Thesis Archives Search
This search engine will let you explore the over 1800 theses written in Honors at The University of Maine since the Program’s inception in 1935. You may search our thesis archives based on any of the fields listed above. If the thesis is available at the Reynolds Library (Thomson Honors Center) or Fogler Library (Special Collections), the information will appear below the bibliographic data. At last count, we had about 1800 theses in the Reynolds Library.
Search Results
Asian American Politics: A Case Study of Hmong Americans in St. Paul, MN
Author:
Thilee
Yost
Major: Political Science Graduation Year: 2019 Thesis Advisor: Amy Fried
Description of Publication:
Despite being a relatively new refugee group relocating to the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, Hmong Americans have emerged as a major political influence in St. Paul, Minnesota. With a population of over 68,000 Hmong Americans, St. Paul has been called the Hmong capital of the world. It has a very dense network of Hmong individuals who have proven to be an emerging political force. During the past November 2018 midterms seven, a record number, of Hmong Americans were elected to public office in the Twin Cities area. Since Asian Americans are expected to make up 10% of voters by 2040, it is important to understand how Asians can and have become an influential political force. The goal of this study is to better understand how the Hmong as a relatively recent refugee group have been able to become an emerging force in Minnesota’s mainstream politics. A qualitative study was conducted regarding the political activity and reasons for that activity among Hmong Americans in St. Paul. When immigrants or refugees relocate to the U.S. we must take into consideration multiple factors including historical context, the push and pull factors of migration, and the context of reception from locals in the place of relocation. We also look to the idea of linked fate and how that may effect the Hmong’s political action. Six interviews were conducted for this study: three interviews with community or Hmong organization leaders and three with Hmong Americans who were elected to public office. Two interview instruments were used for the two types of participants to cater to the individual’s scope of knowledge. Using a grounded theory approach to qualitative data analysis, four major themes arose from the data. First, multiple participants were able to shed light on the Hmong refugee experience from fleeing their home country to coming to the U.S. Second, participants shared how the Hmong community in St. Paul were motivated to be a voice in mainstream politics despite the initial discrimination they faced when relocating. Third, all participants spoke on this strong sentiment of community that the Hmong have in St. Paul – it influences much of their ideas and actions around social justice and politics. And fourth, there was a clear trend in observed generational differences between older Hmong and younger Hmong. Some differences included different rates of turnout and different values. Conclusively, it was found that four key factors, the major themes above, contributed to the success of the Hmong’s political incorporation and their ability to become a new and emerging force in Minnesota politics, setting precedent for possible trends we could see from Asian Americans on the national scale.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/528/
Major: Political Science Graduation Year: 2019 Thesis Advisor: Amy Fried
Description of Publication:
Despite being a relatively new refugee group relocating to the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, Hmong Americans have emerged as a major political influence in St. Paul, Minnesota. With a population of over 68,000 Hmong Americans, St. Paul has been called the Hmong capital of the world. It has a very dense network of Hmong individuals who have proven to be an emerging political force. During the past November 2018 midterms seven, a record number, of Hmong Americans were elected to public office in the Twin Cities area. Since Asian Americans are expected to make up 10% of voters by 2040, it is important to understand how Asians can and have become an influential political force. The goal of this study is to better understand how the Hmong as a relatively recent refugee group have been able to become an emerging force in Minnesota’s mainstream politics. A qualitative study was conducted regarding the political activity and reasons for that activity among Hmong Americans in St. Paul. When immigrants or refugees relocate to the U.S. we must take into consideration multiple factors including historical context, the push and pull factors of migration, and the context of reception from locals in the place of relocation. We also look to the idea of linked fate and how that may effect the Hmong’s political action. Six interviews were conducted for this study: three interviews with community or Hmong organization leaders and three with Hmong Americans who were elected to public office. Two interview instruments were used for the two types of participants to cater to the individual’s scope of knowledge. Using a grounded theory approach to qualitative data analysis, four major themes arose from the data. First, multiple participants were able to shed light on the Hmong refugee experience from fleeing their home country to coming to the U.S. Second, participants shared how the Hmong community in St. Paul were motivated to be a voice in mainstream politics despite the initial discrimination they faced when relocating. Third, all participants spoke on this strong sentiment of community that the Hmong have in St. Paul – it influences much of their ideas and actions around social justice and politics. And fourth, there was a clear trend in observed generational differences between older Hmong and younger Hmong. Some differences included different rates of turnout and different values. Conclusively, it was found that four key factors, the major themes above, contributed to the success of the Hmong’s political incorporation and their ability to become a new and emerging force in Minnesota politics, setting precedent for possible trends we could see from Asian Americans on the national scale.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/528/
Aspects of Land Development in the Bangor Area
Aspects of the Feeding Ecology of the Bald Eagle in Maine
ASSESSING ACHIEVEMENT IN HONORS: THE IMPORTANCE OF A NEED FOR COGNITION IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Honors programs are increasingly common in academic institutions today. However, what makes a student successful in a program like this is not clear. Is it their ability to remember information, the amount of knowledge they have, or the way they process this knowledge? Or could it be something else like how humble they are, what political party they affiliate themselves with, their thirst for complex problems, or even their motivations for engaging in the program? Much of the academic world focuses on the concepts of intelligence, test-taking, and study habits when discussing factors that make a student successful. These factors may not, however, be as important to success as we expect. What if students are unsuccessful in programs not because they aren’t smart enough, but because the program is designed in a way that pushes out conservatives, or those who do not yet posse ss a desire to think about complex issues?
