Digital Commons Network^™

Teacher Preparation: A Multiple Case Study, Faith Mary Oluwatobi Peter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore the effects of teacher preparation programs for elementary teachers in the northeastern United States. At this stage in the research, the effects of teacher preparedness were generally defined as educators’ understanding of pedagogy in relation to their perceptions of student achievement. The theory that guided this study was self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1977). The central research was: how prepared are teachers to enter the classroom after completing a teacher preparation program? This qualitative study used multiple case studies as the research design with a sample size of 10 – 15 participants. The …

Bridges And Mirrors: An Examination Of How Empathy Is Illustrated Through The Elements Of Quest Stories, Faith A. Rendles

Masters Theses

Stories are a gift. From generation to generation, in different cultures, through wars, festivals, pandemics, across dinner tables, and over a vast expanse of other connection points, stories have been a way for human beings to connect and empathize with each other and themselves. Quest stories specifically have been a mirror and bridge of life through the call to step out of the ordinary into courage, facing trials with bravery, and being challenged to practice empathy through the path that we walk. Through quest stories, readers learn to be aware of the moments on their journey that they are not …

Poland: A Forgotten Ally, Juliana Rose Pettis

Masters Theses

World War II created a significant change in Polish History. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact rendered Poland torn into two sections. Hitler occupied the western side, while Stalin overran the eastern side. The two dictators split Poland in September 1939. It was the only country singled out for such a destiny. In response, the Poles created the Polish Underground. This government utilized asymmetrical warfare to fight against the Nazi occupation and assist the West. The Poles assisted continuously throughout 1939 to 1945, but their fight for independence resulted in the partitioning of Poland and the beginning of Joseph Stalin’s communization of Europe. …

The 1:1:1 School District: A Qualitative Study On The Teacher Experience Of Utilizing Instructional Technology In A 1:1 School District With One Instructional Technology Professional To Deliver Technology Professional Development, Christopher William Stephens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of teachers integrating instructional technology to improve student engagement and achievement in a 1:1 school district that lacks qualified professionals capable of delivering quality technology professional development opportunities for teachers working in school district x. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s social-cognitive theory, as it explains the influence that social and environmental factors play on a person’s willingness to learn. This study centered around a central question, as well as two sub-questions. The central research question of this research was: What are the experiences of teachers in …

Seven Days With Coco (Stray Cat And War Refugee), Snjezana Marinkovic

Masters Theses

This thesis presents stories of those whose lives are governed by trauma, unfortunate life circumstances, and social pressure. It is a mixed form work that includes narrative nonfiction and poetry. It also utilizes some of the fiction techniques, such as setting, description, and inner point of view (e.g., seeing the world through the eyes of an unwanted animal).

Halcyon: Creating New Authentic Connections With Nostalgic Marketing In Small Businesses, Claire Elise Stough

Masters Theses

In an over saturated market, there are many brands that fall into the trap of uniform and formulaic marketing strategies that fail to resonate deeply with consumers. This research explores how a brand can break away from these repetitive tactics by evoking a sense of nostalgia to create emotional connections that lead to long-term loyalty with their intended audience. The importance of this topic is found in addressing a gap in contemporary marketing. The challenge is fostering genuine consumer relationships in a world that is dominated by fleeting trends and consumer engagement that is surface level. Leveraging nostalgia, which is …

Diamonds In The Shadow: Hidden Treasures From The 1930s-1970s-African American Female Guitarists In The Blues, Jamisha-Antarae Harris

Masters Theses

Culturally, African American females are recognized as vocalists in American music but are routinely overlooked as guitarists. Writers and scholars of the blues generally ignore African American female guitarists’ creative and innovative contributions to this genre of music. This thesis documents the exploration of African American females playing guitar to define their musical roles in American society. Racial and gender identity, as well as the limitations imposed by the larger society, will be explored through this instrument as an essential element of creative expression. Racism and sexism are two sides of the same coin, rendering their musicianship identities nearly invisible. …

The Colors Of Good And Evil: A Quantitative Study On The Effect Of Disney Animated Feature Films On Audience Color Association, Grace Mallory Hayes

Masters Theses

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine what impact Disney animated feature films have on audience color association. The problem is that Disney assigns colors to certain movie roles that are in contrast to what color theory posits or would assume. This study sought to determine if audiences that are highly saturated in Disney animated feature films receive a different message from colors than someone who does not regularly consume Disney films. This research examines the impact of Disney habitually assigning colors to characters in contrast to their traditional meaning on the emotional association of viewers through …

