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Effects of metalinguistic knowledge and language aptitude on second language learningWistner, Brian January 2014 (has links)
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of metalinguistic knowledge and language learning aptitude on second language (L2) procedural knowledge. Three lines of inquiry were undertaken: (a) confirming the factorial structure of metalinguistic knowledge and language learning aptitude; (b) testing the relative effects of metalinguistic knowledge and language learning aptitude on L2 procedural knowledge; and (c) assessing the relative contributions of receptive and productive metalinguistic knowledge and components of language learning aptitude to L2 procedural knowledge. Two-hundred-forty-nine Japanese university students participated. One receptive and two productive tests of metalinguistic knowledge related to metalinguistic terminology and English grammatical rules were administered. Learners' language learning aptitude was measured using the Lunic Language Marathon, which consisted of four scales: number learning, sound-symbol association, vocabulary learning, and language analytical ability. Participants' L2 procedural knowledge was assessed through performance on a timed writing task. The writing samples were scored for overall quality, L2 complexity, accuracy, and fluency. The scores from each test were subjected to Rasch analyses to investigate the construct validity and unidimensionality of the instruments. The results of the Rasch analyses indicated that the test items fit the Rasch model, supporting the construct validity of the instruments. The unidimensionality of each instrument was established through Rasch principal component analyses. Interval-level Rasch measures were used for the subsequent analyses. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that metalinguistic knowledge and language learning aptitude were distinct constructs. A two-factor model showed good model fit and explained the relationship between the two constructs. Structural equation modeling revealed that metalinguistic knowledge significantly predicted L2 procedural knowledge, complexity, accuracy, and fluency. Language learning aptitude, however, was not a statistically significant predictor of the L2 procedural knowledge variables. The results of a path model analysis indicated that productive metalinguistic knowledge was the strongest predictor of L2 procedural knowledge, language analytical ability predicted receptive metalinguistic knowledge, and number learning was negatively associated with L2 procedural knowledge. The findings point to the facilitative role of metalinguistic knowledge in L2 learning and the viability of L2 declarative knowledge becoming proceduralized through practice. / Applied Linguistics
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Behavioral Transportation: The Role of Psychological, Cognitive, and Social Factors in Distracted Driving BehaviorGabaldon, Janeth 07 1900 (has links)
Logistics 4.0 suggests that increased automation can enhance performance, while Logistics 5.0 emphasizes the advantages of a modern workforce that combines humans and emerging technologies. However, the logistics industry needs a deeper understanding of human factors, an area that has been overlooked so far. To bridge this research gap, this dissertation investigated distracted driving behavior among individuals involved in transportation and logistics-based applications. This investigation employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Essay 1 focuses on a systematic literature review (SLR) that comprehensively analyzes published research on self-response studies regarding distracted driving behavior. The study identifies five overarching categories of distractions: (a) cell phone-related, (b) technology-related, (c) nontechnology-related, (d) psychological, and (e) personality. The findings underscore the substantial research conducted on self-reported distractions associated with cell phones and technology. Essay 2 employs the protection motivation theory (PMT) to develop hypotheses that predict the engagement of young drivers in texting while driving (TWD). In addition to TWD, the survey also included cognitive failure to examine the indirect effects of PMT on TWD within a mediation framework. The results, obtained through structural equation modeling with 674 respondents aged 18-25, indicate that several factors including response cost, threat vulnerability, cognitive failure, self-efficacy, and threat severity influence TWD behavior. Essay 3 investigates the influence of young drivers' respect for safety, neutralization techniques, and polychronicity on distracted driving behavior (DDB), based on the cognitive dissonance theory (CDT). The findings, drawn from 326 respondents aged 22-29 years, indicate that drivers who prioritize safety (respect for safety) are less likely to engage in DDB. Lastly, Essay 4 takes a survey-based approach to explore how factors such as respect for safety, polychronicity, and cognitive failure influence the likelihood of engagement in distractions among industrial operators, specifically forklift drivers, in warehouse and distribution centers (WDCs). The study's results indicate that cognitive failure has a negative impact on forklift drivers' distracted driving behavior, while polychronic tendencies help drivers avoid engaging in distracted behavior.
