School of Professional Sudies

The genetic relatedness of the Bacillus anthracis typing phages Gamma and Cherry was determined by nucleotide sequencing and comparative analysis. The genomes of these two phages were identical except at three variable loci, which showed heterogeneity within individual lysates and among Cherry, W␤, Fah, and four Gamma bacteriophage sequences.

ABSTRACT
This thesis explores how the integration and use of social media affects traditional crisis communication strategies.  Specifically, the research analyzes whether Twitter is a viable medium to disseminate information accurately and efficiently in the event of a natural disaster.  Seeger and Sellnow (2013) defined crisis as, “interdisciplinary events that often transcend regional, cultural, and economic boundaries (p.2).  Using the tornado that affected Moore, OK, on May 20, 2013 as a case study, the researcher analyzed empirical data by applying the situational crisis communication theory (SCCT) and the socially mediated crisis communication (SMCC) model.  SCCT places little to no importance on the medium used to communicate a crisis both within an organization and to the public, so the primary theoretical basis applied throughout the study is the SMCC.  The researcher conducted a content analysis of 200 event-specific tweets, up to 140 character messages sent on Twitter, which occurred from May 20 to May 22, 2013.  The researcher then categorized tweets to determine how the medium of Twitter affected the message in a time of crisis.  Specifically the researcher analyzed how people mediated their social media content by employing socio-technical behavior, or an alteration of established behavior patterns to capitalize on the flow of information available in social media.  Analysis of data found Twitter to be an effective crisis communication medium for transmission of factual information and offering an outlet for emotional expression; however, several limitations play a role in ultimately determining the effectiveness of Twitter as a primary source of information in crises. Additionally, due to the public nature of social media, content creators must understand the emotional impact of the message can vary, partly because the audience has a variety of emotional intelligence levels.

ABSTRACT
This thesis explores how the integration and use of social media affects traditional crisis communication strategies.  Specifically, the research analyzes whether Twitter is a viable medium to disseminate information accurately and efficiently in the event of a natural disaster.  Seeger and Sellnow (2013) defined crisis as, “interdisciplinary events that often transcend regional, cultural, and economic boundaries (p.2).  Using the tornado that affected Moore, OK, on May 20, 2013 as a case study, the researcher analyzed empirical data by applying the situational crisis communication theory (SCCT) and the socially mediated crisis communication (SMCC) model.  SCCT places little to no importance on the medium used to communicate a crisis both within an organization and to the public, so the primary theoretical basis applied throughout the study is the SMCC.  The researcher conducted a content analysis of 200 event-specific tweets, up to 140 character messages sent on Twitter, which occurred from May 20 to May 22, 2013.  The researcher then categorized tweets to determine how the medium of Twitter affected the message in a time of crisis.  Specifically the researcher analyzed how people mediated their social media content by employing socio-technical behavior, or an alteration of established behavior patterns to capitalize on the flow of information available in social media.  Analysis of data found Twitter to be an effective crisis communication medium for transmission of factual information and offering an outlet for emotional expression; however, several limitations play a role in ultimately determining the effectiveness of Twitter as a primary source of information in crises. Additionally, due to the public nature of social media, content creators must understand the emotional impact of the message can vary, partly because the audience has a variety of emotional intelligence levels.

Suggestion is a part of communication that cannot be stripped from or be considered separate from verbal and nonverbal communication.  It is through the need to view the communication processes from a complete understanding that this study investigated the possible influence that suggestion may have on an individual’s perception of reality. The existing literature was reviewed with various results from different researchers, however, much of the literature supported previous research done by Spanos et al. (1984) and Bartels et al. (2006).
Their research showed some indications that suggestion, and possibly priming may have an influence on an individual’s perception.  Using their research as a starting point this study developed a mixed-method approach in order to test some aspects of their research.  Ten volunteers participated in a mixed-methods experiment.  A Factorial Design of 2 x 2 enabled a testing of two treatments at the same time.  The participants were tested for level of suggestibility using the Stanford Scale and were then divided into one of four groups.  Groups consisted of high or low suggestible participants who were treated with a suggestion or priming words to determine their level of discomfort when their arm was placed in ice water.  The results were measured on a scale from one to ten. 
The ANOVA showed no statistical difference in the groups.  However, the number of individuals who were unable to complete the testing was all in the high suggestibility group and it appeared that individuals in the priming group, both high and low suggestible, had the greatest reduction in discomfort relative to their baseline.


Keywords: priming, suggestion, perception, reality, ice water, suggestibility, Spanos, Bartels

Well-respected experts of higher education, including those at the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and founding director Dr. Alexander Astin of the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, have demonstrated strong correlations between the amount of time and effort students put into "educationally purposeful activities" outside the classroom (e.g., student organizations) and positive outcomes of student success, such as satisfaction,

The picture of an effective organization has changed dramatically over the last hundred years, the driving force behind this change is technology.  Some components, like face-to-face sales, service, and meetings, remain the same.  However, as we become more globalized and technologically advanced, the means and ways of organizations have shifted.  Today, the picture of an effective organization will have elements intended to embrace and facilitate change and address the issues of ethics and globalization.

The publically traded Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is one of the 500 largest companies in the United States, and has produced the top selling American vehicle for the last 32 years (Miller, 2014).  At the turn of the century, Ford was facing severe financial difficulties and an organizational culture described by some as poisonous (Reed, 2012).  In 2006, William Ford, Jr. decided that he needed an outsider’s help to turn the company around.  The newly hired CEO, Alan Mulally, restructured the company and introduced several policies aimed at creating a new strategic vision and cultural change.  The success of these changes allowed Ford to survive the Great Recession without a federal bailout (Reed, 2012).  Although there is room for improvement, Ford has gone to great lengths to improve the culture of their company and has continued to find success in a tumultuous economic environment.

The Daley Ranch is a conservation mitigation bank operated by the City of Escondido. The Friends of Daley Ranch (FODR) organization is a conservation group with a focus on preservation, restoration and enhancement programs for the Daley Ranch.  Nonprofit organizations (NPO) face unique challenges in their management, FODR meets these challenges by combining strategies from classical and decision theories.  Through this approach FODR is able to fulfill their mission statement, however there is room for improvement in their effectiveness as an NPO.

A family is the basic organizational unit of a society.  It is the first we join, and is often our motivation for joining other organizations in the form of employment.  In our society, families have a social contract based on commonly held moral values that are actualized through ethical communication.  Failures in communication are often the root of disputes and may cause families to fall apart.  By establishing a communication contract, our family will practice good communication skills, leading to more effective communication.  This will positively impact our respect for one another and help lead us to success in keeping our family unit intact.

An analysis of the dialogic communication surrounding the 2018 First Step Act and the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  When Republican Majority Whip Senator Cornyn introduced the First Step Act on December 17, 2018, he told an unlikely story of change and a process that defied typical partisan expectations.  The First Step Act gives hope that dialogic ethics can accommodate differences in today’s hyper-partisan political environment.