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This thesis seeks to explore if and how college students' dating practices have changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Through eight focus group interviews (n=51), participants discussed their dating practices, use of online dating platforms, and navigation of health and safety protocols. A thematic analysis was used to identify and define major themes from the focus groups. Findings revealed four themes in how college students define dating, which were relational investment, exclusivity labels, dating progression, and the role of hookup culture. When addressing how the pandemic has changed the way college students date, six themes were identified: importance of communication, technology as a tool, impact of family, violating safety norms, negative affect expression, and gaining perspective. This thesis extends academic research on how dating is defined and how uncertainty in the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted dating practices of college students at a large U.S. university in the mid-Atlantic region. / MACOM / This thesis explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students dating practices. It uses focus group interviews of undergraduate college students at a large university in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Participants discussed their definition of 'dating,' use of technology and dating apps, and navigation of health and safety practices during a dating climate characterized by high uncertainty. Findings revealed four themes in how college students define dating, which were relational investment, exclusivity labels, dating progression, and the role of hookup culture. When addressing how the pandemic has changed the way college students date, six themes were identified: importance of communication, technology as a tool, impact of family, violating safety norms, negative affect expression, and gaining perspective. These findings have implications in how we understand dating, especially during a global health crisis.

Consumers regularly decide to consume fish and shellfish raw or undercooked, which can cause foodborne illness due to product contamination or unsafe handling by the consumer.  In order to be considered safe for consumption, intact fish and shellfish should be prepared to an internal temperature of 63"C, according to the 2009 FDA Food Code, with Salmonella spp. as the target organism.  Focus groups (5 groups, 32 participants) were conducted to determine consumer beliefs and concerns regarding fish and shellfish safety and preparation.  Transcripts of focus groups where coded for themes, which were then grouped into categories.  Nine categories emerged including:  experience, trust, confidence, quality of product, motivation, concerns, cooking procedures, cooking instructions, and knowledge.  Emerging themes were used to help develop educational materials to increase consumer ability to properly prepare fish and shellfish.  In a separate experiment, participants (n=6) cooked salmon (baked, broiled), tilapia (baked, broiled), and shrimp (broiled, boiled) according to cookbook-based directions.    Internal temperatures of products were recorded, with 33.3% of products cooked to a temperature less than 63"C.  A group training session was held, during which participants received additional visual and non-oral cues to determine when products were prepared to 63"C and safe food handling practices.  After training, participants prepared the same products.  Participants demonstrated improved food safety behaviors and were more successful at cooking products to temperatures "63"C (94.4% of products).  Improved cooking instruction and educational materials may reduce the risk of foodborne illness from undercooked fish and shellfish. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

The focus group meeting is an approach to identifying potential learning needs and developing awareness for organizational change. Currently, the literature recommends that focus groups be composed of both laterally and vertically homogeneous group members to enhance trust among participants and facilitate positive group dynamics. Two research questions explored the relationship between heterogeneity and the quality of focus groups for organizational change and training needs assessment at a multidisciplinary environmental consulting firm: 1) In what way does lateral (disciplinary) heterogeneity affect the quality of focus group discussion? and 2) In what way does vertical (hierarchical) heterogeneity affect the quality of focus group discussion? Meetings of four focus groups of four participants each were tape-recorded, transcribed, and compared according to the following parameters: trust, group development, conformity, participation, awareness of the need for change, and idea generation. Each group represented a different combination of lateral and vertical homogeneity or heterogeneity. The highest quality group discussion and greatest diversity of ideas were found in the group which was laterally heterogeneous and vertically homogeneous. Vertical heterogeneity was found to adversely affect group dynamics. The findings suggest that moderators who lead focus groups for identifying learner needs and developing an awareness of the need for change in organizations might consider composing small, laterally heterogeneous, but vertically homogeneous, groups in order to enhance group development, encourage a holistic understanding of the organization, and provide diverse ideas and high-quality results. / Master of Science

