Theses and Dissertations, Capstones, and Directed Research
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Electronic theses and dissertations, and graduate and undergraduate Capstones and Directed Research.
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Browsing Theses and Dissertations, Capstones, and Directed Research by Type "Directed Research Project"
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Item A Benefit-Cost Analysis of Jail-Based Competency Restoration Services in Travis County, Texas(2018-05) Muller, Krystal R.; Shields, Patricia M.; DeSoto, William; Miears, RebeccaNo abstract prepared.Item A Case Study of Environmental Justice - Air Quality in Harris County, Texas(2021-05) Yang, Ting Hsuan; Zhan, F. Benjamin; Chow, T. EdwinThis research integrates EJSCREEN data and geographically weighted regression analysis to explore the spatial variation in the relationships between environmental indicators and demographic factors in Harris County, Texas. The results show high levels of the goodness of fit for most of the models in PM 2.5, ozone, NATA respiratory hazard index, and NATA diesel particulate matter, except for traffic proximity. The results provide a clear representation that there is a high level of associations between a higher volume of air pollutants or a higher level of relevant health risk and a higher percentage of populations vulnerable to environmental risks.Item A Case Study of Travis County's Precipitation Events Inspired by a "Hyperlocal" Approach from NWS and CoCoRaHs Data(2020-12) Plunket, William W.; Earl, Richard; Li, YananNo abstract prepared.Item A Comparison of Fine and Coarse Resolution Remote Sensing Platforms for Post Fire Severity(2019-12) Petri, Maximilian E.; Currit, Nathan; Li, Yanan NancyThis study compares Landsat 8 dNBR with Planet dNDVI for burn severity measurement. The sensors were compared to ground reference data using the Composite Burn Index (CBI) and a radiospectrometer. CBI data was collected with 21 field plots from a fire on ranch land in Llano, Texas in the Summer of 2018. dNBR based on Landsat 8 produced higher r2 values (0.742) than dNDVI based on Planet imagery (0.324). Planet imagery at ~3m spatial resolution has finer details of the landscape that can help land managers, fire departments, and landowners to rehabilitate the landscape, but it lacks an MIR band, which explains its lower correlation values. The Landsat system provides better results spectrally, but Planet images can provide finer detail of the landscape and with a more flexible time/date range.Item A Comprehensive Geodatabase of the Freeman Center(2017-05) Wiesner, Jon Scott; Jensen, Jennifer; Huebner, DonNo abstract prepared.Item A Content Analysis of Applied Research Projects Completed from 1999-2005 at Texas State University in the Masters of Public Administration Program(2005-08) Ilo, Saidat; Shields, Patricia M.; Youngblood, ArlenePurpose: The purpose of this research project is three fold. The first purpose is to review the literature that addresses the problems associated with research in public administration and the quality of methodology in public administration using criteria from the literature. Second the educational pedagogy used to supervise the Applied Research Projects (ARPs) at Texas State University is examined. Finally, the actual Texas State ARPs from 1999-2005 are described. Method: The analysis of ARPs is completed using content analysis. Content analysis is used because it involves a direct examination of the documents. Content analysis has been the methodology of choice for critiquing public administration research (see Perry and Kraemer (1986), Houston and Delevan (1990), Adams and White (1994), McCurdy and Cleary (1984), Gute (1999), Almaguel (1997), Nall (1994), and Beck (1993)). Findings: When comparing Texas State Applied Research Project to the previous authors (Gute1999 and Almaguel 1997) the ARPs have similarities as well as a few differences. Some of the major similarities are that the ARPs do have clearly stated purposes and use conceptual frameworks. Some of the major differences are the average size of the ARPs have decreased. Also, the ARPs from 1999-2005 focus more on state government than local or national government as shown by the previous two authors. The remaining findings are discussed in the conclusion chapter of this research.Item A Description of Texas Municipal Forestry Programs: How Critical Program Elements Vary According to City Size, Expenditures, and Assistance from the State(2013-05) O'Herrin, Keith; Shields, Patricia M.; Fields, Willard; Reyes, StephaniePurpose: The purpose of this research study was to describe how six critical program elements of urban and community forestry programs in Texas municipalities vary according to city size, expenditures, and assistance from Texas A&M Forest Service. The six critical program elements are 1) staffing levels, 2) tree ordinances, 3) advocacy, 4) urban forest management plans, 5) tree inventories, and 6) the program's status in the larger municipal structure. This study also was designed to compare current expenditure rates against benchmarks set by previous research studies found in the literature. Method: Survey research was the sole method of data collection for this study. The survey was sent to 441 Texas city managers, parks department directors and other executive-level parks department staff, and municipal foresters in 241 unique Texas cities. Surveys were returned from 81 unique cities for a response rate of about 34% at the city level. Surveys were returned from 93 individuals for a response rate of 21.1% at the individual level. Findings: Expenditures on urban forestry activities are low compared to the findings of related literature and represent a continued downward slide. On average, Texas cities of any size are spending less on urban forestry per capita today than the average U.S. city was spending at any period previously recorded; 1974, 1980, 1986 or 1994. If