This dissertation examined access for individuals through federal web sites to records maintained by Executive agencies that contain personal information as defined by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a). Privacy Act statutory provisions, as amended in 1988 provide individuals rights of access to records that contain personal information about or relative to the individual where individuals must first make a request for access and agencies must then address the request, i.e. to either fulfill or deny the request. The primary body of laws, Congressional oversight, judicial interpretations, research, and debate related to access via the Privacy Act emphasize agencies' response to requests for access. Very little work addresses how agencies provide individual's information on how to request access. This study takes an exploratory approach that employs an iterative, multi-method evaluation of selected Executive agencies to understand access for individuals through agency web sites to agency records that contain personal information. The methods in this study include a policy analysis, usability study, Web-content review, and Privacy Act request review. Data analysis results include key findings, key issues, and suggested recommendations that specifically address identified Privacy Act access related issues. Key findings include: 1. The Privacy Act remains virtually unchanged since 1988 yet the information policy environment has changed dramatically from direct contact with agencies to the electronic delivery of government information services and resources through agency web sites referred to as E-Government. 2. There are no mandated Privacy Act statutes that require clearly identified and dedicated web space across departments and agencies for posting all Privacy Act related information resources. 3. Privacy Act statutes do not adequately provide protections of individuals' personal information as intended by Congress. 4. There are no mandated procedures for all departments and agencies to follow in presenting information related to how agencies provide information to individuals on how to submit a request. 5. Very little information is available for individuals that explain the relationship between FOIA requirements and Privacy Act requirements and how this relationship as applied independently by departments and agencies affect the Privacy Act request process. To gain an understanding of the request process for individuals, the research of this study focused on how selected federal agencies provide information related to an individual's request for access to records through federal web sites, the success of agencies provision of the request information, and how the provision affects the interaction between individuals and agencies. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Information in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2009. / April 29, 2009. / E-Government, Privacy Act Requests, Information Policy, Privacy Act, FOIA, Access To Agency Records / Includes bibliographical references. / Charles R. McClure, Professor Directing Dissertation; Stephen D. McDowell, Outside Committee Member; Don Latham, Committee Member; Charles C. Hinnant, Committee Member.

Alfred Russel Wallace, whose independent discovery of natural selection prompted Charles Darwin to publish his magnum opus, On the Origin of Species, is perhaps better remembered for his contributions to biogeography than evolutionary theory. His namesake, the Wallace Line, delineates an abrupt and curious intangible boundary that separates Australian fauna from Asian Fauna. While one continent's fauna are often highly distinct from the other continent's fauna, their distinctiveness is relative to the vast oceanic or latitudinal separation. In contrast, Asia and Australia are connected by a string of contiguous islands that could presumably allow for a gradient of species dispersal. Counterintuitive to the understanding of naturalists in the 19th century and beyond, the patterns of flora and fauna on the adjacent islands in the Australasian Archipelago are so remarkably different that the area cannot be treated as one single biogeographic region, nor can it be seen as a transition state. Wallace observed this, and attempted to sketch the line that marked the distinct separation. This line created a controversial outflow of opinions, well into the twentieth century, based on the exact delineation of the faunal barrier. Research concerning the biogeographic region's internal and external boundaries continues in a diversity of fields and subfields. Wallace's namesake and publications on the Malay Archipelago, its natural productions, biogeography, and conceptions of the natural world drew envy, ire, admiration and respect. His synthesis and integration of fields created an empire of science based on one region, due to that region's tropical diversity, that propelled science forward immensely, for better or worse, and deserves recognition for his immense contributions to the pursuit of scientific knowledge- an intellectual Wallace Line. / A Thesis submitted to the Program of History and Philosophy of Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Spring Semester, 2014. / March 31, 2014. / Biogeography, Evolution, Wallace, Wallacea, Wallace Line / Includes bibliographical references. / Frederick R. Davis, Professor Directing Thesis; Michael Ruse, Committee Member; Meegan Kennedy Hanson, Committee Member.