Consumers desire tender, juicy, and flavorful cuts of beef. Mechanical tenderization (MT) and enhancement methods applied to lower valued beef cuts can improve tenderness, flavor or juiciness, increasing desirability for the consumer. However, these processes can introduce pathogens that may be present on the exterior of the meat into the sterile interior. This process renders an ‘intact’ product ‘non-intact’ and requires altered cooking methods to ensure safety. The primary pathogens of concern for beef products are Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC). STEC are associated with approximately 265,000 illnesses and 3,600 hospitalizations annually. Since 2006, there have been 6 STEC outbreaks in the United States and 18 cases in Canada attributed to MT beef (MTB). The pathogen has also been implicated in 136 non-intact beef-related recalls. Due to the potential food safety hazards associated with MTB, mandatory labeling of these products was mandated in 2015 to inform consumers on how to safely handle the product. While this is a good step to inform consumers, it is unclear how familiar they are with the terms associated with these processes. Consumer’s knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, awareness, and behaviors related to MTBs is quite limited. This study uses an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, to assess consumer knowledge of MTB. Qualitative focus groups conducted throughout urban and rural North Carolina and Virginia found that although participants purchased MTBs, they were unaware of the process, did not prepare MTBs properly, wanted to know more about the process, and wanted applicable risk messages. A nationwide survey developed from the focus group findings found that demographic differences were associated with knowledge of; and how participants interact with MTBs. How demographics influence consumer’s beef safety knowledge, practices, and risky behaviors was further explored. Demographic characteristics were highly correlated with consumers’ behaviors surrounding beef storage, refrigerator temperature knowledge, defrosting behaviors, meat washing, and meat preparation behaviors. Collectively, the mixed methods research design provided insight into specific demographic characteristics related to consumer attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding beef safety. This data will help inform the development of well-crafted, culturally, and socially relevant risk messaging that may promote safe handling behaviors. / Ph. D. / In the United States, every year, the Center for Disease Control estimates that 48M people are sickened, 128,000 people are hospitalized, and 3,000 people die from foodborne illnesses. The most common illnesses arise from Salmonella, Norovirus, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli [E. coli], Listeria, and Clostridium perfringens; these bacteria and viruses have been on the news as being associated with flour recalls, cantaloupe, eggs, cheeses, berries, and even at restaurants like Chipotle! The bacteria of concern in this study is E. coli. Most E. coli is not pathogenic, and extremely common in the environment; living in mammalian (e.g. humans, cows, sheep, insects, etc.) gut and within the environment (e.g. in the soil). However, there are some pathogenic variants, like Shiga-toxin producing E. coli [STEC] that have been associated with 265,000 annual illnesses and deaths. The main reservoirs of many pathogenic E. coli are within the intestines of ruminant mammals, including cattle. If mishandled, feces can contaminate and cause human illness as a result of improper handling and preparation. The contamination can occur through meat, water, and fecal-oral routes; often, improperly cooking and handling beef products can lead to illness. In the U.S., there have been 27 multi-state STEC associated food outbreaks. While the U.S. beef industry is the largest in the world, five multi-state outbreaks were related to E. coli O157:H7 contamination in ground beef products. Additionally, between 2005 – 2018, 136 of 171 recalls were due to STEC-contaminated beef products. Non-intact beef products (e.g. ground beef) are the most commonly recalled types of beef products. Consumers purchase beef products on extrinsic (i.e. price, weight, cut) and intrinsic (i.e. color, fat, safety) factors with a desire for tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. Tenderization processes (e.g. mechanical tenderization) or other enhancement processes (e.g. marinades) can increase tenderness on lower-value cuts but may introduce pathogens from the exterior to the sterile interior. To prevent illness, it is necessary to prepare beef products to the recommended USDA-specified temperature using a thermometer to check. Up until this point, consumer knowledge of and behaviors towards mechanically tenderized beef products [MTB]s and other enhanced beef products had not been characterized. This study uses an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study design (qualitative study guides quantitative study) to assess consumer knowledge of MTBs, enhanced beef products, and food safety / beef safety handling behaviors. Focus groups conducted throughout urban and rural North Carolina and Virginia found that although participants purchased MTBs, they were unaware of the process, did not prepare them properly, wanted to know more about MTBs, and requested different ways of obtaining information. A nationwide survey developed from the focus group findings found that demographic differences were associated with knowledge of and interaction with MTBs and enhanced beef products. However, people were still generally unaware of MTBs, despite a recent 2016 labeling mandate for all MTBs. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used to further explore reported consumer’s food safety knowledge, practices, and risky behaviors in the kitchen. Demographic characteristics were highly correlated with consumers’ behaviors of beef storage, refrigerator temperature knowledge, defrosting behaviors, meat washing, and meat preparation behaviors. Collectively, the mixed methods research design provided insight into specific demographic characteristics related to consumer attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding beef safety. Additional research, alternative non-didactic strategies, and collaborations within health and public services is necessary to accommodate for specific demographics, cultures, and social groups. Well-crafted, culturally, and socially relevant targeted risk messaging must be developed to increase awareness and promote ease-of-access.

