<p> Biometrics is the science of measuring either physiological (i.e. fingerprint, iris) or behavioural (i.e. gait, signature) characteristics for the purpose of determining or authenticating one's identity. While there has been considerable research conducted with respect to the technical aspects of biometrics, very little attention has been paid to consumer acceptability of this technology. The research presented here is a first step towards filling that void.</p> <p> As such, a series of three studies were undertaken. The first study was a qualitative analysis that identified what avenues of exploration Canadian banks considered to be the most salient with respect to consumer perceptions of biometric authentication technology. This analysis consisted of semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts. The second study was also qualitative and asked consumers from across Canada what they perceived as potential benefits and concerns with biometric authentication technology being used to access their bank accounts. Based upon the results of these two studies, which were further informed by a review of technology adoption literature, a third quantitative study was carried out in which a proposed research model was tested. This model identified both contextual antecedents and innate traits that may influence consumer attitudes towards using biometrics to access their bank accounts via an automated teller machine (ATM). In addition, the aspects of control and voluntariness were manipulated, through the presentation of various scenarios, to examine their effects upon both attitude as well as the direct antecedents of privacy and security concerns and usefulness. The proposed model was assessed using structural equation modeling. In addition, ANOV As and qualitative answers to open ended questions were examined to provide further insight as to what will enhance or impede consumer acceptance of biometric technology.</p> <p> The findings suggest that the contextual factors of privacy and security concerns and usefulness have a bigger impact upon attitude as compared to innate personality traits. In addition, while voluntariness appears to have no effect, control has a significant impact upon attitude as well as privacy and security concerns and usefulness. Based upon these results, implications for theory and practice are discussed, and suggestions for future research are presented. It is hoped that this initial research spurs additional interest in examining consumer acceptability of biometrics in terms of both private and public sector applications.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Matthew Scott Wireman, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2012 Chair: Dr. Stephen J. Wellum This dissertation examines the Protestant doctrine of Scripture's self-witness of divine authority. Chapter 1 examines the current evangelical milieu. The doctrine has become nearly obsolete in the discussion of systematic theology. Consequentially, wherein lies authority has been greatly misunderstood in Protestant circles. Chapter 2 surveys the doctrine through the history of the church. Particular note is made of Augustine, John Calvin, John Owen, and Herman Bavinck. This chapter evinces the near consensus of the church that the authority for the Church is found preeminently in the Scriptures. Chapter 3 summarizes post-conservative, Stanley J. Grenz and John R. Franke, attempts to ground theology in Scripture plus culture and tradition. This chapter does not offer a critique as much as it aims to represent post-conservatives in their own words. Chapter 4 looks at how the Old Testament viewed itself--particularly through the ministries of Moses and the prophets. YHWH chose representatives who would speak to the covenant community and write down the stipulations and history of YHWH's relationship with Israel for posterity. Chapter 5 looks at the New Testament, which follows the paradigm instituted by the Old Testament. In the person and work of Jesus Christ, God's promises find their fulfillment, which foments his commissioning of the Twelve Apostles to be his spokesmen. Chapter 6 ties together the threads that cohere in the two testaments of Scripture. It makes explicit the claims of Scripture that God is a se, he communicates with his creation, he uses spokesmen, and his written Word is its own witness for its authority. Chapter 7 defines the doctrine of Scripture's self-witness and applies it to tradition, culture, and the task of apologetics. The chapter explicates the thesis of the dissertation that Scripture's self-witness must be the ground of systematic theology.