Social loafing research has spanned several decades and fields of study. Research has provided support for both the existence of social loafing and its antecedents within the laboratory, classroom, and work place. Studies regarding the perceptions of social loafing and its effects in the online learning environment, however, are largely non-existent. In 2008, a research study was conducted with the Naval War College and two public universities (Piezon & Ferree, 2008). This study surveyed 227 online learning students who were participating in online learning groups. The study sought to determine whether the perception of social loafing existed within online learning groups. In addition, several psychosocial factors identified in face-to-face environments were analyzed to determine their impact in online learning groups. The study provided evidence that supports both the perception of social loafing in online learning groups as well as similarities between social loafing antecedents in face-to-face groups and those in the online learning environment. This current research project extends the 2008 study to include community college and undergraduate students in addition to the graduate students and Naval War College students in the original study. In addition, the study was expanded to include both qualitative and quantitative data. This extended study included 343 web-based survey participants and 28 interview participants. This study sought to determine whether social loafing exists at the two-year, four-year, and graduate level. In addition, the data was examined for differences in perceptions between each of the four study groups and relationships between the survey sub-scales. Finally, this study sought to determine the ability of the social loafing sub-scales to predict social loafing behaviors in online learning groups at the two-year, four-year, and graduate level. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Library and Information Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2011. / March 30, 2011. / Online Learning, Free Riding, Social Loafing / Includes bibliographical references. / Gary Burnett, Professor Directing Dissertation; Allan Jeong, University Representative; Ian Douglas, Committee Member; Paul Marty, Committee Member.

This study explored differences in eye movement on a Web page between members of two different cultures to provide insight and guidelines for implementation of global Web site development. More specifically, the research examines whether differences of eye movement exist between the two cultures (American vs. Korean) when viewing a Web page, and if so, whether their eye movements are affected according to the types of activity and the level of Web page complexity. This study employed eye tracking methods and several eye movement metrics were measured: total fixation time, total gaze time in each Area of Interest (AOI), fixation count on each AOI, time to first fixation and first fixation area, fixation order, and fixation transition. The eye tracking study was conducted with 19 participants for both groups. The experiment results revealed that there was no significant difference between American participants and Korean participants in terms of initial attention to visual elements and areas on the Web pages. Participants for both groups focused their attention in a similar way in both browsing and searching tasks. However, there were differences in the allocation of fixation and gaze time on the AOIs, especially on the banner images and navigation areas, in browsing tasks. American participants tended to give more attention to the banner images than Korean participants in browsing tasks on all levels of complexity of Web page. Korean participants tended to allocate their fixations and spend more time in viewing navigation areas. American participants tended to give more attention to the banner image than the Korean participants. In contrast, Korean participants spent more time in navigation areas in all six tasks. With respect to viewing patters, many pairs of similar patterns were found between groups. This could indicate that other factors than cultural factors such as personal experiences or levels of expertise may affect the sequence of fixations. This study showed cultural variations in eye movement when viewing a Web page with different tasks and raises methodological issues in eye movement research for cultural studies in the files of information science. The findings and observations obtained in this exploratory eye movement experiment suggest guidelines for Web page design from the cognitive view point for different cultures, and provide a methodological example for future cross-cultural usability test. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Library and Information Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2009. / April 23, 2009. / Cultural Cognition, Web Design, Eye Movements, Cultural Differences / Includes bibliographical references. / Corinne Jörgensen, Professor Directing Dissertation; Allan Jeong, Outside Committee Member; Paul Marty, Committee Member; Peter Jörgensen, Committee Member.

This study investigated college students' attitudes toward and intentions to use personal health portals (PHPs) for managing their personal health information using a survey method. The study also aimed to examine the roles electronic Personal Health Information Management (PHIM) anxiety and apathy play in influencing students' attitudes toward and intention to use PHPs. A total of 242 college students participated in this study. Results of regression analyses yielded only partial support for the hypotheses proposed. In particular, the findings show that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness significantly influenced attitudes towards the use of PHPs. Additionally, the results show that computer anxiety significantly moderated the relationships between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness and attitudes. On the other hand, while there was a significant relationship between attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioral control and intentions to use PHPs, apathy or anxiety were not found to significantly moderate this relationship. Additional exploratory analyses were conducted to test electronic PHIM anxiety and electronic PHIM apathy as direct predictors. While electronic PHIM apathy was significant at predicting attitudes toward and intentions to use PHPs, electronic PHIM anxiety was not a significant predictor of intentions to use a PHP. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Communication and Information in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2011. / March 21, 2011. / Computer Anxiety, TAM, TPB, Apathy / Includes bibliographical references. / Mia Liza A. Lustria, Professor Directing Dissertation; Deborah Armstrong, University Representative; Don Latham, Committee Member; Ebe Randeree, Committee Member; Virginia Ilie, Committee Member.