Authenticity In Historical Fiction, Reaghan Sara-Anne Avery

Masters Theses

Authenticity is often debated in the field of literature. It’s an element that attests to an author’s credibility and a work’s originality, specifically the measure of an author’s genuine intent and the historical veracity of the work, including the genre of historical fiction. Authenticity can be defined in twofold terminology: those being the idealism and the factual, historically based evidence of the piece. Assessing a work’s authenticity by analyzing its believability and relatability is a three-part process that includes looking at the realistic dialogue, sensory and detailed language, and historical elements in a given text. The partial novel below entitled, …

The U.S. And Japan: Containing A Rising China?, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Early

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research involved investigating the impact that the coherence between international relations (IR) theories and national strategies and policy practice through effective implementation (independent variables) have on China’s perceived vulnerabilities (CPV; dependent variable) using the Cold War, the United States, and Japan case studies. The research focused on how the coherence between these variables could shape CPV and strategic calculations, particularly concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea. Additionally, the research involved analyzing how the modern strategies of conventional deterrence (i.e., the strategy of denial and integrated deterrence) influence CPV. This study was guided by the hypothesis that the degree …

Strategies For Time Management Challenges Of The First-Year Secondary School Music Educator, Jamey Bartlett Derks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the number of first-year music educators, there is a lack of research on the challenges of time management that first-year teachers face. Time management affects first-year secondary music teachers in areas that challenge their success in the classroom. This study recovered first-year music educators’ perspectives and experiences in the music classroom, specifically regarding time management challenges. Guided by Husserl’s phenomenological research model, this qualitative phenomenological research study identified perspectives that must be explored and documented concerning first-year music educators’ time management challenges. Perspectives on lesson planning, classroom management, and mentor assistance have emerged as themes through studying a small …

A Case Study For Faithful Biblical Expository Preaching And Teaching: The Transformation Of Members In The Anointed Church Of Jesus Christ, Elijah Narplah Wreh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This DMIN action research evaluates the effectiveness of biblical expository preaching in demonstrating the inerrancy of Scripture and determining the impact of the twelve-week sermon series with the congregation at the Anointed Church of Jesus Christ in Elyria, Ohio. The process is designed to benefit the church’s congregation, help them faithfully obey God’s Word, and be drawn to God’s reality and the answers it provides through biblical preaching. The research methodology covers the application of biblical expository preaching. The congregation was instructed on various phraseological expressions, including expositional preaching, bibliocentric, Christocentric, inspired Scripture, applications, and illustrations, which helped enhance and …

Burnout Among Adjunct Faculty: A Quantitative Study, Christopher D. Sclafani

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adjunct faculty, who are employed on a contractual, as-needed basis, comprise nearly 70% of the higher education workforce in the United States. Despite their essential role, they often face challenges that may impact their well-being and organizational commitment. This quantitative, non-experimental study examined the relationships between workload, course format, compensation, institutional support, and burnout among adjunct faculty. Data was collected from 85 adjunct faculty members across the United States using an online survey. Guided by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Theory and Social Exchange Theory (SET), multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore the predictive effects of workload, compensation, and institutional …

Journalists' Perspectives On Social Media In The Fourth Estate And Its Impact On Public Trust In Politics, Ronnie Louis Collins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social/New media outlets like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube have fundamentally altered the landscape of news delivery in the United States (U.S.), and across the globe. This qualitative study explored the impact of social media on public trust in politics, as told by experienced Fourth Estate practitioners. Thirty-one journalists from 24 different states, with ages ranging from 24 to 70 were interviewed for this study. Over a quarter of the journalists who participated in this research had more than 15 years of journalism experience. Five common themes were developed during this study: (1) Fake news and misinformation have varying negative …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Exploring Transition Planning For High School Seniors With An Individualized Education Program. Are We Doing Enough?, Chrystal A P Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover the views of high school seniors with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and their experiences with transition planning. This study identified that there is more work to do in inclusive education in understanding how to implement transition planning goals and utilizing collaborative efforts from all educators, the students, and their parents. Most of the available research discussed building awareness towards implementing transition planning, which aimed at building self-awareness in the educator. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Bandura’s social cognitive theory is based on the belief …

