Brock Major Research Papers: Recent submissions
Now showing items 1-20 of 256
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Can Phonological Working Memory Be Improved Through Perceptual Training?This study investigates whether phonological working memory (PWM) can be improved through perceptual training, specifically high variability phonetic training (HVPT). PWM plays a critical role in second language (L2) acquisition, influencing vocabulary size, grammatical ability, and speech perception. Twenty native Farsi-speaking females (mean age: 24), enrolled in upper- intermediate to advanced English courses in Iran, participated in this quantitative study. Pre- and post-test serial minimal-pair recognition tasks, which included both real words and non-words in hVd frames, were administered using the Gorilla platform to assess PWM, alongside forced- choice identification tasks for 10 English vowels. Participants completed eight HVPT sessions on English Accent Coach (www.englishaccentcoach.com). Results showed significant improvements in both vowel recognition and PWM capacity following training, suggesting that cognitive processing and L2 fluency were enhanced through targeted perceptual interventions. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the connection between perceptual training and PWM, highlighting implications for more effective language teaching strategies and L2 development.
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Ethical Guidelines for Animals in Tourism, A Belmont Report AdaptationEthical guidelines have long been instrumental in ensuring responsible human behavior, particularly in protecting participants involved in research. The Belmont Report, a foundational document in human research ethics, outlines three key principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. However, ethical considerations for animals, especially in tourism, remain underdeveloped despite growing concerns over animal welfare. This study explores the potential for adapting the Belmont Report’s principles to create a set of ethical guidelines applicable to animals in tourism. Through a Delphi study, expert scholars in animal-based tourism provide feedback on these adapted principles. The research addresses the increasing demand for ethical oversight in animal-based tourism, where animals are often used in entertainment with limited regulatory standards. By integrating these modified principles into tourism practices, this study seeks to fill a critical gap in both academic literature and practical applications. The resulting guidelines aim to establish a universal ethical framework that promotes responsible and humane treatment of animals in tourism, while also enhancing tourists’ awareness and enabling informed decision-making. This research not only contributes to advancing animal welfare but also supports the development of policies and practices that foster sustainable and ethical tourism operations.
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A Search for Integrable Evolution Equations with Lax Pairs over the OctonionsLax pairs play a vital role in the integrability theory of evolution equations because they are used for the inverse scattering transformation to generate multi-soliton solutions. As an extension of integrable real evolution equations and their known Lax pair, this report focuses on the search for octonion evolution equations u_t = F(u, u_x, u_xx, u_xxx) of KdV type and mKdV type that have a Lax pair, where u(t, x) is an octonion variable. A Lax pair is defined as L_t ψ = M(Lψ) − L(Mψ) with linear differential operators L and M whose coefficients depend on u and x-derivatives of u, where ψ(t, x) is an auxiliary octonion function. These operators act on ψ by producing a linear polynomial in ψ and x-derivatives of ψ such that each term is a product involving u, u_x, . . . , and (x-derivatives of) ψ in a given order. It is assumed that the evolution equation u_t = F(u, u_x, u_xx, u_xxx) as well as both Lψ and Mψ are homogeneous under a scaling of t, x, u which is either the scaling associated to the KdV equation or the mKdV equation. This leads to an overdetermined system of algebraic equations for the (real-valued) coefficients of u and x−derivatives of u in F, Lψ and Mψ. The formulation of the overdetermined system involves two important differences compared to the case of a real variable u. Firstly, since octonions are non-associative and non-commutative, F, Lψ and Mψ contain many more terms, with different orderings of products. In particular, ψ (and its x-derivatives) are allowed to appear on the left, in the middle, or on the right. Secondly, products of octonions obey certain algebraic identities, whereby terms that are equivalent modulo these identities must be eliminated. To solve the overdetermined system, Maple is used to do the splittings, and depending on the complexity of the system, ’rifsimp’ in Maple or a package called ’Crack’ in Reduce are used to solve it. As a main result, a single KdV octonion equation, three mKdV octonion equations, and also a single potential-KdV octonion equation, each of which has more than one Lax pair, are obtained.
