University of Arkansas faculty present research at textile, apparel meeting

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Faculty from the University of Arkansas' Apparel Merchandising and Product Development (AMPD) program recently presented their research at the Annual International Textile and Apparel Association conference in Vancouver.

Laurie Apple, an associate professor, collaborated with clinical Associate Professor Kathy Smith to research and present “Consumer Perceptions of Apparel Fit Satisfaction and Sizing Based Upon 3D Body Scanning and Block Garment Assessment."

Their research was based on a thesis by master’s degree student Nicole Coury and focused on sizing and fit issues. It made the case that major apparel retailers need to make sizing systems similar in order to reduce customer returns.

Lance Cheramie, an instructor in the AMPD program, Associate Professor Leigh Southward and instructor Cynthia Elkins presented “A Preliminary Analysis of an Interactive Teaching Platform."

The study focused on student attentiveness and found that PowerPoint presentations with multiple choice and one-word answer questions, called interactive teaching platform, were the best for student attentiveness and grades.

Stephanie Hubert, also an instructor in the AMPD program, worked with Apple and Smith to present "A Comparison of Perceived Fit Issues of Apparel as it Relates to Body Image and Body Satisfaction Among High School Athletes and Non-Athletes Using 3D Body Scan Technology," which found that high school athletes have the most accurate body images, but high school students struggle with different sizes in different stores. This research was based on Hubert’s master’s degree thesis.

Finally, Assistant Professor Eunjoo Cho worked with Smith to present "The Effects of Brand Familiarity on Perceived Risk, Attitude, and Purchase Intentions Toward an Intimate Apparel Brand," based on master’s degree student Jennifer Rose’s thesis.

The study found that young females who are loyal to a particular brand of intimate apparel are more likely to have a low psychological and performance risk, which favors positive attitudes.