenes but at very similar ratios.
Dr. Ducey
zmapel@missouriwestern.edu
Seabrook, Avonlea Quantification of Thiamine in Whole Milk by HPLC
Vitamin B1, or thiamine, is important to energy metabolism, and constant consumption is necessary due to its short half-life. Thiamine deficiency is seen as a cause of brain damage in people with lifestyles that include alcoholism and poor diets. Thiamine is found in many foods including enriched flour, meats, legumes, and milk. Milk only has a small amount of thiamine, but it can be easily accessed if someone is looking for a source to consume on the go or with little prep. In the process of making cheeses and yogurts, milk is separated with lactic acid into curds, made of casein and fat-soluble components of milk, and whey, the water and water-soluble components, like thiamine. In this experiment, whole milk was acid-crashed and the whey was spiked with a thiamine standard and diluted to specific concentrations before being run on an HPLC. A standard addition curve was made of the intensity reading of thiamine from the HPLC, and the concentration of the thiamine in the milk was derived from that.
Results are inconclusive.
Dr. Ducey
aseabrook@missouriwestern.edu
Department of Communication
Empirical Project
Collier, Josh; Brinks, Darrin; Root, Cameron; Slaybaugh, Daniel Usability of Lego Instructions
The usability of Legos are determined by the instructions that accompany them. We conducted a usability test on a set of Legos to determine if the instructions were suitable for the set. We studied the usability of the instructions through a “Think Aloud” protocol.
Dr. Adkins
jcollier2@missouriwestern.edu
Rader, Michael; Browning, Carli; Castillo Bravo, Alejandra; Iang, Dawt Origami Crane Usability Test
For this test, we gave our participants 30 minutes to follow instructions on how to create an origami crane and, if wanted, go over the allotted time to finish. The data collected from these tests were used to determine the instructions’ usability. Usability being the capacity of which something is able to be used. From this, we compared the time taken to complete the instructions compared to one that is experienced in making origami.
Dr. Adkins
mrader1@missouriwestern.edu
Craig School of Business
Empirical Project
Prater, Jace How Covid Affected Strategic Sourcing
The topic covers how covid reshaped strategic sourcing through all companies and how most companies went from JIT(Just in time strategy) to a JIC(Just in case strategy). Which has caused many companies to have to spend more money on inventory and be more aware of lead times. The reason I chose this topic is I felt this was a very interesting event that caused one of the biggest setbacks and is still concurrently affecting our supply chain today. This also did not affect just one or two countries, this affected the world, and we are still seeing consequences of it today. Lead times are at an all time high and have been struggling to return to normal after many businesses were forced to shutdown to protect their employees. As much negative you see from this there’s still some positive that can be taken away. This forced companies to take a second look on how they keep track of their inventory. They have discovered that JIC has helped them keep up with the sudden demands of the customer. This has also caused companies to redo and rethink their inventory tracking methods and has caused a tremendous amount of increase in the big data being used to track inventory. All in all Covid-19 has a tremendous amount of downfall on the supply chain but has opened up a new light of ideas and innovation with inventory tracking methods.
Dr. Verma
jprater3@missouriwestern.edu
Kneib, Joe Drones: When will the technology “arrive” and with what ROI’s?
Drone technology is on the precipice of changing the “last mile” of the supply chain. With huge investments from companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS, it is believed that drone delivery will begin to be utilized on a wider scale in the next few years. As with most new technology, however, it comes at a cost. This study reviews the drone timeline to unveiling and the savings opportunities associated with this technology.
Dr. Verma
jkneib1@missouriwestern.edu
Walker, Nathan The human-less, robotic supply chain: Pipe dream or reality
Are humans being replaced by technology in the supply chain? Are robotics and AI essential for making the modern supply chain more effective? Recently, many companies around the world have implemented various robotics in the supply chain due to COVID and inflation. In this poster, I’ll dive into the growth of robotics and AI and how it is impacting the supply chain in the US and around the world. Furthermore, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of increasing AI adoption in supply chains.
