This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel l... more This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Unknown iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS If anyone was to ask, I would describe myself as a "product of Wayne State's Sociology Department." Through the years, there have been many people, such as my advisor, committee members, peers, and family members who have taught me about academia, sociology, and life in general. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Heather Dillaway, who has been an excellent mentor and has continuously pushed me to do my best. She has worked tirelessly with me and read multiple drafts of my work over the years. Her comments, patience, and advice regarding this dissertation have been invaluable, and I am indebted to her for the years of support, training, and guidance that she has given me. I would also like to thank each of my committee members who helped me through this process in different ways. Dr. Janet Hankin eased my transition into graduate school by allowing me to become her research assistant for a summer, and referred me for a research assistantship through Wayne State University. Additionally, she was always available to provide me with her expertise and guidance regarding my dissertation. Her dedication to Wayne State and her students is admirable, and she sets the standard for the kind of professor I hope to become. Dr. Mary Cay Sengstock generously provided me with a valuable lesson. It was through her comments/feedback (critical and/or otherwise) that she was able to influence my thinking, which eventually allowed me to recognize my flaws/mistakes within this research. Dr. Jennifer Sheridan Moss showed sincere interest in this topic from the beginning, and that was a great inspiration to me during this process. I would also like iv to thank her for all the helpful insights, comments, and suggestions at my proposal. I feel fortunate to have an expert team of researchers on my dissertation committee.
The scientific process is nonlinear, unpredictable, and ongoing. Assessing the nature of science ... more The scientific process is nonlinear, unpredictable, and ongoing. Assessing the nature of science is difficult with methods that rely on Likert-scale or multiple-choice questions. This study evaluated conceptions about the scientific process using student-created visual representations that we term "flowcharts." The methodology, Scientific Process Flowchart Assessment (SPFA), consisted of a prompt and rubric that was designed to assess students' understanding of the scientific process. Forty flowcharts representing a multidisciplinary group without intervention and 26 flowcharts representing pre-and postinstruction were evaluated over five dimensions: connections, experimental design, reasons for doing science, nature of science, and interconnectivity. Pre to post flowcharts showed a statistically significant improvement in the number of items and ratings for the dimensions. Comparison of the terms used and connections between terms on student flowcharts revealed an enhanced and more nuanced understanding of the scientific process, especially in the areas of application to society and communication within the scientific community. We propose that SPFA can be used in a variety of circumstances, including in the determination of what curricula or interventions would be useful in a course or program, in the assessment of curriculum, or in the evaluation of students performing research projects.
Body hair removal is a behavior that is taken for granted by many women in the United States. Exi... more Body hair removal is a behavior that is taken for granted by many women in the United States. Existing feminist literature suggests that body hair removal is a major component of societal norms. This study aimed to contribute to the literature by exploring the social factors that influence the extent of women\u27s depilation from public/visible body areas and private/hidden body areas, and the number of depilatory methods utilized. A total of 303 female students from Wayne State University completed questionnaires asking about their attitudes towards body hair/hair removal. It was confirmed that the vast majority (291 or 96%) remove their body hair, whereas only 12 participants (4%) did not remove body hair. Because most sample participants were removers, statistical analyses are completed on this group only. Bivariate procedures were undertaken to examine whether women\u27s social background characteristics, bodily routines, attitudes towards beauty/body hair, knowledge of and/or e...
The scientific process is nonlinear, unpredictable, and ongoing. Assessing the nature of science ... more The scientific process is nonlinear, unpredictable, and ongoing. Assessing the nature of science is difficult with methods that rely on Likert-scale or multiple-choice questions. This study evaluated conceptions about the scientific process using student-created visual representations that we term “flowcharts.” The methodology, Scientific Process Flowchart Assessment (SPFA), consisted of a prompt and rubric that was designed to assess students’ understanding of the scientific process. Forty flowcharts representing a multidisciplinary group without intervention and 26 flowcharts representing pre- and postinstruction were evaluated over five dimensions: connections, experimental design, reasons for doing science, nature of science, and interconnectivity. Pre to post flowcharts showed a statistically significant improvement in the number of items and ratings for the dimensions. Comparison of the terms used and connections between terms on student flowcharts revealed an enhanced and mor...
