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Investigating Effective Instructional Strategies To Increase Reading Comprehension Of Ells, Caroline Kosho Feb 2024

Investigating Effective Instructional Strategies To Increase Reading Comprehension Of Ells, Caroline Kosho

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High school classroom teachers with English language learners (ELLs) assigned to their classrooms might not be using effective instructional strategies to increase reading comprehension scores of ELLs. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the use of strategies that high school classroom teachers use to teach cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) to ELLs who have difficulty reading for understanding. The conceptual framework guiding this study was Cummin’s second language acquisition theory. The basic qualitative research design was guided by two research questions intended to determine the effectiveness of strategies used by the high school classroom teachers to …


Educators’ Perspectives Of How To Support Mathematics Achievement Of Grade 3 Through Grade 5 At-Risk Students, Shanerron Fordham-Knox Feb 2024

Educators’ Perspectives Of How To Support Mathematics Achievement Of Grade 3 Through Grade 5 At-Risk Students, Shanerron Fordham-Knox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that teachers are struggling to support the instructional needs of at-risk students Grades 3–5 in mathematics in a Southern state. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of Grades 3–5 teachers of the instructional supports, approaches, and recommendations to support the mathematics achievement of at-risk students in Grades 3–5. Bruner’s theory on the stages of representation informed this study. The research questions focused on Elementary teachers' perspectives and recommendations of instructional supports and approaches to support the mathematics achievement of at-risk students in Grades 3–5. Data were collected …


Parent Perspectives On How The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Their Children, Desiree Marie Vanderlick Jan 2023

Parent Perspectives On How The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Their Children, Desiree Marie Vanderlick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism is a disorder that is characterized by struggles with socialization anddevelopmental delays that often involve much guidance and support. The purpose of this study was to explain the experience of parents as they attempted to manage behaviors related to symptoms of autism during the worldwide quarantine prompted by COVID-19. This study aimed to close the gap in literature and explore to see if there were any concerns that could be addressed by future studies. The study was framed around Bowen’s theory, which addresses emotions within a family unit, and the interdependence theory, which addresses how humans thrive to be …


Employer Perceptions Of The Skills Gap In College Graduates’ Written Communication, Julie Minnaugh Jan 2023

Employer Perceptions Of The Skills Gap In College Graduates’ Written Communication, Julie Minnaugh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. employers have reported that many college graduates are underprepared in written communication when hired and that lack of preparedness hinders these graduates’ employment success. Higher education institution (HEI) administrators need information regarding which writing skills should be taught across the curriculum to improve student outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate employers’ perspectives on the written communication skills gap that hinders college graduates from being successful in their professional practice. Swales’s six characteristics of a discourse community provided a conceptual lens for the study, as graduates commencing employment represent newcomers to a discourse community. A basic qualitative …


Employer Perceptions Of The Skills Gap In College Graduates’ Written Communication, Julie Minnaugh Jan 2023

Employer Perceptions Of The Skills Gap In College Graduates’ Written Communication, Julie Minnaugh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. employers have reported that many college graduates are underprepared in written communication when hired and that lack of preparedness hinders these graduates’ employment success. Higher education institution (HEI) administrators need information regarding which writing skills should be taught across the curriculum to improve student outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate employers’ perspectives on the written communication skills gap that hinders college graduates from being successful in their professional practice. Swales’s six characteristics of a discourse community provided a conceptual lens for the study, as graduates commencing employment represent newcomers to a discourse community. A basic qualitative …


Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Influence Of Teacher Evaluation Process Feedback On Improving Instructional Practice, Ericilda Ottley Herman Jan 2023

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Influence Of Teacher Evaluation Process Feedback On Improving Instructional Practice, Ericilda Ottley Herman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has shown that teacher evaluation feedback has not positively impacted teachers’ practice or instruction. An average of 53% of U.S. Virgin Island teachers disagreed or strongly disagreed on the value of the feedback they received from administrators on the evaluation system. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the influence of administrator feedback on the teacher evaluation system as it related to improving teacher instructional practice. Two research questions focused the study approach, one on teacher perceptions of the influence of administrator feedback to enhance their instructional practice and the other on teacher perceptions of the …


Lived Experiences Of African American Women Engineers Regarding Employee Engagement, Organizational Support, And Organizational Commitment, Tamika Gwendolyn Riley Jan 2023