the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA expenditure requirement of $2 per capita (set in 1974) is adjusted for inflation, it rises to $9.38 in 2012 dollars; only about 13% of respondents meet or exceed this adjusted value. Additionally, spending on urban forestry as a percentage of a municipality's total budget is quite low. There appears to be a strong connection between a city receiving assistance from the Texas A&M Forest Service and those cities currently possessing the critical elements of an urban and community forestry program. Strong tree ordinances are relatively common in Texas municipalities, including municipal codes that protect trees on private property during construction activity or regulate the removal of trees on private property. Tree boards and non-profit groups are both fairly common as well. Urban forestry management plans are very uncommon and there appears to be a strong connection between high expenditure rates and management plans. The same connection to high expenditure rate can't be made with tree inventories of street trees or park trees which are also very uncommon, whether they are comprehensive or sample inventories.Item A Description of the Articles of the Past Five Years of Armed Forces and Society(2003-02) Sexton, NathanThe purpose of this Applied Research Project is to describe the substantive content of recent articles in Armed Forces & Society. This paper uses the framework of Guy L. Siebold (2001) to analyze the content of 117 Armed Forces & Society articles from the past five years. The settings chapter gives a background of the journal and information about each editor. Guy L. Siebold (2001 pp. 143) identifies four areas of military sociology that require attention. The four areas include (1) the military as a profession of arms, (2) the military as an institution or organization, (3) civil-military relations, and (4) military relations with other governmental agencies and militaries (Siebold 2001 pp140). The key facets of military sociology as set by Siebold are used to classify the content in the journal. The results found that the most discussed topics in the journal are historical development; education or training; recruitment or promotion; social issues or innovation, demographics; goals, ways of operating or the I/O debate, and the degree of conflict, harmony, or cooperation as related to civil-military relations.Item A Descriptive Analysis of Computer Security Measures in Medium-Sized Texas Counties(1996-05) Revello, Ralph E.; Weinberger, George M.No abstract prepared.Item A Descriptive Study of Chief Information Security Officers’ Roles and Responsibilities in Texas State Government Agencies(2016-05) Velasquez, Sanjuanita; Rangarajan, Nandhini; Inbody, Donald; Sone, JohnResearch Purpose: The purpose of this research is to describe the responsibilities of Texas Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). This research should give stake holders, and policy makers a better understanding of Chief Information Security Officers’ responsibilities. In addition, it provides information security professionals a landscape of CISOs’ responsibilities. A comprehensive review of the literature was used to develop a framework with five descriptive categories: managerial, legal, technical, career development, and information security. Method: This research via a survey, developed from the conceptual framework, gathered data the responsibilities of CISOs. An open records request was sent to all state offices in Texas. The survey was distributed to 100 CISOs. After carefully sifting through the responses received for the open records request, a total of 100 names of CISOs or titles similar to that were obtained. As a result the survey was administered to a total of 94 potential respondents. A total of 27 individuals responded to the survey, and out of 27 respondents only eleven explicitly identified as Chief Information security Officers. Results: The results of this survey show that CISOs overwhelmingly support several managerial, legal, and information security responsibilities as extremely important. Extremely important responsibilities include risk management (77%), incident response (77%), information security polices (74%), procurement and contracts (70%), ethics (81%), data security (89%) and network security (70%). Survey results also revealed that respondents alluded to software development as not part of CISO responsibilities (66%).Item A Descriptive Study of Diversity Management and Training in Texas State Government Agencies(2000-05) Hicks, Patricia; Balanoff, Howard R.; Trepagnier, BarbaraThe American workplace is becoming more diverse in regard to the race, gender, culture. life style and functional specialty of its workers. A steady increase in workforce diversity is expected in light of predictions by demographers that half of the United States population will be nonwhite by the year 20 10. This expected demographic shift could have major implications on workplace dynamics including: communications problems; organizational conflict; a significant degree of value incongruence among employees; and increased stress levels among managers and staff. These potential challenges could jeopardize the meeting of organizational goals if workplaces are not properly prepared to handle increased diversity. In the face of these changes, traditional practices and styles of managing will require new and innovative interventions. In this study, a survey is conducted of Texas state agency human resource directors to assess their opinions on whether Texas state agencies are taking the proper steps to effectively manage a diverse workforce. The opinions of human resource directors were also solicited regarding perceived advantages, disadvantages and consequences of diversity management programs and training. This assessment is based on key elements of diversity management that have been identified in current literature. The findings of the research indicate that a majority of Texas state agencies are addressing diversity either through multi-intervention diversity management programs or through diversity training. Survey results indicate, however, that human resources departments are not being fully utilized by agency leaders to help develop and implement the most effective diversity initiatives for their agencies. The findings also indicate that most agencies are lacking the necessary accountability measures to evaluate the effectiveness of existing diversity initiatives.Item A Formative Evaluation of the Texas Teacher Licensure System(2001-05) Cordova, Rudy; Shields, Patricia M.; Opheim, Cynthia L.The focus of this applied research project is on teacher licensure systems. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to describe the ideal characteristics of an effective teacher licensure system. Secondly, this paper assesses the teacher licensure system in Texas using the practical ideal categories established within the conceptual framework. Finally, by using this research design, recommendations for improving the Texas teacher licensure system are made. The research purpose is prescriptive. A case study methodology incorporating document analysis and focused interviews served to achieve the purpose of the research study. Texas state laws and State Board for Educator Certification rules are analyzed. In addition, focused interviews with university and agency personnel are used to corroborate the document analysis. The key findings in this study suggest that the Texas teacher licensure system needs vast improvement in the areas of pre-service education, the internship, the provisional licensing examination, the induction period, and the renewal process. Recommendations for improvement are made to the state legislature as well as the State Board for Educator Certification.Item A Knowledge Taxonomy for Army Intelligence Training: An Assessment of the Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leaders Course Using Lundvall’s Knowledge Taxonomy(2010-04) Ruiz, Victor H.; Shields, Patricia M.; Inbody, Donald S.; Ruger, WilliamPurpose: The events of September 11, 2001 and the succeeding wars in Iraq and Afghanistan changed intelligence requirements from those of the Vietnam era and the cold war. As a result, intelligence training was modified to keep up with matters such as globalization and counterinsurgency operations. This dynamic operational environment thus necessitates constant evaluation of intelligence training practices. This research has two purposes. First, it explores the different types of knowledge involved in military intelligence training. Second, it uses Lundvall's Knowledge Taxonomy to assess the types of knowledge acquired through intelligence training at the Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leader's Course (MIBOLC). The four evaluated knowledge categories are know-what, know-how, know-who and know-why. Method: In conjunction with Lundvall's knowledge taxonomy, this research uses four working hypotheses to explore the different types of knowledge that intelligence training provides to company-grade Army intelligence officers. While initially based on the taxonomy, the working hypotheses contain intelligence-related topics found in the literature supporting the postulated knowledge categories. Each working hypothesis contains sub-hypotheses that are used to supplement or reinforce their corresponding expectation. A case study methodology is used to assess the types of knowledge acquired at the MIBOLC. The data-collection techniques used in this research are document analysis, structured interviews, and direct observations. Findings: The results strongly support the existence of know-what and know-how knowledge training at the MIBOLC. Know-who and know-why knowledge training is also present but only in limited to adequate amounts. While the course provides a foundation for conducting intelligence analysis, two areas of instruction need improvement: fostering interpersonal relations and developing higher order thought processes. These findings are in line with Major General Flynn's 2010 assessment of intelligence operations in Afghanistan, where population-centric information gathering and adaptive thinking better support counterinsurgency operations (2010, 5,15). Improving the areas of know-who and know-why will support current operations by placing more emphasis on people and on how to think critically and adaptively. These findings apply to intelligence leaders at the United States Intelligence Center and to Brigade Combat Team commanders and intelligence officials. Improving know-who and know-why knowledge at the school-house and tactical levels will provide junior officers the ability to critically analyze the central intelligence aspect of counterinsurgencies, the people. Not improving know-who and know-why knowledge will limit an intelligence officer's abilities and therefore perpetuate a reluctance to view counterinsurgency operations in a holistic manner.Item A Model Approach for Effective Emergency Telecommunication Architecture for Texas Border Cities(2006-05) Gutierrez, Juan Pablo; Tajalli, Hassan; Molina, MarioPurpose: The Texas-Mexico border region is considered to be one of the most important borders in the world because of the land area it covers, the large amount of international trade that occurs as a result of NAFTA, and the high rates of legal and illegal immigration that can be observed at any given time. Because of these reasons, the Texas-Mexico border is vulnerable to man-made or natural disasters. And because disasters can occur anywhere and at anytime, communities along the Texas-Mexico border must be prepared to effectively respond to a cross-border man-made or natural disaster. Therefore, it is important to assess and enhance current emergency telecommunications for cities along the Texas-Mexico border in the event of a cross-border catastrophe. Method: The research examines and utilizes