Recent nutrition reports conclude that changing dietary practices is a strategic way to reduce cancer rates in the United States. Nutrition recommendations to decrease risk of cancer include reducing fat intake to 30% of total calories, increasing fiber consumption to 20-30 g/day, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to five servings daily. However, recent studies suggest that fruit and vegetable consumption decreases with educational and income levels within a population, and that blue-collar workers tend to consume 38-40% of total calories as fat. It is possible that national campaign efforts to change dietary practices are not reaching educationally and economically challenged populations. This research identifies the perceptions of blue-collar workers regarding a link between dietary practices and disease prevention. Six focus groups, three of women and three of men were conducted in urban, suburban, and rural Virginia counties. A total of 66 workers participated, and each group was comprised of 8-16 blue-collar workers 35-65 years of age. Most participants were aware of a link between dietary practices and health. A "healthy person" was described as eating low fat foods, fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a healthy weight. Fatty meat consumption, food processing, and chemical treatment of food were perceived as increasing risk for disease. Few participants were aware of a potential link between diet and cancer. Many contributed risk for cancer to factors beyond their control such as heredity, environmental factors, and the influence of the food industry. Those who had experienced a disease, either themselves or through a loved one expressed a greater sense of urgency to modify their eating habits. Most of those attempting dietary modification were addressing health issues relating to cardiovascular disease. The majority reported consuming less than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, most often as canned or frozen products. Participants reported receiving nutrition education from non-interactive sources, such as television, newspapers, magazines, and radio, and interactive sources such as health professionals and community programs. Those that mentioned interactive sources were more likely to elaborate on specific information learned. Television segments, newsletters, and worksite programs were selected as the most preferred ways to receive nutrition education. When asked what topics would be most helpful in a newsletter series, people requested information regarding heart disease more frequently than cancer. Health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, menus, and recipes were also mentioned. The findings suggest that nutrition education efforts concerning cardiovascular disease have penetrated the blue collar population. Community educators need to broaden messages to include current information regarding the potential link between dietary practices and cancer. Furthermore, 35-65 year olds may exhibit more willingness to change dietary habits through nutrition education due to changes in health among themselves or loved ones. / Master of Science

A cell phone is an electronic communication device that helps break down the distance barriers between people, with added mobility advantages. For some users a cell phone is more than a communication device; it may be used as a fashion accessory, and for some the cell phone is needed to seek help in emergency situations. The cell phone market has been expanding globally over the past decade, with approximately 423 million sold globally in the year 2002 (Kiljander & Johanna, 2003). According to the CIA World Factbook (2006), the UK has more cell phones than people. The global expansion of cell phone companies may impose problems to cell phone users, since unlike the personal computer industry the cell phone industry has no standard interface, and manufacturers have the freedom to gradually improve the user interface (Kiljander & Johanna, 2003). For a user interface to be well accepted by a target population it is necessary to identify and explore the underlying design preferences. User interfaces of new technology may lead to anxiety and delayed technology acceptance, especially for users with disabilities. Even though the need for users participating in the design process has been realized, users with disabilities are not always included in the design process (Newell & Gregor, 2001). This study followed a participatory design process, to compare and contrast the cell phone interface design preferences of users from two different nations, including users with no apparent disability and users with visual disabilities. A study was conducted to identify possible relationships between national culture, disability culture and design preferences of cell phone interfaces. The theoretical framework used to guide this study was Hofstede's (1991) five dimensional cultural model. Various studies have explored cross-cultural interface design and found some relationship of these cultural dimensions with interface design components (Choi et. al., 2005; Marcus, 1999; Marcus and Gould, 2001). This study included 13 product interactive focus groups, with a total of 69 participants, 34 in India and 35 in the United States, of the age group 19-50 years. There were 4 units of analyses in this research study. This included a control group of users without any apparent disability and a disability group with a visual disability of legal blindness. The two countries, India and the United States, were selected for this comparative study because of their diverse cultural backgrounds and the rapid expansion of cell phone usage which they are witnessing. The four units of analyses differed in their cultural dimensions. There were no significant correlations found on Design preferences of cell phone features based on Choi et at. (2005)'s study on mobile services with Hofstede (1990)'s cultural dimensions. However the relationships of some these features with the underlying cultural dimensions were found when group level analysis instead of the individual level of analysis was undertaken. Differences were also found in the ratings of the hardware attributes between disability groups and differences in usability ratings were found based on nationality and disability groups. The content analysis of the focus group sessions provided an insight to the preferences on cell phone interface components and the gave a better understanding of the mobile/cell phone culture in the two countries. These results are summarized to provide guidelines for designing cross-cultural user interfaces that are nationality specific and disability specific. A pyramid model for a holistic process of designing cell phones for users with disabilities integrated the findings of this thesis and Jordon (2002)'s pleasurability framework is proposed in the conclusion section of this thesis. / Master of Science

