Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2008, Mass Communication (Communication)

The aim of this research was to better understand virtual online communities (VOCs), that is, communities that are formed and maintained through the Internet. This research was guided by four research questions: What do participants in VOCs actually seek? How does a participant critically evaluate information produced in VOCs? What differences do VOC members perceive between their online community experiences compared to their experiences in real-life face-to-face communities? In what ways might a VOC shape its members' views toward political and social change? The methodology employed was participant observation of 20 informants within their online and offline realms plus in-depth interviews with each informant. Interviews and observations were conducted from 2005 - 2007. This research identified two different types of VOCs: dependent and self-contained VOCs. Dependent VOCs act as extensions to already existent face-to-face communities while self-sustained VOCs are communities where relationships between members are formed, developed, and nurtured purely through virtual encounters on the Internet based on shared interests. Four functions were identified in this study: information exchange, social support exchange, friendship, recreation. Information exchange is a function where the VOC main purpose was to provide information for members. Social support refers to the degree to which a person's basic social needs are gratified through interaction with others. Friendship are formed within the VOC not only for social support, but also provide deeper, more meaningful relationships. Recreation within a VOC occurs when the community's main purpose is purely entertainment. This study also identified six motivations: accessibility/convenience, escapism, alternate identities, social recognition, voyeurism, written communication as a medium. Three issues in VOCs also emerged in this study: trust, evaluation of online material, and marginalized communities. VOCs exist in a (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Drew McDaniel Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Elizabeth Collins Ph.D. (Committee Member); Robert Stewart Ph.D. (Committee Member); Don Flournoy Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2019, Communication Studies (Communication)

This dissertation examines Saudi social networking site (SNS) users' online communication attitudes (OCA, specifically online self-disclosure, OSD, and online social connection, OSC), the influence of those attitudes on relational outcomes (e.g., friendship closeness) for friendships maintained purely online, and what makes users hold those certain attitudes toward online communication. Specifically, this dissertation first investigates what do the associations between attitudes toward online communication and communication use with online-only friends look like in the context of online-only friendships among Saudi SNS users?; and to what extent does the use of online communication with online-only friends through SNSs promote or reduce relational closeness? I examine the link between OCA and friendship closeness through the mechanism of online communication use, or interactive and meaningful behaviors of relational maintenance. Secondly, I consider to what extent does collectivism, at the individual level, influence SNS user attitudes toward online communication, particularly in the context of Saudi society? Thirdly, as family communication patterns (FCP) influences one's communication generally (e.g., Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 2002a, 2002b), I examine the extent to which patterns of family communication influence SNS users' attitudes toward online communication. Using an online survey, 854 Saudi SNS users participated to complete a questionnaire that included several adapted scales. The results demonstrate that attitudes toward OSD or OSC—which are important motivators of online communication—explain the role of cognition in online communicative behaviors and in the resultant relational closeness of online-only friendships. The present findings suggest that positive feelings about self-disclosure and making social connections with SNS users could boost online communicative interactions and relational closeness with SNS-only friends. Moreover, the results demonstrate (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Stephanie Tikkanen (Advisor); William Rawlins (Committee Member); Angela Hosek (Committee Member); Gordon Brooks (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Master of Technical and Scientific Communication, Miami University, 2005, Technical and Scientific Communication

This report describes and analyzes an internship in technical and scientific communication during my full-time employment at IUPUI as a Lecturer in Geology. My key project was to develop an online course G107 Environmental Geology. In 2004, development of high quality online courses that equaled learning in on-campus courses was an emerging field. The project entailed the planning, researching, designing, writing, editing, evaluating, and revising an online course. The course consisted of learning modules that contained a compilation of written text, images, animations, and integrated media. Development required analyzing best practices in online learning and web design, designing the documentation using technical communication theory, and evaluating the success of the project. Specifically, the successful development required a foundation in problem solving, rhetoric and linguistics, technical and scientific writing, and information design. This internship revealed that a strong foundation in scientific communication is a prerequisite for developing online learning media.

