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The Benefits Of Trail Running: A Quantitative Inquiry Into The Cognitive Domain, Jack Edward Lemaire May 2025

The Benefits Of Trail Running: A Quantitative Inquiry Into The Cognitive Domain, Jack Edward Lemaire

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This crossover study aimed to investigate the impact on human cognition of an acute bout of trail running at 5 kilometers in distance as measured by a unique cognitive testing battery. It is well documented that aerobic exercise such as trail running provides enormous neuroprotective benefits through various physiological processes, including vascular adaptations and neurotrophin production. To date, no investigation into how a shorter duration trail run specifically impacts cognition has been conducted. For this crossover study, 22 participants were recruited using convenience sampling methods from adults fitting the necessary inclusion criteria from within the greater Nashville area. Participants were …


Balance And Blend: Quality Of Life And Work-Life Balance In Military Reservist Band Directors, Jeremy Ryan White May 2025

Balance And Blend: Quality Of Life And Work-Life Balance In Military Reservist Band Directors, Jeremy Ryan White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the research on work-life balance and stress management in various fields and stages of life, the perspectives of music educators serving in the military as part-time reservist musicians have yet to be explored. Teachers with a desire to serve in the military may find the part-time status appealing, as most duties are performed on weekends or during the summer. While there are many benefits to serving one’s country as a reservist, this second career may place added stress on the service members and their families. This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study will gather data via qualitative surveys collected from Military …


Faith, Hope For The Culture, And Love: Exploring The Influence Of Faith And Culture On Marital Resiliency Amongst African American Christians, Alena M. Crawley May 2025

Faith, Hope For The Culture, And Love: Exploring The Influence Of Faith And Culture On Marital Resiliency Amongst African American Christians, Alena M. Crawley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe African American Christian couples’ experiences with the influence of their faith and culture on their marital relationship. The theory guiding this study is the strengths-based perspective which was developed in the mid-1980s by Professor Charles Rapp and students from the University of Kansas as it provides context for the examination of strengths unique to a specific population and how these strengths can be utilized as a tool for improved success. Relative to this study, the researcher sought to explore the contributions of faith and culture in strengthening the marital experience for …


An Ethnodoxological Approach To Developing A Worship Leader Training Program In Infanta, Quezon, Philippines, Lindsay Kay Oakley May 2025

An Ethnodoxological Approach To Developing A Worship Leader Training Program In Infanta, Quezon, Philippines, Lindsay Kay Oakley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although there has been an increase in pastor training programs in the Philippines to fulfill the need created by the steady growth of evangelical church plants, there are few initiatives to create worship leader training programs. Worship is central to the evangelical church, and music plays an important role in the spiritual formation of believers in churches throughout the world. However, because of worship theology constructs and the implications of Filipino culture for worship contextualization, more attention must be given to equipping worship leaders for ministry in the Philippines. This study sought to identify the training and resources needed to …


Investigating Law Enforcement Retirement Resilience Through Narrative Inquiry: A Social Constructivism Analysis Of An Activist Artwork Anthology, Lisa Ann Burton May 2025

Investigating Law Enforcement Retirement Resilience Through Narrative Inquiry: A Social Constructivism Analysis Of An Activist Artwork Anthology, Lisa Ann Burton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the transition from a traumatic career in law enforcement to resilient retirement. The investigation examines an African American Chicago police officer who served as a detective, bomb squad respondent, and hostage negotiator. Data collection and analysis are conducted according to Connelly and Clandinin narrative inquiry procedures (1990). Investigation was made regarding the familial, educational, professional, and personal experiences of Doctor Detective Melvin Hargrett. Data collection completed through guided interview transcripts was supported by photographs of his social justice artwork. The subject’s trauma processing is evidenced in his activist artwork themes since retirement. …


The Virtual Workforce: A Phenomenological Study Of Perceived Factors That Influence Employee Engagement, Sharon A. Palmer May 2025

The Virtual Workforce: A Phenomenological Study Of Perceived Factors That Influence Employee Engagement, Sharon A. Palmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study aimed to examine the lived experiences of employees working in the virtual workforce who have previously worked at an onsite location to better understand the tools needed to keep them engaged. This study aimed to fill the gap in research by gaining insight into the aspects unique to the virtual workplace that promote employee autonomy, competence, and connectedness. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect relevant informational data from 13 participants recruited from the professional social media platform LinkedIn. Participants were individuals aged 21 or older who had worked in a traditional and remote working environment, were currently …


