Digital Commons Network^™

Career And Technical Education Classes And Time To Graduate For Special Education Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Susan Steele

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether special education students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) participating in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes during high school demonstrate significantly different amounts of time to graduation compared to their peers who do not participate in CTE classes.

Data collection involved using pre-existing information from the district's student information system. An Excel spreadsheet with relevant student demographic and academic information was utilized. The district data manager provided a spreadsheet with 3,567 student records to analyze differences between CTE and non-CTE participants. The results revealed that CTE participation significantly impacted graduation rates, …

Rural High-School Principals’ Perceptions Of Their Understanding Of Special Education Law, Tiffany Jenkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study aimed to determine rural high school principals’ perceptions of their understanding of special education law. Although there is some literature regarding administrators' perceptions of their understanding of special education policies and procedures, this study focused specifically on special education law and perceived versus actual levels of understanding.

Data Collection strategies include voluntary, focused interviews of rural high school principals via Zoom. Data analysis included transcriptions of interviews, member checking, open coding, identifying themes and content analysis, and finally, interpretation and triangulation of the data. The analysis of this study was based on the theoretical proposition of andragogy. …

Does Gender Spell Success? Exploring Female Student Perspectives Of Faculty At A Higher Educational Institution, Chitora Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female students at a higher educational institution and to understand how those experiences shape their perspectives of female and male faculty. Additionally, this study sought to discover how faculty gender influences their interactions with students and the similarities and differences between interactions and the potential for student success as they define it.

The overall goal was to better understand how female students experience faculty interactions and help to promote more positive outcomes for students through the supportive efforts of those who teach them. Data were …

College Readiness In Mathematics Related To Student Academic And Belonging Mindsets, Tabitha Sherrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My quantitative study investigated the differences and correlations between students’ academic (growth vs. fixed) mindsets and belonging mindsets when enrolled in a college-level mathematics course or enrolled in both the college-level mathematics and learning support mathematics courses. The study was conducted at a Tennessee community college in the Fall 2021 semester. Sixty-two students completed the paper survey, which consisted of 17 items that measured academic (growth vs. fixed) and belonging mindsets and included demographic items (age and gender) and ACT mathematics scores. I conducted independent t-tests to find any significant differences between academic (growth vs. fixed) mindset scores and belonging …

Finding An Effective Measure Of Religiosity And Substance Use Levels For The Deaf: An Attempted Pilot Study, Angela Masiello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Deaf often lack access to health-promoting services (Meador & Zazove, 2005), though they have an increased risk of developing substance use disorders (Hommes et al., 2018). Communication has been a prominent barrier to the accessibility of healthcare services and participation in research for the Deaf (McKee et al., 2012). Literature has shown multiple methodological challenges when conducting research with the Deaf (Napier et al., 2018). This pilot study used Jones et al.’s (2001) cross-cultural translation model to translate two measures into American Sign Language (ASL). Six bilingual experts in ASL and English translated the RSAS-5 and the TAPS into …

Iep Team Decision-Making: Influences On Self-Contained Placement Decisions For Students With Disabilities Transitioning From Preschool To Kindergarten, April Herron

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to examine how IEP team members describe the key influences that impacted their decision-making during the preschool to kindergarten transition process for students with disabilities subsequently placed in self-contained special education settings. The study aimed to contribute to the literature by examining IEP team experiences and the decision-making process through the lens of social constructivism and ecological systems theory. Data collection included fifteen individual interviews with special education supervisors, school administrators, regular education teachers, special educators, and parents from three school districts. Analysis of data occurred in four phases: (a) organization of the …

Exploring Young Adults’ Implicit Theories Of Emotion And Emotion Dysregulation On Parental Emotion Socialization And Internalizing Symptomology, Daryl Parungao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research regarding emotion socialization suggests parents’ responses towards their children’s negative emotions, which may be characterized as either emotion dismissive or emotion coaching behaviors, are associated with children’s well-being into adulthood. A heuristic model of emotion socialization suggests that child-level factors related to emotion processing may moderate this association (Eisenberg, 1998), which warrants further examination when considering relevant risk factors for mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. This dissertation explored how parent emotion socialization responses interact with young adults’ beliefs about the controllability of emotions and their difficulties with emotion regulation with regard to their impact on young …

Disability Inclusion In Local Public Health Community Health Assessments And Community Health Improvement Plans, Haleigh Leslie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Local health departments (LHDs) use community health assessments (CHAs) and community health improvement plans (CHIPs) to identify and address health needs of the populations they serve. People with disabilities experience health disparities, and there is limited information about how the health needs of people with disabilities are included in CHAs and CHIPs. The purpose of this study was to describe and quantify disability inclusion in LHD CHAs and CHIPs.

Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed methods study used the CHAs and CHIPs of accredited local health departments, data about LHDs and populations served, and interviews with LHD staff and community partners …

The Reliability And Validity Of Accelerometry And Gnss, Christine Coniglio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation seeks to evaluate the reliability, validity, and utility of accelerometers and GNSS in sport-like scenarios, assess accelerometry-derived metrics and GNSS for distance prediction, and explore how accelerometer placement, specifically chest and back, affect the detection of various locomotor events. In Study I, the purpose was to investigate the accelerometer reliability and predictive capabilities of accelerometers and GNSS to predict a known distance. Thirty physically active female participants (mean height = 163.6 ± 6.8 cm, mean weight = 57.8 ± 8.7 kg) completed jogging trials over two courses (5m and 20m). Each participant wore two tri-axial accelerometers (100Hz) and …

Commitment To The Profession: Elementary Teacher Perceptions Of Self-Determination And Professional Retention In Tennessee, Riley A. Prickett-Armstrong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher burnout and loss of teachers in the profession have affected school and district capacity to effectively staff all positions. The pandemic brought about unique changes and challenges to classrooms worldwide, disrupting the educational process for over 94% of the world’s student population. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine factors influencing teacher self-determination and retention at the elementary school level in Tennessee school districts to better understand how administrators can support teachers. The central research question investigated elementary teacher perceptions of self-determination and professional retention. A series of in-depth interviews with twelve participants produced data and subsequent …

Assessing The Relationship Between The Incidence Of Campylobacteriosis And Ecological Risk Factors In Tennessee, Emmanuel Angmorteh Mensah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Campylobacteriosis although is the leading causes of bacterial diarrheal illnesses, have not gained prominent awareness and there are gaps in the understanding of transmission routes for sporadic, non-outbreak cases and their risk factors at the communal level to humans. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the campylobacteriosis risk factors and risk perception from the existing literature in the United States, determine the incidence and ecological risk factors for campylobacteriosis zip code level in Tennessee, and to perform spatiotemporal analysis of campylobacteriosis incidence cases in Tennessee.

Method: To achieve the first aim, a scoping review was conducted to synthesize …

Racial And Geographic Disparities In Primary Care Transitions For Postpartum Women With Gestational Diabetes And Hypertension In South Carolina, Kajol Dahal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction Gestational diabetes (GDM) and gestational hypertension (GH) are significant public health issues with lasting implications for maternal and child health (MCH). Despite clinical guidelines recommending postpartum care for all women, especially those with chronic conditions, less than 50% receive a visit within 12 months of childbirth. Recent policy changes extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months. This study assessed differences in postpartum care visits by race/ethnicity and geography after the extension of postpartum coverage in South Carolina. Methods A retrospective cohort of 27,056 women (aged 20-44) who gave birth in 2021 were analyzed using Medicaid claims …

Exploring Predictors Of Treatment Dropout In Primary Care Behavioral Health Using Andersen’S Behavioral Model Of Health Services, Mara W. Sindoni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A recent meta-analysis indicated a 19.7% dropout rate from outpatient mental health care. Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services identifies predisposing, enabling, and need factors as potential predictors of treatment dropout. The Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model aims to improve accessibility of mental health care but research on dropout in this setting is lacking. This study examined bivariate relationships between Andersen's factors and dropout in PCBH, and interviewed participants about their intentions to attend subsequent PCBH visits. No statistically significant bivariate relationships were found, likely due to small sample size (n = 15). Reflexive Thematic Analysis identified two themes …

“With Neither Hope Nor Fear”: Continuity In The Life Of Isabella D’Este, Alyssa Murphy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Isabella d’Este is traditionally viewed as the most notable female art patron of Renaissance Italy, primarily studied for her excellent taste. This positive interpretation has left her out of the reputational rehabilitation that modern historians have applied to many of her contemporaries, and what recent work has been done focuses on her marriage. However, Isabella outlived her husband by nearly twenty years, and contrary to writers who view that widowhood as an afterthought, she remained a dominant political and cultural figure in her own right. This thesis reassesses Isabella’s letters to argue that the traditional segmentation of her life does …

Unraveling The Unknown: Characterization Of A Novel Antimicrobial Compound Found In Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Jasmal Cruz Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Klebsiella pneumoniae, a pathogenic bacterium resistant to numerous antimicrobials, is a worldwide health issue due to its ability to cause healthcare-associated diseases such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections. This study investigated an antimicrobial compound secreted by K. pneumoniae. The compound was found to possess inhibitory activity against Enterobacteriaceae members, including other Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, Citrobacter freundii, and Enterobacter cloacae. The inhibitory activity is mediated via a secreted protein that is active across a wide range of pH and temperature conditions. Higher concentrations of the compound enhanced antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial protein suppressed biofilm formation during both …