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Use of Videoconference Technology in the Social Engagement of Older Adults by Aging-in-Place OrganizationsAlagood, John 12 1900 (has links)
This dissertation investigates videoconference technology adoption by aging-in-place organizations to facilitate the social engagement of older adults. It comprises three studies that examine the initiation and coordination of technology adoption by aging-in-place organizations and addresses the factors associated with successful adoption of relational videoconference technology by older adults. The first study is a systematic literature review exploring the role of aging-in-place organizations in social engagement of older adults through videoconference technology. The second study is a survey of adult relatives and friends of older adults regarding videoconference technology adoption by older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and their experience with facilitating resources. It applies technology adoption theory and a structural equation model to characterize the role of aging-in-place organizations. The third study is a pilot test of a new online platform called Circular that is designed to support social engagement of older adults. Through these studies, this research extends the existing body of knowledge regarding modes to facilitate adoption of relational technology by older adults and to empower senior centers and other aging-in-place organizations as they seek to socially engage the aging members of their communities.
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Experimental study of an avian cavity-nesting community: nest webs, nesting ecology, and interspecific interactionsBlanc, Lori A. 04 September 2007 (has links)
Cavity-nesting communities are structured by the creation of and competition for cavities as nest-sites. Viewing these communities as interconnected webs can help identify species interactions that influence community structure. This study examines cavity-nesting bird community interactions within the fire-maintained longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In chapter 1, I provide a background review of the ecology of my study system. In chapter 2, I use nest webs to depict the flow of cavity-creation and use at Eglin. I identified 2 webs into which most species could be placed. One web contained 6 species associated with pines. The second web contained 5 species associated with hardwoods. Red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) and northern flickers (Colaptes auratus) created most cavities used by other species within this community. In chapter 3, I describe snag densities and nest-site selection of the cavity-nesting bird community at Eglin. Large, mature pine snags were abundant, exceeding other reported densities for southern pine forests. Pine snags were heavily-used, despite the abundance of available red-cockaded woodpecker cavities in living pine. Hardwood snags accounted for 10% of nests found, and were used by 12 of 14 species. Diameters of nest-trees and available snags were below the range of optimal nest-snag diameters reported in other studies, indicating the need for site-specific snag management guidelines. In chapter 4, I combine a study of basic ecological principles with endangered species management to examine interactions within the cavity-nesting bird community at Eglin. I used a nest web to identify a potential indirect interaction between the red-cockaded woodpecker and large secondary cavity-nesters, mediated by the northern flicker. I used structural equation modeling to test a path model of this interaction. By experimentally manipulating cavity availability, I blocked links described in the model, confirming cavity creation and enlargement as mechanisms that influence this indirect relationship. I demonstrated that a red-cockaded woodpecker cavity-management technique could disrupt this indirect relationship by affecting northern flicker behavior, and provided an empirical example of how, in interactive ecological communities, single-species management can have indirect effects on non-target species. / Ph. D.
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Applying ecological models to positive interactions among lotic fishes: implications for population and community regulation at multiple spatial scalesPeoples, Brandon Kevin 06 May 2015 (has links)
Positive biotic interactions such as mutualism, commensalism and facilitation are ubiquitous in nature, but historically have received considerably less research attention than negative interactions such as competition, predation and parasitism. The paucity of research on positive interactions is particularly evident in stream ecosystems and in vertebrate communities. Stream fishes clearly provide an ideal system for advancing research on positive interactions. Many minnows (Cyprinidae) of eastern North America engage in a potentially mutualistic reproductive interaction known as nest association, in which individuals of one species (nest associates) spawn in nests constructed by host species. In nest association, hosts provide unsilted gravel substrate for spawning nest associates, and increased parental care to associate broods. High associate: host egg ratios can create a dilution effect, reducing the probability that host eggs will be preyed upon by egg predators. Nest associative interactions are common, but are relatively understudied compared to other interactions among stream fishes.
