This collection includes 512 University of Montana graduate student portfolios, papers, and capstone projects, which some departments utilize as an alternative to the traditional thesis option. Use the following links to search discipline-specific portfolios:
-
Visualizing Agricultural Data to Drive Policy
Jon Gilbert
This project unlocks the power of ten years of USDA agricultural data by creating an intuitive, interactive visualization. The resulting dashboard mitigates current limitations in the USDA’s data portal and provides an interface that policy makers can customize when making appropriations decisions regarding programs designed ... Read More
-
A Midwest Migration with Endangered Whooping Cranes
Katherine Anne Hill
In 1941, the world’s last migratory flock of whooping cranes was just 15 birds strong. Today, that flock has grown to over 500 birds and is increasing exponentially every year. But even as the flock continues to recover, their migratory corridor continues to shrink, due ... Read More
-
Graduation Rates: What Affects Them?
Brenna Hoffman
Graduation rates for undergraduate degrees are low (only 60% after 6 years). To better understand what affects them, an analysis was performed on various institutional characteristics and their relationship with 2019 graduation rates.
-
Updating Embedded Analytics Through Amazon QuickSight
Chris McLoy
The current GatherBoard user portal relies on one data visualization which provides little insight. In order to assist its clients and provide greater detail into the events within each community, a data visualization update through Amazon QuickSight was preformed. Included within the update are the ... Read More
-
Credit-bearing Internships at the University of Montana
CJ McWilliams
The purpose of this project is to provide ELCS and the university a better understanding of the population that is currently participating in credit-bearing internships and allow them to compare future semesters and years to previous ones. Then, additional analysis of employer satisfaction surveys provide ... Read More
-
Small Business Online Sales Analysis
Kristi Moore
Kristi worked on a project for a local business doing an online sales analysis. The ultimate question most businesses have is what can impact online sales. This included looking at trends in historical sales, as well as building a model to determine which factors contribute ... Read More
-
Utilizing Suicide Death Certificates to Evaluate Suicide Prevention Programs: A Descriptive and Ecological Study
Nathan A. Munn
Objective: Suicide rates continue to increase despite various suicide prevention efforts. This study’s objective is to examine suicides in the State of Montana to ascertain suicide decedents’ demographics and the effectiveness of interventions to guide future prevention programs.
Method: Data from 1,665 suicide decedents’ death ... Read More
-
The Effects of Balance and Endurance Training in Autism Spectrum Disorder with a Comorbidity of Generalised Joint Hypermobility
Victoria Oniah
Background and Purpose: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a comorbidity of generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) is an emerging area of research. The international classification of function (ICF) provides a comprehensive tool for understanding the functional impact on patients with ASD and a comorbidity of GJH. ... Read More
-
THE WILD THAT REMAINS: A ONCE IN A GENERATION FOREST PLAN REIGNITES THE WILDERNESS DEBATE IN MONTANA’S GALLATIN RANGE
Anthony Stephen Pavkovich
The movement to preserve Montana’s Gallatin Mountains, which stretch north from Yellowstone National Park, has been ongoing since the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964. Largely undeveloped, the range’s sinuous, rocky crest, fertile meadows and thick lodgepole forests are vital to one of the ... Read More
-
Injection Drugs in Montana
Kathryn Puczkowskyj
When it comes to the cost of healthcare, one of the biggest areas for potential savings lies in the reimbursement of injectable drugs administered in the outpatient hospital setting. This project creates an analysis process for a health insurance payer to examine their claims data ... Read More
-
SpectrUM Discovery: Admissions and Gift Shop Sales Report
Aspara Rodriguez
Analysis to identify any patterns within its admissions and gift shop sales data for the SpectrUM Discovery and subsequent recommendations to determine if there are any areas for improvement.
-
Dire Straits: A Tale of Two Treaties
Patrick S. Shea
When I arrived in Northern Michigan last May, I came equipped with the pre-reporting I needed to follow this story. I moved to the area just as the Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s deadline to shut down Line 5 approached. But more than seven months later, the ... Read More
-
The Intersection of Past and Present
Hannah Welzbacker
Science often faces a crossroad between the past and present. Ever changing technology allows us to make new discoveries while at the same time, elements from past cultures need preserving. The three stories in this portfolio all highlight the intersection of past and present and ... Read More
-
Managed: Examining the Relationship Between Montana's State Government and Its Natural Resources
Peter Dempsey Zimmerman
The three stories in this portfolio examine the relationship between Montana's government and its natural resources. Chapter one is a narrative outlining the stories, my reporting and publication. Chapter two: New Governor Greg Gianforte makes his picks for the heads of state environmental regulatory agencies, ... Read More
-
Development and Demand: Businesses and Organizations Through the Lens of Community Economic Development
Olivia S. Alexander-Leeder
-
Snapshot into the Prevalence of Youth Vaping and Tobacco Use
Austin Bankston
To best prepare for the future of healthcare, it is important to understand and predict youth health trends. This data set specifically targets the demographics of youth using tobacco and vaping. Outcomes of this data set will assist in targeting and creating marketing for prevention ... Read More
-
Stock Price Risk Analysis and Forecast
Alistair Bernhard
Many Americans do not own a stock or have not even thought about creating a financial portfolio. This manual will guide a user to better understand the stock market, how to reduce the risk of their portfolio, and forecast closing stock prices a couple days into the future.
-
Equitable Hiring Policy in Higher Education at the University of Montana
Victoria McKinley Bigelow and Kinsey Anderson
Higher Education; University of Montana; Equity; Hiring; University; College; Montana; Missoula; Public Administration; Organization; Missoula; Diversity; Women; Policy
-
Introductory Calculus: Through the Lenses of Covariation and Approximation
Caleb Huber
Over the course of a year, I investigated reformative approaches to the teaching of calculus. My research revealed the substantial findings of two educators, Michael Oehrtman and Pat Thompson, and inspired me to design a course based upon two key ideas, covariation and approximation metaphors. ... Read More
-
MSW Portfolio
Sean Patrick Kavanaugh
My written explanation for how my life, work, and MSW experience has led me to be a well rounded social worker through the 13 NASW core competencies.
-
Mountains to the Sea: How Climate Change Influences People, Cultures and Communities
Stephanie L. Maltarich
-
Ghost Forests: The Decline of the Whitebark Pine
Breanna (Roy) McCabe
Whitebark pine habitat in the high elevation is rapidly becoming "ghost forests." As outbreaks from white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetle target the tree at increasing rates, forest managers and scientists are using genetics to try to save the tree.