The purpose of this research was to contribute to an important research and practice issue, how users use evaluative metadata (i.e., end-user ratings, annotations, opinions, usage, and experts' recommendations) when searching for documents in educational digital libraries. The dissertation built a model of the predictive judgment process to develop design principles for digital library systems with evaluative metadata. Multiple methods were employed in the research design: (1) a questionnaire gathered demographic information, the subjects' computer/Internet/web knowledge, information needs (tasks), search keywords, and topic knowledge; (2) a think-aloud protocol was used to collect data about cognitive processes, in this case document selection; (3) semi-structured interviews gathered information about subjects' thoughts about their behavior; (4) the researcher wrote field notes (observation); and (5) Camtasia software was used to record the trace of each subject's metadata usage. The participants were 14 graduate students from School of Library and Information Studies in Florida State University. Four tasks were given to them in a laboratory setting. Tasks were two types 1) for finding teaching materials as an instructor, and 2) study materials as a student. The analyses were based on data from surveys, searching experiments, and post interviews. The data included 366 reviewed items in the search results of 60 searches. The results showed the user's positive inclination toward the evaluative metadata during searching in MERLOT. The research identified the reasons for scanning and examining evaluative metadata elements in the predictive judgment process. In addition, three ways to use evaluative metadata in the predictive judgment process were showed. The research also found the factors which influence the usage of the evaluative metadata: Users' cognitive, Function of the Digital Libraries, Situational, and Task. Finally, the revised predictive process model was presented including three stages of the predictive judgment (Scanning/Examining, Judgment, and Decision), the factors which affect the usage of evaluative metadata, and relevance criteria when the participants searched documents in MERLOT. The findings of the research provide implications for advancing empirical research for evaluative metadata and user-centered relevance study, and improving the design of the educational digital libraries. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Library and Information Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2010. / June 21, 2010. / Digital Libraries, User's Behavior, Metadata / Includes bibliographical references. / Michelle M. Kazmer, Professor Directing Dissertation; Vanessa Dennen, University Representative; Paul F. Marty, Committee Member; Besiki Stvilia, Committee Member.

The study of the information behavior of Puerto Ricans and their reliance on personal social networks to procure needed information upon their migration to Central Florida is the core of this research. Life experiences of the researcher, as well as unstructured observations made in Puerto Rico from 1980 to 1996, and in Central Florida from 1996 to 2005 indicated that Puerto Ricans steadily rely on family members, friends, and acquaintances to solve their information needs and have a tendency to use similar personal social networks to seek information and to make sense of the new environment upon migration. This dissertation sought to answer three main questions: Is the information seeking behavior of Puerto Ricans modified by their relocation experience? Once they relocate to Central Florida, how do they use their personal social networks to seek the information needed to make sense of their new environment?; and; What new patterns of information behavior, if any, emerge from their information transactions/ interactions in their new environment? To answer these questions, this study used the combination of Yin's multiple case studies and Dervin's Sense-Making interview design for data collection. For the analysis of the data, Glaser's grounded theory emerging design was used. As the result of this study, a documented record of the patterns of information behavior of Puerto Ricans migrants in Central Florida, and an emergent grounded theory to that effect, are hereby presented. / A Dissertation submitted to the College of Information in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2009. / April 10, 2009. / Puerto Rico, Orlando, Central Florida, Information Behavior, Emergent Theory, Information Seeking Behavior, Puerto Rican Migration, Puerto Ricans, Grounded Theory, Grounded Analysis / Includes bibliographical references. / Kathleen Burnett, Professor Directing Dissertation; Felipe Korzenny, Outside Committee Member; Sylvia Hall-Ellis, Committee Member; Michelle Kazmer, Committee Member.

This dissertation aims to provide empirical insight into the effectiveness of governmental intervention that helps to explain the extension of broadband penetration at the national level and to propose an appropriate perspective for explaining governmental intervention in the process of broadband proliferation. Criticizing the previous studies that focused on the supply side of governmental action, this dissertation expands the scope of governmental intervention to supply and demand sides. To prosecute this purpose on a measurable basis, the scope of this dissertation is focused on the impact of local loop unbundling, privatization using the ownership of incumbent carriers and market competition levels in the supply side and government online service in the demand side. A conceptual model was constructed using five groups of factors for the diffusion of broadband at the national level. From the results of panel and OLS regression analyses, this study finds evidence that the availability of broadband services is certainly influenced by governmental interventions from both supply and demand sides. The effect of governmental intervention is also significant when controlling economic, technological, demographic, and cultural factors in developed and developing countries. / A Dissertation submitted to the College of Information in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2008. / October 31, 2008. / Panel Analysis, Government Role, Broadband Diffusion / Includes bibliographical references. / John Carlo Bertot, Professor Directing Dissertation; HeeMin Kim, Outside Committee Member; Larry C. Dennis, Committee Member; John Gathegi, Committee Member.