The goals of this study were to apply general ecological models to this novel system to (a) gain new insight into the mechanisms structuring nest associative stream fish communities, and (b) to use inference from stream fish communities to potentially expand and improve the general ecological models. These goals required completion of three objectives, including (1) examining the influence of abiotic and biotic contexts on reproductive behavior and fitness outcomes between a cyprinid host and associate, using the biological markets model to generate predictions; (2) examining the utility of the nest web framework (previously only used for cavity nesting vertebrate communities) and the stress gradient hypothesis (previously applied almost exclusively to plant communities) for predicting which associate species spawn on nests built by various nest building species, and the consequences of these choices, respectively; and (3) using two-species occupancy modeling to determine the relative influence of biotic interactions and habitat covariates on the co-occurrence of a host and two nest associates.
To accomplish these goals, I conducted a large-scale experiment to manipulate presence of mutualists (Nocomis leptocephalus, host; Chrosomus oreas, associate), egg predators (biotic context) and habitat quality (abiotic context). I conducted behavioral nest observations and conducted repeated stream fish stream fish community surveys to collect demographic data. I constructed a nest web from observational data, and implemented structural equation modeling through an information-theoretic framework to identify nest web plausibility across a large spatial extent. I tested some predictions of the stress gradient hypothesis by regressing juveniles-per-nest and a metric of cyprinid community structure on a composite measure of physical stress (scaled gradients of catchment-scale agricultural land use and catchment area). I used two-species occupancy modeling to model co-occurrence of N. leptocephalus hosts and two associates, C. oreas and Clinostomus funduloides, and used an information-theoretic framework to compare hypotheses representing the importance of biotic interactions, habitat covariates or both at determining species co-occurrence.
Results corroborated some (but not all) model predictions, and identified room for improvement in each of the general models. Nest associative spawning by C. oreas was not context dependent; C. oreas did not spawn in the absence of a reproductively active male N. leptocephalus at any treatment level. However, the net fitness outcome of host and associate species was mutualistic, and the interaction outcome switched from commensalistic to mutualistic with abiotic context. N. leptocephalus reproductive success was improved by C. oreas presence in less-silted habitats, but not in heavily-silted habitats. This is most likely because broods were subject to predation in both habitat types, but were also negatively affected by siltation in silted habitats. Accordingly, egg dilution by associates was not sufficient to support a mutualistic relationship in less favorable habitats. Results suggest that the biological markets model may be a useful tool for predicting fitness outcomes of nest associative mutualism, but may not be as useful for predicting the behavioral outcomes of obligate mutualisms. Future applications of the biological markets model should carefully consider species traits, specifically the degree to which trading behavior is obligate for participants. Future work with this model will yield more insight by considering highly facultative associates.
Nest webs constructed from nest observational data suggested an interaction topology in which strong (nearly-obligate) associates relied most frequently on N. leptocephalus nests, and less frequently on nests constructed by Campostoma anomalum. Weak (facultative) associates were seldom associated with nests constructed by either species, and probably spawned before hosts began nesting activity. Structural equation models corroborated this topology throughout the New River basin, although some less-supported model evidence specified some nest association by weak associates. Juveniles-per-nest of strong associates responded positively to physical stress, while this metric for other cyprinid reproductive groups showed no relationship. Proportional representation of Nocomis and strong associates also increased predictably with physical stress. This study suggests that the nest web framework can be informative to systems outside the ones for which it was developed; future studies may be able to use this framework to better understand the role of habitat-modifying species in communities other than cavity nesting terrestrial vertebrates and nest associative stream fishes. This work extended the nest web framework by (a) modeling the outcomes of interactions instead of the interactions themselves, and (b) by using structural equation modeling to test nest web predictions with an information-theoretic framework. This study also suggests that the stress gradient hypothesis can be useful for understanding interaction dynamics in vertebrate communities; this represents the first direct evidence that this model can be used in vertebrate communities. Further, I demonstrate that the stress gradient hypothesis may be extended to predict community structure. However, more research in a diversity of systems will be needed to determine the extent to which this can be applied.