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Examining the Academic and Social-Emotional Functioning of Gifted Students as They Transition to Post-Secondary Education: A Rapid ReviewGifted students are generally considered high achievers, but research demonstrates that they may experience difficulties functioning due to unique characteristics, especially during times of transition. The post-secondary transition specifically, may impact their academic and social-emotional functioning due to these unique characteristics, coupled with difficulties related to their emerging adulthood status. I conducted a rapid review study to systematically examine how gifted students function academically and social-emotionally during the post-secondary transition. The literature shows that gifted students function well academically during the transition but experience difficulties with the increased demand for studying. Their social-emotional functioning appears to be mixed, demonstrating positive social interactions with faculty members and likeminded peers, but negative emotional experiences such as loneliness and isolation. The current study discussed these results further and reviewed implications for practice, policy, and further research to support gifted students during this critical transition.
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Marginalized Students Relationships are the Heart of LearningBill 52, Education Amendment Act (Learning to Age 18) in the province ofOntario, Canada requires young people to remain in school until they graduate or turn eighteen. The Ontario Ministry ofEducation provides funding for innovating course options both inside and outside the classroom to support all students. Boards have limited discretion to provide programming for students who have experienced difficulties in traditional classrooms,are not on track to graduate and would benefit from a lower teacher-student ratio. Literature suggests that this population of students is viewed from two perspectives: the students have deficiencies in themselves and they need to changeorthe mannerin which education is provided to these students needs to change. This study examines an Alternative Education program in a secondary schoolthat is unique within its rural board and is populated with students who have had limited to minor success in the regular stream ofthe school. The report is presented as a narrative self-study with the research question: How do I improve mypractice to support student learning?. How the researcher’s values concerning the learning environment, learning, a democratic ethos, and relationships are lived within the classroom are examined. Data and feedback from personal observations, administrators, outside agency personnel, and anecdotal comments from students, were collected and analyzed. Results suggested that the complex relationships within the classroom impact mostother facets ofa learning environment. Unconditional positive regard and empathy are discussed and examinedascritical factors needed to create an environment where all students can succeed.
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Supporting At-risk and Disengaged Secondary Students’ Successful High School Completion through Co-operative Education Enrolment Using Autophotography and Photo-ElicitationThis project focused on creating a curriculum resource that can be used by Ontario teachers to support at-risk and disengaged students to achieve their high school diploma through participation in co-operative education. An examination of alternative educational programming, differentiated instructional methods, and participation in work-based education was completed. The importance of reflective activities and positive teacher-student relationships was also discussed. Autophotography and photo-elicitation interviews were introduced as methods for assisting students to develop reflective skills and building positive teacher-student relationships. Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Ecological Systems Theory was used to explore potential impacts of extended networks for student success. Information obtained from the literature was then used to develop a curriculum resource consisting of a nine-lesson unit plan. The project concluded with recommendations for educators and administrators with respect to supporting at-risk and disengaged student success. Suggestions for future research are provided.
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Inclusive Education in Ghana: Challenges and Lessons from CanadaThis Major Research Paper (MRP) adopted the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to examine the evolution and current state of inclusive education in Ghana and Canada (Ontario), with an emphasis on challenges and lessons learned. The movement towards inclusive education began in Ghana in 1936, with separate schools for disabled children. However, challenges remain, such as geographic disparities, prohibitive costs, and a lack of teacher understanding. Inclusive education has evolved over the last 50 years in Canada, thanks to legislative advancements such as the 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms and provincial acts. Key findings show that Ontario is significantly ahead of the curve when it comes to implementing inclusive education, thanks to diverse provincial approaches and effective strategies. Despite challenges in both countries, Canada's lack of a unified national policy contrasts with Ghana's policy, which is riddled with problems, limiting its effectiveness. Discrimination against disabled children is less prevalent in Ontario than in Ghana, where negative attitudes prevent inclusion. Financial constraints are a common barrier, with Ontario’s lessons pointing to a comprehensive framework that combines Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction to address financial concerns while also improving inclusive practices. Challenges for teachers and principals in both systems highlight the importance of teacher preparation and school leadership in implementing successful inclusive education policies. Lessons from Ontario focus on strategies for incorporating inclusive education principles into teacher training programs and increasing principal accountability, emphasizing the importance of professional development and leadership in fostering inclusive practices. Drawing lessons from Ontario, the findings highlight the need for a comprehensive national policy in Ghana that addresses financial constraints while promoting teacher and principal preparation to improve inclusive education outcomes.