Learning Behaviors In Physics-Informed Deep Learning, Alex Glover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physics-informed deep learning is a methodology in artificial intelligence aimed at combating the large training data requirement and the barrier of domain awareness that deep learning architectures commonly face in applications. Stochastic modeling integrated into the predictive models provides that domain knowledge. Variations of the Intelligent Driving Model impact the learning behaviors of the joint-training architecture. This thesis examines the effect of substituting the standard linear Intelligent Driving Model with a modified nonlinear version, as applied to real human driving behavior on the I-80 interstate. The experimentation also critically evaluates the complications that impede the viability of this architecture in …

Inner Bonds, Caitlin M. Maltbie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The artist, Cait Maltbie, discusses their Master of Fine Arts exhibition, Inner Bonds, which was installed at Slocumb Galleries in Johnson City, TN, from March 24, 2025, through April 4, 2025, with a public reception held on March 27, 2025. The exhibition consisted of multi-disciplinary work: zines, screenprints, and a sculptural installation mimicking the scenery and emotional environment of the imaginary Inner Bonds world. Inner Bonds refers to their comic series about feelings and how they are handled, from which all the content for this exhibition is derived. The work is focused on deconstructing the artist’s feelings so that they …

Student Performance And Course Modality: The Relationship Between Outcomes, Modality, And Course Subject, Olivia Baxley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify if a significant relationship existed between teaching modality and student performance outcomes while also considering the factor of course subject being taught during the 2021-2023 academic years. Three courses were included in the research: Math 1630 Finite Mathematics, English 1010 Composition I, and Biology 1110 General Biology. Each of the three courses are introductory level courses in the math, English, and science subject. The study also included statistical analysis on gender as related to student performance outcomes.

The findings presented of this research showed a significant relationship between teaching modality and …

Brand Media And Health Perceptions: A Thematic Analysis Of Generational Differences, Julie Irene Diaz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the influence of brand identity and media on shaping evolving perceptions of health across generations. The three generations considered are Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. The initial hypothesis predicted the popular media and brands that each generation interacts with are most likely to influence their perception. Additionally, the health brands most popular with each generation would influence their overall health perception, based on the identity and values of the brand. A qualitative study was conducted using focus groups to gather data about health perceptions, brand identity, media influence, and holistic health. The findings suggest that individuals …

Immersive Influence: Examining The Impact Of Virtual Reality On Brand Perception Among The Innovation Generation, Holden Gaylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Now more than ever, brands must create innovative and engaging experiences to enhance perception and build consumer trust. Virtual reality (VR) offers an opportunity for brands to achieve these goals by providing immersive, interactive experiences that, when done right, can strengthen key brand metrics. Despite the growing use of VR in experiential marketing, research on VR’s effectiveness in shaping brand perception and influencing authenticity remains limited. Grounded in media richness theory, this study examined how VR impacts brand perception and whether media richness influences authenticity.

Using a mixed-methods approach, 20 participants engaged with the “Wendyverse,” a branded VR environment. Pre-, …

Diversity In Beauty Brand Marketing On Instagram: The Case Of Fenty Beauty, Julia K. Narh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diversity in beauty brand marketing is increasingly important as platforms like Instagram shape consumer perceptions. This study analyzes how Fenty Beauty, MAC Cosmetics, and L’Oréal represent diversity, particularly skin tone, in their Instagram content, using source credibility theory and social identity theory. A content analysis was conducted to evaluate how visual elements relate to engagement, measured by likes, comments, and shares. Findings show that Fenty Beauty features more dark-skinned models than its competitors. However, posts with darker-skinned models do not receive higher engagement. Instead, factors like model attractiveness and hair type, especially curly hair, drive interaction. Although Fenty’s posts generally …

Digital Revival: The Role Of Social And Streaming Media In The Resurgence Of Appalachian Country Music, Jacob Cody Powers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the role of digital media, specifically social media, and streaming platforms, in the resurgence of Appalachian country music. In recent years, niche music genres have found new life through online platforms, which offer unique avenues for discovery, engagement, and community building. Using a mixed methods approach, this research combines quantitative survey data and qualitative thematic analysis to explore how audiences discover Appalachian country music on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to college students and social media users, collecting responses on participants' digital engagement habits, platform preferences, and motivations for exploring …

The Importance Of The Relationship Between General And Special Education Co-Teachers In Inclusive Preschool Programs, Ruth Copeland, Ruth B. Copeland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative case study was designed to examine the importance of the relationship between general and special education co-teachers in inclusive preschool programs. The holistic strengths-based portraiture method will be used to study the positive aspects of the relationships of two co-teaching teams. In-depth interviews with individual teachers, co-teaching teams, and administrators combined with a questionnaire and classroom environmental rating scales were used to examine the culture and community that build positive relationships between general educators and special educators who co-teach in an inclusive preschool setting. The main goal of this research was to identify critical elements that contribute to …

