University Archive

The Purdue Global University Archive (PGUA) expands visibility and access to the scholarly output of our university's academic community by showcasing its works, activities, and history.

The PGUA is a service provided by the Purdue Global Library. For more information about the PGUA, its mission, policies, and how to contribute your own scholarly work to it, visit the Guide to the University Archive.

 

Recent Submissions

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Gay Male Sexual Practices and Identity: A Multi-Cohort AI Study of Subjective Experiences of and Behavioral Reaction to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
(2023) Michael Todd
Quantitative analysis of an online survey of gay men using advanced data mining and unsupervised machine learning techniques, theoretically based on Life Course Theory, demonstrates that gay men have more satisfying lives in direct proportion to their integration into urban gay communities and the greater potential for social support such integration provides. Nineteen new psychosociometric scales specific to American gay men were created or adapted to provide a multidimensional measure the biographical state of men participating in the survey. Introjected homophobia has a strong inverse correlation with both life satisfaction and social support. Number of symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder is tightly and inversely associated with levels of social support. Given the strong and significant inverse correlation between life satisfaction and introjected homophobia, clinicians should assess introjected homophobia levels as a part of the intake process for gay men. Clinicians should also ensure that gay male patients are assessed for isolation from urban gay communities. Gay sexual identity milestones were significantly later for the two birth cohorts following the boomers, possibly because fear of HIV delayed identity development. Gen Z men, the first to develop identities after HAART drugs exponentially reduced AIDS fatalities, had milestones comparable to boomers, who also came of age without fear of HIV.
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KLMN Junk Removal: A Case for Veterans in Franchising
(Small Business Institute, 2023-04-01) McDermott, Martin J.
This case study focuses on an organization called KLMN and how it transitioned to franchising. KLMN was started by a military veteran that specializes in junk removal. One of the biggest challenges for new franchisors is identifying franchisees who match their model. Another challenge is creating a distinct brand. What made KLMN unique from other franchise models was that individuals must have served in the military to become a franchisee to KLMN. Using this technique eased the process of identifying new franchisees, created a distinct brand for the franchise model and offered a unique selling proposition to their customers.
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Applying Resource Scarcity Theory to Franchising: The Effect of Industry Choice and Age on Franchise Success and Satisfaction
(Small Business Institute, 2023-04-01) McDermott, Martin J.; Butler, David
This study investigates the impact of industry category and age on franchise business ownership and job satisfaction. The selection of industry choice and age of a franchise business owner could be explained through resource scarcity theory. The decision to become or not become an entrepreneur is based on access or possession of resources. In addition, resource scarcity might explain the type of industry chosen to pursue entrepreneurship. This quantitative study used a comparative research model to gauge whether industry category and age of the franchise business owner impact satisfaction on franchise ownership. Findings reported in this study indicated that, in contrast to previous research on non-franchisee entrepreneurs, age was not correlated to higher satisfaction in owning and operating a franchise. Moreover, significant differences in job satisfaction were identified across industries.
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Marked as Dangerous: An Investigative Analysis of No-touch Torture Methods on Targeted Individuals
(2022) Womac, Joyeux Noel
The analysis examined participants suffering trauma from aspects of no-touch torture, such as gangstalking or organized stalking. The secondary aim was to establish common complaints in a 31-item anonymous online survey using 184 participants. A quantitative analysis summarized the demographics and consensus on no-touch torture experiences. The questionnaire excluded a perpetrator headcount, asset stripping, intellectual property theft, family relationships, animal cruelty, medical, criminal, employment history, and property damage/theft. The primary responses covered 40 U.S. states and 33 countries, mainly of non-political, single, White women, between the ages 45-54 with some education, typically unemployed with a blue-collar background. The activity occurred for more than ten years, as early as 1964, at the hands of corrupt law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Participants alleged these groups had ties to human trafficking and mass murder/active shootings and also targeted others nearby. They claimed to be involved in other crimes. Respondents asserted these activities derived from illegal testing and experimenting, producing the effects of dehydration, diminished thoughts, eyesight/red eyes, hearing, depleted salt and glucose levels, and red blood cell reduction. Most shared symptoms of Havana syndrome, Morgellons disease, active trauma, or depression. Many resorted to alcohol or substance abuse to dampen the effects and referred to their situation as a torture/targeting program. These new metrics explored several correlations and shed new light on the trauma-based phenomenon.
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How Time Management is more than a new App or Life Hack
(2022-11) Mary Laska; Jon Racster
The purpose of this proposal was to focus on time management as a decision-making process that involves planning. It is also important to consider changing societal expectations, career changes, and family dynamics when determining what needs to get done. Time management can be aided by new and existing technology tools. This proposal focuses on awareness, perception and actionable items related to time management. Oyzarzun et al. (2020) demonstrate a disconnect between the perceived helpfulness of LMS tools for time management and their frequency of use many times stemming from lack of knowledge or perceived difficulty in using the tools. To address this disconnect we will highlight some of the LMS tools available in Brightspace as well as other existing productivity resources that may help faculty better manage their time both in and outside of the online classroom. We will also provide insights into the usefulness of the technologies and best practices when employing each tool.