Dr. Verma
nwalker3@missouriwestern.edu
Kilgore, Ethan Long-Term Covid 19 Impact on the Food industry
COVID-19 has left a lasting imprint on industries around the world. In this project, I took a deep dive into how it affected the supply chain of the food industry. The biggest effect was the emergence of alternate distribution channels. Things like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and even robots that deliver food exploded onto the scene. With people maintaining social distance, the traffic inside the restaurants and supermarkets shrank dramatically. Supply chains and businesses across the world had to adapt and overcome these never-before-seen challenges. The majority of the changes that happen to the food industry’s supply chain are here to stay.
Dr. Verma
ekilgore2@missouriwestern.edu
Creekmore, Alec Smart Contracts in Healthcare
Smart contracts in healthcare improve visibility, reliability, automation, and security within the supply chain. They use a blockchain system built on a specific set of rules to facilitate order completion. They offer a strategic decision-making paradigm to handle routine purchases. Using this technology allows healthcare organizations to review historical data to make continuous improvements to the rules in order to achieve cost savings.
Dr. Verma
acreekmore@missouriwestern.edu
Prater, Jace How Covid Changed Strategic Sourcing
The topic includes how COVID changed strategic sourcing for all businesses and how most businesses switched from a just-in-time (JIT) approach to a just-in-case (JIC) strategy, which forced many businesses to spend more on inventory and pay closer attention to lead times. It was an extremely interesting incident that led to one of the worst setbacks and is still having an impact on our supply chain today. Additionally, this had an impact on the entire world, not just one or two nations, and we are still feeling the effects of it now. The delivery lead times are still at an all-time high and have been battling to return to normal. Many companies have discovered that JIC has helped them keep up with uncertain customer demand. This has also caused companies to rethink and redo their inventory tracking methods. Overall, COVID-19 has a tremendous amount of downside for the supply chain but has opened up a new light of ideas and innovation.
Dr. Verma
jprater3@missouriwestern.edu
Steffen, David The new “Trade Wars” and their impact on supply chains
The United States is currently embroiled in two big trade wars: one with China and one with Russia. Due to Russia’s involvement in Ukraine, it is illegal to import certain goods from Russia, including coal and crude oil. The United States also started imposing tariffs and other trade restrictions on China in response to long-standing unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. Since China is suspected of siding with Russia, the long-running trade conflict between the two countries only looks to be intensifying. This could further destabilize relations between the United States and China in the future. From a supply chain standpoint, businesses are concerned about the diversification of their sourcing partners, especially in light of the loss of two key trading partners. As a result, policy environments and social conditions, including regulatory, international trade, and tariff regimes, are changing rapidly.
Dr. Verma
dsteffen@missouriwestern.edu
Updike, Alex Big Data’s Effect on Supply Chain
Big data’s introduction has completely changed how firms run, specifically in the area of
supply chain management. Companies are now able to obtain deeper insights into their supply
chain processes, identify patterns, and improve their operations because of the growing volume,
variety, and speed of data. This poster examines the effects of big data on the supply chain,
emphasizing the advantages, difficulties, and prospective uses of the technology.
It is clear from a study of research papers and industry reports that big data has significantly
improved the supply chain. Big data analytics have provided precise and timely information.
With that information they have helped companies reduce costs, optimize operations, and
improve customer experience. Using predictive analytics technologies to forecast demand and
supply helps improve inventory control and reduce out-stocks. Big data can also aid in
implementing strategy with supply chain disruptions by providing logistics to respond to
unexpected issues.
The addition of big data analytics in the supply chain is not without difficulties, however. These
problems include the need for specialized knowledge and skills as well as problems with data
compatibility and setting the correct metrics. In addition, there are worries about data security
and privacy as well as moral problems with the use of client data.
In conclusion the implementation of big data is not without challenges, but it is worth the
investment. The insight and analytic capabilities will provide many great benefits to companies.
The challenge remains in adapting the data and technology in an ethical and beneficial way.
Dr. Verma
aupdike@missouriwestern.edu
Jones, Allison Sourcing Locally: opportunities and challenges
Sourcing locally means getting supplies and goods for your company from a nearby supplier. There are many benefits to this approach, including lower transportation costs, reduced lead times, and supporting the local economy. Some challenges may also arise related to higher overall costs from a smaller, regional vendor. There also may be problems with suppliers being unfamiliar with the buyers’ standards and not being able to provide high quality goods. Despite the difficulties, there are many benefits that the company needs to take into account. The study provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages associated with local sourcing.