Committee: Michele Simmons (Advisor) Subjects:

MA, Kent State University, 2011, College of Communication and Information / School of Communication Studies

From a uses and gratifications perspective, this research project investigated the effects of love styles on motives for using the Internet to create new romantic relationships as well as on perceptions of online romantic relationships. Information about participants' demographics, Internet use, and background experiences with romantic relationships was also collected in an effort to further characterize members of the sample. Results indicated that participants believed that adult romantic relationships created via the Internet are better able and equipped to fulfill individual, personal motives based on sex rather than motives based on love. While this study offered a first attempt at answering questions about the interconnectedness of love styles, motives, and perceptions, these findings unearthed a more complex mystery that needs further investigation. Future research in this line of inquiry has the power to make a positive impact on understanding of specific Internet usage, online dating services/functions, and most importantly, on the real people who use or may consider using the Internet in the search for romantic relationships.

Committee: Janet Meyer PhD (Advisor) Subjects: Behaviorial Sciences; Communication; Demographics; Gender; Mass Communications; Mass Media; Multimedia Communications; Personal Relationships; Psychology; Social Psychology; Social Research; Web Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2012, Communication Studies

Microlending through online venues has introduced a new model of lending through web 2.0 communication technologies. I examined micro lending through online venues – such as kiva.org, MicroPlace.com, and ACCION.org. The theoretical framework is based in Critical Cyberculture Studies and Critical Development Communication using visual analysis (Brummet, 2010; 2011; Mirzoeff, 2009; Nakamura, 2008; Olsen, 2007; Sosale, 2007) as my method, which is supplemented with interviews. I draw in part from visual rhetoric to inform my critique of the interplay of visual images, symbols, texts, and other elements in the microfinance web sites. On the home pages of Kiva.org, ACCION.org and MicroPlace.com, I analyzed the layout, including visuals and texts on their respective homepages. I examined the communication processes in these web 2.0 portals, because while some sites may indeed empower the poor, other sites may be disempowering to the poor. Kiva, ACCION, and MicroPlace thus reproduce issues of race, identity, and representation online, becoming discursive and rhetorical spaces where race and identity are produced and reproduced in various forms (Nakamura, 2002). Understanding the representations of third-world identities/bodies on micro lending sites is important. Also, global development initiatives such as kiva.org, MicroPlace.com, and ACCION.org have wide reaching ramifications; thus, the notion of empowerment of the poor, as reflected on the web portals of kiva.org, MicroPlace.com, and ACCION.org, bears scrutiny.

Committee: Radhika Gajjala PhD (Committee Chair); Lynda Dixon PhD (Committee Member); Ellen Gorsevski PhD (Committee Member); Shannon Orr PhD (Other) Subjects: African Studies; Banking; Black Studies; Business Education; Communication; Economics; Entrepreneurship; Ethnic Studies; Gender; Gender Studies; Health; Labor Economics; Mass Communications; Mass Media; Sub Saharan Africa Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2010, Communication Studies

This study examined online dating practices by exploring the process and scripts for online dating from both sites and site members. The purpose was to uncover how online daters and sites were responsible for changes from more traditional dating scripts, and to add to Script Theory and Social Information Processing Theory. Ethnographic content analysis of online dating sites and in-depth interviews with online daters were conducted to develop a Model for Online Dating and Online Romantic Initiation Theory. The model presented in this study demonstrated how scripts in the online dating process were reciprocal and how the different levels of scripts worked together. This study also added to knowledge of contemporary courtship and decision-making in terms of love styles, shopping lists, elimination strategies and how singles relate to others.