This study provides some of the first evidence of large-scale positive co-occurrence patterns in vertebrates. However, the precise roles of habitat covariates and biotic interactions were species-specific. Occupancy results suggest that co-occurrence between N. leptocephalus and nest associate C. funduloides is driven only by reproductive behavioral interactions. Alternatively, evidence suggests that co-occurrence between N. leptocephalus and C. oreas is driven by both nest association and habitat covariates. That two-species occupancy modeling can be a useful tool for comparing difficult-to-test hypotheses involving biotic interactions at large spatial scales. This study represents the first quantitative, multi-scale treatment of positive interactions in stream ecosystems.
This study demonstrates that applying general ecological models to stream fish communities can yield new insights about both the study system and the models themselves. While models of negative interactions, food webs and dispersal have been applied to stream fishes, we stand to gain much ground by also considering positive biotic interactions. In doing so, stream fish ecologists will also be able to contribute to the advancement of general ecology, and thus raise awareness for these understudied ecosystems and taxa. / Ph. D.
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Attitudes Towards Immigrants in Sweden : A Multigroup AnalysisDissanayake, D. M. Dinesha January 2024 (has links)
Immigration is a debatable topic, and Sweden offers a unique context due to its long-established liberal immigration policies and recent political shifts, making it an ideal case study for understanding broader European trends. The current study explores changes in public attitudes toward immigrants in Sweden from 2012 to 2020 using data from the final five waves (from 2012 to 2020) of the European Social Survey (ESS). Employing multi-group analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), this research aims to identify how attitudes have shifted over the study period and to analyze significant demographic (age, gender, domicile) and socioeconomic (income, education) influences on immigration attitudes. The results reveal a shift from generally positive to more negative perceptions, particularly between 2018 and 2020. Older age groups and individuals from rural areas exhibited more negative attitudes, while females generally displayed more positive attitudes than males. Moreover, females with higher education and higher income levels also demonstrate more favorable attitudes. These findings are crucial for policymakers, as they highlight the need for strategies that address demographic influences and suggest specific areas where interventions can help reduce negative views and improve social cohesion.
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Inference of Gene Regulatory Networks with integration of prior knowledgeMaresi, Emiliano 17 June 2024 (has links)
Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are crucial for understanding complex biological processes and disease mechanisms, particularly in cancer. However, GRN inference remains challenging due to the intricate nature of gene interactions and limitations of existing methods. Traditionally, prior knowledge in GRN inference simplifies the problem by reducing the search space, but its full potential is unrealized. This research aims to develop a method that uses prior knowledge to guide the GRN inference process, enhancing accuracy and biological plausibility of the resulting networks. We extended the Fused Sparse Structural Equation Models (FSSEM) framework to create the Fused Lasso Adaptive Prior (FLAP) method. FSSEM incorporates gene expression data and genetic variants in the form of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) perturbations. FLAP enhances FSSEM by integrating prior knowledge of gene-gene interactions into the initial network estimate, guiding the selection of relevant gene interactions in the final inferred network. We evaluated FLAP using synthetic data to assess the impact of incorrect prior knowledge and real lung cancer data, using prior knowledge from various gene network databases (GIANT, TissueNexus, STRING, ENCODE, hTFtarget). Our findings demonstrate that integrating prior knowledge improves the accuracy of inferred networks, with FLAP showing tolerance for incorrect
prior knowledge. Using real lung cancer data, functional enrichment analysis and literature validation confirmed the biological plausibility of the networks inferred by FLAP. Different sources of prior knowledge impacted the results, with GIANT providing the most biologically relevant networks, while other sources showed less consistent performance.