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The Impact of Exchange Rate Data on Canadian Inflation: An FPCA and Group LASSO ApproachThis study investigates the temporal dynamics of exchange rates between various international currencies and the Canadian dollar, with a focus on understanding how these rates influence Canadian inflation. The Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) is applied to effectively reduce the dimensionality of exchange rate data and capture important modes of variation. The extracted functional principal components (FPCs) were then used in a Group LASSO regression model to identify which currencies most significantly impact inflation rates in Canada. Our analysis includes exchange rates from nine countries. The results show that the U.S. Dollar (USD), Mexican Peso (MXN), and Swedish Krona (SEK) are the most influential currencies in predicting Canadian inflation rates. By employing these advanced statistical techniques, this study provides a comprehensive assessment of how fluctuations in global currencies can affect the domestic economic environment, offering valuable insights for policymakers and financial analysts. This study contributes to the broader understanding of currency exchange impacts on inflation and highlights the importance of specific international currencies in economic forecasting.
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Experiencing the Reggio Emilia Pedagogical Approach: A Narrative Self-StudyThis research aimed to critically reflect on my exposure to the principles of the REA and deepen my understanding and exploration of the role of the child, educator, and learning environment. In this qualitative study, I relied on the narrative self-study method to describe my interpretation of the REA from ECE to research assistant, which was organized into three broad themes: the child, educator, and learning environment. This study was guided by the following research questions: What is my interpretation of Reggio Emilia approach for the role of the child, educator, and learning environment based on my experience, from ECE to research assistant in early childhood education? How might this critical engagement with the REA impact my professional capacity in ECE? I found that the REA encompasses not only the principle of observation and documentation in its simplest form, but also crucial principles of the role of the child, educator, and learning environment. I learned that educators must integrate these principles to provide children with rich and independent learning experiences that honor their rights, interests, and individuality. Through this exploration, I gained insight into the value of these principles and their significance in creating joyful and enriching learning experiences for each child.
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Integrability of Evolutionary Type EquationsClassical Integrable Systems represent a captivating and profound branch of mathematical physics, offering a framework to understand the motion of particles in a way that goes beyond mere mathematical description. These systems possess a remarkable property known as complete integrability, meaning that they admit a sufficient number of independent constants of motion, allowing for their trajectories to be precisely determined. The development of this field gained momentum in the 18th and 19th centuries, marked by the discovery of various integrable systems associated with fundamental equations of motion. In mathematical physics, CIS refer to a special class of differential equations that possess unique characteristics. In this research project, we will begin with the introduction of several important and fundamental integrable systems, such as the Hopf equation, Burgers equation, and Liouville equation.
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A Review of Life Insurance’s Secondary MarketThe secondary market for life insurance policies emerged to provide financial relief for terminally ill patients through viatical settlements. Over time, it expanded to include life settlements for seniors and individuals with chronic conditions. This growth was driven by demographic shifts and increased life expectancies. This paper discusses the historical evolution of the secondary market, the types of transactions involved, and the market dynamics. It explores the benefits and challenges faced by policyholders, insurance companies, and investors. For policyholders, the market offers enhanced liquidity and fair compensation. However, it also requires insurers to adjust premium structures and manage adverse selection. Investors benefit from high returns and risk diversification, but they are also exposed to longevity risk, liquidity risk, return volatility, and regulatory changes. The study highlights the complexities of asymmetric information and emphasizes the need for sophisticated actuarial models and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure market stability and sustainability.
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Review of Lapse and Reentry Behavior and Its Impact on the Design of Variable AnnuitiesThis project explores the role of Variable Annuities (VAs) and Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs) within contemporary financial planning, emphasizing how they adapt to evolving market conditions. A comprehensive analysis of these products is provided, including their protective mechanisms, pricing models, and risk characteristics, to explain why they effectively meet investor needs. The evolution from traditional annuities to VAs is traced, and the further development of RILAs from VAs is discussed. The study particularly focuses on the behavior of policyholders who often choose to surrender their policies for more favorable options, thereby maximizing their benefits. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, the paper illustrates how these products respond to market developments.