Committee: Sandra Faulkner (Committee Chair); Thomas Mascaro (Committee Member); Sung-Yeon Park (Committee Member); Monica Longmore (Committee Member); Deborah Wooldridge (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Personal Relationships; Social Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2020, Communication

The hyperpersonal model (Walther, 1995) proposes that idealization can occur when individuals meet and interact in text-based, cue-lean online environments. This study sought to understand the mechanisms that might predict one's idealization of another, including their anxieties and uncertainty about the other. Further, this work incorporates the imagined interactions framework (Honeycutt, 2015), in an effort to explore the cognitive mechanisms that may lead to idealization. Participants (N = 79) took an online survey at time 1, then came to a lab to chat with an unknown partner, a confederate, at time 2. They completed a survey after the first chat, reporting their idealization of their partner, liking of the partner, and perceived similarity to the partner. After the first survey at time 2, anticipated future interaction was manipulated. Participants were either told they would meet their partner face-to-face in the next lab session or were not told anything about them. Following the manipulation, participants took another survey, measuring their anticipated future interaction and desired future interaction, as well as their uncertainty and desired uncertainty about the partner. Participants returned to the lab two days later to take another survey and engage in another chat. At this time, participants shared whether or not they had an imagined interaction with their partner after the first chat. The survey items measured the frequency and specificity of their imagined interactions, as well as the rehearsal of conversations using imagined interactions. Social anxiety did not predict one's uncertainty about their partner nor their use of imagined interaction features. One imagined interaction feature, specificity, did predict one's idealization of their partner. Idealization and desired future interaction had a relationship over time as well, with idealization after the first chat predicting a desire for future interactions, and desire for future interactions pred (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jesse Fox (Advisor); Roselyn Lee-Won (Committee Member); Joseph Bayer (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2020, Electrical and Computer Engineering

The new generation of wireless networks is expected to be a key enabler of a myriad of new industries and applications. Disruptive technologies such as autonomous driving, cloud gaming, smart healthcare, and virtual reality are expected to rely on a robust wireless infrastructure to support those applications' vast and diverse communication requirements. The successful realization of a large number of those applications hinges on timely information exchange, and thus, Latency arises as the critical requirement essential to unlock the true potential of the new 5G wireless generation. In order to ensure reliable low latency communication, new network algorithms and protocols prioritizing latency need to be developed across different layers of the network stack. Furthermore, a theoretical framework is needed to better understand the behavior of delay at the wireless edge and the proposed solutions' performance. In this dissertation, we study the problem of designing algorithms for low latency communication by addressing traditional problems such as resource allocation and scheduling from a delay-oriented standpoint, as well as, new problems that arise from the new 5G architecture such as caching and Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) access. We start by a addressing the problem of designing real-time cellular downlink resource allocation algorithms for flows with hard deadlines. Attempting to solve this problem brings about the following two key challenges: (i) The flow arrival and the wireless channel state information are not known to the Base Station (BS) apriori, thus, the allocation decisions need to be made in an online manner. (ii) Resource allocation algorithms that attempt to maximize a reward in the wireless setting will likely be unfair, causing unacceptable service for some users. We model the problem of allocating resources to deadline-sensitive traffic as an online convex optimization problem. We address the question of whether we can efficiently solve t (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Eylem Ekici (Advisor); Ness Shroff (Advisor); Atilla Eryilmaz (Committee Member) Subjects: Electrical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2009, Communication

Recent democratic theories have put a greater emphasis on citizen deliberation and participation in public affairs. Guided by the normative ideals of deliberative democracy, furthermore, empirical research has started blooming and citizen forums and town meetings have become common democratic practices recently. The core idea of any definition of deliberation concerns free, equal, and rational political discussion — involving disagreement and argumentation — in the public sphere. This idea of deliberation is, arguably, rooted in the Enlightenment traditions of rationality, autonomy, and equality. As such, deliberation theory and practice have been developed predominantly in Western cultural and philosophical contexts. This understanding of deliberation in Western Enlightenment traditions raises an interesting question: Can the model of deliberative democracy ingrained in Western philosophy be applied to Far Eastern Confucian societies that have different cultural assumptions? The present study explores the potential of deliberative democracy in non-Western contexts, such as East Asian societies. Herein, several cultural traits relating to deliberation in collectivist East Asian societies are identified: The lower value of public talk; the strong influence of social position in talk; the increased pressure to conform; and the unique traits of their cognitive and moral reasoning processes. These traits of East Asians pertaining to deliberation originate from the region's dominant collectivist cultural orientations and from Confucian philosophy. Considering these traits, deliberation in the East Asian context will require special care. For the empirical portion of this study, a series of small group deliberation sessions among Americans – representing a Western, individualist culture – and Koreans – representing an Eastern, collectivist culture – have been conducted. They deliberated the same issues either in the face-to-face setting or over the Internet. Findings sugg (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Gerald Kosicki PhD (Advisor); William Eveland PhD (Other); Young Mie Kim PhD (Other); Michael Neblo PhD (Other) Subjects: Communication; Political Science; Social Psychology

