At Minnesota State University, Mankato, every graduate student completes a capstone for their program. Most programs include a thesis/dissertation or alternative plan paper (APP) option, but many programs provide other capstone opportunities.
This is a collection of Alternative Plan Papers or APPs submitted by graduate students from various programs.
An APP or Alternative Plan Paper critically reviews and evaluates secondary research sources to develop thorough academic solutions to a clearly defined research problem.
Theses/Dissertations from 2024
How Marital Stress May Affect the Onset of Dementia in Older Adults, Khunza Asma
The Role of Reflection in Writing Transfer for First-Year Multilingual Writers, Lan Anh Dang
Solutions to the Kaluza-Klein Field Equations, Abel Eshete
Escape the Planet: Revolutionizing Game Design with Novel OOP Techniques, Qusai Kamal Fannoun
A Growing Dome in the Clouds of Everest: An Applied Anthropology Project in the High Himalaya, Gary Mark Lesley
Lexical and Textual Development through Autonomous Engagement with Vocabulary Journal in Multilingual Learners, Emika Ozawa
Machine Learning-Based Analysis of DNA Methylation Patterns in E.lenta, Tsion Tsegaye Sherbeza
Exploring Academic Writing Development through Reflective Reading Response Journals: A Case Study of First-Year Composition Multilingual Students, Kalpana Shrestha
Theses/Dissertations from 2023
Developing a Standardized GIS Model Capable of Identifying Areas to Implement Wind Power Generation Infrastructure, Namidu Vishwanath De Silva
Professional Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Corrie Eggimann
“Born Again:” Narrating the Mental Health Journeys of Religious Exiters, Fio Haire
Unlocking User Identity: A Study on Mouse Dynamics in Dual Gaming Environments for Continuous Authentication, Marcho Setiawan Handoko
Studying and Troubleshooting Lubricity Test on Pressure Wire X Proximal and Distal Coatings, Usama A. Khan
Family Caregiving of the Elderly in the U.S. and Nepal, Barsha Kharel
Detecting Overlapping Gene Regions Using the U-Net Attention Mechanism, Samuel Lemma
The Application of Interpersonal Concepts to Reframe Instructor Misbehaviors, Jonathan A. Mendoza
Marketing Ploy or Mental Health Crisis? An Analysis of Fan Responses to Celebrity Narratives, Kayla M. Ostrander
Making Data-Driven Decisions for Investing in Restaurant Business: A Case Study Based on Zomato Dataset, Rachna Shah
Theses/Dissertations from 2022
Best Practices of Teaching Public Speaking Online, Sally Dufner
Dementia Care Among Somali Elders, Emmanuel Asante Opoku
Implementation and Usage of Low-cost Turbines for Power Generation in Water Networks, Luis Javier Ortiz Osornio
Reading with Joysticks: Video Games in the English Language Arts Classroom, Wesley Wingert
Theses/Dissertations from 2021
Safety and Efficacy of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy in Menopause: A Literature Review, Kathryn Akre
Advance Care Planning and Palliative Care in Heart Failure: A Literature Review, Laura Dack
The Impact of Social Isolation and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review, Jody L. Doll-Wilhelm
Perspectivas sociolingüísticas y culturales en la conservación lingüística del wayuunaiki, Andrés Gabriel Espejel Fuentes
Reducing Disease Exacerbation in Women with Confirmed COPD: A Systematic Literature Review, Jill Essay
Why End-of-Life Discussion Matters: A Systematic Literature Review, Emily Grandson
Factors Influencing Contraception Use in Sexual Minority Women: A Systematic Literature Review, Grace M. Hudson
COVID-19 and Work-Family Conflict: A Gendered Lens Required for Developing Organizational Benefits and Programs, Qendresa Isniqi
Contraceptive Accessibility and Reproductive Outcomes in Adolescents Seeking Care at School-Based Health Centers: A Systematic Review, Jamie Jenkins
Reducing Polypharmacy in Older Adults at End of Life: The Outcome on Quality of Life, Melissa Jenson
The After-Visit Summary: An Opportunity for Technical Communicators, Drew Jordan
Providing Hispanic Immigrant and Migrant Health Care in America: Could NPs be the Answer?, Hamabwe Kabwe
Cannabis as a Prescription Opioid Substitute for Adults with Chronic Pain: A Systematic Literature Review, Lani Kranz
Impact of Telemedicine on Heart Failure Readmissions and Mortality: A Literature Review, Stephanie R. Ledvina
Risk Communication and COVID-19: An Exploration of Best Practices, Allie Martens
Paternal Postpartum Depression Screening: A Critical Measurement that is Long Overdue, Nicholas C. McClellan
Exploring the Opportunity and Archievement Gap: The Capacity of Inclusive Outdoor Adventure Programming in Alleviating Youth Educational Inequity, Sarah E. McDonald
Treatment of Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review, Bethanie M. Miller
Understanding the Implications of HPV Infection: Does Parental Education Impact HPV Vaccination Completion Rates?, Heather A. Pederson
The Impact of Social Media on Teenage Females Self-Esteem, Amanda C. Perkovich
The Primary Care Provider’s Role in Screening and Intervening in the Human Trafficking of Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review, Brittany Schmid
The Critical Need for a Culturally Sensitive Suicide Risk Assessment Instrument for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth, Courtney E. Shaw
Effectiveness of Behavior-Based Counseling for Weight Loss Maintenance: A Systematic Literature Review, Jaime V. Stanczyk
Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Cervical Cancer Screening in Asian American Women, Bouathong Thepsombath
Cannabis Treatment of Autism in Children: A Literature Review, Mai Xiong
Conflict Communication in Law Enforcement, Don Zheng
The Impact of a Plant-based Diet on the Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Megan E. Ziola
Choosing Between Medical Surveillance and Preventive Surgical Interventions Among Asymptomatic BRCA Positive Women, Hillary Zupan
Theses/Dissertations from 2020
Higher Education and Police Officers: The Effects on Citizen Complaints, Evan D. Brown
Social Justice Scholarship Informing Visual Communication Practices, Alicia Campbell
A Systematic Review of the Literature: Defining Child Sex Trafficking, Chelseanne Luella Davidson
The Impact of Yoga on Symptom Management in Adults with Depression, Laura S. Eggen
Patient Satisfaction with Telehealth Services Compared to In-Office Visits: A Systematic Literature Review, Crystal L. Fleischhacker
Using Bourdieu in Communication and Forensics Research, Stephen P. Hagan
Gröbner Bases and Systems of Polynomial Equations, Rachel Holmes
Search for the Cause of Vaping Associated Lung Injury in Adolescents, Alexandra E. Krueger
Coaching Women on the Impact of Alcohol Intake on Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review, Amy Maloney
Childhood Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and/or Pharmacological Treatment, Jennifer S. McCarthy
Compilation of Four Different Papers on Different Gender Issues, Minara Nazmin
Discrete Morse Theory by Vector Fields: A Survey and New Directions, Matthew Nemitz
Probiotics and the Prevention of Clostridioides difficile: A Review of Existing Systematic Reviews, Andrea L. Onstad
Caring for Young Adults with Cancer: A Systematic Review, Sarah M. Pelletier
Benefits of Exercise on Mental Health: Literature Review, Angela Ristau
Homeless Tailored Primary Care and Access to Ongoing Primary Care Services, Jessica J. Stoefen
The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Adults with Obesity, Hallie M. Tiffany
Best Youth Education Methods for Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention, Caitlin F. Walchonski
The Effectiveness of Cannabidiol in Rheumatic Disease Pain: A Systematic Review, Mary C. Wiczek
Metformin’s Role in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Individuals Diagnosed with Prediabetes: A Systematic Literature Review, Jillian Williamson
Theses/Dissertations from 2019
Employing 2-D CFD & LRB Model Around Trees to Improve VAWT Placement, David Chukwuebuka Bassey
The Importance of Including Interactive Immersive Technology in Instructional Design to Enhance Learner and User Experience, Shawneda Crout
What Works and What Doesn't: An Analysis of Brand Engagment on Facebook, Laurie Hiebert
The Relationship of Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring and Hypertension Control, Durga Mishra
Children During the American Steamboat Era - A Museum Exhibit, Emily Ruoff
Theses/Dissertations from 2018
Psychosocial Interventions for Individuals With Infertility, Margaret Bach
Alton Sterling, My Dad, and Me: an Autoethnographic Exploration of Race Based Trauma, Balencia Crosby
Work-Related Values, Preferences, and Expectations of Millennials: Implications for Long-Term Care Administrators, Cheryl K. Derynck
The Role of Exercise for Postpartum Depression and Well-being, Maria Gaz
Anxiety Reduction in Pregnancy Subsequent to Perinatal Loss, Jessica Lemker
Chlamydia pneumoniae in Cardiovascular Diseases: Risk Factor or Incidental Finding?, Steven Piroso
Empathy and Campus Sexual Assault (CSA) Communication: Protecting the Wellbeing and Social Equity of College Women, Kathleen Romero
Modeling Pre-Settlement Wetlands in Northern Minnesota, Johnathon T. Salfer
Cemetery Management in a GIS Framework: A Case Study of Woodland Hills Memorial Park, Maureen Schmidt
Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Literature Review, Shailynn Shipley
Final Internship Report: GIS Research and Analysis at the Center for Homicide Research, Paul Jeffrey Tatting
Home-based Primary Care: Impact on Cost and Patient Satisfaction, Sarah R. Tupper
Theses/Dissertations from 2017
Impact of Caregiver Depression on Health of Family Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease, Poonam Aryal
Food Insecurity in Higher Education: Awareness and Response, Rudy Correa
A Content Analysis on Two Different Immigrants’ Stories in California from Two Novels: A Step from Heaven: a Korean Girl and Esperanza Rising: a Mexican Farm Worker, Claudia Guerrero Barrera
A Comparison of Physical Nursing Home Environment for Older Adults and Their Families, Phatt Thaitrong
ADHD in Elementary School Students: Impact of Physical Activity on ADHD Symptoms, Jenny Wilcox
Theses/Dissertations from 2016
A Theory of Participation: Joining the Cast of 'Heavy Rain', Matthew Bryan Oliver
Patient Empathy & Effects on Health Outcomes, Erin Elizabeth Schliesman
Theses/Dissertations from 2015
Botswana and Mauritius: A Comparative Analysis of an Economic and Political Success Story in the Most Unlikely Region, Richard Armah
Goddess of the Savannah: Beatrice as Achebe’s Sensible Solution, Gillian Renee Singler
Theses/Dissertations from 2014
Factors that Affect the Decision-Making Process of African American Students, Marcella Genise Dial