Managing Self-Care Among Black Male Licensed Professional Counselors: A Phenomenological Study Using Photovoice, Sharon H. Beatty May 2025

Managing Self-Care Among Black Male Licensed Professional Counselors: A Phenomenological Study Using Photovoice, Sharon H. Beatty

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The African Americans (Blacks) in the 1500s to 1600s represented beauty, resilience, and nobility, but history led to slavery, oppression, and trauma. Because of this history, Black male mental health counselors are experiencing systemic racism, stigmas, and underrepresentation in the counseling profession. However, there is limited research regarding Black male counselors’ self-care and wellness. Because self-care is becoming increasingly important to maintain optimal health and wellness, this transcendental phenomenological study explored African American male counselors' lived experiences and how they manage self-care personally and professionally. Data were collected from 10 African American (Black) male professional counselors in a semistructured interview, …


Sustaining The Future Of The Local Church By Equipping Ministry Leaders Through A Development Program, James Wesley Harrison May 2025

Sustaining The Future Of The Local Church By Equipping Ministry Leaders Through A Development Program, James Wesley Harrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis addressed the pressing need for intentional leadership development within local churches, focusing on preparing the head, heart, and hands of aspiring ministry leaders to fulfill the calling God has placed on them. The rationale for this praxis project stemmed from the observed shortage of trained ministry leaders in many local churches. The project emphasized that many churches fail to implement deliberate efforts to equip ministry leaders to fulfill the church's mission. The Legacy Leadership Ministry Training program served as a viable solution to this problem. The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a comprehensive training …


The Interplay Between Hospitality And Patronage In The Greco-Roman World And Its Implications For Reading Third John, Julie L. Denham May 2025

The Interplay Between Hospitality And Patronage In The Greco-Roman World And Its Implications For Reading Third John, Julie L. Denham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation will seek to explore the social concepts found within the Book of Third John, examining the intricate and nuanced relationship between hospitality and patronage in early first-century Christian communities. By employing a comprehensive approach that integrates historical, cultural, and theological methodologies, this study aims to delve deeply into the multifaceted roles these practices played in shaping the social, spiritual, and theological framework of the early Church. Specifically, this dissertation seeks to address the following questions: How did first-century Christian communities navigate the interplay between hospitality and patronage as reflected in Third John? How did these practices influence communal …


The Role Of Citizen Feedback In Improving Public Services: A Case Study In San Diego, David M. Burton May 2025

The Role Of Citizen Feedback In Improving Public Services: A Case Study In San Diego, David M. Burton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States of America has many vibrant metropolitan areas known for their diverse populations and active civic engagement. Due to its melting pot of cultural diversity and robust public service infrastructure, these metropolitan areas offer an ideal environment for investigating citizen feedback and its influence on public service delivery. This case study, based in San Diego, California, examined the significance of citizen feedback in enhancing the quality and efficiency of public services in multicultural urban environments. The study employed a multimethod design and data collection, which involved both qualitative and quantitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain deeper …


A Phenomenological Study: The Effects Of Mental Toughness On Female Athletes And Return To Competition Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries, Heidi R. Field May 2025

A Phenomenological Study: The Effects Of Mental Toughness On Female Athletes And Return To Competition Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries, Heidi R. Field

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL) are the most common severe season ending or career ending injury (Petushek et al. 2019). One ACL injury costs the individual and healthcare system $38,000 which includes surgery and rehabilitative costs (Petushek et al., 2019). However, this amount does not account for the psychological effect of ACL injuries on the athletes. For all athletes, a major determinant in the decision to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery is the goal of returning to sport, but only 50% of athletes return to sport following ACL surgical intervention (Ardern et al., 2011). As females are up to three times …


Exploring The Role Of Professional Development In Reviving The Passion Of Teaching: A Case Study, Brandi Renee Cook May 2025

Exploring The Role Of Professional Development In Reviving The Passion Of Teaching: A Case Study, Brandi Renee Cook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to examine professional development as a means of restoring passionate teaching for in-service K-12 teachers at Cresthill Public Schools (CPS). The theory guiding the study was the Learning-Oriented Leadership Model, as it explores how professional development fosters continuous teacher growth and retention. The central research question for the study was: How do teachers describe the ways professional development may help them stay in the profession? The study utilized a qualitative case study design. A purposive sample of 15 teachers who participated in required professional development was selected. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, …


Russian Foreign Policy Narratives And Their Impact On The United States And The International Community, Magdeline Joy Hedrick May 2025