PHD, Kent State University, 2005, College of Communication and Information / School of Communication Studies

Guided by the uses and gratifications (U&G) perspective, this dissertation had three major purposes. First, it tested a model of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) use for online relationships by investigating the influence of dispositions and motives on CMC use for communication and relationships. Second, it examined differences in CMC motives for interpersonal communication among those who had different dispositions. Third, it investigated differences in CMC use and interaction between participants in two types of online relationships. The findings supported the model of CMC use for online relationships and the U&G theoretical framework, and suggested the contribution of dispositions, CMC motives, and CMC use and interaction for predicting outcomes of using CMC. Overall, participants who perceived their face-to-face communication to be rewarding, used CMC for self-fulfillment, and disclosed their personal feelings to others tended to feel close to their online partners. Moreover, participants who used CMC for self-fulfillment and affection purposes and intended to disclose their feelings to others felt satisfied with their communication in online settings. The findings also suggest differences in CMC motives for interpersonal communication among those with different levels of communication avoidance and loneliness. Among those with low levels of communication avoidance, participants who were situationally lonely and nonlonely were more likely to use CMC for affection than those who were chronically lonely. Furthermore, online relationships influenced how CMC was used for social interaction. Participants in non-traditional relationships disclosed more information than did those in traditional long-distance relationships. However, they did not differ in their CMC use, or in their depth, honesty, intent, and positiveness of self-disclosure. The associations among the constructs in the model of CMC use for online relationships extend our knowledge of the U&G model, (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Alan Rubin (Advisor) Subjects: Mass Communications

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2023, English: Composition and Rhetoric

In this dissertation, I articulate and reclaim African rhetorical traditions and apply an African rhetorical lens for examining how contemporary Ga communities can use digital communications to further cultural practices. I examine ancient Egyptian African rhetorical traditions, exploring the theories and practices of Maat so as to articulate themes and characteristics of African rhetoric. I focus on African rhetoric from Ancient Egypt and then highlight some of its practices in contemporary Ghana, including Akan and Ga rhetoric. This dissertation centers and attempts a practice of rhetoric to a local/Indigenous people, The Gas of Ghana, whose cultural and linguistic survival might depend on how they use the Internet and digital technologies to share and celebrate their rhetorics. The Gas, Indigenous to Greater Accra, the capital city of Ghana, have a rich culture similar to the Akans. However, their dwindling population, cycles of poverty, lack of education, and exclusion of their language (Ga) education in the teaching curriculum by successive governments have all contributed to a near-loss of a rich Indigenous cultural heritage. Drawing from interviews with cultural preservationists in Ghana and Ga leaders, I examine how the Gas have used and could use the internet to engage in rhetorical acts of survivance. Some of the research questions shaping this study are: (1) How might minority Indigenous peoples (specifically in this study the Gas of Ghana) use the digital to assert their cultural practices and achieve visibility and survivance? And (2) In what ways can we Africans contribute to the cultural design and decolonizing of our material and digital rhetorics? I apply a combination of local methodological frameworks to understand how local research works with Indigenous communities. These include Indigenous concepts like Sankofa, which means return to the past and fetch from it, Ga samai (symbols), decoloniality, Indigenous storytelling. Finally, I close my diss (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Heidi McKee (Advisor) Subjects: Rhetoric; Technical Communication