Dr. Verma
ajones91@missouriwestern.edu
Root, Allison Enhancing Resiliency by Shortening the Supply Chain
Resiliency throughout the supply chain can be enhanced by shortening the supply chain. Shortening the supply chain reduces the process time that is required by each supply chain activity. By reducing the process time, companies can better adapt to unexpected events. Faster cycle times and faster review cycles are a result of shortening the supply chain. Faster review cycles allow companies to respond to consumers more quickly and efficiently. A shorter supply chain will also enable companies to monitor production more closely, creating a faster response time to demand fluctuations. The key ability to quickly respond to operational disruptions is better achieved with shorter supply chains.
Dr. Verma
aroot2@missouriwestern.edu
Schmelzle, Sydney Autonomous driving: Implementation Timeline
With the present shortage of truck drivers in the supply chain industry, many innovators are looking to bridge the gap by providing autonomous driving trucks. The availability of truck drivers has decreased drastically, from 3.5 million in 2015 to 1.6 million in 2021. As a solution, many big companies like Tesla have attempted to make an autonomous truck, but they are still in the testing phase. In this study, I will explore the present and future of this technology and its connection to supply chains. I will specifically focus on the timeline Tesla and other companies are proposing for the adoption of autonomous trucks in global logistics.
Dr. Verma
sschmelzle@missouriwestern.edu
Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
Empirical Project
Holden, Kam Impact of Recruitment and Retention in Law Enforcement
Law enforcement recruitment and retention numbers have drastically decreased in the last decade due to many different factors. Officers will inevitably retire, but when the retention numbers in a department are failing, as well as the recruiting numbers, things start to go bad. In this presentation, I will show the recruitment issues facing law enforcement departments across the country such as lack of diversity in age, race, gender, etc; then I will also discuss recent incidents of police brutality or misconduct, like George Floyd, and finally, I will explain the detrimental effect of mental health on a police officer. Once the recruitment issues have been discussed, the retention issues will be examined and it will all tie together as a nationwide problem that all police agencies are being faced with. In total, I will show with data how recruitment and retention are vital pieces to a police agency and show the correlation between poor productivity and performance to the lack of recruiting and retaining police officers. Finally, in the end, I will then give some possible starting point solutions to solve some of the issues presented.
Dr. Lindsteadt
kholden@missouriwestern.edu
Sanetoshi, Rintaro Differences Between U.S Juvenile Justice & Japanese Juvenile Justice
Through my internship experience, research for my thesis, and presentation project, I discovered many differences in juvenile criminal justice and juvenile crime data between Japan and the United States. The main differences between the two countries in juvenile crime were found in the number of juvenile crime arrests, types of juvenile crime, and trends in juvenile crime.
Dr. Lindsteadt
rsanetoshi@missouriwestern.edu
Cortes, Isaiah First Responder Role in Fentanyl Overdoses
This poster will have information regarding the first reloaded role in fentanyl overdoses. The poster fentanyl overdose statistics, what fentanyl is, the risk it poses to first responders, and the signs of an overdose. There are graphics relating to each section listed above. The overall objective of this poster is to give a brief light on the fentanyl overdose crisis and how first responders play in to this situation.
Dr. Lindsteadt
icortes@missouriwestern.edu
Beard, Arden Changing Lives In Denver: The Denver Star Program
During its six-month trial into their pilot effort to respond to some mental health crisis calls without a police presence, leaders of Denver’s Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program are beginning to see some success.
Dr. Lindsteadt
abeard3@missouriwestern.edu
Felts, Blake The Impact of Community Based Corrections on Prison Population
Prison overcrowding is a critical issue in American prisons nationwide. Due to a large number of prisons operating at or above maximum capacity, inmates are being denied access to basic necessities like bedding and sanitary supplies. This poster addresses a way to reduce prison overcrowding known as community-based corrections, which enables people who qualify to serve their sentences outside of jail while still being closely supervised rather than using resources that could be more beneficial somewhere else. These types of community based corrections that will be discussed are known as probation and parole. While under supervision they will be guided on the right path to turn them away from crime. Although they are used interchangeably, probation and parole are different. Probation is a judge ordered sentence instead of sending the offender to prison, while parole is the early release from prison to finish the offender’s sentence in the public under close supervision.