Russian Foreign Policy Narratives And Their Impact On The United States And The International Community, Magdeline Joy Hedrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines how Russian foreign policy narratives shape Western reactions, using the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the 2014 annexation of Crimea, and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine as case studies. While previous research has explored how narratives function in foreign policy, this study focuses on how Russia’s rhetorical strategies- such as deflection, defense, and justification- relate to Western reactions, defined here as public statements of condemnation, sanctions, or calls for behavioral change. The data for this study is composed of over 4,000 statements, speeches, press releases, and other key discourse from 70 different Russian and Western officials. Discourse analysis was …


How Media Framing Of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (Cte) Influences Parental Experiences In Youth Football Programs: A Mixed Methods Study, Valerie Harris May 2025

How Media Framing Of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (Cte) Influences Parental Experiences In Youth Football Programs: A Mixed Methods Study, Valerie Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by repetitive jostling of the brain inside the skull. The disease was first discovered in boxers in the 1920s. Further accounts surfaced in combat soldiers, firefighters, and soccer players. However, once Dr. Bennett Omalu found the infliction in NFL Hall of Famer Mike Webster in 2002, CTE hit center field in the media and became synonymous with football and concussions. CTE is not a concussion. During the rise in media coverage, youth football witnessed its largest decline since Pop Warner began compiling participation data. This dissertation used a mixed-method, …


Predicting Success In Intermediate Algebra: The Role Of Gender, Race, Pert Scores, Homework Grade, Tutoring Hours, And Self-Efficacy In Math, Florencia Sepulveda May 2025

Predicting Success In Intermediate Algebra: The Role Of Gender, Race, Pert Scores, Homework Grade, Tutoring Hours, And Self-Efficacy In Math, Florencia Sepulveda

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive, correlational study was to examine if community college students' success in Intermediate Algebra can be predicted from a linear combination of gender, race, PERT score, online homework grade, hours of tutoring attended during the semester, and Math Skills Self-Efficacy Assessment score. The study employed binomial logistic regression to analyze data from 173 students enrolled in Intermediate Algebra. Results revealed that the model, while statistically non-significant, χ²(13) = 8.648, p = .799, explained 6.5% of the variance in course success and correctly classified 62% of cases. Despite these findings, no predictor variables had a significant …


Okinawan-American Organizational Cross-Cultural Communication Behaviors, Cara J. Barr May 2025

Okinawan-American Organizational Cross-Cultural Communication Behaviors, Cara J. Barr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Existing literature relating to Okinawa is sparse and outdated. There is a crucial need to study Okinawan-American cross-cultural organizational communication behaviors, as many U.S. military members and civilians work throughout Okinawa. Additionally, Japanese-American or Eastern-to-Western-cultured communication literature fails to identify and often misinterprets communication behaviors. Current literature also fails to account for the societal and personal constructs of cross-cultural communication differences that cause misinterpretations. Utilizing sociocultural and sociopsychological traditions, the research is grounded primarily in Identity Negotiation Theory, with aspects of Expectancy Violations Theory. Using qualitative research that relied on semi-structured interviews, twenty-four participants, equal parts Okinawan and American, were …


Curriculum As A Tool To Enhance Self-Efficacy And Instructional Practices: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Elementary Math Teachers, Twana P. Young May 2025

Curriculum As A Tool To Enhance Self-Efficacy And Instructional Practices: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Elementary Math Teachers, Twana P. Young

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of elementary math teachers to investigate their use of curriculum as a tool to enhance self-efficacy and instructional practices in second through fourth grade classrooms. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, particularly the tenet of self-efficacy, as it addresses the confidence teachers have as they enact the curriculum and instructional practices. Teacher self-efficacy is both shaped by and shapes their application of what they learn from the professional learning embedded in the curriculum. This study was designed to explore the central research question, …


Entrepreneurs’ Inability To Address Employee Grievances In The Small Business Industry, Tedford Hope May 2025

Entrepreneurs’ Inability To Address Employee Grievances In The Small Business Industry, Tedford Hope

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Grievances are common in work, indicating major impediments to employee performance. Employee grievances lower productivity, motivation, and work happiness, damaging firms. This flexible design qualitative study investigated and improved understanding of entrepreneurs' failure to resolve employee concerns in Los Angeles' small businesses, resulting in lower organizational performance. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants—4 executives and 11 junior staff. A thematic analysis identified eight main themes: Small business employee grievances; reasons for grievances; consequences of grievances; resolving grievances; leaders' responsibilities in handling grievances; leaders' mindsets that hinder or improve grievance management; and how to improve leaders' mindsets. Data from this …