Leadership Development: A Qualitative Inquiry To Investigate Preparedness For Higher Education Administrative Roles In Online Doctoral Programs, Stephanie Fletcher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The changing climate of academia requires higher education leaders to refine online doctoral programs to ensure future administrators are equipped to navigate institutions of education successfully. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of graduates from online educational doctoral programs to understand how instructional activities, mentorship opportunities, and practical experiences shaped their preparedness for higher education administrative roles. Data collection strategies included twelve individual interviews with higher education administrators who completed their preparation in an online doctoral program. Findings included seven themes: perceptions of leadership preparation; online learning and leadership preparedness; peer learning and leadership …

Ai For Sustainability In Appalachian Businesses: Challenges And Successes, Mariatu Mahmoud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examines the perception of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how this technology can advance sustainable development in small businesses in Central Appalachia. Participants described how they leveraged AI-enabled technologies to address economic challenges as well as how they overcame the technological barriers often associated with emerging technologies. Findings reveal that AI can significantly improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance visibility for Appalachian entrepreneurs. However, the research also highlights challenges, including trust issues, limited resources, and resistance to change, which hinder adoption. Results from this study produce strategies for adopting AI that enable small businesses to integrate innovation while …

Assessing The Utilization Of Building Information Modelling (Bim) In The Preservation Of Cultural Heritage: A Case Study Of Ashe-Street Courthouse, Boluwatife J. Oluwamakinde

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how Building Information Modeling (BIM) was used in the Ashe Street Courthouse restoration, with an emphasis on its role in heritage preservation. It follows a context-oriented instrumental case study methodology and a systematic four-step approach: reviewing literature and historical records, conducting semi-structured interviews with renovation architects, and analyzing project documentation. The study compares BIM with traditional methods to assess documentation quality, stakeholder collaboration, and project efficiency. Findings show that BIM increases documentation accuracy through real-time modifications while preserving historical data. It also enhances collaboration by providing a centralized platform for architects, engineers, and preservation specialists, reducing errors …

Held On By A Thread, Annie M. Hutchins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The artist, Annie Hutchins, discusses her Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition, Held on by a Thread, which was installed at Tipton Gallery in Johnson City, TN, from March 6, 2025, through March 28, 2025, with a public reception held on March 7, 2025. The exhibition is a collection of textile works containing repurposed material artifacts of the life she shared with her maternal family since childhood. The artwork incorporates found objects from the artist’s home, including domestic textiles, clothing, handmade sewing projects, family photographs, and sewing notions. The artworks are made using the printmaking technique of photo emulsion screen …

Adolescent Externalizing Symptoms And Parent Emotion Socialization: An Examination Of Longitudinal Effects And Differences By Adolescent Sex, Cheston West

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is an important developmental context with several changes in social and emotional functioning. Though adolescents are gaining independence from their caregivers, they still engage in dynamic interactions with their caregivers who remain key figures in their lives. When adolescents express emotions, caregivers engage in various behaviors in response to these expressions, a process known as emotion socialization. This process has mostly been examined as a parent-driven construct in which parent emotion socialization impacts child-level outcomes, namely internalizing symptoms, with limited research on externalizing symptoms. However, available literature demonstrates that child-level characteristics (e.g., externalizing symptoms) are linked to differences in …

Forest School Educators’ Approaches And Perceptions Of Teaching, Learning, And Children's Behaviors: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study, Saundra Stiles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative multiple-case study explored five forest schools in the East Tennessee region of the United States. The aim of this research study was to further the understanding of forest schools. The purpose of this study was to understand and describe forest school educators’ approaches and perceptions to teaching and learning in relation to behavior management, the environment, and challenging behavior, as well as the ways in which forest school educators engage children in learning. This multiple-case study utilized a demographic survey, observations, photographs, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews to collect data. Data were analyzed using two-cycle coding, which revealed …

Cranial Ontogeny Of The Extinct Dwarf Tapir Tapirus Polkensis; With Comparison To That Of The Extant Tapirus Bairdii (Tapiridae, Perissodactyla), Johannah Orendorff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tapirus polkensis is the smallest known species of tapir to ever live, and the largest deposit of their fossils is currently located at the GFS in Gray, TN. Phylogenetics suggest that the extant T. bairdii may be the sister taxon to T. polkensis, although they differ greatly in their morphology. Variation exists among adult T. polkensis specimens, with patterns not present in T. bairdii. For this study, as series of 2D GMAs, with TPSs, were rendered on 10 skulls of T. polkensis and 48 skulls of T. bairdii, across both species’ ontogenetic series. Analyses confirmed that growth …