This project aims to look at a cross-sectional analysis of several key variables in honors education at the University of Maine. I plan to examine intellectual humility, tolerance for ambiguity, need for cognition, and perceptions of political bias, and relate these variables to success in the Honors College at the University of Maine.
Author:
Christoper
Paradis
Major: Psychology Graduation Year: 2015 Thesis Advisor: Jordan P. LaBouff
Description of Publication:
Honors programs are increasingly common in academic institutions today. However, what makes a student successful in a program like this is not clear. Is it their ability to remember information, the amount of knowledge they have, or the way they process this knowledge? Or could it be something else like how humble they are, what political party they affiliate themselves with, their thirst for complex problems, or even their motivations for engaging in the program? Much of the academic world focuses on the concepts of intelligence, test-taking, and study habits when discussing factors that make a student successful. These factors may not, however, be as important to success as we expect. What if students are unsuccessful in programs not because they aren’t smart enough, but because the program is designed in a way that pushes out conservatives, or those who do not yet possess a desire to think about complex issues? This project aims to look at a cross-sectional analysis of several key variables in honors education at the University of Maine. I plan to examine intellectual humility, tolerance for ambiguity, need for cognition, and perceptions of political bias, and relate these variables to success in the Honors College at the University of Maine.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/236/
Major: Psychology Graduation Year: 2015 Thesis Advisor: Jordan P. LaBouff
Description of Publication:
Honors programs are increasingly common in academic institutions today. However, what makes a student successful in a program like this is not clear. Is it their ability to remember information, the amount of knowledge they have, or the way they process this knowledge? Or could it be something else like how humble they are, what political party they affiliate themselves with, their thirst for complex problems, or even their motivations for engaging in the program? Much of the academic world focuses on the concepts of intelligence, test-taking, and study habits when discussing factors that make a student successful. These factors may not, however, be as important to success as we expect. What if students are unsuccessful in programs not because they aren’t smart enough, but because the program is designed in a way that pushes out conservatives, or those who do not yet possess a desire to think about complex issues? This project aims to look at a cross-sectional analysis of several key variables in honors education at the University of Maine. I plan to examine intellectual humility, tolerance for ambiguity, need for cognition, and perceptions of political bias, and relate these variables to success in the Honors College at the University of Maine.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/236/
Assessing College Students’ Understanding of Geologic Timescales
Author:
Ethan
Couture
Major: Biology Graduation Year: Thesis Advisor: Jacquelyn Gill
Description of Publication:
Geologic timescales are central to many concepts in the natural sciences, including evolution, climate change and plate tectonics. However, geologic time scales can be challenging to appreciate, especially for those who have not had exposure to such topics previously. During primary and secondary education (K-12) students are provided with foundational information about geology that is then further developed in specialized classes in college. Yet most students are not getting this foundation, which could arguably lead to deficits in their post-secondary education. Despite the importance of these concepts, especially for those interested in careers associated with geologic timescales, there have been few studies assessing undergraduate understanding of geologic timescales. This study sought to address the described knowledge gap with a survey of college undergraduates, of which a total of 92 students were surveyed. Survey results point towards undergraduates having misunderstandings when it comes to the chronological order of events in earth history and the time between said events and how long those events lasted. The prevalent gap in knowledge identified in this survey suggests an opportunity to include more coverage of geologic time in high school and college curricula, or creation of supplemental materials or activities. Of which either can help facilitate a deeper understanding of other core topics in natural sciences.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/825/
Major: Biology Graduation Year: Thesis Advisor: Jacquelyn Gill
Description of Publication:
Geologic timescales are central to many concepts in the natural sciences, including evolution, climate change and plate tectonics. However, geologic time scales can be challenging to appreciate, especially for those who have not had exposure to such topics previously. During primary and secondary education (K-12) students are provided with foundational information about geology that is then further developed in specialized classes in college. Yet most students are not getting this foundation, which could arguably lead to deficits in their post-secondary education. Despite the importance of these concepts, especially for those interested in careers associated with geologic timescales, there have been few studies assessing undergraduate understanding of geologic timescales. This study sought to address the described knowledge gap with a survey of college undergraduates, of which a total of 92 students were surveyed. Survey results point towards undergraduates having misunderstandings when it comes to the chronological order of events in earth history and the time between said events and how long those events lasted. The prevalent gap in knowledge identified in this survey suggests an opportunity to include more coverage of geologic time in high school and college curricula, or creation of supplemental materials or activities. Of which either can help facilitate a deeper understanding of other core topics in natural sciences.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/825/
Assessing Health Related Quality of Life, Language Impairment, and Psychosocial Factors in Post-Stroke Aphasia
Author:
Sophia
Palangas
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Christopher Grindrod
Description of Publication:
Aphasia, an impairment of language comprehension and production typically due to an acquired brain injury or stroke, has been shown to negatively impact an individual’s quality of life (Hilari, Needle, & Harrison, 2012). It has also been shown that people with aphasia (PWA) have an increased risk of developing depression (Kauhanen et al., 2000). There are few current assessments or screening tools which focus on depression in aphasia and the relationship between mood disorders and prognosis for language recovery. This type of screening tool is critical to identify a PWA’s susceptibility for depression because depression elongates and/or prevents language recovery (Hackett & Anderson, 2005). To develop a more patient-centered quality of life screening measure, a focus group with PWA was planned. Participants would have been asked questions on their health-related quality of life based on physical, psychosocial and language impairment influences, and shared their opinions on what most impacted their quality of life post-stroke. Based on this information, questions were planned to be implemented as part of a brief quality of life screening tool specific to stroke survivors with aphasia. It is hoped that this screening tool will be used by speech-language pathologists to refer stroke survivors with aphasia to the correct mental health services as early as possible in the recovery process.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/612/
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Christopher Grindrod
Description of Publication:
Aphasia, an impairment of language comprehension and production typically due to an acquired brain injury or stroke, has been shown to negatively impact an individual’s quality of life (Hilari, Needle, & Harrison, 2012). It has also been shown that people with aphasia (PWA) have an increased risk of developing depression (Kauhanen et al., 2000). There are few current assessments or screening tools which focus on depression in aphasia and the relationship between mood disorders and prognosis for language recovery. This type of screening tool is critical to identify a PWA’s susceptibility for depression because depression elongates and/or prevents language recovery (Hackett & Anderson, 2005). To develop a more patient-centered quality of life screening measure, a focus group with PWA was planned. Participants would have been asked questions on their health-related quality of life based on physical, psychosocial and language impairment influences, and shared their opinions on what most impacted their quality of life post-stroke. Based on this information, questions were planned to be implemented as part of a brief quality of life screening tool specific to stroke survivors with aphasia. It is hoped that this screening tool will be used by speech-language pathologists to refer stroke survivors with aphasia to the correct mental health services as early as possible in the recovery process.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/612/
Assessing Lipid Content in Migrating Alewife
Author:
Anthony
Zenga
Major: Wildlife Ecology Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Joseph Zydlewski
Description of Publication:
Alewife are a commercially, economically, and ecologically important fish, that expend large amounts of energy during their long migrations to spawning habitat. This energy demand can influence an individual’s chances of surviving and reproducing successfully. To understand how energy use may affect fitness, we captured alewife from the Souadabscook Stream over the course of their spawning migration. Fifty fish were sampled each week from May 12th to June 10th 2019. The lipid content of each individual was measured by using i) a Distell Fatmeter and ii) gravimetric analysis by measuring muscle moisture as an indirect method to assess lipid content. Population demographics such as length, mass, and sex were recorded. Otoliths and scales were used to estimate age and spawning history respectively. Fish with higher lipid content were found during the tail end of the spawning run, and tended to be smaller than those who migrated earlier. Males were also found to have more stored lipids than females. Model selection was used to test the hypotheses that i) early migrants and ii) smaller fish have elevated lipid densities. The hypothesis that demographics such as length, mass, age, sex, and spawning history differ overtime was also tested. These findings provide information regarding the bioenergetics of alewife during migration, and may inform conservation strategies.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/616/
