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Collection Description
Collection of student theses and dissertations from as early as 1939, but mainly from 2010 to present.
Pages
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- A feasible study of a probabilistic approach to analyzing cloud properties such as cloud fraction, liquid water path, and precipitable water vapor
- San Diego State University copy: the accompanying Z Source code on CD unavailable as of September 5, 2013 in either the online version or on disc, Includes bibliographical references (pages 50-51), We describe and evaluate a novel method to blend two observed cloud fraction (CF) datasets through Bayesian posterior estimation. The research reported here is a feasibility study designed to explore the method. In this proof-of-concept study, we illustrate the approach using specific observational datasets from the U. S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Programs Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in the central United States, but the method is quite general and is readily applicable to other datasets. The total sky image (TSI) camera observations are used to determine the prior distribution. A regression model and the active remote sensing of clouds (ARSCL) radar/lidar observations are used to determine the likelihood function. The posterior estimate is a probability density function (pdf) of the CF whose mean is taken to be the optimal blend of the two observations. Our results have demonstrated that a Bayesian approach yields a pdf of CF rather than a single CF value and is feasible to blend both TSI and ARSCL data with some form of bias correction. To further understand cloud and precipitation processes, we have also made a statistical analysis of the data of liquid water path (LWP) and precipitable water vapor (PWV) at the SGP site as well as the site of Tropical Warm Pool - International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE). Our results unsurprisingly demonstrate that between LWP and PWV when one increases, the other decreases; and when both have a sufficiently long period of no activity, there is a hike in increase for both within the next couple of days. We have also shown how these properties and relationships vary in seasons.
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- A feminist epistemological critique of comparative cognition research
- This thesis is a feminist epistemological evaluation of the field of comparative cognition, a normalizing psy discipline, exploring how continued work within this field contributes to oppression in modern times. I use autoethnography as a method to make sense of my own experiences within the field. I then use Foucauldian genealogical analysis to investigate the emergence of the field out of the eugenics movement in the US, and the roots of the foundational assumptions and traditions of the field. Specifically, I explore how abnormality was co-constituted as being deficient morally, cognitively, and physically as a result of degeneracy theory. Linking these together allowed for individuals who were characterized as abnormal in any regard to be attributed a low moral status. This was used as a justification to dehumanize of individuals who did not approximate normative and prototypical (i.e., Western) standards of behavior and cognition. I also explore the function of the psy disciplines, and comparative cognition, in the normalizing process, namely, how they worked to identify and manage abnormality. I also perform discourse analysis on a notable publication within the field of comparative cognition in order to evaluate how these problematic origins are manifested within contemporary cross-cultural work. Specifically, I explore how “culture” is used as a euphemism for comparing race, how many Western researchers do not have the appropriate epistemic standpoint to conduct cross-cultural work, how cross-cultural studies are ethnocentric and privilege white Western culture and values, and how the implications of cross-cultural work are not value-free and have very real detrimental impacts on the subjects of their work (as reflected throughout Western history)., San Diego State University
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- A feminist re-reading of U.S. media depictions of women murderers
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 82-89)., This study critiques how U.S.-based media portray women murderers and how their crimes were linked to caring labor roles and femininity. To accomplish this critique, I examined 52 online news articles that reported on the following three cases: Case A: Michele Kalina (n=15), a mother who killed her five children; Case B: Kimberly Saenz (n=19), a nurse who murdered five of her patients; and Case C: Amanda Logue (n=18), a sex worker who murdered one of her clients. A feminist discourse analysis was conducted using 21 variables that focused on the women's appearance, behavior, and sexuality as well as the components contributing to the murder. The frequency of each variable was determined through a close read of each article. Results indicate media represent women murderers as caring laborers in all of the articles; this included discussing Kalina as a mother, Saenz as a nurse, and Logue as a sex worker/prostitute. The women's sexuality (sexual behavior, love triangles, or affairs) was also emphasized in 15 (100.0%) articles for Kalina, 18 (100.0%) articles for Logue, yet 0 (0.0%) for Saenz. The women were frequently described as mothers; in 15 cases (100.0%) for Kalina, 8 (42.1%) for Saenz, and 5 (27.8%) for Logue. Furthermore, descriptions of the women's mental health (depression, addiction, schizophrenia, etc.) appeared in 10 (66.7%) of the articles for Kalina, 9(47.4%) for Saenz, and 0 (0.0%) for Logue. Absent from the articles was the mention of the women's race; however, it was assumed that all three women were white. Their socioeconomic status and level of education were rarely described in the articles, although it was evident that the women were educated and employed. This research argues that media reinforce hegemonic notions of gender by "objectively" depicting women murderers as feminine, sexual, nurturing, and caring. In doing so, media were able to establish that women who commit murder adhere to feminine gender roles. Therefore, femininity must be a "natural" part of a woman's identity. Media reports provide a partial and subjective view of women murderers, one that relies on sexist, racist, classist, and ageist ideologies that harm marginalized groups. This research encourages society to consume media critically and demonstrates the strong influence media have on societal perceptions about women criminals who contest hegemonic notions of gender.