This project explores hairlessness or body hair removal. Hair removal attitudes were analyzed usi... more This project explores hairlessness or body hair removal. Hair removal attitudes were analyzed using a convenience sample of 82 Caucasian women and Women of Color at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, aged 18 and older. Questionnaires asked ...
This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel l... more This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Unknown iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS If anyone was to ask, I would describe myself as a "product of Wayne State's Sociology Department." Through the years, there have been many people, such as my advisor, committee members, peers, and family members who have taught me about academia, sociology, and life in general. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Heather Dillaway, who has been an excellent mentor and has continuously pushed me to do my best. She has worked tirelessly with me and read multiple drafts of my work over the years. Her comments, patience, and advice regarding this dissertation have been invaluable, and I am indebted to her for the years of support, training, and guidance that she has given me. I would also like to thank each of my committee members who helped me through this process in different ways. Dr. Janet Hankin eased my transition into graduate school by allowing me to become her research assistant for a summer, and referred me for a research assistantship through Wayne State University. Additionally, she was always available to provide me with her expertise and guidance regarding my dissertation. Her dedication to Wayne State and her students is admirable, and she sets the standard for the kind of professor I hope to become. Dr. Mary Cay Sengstock generously provided me with a valuable lesson. It was through her comments/feedback (critical and/or otherwise) that she was able to influence my thinking, which eventually allowed me to recognize my flaws/mistakes within this research. Dr. Jennifer Sheridan Moss showed sincere interest in this topic from the beginning, and that was a great inspiration to me during this process. I would also like iv to thank her for all the helpful insights, comments, and suggestions at my proposal. I feel fortunate to have an expert team of researchers on my dissertation committee.
This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel l... more This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Unknown iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS If anyone was to ask, I would describe myself as a "product of Wayne State's Sociology Department." Through the years, there have been many people, such as my advisor, committee members, peers, and family members who have taught me about academia, sociology, and life in general. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Heather Dillaway, who has been an excellent mentor and has continuously pushed me to do my best. She has worked tirelessly with me and read multiple drafts of my work over the years. Her comments, patience, and advice regarding this dissertation have been invaluable, and I am indebted to her for the years of support, training, and guidance that she has given me. I would also like to thank each of my committee members who helped me through this process in different ways. Dr. Janet Hankin eased my transition into graduate school by allowing me to become her research assistant for a summer, and referred me for a research assistantship through Wayne State University. Additionally, she was always available to provide me with her expertise and guidance regarding my dissertation. Her dedication to Wayne State and her students is admirable, and she sets the standard for the kind of professor I hope to become. Dr. Mary Cay Sengstock generously provided me with a valuable lesson. It was through her comments/feedback (critical and/or otherwise) that she was able to influence my thinking, which eventually allowed me to recognize my flaws/mistakes within this research. Dr. Jennifer Sheridan Moss showed sincere interest in this topic from the beginning, and that was a great inspiration to me during this process. I would also like iv to thank her for all the helpful insights, comments, and suggestions at my proposal. I feel fortunate to have an expert team of researchers on my dissertation committee.
The scientific process is nonlinear, unpredictable, and ongoing. Assessing the nature of science ... more The scientific process is nonlinear, unpredictable, and ongoing. Assessing the nature of science is difficult with methods that rely on Likert-scale or multiple-choice questions. This study evaluated conceptions about the scientific process using student-created visual representations that we term "flowcharts." The methodology, Scientific Process Flowchart Assessment (SPFA), consisted of a prompt and rubric that was designed to assess students' understanding of the scientific process. Forty flowcharts representing a multidisciplinary group without intervention and 26 flowcharts representing pre-and postinstruction were evaluated over five dimensions: connections, experimental design, reasons for doing science, nature of science, and interconnectivity. Pre to post flowcharts showed a statistically significant improvement in the number of items and ratings for the dimensions. Comparison of the terms used and connections between terms on student flowcharts revealed an enhanced and more nuanced understanding of the scientific process, especially in the areas of application to society and communication within the scientific community. We propose that SPFA can be used in a variety of circumstances, including in the determination of what curricula or interventions would be useful in a course or program, in the assessment of curriculum, or in the evaluation of students performing research projects.