Lived Experiences Of African American Women Engineers Regarding Employee Engagement, Organizational Support, And Organizational Commitment, Tamika Gwendolyn Riley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women are underrepresented in the engineering workforce. Limited research exists focusing on the experiences of African American women engineers. This qualitative study aimed to understand the perceived lived experiences of African American women engineers concerning employee engagement, organizational support, and organizational commitment. Relational cultural theory and feminist theory comprised the theoretical framework used to guide this descriptive phenomenological study. Data were collected using semi structured interviews with 11 African American women engineers. An inductive thematic data analysis produced 15 themes to answer the study’s three research questions. The themes that addressed the first research question, on engagement, included …


Foster Youth's Experience With Visitation During The Covid-19 Pandemic., Carrie Player Sexton Jan 2023

Foster Youth's Experience With Visitation During The Covid-19 Pandemic., Carrie Player Sexton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Much has been learned about how the shelter-in-place (SIP) orders imposed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected children socially and emotionally. However, less was known about how the youths in foster care settings experienced visitation with their approved visitors because of the shelter-in-place order. In this phenomenological study, the lived experiences of 10 foster youths between the ages of 16 and 18 years during the COVID-19 SIP were explored using semi structured interviews. The theory that grounded this study was Ainsworth and Bowlby's attachment theory. Evernote was used to guide, store, observe, and record the data in one …


Teacher Perceptions Of The Value And Motivation To Complete Professional Development, Andrea Paige Vitch Dorsey Jan 2023

Teacher Perceptions Of The Value And Motivation To Complete Professional Development, Andrea Paige Vitch Dorsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are inconsistent completion rates of professional development among elementary school teachers in a school district in the rural southeast. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore elementary teachers’ perceptions of the value of professional development to improve teaching and what motivates them to complete the professional development that is offered. The study was guided by Knowles’ theory of andragogy of how adults learn and Eccles’ expectancy value theory of motivation. The first research question explored how elementary teachers in a rural school district described the value of professional development offered to improve teaching. The second research …


The Experiences Of Middle-Aged Women In An Online Weight-Loss Community, Holly Fields Jan 2023

The Experiences Of Middle-Aged Women In An Online Weight-Loss Community, Holly Fields

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The obesity epidemic continues to be a public health crisis in the United States. The number of obese middle-aged women has risen dramatically over the past few decades. Despite multiple levels of support available, not all women are receiving the support they need to reduce overweight/obesity, as evidenced by the continuing rise in obesity. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study examined middle-aged women's views on exercising, eating healthily, and social support in online weight-loss communities. For this study, the health belief model (HBM) and social learning theory (SLT) were used as conceptual frameworks to understand a person's behavioral intentions …


The Reconciliation Of Cognitive Dissonance Among Social Workers In Substance Use Treatment Settings, Miranda Ashley Kieler Jan 2023

The Reconciliation Of Cognitive Dissonance Among Social Workers In Substance Use Treatment Settings, Miranda Ashley Kieler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although harm reduction (HR) and abstinence-based treatment approaches are both useful in addiction treatment, the former is less accepted and integrated into practice. Social workers who embrace an HR approach but who work at substance abuse treatment facilities that are abstinence based may experience cognitive dissonance because they perceive their work role to be incompatible with social work practice values and education. Little was known regarding how practitioners with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree experience and reconcile cognitive dissonance related to their HR education and abstinence-only practice in substance use treatment centers. To address this gap in the …


Experience Of Burnout Among Psychiatric Hospital Staff, Cindy Cisneros Jan 2023

Experience Of Burnout Among Psychiatric Hospital Staff, Cindy Cisneros

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Negative experiences at work are common at inpatient psychiatric hospitals and can result in burnout. This is especially the case for psychiatric hospital staff, as they are commonly the first and most frequent line of contact for patients in acute psychiatric care. This study provided relevant insight into the factors that influence the experience of burnout among psychiatric hospital staff that care for patients in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Research on how burnout affects psychiatric hospital staff apart from other medical professionals is not robust and lacking in qualitative analysis. The transactional model of stress and coping framework constituted the theoretical …


School Counselor Leadership: Illuminating The Lived Experiences Of Principals Who Utilize Counselors In Leadership, Amanda Schwyn Jan 2023