Exploring The Differences Of Gender On Physician Burnout And Perceptions Of Work Environment, Holly C. Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Physician burnout is a growing public health crisis, threatening care quality, patient safety, and workforce sustainability. Research suggests gender may influence burnout levels and perceptions of the work environment. This quantitative, cross-sectional study examined gender differences in physician burnout and workplace perceptions among U.S. physicians that impact burnout. A total of 170 licensed physicians completed an online survey using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS (MP)) and the Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS). MANOVA results indicated a significant multivariate effect of gender on burnout. Follow-up ANOVA testing revealed that gender was significantly related to emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. …

Building Resilience In Ministry With Effective Supports Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study Of Long-Tenured Pastors In The Southeastern United States, Tina Marie Powell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study, which involved long-tenured pastors in a southeastern state in the United States, explored how these pastors framed resiliency in ministry during COVID-19 and what tools or practices helped them to be resilient. The study also explored the effects of social distancing on the demands of ministry, on pastors, and their congregations, and if earlier resiliency practices continued to suffice. Pastors were often the first professionals people went to when guidance was needed in every aspect of life. Pastors aided with not only spiritual guidance, but also, they were sought after for guidance in mental health and emotional …

Exploring Orchestration's Influence On Harmonic Analysis: A Conductor's Perspective, Tyron C. Barnes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite emphasizing training and conducting techniques and overall music interpretation, minimal research investigates how orchestration impacts harmonic analysis when studying music scores. Conducting textbooks often emphasize the ability to study a music score; however, they place minimal emphasis on how orchestration influences harmonic analysis. A research gap on the impact of orchestration on harmonic analysis presents potential for professional growth for aspiring and seasoned conductors. By investigating novel methodologies, conductors can enhance their comprehension of the intricate relationships between instrumental components and harmonic frameworks in wind band compositions. Examining the viewpoints of fifteen beginner and experienced band directors from public …

A Quantitative Study Of Ai-Voice Based Assistant Users That Anthropomorphize Technology As Social Actors, Brandon Alton Bassett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem was that there were limited studies that acknowledged how voice-based assistant users perceive the intelligence of voice-based assistants and the different variation levels of trust towards it. The purpose of this quantitative research was to investigate how demographic variables such as generation, ethnicity, gender and education level influence perceptions of trust and perceive intelligence towards AI-voice based assistants. The rationale for this research was that voice-based assistants have garnered 46% of the human-technology interaction. It is pivotal that voice-assistant applications listen to the need of its users’ as it pertains to the user experience. Voice-based assistants users’ perception …

Understanding The Challenges And Needs Of Postpartum Soldiers In Fitness Training, Sarah Elizabeth Eaton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Postpartum females are consistently faced with unique challenges within the military setting. Prior studies have illustrated increased risks of musculoskeletal injury and psychological distress in military postpartum females due to insufficient recovery time and inconsistent unit support (Acton, 2021; Armitage et al. 2014; Darroch et al., 2023). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Army postpartum females, aged 18-45, who have delivered over 36 weeks, either vaginal or cesarean, who have given birth within the last two years, as they navigate the physical and psychological challenges of preparing for the Army Combat Fitness Test …

The Not-So Wonderful World Of Disney: How Disney Films Usurp What Is In The Bible, Jacquelyn Irene Cortez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Disney films are often chosen as entertainment for families and their main target audience is children. While many adults still choose to watch these films, there is a darker side to these films. A majority of these films depict magic and/or witchcraft in them. The ideologies of feminism and toxic masculinity are on display in many of their films. And finally, a lot of these films mock God and what is in the Bible. When looking at popular films such as The Little Mermaid and Frozen, these films are teaching children about magic and making deals with the devil. Disney’s …

Culture Wars In The Icu: When Medicine And Religion Collide, Ami Darby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The overarching aim of this dissertation is to contribute to the research gap by investigating the experiences of Christian SDMs by asking two core questions: (1) Do covariates (Gender, Age, Education) and Religion predict satisfaction with care? and (2) Do covariates (Gender, Age, Education) and Religion predict satisfaction with decision making? This study contributes to the academic literature by addressing the gap in literature regarding the ICU experiences of Christian SDMs, and it extends John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Theory (MST) to include its limitations in its failure to capture the political landscape within healthcare systems and the effect of institutional …