Body hair removal is a behavior that is taken for granted by many women in the United States. Exi... more Body hair removal is a behavior that is taken for granted by many women in the United States. Existing feminist literature suggests that body hair removal is a major component of societal norms. This study aimed to contribute to the literature by exploring the social factors that influence the extent of women\u27s depilation from public/visible body areas and private/hidden body areas, and the number of depilatory methods utilized. A total of 303 female students from Wayne State University completed questionnaires asking about their attitudes towards body hair/hair removal. It was confirmed that the vast majority (291 or 96%) remove their body hair, whereas only 12 participants (4%) did not remove body hair. Because most sample participants were removers, statistical analyses are completed on this group only. Bivariate procedures were undertaken to examine whether women\u27s social background characteristics, bodily routines, attitudes towards beauty/body hair, knowledge of and/or e...
The scientific process is nonlinear, unpredictable, and ongoing. Assessing the nature of science ... more The scientific process is nonlinear, unpredictable, and ongoing. Assessing the nature of science is difficult with methods that rely on Likert-scale or multiple-choice questions. This study evaluated conceptions about the scientific process using student-created visual representations that we term “flowcharts.” The methodology, Scientific Process Flowchart Assessment (SPFA), consisted of a prompt and rubric that was designed to assess students’ understanding of the scientific process. Forty flowcharts representing a multidisciplinary group without intervention and 26 flowcharts representing pre- and postinstruction were evaluated over five dimensions: connections, experimental design, reasons for doing science, nature of science, and interconnectivity. Pre to post flowcharts showed a statistically significant improvement in the number of items and ratings for the dimensions. Comparison of the terms used and connections between terms on student flowcharts revealed an enhanced and mor...
This project explores hairlessness or body hair removal. Hair removal attitudes were analyzed usi... more This project explores hairlessness or body hair removal. Hair removal attitudes were analyzed using a convenience sample of 82 Caucasian women and Women of Color at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, aged 18 and older. Questionnaires asked ...
This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel l... more This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Unknown iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS If anyone was to ask, I would describe myself as a "product of Wayne State's Sociology Department." Through the years, there have been many people, such as my advisor, committee members, peers, and family members who have taught me about academia, sociology, and life in general. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Heather Dillaway, who has been an excellent mentor and has continuously pushed me to do my best. She has worked tirelessly with me and read multiple drafts of my work over the years. Her comments, patience, and advice regarding this dissertation have been invaluable, and I am indebted to her for the years of support, training, and guidance that she has given me. I would also like to thank each of my committee members who helped me through this process in different ways. Dr. Janet Hankin eased my transition into graduate school by allowing me to become her research assistant for a summer, and referred me for a research assistantship through Wayne State University. Additionally, she was always available to provide me with her expertise and guidance regarding my dissertation. Her dedication to Wayne State and her students is admirable, and she sets the standard for the kind of professor I hope to become. Dr. Mary Cay Sengstock generously provided me with a valuable lesson. It was through her comments/feedback (critical and/or otherwise) that she was able to influence my thinking, which eventually allowed me to recognize my flaws/mistakes within this research. Dr. Jennifer Sheridan Moss showed sincere interest in this topic from the beginning, and that was a great inspiration to me during this process. I would also like iv to thank her for all the helpful insights, comments, and suggestions at my proposal. I feel fortunate to have an expert team of researchers on my dissertation committee.
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