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This study presents the perceptions of media outlets and news consumption habits of a specific audience, the undergraduate student population of Ball State. The perception of credibility, accuracy, and trustworthiness all played important roles in media consumption. This study found little support for the hostile media effect among college students. Many respondents indicated they preferred to get their news in multiple perspectives, rather than just one. Consequently, this study supported the opposing views on hostile media effect in the academic research community. / Department of Journalism

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed betweenhomophobic beliefs and rape myth acceptance in undergraduate students who attendedBall State University. In addition, the effect that gender, organizational affiliation, andClass anding had on these beliefs was measured.The project consisted of 242 undergraduate students who lived in Woody/Shalesand Howick/Williams Halls. The project took place during the spring semester of 2004.The findings indicated that rape myth acceptance (RMA) did correlate with homophobia, and that this correlation was significantly higher in males than in females. The findings also indicated that neither class standing nor group affiliation had a significant effect on either RMA or homophobia. / Department of Educational Studies

This thesis explored the differences between 1981 Ball State University undeclared and declared major matriculates freshmen on selected variables related to persistence. This study did not attempt to make forecasts regarding persistence by the study participants, but rather to serve as a base population from which longitudinal studies examining the relationship between declaration of a major and persistence could be based.Responses to a 60-item questionnaire were tabulated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. A cross tabulation program was used in generating frequency and percentage data. In addition, chi square and T-test programs were used in reviewing the statistical significance of the differences.The undeclared and declared students were found to differ significantly in thier responses to the following variables: 1) college attendance by others; 2) influence to attend college; 3) Ball State University attendance; 4) major/occupation selection priority; and 5) vocational and academic expectations and experiences.

The study determined if the hip hop culture influenced the collegiate experience, specifically attitude, socialization, and personal goals. Qualitative research methodology resulted in the use of semi-structured interviews. Participants were traditional undergraduate students who self-identified as listening to hip hop music at Ball State University. Data were collected in January and February of 2006.The hip hop culture influenced the socialization of the student participants. Participant attitude was seldom influenced by the hip hop culture. Mainstream hip hop had minimal influence on the personal goals of students. The hip hop culture was more than music to the undergraduate students; it was a way of life and provided the motivation to pursue an education. / Department of Educational Leadership

The supposed liberalising effects of higher education have been documented since Newcomb’s landmark Bennington study in the 1930s. However, other research has suggested that the effect of education on beliefs and values may differ between academic disciplines. The main mechanisms by which differing beliefs are believed to develop include the self-selection hypothesis (where students chose disciplines which match their pre-existing belief systems) and the socialisation hypothesis (where students are socialised into the worldview of the discipline through continued exposure). Three correlational design questionnaire studies were conducted. Study 1 and 2 featured 223 and 531 students, respectively, and Study 3 included 143 recent graduates of Murdoch University, from different academic disciplines (primarily commerce, psychology and the social sciences). Study 4 involved interviews with nine students who had switched between the three main fields of study. The quantitative results generally supported the self-selection hypothesis, although some participant accounts suggested possible accentuation effects (where pre-existing values were strengthened by university study). Future research should consider a longitudinal study, tracking students in different academic disciplines over the full-length of their degree. A cross-sectional community study would also be valuable, in determining whether large scale difference exist between the those with tertiary, compared to those with lower levels of education, and whether discipline differences persist following graduation (and whether this is linked to occupation). These findings have important implications for the way universities view themselves, in terms of shaping the minds of the next generation of leaders, and for disciplines, in terms of the types of students they attract and how they can best retain them. In conclusion, there are significant differences in the belief systems of students in different academic disciplines, although not as large as may be expected, and that this seems primarily due to self-selection, rather than socialisation or accentuation.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Georgia Southern University, 2007. / "A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education." Under the direction of Barbara J. Mallory. ETD. Electronic version approved: May 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 251-285) and appendices.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Georgia Southern University, 2007. / "A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education." Under the direction of Abebayehy Tekleselassie. ETD. Electronic version approved: July 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-95) and appendices.

Thesis (M.P.H.M. (Primary Health Care Management))--Mahidol University, 2003.

Low and very low food security is a concern in the US, and specific populations are at high risk. An understudied population with regards to food security is university students. University students suffering from low and very low food security are at risk for physical and mental consequences. Because limited research has been conducted identifying the food security status of university students in the US, the public is unaware of the problem. This study was designed to determine food security status of Illinois university students and the socio-demographic characteristics associated with each food security classification. A cross-sectional survey design was used to analyze the food security status of Illinois university students. An online 40-question survey based on the USDA's Household Food Security Survey Module was distributed via mass email to university students at four Illinois universities including Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, and Western Illinois University. Statistical analysis included frequencies and Chi-squared Test of Independence. A total sample of 2,753 students from four universities completed the online survey. Results determined that 30.4% of Illinois university students had low or very low food security, twice as high as the general public. There were significant associations between food security status and the following socio-demographic variables: ethnicity, academic level, GPA, living location on- or off-campus, living alone, financial support, and hometown region. African Americans and Hispanics, juniors and seniors, students with lower GPAs, students receiving financial support requiring repayment, and students from urban hometowns were found to be at-risk populations associated with low or very low food security. This study suggests a significant portion of Illinois university students are at high risk for low and very low food security. Significant socio-demographic characteristics associated with low and very low food security could be used to develop programs targeting those in need. Future research should be conducted to determine food security status of students at universities throughout the US