Dr. Lindsteadt
bfelts@missouriwestern.edu
Shuman, Jacob Rural Policing Differences
This study examined the main differences that rural police officers face against urban officers such as the fact that that there are more crimes done inside urban/populated areas. Also, the budget issues they can face, how much of the population resides in rural areas and how much rural areas make up of the United States.
Dr. Lindsteadt
jshuman@missouriwestern.edu
Literature Review
Pearson, Wanda Holistic Advocacy: Utilizing Psychology in Public Defense
For the clients of public defenders, many clients deal with mental illness, trauma, addiction, etc. These factors affect a client as they go through trial and it is often why they became involved in the criminal justice system. Americorps created the position of holistic advocates who have psychology backgrounds to work in Missouri Public Defender Offices. Advocates fight for rehabilitation for clients through case management and mitigation. The effectiveness of holistic representation is explored through the Bronx Public Defenders study. The psychological impact is addressed for clients who receive services by advocates and understood through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Dr. Lindsteadt
wpearson1@missouriwestern.edu
Pinedo, Annalise Reentry of Female Offenders into the Community: A Needs-Based Approach
Due to the overcapacity of many correctional facilities in the United States, it is of the upmost importance that the nature of reentry may guarantee as much success as possible for offenders reintegrating back into their respective communities; Redirecting reintegration into society for female offenders using needs-based approaches will decrease recidivism. Incorporating gender-based screening and providing up-to-date data/statistics is paramount to this improvement. This poster presentation additionally covers topics such as general recidivism, risk and needs assessment tools, and suggested improvements for the reentry of female offender into the community.
Dr. Lindsteadt
apinedo@missouriwestern.edu
Internship Experience
Vang, Natalie The Missing White Woman Syndrome Phenomenon
The Missing White Woman Syndrome has been an issue permeating through missing people of color and men being underrepresented. This paper intends to evaluate the empirical data and literature review to assess this phenomenon. From the syndrome’s title itself, it can be inferred that people of color and men do not get as much coverage and that there is an over-representation of missing White women. News coverage generally tends to enunciate the profound qualities of missing White women, by referring to their social status, wealth, and appearance. In comparison, people of color and men are grounded against racial and gender bias. In order to combat this problem, reforms, policies, and advocacy groups have been formed to reduce the prevalence of the Missing White Women Syndrome. Suggested remedies and possible solutions are offered to ease the racial disparities of missing minorities and missing white women.
Dr. Lindsteadt
nvang@missouriwestern.edu
Edison, Keena What Will We Do With Them Now?
Juvenile residential facilities are closing rapidly so it is important to discuss possible factors that contribute to these closures. I explored several factors such as age, youth in poverty, and the number of arrests. These all may or may not contribute to the closures of these facilities. By understanding these factors it begs the question of do these closures limit the youth? In short, yes it does in several different ways which is discussed.
Dr. Lindsteadt
kedison1@missouriwestern.edu
Department of Engineering Technology
Empirical Project
Sontheimer, Danyka Compost-Cycler
Due to environmental concern, composting has grown in popularity. With global warming becoming a very serious issue, being able to promote more eco-friendly products has become very important around the globe. Through combining two of my interests, biking and composting, I have developed a way to efficiently compost in a productive and fun way while doing something I already love.
Dr. Zhu
dsontheier@missouriwestern.edu
Internship Experience
Zentz, Aden; My Internship With Herzog Contracting
Herzog is consistently at the forefront of Rail construction, maintenance and operation. They are one of the few companies that do all three of those things, and I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to work for them for the last few months. I work as an intern in the estimating department, and get to work on jobs that range from about $5 million all the way up to $500 million. There is obviously a lot of work that goes into these and little room for error.
Dr. Zhu
azentz@missouriwestern.edu
Sontheimer, Danyka Altec Internship
This presentation walks through my internship with Altec.