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Picture this: Representing Local Discourses of Poverty Reduction through Graphic NotetakingPoverty researchers, and in turn the poverty reduction practitioners they inform, often fail to conceptualize poverty as structural, evolving, systematic, complex and above all, political (Harriss 2012). A key aspect of this failure is the tendency to define and measure poverty in primarily economistic terms (Yapa 1996). Objective, economistic constructions of poverty are often depoliticized, as Elwood and Lawson (2018) assert, “to stabilize political-economic orders and power hierarchies” (p. 2). Understandings of poverty that fail to acknowledge its social and political dimensions can lead researchers to focus on questions such as “Why are poor people poor?” (Yapa, 1996). Such questions reinscribe poverty as a normal part of the social order and localize conversations of poverty to the individual. To avoid taking poverty for granted, we need to ask why specific groups of people in specific times, locations, and contexts are experiencing hunger, houselessness, lack of safety, mobility, health care, and barriers to participation in social life. We also need to ask the concomitant question, why do specific groups of people in particular times, locations, and contexts have differential access to material wealth, political legibility, and social value? Taking such a political approach, my research examines discourses of poverty within a local context. Additionally, I examine how engaging in these discourses visually, through the drawing of graphic notes, offers a way to excavate and explore some of the shortcomings and possibilities of poverty politics in Niagara. My research involves drawing a series of graphic notes for ten community consultations organized by the Niagara regional government which aimed to gather community input to inform the region’s process of writing a poverty reduction strategy.
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From Twentieth Century Socialism to Twenty-First Century Socialism: Experiences of Venezuela’s Bolivarianism 1998-2013The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into stark relief the pitfalls of global capitalism as disparities between classes increase and the cycle of crisis continues jeopardizing human well-being across the globe. Seeking alternatives requires investigating the viability of socialism. This project explores how Bolivarian Socialism compares to the key tenets of scientific socialism to analyze the successes and failures of a contemporary socialist revolution. To inform a framework for scientific socialism the key theorists Frederick Engles, Vladimir Lenin, and Rosa Luxembourg are reviewed. Their works offer insight into the tangles of socialist thought as illuminations of Marxism and of social movements. Latin America has a rich history of anti-capitalist, anti-neoliberal, and anti-imperialist social movements that uphold socialist values. To explore how scientific socialism applies in a contemporary setting, the case of Venezuela under then-President Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) and his project of Twenty-First Century Socialism, or more broadly Bolivarian Socialism, is analyzed. Adopting a historical materialist approach supports research that is attendant to local conditions and global impacts. Investigating the case of Venezuela offers insight into the way contemporary socialist social movements arise, the obstacles they face, and the character of their successes. While the rise to power of Chavez and the implementation of his Twenty-First Century Socialism may not meet the requirements for a proletariat led revolution intending to dismantle the state apparatus, the policy changes implemented by the regime and their clear goals of improving human well-being and capacities is worth examining.
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An Anxiety Toolkit for Educators: A Guide for Working with Students at Risk for Generalized Anxiety DisorderGeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders and is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry, occurring more days than not, about several events or activities. For children and youth, anxiety disorders, including GAD, are the most frequent mental health problem experienced, which can seriously impair their ability to be successful at school and in their relationships with peers. Additionally, educators have reported having limited access to mental health supports and professional development opportunities tailored at effectively supporting students with mental health issues, such as increased anxiety. Therefore, the purpose of the current research project was to develop a handbook that provided useful and practical information, a set of educational sessions, activities, as well as strategies, and other resources aimed at assisting educators and practitioners with the means to support school-aged children at risk for GAD. With the voluntarily contributions of five educators who have experience supporting children with anxiety, along with the influence of Bandura’s (1986a) social cognitive theory, An Anxiety Toolkit for Educators: A Guide for Working with Students at Risk for Generalized Anxiety Disorder was developed. Once this handbook was complete, the same five educators used an evaluative questionnaire, which further assisted in determining the handbook’s level of effectiveness, practicality, and usefulness in educational settings. Lastly, implications of the present research for both theory and practice, as well as the current project’s limitations and suggestions for further research, were discussed.