School Counselor Leadership: Illuminating The Lived Experiences Of Principals Who Utilize Counselors In Leadership, Amanda Schwyn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe topic of principal–school counselor partnerships has been emerging over the last several decades. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) helped introduce and streamline counselor roles and responsibilities in 1952 and has been advocating for schools to have comprehensive school counseling programs since. Despite articles, research, and ASCA’s work to promote school counselors as leaders in the school and the importance of a comprehensive school counseling program, a gap remains with respect to counselors working with principals to establish comprehensive school counseling programs from the principal’s perspective. To understand the principal’s experience, the study was conducted using eight principals at …


Community Perceptions Of Syringe Service Programs In Charleston, West Virginia: A Qualitative Socioecological Perspective, Kenya M. Burton Jan 2023

Community Perceptions Of Syringe Service Programs In Charleston, West Virginia: A Qualitative Socioecological Perspective, Kenya M. Burton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In rural areas of the United States, people who inject drugs (PWID) experience an array of obstacles to accessing adequate healthcare. Locations with high rates of drug use normally offer more healthcare options, including needle exchange programs but, in some communities, there is resistance to providing this kind of care. This increases mortality, morbidity, cost, and adds to the stigma experienced by this vulnerable group. The experiences of people with substance dependency, including PWID, has been widely explored throughout studies that reflect a need for increased support. However, the perspectives of the community, especially in rural areas, though equally important, …


The Reconciliation Of Cognitive Dissonance Among Social Workers In Substance Use Treatment Settings, Miranda Ashley Kieler Jan 2023

The Reconciliation Of Cognitive Dissonance Among Social Workers In Substance Use Treatment Settings, Miranda Ashley Kieler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although harm reduction (HR) and abstinence-based treatment approaches are both useful in addiction treatment, the former is less accepted and integrated into practice. Social workers who embrace an HR approach but who work at substance abuse treatment facilities that are abstinence based may experience cognitive dissonance because they perceive their work role to be incompatible with social work practice values and education. Little was known regarding how practitioners with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree experience and reconcile cognitive dissonance related to their HR education and abstinence-only practice in substance use treatment centers. To address this gap in the …


Employees’ Engagement Experiences In Private-Sector Companies In Urban Jamaica, Colleen Rose-Marie Bancroft Jan 2023

Employees’ Engagement Experiences In Private-Sector Companies In Urban Jamaica, Colleen Rose-Marie Bancroft

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Marginal and fluctuating employee engagement levels continue to be a concern among organizations, evidenced by the quest for dynamic solutions and the investigative work observed in the literature. The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of engagement for employees working in two urban, private-sector companies in Jamaica. A qualitative approach, with a hermeneutic phenomenological design was used to complete the study using the lens of self-efficacy theory. Semistructured interviews were conducted via Zoom with 12 employees and their engagement experiences were analyzed. The results indicate that organizational systems, working conditions, and shared values (organizational and national culture) …


Preincarceration Collaborative Religious Coping Strategies Of Black Males With A History Of A Criminal Offense, Pearlette E. Springer Jan 2023

Preincarceration Collaborative Religious Coping Strategies Of Black Males With A History Of A Criminal Offense, Pearlette E. Springer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans are 56% of the incarcerated population in the United States. Black males spend an average of 13.4% of their working lives incarcerated and 82.6% of their working lives addressing the stigma and restrictions associated with incarceration. The purpose of this study was to address a gap in research by exploring the preincarceration collaborative religious coping strategy experiences of Black males with a history of criminal offenses. Pargament’s theory of collaborative religious coping strategy guided the research, interview questions, and data analysis. The qualitative narrative approach with purposeful and snowball sampling was used to recruit and collect data from …


How Government Organizations Can Sustain Remote Work Post Covid-19, Chikwendu Pius Nweke Jan 2023

How Government Organizations Can Sustain Remote Work Post Covid-19, Chikwendu Pius Nweke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractGovernment organizations are unprepared to sustain remote work post-COVID-19. Even though COVID-19 seems to be under control, organizations are still struggling with the aftermath of the pandemic and the need to sustain remote work. Challenges include lack of necessary information technology tools, software, technological skills, strategies for remote work, leadership skills, real-time communication; activity planning and program implementation, scheduling meetings, organizing child care, managing caseloads, fostering team work, and effective supervision. A conceptual framework based on organizational adaptation theory was used to guide this qualitative case study. Since the study was to ascertain how government organizations can sustain remote work …