existing literature on the subject of emergency telecommunications to develop criteria for assessing and developing emergency telecommunication architecture for cross-border emergency response. The assessment focuses on public sector employees in cities along the Texas-Mexico border and their opinions concerning current cross-border emergency telecommunication infrastructure. Additionally, current local emergency management plans for cities along the Texas-Mexico border are examined as part of the assessment. Findings: The research findings suggest that effective emergency telecommunication infrastructure for cross-border emergency response is lacking along the Texas-Mexico border. The findings specifically address deficiencies in the areas of interoperability, survivability, security, and international connectivity, which are essential for effective cross-border emergency response and emergency response efforts in general.Item A Model Assessment Tool for Classroom Technology Infrastructure in Higher Education(2007-05) Vaden, Jason; Shields, Patricia M.Purpose: The purpose of this research is threefold. The first purpose is to establish a practical ideal model to assess current classroom technology infrastructure in higher education. Second, is to assess current classroom technology infrastructure at Texas State University. The final purpose is to provide recommendations for improving classroom technology infrastructure at Texas State University. A thorough review of the literature identified six key components of classroom technology infrastructure. The components include technology planning and policies, equipment, technology applications, maintenance and support, professional development, and technology infrastructure. Methodology: The components of classroom technology infrastructure identified in the literature led to the development of a conceptual framework. This framework allowed the researcher to develop an assessment tool designed to gauge classroom technology infrastructure at Texas State University. An assessment is accomplished through the use of a case study approach employing multiple methods. The methods used to collect data include focused interviews, document analysis, direct observation, and survey research. Findings: Overall, classroom technology infrastructure at Texas State University is consistent with the practical ideal type model developed through the literature. Classroom technology infrastructure could be improved by implementing software support training programs, instituting faculty training programs, strengthening faculty evaluation procedures, and ensuring that technology proficiencies and measures are incorporated into classroom learning standards.Item A Model for Career Centers to Support Student Career Development: A Delivery Tool for Modern Career Centers(2012-12) Jones, Christopher, II; Tajalli, Hassan; DeSoto, William; Jennings, Terry; Parent, PatriciaPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop an ideal career center model that supports student career development and can be used by all career center directors. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to 112 career center professionals to determine if the preliminary model was sound. Frequency distribution was used to present responses to the questions. Open-ended recommendations were also solicited to provide input in creating the revised model. Conclusion: The existing model was affirmed by career center professionals, and no changes or additions were needed. The resulting model consists of the following career development themes: career counseling, experiential learning, and employer connections.Item A Model Records Management System for Texas Public Utilities: An Information Science Tool for Public Managers(2008-07) McLemore, Dustin; Shields, Patricia M.; Garofalo, Charles; Garza, Ana LisaIntroduction: The way in which agencies receive information changes daily as does the type of information they deal with. Whether it is on e-mail, flash drive, even paper, each tool an agency uses is considered to be a record. Public administration is no longer a "sit and wait field". Many decisions require "on-demand" access to information and records. That need is magnified in a public utility given the variety of agencies, business and individual customers supported. Texas has specific requirements regarding how agencies manage information. Utility industrial standards and regulations make compliance efforts even more stringent. To address this issue, a preliminary model is needed for how an agency should manage its records. The goal of this project is to lay a framework for an effective records management program. Purpose: The first purpose of this paper is to develop a model records management system for public utilities in Texas using relevant scholarly literature. Second, the model was evaluated by a pool of experts. Third, a revised model records management system based on expert feedback is developed. Theory/Methodology: Focused interviews were conducted with 10 experts to determine whether or not the preliminary model was sound. Frequency distribution was used to quantify responses to those questions. Open-ended recommendations were also solicited to provide input in creating the revised model. Findings: The existing model was largely comprehensive but needed the addition of two major components. The resulting model consists of the following components: System Design, Establishment of a Records Management Plan, Establishment of a Records Management Team, Inventory Management, Vital Records Management, Retention and Control Schedule Management, Disaster Planning and Recovery, and System Audit and Control. These components define an expanded and comprehensive model for agencies to use in creating their records management programs.Item A New Medical District in Austin, Texas: A Study of Implementation(2013-09) Ward, Kathryn E.; Shields, Patricia M.; Balanoff, Howard; Lund, JeffreyPurpose: The purpose of this