Dr. Zhu
dsontheier@missouriwestern.edu
Serrette, Justin Pullman Power LLC & Industrial Chimneys
Before becoming a student of Missouri Western State University (MWSU), I worked as a CAD Designer with Pullman Power LLC. As a CAD Designer my work involves creating and modifying various drawing models of various components and systems using computer-aided design software. In my day to day I collaborate with other members of the engineering team to ensure that the designs meet the required specifications and standards. I use my technical knowledge to ensure that the designs are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Since joining MWSU engineering internship has been an incredible opportunity for me to gain hands-on experience in the field. As an intern, I have been able to work closely with experienced engineers and contribute to real-world projects, beyond the drawing stage.
One of the most exciting aspects of my internship has been the chance to apply the theoretical knowledge I gained in school to practical situations. And I do have a greater appreciation of what skills I make lack in the field Overall, my engineering internship has been an invaluable experience that has prepared me for a career in the field. I feel confident and excited to continue learning and growing as an engineer, and I am grateful for the opportunities and guidance that my internship has provided me.
Dr. Zhu
jserrette@missouriwestern.edu
Department of Health Professions
Empirical Project
Bara, Adaline Mapping density of outlets selling tobacco and alcohol products using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) measure in Scotland
Mapping the density of outlets selling tobacco and alcohol products in different local authority areas in Scotland, UK and looking at these against the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) measure. The elements of the report include researching this area through extracting all data, analyzing it and making comparisons between SIMD income quintiles and making the data readable, with the addition of a policy narrative.
Dr. Sansone and Dr. Drake
abara@missouriwestern.edu
Department of Nursing
Literature Review
Mattson, Ashley; Stanton, Jaden; Burke, Sarah; Ross, SaToya; Philippe, Nanouche Jean; Nguyen, Ngoc Increasing Interactions to Improve Outcomes
As the population’s health demands continue to increase, nurses are overwhelmed with elevated nurse-patient ratios leading to an increase in adverse patient outcomes and mortality. The aim of this study is by December 2023, we will reduce mortality by 10% in the adult medical-surgical population of the hospital by establishing a nurse-patient ratio of 1:4. To support our study we have analyzed multiple level one systematic reviews, which discuss reliable data that validates the necessity to decrease nurse-patient ratios. Lowering nurses’ patient load has numerous advantages, such as improved patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness per life saved. Studies have also shown that nurses are being directly impacted by the increased workload resulting in nurse fatigue/burnout, increased risk for medication errors, and reduced ability to provide quality patient care. Overall, the research provided affirms that, in order to decrease adverse patient health outcomes, facilities need to initiate policies entailing that nurses be given less of an overwhelming number of patients to care for per shift. Mandating a reduction in adult medical surgical patient-to-nurse ratios (4:1) is a cost-effective intervention to ensure patient safety and satisfaction, as well as build healthy work environments.
- Evans
amattson@missouriwestern.edu
Ludlam, Zoey; Douglas, Brianne; Hadley, Courtney; Maddox, Emily; Serrano, Esperanza Poverty: The Ultimate ACE
An Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) score is a tool used to analyze the likelihood of an individual to develop health issues, emotional problems, and social disparities as a result of trauma in childhood. A high ACE score (5 or greater) increases the risk that a person will develop adverse social and physical ailments. People with high ACE scores experience chronic stress during their childhood, which is a crucial time in their development. A high ACE score is associated with difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships, having appropriate self-awareness, and engaging in productive self care skills. High ACE scores have also been linked to an increased risk of developing a mental illness such as chronic depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Poverty and other forms of “economic hardship” are considered heavily in an ACE score. Poverty also influences many other categories of an ACE score due to comorbidities of poverty including denied access to safe neighborhoods, healthy food, and healthcare opportunities. There is both a high volume of people in poverty and a high prevalence of mental illness in the United States. Here we examine the positive correlation between poverty and mental illness by looking at factors of poverty that increase ACE scores such as increased violence, location and access to infrastructure, and racial differences.
