MFA, Kent State University, 2018, College of Communication and Information / School of Visual Communication Design

Though there has been increased discourse on non-Latin type design practice within the type design community in recent years, there still exists a need for many more high-quality digital typefaces in most of the world's written languages—societies, who, without these resources, are less able to contribute to global discussions. As a result, this thesis uses a number of different methods to analyze the pathways in multi-script type design research, examine the expansive relationship between typography and culture, and investigate the relationship between anthropological methods and the type design process. The questions posed include: how does one become prepared to design an effective and well-researched typeface in a new script? How does one research a new script? Does the use of anthropological research methodologies increase a type designer's understanding of a script's cultural context, and therefore increase the success of their design practice? If so, to what extent, and in particular, which aspects of the contextual typographic culture should the designer investigate? How does an understanding of the relationship between type and design affect this research process? As a catalyst for further practice and discussion of these topics, a comprehensive research framework outlines best practices when pursuing type design research in a non-native script. By utilizing anthropological and human-centered design research methods in the process of creating multilingual type systems, as well as examining culture, a non-speaking designer can begin to gain a wider, more global sense of typography, as well as better understanding for the needs of the global community for whom they are designing.

Committee: Aoife Mooney (Advisor); Ken Visocky-O'Grady (Committee Member); Sanda Katila (Committee Member) Subjects: Design

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2010, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

This dissertation explores the application of Critical Realism Theory (CRT) to immigrant health research, by proposing “The Open System Conceptual Model of Immigrant Health”, as a tool for conducting health research in volunteer (non-refugees, non-asylum seekers) immigrants. Quantitative epidemiological health research related to The Hispanic Paradox in Mexico-born U.S. adult immigrants provides examples of the applicability of the proposed multi-theory conceptual framework. Two studies demonstrate the Hispanic Paradox on sleep health outcomes: lower risk of short habitual sleep time, insomnia, and sleep related daily functional impairments in Mexico-born U.S. immigrants, as compared to the general U.S. population, to their U.S. born Mexican-American counterparts, and/or Latino U.S. immigrants counterparts. One study explores “Proportion of Lifetime in Immigration” (PLI) as a measure of the “experience in immigration” effect, in addition to age effects, in cohort analysis. The theoretical grounding of “The Open System Conceptual Model of Immigrant Health” predicts PLI as being significantly correlated with the age at immigration, the decade at the time of arrival to the U.S., but not with the participant age. The significance of the conceptual framework and the results of these studies are presented and further epidemiological and health policy implications are proposed.

Committee: Duncan Neuhauser PhD (Committee Chair); Susan Redline MD, MPH (Committee Member); Siran Koroukian-Hajinazarian PhD (Committee Member); Kingman Strohl MD (Other) Subjects: Epidemiology; Health; Health Care; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Public Health

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Franklin University, 2024, Business Administration

This research explored Black male mentees' experiences related to workplace advancement. Of all fortune 500 company CEOs only eight are Black. The research showed that workplace advancement does not keep pace with the Black male population numbers. Related to White males, there is a disparity in officer-level attainment of the Black male in the corporate workplace. There is a gap in the research on Black male mentees and their workplace advancement. This research explores mentoring and Black male advancement opportunities in the corporate workplace. The goal of the research is to develop more practical mentoring experiences for Black males in the workplace. Using critical race theory and appreciative inquiry to frame the research was critical. Being aware of the probable systemic racial impact and incorporating the positive development approaches of appreciative inquiry benefited the study. This qualitative research is exploratory. Exploring the impact of mentoring on the journey of 15 Black males and how they conceptualized the impact of mentoring on their climb of the corporate ladder. Information from the interviews was analyzed and coded by themes multiple times to present a non-biased review of the participants' perspectives. Two of the interviewees, now retired, made it to the top of their industry. Results indicate a lack of success in Black males moving from the mentee role to the officer level in the corporate workplace. Implications for the practice include developing positive cultural awareness and unbiased mentoring programs in the workplace.

