Development and Validation of the Academic Procrastination Scale

College of Professional Studies

Academic procrastination is the intentional delay of starting or continuing progress on school-related work. Academic procrastination often leads to negative outcomes such as submitting late assignments, cramming for exams, and test anxiety. To assess this we created a 21-item Academic Procrastination Scale (APS). The APS showed appropriate criterion (r = .69, p < .000), convergent (r = .49, p < .000), and discriminant (r = .29, p = .001) validity. The APS also showed good internal consistency with an alpha of .88 and a test-retest reliability of r = .75, p = .000. Validity and reliability analyses show that the APS is a valid and reliable measure of academic procrastination.

Duff accumulation around legacy sugar pines in the Russian Wilderness in northwest California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Fire suppression over the 20th century has created dangerous conditions in many western forests. Removing fire as a natural disturbance has brought about increased fuel loading and extreme fire behavior in many areas. This study researched the accumulation of duff mounds (decomposed plant material) around legacy sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) in the Russian Wilderness Area of the Klamath National Forest. Large amounts of fuel beneath trees poses the potential risk of tree mortality, even in a low intensity fire By assessing the dimensions, volume, distribution and physical properties of duff mounds, we can better the variability of how and where duff mounds accumulate.

Early Intervention for Young Children in Improving Future Outcomes

College of Professional Studies

The project is based on a review study being done to understand different types of early interventions (0-8 years) that are available to help young children and their families in improving the future outcomes of the children. In this paper, I define early intervention, present different areas and formats, list various programs available in the Humboldt County, and make recommendations for parents and professionals who work with them.

Effect of Foot Orthoses on Energetics and Lower Limb Mechanics in Healthy Adults During Cycling

College of Professional Studies

The use of custom foot orthotics and wedging techniques has been recognized in the literature as a method to mechanically alter or improve joint function at the hip and knee. This study investigated the effect of foot orthoses on energetics and lower limb mechanics in healthy adults during cycling. We hypothesized that alterations to medial foot support will affect lower limb mechanics as well as metabolic values. Participants completed an individualized protocol that involved cycling in four foot orthoses conditions at three power intensities. The results of this study provide insights into the use of foot orthoses for; correcting mechanics, improving energetics and reducing injury.

Effects of Habitat on Mesocarnivore Activity in the Coastal Dunes of Northern California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Ma-le'l coastal dunes of northern California have been affected by the invasion of dense European beachgrass. In response, USFWS and BLM have removed beachgrass in an attempt to restore native ecosystem function. Mesocarnivores play vital roles in trophic webs, and previous research has suggested that they are more active in restored dunes than in areas with dense beachgrass. However, distance to nearby coastal dune forests could affect mesocarnivore activity and may have confounded previous work. We conducted an observational study using remote cameras and found the detection rate mesocarnivores declined with distance to forest.

Etching Patterns of Pyroxene Crystals via Scanning Electron Microscopy Determine the Relative Age of Glacial Moraines in Mohawk Valley, northern Sierra Nevada, CaliforniaC

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Research was conducted in an effort to date the glacial moraines of this area using the degree of etching caused by weathering over time. It was determined that etching of hornblende grains can be used to quantify the age of glacial moraines. Samples were collected from five different glacial moraines from Frazier Falls in the Mohawk Valley of the northeastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Fine sand samples were cleaned, sorted and analyzed; using soil science techniques. Thirty hornblende grains from each location were individually chosen and mounted for analysis. Backscatter electrons and secondary electrons in the scanning electron microscope were used to analyze the etching of the hornbl

Eureka Consumer Price Index

College of Professional Studies

Each year senior capstone students in the HSU Department of Economics provide an updated calculation of a consumer price index (CPI) for Eureka, CA, using Bureau of Economic Analysis methodology and extensive local price data collection. This year the project will also include extensive analysis of each CPI sector such as housing, food, and transportation.

Examining the Roles of Body-Esteem, Health-Efficacy, and Perfectionism on the Eating Patterns of Male and Female College Students

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This research explored the roles of health-efficacy, body-esteem, and perfectionism on the eating patterns of male and female psychology major college students in Northern California, and found that college students with low body-esteem and high levels of perfectionism tended to have a higher risk for abnormal eating patterns, R2=.60, F(3,61)=11.39, p<.001. Health-efficacy and perfectionism where not found to significantly influence eating patterns, R2=.03, F(2,62)=1.10, p=.34. Body-esteem was found to be the most significant contributor to abnormal eating patterns, b*=.58, t=5.56, p<.001, suggesting body-esteem is an important factor in examining eating patterns in college students.

Exoplanets: Using Photometry and Spectroscopy to Explore Alien Worlds

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Over the last 20 years, thousands of planets outside our solar system have been discovered orbiting other stars. The discovery of these extra-solar planets, or exoplanets as they are commonly known, has been made possible by the gathering of photometric and spectroscopic data of stars. We use public data from the Kepler and Hubble space telescopes to analyze photometric and spectroscopic data respectively on select objects of interest. Through analysis of this data, we are able to determine many properties of these exoplanets such as radius, density, temperature and atmospheric makeup. Our long term goal is to find ways to improve current atmospheric analysis methods.

Experience of Gender Nonconforming Students on HSU Campus

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

As the campus population grows at Humboldt State University, so does the number of students who do not fit the male and female dichotomy. These folks who do not fit into this dichotomy are referred to as gender nonconforming. This is a small population on the HSU campus, and there is very little information on this particular group. In an effort to fill the gaps of what is unknown we propose to use three methods: a random survey of 900 HSU students, as well as semi-structures qualitative interviews, and a small number of oral histories from students who are gender nonconforming.