FLAP improves GRN inference by effectively integrating prior knowledge, demonstrating robustness against incorrect prior knowledge. The method’s application to lung cancer data indicates that high-quality prior knowledge sources enhance the biological relevance of inferred networks. Future research should focus on improving the quality and integration of prior knowledge, possibly by developing consensus methods that combine multiple sources. This
approach has potential applications in cancer research and drug sensitivity studies, offering a more accurate understanding of gene regulatory mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
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[en] DISASTER IMPACTS ON SUPPLY CHAINS AND COUNTERMEASURES STRATEGIES / [pt] IMPACTO DE DESASTRES EM CADEIA DE SUPRIMENTOS E ESTRATÉGIAS DE CONTRAMEDIDABRENDA DE FARIAS OLIVEIRA CARDOSO 12 August 2024 (has links)
[pt] Os impactos de desastres causam perturbações no fluxo das
cadeias de suprimentos (CS) e afetam negativamente o desempenho das
operações. Portanto, as empresas precisam implementar estratégias
proativas e reativas eficazes para minimizar esses impactos. Esta tese visa
contribuir para o desenvolvimento de CS preparadas e responsivas para
lidar com os impactos dos desastres. A pesquisa adota os métodos de
revisão sistemática da literatura e survey. Na fase de revisão, é possível
destacar as análises descritivas através de uma análise bibliométrica, bem
como a análise de conteúdo dos documentos. Os principais resultados são
a elaboração de uma taxonomia, uma agenda de pesquisa e um framework.
A taxonomia, especificamente, apresenta os principais impactos de
desastre (ex.: instabilidade de preços) e as estratégias de contramedidas
categorizadas em reativas (ex.: mercados virtuais) e proativas (ex.:
digitalização). Os resultados da revisão são insights para o survey.
Utilizando modelagem de equações estruturais com profissionais
brasileiros, o modelo avalia se impactos de desastres afetam
negativamente o desempenho de CSs e também o papel da digitalização e
localização na minimização desses impactos. Em geral, os resultados
indicam que há impacto negativo de desastres nas CS e que digitalização
e localização têm efeito moderador na relação entre os principais
construtos. Em pesquisas futuras, sugere-se a avaliação de outras
estratégias proativas e também o desenvolvimento de modelos
matemáticos para avaliar o tema. / [en] The impact of disasters causes disruptions in the flow within supply
chains (SCs) and negatively affects operations performance. Therefore,
companies need to implement effective proactive and reactive strategies to
minimise the impacts caused by these events. This thesis aims to contribute
to developing prepared and responsive SCs to deal with disaster impacts.
The research adopts the systematic literature review and survey methods.
In the review phase, it is possible to highlight the descriptive analyses of
publications through a bibliometric analysis, as well as content analysis of
the documents. The main results of this phase are the elaboration of a
taxonomy, a research agenda, and a framework. The taxonomy,
specifically, presents the main disaster impacts on SCs (e.g., price
instability) and the respective countermeasure strategies that were
categorised into reactive (e.g., virtual markets) and proactive (e.g.,
digitalisation). The results of the literature review are insights for the
development of the survey. Using structural equation modelling on survey
data from Brazilian professionals, the model assesses whether the impacts
of disasters negatively affect SC performance and also the role of
digitalisation and localisation in minimizing the impacts of disasters. In
general, the research results indicate that there is a negative impact of
disasters on the SCs and that digitalisation and localisation have a
moderating effect on the relationship between the main constructs. The
evaluation of other proactive strategies and the development of
mathematical models to evaluate the topic are suggested as future
research.