Committee: Leo Sedlmeyer (Committee Chair); Lori Salgado (Committee Member); Jennifer Harris (Committee Member) Subjects: African Americans; Business Administration; Cultural Resources Management; Ethics; History; Management; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Organizational Behavior; Systems Design

MFIS, Kent State University, 2023, College of the Arts / School of Fashion

The study aims to discover how co-creation can inform research through practice and a fashion designer's creative process when reusing 3D printer waste to create more sustainable garments. Co-creation methods can be used to increase the connection between the customers and the products. The researcher first explores prototyping with 3D printer waste through various levels of everyday creativity. Then hosted co-creative workshops for people to engage in their own creative process to help develop more sustainable fashion products while using the 3D printer waste. After the workshops, the researcher returned to exploring new samples and prototypes based on inspiration obtained during the workshops and reflected on how co-creation influenced the designer's creative process. This cycle repeated as many times as needed. The primary outcome of this research is a new Concentric Co-Creative Design Framework for research through practice, also referred to as CCC Design Framework, which evolved from Gray and Malins' (2004) loop of reflection for action. In the new framework, co-creative workshops serve as a tool for understanding the customer and a source of inspiration for the designer's creative process. The research also revealed four significant sub-findings that further support the newly developed framework: (1) involving participants in the design process helps generating more ideas, (2) ideal participants are high scoring in the Change Seeker Index (CSI), (3) working with 3D printer waste in fashion leads to an adaptive process, and (4) co-creation is an enjoyable activity for participants.

Committee: Kendra Lapolla (Advisor); J.R. Campbell (Committee Member); Jasmine Kornel (Committee Member) Subjects: Design

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2023, Educational Administration

This qualitative action research study used the researcher's client-centric, ethicsof-care framework to explore how clients experienced their relationships with their attorneys. The study involved semi-structured, one-on-one interviews of nine former and current clients who provided in-depth accounts of their lived experiences with their attorney/s and the Firm. The results of the candid interviews revealed the themes of trust, support, attentiveness, safety, and communication; the shared experience of being handed off to a different attorney; inconsistencies in the clients' journeys; and gaps in the information needed and provided. The proposed action was to create a Client Journey Map, to emphasize the team approach within the Firm, and to provide documents to be distributed during clients' journeys

Committee: Davin Carr-Chellman (Committee Chair) Subjects: Law; Legal Studies

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Social Work

Background: Approximately 50% of individuals seeking treatment for substance use and mental health conditions in behavioral healthcare settings have a lifetime history of TBI affecting their ability to engage in behavioral health treatment. Identifying lifetime history of TBI using validated screening methods can optimize interventions for these individuals, however, TBI screening adoption has failed in these settings. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Diffusion of Innovations Theory, this explanatory sequential mixed methods study aimed to improve our understanding about how provider characteristics (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intentions), innovation-level factors (acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness), and contextual determinants affect TBI screening adoption in behavioral healthcare settings. Methods: In Phase I, 215 behavioral health providers in the United States completed a training introducing the OSU TBI-ID, followed by a web-based survey assessing attitudes, PBC, subjective norms, and intentions to screen for TBI (Time 1). After one-month, providers completed a second survey assessing the number of TBI screens conducted, and the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of TBI screening (Time 2). Data were analyzed using structural equation modelling with logistic regressions (SEM) and logistic regression with moderation effects. Results informed development of a qualitative interview guide. In Phase II, 20 providers from Phase I participated in interviews to build upon the quantitative results. Data were analyzed thematically and integrated with the quantitative results. Barriers to adoption were also identified and linked to constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results: Approximately 25% of providers adopted TBI screening, which was driven by motivations to trial the innovation. SEM demonstrated that more favorable attitudes toward TBI screening were (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Alicia Bunger (Advisor); Alan Davis (Committee Member); Jennifer Bogner (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Health Care; Public Health; Social Research; Social Work