Major: Wildlife Ecology Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Joseph Zydlewski
Description of Publication:
Alewife are a commercially, economically, and ecologically important fish, that expend large amounts of energy during their long migrations to spawning habitat. This energy demand can influence an individual’s chances of surviving and reproducing successfully. To understand how energy use may affect fitness, we captured alewife from the Souadabscook Stream over the course of their spawning migration. Fifty fish were sampled each week from May 12th to June 10th 2019. The lipid content of each individual was measured by using i) a Distell Fatmeter and ii) gravimetric analysis by measuring muscle moisture as an indirect method to assess lipid content. Population demographics such as length, mass, and sex were recorded. Otoliths and scales were used to estimate age and spawning history respectively. Fish with higher lipid content were found during the tail end of the spawning run, and tended to be smaller than those who migrated earlier. Males were also found to have more stored lipids than females. Model selection was used to test the hypotheses that i) early migrants and ii) smaller fish have elevated lipid densities. The hypothesis that demographics such as length, mass, age, sex, and spawning history differ overtime was also tested. These findings provide information regarding the bioenergetics of alewife during migration, and may inform conservation strategies.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/616/
Assessing Myths Surrounding Teen Dating Violence: An Exploratory Study
Assessing State Communication of Resources and Education Effectiveness for Well Owners in Northern Maine: A Case Study
Author:
James
Greenwood
Major: Economics & Ecology and Environmental Sciences Graduation Year: 2022 Thesis Advisor: Robert Klose
Description of Publication:
Private well water is an essential resource in the state of Maine, as over 38% of the state’s population relies on it every day (Johnson et al. 2020). Unprotected by the provisions of the national Clean Water Act of 1974, which keeps public drinking water sources safe through regulation, well owners have to protect themselves against harmful environmental contaminants that threaten their water. However, as noted by research and leaders in the drinking water field, well owners generally have low well testing behaviors, leaving their safety up to fate. A common reason for this, as research as observed more than once, is a lack of effective outreach and communication about the risks well owners take by not testing their wells. The research for this case study took place in the rural northern towns of Glenburn, Levant, and Kenduskeag, Maine. By disseminating a survey to well owners, this study aimed to compare observed testing behaviors to those established in prior research, measure the extent of communication that these well owners had received, as well as make recommendations on how leaders in the field could better communicate with well owners. Results showed that the surveyed population had higher than expected well testing, but low knowledge on testing and the risks that threaten them if they forego it. Respondents also demonstrated that their experience with communication about their well was very infrequent, however, that mail communications would be most effective when deciding whether or not to test. Careful analysis of audience, as well as the inclusion of specific and transparent information have been recommended to officials who wish to increase well testing behavior.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/774
Major: Economics & Ecology and Environmental Sciences Graduation Year: 2022 Thesis Advisor: Robert Klose
Description of Publication:
Private well water is an essential resource in the state of Maine, as over 38% of the state’s population relies on it every day (Johnson et al. 2020). Unprotected by the provisions of the national Clean Water Act of 1974, which keeps public drinking water sources safe through regulation, well owners have to protect themselves against harmful environmental contaminants that threaten their water. However, as noted by research and leaders in the drinking water field, well owners generally have low well testing behaviors, leaving their safety up to fate. A common reason for this, as research as observed more than once, is a lack of effective outreach and communication about the risks well owners take by not testing their wells. The research for this case study took place in the rural northern towns of Glenburn, Levant, and Kenduskeag, Maine. By disseminating a survey to well owners, this study aimed to compare observed testing behaviors to those established in prior research, measure the extent of communication that these well owners had received, as well as make recommendations on how leaders in the field could better communicate with well owners. Results showed that the surveyed population had higher than expected well testing, but low knowledge on testing and the risks that threaten them if they forego it. Respondents also demonstrated that their experience with communication about their well was very infrequent, however, that mail communications would be most effective when deciding whether or not to test. Careful analysis of audience, as well as the inclusion of specific and transparent information have been recommended to officials who wish to increase well testing behavior.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/774