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多層次結構方程式模型在大型資料庫上的應用 / Applying Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling to a Large-Scale Database李仁豪, Li,Ren Hau Unknown Date (has links)
本研究的主要目的是藉由實徵的PISA資料庫資料將多層次結構方程式模型的方法學介紹到台灣的教育領域。多層次結構方程式模型適合應用在大型且具階層或巢狀結構的資料,可以解決因群集性抽樣設計所導致的樣本點相依的問題。
本研究中包含三個小研究。在研究一中,實徵的資料經由多層次結構方程式模型步驟化的分析,並與傳統的結構方程式模型的分析結果相互比較。一共有五個構念及其測量指標從PISA 2003資料庫中被選取來建構多層次結構方程式模型。樣本包含948個學校共26,884位15歲來自加拿大的學生。研究結果顯示某些結構係數的正負向關係在組內層次與組間層次是十分不同的,這也彰顯出多層次結構方程式模型與傳統結構方程式模型比較下的價值。研究一的發現指出,在數學興趣與數學工具性動機控制的條件下,教師的支持對學生的數學成績及數學自我效能在組間層次並無效果,但教師的支持對學生的數學自我效能在組內層次具有正向顯著的效果。此外,除了在組間層次上數學興趣對數學成績有顯著的負向效果以及數學工具性動機對數學自我效能沒有顯著效果外,數學興趣與數學工具性動機對數學成績及數學自我效能具有顯著的正向效果。另外,數學成績對數學自我效能具有很大的效果,特別是在組間層次。
在研究二中,藉由評估跨越不同層級二樣本大小(即120、240、360、480、600、720、840、948個學校)時的模式適配度及參數估計值的穩定性,來決定一個最小較佳的層級二樣本數相對於層級二估計參數數目的比值。研究結果顯示,該比值大約至少8:1是較可以被接受的結果。在研究三中,藉由多群組多層次結構方程式模型進行跨國家的比較。根據研究二的較佳最小比例以及亞洲國家在PISA 2003資料庫中有限的層級二樣本數,一個將焦點集中在數學興趣對數學成績的不同層次預測關係之新多層次結構方程式模型被提出。由再次隨機取樣的加拿大145所學校作為西方國家的代表樣本,而由只有143所學校的日本樣本作為東方國家的代表。研究結果顯示,跨越加拿大與日本樣本,在任一層級中出現十分不同的預測效果。數學興趣對數學成績的預測效果在加拿大樣本中的兩層級皆是正向地顯著,但在日本樣本中卻都是負向地顯著。這意謂著未來某些重要的教育及心理學變項之間關係的跨國研究應該在被重視。 / The main purpose of this research was to introduce multilevel structural equation modeling methodology to Taiwan education field by applying empirical example from PISA 2003 database. Multilevel structural equation modeling was suitable to be applied to the large-scale and hierarchical or nested data structure. It could solve the problem of dependency among sample units resulted from clustered sampling design.
There were three studies in the research. In study one, the empirical data dealt with multilevel structural equation modeling analysis was undertaken step by step and compared with conventional structural equation modeling analysis. There were five constructs and their measurement indicators from PISA 2003 database mapped to form the multilevel structural equation model. The sample was 948 schools with 26884 15-year-old students from Canada. The result showed the valences of some structural coefficients were quite different in between-level and within-level structural equation models, which characterisized the value of multilevel structural equation modeling when compared with the outcomes from conventional structural equation modeling analysis. The findings of study one indicated that teacher support had no effect on students’ mathematics grades and mathematics self-efficacy in between-level part but had a significant positive effect on mathematics self-efficacy in within-level part when both interest in mathematics and instrumental motivation to mathematics grades were considered in the model. Besides, interest in mathematics and instrumental motivation had positive effects on mathematics grades and mathematics self-efficacy except for negative effect from interest in mathematics to mathematics grades and no effect from instrumental motivation to mathematics self-efficacy in between-level part. In addition, mathematics grades had great influences on mathematics self-efficacy, especially in between-level part.