Master of Fine Arts, The Ohio State University, 2021, Design

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world stage was an unprecedented situation in contemporary western life. In this unprecedented situation there was a crucial need for high quality information available to the public so that they might make informed choices about their health and about prevention. This project aims to explore different barriers to the dissemination of quality information in a pandemic. This is done through the research for and design of a prototype source for COVID-19 information. Over the course of this investigation the problem of political polarization in coverage of COVID-19 is uncovered and examined. The problem of political polarization is further considered in exploratory features of the prototype. User-centered and design research techniques were employed to explore this problem area and used to inform the choices at the design level. Research was conducted over the course of four separate phases with protocol including online survey, card sorting, and group workshops. Insights gathered from this research helped inform users' information needs and existing information sourcing habits. This information was utilized in the creation of a user-centered app for COVID-19 information. Users' information sourcing biases were also examined and used to explore different ways for reducing political bias in the presentation of COVID-19 news through interface design. From this research additional design-based recommendations for designing during a pandemic are uncovered and discussed.

Committee: Elizabeth B.-N. Sanders Ph.D (Advisor); Peter Kwok Chan Ph.D (Committee Member); Sébastien Proulx Ph.D (Committee Member) Subjects: Design

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2021, Environment and Natural Resources

To thoroughly understand how environmental policy decisions are made and how effective they are, we need to understand the environmental dimension of the problem along with the political and social context. Individuals rarely make decisions in isolation. Rather, they tend to form coalitions to aggregate resources and coordinate actions. These dynamics are conditioned by myriad contextual variables that define the opportunities and resources available to actors, partly defining the policies coalitions will support and seek out. Despite general agreement of the significance of contextual variables regarding subsystem affairs, our understanding of this dynamic remains unfinished. Theoretically rooted in the Advocacy Coalition Framework, this dissertation is structured around this fundamental gap in our knowledge and asks the question: how do contextual parameters affect the behavior and structure of coalitions and the policy actors in them? Specifically, I focus on two important contextual variables that affect policy actors: changes in systemwide conditions, and the distribution of power between coalitions. My objective is to advance our understanding of this relationship by looking at two conflict-prone policy areas in the United States: climate change and hydraulic fracturing. In doing so, I also revisit three core types of policy actors the literature has overlooked: material groups, purposive groups, and brokers. For each one, I explore their limitations as theoretical constructs and propose new ways to study their policy behavior in the context of highly conflictive policy arenas. The two studies conducted here rely on a comparative research strategy and use two novel datasets of actors' participation in environmental policymaking to understand the impact of contextual factors over actors' behavior and strategies. I use a combination of textual analysis, descriptive statistics, and generalized linear models to study the differences between groups and to explo (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ramiro Berardo Ph.D. (Advisor); Yi Hongtao Ph.D. (Committee Member); Brooks Jeremy Ph.D. (Committee Member); Hamilton Matthew Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Climate Change; Energy; Environmental Studies; Public Policy

Master of Fine Arts, The Ohio State University, 2020, Design

Voice Assistive Technology (VAT) is an increasingly popular trend that provides a more natural human-computer interaction than the traditional graphical user interface interactions. VAT is an integral part of accessibility design which has the potential to help older adults (age 65+) with common age-related challenges, such as Age-Related Hearing Loss (ARHL), live better lives. Yet, as with other emerging technologies, the adoption of VAT for older adults is questionable due to the gap between the current applications of the technology and the needs of the older generation. Most of the studies focused on applications of VAT for older adults were conducted through an expert-led approach, where the end-users (in this case, the older adults) did not have a chance to express themselves or contribute to the solutions. Thus, this thesis was focused on designing with and for older adults for Voice Assistive Technology (VAT) through co-design, a participant-led research and design approach. By inviting older adult participants to join the research and design process, possible solutions with using VAT to help with ARHL were explored. Through the process of Preliminary Pilot Explorations, Idea Generation and Evaluation sessions, the results of the study emerged as design concepts and criteria. They are for the application of VAT, which can be applied in the creation of better and more meaningful communication experiences with and for older adults. A new co-design framework, “Cake Structured Co-design Framework” (CSCF), was also developed from the research process. It is a framework that will help co-design researchers to facilitate co-design sessions with older adults by using the designed toolkits and methods while, at the same time, placing a high value on the relationships between the older adults and the co-design researcher.

