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Understanding The Relationship Between Organic Chemistry Misconceptions And Students’ Chemistry Self-Efficacy In Higher Education Organic Chemistry Courses, Lauren A. Dudley

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Organic chemistry is accepted as a crucial part of science higher education funneling students into many career opportunities such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical industries. Students attempting organic chemistry courses in higher education are among a plethora of majors including biology, chemistry, health science, and engineering. However, organic chemistry as a course has stayed fairly stagnant for the past 50 years. Students in this course typically resort to rote-memorization and often regard the course itself as insurmountable. To answer the decreasing retention rates seen across the United States, the research revolving around organic chemistry knowledge and teaching methodologies has increased …

Nebraska’S Medico-Legal System: A Death Investigation Analysis, Ashley Novak

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

A large part of the founding of the United States of America focused on the idea of state control over their internal affairs. For this reason, the United States is home to a largely decentralized medico-legal system. The State of Nebraska hosts a coroner-based death investigation system as is written into their legislation regarding the establishment of their medico-legal system. By studying legislation, federal and state reports, as well as publications by academics within the field, merits and weaknesses of the Nebraskan coroner system can be uncovered. Additional considerations and understandings that are needed to be understood include: understanding what …

Orientation To Andragogical Learning By Emerging Adults In Undergraduate Education, Karen Wright

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine differences among years of undergraduate enrollment and sex on six aspects of learning preferences as measured by the Student Learning Orientation Questionnaire for traditional undergraduate students at a private university in south Central United States. The theoretical framework used for the study was Knowles’ andragogy theory. Contextual considerations for enrollment, academic assistance programs, remediation, and accelerated college credit effects were addressed for undergraduate students. A convenience sample of 357 students was used, placing students into one of eight groups, based on the number of years of undergraduate enrollment and sex. Data from …

Adolescent Acceptability Of Mental Health Interventions: A Systematic Review, Norah Bufford

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Many children and adolescents experience a mental health problem, and of those that do, a significant percentage will only receive interventions in the schools. One important part of intervention research is measuring stakeholder acceptability. Research demonstrates that collecting data on student acceptability for mental health interventions in schools helps to understand student satisfaction, level of understanding, and if they would recommend the interventions to peers. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to determine measures used in assessing student acceptability when receiving mental health interventions in schools. Results suggest that most studies that …

Une Library Services Quarterly Report May 2023, Une Library Services

Quarterly Reports

Highlights of accomplishments of the University of New England's Library Services department.

2023 May, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for May of 2023.

The Fifty-Seventh Commencement, May 14, 2023, Sacred Heart University

Commencement Programs

Program for the Graduate and Undergraduate ceremonies held May 14, 2023.

Disability Justice In Higher Education: The Lived Experiences Of Disabled White Women Disability Services Directors, Emily Gaspar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Eight disabled white women disability services directors shared their experiences working in disability services in higher education. The ten principles of disability justice provided the framework for this interpretative phenomenological analysis. Individual interviews were used to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of the participants with specific focus on disability identity of the professionals working in disability services and how their identities inform their campus experiences, along with how their intersectional identities inform their disability identity. Participants were found to experience ableism and oppression, a broad spectrum of relationships, disability solidarity, disability disclosure, identity hierarchy, disability management and coping …

Student Perceptions Of Male And Female Instructors In A Post-Secondary Welding Course, S. Kjersti R. Decker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Agricultural mechanics and welding have traditionally been perceived to be careers reserved for males, yet more females have entered professions using welding such as agricultural education. This research was developed because of the lack of gender research in welding. The purpose of this study was to examine students’ perceptions of learning from a male instructor versus a female instructor in a post-secondary welding course. We examined associations and differences between students’ preference of a male and a female welding instructor as well as individual self-efficacy and perceptions towards using welding technology. The population for this study was undergraduate students and …

The Effects Of Mental Health And Burnout In Medicine In Relation To The Wilson Model Of Leadership, Kevin Beck

Senior Honors Projects

The purpose of this project is to determine the effects that burnout and poor mental health can have on the ability of health care professionals to effectively do their job and lead others in medicine. Burnout, as defined by Merriam Webster, is “the exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” This is a self-reported quantitative study analyzing information acquired via a survey to determine if there is a relation to burnout and poor mental health in medicine and the ability to effectively lead others and complete work tasks and this …

A Cure For Cmb: Empowering Undergrads With Course-Based Research, Aisling Macaraeg

Senior Honors Projects

The Cell and Molecular Biology Department at the University of Rhode Island has a gap between introductory and advanced laboratory courses offered to undergraduate students. The implementation of a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) catered towards second- and third-year undergraduate students would benefit both students and faculty. A CMB-based CURE would allow for the integration of all four tracks within the CMB major through hands-on laboratory experience and create a low-stakes environment for students to practice independent experimental thinking. Students

will reinforce basic laboratory skills and be exposed to novel concepts that can be further explored in detail through advanced …

Program And Proceedings: Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2023, 143rd Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Thirty-Third Annual Meeting, April 21, 2023

