Digital Commons Network^™

Teachers' Financial Literacy Knowledge And Self-Efficacy: A Phenomenological Study, Alyssa Lynne Eisenhart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover the experiences and self-efficacy beliefs related to financial literacy knowledge for educators in the United States. The theory guiding the study was self-efficacy as it explained how one’s belief in abilities is shaped by their unique background, experiences, and knowledge. The central research question was what are the experiences and self-efficacy beliefs of educators who teach financial literacy? The study aimed to understand the perspectives of teachers as it related to financial knowledge and self-efficacy. A purposive sample, with ten to fifteen participants, were selected based on the criteria that …

Teacher Retention: A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of White Male Teachers In An Urban Secondary School, Bryce M. Woerner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover the commonalities and factors of retention for White male teachers at an urban secondary school. The focus was on the experiences of the White male teachers at an urban secondary school in Virginia. This research is an examination of the experiences and perceptions of White male teachers. The data included interviews, focus groups, and letter writing to fill the gap in literature for teacher retention in urban schools. The research questions included what are the lived experiences of White male teachers in urban secondary schools and why do they choose …

Journey To Becoming A Superintendent In New York: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jeremy R. Koch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences an individual encounters on their journey to becoming a superintendent at a school district in New York. The theory used in this study was the push-pull model (PPM) by E. G. Ravenstein and the push-pull mooring model by E. S. Lee and later B. Moon, to study the lived experiences of those who have become school district superintendents. The PPM was used to determine what themes are present in an individual’s journey to the superintendency that pulls them to the position, pushes them away, or causes them …

A Phenomenological Study Of Online Students' Experiences With Proactive Advising Effects On Retention, Meghan Cowper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the academic, proactive advising experiences of online students’ and the effect on their retention in an online degree program. The theory and conceptual framework that guided this study are Tinto’s student integration model and Schlossberg’s theory of marginality and mattering. For this study, I conducted a transcendental phenomenological qualitative study to understand the personal experiences of proactive advising among online students. This study was conducted with 10 students attending an online university. The data was collected through individual interviews, hypothetical letters, and focus groups. Three themes were identified; overall online experiences, …

Millennial Evangelism: Mobilizing Millennials Towards Faith-Sharing At Hope Chapel Foursquare Church, Peter O. Kolawole

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project addresses the problem of dispassion or apparent detachment from the ministry of evangelism among millennials at Hope Chapel Foursquare church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Evangelism is the cornerstone of the Foursquare Church, of which Hope Chapel is a branch. As members of Hope Chapel come for bi-monthly community faith-sharing events, the largest group in the church, the millennial, was noticeably waning, which, if not rectified, will prevent the church from achieving its missional mandate. Evangelism is the nucleus and gateway to spiritual formation is essential to the Great Commission. Attaining spiritual formation and discipleship leads to …

An Explanatory Study Of Toxic Leadership And Servant Leadership Related To Organizational Culture And Behavioral Trust, Daniel Timothy Thames

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative ex post facto correlational study was to determine if a relationship exists between followers’ perceptions of toxic leadership and servant leadership as they relate to organizational culture and behavioral trust as measured by the Toxic Leadership Scale (TLS), the Servant Leadership Questionnaire (SL-7), the Organizational Culture Scale (OCS), and the Behavioral Trust Inventory (BTI). Toxic leadership was evaluated through the framework of Padilla et al.’s (2007) toxic triangle and Thoroughgood et al.’s (2012) susceptible circle of followers of toxic leaders. Exploring the theoretical context of toxic leadership, this project studied the effects of toxic leadership …

Crisis Of Youth Homelessness In Birmingham, Alabama, Velma Annette Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The economic and educational conditions of Jefferson County, Alabama, have contributed significantly to the increase of homeless families with children (LaGory et al., 2018). The failures of the foster care system have exponentially increased the population of homeless youth ages 19 to 26 (Burge et al., 2021). The lack of efficient public transportation emergency and affordable long-term housing has created a permanent population of homelessness (Kelly, 2020). Within the homeless culture, the increased incidents of violence, substance abuse, and sexual and physical abuse combined with functional illiteracy create an environment that breeds repetitive behaviors that reproduce the homeless outcomes (Burge …

