Student Scholarship and Creative Achievement Conference

Abstracts

Presentation Abstracts
Alphabatized By Name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Title of Work: Voter Predispositions: The Inherent Bias of the Electorate Favoring Congressional Incumbents
Presenters, Majors:

Samantha Fitzgerald, Political Science

Faculty Sponsor: Patrick Donnay
Abstract: Congressional elections are widely studied and since they occur once every two years, the American people are hopefully well aware of them. Much has been studied on the impact of incumbency on Congressional elections and there is no doubting the strong advantage for those candidates who are running for reelection. However the literature fails to look specifically at voters instead focusing mainly on challenger qualities. The predisposition of voters in areas such as gender, region, race, ideology and social status all uniquely impact how they vote when there is an incumbent present contrasted with their voting behavior in open seat races.  Using National Election Study data, I find that nearly all of the studied characteristics play a significant role in predicting congressional votes. Race, social status and political ideology are the three variables that I found to be the strongest predictors of congressional voting behavior when an incumbent is present.
Title of Work: The Relationship Between Zooplankton Size Structure and Lake Classification in North-Central Minnesota Lakes
Presenters, Majors:

Andrew Folkers, Aquatic Biology

Faculty Sponsor: Donald Cloutman

Abstract: This research project was designed to determine if there is a link between zooplankton size structure and lake classification in 25 North-Central Minnesota lakes.  Zooplankton size structure was based on vertical hauls using three different catch sizes (125µm, 500µm, and 750µm mesh diameters).  Samples were taken both in June and September of 2007 to help note possible seasonal trends, in both populations and size structure.  In addition to discussing the relationship between zooplankton size structure and lake classification; I will also relate this study to the work of R.W. Sheldon (The Sheldon Spectrum, dealing with particle size distribution), and several studies performed by Stanley Dodson (emphasizing on predation, body size and composition of plankton communities).  I will also mention methods that should be employed when conducting future studies dealing with plankton communities and size structure.
Title of Work: The Road to the White House: Analyzing the Downfall of Presidential Primary Contenders
Presenters, Majors:

Anna Fournier, Political Science

Faculty Sponsor: Patrick Donnay

Abstract: The Presidential primary process is a phenomenon that has been studied with the hopes of gaining an understanding about the variables that affect its outcome.  Occurring every four years, primaries or caucuses are held in all fifty states to determine who wins delegates to the national convention, ultimately leading up to the party nomination.  While the current literature covers a vast array of issues it does not fully address why a candidate would choose to drop out.  Using delegate counts from each of the primaries in 2000, 2004, and 2008, as well as the Federal Election Commission monthly cash on hand reports, I find that the amount of money a candidate has, along with their delegate count, greatly affects their decision on whether to stay in or drop out of the 2000 and 2004 races, while the 2008 primary season appears to be deviating from this pattern.

* Honors Program Student
+ Graduate Student

 
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