- Findley
zludlam@missouriwestern.edu
Wilcoxson, Riley; Callow, Josie; Griffin, Kelli; Johnson, Kyle; Melton, Nic; Wells, Taylor Covid Vaccine in Pregnant Women
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people throughout the world, and continues to pose a threat to many people, including pregnant women. This paper will provide an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on both pregnant women and the fetus’. This project is important because COVID-19 causes higher severity complications in pregnant women, and the rate of vaccination has decreased in this population due to hesitancy. We will look at the current data pertaining to covid such as prevalence, symptoms, and complications of COVID-19 in pregnant women, as well as the newborn infant. The aim of this project is to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy by using a vaccine toolkit to provide education to pregnant women about the effects and importance of the COVID vaccine. The primary goal of our project is to increase the rate of COVID vaccines in pregnant people by 20% in the next 8 months. Our second goal is, the patient will be able to state the importance of getting the COVID vaccine by the next OB visit. Our final goal is, the severity of COVID complications in pregnant women who receive the vaccination will be less than in unvaccinated pregnant women. This toolkit provides research based evidence showing that the vaccine is safe and effective for both mother and baby, as well as helps eliminate common misconceptions that previously prevented pregnant women from receiving the vaccine, resulting in an increase in patient outcomes.
- Evans
rwilcoxson3@missouriwestern.edu
Adams, Cara; Smith, Arlington; Green, Abigail; Bottorff, Damon; Oledibe, Jacob; James, Ian Door to Balloon Time for Patients Presenting with ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction
Current standards in patients experiencing ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI), includes a door to balloon time of less than 90 minutes. Although this is meant to be a standard of all facilities, many fall short of this time and experience poor patient outcomes. In order to improve quality of care, and decrease mortality, specific interventions must be put in place to decrease these times. If there is a decrease of time from onset of STEMI, to time of procedure in the catheterization laboratory (cath lab), there will be a decrease in the morbidity and mortality rates of these individuals. The following study used supporting data, ranging in power from level one meta analysis to level three observational data. With interventions put in place and door to balloon time decreased, the following was found: decreased cost to the patient, decreased mortality and morbidity rates, and better patient outcomes. Although these interventions were put into place in many facilities, mortality rates have not decreased significantly. Further intervention and education is needed to improve patient outcomes. The researchers of this project will implement a communication system with the cath lab to improve door to balloon time.
- Evans
cadams10@missouriwestern.edu
Daniel, Amanda; Schmille, Alyssa; Thomas, Addisen; Young, Dara; Waters, McKenzie; Van Winkle, Myriah Are women who have c-sections at a greater risk for postpartum depression compared to women who have vaginal births?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the more common complications that is experienced after birth. There are two modes of delivery, vaginal births or cesarean births, and each mode comes with their own specific complications and risks for mother and baby. Vaginal births are preferred out of safety for mother and baby, but cesarean births are becoming more common. This paper investigates the relationship between postpartum depression and cesarean births. Through research, there are papers discussing what PPD is, the different modes of delivery, indications of PPD, and postpartum care for mothers. The analysis shows a small correlation between the incidence of PPD and mode of delivery. While it is concluded that there is a small correlation between the incidence of PPD and mode of delivery, one of the findings discusses how the factor of pain should not be left out when finding indications of PPD.
- Findley
dyoung26@missouriwestern.edu
Graybill, Morgan; Purdy, Cara; Williams, Tysen; Morrison, Hayley; Atoe, Morgan; Nguyen, Toan Doula and Natural Birth
The literature review reveals that the use of a doula during childbirth is related to higher rates of successful vaginal deliveries without the need for a cesarean section (c-section). This research paper discusses the question of, “Do pregnant women who have a doula have more successful vaginal deliveries than those without a doula?” The hypothesis for this study states, laboring women are more likely to have a vaginal delivery compared to a c-section when having a doula present during birth. The research reveals that doulas have a significant effect on reducing c-sections. Doulas bring a holistic approach to childbirth by guiding the mother to adhere to her personal birthing plan. Doulas provide non pharmacological interventions such as essential oil use, breathing techniques, and repositioning methods to aid in a successful vaginal delivery. This research paper is written to bring awareness to pregnant women and show the importance of how doulas impact natural childbirth.