Success Treating Substance Use Disorder: A Case Study Of Minnesota Adult And Teen Challenge, John Joseph Lenss

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge (MNTC) is an addiction treatment center. The reason for this qualitative case study was to discover why clients of substance use disorder treatment programs believe that they can graduate from their program when 50% of those who start the same long-term program drop out. This case study focused on graduates from MNTC in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This study discovered the graduates' common attributes that may improve MNTC treatment center programs, which could decrease the number of people who walk away from addiction recovery programs prematurely and increase the number of those who graduate. According to MNTC …

Biblical Counseling Curriculum: Building A Counseling Curriculum To Train Ministry Students To Counsel Advanced Topics, Nicholas A. Piervicenti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project was dedicated to the creation of a higher education curriculum that would support the needs of ministry students who study at West Coast Baptist College. Counseling is at the heart of what Christ committed himself to during His earthly ministry. (Mark 2:16–17, King James Version). The skills to counsel advanced topics in the local church arena should be an essential element of instruction that takes place in colleges that train ministry leaders. In order to effectively transfer these truths to students, a qualitative research project was implemented which utilized thirty-six interviews of alumni in order to assess areas …

Aiding A Reformed Church Into A Multiethnic And Economically Diverse Congregation, Leroy E. Childress Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Ethnic and economic diversity can be experienced in the local church. There is a biblical undertone in the Scriptures that shows Jesus, the apostles, and Old Testament themes that point to Revelation 7 for the reality of it. This reality can be lived on earth while Christians practice for heaven. While 95 percent of the churches around America remain homogeneous, with intentionality, adequate training, and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations, historically Reformed churches can also experience ethnic and economic diversity within their congregations. Although many churches do not feel the capabilities to become multiethnic and economically diverse, by …

Psalm 110 And Covenantal Faithfulness In The Eschatological Role Of A Faithful Priest, Seng N. Sumhka

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The eschatological role of a faithful priest is first mentioned in a prophecy from Samuel: “I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind” (1 Sam 2:35a, English Standard Version). Remarkably, the two oracles in Psalm 110, based on the structure and progressive development of priestly covenants associated with the prophecy of a faithful priest, have the nature and function of the priesthood in the Old Testament. The “priest” mentioned in Psalm 110: 4b refers to a priest-king like Melchizedek, but the “priest” in 1 Samuel …

The Effects Of High-Fidelity Bereavement Simulation On Perinatal Nurse Attitude And Comfort With Providing Bereavement Care For Patients Experiencing Perinatal Loss, Victoria Jule Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Perinatal loss is a global phenomenon that requires holistic and individualized care of patients. Nurses are responsible for providing most bereavement care after the loss of a pregnancy or infant; however, nurses commonly experience a lack of education and exposure to ways to promote high-quality bereavement care, leading to nurse discomfort providing perinatal bereavement care. The purpose of the study is to examine if high-fidelity perinatal bereavement simulation is an effective method to increase nurse comfort and improve nurse attitudes toward providing perinatal bereavement care. Data was collected using a quantitative quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest research design using a sample of …

The Brand Identity Paradox: Connecting With New Gen Audiences At Greater Scale, Osinor Xavier Kakhu

Masters Theses

This research explores the importance of authenticity in modern marketing, particularly when targeting underrepresented audiences. By examining the challenges and opportunities presented by social media, emerging technologies, and audience preference studies, this paper argues that brands must go beyond surface-level diversity efforts and genuinely engage with diverse communities. Through case studies and theoretical frameworks, the research highlights the potential benefits of authentic marketing, including increased brand loyalty, market expansion, and positive societal impact.

Gop's Future: Adapting Professional Writing To Engage And Attract Gen Z Voters, Kerry Mckim

Masters Theses

In an evolving political landscape dominated by digital media, the Republican Party faces significant challenges in connecting with Generation Z (Gen Z) voters. This thesis explores the critical role of professional writing in bridging this communication gap between generations. With the rise of social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, traditional communication strategies are becoming increasingly obsolete. Gen Z's unique consumption habits, values, and communication preferences necessitate reevaluating how political messages are crafted and disseminated.