From Awareness To Action: Enhancing Medication Safety Culture To Improve Outcomes, Joseph A. Mensah May 2025

From Awareness To Action: Enhancing Medication Safety Culture To Improve Outcomes, Joseph A. Mensah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project was to evaluate how a culture of medication safety can improve healthcare outcomes. Medication errors persist and remain the leading cause of preventable injury, highlighting the necessity to enhance the culture of medication safety in healthcare. The population for this project included clinical staff within a military healthcare setting. A quantitative survey assessed perceptions of medication safety, confidence levels, and obstacles to error reporting within the organization. The survey results revealed that 28% of clinical staff had not received medication safety training in the past year, 55% were not confident in medication administration, and 25% …


The Influence Of Homework On The Learning And Achievement Of Middle School Students In Southern Maryland: A Multiple-Case Study, Andrea J. Williams May 2025

The Influence Of Homework On The Learning And Achievement Of Middle School Students In Southern Maryland: A Multiple-Case Study, Andrea J. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore middle school teachers’ perceptions of how homework influenced academic achievement and student learning in Southern Maryland. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of social knowledge. Bandura suggests that observation, modeling, and role-play are significant in how individuals learn because these direct experiences shift one’s environment. In this study, 14 middle school teachers in Southern Maryland were interviewed, seven of whom were employed at a school with the standard practice of homework, and seven worked at a school with a “No Homework” policy. Data collection, interviews, and questionnaires were …


Early Childhood Music Education By Formal Design: Idea To Experience, Ladislao D. Prado May 2025

Early Childhood Music Education By Formal Design: Idea To Experience, Ladislao D. Prado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Academic readiness, measurable growth, and reflective transferable knowledge are hallmarks of a successful music classroom. Yet sound pedagogical and curricular practices are the catalyst for achieving this success. Across the U.S., music programs are thriving in settings where these themes coalesce, save for one: the early childhood music program. At present, no comprehensive music program frameworks exist for this learning environment. Thus, this study aims to identify gaps in early childhood music education literature and national pedagogical and curricular practices, determine why formal music instruction is deficient for this demographic, and examine ways to address this learning community’s needs. As …


The Effects Of Modern Band Performance On Enhancing Confidence And Emotional Maturation In Fifth-Grade Students, Julia M. Wetherhold May 2025

The Effects Of Modern Band Performance On Enhancing Confidence And Emotional Maturation In Fifth-Grade Students, Julia M. Wetherhold

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Current research notes that participation in modern band general music instruction elicits improvements in students’ sense of inclusion in school; however, it is yet to be determined if additional benefits of modern band implementation occur. This applied study aims to investigate the potential for a causal comparison between fifth-grade students’ confidence levels and emotional maturity after exposure to modern band instructional techniques and performance compared to fifth-grade students engaged in music education with an emphasis on vocal instruction. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were implemented. Data were collected and analyzed by surveying thirty-seven fifth-grade students reporting their confidence levels and …


A Phenomenological Study Of Women Raised In A Single-Mother Household And How They Describe Success As Adults, Nicole L. Nagy May 2025

A Phenomenological Study Of Women Raised In A Single-Mother Household And How They Describe Success As Adults, Nicole L. Nagy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how women in northeastern Ohio raised in single-mother households described a successful adult life. The theory guiding this study was the family systems theory developed by Murray Bowen between 1954 and 1959, as it defines support from family and social relationships for children raised in single-mother homes.Ten women who were raised in a single mother led household and who were identified as being successful as defined by the terms of this study participated. A qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized which allowed participants to provide detailed descriptions of their lived experiences through …


Impoverished People: A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Organizational Culture And Corruption On Class Poverty, Jean Rony Duclosel May 2025

Impoverished People: A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Organizational Culture And Corruption On Class Poverty, Jean Rony Duclosel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Researchers have established that corruption adversely affects economic growth and development and deters resources from the most vulnerable. When viewed through the lens of public administration, corruption can create financial burdens and hinder the delivery of essential services, such as criminal justice, healthcare, education, and social programs. However, the dynamic effects of organizational culture and corruption on class poverty are still unknown. This phenomenological study fills this gap. The researcher employed a case study methodology to achieve this goal, using a semi-structured interview format, a focus group, and a document analysis of an administrative court. The population for the interview …


A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Elementary Educators’ Implementation Of Grade Level Expectations To Students With Disabilities, Clinetta Monique Pierre May 2025