Beliefs Of Higher Education Online Faculty Regarding The Integration Of Multimedia, Kimberly Diane Hoyt Jan 2023

Beliefs Of Higher Education Online Faculty Regarding The Integration Of Multimedia, Kimberly Diane Hoyt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Integration of multimedia resources in higher education curricula continues to be a concern for today’s teachers, especially in identifying effective, efficient, and engaging resources that provide individualized instruction and meet a variety of learning needs. However, there was a gap in the literature regarding teachers' beliefs about multimedia integration within the context of adult learning in online higher education. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the benefits and challenges higher education online teachers experienced when integrating multimedia resources into their courses. The research question explored the beliefs of higher education online instructors about their experiences when …


Beliefs Of Higher Education Online Faculty Regarding The Integration Of Multimedia, Kimberly Diane Hoyt Jan 2023

Beliefs Of Higher Education Online Faculty Regarding The Integration Of Multimedia, Kimberly Diane Hoyt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Integration of multimedia resources in higher education curricula continues to be a concern for today’s teachers, especially in identifying effective, efficient, and engaging resources that provide individualized instruction and meet a variety of learning needs. However, there was a gap in the literature regarding teachers' beliefs about multimedia integration within the context of adult learning in online higher education. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the benefits and challenges higher education online teachers experienced when integrating multimedia resources into their courses. The research question explored the beliefs of higher education online instructors about their experiences when …


Parent Perspectives On How The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Their Children, Desiree Marie Vanderlick Jan 2023

Parent Perspectives On How The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Their Children, Desiree Marie Vanderlick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism is a disorder that is characterized by struggles with socialization anddevelopmental delays that often involve much guidance and support. The purpose of this study was to explain the experience of parents as they attempted to manage behaviors related to symptoms of autism during the worldwide quarantine prompted by COVID-19. This study aimed to close the gap in literature and explore to see if there were any concerns that could be addressed by future studies. The study was framed around Bowen’s theory, which addresses emotions within a family unit, and the interdependence theory, which addresses how humans thrive to be …


School Counselor Leadership: Illuminating The Lived Experiences Of Principals Who Utilize Counselors In Leadership, Amanda Schwyn Jan 2023

School Counselor Leadership: Illuminating The Lived Experiences Of Principals Who Utilize Counselors In Leadership, Amanda Schwyn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe topic of principal–school counselor partnerships has been emerging over the last several decades. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) helped introduce and streamline counselor roles and responsibilities in 1952 and has been advocating for schools to have comprehensive school counseling programs since. Despite articles, research, and ASCA’s work to promote school counselors as leaders in the school and the importance of a comprehensive school counseling program, a gap remains with respect to counselors working with principals to establish comprehensive school counseling programs from the principal’s perspective. To understand the principal’s experience, the study was conducted using eight principals at …


False Advertising And Young Girls’ Self Esteem, Caitlin Bohannon Jan 2023

False Advertising And Young Girls’ Self Esteem, Caitlin Bohannon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is becoming impossible to recognize the level of photoshop on advertisements. However, little is known how continuous exposure to such images can negatively impact the short- and long-term psyche of young girls aged 6 to 14 years old. The study’s theoretical framework was Benet’s polarities of democracy, emphasizing freedom and authority and human rights and communal obligations. The research question focused on the negative impacts false advertising has on young girls and what public policies could assist in mitigating these short- and long-term impacts. A general qualitative design, with semistructured interviews of seven adult participants with relevant insight on …


Strategies For Reducing Occupational Stress And Increasing Productivity, Dr. Bradley J. Irby Jan 2023

Strategies For Reducing Occupational Stress And Increasing Productivity, Dr. Bradley J. Irby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some business leaders lack strategies to reduce occupational stress and increase productivity. Occupational stress can reduce productivity, damage an organization’s image, and incite a toxic work environment. Grounded in social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies leaders of a Texas based land-management service company use to decrease occupational stress and increase productivity. The participants consisted of five senior leaders with a record of reducing occupational stress and maintaining a profitable portfolio of work. Data were collected via a review of existing literature, semistructured interviews, and a review of company resources. Using Yin’s …


