2017-2018 Student Research Exhibition
TITLE: The Effect of Movement Kinematics on Sociability in Autism Spectrum Disorder STUDENT: Isaac Mauricio Garcia Rojas Aguilar MAJORS: Mechanical Engineering and Psychology MINOR: Math FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Mark Jaime ABSTRACT: The study focuses on how the atypical movements of autistic children impact the way in which they are perceived by typically developing children. Such perception is believed to affect the way in which autistic and typically developing children interact and form social relations.
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TITLE: Does Early Childhood Drug Education Provide Diversion from Using Drugs and/or Alcohol? STUDENT: Megan Bailey MAJOR: Nursing STUDENT: Brilynn Roberts MAJOR: Nursing MINORS: Sociology and Women’s Studies STUDENT: Shelby Wasson MAJOR: Nursing FACULTY MENTOR: Toni Morris ABSTRACT: The purpose of the project is twofold: to identify triggers which may result in a relapse of drug abuse in both men and women ages eighteen and older and to identify early childhood education related to the use of drugs and alcohol. Specifically, two transitional homes for people with addictions are the focus for this mixed method study. Participants in the study revealed valuable information confirming their rationales for substance abuse. The examination of current adolescent drug and alcohol prevention programs is essential to help promote program evaluation and identify potential education needs for our youth. Megan Bailey, Brilynn Roberts, and Shelby Wasson presented this project at the state-wide Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference (IUURC) in November 2017. Megan Bailey will present this project at the Sigma Theta Tau International 29th International Research Conference in Melbourne, Australia in July 2018. Additionally, Megan Bailey, Brilynn Roberts, and Shelby Wasson will have their OSR project published in volume IV of the Indiana University Journal of Undergraduate Research (IUJUR) in summer 2018. |  |
TITLE: How Personality Affects Motivation and Performance in a Multiphase Competition STUDENT: Brice Baughn MAJOR: Psychology FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Kimdy Le ABSTRACT: Millions of dollars are spent trying to identify the next top talent in a given sport. However, there is little research on how personality affects performance. Brice Baughn wants to begin to find out how competitiveness and self-efficacy affect motivation and performance. |  |
TITLE: Various Chitin Derivatives and Their Usefulness in Chitin Formation STUDENT: Stephanie Baumgartner MAJOR: Biology MINOR: Chemistry FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. J. D. Mendez ABSTRACT: Electron microscopy will be used to view chitin/plastic fibers to determine the location of the chitin. As chitin is the second most abundant natural biopolymer in the world, it has uses in many fields, including medical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries. Determining the source and method that produces fibers with the most evenly distributed chitin will allow us to narrow our research methods to those that will produce the most impact in any of those chosen fields. |  |
TITLE: Contributing Factors in the Successful Cessation of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Dependent Pregnant Mothers STUDENT: Emily Duke MAJOR: Nursing FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Angela Opsahl ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to understand the barriers, which factor into women continuing with their abuse of drugs and or alcohol while pregnant. Along with that, this research project hopes to discover the factors that influenced women to cease the use of abused substances or alcohol while they are pregnant. Research will be collected via a standardized survey on the labor and delivery floor of Columbus Regional Health, focusing on eliciting specific information from the client in regard to factors which influenced either continuance or discontinuance of substance abuse during pregnancy. The results of this study were presented by Emily Duke and Natalie Harper at the Sigma Theta Tau conference in Indianapolis in October 2017.
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TITLE: Conference for Undergraduate Research in Psychology STUDENT: Emily Edwards MAJOR: Psychology FACULTY MENTORS: Dr. Darrin Carr and Kevin McCracken ABSTRACT: The first annual Conference for Undergraduate Research in Psychology was held in November 2017. It was a student-operated event at which psychology students and their faculty mentors came from across the region to share their research. This conference provided the opportunity to recognize top student researchers in psychology research, network with successful professionals, exchange ideas with other students and faculty, and learn more about applying to graduate programs.
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TITLE: The Hierarchy of Social Power STUDENT: Emily Edwards MAJOR: Psychology FACULTY MENTORS: Dr. Darrin Carr and Dr. Cheryl Warner ABSTRACT: This study introduces attendees to an experiential group activity, Hierarchy of Social Power (HoSP), developed with a group task to increase awareness of social and cultural dynamics. Hierarchy of Social Power allows students to share their perceptions with peers in a way that enhances undergraduate students’ professional development, social justice advocacy, and leadership. Emily Edwards presented her findings at the 90th annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) conference in Chicago in April 2018. |  |
TITLE: Self-Identification of Ethnic Heritage vs. Genetic Ethnic Heritage: Does Knowing One’s Heritage Impact Perception of Self, Others, and Community? STUDENT: Teresea Higham MAJOR: Master’s in Mental Health Counseling STUDENT: Samantha Kohlman MAJOR: Master’s in Mental Health Counseling FACULTY MENTORS: Dr. Darrin Car and Dr. Cheryl Warner ABSTRACT: Self-identification is the hallmark of racial or ethnic identity, and it reflects how individuals perceive themselves. Racial or ethnic self-identification frames one’s culture, beliefs, perceptions of self and others. The identity models emphasize that self-identification may change as one explores and commits to their identity. Because of the role self-identification in internalizing cultural identity, this proposed study hopes to investigate the possibilities of how knowing true heritage could impact one’s view of self, others, community, and challenge one’s belief system. |  |
TITLE: An Examination of Pre-Service Teachers’ Beliefs about Classroom Management STUDENT: Brittany Laymon MAJOR: Elementary Education with Special Education Concentration FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Allisha Beerwart ABSTRACT: Classroom management is an important skill for any pre-service teacher to have; therefore, it is equally important to examine the common misconceptions of classroom management and understand what pre-service teachers think is most important with regard to classroom management. The information from this research can best assist higher education instructors who present content regarding classroom management, so training programs can best bridge the gap between these misconceptions and the foundations of the classroom management training in pre-service teachers’ undergraduate educational programs. Brittany and her mentor presented at the Council for Exceptional Children’s annual national convention in Tampa, Florida in February 2018. | |
TITLE: The Impact of Environmental Factors on the Development of Social Skills STUDENT: Seth Sharpe MAJOR: Psychology FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Kimdy Le ABSTRACT: The goal of the project is to find out if environmental factors have an impact on the development of social skills. These factors include siblings, pets, and/or homeschooled vs. conventional schooled. It is believed if a person has pets, siblings, and/or was conventionally schooled, they will have developed more social skills than the opposite. Seth Sharpe presented his research at the Mid-America Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL in April 2018.
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TITLE: Service Learning in Sylvia Plath Studies STUDENT: Courtney Watkins MAJOR: Sociology MINORS: Literature and Women’s Studies FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Julie Goodspeed-Chadwick ABSTRACT: Courtney Watkins conducted research in literary studies and women’s studies and demonstrated how service learning projects are not opposed to, but an extension of, literary studies. She presented scholarship via service learning in the field of Sylvia Plath Studies on campus, in the community, and internationally. With her mentor, she presented at the Sylvia Plath: Letters, Words and Fragments Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland in November 2017. |  |