This research highlights the importance of professional writing in political communication, focusing on its impact within the GOP. By examining Gen Z's demographics and …

Relationship Among Parenting Styles And Latino Adolescent Self-Esteem And Aggression, Jocelyn Evans-Shaw

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is considerable evidence that parenting influences the development and growth of children. Research on the psychological effects of parenting styles on children has traditionally neglected some cultures, such as the Latino community. The proposed study explored Latino parenting (authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive) styles and how they affect children's wellbeing. This quantitative study used correlational analysis to examine the relationships among aggression, self-esteem, and parenting styles among Hispanic adolescents. The study sample consisted of 77 participants. Snowball sampling (technique used in which research participants are asked to identify other potential participants) and social media platforms were used to acquire a …

The Relationship Between Servant Leadership, Supportive Work Environment, And Tech Employees' Mental Well-Being, Parsa Peykar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research explored the relationship between servant leadership, supportive work environment, and mental well-being of tech employees. Understanding this relationship is crucial as the technology (“tech”) industry faces high stress levels and burnout rates, potentially affecting employee’s performance and retention. This quantitative, cross-sectional study surveyed 90 tech employees to examine the relationship between servant leadership, supportive work environment, and employees’ mental well-being. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Servant Leadership Questionnaire (Liden et.al, 2008), Work Environment Scale (Tsai et al.,2015), and Mental Health Continuum Short Form (Keyes, 2002). A series of regression analyses were conducted to understand the relationship between …

Clash Of Convictions: Examining Divergences Among Traditional And Progressive Christians In Contemporary America, Aimee Marie Tarte

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Contemporary American Christianity is experiencing a growing divide between traditional and progressive biblical interpretations. This study explored the interplay of personality traits, religiosity, and cognitive dissonance on biblical interpretation, cultural integration, and faith practices among Florida Christians. This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study aimed to explore how personality traits, religiosity, and cognitive dissonance influence biblical interpretation, cultural integration, and faith practices among Christians in Florida in the context of a growing divide between traditional and progressive biblical worldviews. Cognitive Dissonance and Social Identity theories provide psychological frameworks for understanding individual and group religious behaviors. Data collection involved a survey of 118 …

Communication And Posttraumatic Growth: The Power Of Positive Declarations, Jennifer L. Owen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has explored the relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and communication trends. Yet, there is a gap in research regarding how positive declarations of desired outcomes can influence PTG and be applied in a therapeutic context. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine if positive declarations of psychological growth facilitate PTG after trauma and impact levels of hope, anxiety, or depression. A small pilot study was conducted through six counseling sessions with participants (N = 16) divided into either the control (n = 8) or experimental group (n = 8). A novel Positive Communication Approach (PCA), distinguished by …

Whitehouse Leads Morgan In Ri Senate Race; Voters Divided On Constitutional Convention Question 9/19/2024, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Sheldon Whitehouse leads Republican nominee Patricia Morgan by double-digits in the race for U.S. Senate in Rhode Island. Three-quarters of likely voters have definitely decided who they will support in this race. Whitehouse and Morgan have similar net favorability ratings but Morgan is not nearly as well-known. Despite appearing on the ballot every ten years in Rhode Island, many likely voters have not heard about and do not understand a ballot question this year asking if the state should hold a constitutional convention to propose amendments. When asked how they will vote on this issue, residents are divided with many …

Outlaw Country Chronicles: Rebels, Roots, And Cultural Change, Ashleigh Diane Howell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Music provides lyrics and symbols to express art within the society. The goal of this research project is to examine the outlaw movement in the country music genre to study the connection of the working-class American culture to the music. Additionally, the purpose of this project is to establish the strong relationship of folk genre and country music as an endeavor to provide authentic lyrics that reach into the past to reflect the experiences of the changes in the present. The outlaw movement in the country music genre provided a unique capture through the lyrics and reflection to the culture …