False Advertising And Young Girls’ Self Esteem, Caitlin Bohannon Jan 2023

False Advertising And Young Girls’ Self Esteem, Caitlin Bohannon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is becoming impossible to recognize the level of photoshop on advertisements. However, little is known how continuous exposure to such images can negatively impact the short- and long-term psyche of young girls aged 6 to 14 years old. The study’s theoretical framework was Benet’s polarities of democracy, emphasizing freedom and authority and human rights and communal obligations. The research question focused on the negative impacts false advertising has on young girls and what public policies could assist in mitigating these short- and long-term impacts. A general qualitative design, with semistructured interviews of seven adult participants with relevant insight on …


Posttraumatic Growth Following Critical Incident Exposure For Urban Firefighters, Deirdre Smith Jan 2022

Posttraumatic Growth Following Critical Incident Exposure For Urban Firefighters, Deirdre Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Firefighters are often exposed to critical/traumatic incidents. Regular exposure to critical/traumatic incidents has the potential to cause negative psychological problems among this population, though there is also a likelihood that firefighters can experience a positive effect such as posttraumatic growth (PTG) as a result of critical incident exposure. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of PTG for urban firefighters following exposure to work-related traumatic events. The phenomenon of PTG provided the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with eight urban firefighters. Findings from coding and thematic analysis …


Individual Public-School Teachers’ Influence On Technology Implementation, Aletcia Whren Jan 2022

Individual Public-School Teachers’ Influence On Technology Implementation, Aletcia Whren

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many teachers in the United States, despite access to and demonstrated benefits of instructional technology, are reluctant to integrate these innovations into their teaching. Although public schools spend millions to supply the technology to improve instruction and student academic achievement, teachers often choose not to adopt it. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to understand better how and why many teachers are reluctant to integrate instructional technology in their classrooms. Guided by cultural historical activity theory, the study occurred in two phases. First, the Concerns-Based Adoption Model Stages of Concern Questionnaire was used to identify a sample of …


Hospital Leaders’ Strategies For Reducing Expenditures Of A Hospital Supply Chain, Anusorn Schneckenaichner Jan 2022

Hospital Leaders’ Strategies For Reducing Expenditures Of A Hospital Supply Chain, Anusorn Schneckenaichner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital leaders are challenged to reduce expenditures that contribute to the overall care for patients. Ineffective strategies to manage medical supply expenditures can increase costs for patient care. Guided by social cognitive theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies hospital leaders used to reduce medical supply expenditures to sustain the rising costs of overall healthcare in the United States. The participants comprised six hospital leaders in the United States who implemented successful strategies to reduce expenditures on medical supplies. Data were collected from documents and through semistructured interviews. Three themes emerged from a five-step …


Staff Burnout And The Neglect Of Elderly Residents In Care, Stephanie Belveg Jan 2022

Staff Burnout And The Neglect Of Elderly Residents In Care, Stephanie Belveg

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is increasing concern about patient neglect in nursing homes as nursing home staff become burnt out. Although there has been research on burnout in nursing home staff and neglect, little research has been done to understand the specific connection of burnout and neglect through the lived experiences of staff members. Underpinned by Maslach’s theory of burnout, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of nursing home staff who experienced burnout before and after they witnessed neglect of elderly patients. Nine semistructured interviews were conducted with elderly care staff who had experienced burnout and witnessed …


Creative Strategies; Maintaining Loyalty In Corporate Downsizing, Sara Caroline Blum-Stapleton Jan 2022

Creative Strategies; Maintaining Loyalty In Corporate Downsizing, Sara Caroline Blum-Stapleton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To remain competitive, organization leaders look for methods of reducing organizational costs. Downsizing is one method leaders have implemented to lower costs; however, downsizing may affect employee loyalty and trust within the organization. The purpose of this study was to highlight managers’ experiences affecting practices and strategies, influencing loyalty and trust in corporate downsizing through the qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology approach. The conceptual framework provided structuralism revealing low morale and decreased loyalty and trust. The research question focused on lived experiences of managers and employees during downsizing, maintaining loyalty and trust by invoking creative strategies to retain jobs. Eight participants shared …