In study two, a better minimum ratio of the number of level-2 units relative to the number of parameter estimates in between-level part was searched by evaluating the model-fit and stability of parameter estimates across several Canada samples with 120, 240, 360, 480, 600, 720 ,840, and 948 schools. The result showed that the ratio at least about 8:1 was appreciated. In study three, cross-national comparisons were processed by multiple group multilevel structural equation modeling. Based on the better minimum ratio from study two and limited level-2 sample sizes from Asian countries in PISA 2003, a new multilevel structural equation model was proposed focusing on the structural coefficient of mathematics grades regressed on interest in mathematics in each level. A random resampling Canada sample with 145 schools was served as the representative of the West nations and the Japan sample with only 143 schools was on behalf of the East nations. The result showed that quite different predictive effect in either level across the Canada sample and the Japan sample. The predictive effects of the interest in mathematics to mathematics grades were positively significant in the Canada sample in each level but were negatively significant in the Japan sample in each level, which implied that cross-national studies in some important relationships among educational and psychological variables should be emphasized in the future.
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Empirical Analysis of Socio-Cognitive Factors Affecting Security Behaviors and Practices of Smartphone UsersSimpson, Joseph P. 01 January 2016 (has links)
The overall security posture of information systems (IS) depends on the behaviors of the IS users. Several studies have shown that users are the greatest vulnerability to IS security. The proliferation of smartphones is introducing an entirely new set of risks, threats, and vulnerabilities. Smartphone devices amplify this data exposure problem by enabling instantaneous transmission and storage of personally identifiable information (PII) by smartphone users, which is becoming a major security risk. Moreover, companies are also capitalizing on the availability and powerful computing capabilities of these smartphone devices and developing a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) program, which makes companies susceptible to divulgence of organizational proprietary information and sensitive customer information. In addition to users being the greatest risk to IS security, several studies have shown that many people do not implement even the most basic security countermeasures on their smartphones. The lack of security countermeasures implementation, risky user behavior, and the amount of sensitive information stored and transmitted on smartphones is becoming an ever-increasing problem.
A literature review revealed a significant gap in literature pertaining to smartphone security. This study identified six socio-cognitive factors from the domain of traditional computer security which have shown to have an impact on user security behaviors and practices. The six factors this study identified and analyzed are mobile information security self-efficacy, institutional trust, party trust, and awareness of smartphone risks, threats, and vulnerabilities and their influence on smartphone security practices and behaviors. The analysis done in this research was confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) – structural equation modeling (SEM). The goal of this study was to cross-validate previously validated factors within the context of traditional computer security and assess their applicability in the context of smartphone security. Additionally, this study assessed the influential significance of these factors on the security behaviors and practices of smartphone users.
This study used a Web-based survey and was distributed to approximately 539 users through Facebook® and LinkedIn® social media outlets which resulted in 275 responses for a 51% response rate. After pre-analysis data screening was completed, there were a total of 19 responses that had to be eliminated due to unengaged responses and outliers leaving 256 responses left to analyze. The results of the analysis found that vulnerability awareness, threat awareness, and risk awareness are interrelated to one another which all in turn had significance in predicting self-efficacy, security practices, and behaviors. This intricate relationship revealed in this study indicates that a user has to have an increased awareness in all three categories of awareness before they can fully understand how to protect themselves. Having an increased awareness in one category does not impact the overall security posture of the user and that risk, threat, and vulnerability awareness all work together. Another interesting find was that as risk awareness increased the less the smartphone users protected themselves. This finding warrants additional research to investigate why the user is more averse to risk, and willing to accept the risk, despite their increased awareness. Finally, institutional trust and party trust was found not to have any significance on any of the factors.
These findings should give smartphone users and organizations insight into specific areas to focus on in minimizing inappropriate security behaviors and practices of smartphone users. More specifically, users and organizations need to focus on educating users on all three factors of threats, risks, and vulnerabilities in order for there to have any impact on increasing self-efficacy and reducing inappropriate security behaviors and practices.
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