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2023, Psychology

Social anxiety involves excessive fear when there is a perceived threat of negative evaluation (Wong & Rapee, 2016). Individuals with social anxiety tend to use maladaptive strategies to avoid negative evaluation, such as experiential avoidance (Asher et al., 2021) and limiting intimate self-disclosure (Alden & Bieling, 1998). Recent data suggest that individuals with social anxiety tend to prefer online communication to face-to-face communication (Kamalou et al., 2019). Other studies suggest that individuals with social anxiety experience similar levels of anxiety during online and face-to-face communication (Doorley et al., 2020). It is unclear how past findings generalize to videoconference communication or face-to-face communication with a protective face mask. The purpose of the current study was to compare how individuals experience unmasked videoconference and masked face-to-face communication. Sixty-four undergraduate participants with traits of social anxiety engaged in a 45-minute conversation task. Dyads were randomly assigned to complete the task in a masked face-to-face or unmasked videoconference condition and completed measures of state anxiety, perceived threat of negative evaluation, experiential avoidance, and self-disclosure intimacy following the task. Analyses suggested the unmasked videoconference condition was associated with greater state anxiety and experiential avoidance, whereas the masked face-to-face condition was associated with greater perceived threat of negative evaluation. There was no difference between the two conditions on the self-disclosure measures. The results indicate that masked face-to face communication and unmasked videoconference communication have different effects on psychological processes associated with social anxiety.

Committee: Jennifer Phillips Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kathryn Smith Ph.D. (Committee Member); Nicholas Salsman Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Chair) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Cognitive Therapy; Psychology

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2022, Journalism (Communication)

This thesis explores the online communities on YouTube and TikTok dedicated to books, known as BookTube and BookTok, which have given literature a sustained relevance in the age of the Internet and caused skyrocketing success for many books and authors. The first research question of this study seeks to investigate the motivations behind the young adult community who read books for pleasure, and the second posits whether motivations for reading among this audience are hedonistic or eudaimonic in nature. Finally, the third research question explores how YouTube and TikTok have shaped the cultural discourse on reading books in the Digital Age. The theoretical basis for this study is grounded in uses and gratifications theory, mood management theory, and eudaimonic effects. I collected a total of 611 videos and comments from YouTube and TikTok and conducted a textual analysis and critical discourse analysis, grouping videos and comments into themes to understand the content of both platforms. Results showed that there were several primary motivations for young adult readers, including achievement, escapism, and social interaction. There was a consistent measure of hedonistic motivations for reading, such as the desire for aesthetic beauty and comforting stories, as well as eudaimonic motivations, including catharsis and connection with others. Additionally, YouTube was shown to have higher numbers of subscribers to individual YouTube channels, while TikTok had higher general audience numbers for its videos. These results supported the premise of uses and gratifications theory, while showing evidence of both hedonistic and eudaimonic motivations. Furthermore, while there was overlap in communication styles and content themes for YouTube and TikTok, each community had unique features that allowed users to discuss and interact with stories in different ways.

Committee: Victoria LaPoe (Committee Chair); Rosanna Planer (Committee Member); Kelly Ferguson (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Journalism; Mass Communications

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2022, Educational Leadership

In online programs, effective faculty-student interactions enhance achievement (Garrison and Arbaugh, 2007). This study examined how various communication techniques affected students' and faculty members' understanding of expectations, sense of connection, and ability to succeed in an online doctoral program. Grounded in the Core Principles of Improvement (Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate), this study examined viewpoints through a phenomenological, participatory action research approach. The findings revealed a persistent sense of uncertainty that impeded the success for many, but some used the shared uncertainty to forge small, strongly bonded relationships. Both students and faculty expressed a need for additional engagement and more timely and constructive input. They desired open forums, pre- and post-class mingling, monthly updates, and other interactive opportunities.