Committee: Elizabeth Sanders (Advisor); Peter Chan (Committee Member); Matthew Lewis (Committee Member) Subjects: Design

PHD, Kent State University, 2010, College of Nursing

Disaster preparedness frequently does not address populations less able to prepare for disaster such as those with chronic illness. Individuals with chronic illnesses are at particular risk of poor outcomes, including death. The purpose of the study was to develop a theoretical framework that describes how individuals with chronic illnesses who have experienced a disaster managed health-related challenges during the disaster. Theory about the five phases of disaster response (non-disaster, pre-disaster, impact, emergency, and reconstruction) and the individual, local, state, and federal level model served as conceptual frameworks. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the sample. Thirty individuals with chronic illnesses who have experienced disaster and 10 lay caregivers were recruited from Florida and New Orleans This study used grounded theory methods from the qualitative tradition. Three data sources were used: interviews with individuals with chronic illnesses and caregivers who have experienced disasters, and media data. Combined interviews from the perspectives of those who have experienced disaster (individuals with chronic illness and caregivers) with media reports added contextual description of circumstances surrounding the disaster. Constant comparative analysis techniques were used to build the theoretical framework. Trustworthiness was addressed by member checks, audit trail, and data triangulation. Analysis of the transcripts suggested that participants shifted the priorities of their illness to deal with the challenges of the disaster. There were four ways in which participants used the process of backburnering their chronic illness, which we named prudent, impromptu, deliberate, and unforeseen. Each way of backburnering related to five factors: media impact, evacuation, preparation, attention, and recovery. If participants were evacuated for longer than one week or returned to no or minimal damage to their home, many recovered from the disaster (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Donna Martsolf PhD, RN (Committee Chair); Richard Adams PhD (Committee Member); Claire Burke Draucker PhD, RN, CS (Committee Member); Gregory P. Knapik PhD, M.A., RN (Committee Member); Jay Lee PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Health; Health Care; Nursing; Public Health; Social Research

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2013, Chemistry and Biochemistry

One challenge of chemistry education arises from the limited experiences that students have with some abstract concepts first introduced during chemistry classes. The abstract concept of atomic emission is formally introduced during secondary education in the U.S. science curriculum. The topic is re-introduced in the first year of, and elaborated upon throughout, the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Current chemistry education literature does not address students' understandings of atomic emission. This study addresses this gap in the literature. Through interviews, this study investigated students' understandings of atomic emission using flame test demonstrations and energy level diagrams. In both open-ended and flame test questions, ideas related to enthalpy, ionization, and changes in states of matter were common reasoning patterns when students builded explanations for atomic emission. The misconceptions found in interviews allowed the development of the Flame Test Concept Inventory (FTCI). The FTCI was administered to high school and undergraduate chemistry students. The results of 459 high school students across the U.S and 362 undergraduate chemistry students from a predominantly undergraduate institution shed light into diverse categories of misconceptions at different levels of student chemistry expertise. While the focus of this dissertation was students' understandings of atomic emission, additional work was completed in analytical chemistry. This work is presented in Appendix A- Flow injection analysis (FIA) and liquid chromatography (LC) for multifunctional chemical analysis (MCA) systems. The large class sizes of first year chemistry labs makes it challenging to provide students with hands-on access to instrumentation because the number of students typically far exceeds the number of research grade instruments available to collect data. MCA systems provide a viable alternative for large scale instruction while supporting a hands-on approach t (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Stacey Lowery Bretz (Advisor); Ellen Yezierski (Committee Chair); Neil Danielson (Committee Member); Richard Taylor (Committee Member); Jennifer Blue (Committee Member) Subjects: Chemistry; Education