Annually, hypertension is responsible for over 10 million deaths. During the span of a decade, low-middle income countries (LMICs) have experienced the most negative change in progress towards decreasing hypertension prevalence. It is estimated that 46% of the adult population in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is hypertensive. When looking at solutions to address hypertension management in SSA, finding effective medication adherence interventions is the way forward. The purpose of this study was to promote the implementation of evidence-based interventions for successful treatment and improved life quality of hypertensive adults in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the input of healthcare stakeholders. The specific aims were to: 1) determine what interventions for antihypertension medication adherence have been successfully implemented in SSA and assess their implementation outcomes, and 2) conduct a focus group with health practitioners to evaluate what interventions and implementation practices were supported. The methods used to complete this study were a systematic review and focus group sessions. The systematic review was able to identify measurable implementation outcomes for the evidence based interventions found in the literature. The implementation outcomes identified in each of the included studies were categorized according to definitions derived from Proctor, et al.’s Outcomes for Implementation Research and Gyamfi, et al.’s Assessment of Descriptors of Scalability. The systematic review findings revealed that to establish antihypertensive medication adherence in SSA, the appropriateness of an intervention and the inclusion of health education are essential. Additionally, in order to have successful implementation of an intervention, stakeholders need to commit to addressing systematic challenges emphasized in the literature. The focus group sessions helped to identify tangible actions that can be implemented in order to improve antihypertensive medication adherence in the region. Thematic analysis was used to organize themes found across the focus group transcriptions. During the focus group sessions, health practitioners addressed the practicality of implementing evidence-based interventions found in the literature within their communities. The focus group findings reveal key recommendations including increasing government participation and addressing barriers to implementation. Overall, the data gathered across the studies shows that implementation is not easy to achieve. In addressing antihypertensive medication adherence, stakeholders must take into consideration how healthcare systems function as a whole. Although international and national guidelines provide excellent guidance for implementing evidence-based care, adjustments are needed in order to address population needs and scale interventions.

There is a gap between intention and action that people experience when faced with protecting their digital data privacy. Known as the privacy paradox, it is the idea that what a person says they believe (protecting their data privacy is paramount) is not reflective of how they act (relinquishing their data privacy). In other words, what people express about their data privacy is often in opposition to the frequency with which they relinquish their data privacy. The research intends to examine the privacy paradox and consists of two studies, one qualitative and one quantitative. First, focus groups were held, the outcome of which was an attempt at the creation of a typology of words and phrases that consumers use relative to their data privacy. Second, an experiment using Likert scales and Pareto-optimal choice-based conjoint analysis was created based on the typology created in study one, giving insight into what consumers feel are motivators towards protecting or relinquishing their data privacy. The contribution is filling a gap in the existing literature related to the privacy paradox through an analysis of behavior. / Business Administration/Marketing

This thesis explores grassroots activists’ and organizers’ perceptions and experiences of hope within their movement work. Through two arts-based, semi-structured focus groups, five participants shared their understandings of hope in relation to their organizing. Transcripts of the focus groups and the artwork created therein were analysed through three conceptual lenses: community care (largely pulled from Critical Disability Studies), futurities and temporalities (informed by a variety of critical approaches to time), and Jewish spiritual thought. The results emphasize the need for organizing groups to (1) utilize futurity-focused temporalities, (2) implement imaginative and playful environments, and (3) offer support including an ethic of care, as well as tangible resources and training opportunities. This study holds implications for organizers and activists striving to cultivate spaces where hope becomes possible, for macro-level community social workers, and for social movement researchers. Shifting the environments where social change happens to enable organizers to slow down and rest, play and dream together, care and be cared for, and teach and learn skills can support the experience of hope by demonstrating the possibility of a different way of relating to one another. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW) / Question: How do grassroots organizers and activists relate to the idea of 'hope'? How: Group discussions with five organizers while creating art together. Lenses: 1) The importance of community care, 2) Understanding different ways of thinking about time and the future, 3) Jewish spirituality. Takeaways: It is important to show that a different (and better) way of relating to one another is possible. This can support hope. Some ways of doing this include creating social change spaces where people can slow down and rest, play and dream together, care and be cared for, teach and learn skills.