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Elementary Educators’ Implementation Of Grade Level Expectations To Students With Disabilities, Clinetta Monique Pierre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study describes elementary educators' experiences and self-efficacy in implementing grade-level expectations for students with disabilities significantly below grade level in Georgia public schools' inclusive classroom environment. Albert Bandura's self-efficacy theory guides this study which is grounded in the social cognitive theory. According to the self-efficacy theory, people are the masters of their own objectives, choices, and fate. The participants included 10 elementary public school general education or content area teachers who are one half of a co-teaching partnership. Individual interviews, focus groups, and blogs were used to collect data in order to investigate the nature of general …


The Impacts Of Incremental Tax Rates On The Sustainability And Growth Possibilities For Small And Medium Enterprises (Smes) In Sierra Leone, Mohamed Ambrose Ndoinjeh May 2025

The Impacts Of Incremental Tax Rates On The Sustainability And Growth Possibilities For Small And Medium Enterprises (Smes) In Sierra Leone, Mohamed Ambrose Ndoinjeh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the challenges confronting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Western Sierra Leone, with a particular focus on the impacts of rising tax rates. These increasing tax burdens restrict investment opportunities and impede growth, resulting in cash flow issues that jeopardize the sustainability of many SMEs. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research involved in-depth interviews and structured surveys with SME owners, representatives, and officials from the National Revenue Authority (NRA). The findings indicated that escalating tax rates, along with other issues such as corruption and political connections, significantly hindered SMEs growth, underscoring critical implications for their development.


Financial Coaching To Improve Financial Well-Being: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Jennifer A. Jessee May 2025

Financial Coaching To Improve Financial Well-Being: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Jennifer A. Jessee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how effective a financial coaching program is for helping participants improve their overall financial well-being through short-term incremental steps moving toward obtaining long-term financial goals. Financial coaching is built on a client- and solution-focused approach, where participants set the pace and goals of the process, with a coach providing encouragement and motivation throughout this journey. Additionally, the coach is responsible for holding participants accountable for fulfilling their commitments and providing education and support in revising their goals when it becomes apparent they are struggling. The premise of financial coaching is to …


A Qualitative Approach To Understanding A Baptist Association’S Attitudes And Beliefs While Using Digital Spaces During Covid-19, Carolyn L. Banks May 2025

A Qualitative Approach To Understanding A Baptist Association’S Attitudes And Beliefs While Using Digital Spaces During Covid-19, Carolyn L. Banks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When Covid-19 forced worldwide institutional shutdowns, many mass gatherings and public areas of socializing were forced to transition to digital spaces. Of the many institutions that were impacted were the brick-and-mortar church and face-to-face fellowship. Online worship service became the next best mode of communication to keep the body of believers engaged in worship services and other church events. A change from normal brick-and-mortar worship to cyber worship created a need for many to adapt to unchartered territory. Physically unable to be present, hug, shake hands, or personally interact with church members, a sense of belonging, and the potential for …


Teacher Perspective And De-Escalation Of Aggressive And Disruptive Behaviors In Early Elementary Students Who Come To School At Risk Of Academic Failure: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca L. Thurman May 2025

Teacher Perspective And De-Escalation Of Aggressive And Disruptive Behaviors In Early Elementary Students Who Come To School At Risk Of Academic Failure: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca L. Thurman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological research study was to understand the experiences of early elementary educators with the rising negative behaviors, such as aggression and classroom disruptions, in their current classrooms within a progressive and growing school district in northwest Georgia. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s social learning theory. This study addressed the question: How do educators perceive, understand possible causes, and utilize research-based programs and strategies to de-escalate and improve students’ aggressive and disruptive behaviors in the elementary classroom? This study focused on individual and focus group interviews, as well as a teacher behavior …


Family Mealtime Experience Of Traditional Fathers Post-Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Eric C. Tibbs May 2025

Family Mealtime Experience Of Traditional Fathers Post-Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Eric C. Tibbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 2020, COVID-19 impacted the world and transformed the way individuals and families operated and functioned daily. Lockdowns and restrictions forced families to stay home and find alternative ways of providing and living concerning employment, education, and family functioning. One particular area impacted by this phenomenon was how families operated and conducted family meals. During COVID-19, increases in family mealtime were seen to take place but little evidence was found regarding the quality of these mealtimes, the father’s experience, and what family functioning looked like after COVID-19. While family functioning and mealtimes during COVID-19 have been examined and analyzed over …