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program

Aeronautics and Space Science

Humans Past and Present

Applied Science and Technology Section

Biology

Biomedical Sciences

Chemistry

Earth Sciences

Environmental Science

Physics

Science Education

2023 Maiben Lecture: Jason Bartz

2023 Friend of Science Award: Ray Ward and Jim Lewis

Carrying The Weight : The Racialized Labor Of Multicultural Center Directors Of Color In Higher Education, Sherlene Iris Ayala

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Race-based cultural centers (e.g., Black Cultural Centers) were established on college campuses in the 1960s in response to the neglect experienced by Black students (Chessman & Wayt, 2016; Gorski, 2019; Gorski & Chen, 2015; Hurtado et al., 1998; Joseph & Hirshfield, 2011; Smith, 2008). During the multiculturalism movement of the 1980s, some institutions eliminated race- based cultural centers and established Minority Student Services (MSS) to support all historically marginalized students under a centralized center (Patton, 2011; Patton & Hannon, 2008). Since the establishment of these cultural centers, scholars reported that directors experienced institutional roadblocks (e.g., lack of funding) and resistance …

Rafael Trujillo Is Not Dead: The Role Of The Memory Of The 1937 Massacre In Reshaping Anti-Haitianism And Education In The Dominican Republic, Galilea Estrella Rosario

History Honors Program

In 1937, dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered the massacre of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent along the border dividing Dominican Republic and Haiti. This killing of over 20,000 people was informed by an ideology known as anti-Haitianism, which formed under the guise of Trujillo’s “Dominicanization” policy. After Trujillo’s death, his allies created a political dynasty that has helped to shift this anti-Haitian sentiment from a state sponsored ideology to a social norm that has prevailed to the present. This anti-Haitian sentiment is used to control and abuse immigrant Haitian sugar workers. It made thousands of people stateless as of 2013. …

Noticing And Focusing On Chemistry Deep Structure In Integrated Stem Design Challenges, Christopher M. Sgro

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Integrating science and engineering has become a focal point for current research in science and STEM educational fields. Infusing engineering design as an application of scientific principles is beneficial, as it demonstrates an authentic, real-world application and allows for not only student engagement and enthusiasm, but also an avenue to learn and transfer science skills and content. In order to effectively transfer scientific principles and skills, students must first notice that science principles can inform the design, and then choose to apply those skills through focusing processes. While there has been previous studies that have investigated transfer as part of …

Educating The Whole Person: Materials From Our Mini Course, Michelle Hayford, Megan Donelson

Pilot Course: Educating the Whole Person

In this document, the instructors provide their own reflections on the course as well as teaching activities and student reflections.

Predictive Effects Of Athletics, Social Clubs, Race, And Sex On Academic Performance At A Private University, John Mark Warnick

College of Education Dissertations

Understanding what aids or hinders student success and the nuances found in a private institution may yield opportunities for improved retention, graduation, and satisfaction rates. Therefore, this study examined the predictive effects of athletic participation, social club membership, race, and sex on college students’ academic performance at a private university, as measured by grade point average (GPA), hours earned, and graduation status. The study utilized Alexander Astin’s theory of student involvement as a framework. This quantitative study collected 7 years of data from a university’s student information system and then analyzed using two multiple regressions and a linear regression. Social …

Effects Of An Arkansas Better Chance Prekindergarten Program On Academic Achievement Of Fourth-Grade Students, Samuel H. Slott Iii

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate and determine if a difference exists between students who attended an Arkansas Better Chance program and those who did not participate in a program on English, reading, science, and mathematics achievement for fourth grade students. Scores chosen for this study were from the 2019 4th-grade students in eight Arkansas school districts. The samples were chosen from eight school districts participating in the ABC prekindergarten program. A 2 x 2 factorial ANOVA was used to determine if a statistical difference existed. ACT Aspire Summative Assessment scores from 388 students was used to provide …

Effects Of Gender, Race, Poverty, And Act Test Prep On The Arkansas Delta Act Reading Subtest And Composite Scores, Bruce Guthrie

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects of gender, race, poverty, and ACT prep on ACT Reading and Composite scores for Arkansas Delta schools participating versus those not participating in an ACT test prep program. This study used a quantitative, causal-comparative strategy. The sample included the ACT Reading subtest and ACT Composite scores from the 11th-grade ACT in seven Arkansas Delta schools. Data analysis involved 2 x 2 factorial ANOVAs. The study's key findings were that participation in an ACT prep program improved ACT Reading and Composite scores, and most of the variables had statistical significance. Students’ …

Effects Of School Configurations On Ninth-Grade Act Aspire Summative Assessment Scores In Arkansas, Kerry Daughety

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to study the effect of school configurations on ninth grade summative assessment scores by gender. This study aimed to provide additional insight to educational leaders through a causal-comparative comparison of three secondary school configurations using quantitative evaluation. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory provided the core theoretical framework. Each hypothesis focused on a subject on the ACT Aspire Summative Assessment of ninth-grade students except writing, using a 3 x 2 factorial ANOVA causal-comparative study. No significant interaction between configuration type and gender was found in the four hypotheses. Two hypotheses had significant main effects. Hypothesis 2 …

Logan Kuskie Honors Portfolio, Logan Kuskie

Honors Capstone Portfolios

Logan Kuskie's honors portfolio captured in May 2023.