research is two-fold. The first is to explore the obstacles to the successful implementation of a new medical district composed of a University of Texas medical school and a teaching hospital in Austin. The second purpose is to explore the strategies to overcome those obstacles to implementation. Method: This research uses two working hypotheses, each composed of three sub-hypotheses to explore the threats to and solutions for the implementation of the new medical district in Austin. A limited case-study method is used to assess the hypotheses, which are tested through focused interviews with those identified as responsible for the implementation process of the medical district. Findings: The results indicated an adequate level of support for the working hypotheses. Primary and secondary recommendations are provided based on the results of the study along with suggestions for further, future research. However the results should be considered with caution because this is a qualitative study, based on the verbal reports of nine individuals, and is limited in external validity.Item A Qualitative Content Analysis of Hazard Mitigation Plans in Texas(2019-05) Johnson, Natalie; Blanchard, R. Denise; Devine, JenniferNo abstract prepared.Item A Study of CPTED Principles and their Relationship to Crime Risk in Beaumont, Texas(2018-08) Cregg, James; Lu, Yongmei; Blue, SarahCrime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is an approach to understanding crime which focuses on the built environment and geography instead of simply a potential offender’s behavior or socio-economic characteristics. The theory of CPTED proposes that characteristics of the built environment can lower or increase the risk of crime at a location, based on the principles of Natural Surveillance, Natural Access Control, Territoriality, and Image. For this study, I investigated how CPTED characteristics had an impact on the property crime rate in Beaumont, Texas. I observed six Beaumont neighborhoods, and their houses and other buildings were rated according to an audit list I developed, consisting of 12 quantifiable CPTED characteristics based on the four principles. The houses and buildings of the six neighborhoods were rated by their individual parcels, according to a 0-4 based scale. These rated parcels were aggregated to a combined total of 134 residential blocks in ArcGIS, with each block being assigned the average of the CPTED ratings of the combined parcels. Maps of the six neighborhoods and their blocks were created which showed their vulnerability to crime, based on CPTED characteristic ratings. In addition to the CPTED vulnerability maps, I also developed maps which showed actual crime rates, which rated residential blocks within neighborhoods based on the number of crimes per 1,000 houses. The maps and spreadsheet data from the audit were used to determine the relationship of CPTED characteristics to crime rate. The research hypothesis was that neighborhoods that exhibit comparatively more CPTED characteristics will have fewer instances of crime than neighborhoods that exhibit fewer CPTED characteristics. The null hypothesis was that neighborhoods that exhibit more CPTED characteristics will not show a significant difference in crime rate compared to neighborhoods with fewer CPTED characteristics. The data was collected by slowly traversing each neighborhood by car, and using high- definition video cameras to record each individual house. The recorded video was later played back, and the CPTED residential audit was completed for each house. Information from the audit was documented in a spreadsheet, and also entered into ArcGIS software in order to create the CPTED vulnerability maps. ArcGIS was also used to create crime rate maps, based on data from the Beaumont Police Department. The neighborhoods were ranked from highest CPTED rating down to lowest CPTED rating; and from lowest crime count to highest crime count, to see if there were similar rankings in which high CPTED rating is closely paired with low crime-count. In addition to the ranking method, the CPTED ratings and crime counts for each block of the six neighborhoods were also plotted on a graph, to determine if there is a valid linear regression in which crime rate is determined by the CPTED rating. The results show that the neighborhood with the highest CPTED rating had the second lowest crime density, and the neighborhood with the lowest CPTED rating had the highest crime density. The ranks of the neighborhoods according to CPTED rating and crime count show that there likely is some relationship between these two variables. A regression analysis shows that there is an inverse relationship (y = -550.49x + 1254.5) in which an increase in the CPTED rating corresponds to a decrease in crime rate per 1,000, with an R2 value of .1805. The Spearman-Rho test indicates that there is a moderate correlation (R = .447) between CPTED rating and crime rate per 1,000, at the .05 significance level with a P value of 0.00000007. When looking at the CPTED rating maps of these neighborhoods alongside the crime count maps, many values of blocks in the CPTED maps correspond to similar values in the crime count maps. This phenomenon can better be illustrated by determining where similar rank values in CPTED rating and crime rating "overlap." Although this process is more subjective compared to other methods, it is helpful in illuminating the areas in which the CPTED rating procedure most strongly predicted areas which are most at risk for crime, and which areas are most defended against crime. Even though this process of finding overlap is somewhat subjective, it was able to correctly predict 85 out of 134 blocks (63%) while the remaining 49 blocks (37%) do not show the relationship being sought, according to the hypothesis. The regression analysis and Spearman's test showed this relationship in a more objective manner than the maps, illustrating that crime rate falls as CPTED ratings rise.