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Edge Communication Efficiency with GNN in the Internet of VehiclesVehicular edge plays a central role in ensuring an effective allocation of resources to provide services and applications. Resource allocation and communication in dynamic vehicular environments face numerous challenges in efficiently managing resources and data sharing, specifically managing the intricate balance of connectivity, storage, energy, computing, and cost of resources. These challenges are also affected by mobility, resulting in the demand for precision in communication range, density, and resource availability. Efficient resource allocation is a critical objective within vehicular networks, and to achieve this, intelligence, prediction, optimization, and incentive modelling are often employed. However, challenges persist, such as sporadic connectivity, transmission delays, and the inherent uncertainty of highly dynamic environments. In response to these challenges, this paper introduces the use of graph neural networks (GNNs) to learn hidden spatial and functional patterns in complex vehicular networks. Combining with clustering-based methodologies. This approach enables the intelligent organization of network nodes, reducing transmission delays and enhancing connectivity in dynamic environments. The resulting framework supports predictions and estimates based on evolving communication and mobility patterns. They are further improving the efficiency of connectivity and communications in vehicular edge networks. Using graph neural networks (GNN) and clustering techniques to address connectivity challenges, reduce transmission latency, and manage the inherent unpredictability of rapidly changing vehicular settings, this study is poised to enhance the delivery of services and applications in vehicular networks. It also lays the foundation for prospective research into resource management.
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Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis: A Case Study of the Town of Lincoln, Ontarion, CanadaUsing a mixed-methods approach, this study examines the Town of Lincoln's vulnerability to climate change. Exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity are evaluated from 2019 to 2022 using quantitative indicators and qualitative insights. The Town's vulnerability index increased from 0.413 to 0.523, according to the quantitative analysis. Notable increases in exposure (from 0.084 to 0.12) and sensitivity (from 0.164 to 0.181) also indicated an increased risk from extreme weather occurrences. Despite this, there is an improvement in adaptive ability, however, not enough to counteract the increasing vulnerabilities. Qualitative data from community surveys emphasize the need for increased community participation and infrastructure resilience by highlighting how the local community views the effects of climate change and the efficacy of current adaption methods. The study's conclusions highlight the urgent need to strengthen the Town’s resilience through focused adaptation initiatives and the need for an integrated strategy that incorporates empirical data and community insights. The present study provides significant contributions to the knowledge of the dynamics of climate vulnerability. It also provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and resolving the issues that the Town is facing. It serves as a foundation for strategic planning and informed decision-making with the goal of enhancing the community's resistance to potential climate hazards.
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Strategies for Enhancing Community Science: A Sustainability Science NarrativeCollaboration is essential to addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Community science offers a unique opportunity to unite academics, practitioners, and the public in fostering environmental stewardship. Currently, environmental practitioners are seeking to maximize community science outcomes. This research study synthesized existing literature on community science to heighten awareness about initiatives and offer recommendation strategies towards enhancing outcomes. Collaboration with the Excellence in Environmental Stewardship Initiative, a partnership between Brock University and Niagara Parks Commission, helped inform the research questions and areas of interest that guided this study in community science. These areas included connections to nature, engagement, environmental education, environmental protection, and organizational capacity, collectively called the dimensions of community science. A content analysis revealed 16 strategies to enhance these dimensions. Connecting individuals to nature in community science was lacking in discussion and should be explored in future research. Overall, this study provides strong examples of strategies that may enhance community science outcomes.
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Bolivia and Canada, The Politics of Recognition and Differing Approaches to Indigenous Self-DeterminationThis project asks; to what extent has the Bolivian approach to Indigenous self-government demonstrated an effective policy framework that could be applicable in the Canadian context? This is accomplished through an application of a comprehensive theoretical framework to the analysis of the Canadian and Bolivian approaches to Indigenous self-determination. Several important themes are analyzed including the two Constitutions, political discourse, the historicization of colonialism, the importance of land, and the significance of the Leftist movement. This analysis leads to the realization that Bolivia has proven that the plurinational state is a feasible solution to the colonial homogenous conception of sovereignty. The lessons learned from the Bolivian states approach to Indigenous self-determination can inform decolonial options for the Canadian state.
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Implementing Single Session Interventions in Educational Settings for Youth and Adolescents Experiencing Anxiety SymptomsThis study examined the effectiveness of single session interventions for youth and adolescents experiencing anxiety symptoms in educational settings. Conducting a systematic literature review aimed to answer the following question: How effective are SSIs for treating anxiety symptoms in individuals 10 to 18 years of age? There were 14 articles which met the inclusion criteria. The articles yielded some minimal significant outcomes and many trending outcomes that will be useful in conducting future research to better understand the specific role single session interventions play in effectiveness for youth and adolescents experiencing anxiety symptoms.