Exploring Age And Employee Experience Among Healthcare Workers Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, Sheila-Celestine Bonner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study focused on the well-being of healthcare employees and their experience following COVID-19. The pandemic has negatively affected adults over the age of 50 in the United States and limited their ability to return to work. Older adults who have returned to work have faced challenges with discrimination, lack of work, stress, and other factors. A survey of 59 adult healthcare workers, 21 years and older, was conducted to determine whether there is a relation between age and perceptions of organizational support during the pandemic including work factors such as stress, job satisfaction, and age discrimination. A non-experimental research …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Study Interpreting The Lived Experience Of K-12 Teachers: The Role Of Technology Integration In Shaping Academic Performance, Kathy S. Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to interpret the lived experience of K-12 teachers and the role of technology integration in shaping academic performance. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner's theory, which described how important the environments surrounding the individual were in affecting development. The central research question guiding this study was, "How do K-12 teachers interpret their lived experiences with technology integration and its role in shaping academic performance?" Participants in the study included K-12 teachers from the southeastern United States with at least three years of experience integrating technology. The participants were selected using purposive …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Church In The Healing Process For African American Women In The Washington, D.C., Area Suffering From Self-Diagnosed Depression In Recovery From Intimate Partner Violence, Kimberly D. Brooks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences of African American women who have utilized the church after intimate partner violence (IPV) suffering self-diagnosed depression in the Washington, D.C. area. The approach guiding the methodology of this study is Clark Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological approach. There is a need to explore what type of support the church offers as a source of healing for those who need assistance and will not seek professional counseling for various reasons. While there has been much research on depression resulting from IPV, there is a gap in the literature regarding …

Teachers' Lived Experiences Of Work Intensification In A New Jersey High School, John Joseph Manning

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore high school teachers’ lived experiences with work intensification in northern New Jersey. The theory that guided this study was Apple’s teacher work intensification thesis as it helps to explain the organizational conditions that lead to increases in teacher workloads, as well as teachers’ responses to work intensification. The central research question for this study involved exploring the lived experiences of 10 public high school teachers in New Jersey managing perceived feelings of time poverty due to work intensification. Sub-questions were used to explore teachers’ value of time during their workday, …

Improving New Graduate Nurse Clinical Judgment By Training Preceptors On The Use Of The Tanner Model, Denise E. Carr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

New graduate nurses (NGNs) often enter the workforce with deficits in clinical judgment, which has been further exacerbated by pandemic-related limitations in clinical education. This project aimed to improve NGN clinical judgment by training preceptors to use the Tanner Clinical Judgment Model (TCJM) and Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR). A quasi-experimental evaluation design was used to compare outcomes between two groups of preceptor–preceptee pairs. Half of the preceptor participants received training on the TCJM and LCJR, while the other half did not. Clinical judgment development was measured using the LCJR pre- and post-orientation. Additional preceptor feedback regarding the implementation and …

Learning Management Systems Special Needs Support In K-12 Schools: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Eric Ryan Levels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the use of learning management systems to improve student learning outcomes for K-12 special education teachers at Aldridge Independent School District in the United States. This study followed Moustakas's (1994) transcendental phenomenological research methodology to describe the lived experiences of special education teachers using learning management systems. Moustakas explores the techniques and principles involved in describing human experiences to uncover their underlying essence and meaning. The central research question aims to explore the lived experiences of special education teachers using learning management systems in K-12 schools within the Aldridge Independent School …

The Use Of Geographical Information Systems In The Eastern United States Emergency Management Organizations, From A Public Administration Perspective, Daron Jay Keesee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology in federal, state, and local government emergency management organizations. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research focused on understanding local governments' perceptions of GIS access. The study theorizes that GIS is underutilized by local government emergency management due to cost, perceived limited benefits, data security concerns, and lack of experience. The central question is: How do public administration professionals perceive the value and benefits of GIS in emergency management? The study involved interviews, focus groups, and writing prompts with emergency management officials from the eastern U.S. The …

Identifying Effective Counseling Strategies For Working With Women Who Endorse A Strong Black Woman Schema: Exploring The Perspectives Of African American Clinicians, Jacqueline Javonne Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African American women underutilize mental health services despite experiencing high rates of psychological distress. Existing literature has not fully explored how the Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema influences this behavior. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how the lived experiences of African American women positively influenced or impeded their help-seeking behaviors to address mental health problems through the lens of African American women mental health clinicians via Zoom Video Communications. This study addressed the gap in research on how cultural norms, systemic barriers, and therapeutic strategies shape access to care for this population.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted …