When Models Interact with their Subjects: The Dynamics of Model Aware Systems

A scientific model need not be a passive and static descriptor of its subject. If the subject is affected by the model, the model must be updated to explain its affected subject. In this study, two models regarding the dynamics of model aware systems are presented. The first explores the behavior of "prediction seeking" (PSP) and "prediction avoiding" (PAP) populations under the influence of a model that describes them. The second explores the publishing behavior of a group of experimentalists coupled to a model by means of confirmation bias. It is found that model aware systems can exhibit convergent random or oscillatory behavior and display universal 1/f noise. A numerical simulation of the physical experimentalists is compared with actual publications of neutron life time and {\Lambda} mass measurements and is in good quantitative agreement.Comment: Accepted for publication in PLoS-ON

Equipping Churches to Disciple College Students at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tallahassee, Florida

This project sought to equip churches to disciple college students who participate at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tallahassee, Florida. Chapter 1 provides the context and background of college ministry in Tallahassee, Florida, as well the rationale, purpose, goals, and research methodology. Chapter 2 provides exegesis of four passages of Scripture (1 Cor 2:10-16; 2 Tim 3:14-17; 2 Tim 2:2, Titus 2) to show that the effective discipleship of college students is possible through the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, and the local church. Chapter 3 addressed what effective discipleship is, and the importance of the spiritual disciplines in personal discipleship relationships. Chapter 4 provides the details and descriptions of the project. Chapter 5 seeks to evaluate the project based on the completion of the stated goals. This project desires to demonstrate to local churches in Tallahassee that God has more than sufficiently equipped them to disciple college students well

Educator Voice and Influence in Mississippi Education Policy

This thesis attempts to discover if there are barriers educators and government actors feel are in place that prevent educator advocacy and influence in the state of Mississippi, and consequently what importance their voices hold in the policymaking and implementation processes. The research questions that are addressed in this thesis include: a) Is there an absence of educators affecting policies and if so, why? b) What are the perceptions of educators’ advocacy and engagement in laws passed regarding education? c) What, if any, barriers prevent educators’ voices from influencing laws? Qualitative data from educators and those in the government sector is gathered through interviews and analyzed to uncover common themes regarding educator voice and advocacy. The research found several shared beliefs between interviewees, which offers solutions, discourse, and recommendations for addressing this perceived issue in Mississippi

So, You Want to Be a Southeastern Librarian? Entry-Level Academic Library Job Trends in the Southeast

While it is no secret that looking for one’s first job as a librarian can be difficult, especially in the current economic climate, the process can be even more challenging when one’s search must take place within a particular geographic area or region. For a variety of reasons, including financial constraints and family obligations, many entry-level candidates are not in a position to move to any part of the country and start their new lives as professional librarians. The need to focus a job search on a specific region, however, necessarily limits the number of available jobs. Developing a strong understanding of the job environment is vital to competing successfully for a small number of positions. When preparing to enter a highly competitive market, job seekers will find it advantageous to know more about what types of jobs are likely to be available, how lucrative the jobs might be, how much experience might be needed, and other concerns about the job market

Forget the desk job : current roles and responsibilities in entry-level reference job advertisements.

This study examines the evolving roles and responsibilities of entry-level academic reference positions, as stated in recent job advertisements posted on the American Library Association’s JobLIST Web site and other sources. Findings from a content analysis of these advertisements indicate that current entry-level reference positions in academic libraries incorporate a strikingly diverse and complex range of responsibilities. The study provides valuable insight into the expectations and priorities of hiring institutions in regard to entry-level reference work, offering a broad perspective on the reference job environment to library science students, first-time job seekers, and libraries seeking to recruit entrylevel candidates

Cyber peers’ influence for adolescent consumer in decision-making styles and online purchasing behavior