Web-based tailored approaches hold much promise as effective means for delivering health education and improving public health. This study examines the effects of interactive tailored health videos on attention to health messages using neurophysiological changes measured by Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electrocardiogram (EKG). Sixty-eight college students were randomized to examine one of two conditions: an interactive tailored health video using web-automated human interaction technology or a static site on the same health topic. Neurophysiological changes during exposure to stimuli were measured using event-related potentials (ERP) related toP300 and N1, as well as heart rate variability (HRV), including low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and the LF/HF ratio measurements. A survey questionnaire examined participants' self-reported perceptions about their viewing experience including: attention, interactivity, overall evaluation, preference, and engagement. Results show that the P300 and HF values were significantly higher when viewing the WAHI compared to when viewing the static site, indicating greater levels of attention, which was confirmed by the self-reported data. These results suggested that interactive tailored health intervention programs achieved a relatively greater effect on attention levels indicated by ERP, HRV and self-report, when compared to static message delivery. The study indicated that further research should investigate other neurophysiologic analyses as possible means to better assess the impact of interactive tailored video as a health education approach. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Information Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2011. / April 26, 2011. / Neurophysiologic Analysis, Interactive Tailored Health Videos, Attention, Health Messages, ERP, HRV / Includes bibliographical references. / Mia Liza A. Lustria, Professor Directing Dissertation; Robert Glueckauf, University Representative; Leonard LaPointe, Outside Committee Member; Kathleen Burnett, Committee Member; Besiki Stvilia, Committee Member.

The purpose of this study is to gain a finer-grained picture and better understanding of the travel patterns of library users, and the activities, demographics, and other factors that affect library access. Previous studies of physical accessibility of public libraries, which have focused on library users' single-destination trips and their travel distance, do not provide a full understanding of library use patterns in their full temporal and spatial environment. By analyzing individuals' daily travel activity, this study modeled library access patterns of users and suggested ways to improve library access. To accomplish this purpose, this study employed a mixed methodology including two-phases, quantitative and qualitative research. In the first phase, pre-existing quantitative household travel survey data were analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The data set for analysis was collected from the Metropolitan Travel Survey Archive, which stores 79 household daily travel data sets. Daily activities of 409 people who visited public libraries were extracted from the Puget Sound Region data set. Even though secondary data analyses allow researchers to analyze social phenomena in inaccessible settings, the interpretations of a secondary analysis can be limited due to a researcher's lack of knowledge of the setting. In the second phase, therefore, qualitative approaches were pursued to ensure the credibility of interpretations of secondary data analysis. During interviews with librarians from the area of study, questions intended to elicit corroboration of conclusions drawn from the secondary data analysis were asked. The interviews conducted, also provided a collection of the perspectives of public librarians regarding their users' access patterns. Through the analysis, four library access patterns were identified: single-destination, en route, base camp, and trip-chaining trips. Only 20% of library users made single-destination trips, while 80% of users made trips of a multi-destination nature; these are depicted by the remaining three patterns. In particular, 62.2% of the activities fell into the trip-chaining travel pattern, which is composed of discretionary activities including a library visit. Library visits were closely related to visits of other facilities such as groceries, shopping malls, and restaurants. Even though privately owned cars were used for almost all activities (75.2%), in the case of base camp activities, in which library visits start from such obligatory activities as work and school and end at the starting location, 84.6% of these activities were made on foot. Half of en route type users, that is, those who visit the library on their way to obligatory activity places, spent less than 10 minutes for library visits. In addition, findings indicate that although travel distance is still a constraint to library access, travel time is a more informative factor than travel distance for gaining a richer understanding of the nature of library visits. Based on these findings, this study made such recommendations to enhance the physical accessibility of public libraries as developing corporate sponsorships, creating library market area maps, placing drop-off boxes along the main route, and developing library programs for workers during lunch time. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Library and Information Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2011. / April 28, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references. / Gary Burnett, Professor Directing Dissertation; Lisa Jordan, University Representative; Kathy Burnett, Committee Member; Michelle Kazmer, Committee Member; Christie Koontz, Committee Member.