- Findley
mgraybill@missouriwestern.edu
Department of Psychology
Empirical Project
Cunningham, Jordan; Boyer, Kaisee; Evans, Brittani; Skinner, Jaden; Alward, Logan Nature or Not? Walks and Wellbeing
The purpose of this study was to explore the difference between walking for 10 minutes in an indoor setting versus walking for 10 minutes in an outdoor setting and how the environmental setting for the exercise could potentially influence a person’s well-being. We investigated how mindful walking in nature versus mindful walking in an indoor environment affects self-report of well-being measures of self-acceptance, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, positive relations with others, and personal growth. Fifteen participants consented to the study, took a pretest to assess their nature relatedness and well-being and filled out a demographic form. Participants were then led on a 10-minute indoor or outdoor walk by the experimenter. After the walk, the participants took a post-test assessing their well-being. Pre-test and post-test scores were compared in light of participants’ walking condition (indoor or outdoor) and nature-relatedness scores.
Dr. Ziemer
cziemer@missouriwestern.edu
Klaassen, Jordan COVID-19 and Impressions of Academic Performance
This research explored whether COVID- 19 and online learning affected students’ perceived grades. Students experienced COVID in different settings. Some were in high school, others in college, and some both high school and college during the COVID years. COVID-19 lasted four years with two years almost exclusively in distance learning environments. During these two years, some students transitioned from high school to college, while other students were either exclusively in high school or college. With distant learning ending, many students were not prepared for the academic experience of in person classes and exams. A mixed-design ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Group was the independent variable, and perceived grades before, during, and after COVID was the repeated dependent variable. Pre-COVID grades were significantly higher than during- and post-COVID grades. Students also perceived lower grades during and after COVID.
Dr. Deka
jklaassen@missouriwestern.edu
Artemii, Udovenko; Liz, Generaux; Emylee, King; Stariana, Violett; Pat, Walton; Jackson, Sarver Hiring Bias and Mental Illness: Measurement Matters
People with mental illness (MI) often experience hiring discrimination. Across
studies (Premaux, 2001; Drehmer & Bordieri, 1985; Gouvier et al., 2003), employers’
ratings of MI candidates varied whether they were asked to rate “job suitability”
(abstract) versus “hiring recommendation” (concrete) Across sources, more abstract
ratings of MI candidates were higher; more concrete ratings resulted in lower evaluations.
Further, Premaux (2001) found managers were more likely to recommend hiring an
applicant to work with someone else, as opposed to working with them. We hypothesized
abstract ratings elicit more favorable evaluations of MI candidates, predicting highest
ratings for “job suitability” and lowest ratings for “hire to work with me.” Participants
read an application packet of a MI job candidate and completed an evaluation. The
evaluation was the main independent variable with three levels: rate (a) job suitability, (b)
recommend to hire for another to supervise, or (c) hire for self to supervise. We measured
time participants spent on evaluation. Participants completed post-experimental measures
of implicit and explicit bias against persons with disability and personal experience with
- Participant ratings were analyzed using one-way ANOVA showing no statistical significance between Evaluative Ratings and overall ratings. Correlation between Evaluative Rating and Time on Task was statistically significant. Implicit and Explicit bias exploratory analyses was conducted and showed high implicit bias with self-reported low explicit bias. Regression analyses of Time on Task was a predictor of overall ratings at the statistical significance level.
Dr. Henry
eking8@missouriwestern.edu
Scheerer, Foster; Williams, Liz; Willis, Tori; Biller, Maleah; Scarpelli, Isabella; Stoker, Terah “Senioritis”: An Examining of Changes in Academic Motivation in College Students
Dr. Chance’s Spring 2023 PSY 303 examined the relationship between undergraduate class standing and academic motivation. One hundred and three 18+ MWSU undergraduate students completed the survey, which consisted of the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS-C 28), a 28-item seven-point Likert scale survey (Vallerand et al., 1993), and a demographic questionnaire. Though the researchers hypothesized that higher class standing would result in lower academic motivation, preliminary data analysis indicates the opposite effect, such that fifth year+ (casually referred to as ‘Super Seniors’) (M = 135.83, SD = 6.43) and Seniors (M = 123.32, SD = 24.45) report the highest levels of motivation, F(4, 99) = 3.36, p=.013. These findings directly contrast with Manning (2011), who found no significant difference in motivation levels between undergraduate freshmen and seniors. These early findings leave the researchers pondering why senioritis is such a prominent self-prescribed phenomenon amongst upperclassmen, although motivation remains so high.
Dr. Chance
nchance@missouriwestern.edu