ATHENS, Ohio (May 27, 2011)-Approximately 600 student presenters – from undergraduate to doctoral – carried their posters, projection monitors, prototypes, laptops and manikins to Ohio University’s Convocation Center to conduct approximately 500 presentations. The Student Research and Creative Activity Expo is an annual event where students across all colleges at the University share their research with the University and Athens community. Nineteen students from The Patton College were in attendance representing Educational Studies, Teacher Education and Human & Consumer Sciences Education. Four tied for first place.

Trina Gannon presents her research on Propaganda Textiles.

“Detecting Satisficing in Online Surveys” by Shani Salifu

Shani Salifu is a doctoral student in Educational Studies’ Instructional Technology and his research titled “Detecting Satisficing in Online Surveys” was part of his dissertation for his Ph.D.

His study investigated the quality of data that researchers receive from respondents who take their surveys online. Some of the results showed that respondents' answers to repeated (or rephrased) questions were inconsistent even though most of them claimed they were highly motivated coming into the survey.

“The results are very important because they provide some scientific insight into the behavior of online survey respondents and sort of give researchers who rely on online surveys to be cautious about the reliability of the information they get from online respondents,” Salifu said.

“Examining Intervention Support in Mathematics: Can students' attitudes and achievement be positively affected?” by Colleen McNeeley

McNeeley is a soon-to-be graduate student in Special Education’s Intervention Specialist for Mild to Moderate Educational Needs. She received the bachelor’s from The Patton College in 2010.

“The Patton College has prepared me in all facets of the field of education,” said McNeeley. “I have experienced firsthand the success of a Patton College education, and feel that I have gained a strong understanding of what it means to teach and be a contributing member to the teaching profession.”

For her presentation at the Expo, McNeeley conducted her research in the classroom that she is currently instructing through her teaching fellowship, and is the culmination of her Master's Research Project.

“I implemented an artistic and creative intervention in a math classroom for students with disabilities in hopes of increasing their understanding, achievement and attitudes toward math,” said McNeeley. “Overall, the students enjoyed it and it proved to be somewhat successful.”

“An Investigation of Processes and Influences on Clothing Choice of Preschool Girls and Boys” by Mackenzie King

Mackenzie King is an honors undergraduate majoring in Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development.

“I have been able to learn a lot through The Patton College,” King said. “I was able to take classes that had to do withfashion within my major.”

The basis of her project was to further understand the development of a young child with respect to clothing selection and choice.  Some of the results from her research included a strong agreement between parents and children regarding child's activity selecting clothing and children are highly involved in both daily clothing selection and shopping activities.

“It is surprising that clothing choices are so important at such a young age,” King said.

“Cultural Influences on Consumer Behavior with regards to Propaganda Textiles during World War II” by Trina Gannon

The first year graduate student, Trina Gannon, is studying Human and Consumer Sciences with a focus on Historic Costume.

“I have found that culture has had a large influence on consumer behavior in general but seems to be exacerbated in times of conflict such as the Vietnam War or, in my case, World War II,” Gannon said. “Propaganda textiles were a response to this country’s mindset during the early 1940s and my objective was to try find out how important these textiles were to the American consumer.”

To invite spectators to stop by her table at the Expo, Gannon displayed physical evidence pertaining to the dresses, which she said was an easy conversation starter into her sharing her research.

“The opportunity for being able to conduct a research project and sharing it with the masses was a proud moment for me,” Gannon said, “and I am grateful for the recognition I received.”

Story by Nicole Bersani; Photos by Mark Brunton.

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