Olivet's Kelsey O'Doran of Frankfort receives 2013 research award

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Kelsey O'Doran, recipient of 2013 Harold Young Research Award

BOURBONNAIS, IL (04/09/2013)(readMedia)-- Junior psychology and sociology major Kelsey O'Doran of Frankfort has the distinguished honor of receiving the 2013 Harold Young Research Award, presented by the Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers (ANSR) at the recent professional conference.

The purpose of this award is to encourage scholarly research relevant to the Church of the Nazarene. Given annually to an undergraduate student, it is named for Dr. Harold Young, a Christian scholar.

Kelsey worked closely with Dr. Ray Bower, chair of the behavioral sciences department and psychology professor on this project. With his guidance, Kelsey developed a research study, "The Effect of Study Mode (face to face vs. online) and Gender of Participant upon Agreement Ratings for Study Mode Chosen." This study examined students' preferences for Bible study format, asking participating Olivet students a series of questions. They rated their answers on a scale of 1 to 7. Their answers indicated their preferences regarding in person, online or combination (in person and online) Bible study.

Kelsey's study found that students prefer a combination Bible study format, indicating that while we are more open to a technological format, the face-to-face connection is still highly valued.

As Kelsey's mentor, Dr. Bower attributes her success to her dedication and hard work, as well as the tools Olivet is able to provide to its undergraduate researchers.

"We are set up here for research at the undergraduate level," he says. "The department is set up so students get good experience with special attention in research. A lot of the other competing schools just do not have that."

To what does Kelsey attribute her success? Dr. Bower's support and encouragement. "Dr. Bower helped me get the project done," she says. ""I didn't expect to win at all."

At the ANSR conference, Kelsey gave a 20-minute presentation of her paper, and it is now posted on the ANSR website.

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

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Contact:

Laura Warfel

Public Relations Specialist

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Ill.

www.olivet.edu

815-928-5403

lwwarfel@olivet.edu