Building Resilience: A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Head Start Teachers Coping During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ehichoya Edokhamhen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the resiliency of Head Start teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study explored the role social support (as an external factor of resilience) and self-efficacy (as an internal factor of resilience) played in the resilience of Head Start teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed methods design involving two phases: a quantitative and a qualitative phase. Participants in this study were 99 teachers in rural eastern Tennessee and some rural parts of Virginia, North Carolina, and New Mexico, who were Head Start teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. …

Teacher Instructional Strategies Impacting Rural, High-Poverty Student Academic Outcomes, Erin Kinney Burt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is an abundant amount of interest among educators surrounding what actions can be taken by the government, local representatives, school boards, administrators, and teachers to assist rural, high-poverty students flourish academically. An uninspiring truth related to this subject is many times, a student receives the education the state and local communities are able to provide based on the quality of teachers they are able to retain and the resources available. Instructional strategies teachers implement could influence the quality of education students receive and could leave a community in a constant cycle of dependency and hardship. The purpose of this …

Building Comprehension: A Causal Comparative Study Of Factors Contributing To The Oral Reading Fluency Of First Graders, Kimberly Michelle Shaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers are charged with the task of reaching all students academically in hopes all students will become proficient readers by third grade. Oral reading fluency is a predictor in academic success since fluency reflects comprehension. Students often come to school unprepared in their earliest years due to a lack of opportunity and/or early literacy experiences, creating an achievement gap, a disparity in academic performance between groups of students. This study identifies the correlation between socioeconomic status, race, gender, and preschool enrollment and the oral reading fluency of first-grade readers as indicated by the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills …

Leadership Development In Education For Sustainable Development: Evaluation Of Higher Education Students In Sustainable Development Programs, Michelle Dzurenda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has been working decades towards reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create peace and prosperity for people and the planet. The 2030 Agenda was created as an urgent call to action, a global partnership, and a comprehensive plan to work towards the 17 SDGs. For this study, the focus is on Goal 4- quality education and the impact of leadership on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Leadership on ESD has been a more recent topic and under researched. By making advancements in leadership on ESD there will be positive …

Adaptability: Its Professional Capital And Influence On Secondary Science Teacher Job Satisfaction, Kristy A. Floyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Following a 15-year decline, the United States is experiencing the lowest educator job satisfaction ever recorded amidst a critical teacher shortage. Discussions of how to retain teachers are part of everyday conversations in education. Although much research has been conducted on the many factors influencing job satisfaction, one factor that has yet to be thoroughly studied is teacher adaptability. Everyday challenges such as new curricula, policy changes, and the COVID-19 pandemic require teachers to be adaptable. This study analyzed the results of a teacher survey that examined the elements of professional capital to determine how they affected teacher adaptability and …

The Post-Pandemic Influence On Social Emotional Learning In The K-12 Music Classroom, Jodie Michelle Rowe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to understand the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the post-pandemic state of social emotional learning in music classrooms. This study addresses a vital need for an investigation into the current social emotional needs of students in music classes to then provide information on common practices for music teachers to utilize with their students to best meet these current needs in social emotional learning and communities of practice. The methodology utilized for this study was a qualitative narrative study approach, with focus groups serving as the main form of data collection. Results of …

Comparison Of Traditional To Hybrid Modality Of Instruction, Paul Michael Spadaro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruption in education across the United States. Prior to the pandemic, students in third grade struggled with low reading proficiency, a difficulty that predicts persistent academic struggles, school dropout, and even delinquency. Districts in South Carolina and around the United States adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in various ways, and among these strategies were a traditional learning modality, where students attended school only in-person and when possible, and a hybrid learning modality, where students alternatively attended in-person and remotely. It is important to understand the potential impacts of these scheduling decisions on …

A History Of The Representation Of Women In Clinical Trial: Implications For Modern Health Care, Madison Gulizia

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The male body is the medical baseline for all things regarding health care. Whether it is education or an actual trip to the doctor’s office, female bodies are still viewed as the “smaller male body.” The physiological differences in the male and female body range from the cellular level to whole body systems. These differences can mean millions of different things, depending on what avenue of discussion is taken. There are differences in the ways genes are expressed, leading to a variety in metabolic pathways, the digestive system, and the nervous system. A specific area that requires attention is the …

Importance Of Pelvic Floor Education And Rehabilitation Techniques For Adolescents And Young Adults: A Review, Katherine Laura Schmidt

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The pelvic floor is the collection of many muscles forming what is often called the pelvic girdle. Understanding the different muscles and their roles is an important part of pelvic floor education. Although both males and females have pelvic floors, there is a lack of knowledge of basic anatomy seen in adolescents and young adults. This review analyzes the importance of providing more education for students about the pelvic floor, gives examples of common pelvic disorders for young adults, and provides details on the physical therapy rehabilitation techniques offered today to treat these conditions.