Committee: Meredith Wronowski (Committee Chair); Jeffery Fox (Committee Member); Pamela Young (Committee Member) Subjects: Adult Education; Communication; Continuing Education; Education; Educational Leadership; Pedagogy

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Franklin University, 2022, Business Administration

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) need to stay abreast of advances in communication technologies to be student centric, but institutional adoption of Short Messaging Service (SMS) text varies widely and research on incorporation for advising is limited (Arnold et al., 2020; IPEDS 2020; Santos et al., 2018). This quantitative study explored advisor use and perceptions on values, motives, and institutional support of SMS texting as a communication channel with students and the possible variables impacting those factors. Theoretical concepts in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and adaptive leadership guided the study as well as existing survey research on Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) in higher education (Duran et al., 2005). Survey responses from 402 advisors nationwide were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. SMS use was reported among all genders, experience levels, and programmatic formats and advisors overall had a positive view of the communication channel. Motives for use varied between subgroups within the sample and SMS was predominantly used to gain access to richer mediums. A statistically significant association between learning environment and SMS incorporation indicated that online advisors were more likely to use SMS texting for student communication. A statistically significant difference was also identified between median institutional support scores for SMS users and non-users with the directionality indicating users were more likely from SMS supportive institutions. Furthermore, advisors reported using SMS texting for both transactional and relational communication, even when their institution did not support the channel with training, policies, or technology. The study sheds light on the prevalence of SMS use and calls for leadership to gain greater awareness of their local-level policies, industry-wide practices, and system integrated options in managing the university-to-student connection. For HEIs (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Brenda Jones (Committee Chair); Yuerong Sweetland (Committee Member); Patrick Bennett (Committee Member) Subjects: Adult Education; Business Administration; Business Education; Communication; Continuing Education; Education Policy; Educational Evaluation; Educational Leadership; Educational Software; Educational Technology; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Management; Mass Communications

Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Cleveland State University, 2021, College of Sciences and Health Professions

This qualitative study analyzed student and instructor responses to survey questions regarding the effect of COVID-19 on clinical and academic instruction. Two hundred sixty-three accredited communication sciences and disorders and audiology programs across the United States received the survey. Overall, there were 931 participants, including both students and instructors. These participants responded to 19 content questions on the survey developed to help answer five research questions: (1) how were participants affected in terms of their emotional state? (2) Were students and instructors prepared for Forced Online Instruction (FOI)? (3) Were students and instructors comfortable with the level of education provided online? (4) Were students and instructors comfortable with the technology required for FOI? (5) Did students and instructors miss the socialization of classroom learning? The study found that instructor and student responses differed along the lines of academic instruction. Only 25% of students agreed that they received comparable education online compared to in-person, whereas 40% of instructors felt they provided equivalent instruction online. Furthermore, students also reported that their clinical education was not comparable online to in-person. On the other hand, instructors believed they provided equivalent instruction. Instructors (31%) felt as though they provided equivalent clinical education online, whereas 20% of students felt as though the clinical education they received was equivalent online to in-person.

Committee: Violet Cox Ph.D., MLS, CCC-SLP (Committee Chair); Monica Gordon Pershey Ed.D., CCC-SLP (Committee Member); Carol Spears M.A., CCC-SLP (Committee Member) Subjects: Education

Bachelor of Arts, Wittenberg University, 2020, Communication

Online dating has become a popular source for users seeking love, relationships, or a simple hook-up. Tinder, among the various dating applications, is a tool for online dating where users are able customize their profile with up to nine pictures, job title, education, and a short biography. The date-ability of a potential romantic partner is subjective and influenced by a multitude of variables. While users show a variety of images showing themselves, a popular type of photo is that of man and dog. Guided by Uncertainty Reduction Theory and Warranting Theory Frameworks, this study discusses the effects of including animals, specifically dogs, in dating profile photos. Animal effects and Tinder engagement are explored to identify the generally positive effects and the effects of viewer engagement.