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- A follow-up study of drop-outs from Helix High School
- The educational program of Helix High School is dedicated to the philosophy that the American high school is designed to serve the children of all groups within the community. However, available statistics indicated that this educational goal was not being carried out. Nationwide studies have shown that approximately 50 per cent of the students who entered American secondary schools never completed the educational program. The present study attempted to determine in what areas the Helix program was failing to meet the needs of the youth who dropped out of school., The page number 100 is used twice in physical book., San Diego State College, Digitization of this archival thesis was made possible through a generous donation from Robin B. Luby.
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- A follow-up study of former members of Memorial Junior High School's mentally retarded classes, 1947-1948
- Since our nation has adopted as its goal for the youth of America the education of all its children, it has become necessary to provide a special type of education for that part of the school population which, because of a lower level of ability, cannot profit by instruction in the regular classes., San Diego State College, Digitization of this archival thesis was made possible through a generous donation from Robin B. Luby.
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- A follow-up study of selected San Diego high school graduates, 1946 and 1948
- During the last decade concern over drop-outs from the secondary schools of the nation has mounted steadily. Many cities and communities such as Seattle, St. Paul, Chicago, Camden, and Los Angeles, to name a few, have recently made studies of their former secondary school pupils. The purpose of these studies has been to gather recent data to aid in answering the questions asked and implied by the statement "How well does the school do its job?". The opinion of former pupils accompanied by a study of their present status is considered a practical means for determining the holding power of the school. In September, 1949, a definite administrative assignment for a study of former pupils of the San Diego City Schools was approved by the Superintendent, Dr. Will C. Crawford. The Director of Research, Dr. George V. Hall, was charged with the responsibility for planning the study., San Diego State College, Digitization of this archival thesis was made possible through a generous donation from Robin B. Luby.
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- A follow-up study of selected boy drop-outs from the senior high schools of San Diego
- During the last decade concern over drop-outs from the secondary schools of the nation has mounted steadily. Many cities and communities such as Seattle, St. Paul, Chicago, Camden, and Los Angeles, to name a few, have recently made studies of their former secondary school pupils. The purpose of these studies has been to gather recent data to aid in answering the questions asked and implied by the statement "How well does the school do its job?". The opinion of former pupils accompanied by a study of their present status is considered a practical means for determining the holding power of the school. In September, 1949, a definite administrative assignment for a study of former pupils of the San Diego City Schools was approved by the Superintendent, Dr. Will C. Crawford. The Director of Research, Dr. George V. Hall, was charged with the responsibility for planning the study., San Diego State College, Digitization of this archival thesis was made possible through a generous donation from Robin B. Luby.
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- A follow-up study of selected drop-outs from the E.R. Snyder Continuation High School
- During the last decade concern over drop-outs from the secondary schools of the nation has mounted steadily. Many cities and communities such as Seattle, St. Paul, Chicago, Camden, and Los Angeles, to name a few, have recently made studies of their former secondary school pupils. The purpose of these studies has been to gather recent data to aid in answering the questions asked and implied by the statement "How well does the school do its job?". The opinion of former pupils accompanied by a study of their present status is considered a practical means for determining the holding power of the school. In September, 1949, a definite administrative assignment for a study of former pupils of the San Diego City Schools was approved by the Superintendent, Dr. Will C. Crawford. The Director of Research, Dr. George V. Hall, was charged with the responsibility for planning the study., San Diego State College, Digitization of this archival thesis was made possible through a generous donation from Robin B. Luby.
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- A follow-up study of selected female business education graduates of Grossmont High School for the years 1947-1951
- This was a study of selected female business education graduates of Grossmont Union High School for the five-year period, 1947-1951. Statement of the problem. The purpose of this study was to determine how the present business education curriculum of Grossmont High School could be improved in order that its graduates would be better prepared to obtain jobs in the business world., San Diego State College, Digitization of this archival thesis was made possible through a generous donation from Robin B. Luby.
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- A follow-up study of selected girl drop-outs from the senior high schools of San Diego
- During the last decade concern over drop-outs from the secondary schools of the nation has mounted steadily. Many cities and communities such as Seattle, St. Paul, Chicago, Camden, and Los Angeles, to name a few, have recently made studies of their former secondary school pupils. The purpose of these studies has been to gather recent data to aid in answering the questions asked and implied by the statement "How well does the school do its job?". The opinion of former pupils accompanied by a study of their present status is considered a practical means for determining the holding power of the school. In September, 1949, a definite administrative assignment for a study of former pupils of the San Diego City Schools was approved by the Superintendent, Dr. Will C. Crawford. The Director of Research, Dr. George V. Hall, was charged with the responsibility for planning the study., San Diego State College, Digitization of this archival thesis was made possible through a generous donation from Robin B. Luby.