[[abstract]]Nowadays, there is a boom in online purchasing, especially by adolescents. In fact, scholars and marketers alike have long noticed the emergence of adolescent consumers and their consumption behaviors. This research aims at exploring the effect of adolescent decision-making styles on online purchasing behavior, with peer influence as a moderating variable. An online questionnaire survey was conducted on 2,419 adolescents and further verified by regression analysis and analysis of covariance. Adolescents with planned purchase behaviors can be considered as rational consumers, in that they do not care about fashion, or recreational, hedonistic shopping consciousness, but rather focus on brand, price value, and high quality. Indeed, adolescent purchase decision making can be strengthened by peer influence.[[journaltype]]國外[[incitationindex]]SSCI[[ispeerreviewed]]Y[[booktype]]電子版[[booktype]]紙本[[countrycodes]]US

Job Seeking in an Academic Environment: A Dual Perspective

Libraries, unfortunately, are not immune to the current economic climate, which translates not only into budget cuts, but also into fewer vacant positions being posted and filled. Library school graduates entering the profession not only are forced to compete for fewer jobs, but face stiff competition from other applicants with previous professional experience. In the current economy, many applicants in various stages of their careers are competing for the few entry-level positions available. Furthermore, applicants seeking tenure-track positions in college and university libraries often confront challenges that are unique to the academic environment. In this essay, the Chair of the Search Committee for a recent entry-level, tenure-track reference librarian position at the University of Louisville and the successful candidate for this position share their perspectives on the search process. The Chair provides insights into applicant selection and hiring procedures in academic libraries, while the candidate reflects on the experience of preparing for and negotiating the particular demands of an interview in this setting

An analysis of entry-level librarian ads published in American Libraries, 1982-2002.

Much discussion has taken place in the literature over the difficulty finding qualified candidates to fill vacancies within libraries. Emphasis has been placed on recruitment, internships, scholarships, and other partnerships by library science schools and libraries to attract new people to the profession. Even so, applicant pools are dwindling [Simmons-Welburn and McNeil, 2004] and many institutions have been forced to rewrite job ads after initial postings to locate a qualified candidate. Factors hindering vacancy searches include: Graying of the profession, “Thousands of librarians will be retiring in the next ten years” [Simmons-Welburn and McNeil, 2004] Budget constraints/less positions [Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004] Low pay in comparison to other professions [Congress on Professional Education, 1999] Less people entering the profession [Kaufman, 2002] Since more and more experienced candidates are retiring, frequently recruitment must turn towards entry-level candidates. This paper takes a look at the minimum requirements acceptable to employers to hire a candidate with no professional experience. A review of the literature reveals no specific focus on entry-level position requirements. There have been several studies analyzing position announcements for content. These studies focused on different specializations within the library field or a thorough examination of a particular year. Although some studies have included entry-level librarians, none examined these trends for changes in entry-level requirements over time

Permanent Electronic Access to Government Information: A Study of Federal, State, and Local Documents

[First two paragraphs] Even before the conception of electronic-only documents, providing permanent public access to government information was challenging. Since 1813, federal depository libraries have acquired and maintained tangible items to ensure continued access for the public. Fugitive documents, or government-produced information which escapes distribution through the Federal Depository Library System (FDLP), have always been a major concern. In our current environment, where the vast majority of government information is distributed electronic-only, this problem has only worsened. That, coupled with the ability to completely destroy electronic documents with the click of a mouse, has made the task of finding and ensuring permanent public access to this information even more daunting. Agencies remove information for a variety of reasons—fear of the release of sensitive material, web site restructuring, or a lack of understanding of the historical significance of some materials. In 1998, an audit of the National Institute of Health found that 78% of material suitable for inclusion in the FDLP was not submitted by government agencies. Former Public Printer Bruce James noted that agency self-publication which bypasses standard government distribution “deprives future generations from having an accurate record of the work of our government.” In this day and age, how permanent is electronic government information? This paper will explore the permanency of selected electronic government information over a twelve-month period to determine its stability and accessibility