Human And Sex Trafficking: A Quantitative Examination Of The Knowledge And Awareness Of The College-Aged Population, Margaret Caroline Weiker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is crucial for the public and more specifically those who are a part of vulnerable populations to understand the dangers of both human and sex trafficking. One sub-group of vulnerable populations that are likely to encounter a trafficking situation are college students, as many of these students are unaware of trafficking’s prevalence. While there have been studies of specific populations with prior specialized knowledge, there is little information on the knowledge, perceptions, and awareness levels of the general college-aged population. This study will be quantitatively structured into a two-part survey, seeking to collect data from a sample size of …

Basic Digital Forensic Course, Alberto Feliberty

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project was to solve the problem of the absence of a digital forensic training program for first responders at Operation Underground Railroad and to design a fundamental digital forensic training program to address the problem. First, this research project employed interview questions to gather comprehensive client responses, using follow-up questions for clarification and depth. The data collected was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to draw conclusions and recommendations. The project aimed to enhance accessibility to digital forensic training for those with limited resources and technical expertise. Sub-questions explored barriers, accessibility factors, and potential benefits. Thematic analysis was …

Kenyon Collegian - September 19, 2024

The Kenyon Collegian

No abstract provided.

Target Consumers For Organically Grown Fruit In Utah, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Tammy King

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides an overview of target consumers for organically grown fruits and fruit products in Utah. The data examined here comes from an online survey (via Qualtrics) of Utah consumers conducted in 2023. Here, we compare those willing to pay premiums for organically grown fruit and those unwilling to do so, outlining the distinction between them in terms of their demographics, purchasing patterns and shopping habits, as well as their lifestyle and attitudes.

Exploring Social Networks: An Analysis Of Intra-Organizational Networks, Ximeng Chen, Yiding Cao, Jiachen Liu, Danushka Bandara, Hiroki Sayama

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

This research investigates intra-organizational social networks by employing network science methods, aiming to provide actionable insights for both managers and employees. Using datasets from the Colorado Index of Complex Networks (ICON), this study examines four intra-organizational networks from a consulting firm and a research team, focusing on advice requests and skill awareness. The analysis includes network topology, degree distribution, community detection, correlation between communities and node attributes, maximal clique detection, and multilayer network analysis. The findings reveal that intra-organizational networks are intricate and significantly impact organizational efficiency and individual career development. Key insights include the importance of mid-level employees in …

Full Issue, Bulletin Of The Texas Ornithological Society

Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society

No abstract provided.

What Can We Do? An Exploratory Study On Undergraduate Student Climate Change Perceptions, Walker J. Skeeter, Jacob R. Reed, Jordan R. Cissell, Riffat Islam, David J. Keellings

The Geographical Bulletin

A survey was conducted to evaluate the perceptions of undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory atmospheric processes course towards various climate change related topics, such as the validity of, and the scientific consensus surrounding climate change. Further questions sought information regarding student knowledge of climate change, such as when they were first exposed to the science, and their methods of seeking out information regarding climate change. This study additionally seeks to identify sectors of the human and natural world that students feel climate change negatively affects. Results indicate that students desire information about mitigation strategies, regardless of whether they believe …

Sin In Business: The Contributions Of Perversion, Defilement, And Idolatry, Jason M. Stansbury

Journal of Religion and Business Ethics

Far from being a parochial concern with the ritual observances of the faithful, sin is the fundamental problem of life for all people. It encompasses all of the violations of the peace that a person has or should have with God, themselves, others, and even the natural environment. These violations occur as people pervert parts of God’s good creation away from their created purposes and toward unworthy ones, disrupting the interdependent order of creation and defiling themselves and their objects in the process. It moreover is self-reinforcing, gaining a power over people that makes future sins more difficult to resist, …

Pretty, Lisbeth Prifogle

PoemMemoirStory

pp. 83-91

Interview With Mary Jo Bang, Lauren Slaughter

PoemMemoirStory

pp. 5-10