Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Information Sciences and Technology
The Pennsylvania State University
2008

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)

Computer Information Systems & Analysis
Howard University
2001

Human Information Behavior

Diversity in the IT workforce

HCI/UX

Health Informatics

Individual Differences

Human-Computer Interaction/User Experience

Introduction to eCommerce/Digital Business

Management Information Systems

Introduction to Software Design

Identity and the health information consumer

Identity and the health information consumer: a research agenda in Health Systems Journal, Vol 5, No. 1, (pp. 1-5).

There is currently a need to better understand the impacts of emerging technologies used to support health and health information needs as they relate to users. In the discussion of health information searching behavior, human individual differences and identity are factors to be considered. Identity, specifically, is a key to understanding the health-related self-maintenance behaviors of individuals with a variety of illnesses. As a result, this position paper will identify a research program that supports the investigation of identity in the context of the human information consumer. A number of research questions will be posed that are meant to encourage further research, debate, and discussion around developing e-health technologies that are tailored to a patient’s individual health background and needs. Thus, beginning to situate the user appropriately within these characteristics is a challenge that will yield more understanding of the individual and increase the usability of the technology for health-related purposes.

Consumer Demographics and Internet Based Health Information Search in the United States

Consumer Demographics and Internet Based Health Information Search in the United States: The Intersectionality of Gender, Race, and Class in International Journal of E-Health and Medical Communications, Vol 6, No. 1, (pp. 58-72).

Prescriptions for the successful provision of e-health information must integrate the varying needs of individuals for maintaining their personal health. Research emanating from both individual differences and health information searching literature suggests that a person's characteristics influence the pursuit of online health information. This paper addresses the factors influencing variation in health information searching strategies based on demographic differences among healthcare information consumers in the United States of America. Specifically, the authors evaluate variation in health information searching about diabetes within a population that varies by race, gender, age, socio-economic status, and education. The theory utilized in this research was the Individual Differences Theory of Gender and IT. Findings from this interpretive, qualitative study showed that differences such as race, gender, age, socio economic class, and geographic location all have an influence on searching behavior. However, it was found that these factors work together to influence behavior, rather than independently.

Socio Economic Influences on Health Information Searching in the United States

Socio Economic Influences on Health Information Searching in the United States: The Case of Diabetes in Information, Technology and People, Vol. 26 (4), (pp. 324-346).

The purpose of this paper is to consider the effect of demographic differences on the motivations and abilities of individuals with diabetes in their search for health information online. Using data gathered from a qualitative study of 30 individuals, the paper examined instances of user-based health motivation and abilities using the lens of demographic differences to identify the influence on health information searching and potential health outcomes.

Targeted Marketing and African-American Millennial Consumers

Targeted Marketing and African-American Millennial Consumers in Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, Vol. 7, No.1, (pp. 6-17).

With African American Millennials being the most intense users of the internet in the USA, based on length of time and frequency, this is a group that should be of particular interest to advertisers investing in online campaigns. The current marketing literature states that minorities respond more favorably to media and imagery that is targeted to them. However, this generalization has not been extended to make sure that this new generation and new medium follow the previous findings. The purpose of this paper is to examine how advertising performance is affected by the use of targeted marketing to African American Millennial consumers online.

Power Relations and Information Technology: The Intersectionality of Gender, Race and Class

Power Relations and Information Technology: The Intersectionality of Gender, Race and Class in Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society. Vol.7, No. 2/3, (pp. 96-118).

Social exclusion as a result of gender, race, and class inequality is perhaps one of the most pressing challenges associated with the development of a diverse information technology (IT) workforce. Women remain under represented in the IT workforce and college majors that prepare students for IT careers. Research on the under representation of women in IT typically assumes women to be homogeneous in nature, something that blinds the research to variation that exists among women. This paper aims to address these issues.