Committee: Kelly Dillon (Advisor); Edward Hasecke (Committee Member); Katie Warber (Committee Member) Subjects: Animals; Communication; Personal Relationships; Psychology; Social Psychology

Doctor of Education, Ashland University, 2020, College of Education

With the proliferation of online courses and programs in the United States, contemporary problems regarding course and communication design have surfaced. There are two primary types of Internet-based classes: asynchronous and synchronous. Asynchronous classes allow students to connect with the material, fellow students, and the instructor at their pace and at a time that works best for them; synchronous online classes require students to be present online at a particular time and allow students to interact with the material, fellow students, and the instructor in real-time. Both types of online classes can foster transactional distance, a psychological distance that leads to feelings of isolation and can negatively impact retention, performance, and student satisfaction. This qualitative, single-instrumental case study investigated the relationship between the communication design of graduate, synchronous online courses, and levels of transactional distance and student satisfaction. The research was conducted by manipulating the communication design and course structure of two graduate American history and government classes. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and surveys. The findings support earlier research that showed the more structured a class is, the higher the level of transactional distance students experience.

Committee: James Olive-Liebhart (Committee Chair); Constance Savage (Committee Member); Cathryn Chappell (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Education History; Educational Theory; Higher Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2021, Media and Communication

In 2006, American activist Tarana Burke started the me too movement that helped survivors of sexual assault by telling them that there were other survivors too, and they were not alone. In 2017, Alyssa Milano used the same phrase as a hashtag and called for women to share their experiences of harassment using #metoo, or just use the hashtag to show they have been through something similar. This movement eventually brought about the conviction of former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. However, echoes of this movement reached far and wide, beyond the United States of America. Survivors of assault started using social media to call out what they had been through. This study examines the voice of women on the digital media platforms and how their calling out of sexual harassers on these platforms negotiates with the discourse of shame and guilt surrounding sexual assault. Shame is a prominent emotion associated with sexual assault that finds its space within the larger narrative of silencing women. Survivors often do not report assault for fear of being shamed. In news media, shame is reinforced by way of stock images that show a woman hiding her face or crying for help that accompany stories of sexual assault. Shame could force survivors to keep their trauma to themselves for years, resulting in other psychological issues. Social media intervenes in this. This study looks at three cases in India between 2017 and 2019 where survivors used social media to speak up about how they had been sexually harassed and/or assaulted. Using textual and discourse analysis, the study found that as opposed to portraying survivors in a pitiful light, social media gives the agency to the survivor to decide how they want to be seen. They are able to bypass passive narratives through first-person reporting. This subversion of shame does not necessarily affect the consequences that the accused will face but it focuses on the survivor's needs. The results of this research sugg (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Radhika Gajjala Dr. (Advisor); Dryw Dworsky Dr. (Other); Sandra Faulkner Dr. (Committee Member); Lisa Hanasono Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Mass Communications; Mass Media; Womens Studies

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2019, Journalism (Communication)

Online media is continuing to transform the media consumption habits of today's society. It encompasses various forms of content, modes of consumption and interpersonal interactions. Live-streaming is one of the less observed but growing forms of new media content. It combines aspects of online video entertainment and user content creation such as YouTube, and social media such as Instagram, in a live setting. The goal of this thesis is to explore this phenomenon by looking at the video game streaming platform Twitch, and, more specifically, the interactions taking place during the live streams. The central research question of the thesis is therefore: How are the creators of video game live streams initiating and facilitating interactions with and among their audience members? A qualitative analysis is being conducted to find out which types of interactions are taking place during these live streams. Additionally, relevant theoretical concepts, including parasocial interaction, self-disclosure, group identity and co-experience, are applied to evaluate the interactions based on their potential to influence the construction individual and social identities. The interactions of five streamers of different popularity levels and from three different types of video games are analyzed based on these assumptions and concepts. The results show that all streams share five major categories for interactions, namely gameplay commentary, topic-based interactions, streamer- and viewer focused interactions, and interactions based on followers and (re-)subscriptions. The manifestations of the theoretical constructs in the interactions show similar tendencies across the streams, although with some considerable variation.

Committee: Veronika Karnowski (Advisor) Subjects: Communication; Mass Communications; Social Research