<p> This study was influenced by the researcher's personal interest in the topic as well as a pilot study he conducted; it produced results that inspired him to do further research. The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission assisted in distributing the Qualtrics survey through their Facebook page and Twitter account. Thus, the researcher utilized a non-probability convenience and volunteer sample of 789 Saudi Arabian students studying in the United States. </p><p> This study was guided by the Uses and Gratification Theory to examine the use of smartphones as a news resource and the potential gratifications students experienced with this type of use. The findings showed reliance upon using smartphones for accessing news with several experienced gratifications. An emergent habit of checking news frequently among respondents was revealed by the data analysis. Additionally, the findings indicated that respondents have feelings of being overwhelmed by the large amount of news as well as feeling isolated without their smartphones. The findings point to a noticeable amount of sharing news via social networking sites while using smartphones. Overall, an argument of a cultural impact of using smartphones exists, contrary to respondents' perceptions.</p>

<p> Utilizing Kenneth Burke's dramatistic pentad, I argue that the rhetoric of Alaskan reality television produces a new strain of the American frontier myth wherein agents struggle to live within an omnipotent scene. After tracing the evolution of the pentadic elements in literature and film embodying the eastern and western variations of the myth, I analyze <i>Deadliest Catch, Flying Wild Alaska</i>, and <i>Gold Rush</i> and thereby discover that the discourse does not revive older versions, but instead formulates a contemporary iteration that diminishes tension between the dialectical values of individualism and community. As the United States faces daunting exigencies concerning the economy, technology, and the environment in the new millennium, the myth of the Alaskan frontier offers ways for people to cope with their anxieties. This thesis concludes with a discussion of implications and ideas for future research.</p>

<p> The current study included a content analysis of PG-13 movie trailers to evaluate the content of risk behavior, related consequences and gender variables. The sample consisted of trailers representing the top ten blockbuster films from each year between 2008 and 2012. The sample was selected to represent the most popular films because they reach the largest audience. The risk behavior variables included violence, tobacco use, alcohol, sexual conduct and body modification. They were chosen based on risk behaviors cited by the CDC and previous research. </p><p> The purpose of the study was to investigate an antecedent of Social Cognitive Theory. The results indicate higher levels of risk behaviors in comparison to their related consequences. Male characters were found to be more likely to engage in risk behaviors than women, with the exception of sexual conduct.</p>

<p> This research used a series of qualitative measurements of media coverage to investigate how differences in characteristics of a terrorist related event correlate with qualitative differences in media coverage. The first part of this study determined that there were tools to measure differences in the quality of coverage. Three variables showed significant differences in coverage. Coverage differed in the structure of the news account- in whose shoes the reader enters the story. The differences between entering through the perspective of the victim, the perpetrator or the context have been correlated by Cerulo (1998) with different messages of the legitimacy of the actors. Victim sequences signal deviant (illegitimate) violence, perpetrator sequences signal legitimate violence and contextual sequences signal ambiguous violence. Coverage also differed in the extent to which an article provided contextual information or focused strictly on the details of the event. Providing contextual information is important for terrorist groups because it includes information on the grievances of the group as well as the history of the conflict. This variable was measured as an episodic or thematic frame. Explanations of motivation for participation in terrorism also differed based on characteristics of an event. As with contextual coverage, presenting themes of causation or motivation for the account is a way for terrorist groups to present grievances and history of the conflict. Combining these three variables into a favorable coverage variable helped makes sense of competing trends in the data. This first section set up a system for evaluating the qualitative impact on media coverage of choices that terrorist groups and governments make. What stands out is a paradox for a terrorist group around the use of violence. Both here and in other studies, violence has been shown to be an effective means of getting through the media gatekeeping and achieving coverage, but it is also associated with a decrease in favorable coverage. Number of casualties is also negatively associated with favorable coverage. Hence the paradox that, in order to achieve coverage, based on criteria of newsworthiness, violence may often be necessary, but violent action actually decreases the number of articles presenting the kind of information terrorist groups want to get across. Looking at the paired cases, what was most significant was the lack of change in the favorability of coverage before and after events. The implication is that while terrorist groups may have some control over whether or not their actions get covered, media organizations develop fairly resilient patterns for covering those actions, irrespective of the nature of the action. Terrorist groups essentially have less capacity to actually manipulate the type of coverage they receive than is commonly believed. While there were some very small effects, the favorability of coverage immediately following an event is essentially the same as before it. The difference lies in the actual amount of coverage. While short-term impacts were slight, there are substantial differences both in quantity and quality over the life of the conflict, a longer term view may allow for better understanding of changes in media coverage.</p>

<p> Clear and effective communication is essential in today's society (Smith &amp; Cotten, 1980; Smith &amp; Land, 1981). Nonverbal communication specifically has a vital role in communication. There is inconsistent data on the effect of nonverbal communication used by instructors and the impact on student learning within the higher education environment. This research study sought to find distinct correlations between instructors' nonverbal communication and a variety of elements related to student learning. </p><p> This study examined (1) the relationship between standardized measurements of student learning and instructors' nonverbal communication, (2) the relationship between students' perceptions of their learning and instructors' nonverbal communication, (3) the relationship between students' perceptions of instructor credibility based on the instructors' nonverbal communication, and (4) the relationship between students' gender and instructors' nonverbal communication. </p><p> Based on quantitative and qualitative data, college students (N=85) from a midsize Midwestern university reported distinct findings that progressed the study of nonverbal communication. Students attended class with one of two variable instructorlecturing types: utilizing effective nonverbal communication (good eye contact, arm movement, facial expression, voice fluctuation, and position in the classroom), or poor nonverbal communication (poor eye contact, arm movement, facial expression, voice fluctuation, and position in the classroom). The instructors lectured the exact same material from a script. Students provided data through tests, surveys, and focus groups that delivered substantial evidence of the relationship between instructors' nonverbal communication and student learning. </p><p> Findings in the research study suggest that instructors' nonverbal communication is beneficial to students' academic success. This study outlined which elements of nonverbal communication an instructor could use to benefit student learning. Using the results of this study, university administrators, faculty, and professional development officials could find beneficial information for the success of higher education instruction.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1987. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-05, Section: A, page: 1056.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A&M University, 2006. / "Major Subject: Speech Communication" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Nov. 2, 2007.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A&M University, 2008. / "Major Subject: Speech Communication" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Oct. 13, 2008.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: A, page: 0438. Adviser: Scott Althaus. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 166-185) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas A & M University, 2004. / "Major Subject: Speech Communication." Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Oct. 15, 2004.). Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.