Digital Commons Network^™

The Perception And Lived Experiences Of African International Students During Their Studies In The United States Colleges And Universities: A Phenomenological Study, Ebere V. Chukwuezi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience and perceptions adapting to the process of college-level education for African international students at a four-year college in the southeastern United States. The theory that guided this study was Berry’s acculturation theory, which categorizes individual adaptation strategies into two dimensions. This study was guided by acculturation theory aligned with the central research question and sub-questions. Participants who completed their studies or were current students at the university were selected through purposeful and snowball sampling. Data was collected through individual interviews, online surveys, and focus groups and analyzed …

Diabetes Health Literacy, Diabetes Numeracy, And Cognitive Function As Predictors Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Self-Management, Twinkle Gupta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present study assessed older adults (≥ 45 years old) diabetes health literacy, diabetes numeracy, cognitive function, and its association with their Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) self-management outcomes. These factors are of concern as diabetes is a lifelong condition affecting the body’s conversion of food into energy and may lead to complications and comorbidities if this condition is not properly self-managed. Diabetes health literacy refers to having the necessary capabilities in finding and analyzing diabetes-related information to make informed decisions regarding their health. Numeracy in diabetes has to do with being able to compute diabetes-related math such as insulin …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perceptions Of A Clinical Doctorate In Speech-Language Pathology: A Phenomenological Study, Dawn Mckee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perspectives of speech-language pathologists regarding a clinical doctorate as a potential entry-level degree for practicing speech-language pathologists. The central research question sought to determine the overall attitudes of speech-language pathologists about a clinical doctorate. The theories guiding this study were social constructionism and experiential learning theory, as this study attempted to construct the perceived reality of practicing speech-language pathologists regarding clinical doctorates and involved their educational and work experiences. The methodology utilized was transcendental phenomenology and included three data collection approaches: interviews, letter-writing, and focus groups. The data were analyzed …

Insurgency Apologetics: Refuting The Claims That Christianity Is A White Man’S Religion, Brian L. Gadson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project, with the utmost respect for the participants, aims to assess the ability of the members of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church to counter the claims of Black religious identity cults, Black conscious community, and Black atheists who assert that Christianity is a religion that belongs only to White people. The study's main objective was to design an African-American church curriculum that addresses the purpose of this research. The new training curriculum aims to offer essential information to church members about the ancient African connection to Christianity that existed long before the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The …

Executive Leader Perspectives Of Rural School District Organizational Resilience: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study Inquiry, Todd S. Burke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative embedded multiple-case study was to explore and describe how rural executive school district leaders overcome significant organizational adversity (low-income student factors) and sustain high student achievement outcomes. Organizational resilience theory provided the basis for the qualitative embedded multiple-case study. The multiple-case study design explored the perspectives of rural school district executive leaders at three levels of qualitative meaning: a) individual-level executive leader perspectives, b) organization function-level (program and department) perspectives, and c) district-wide organizational perspectives. Three small Utah rural school districts with higher-than-average student achievement trends, all of which have student populations experiencing low-income factors, …

Examining Influences Of Academic Resilience Among Minority Adolescent Students, Sylvia Alice Okpon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative and correlational study aimed to investigate which variables of minority adolescent students promote academic resilience and focus on African American and Hispanic students within a public charter school located in Southeast Texas. Grounded on resilience theory, the research investigated the cognitive and emotional regulation of students and student–teacher connections in the process of academic resilience. A purposive sample composed of more than 100 students was used to collect data using the Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the Inventory of the Student–Teacher Relationship, and the Academic Resilience Scale for an online survey. Data analysis indicated that cognitive and emotional resilience …

Theory Informed Audit And Feedback To Decrease Medication Administration Errors, Victoria Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Medication administration errors remain a serious and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in health care. Technology at the point of care is often bypassed in the medication administration process despite the intention to prevent adverse drug events through the addition of a layer of cross-checks and alerts. The purpose of this project was to understand if human behavior could be influenced using effective audit and feedback, data transparency, and communication tactics to decrease administration-related errors, such as wrong patient, wrong medication, wrong dose, and adverse drug events, with the use of barcode medication administration (BCMA) in the emergency department. …

The Impact Of Colonization, The Problem Of Evil, And The African Traditional Religion Worldview On Biblical Hermeneutics In West Africa, Christopher Blay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research paper delves into the complex relationship between colonization, African Traditional Religion (ATR), the problem of evil, and their impact on interpreting biblical texts in West Africa. The study explores how historical colonization, cultural beliefs rooted in ATR, and the existential question of evil have shaped the lens through which Millennials and Gen Z in West Africa engage with Christianity.

Through an analysis of historical sources, scholarly works, and academic articles, this paper highlights how these factors have contributed to a decline in interest in Christianity among the youth in the region. The paper also emphasizes the importance of …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Early Childhood Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Ability To Provide Mental Health Supports In The Classroom To Preschool-Aged Children, Stacie Linette Parham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the pre-service or continuing professional training needs of early childhood teachers in regard to providing support for mental health and challenging behaviors displayed in children ages three to five years old. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Knowles’ andragogy theory guided the study. The guiding research question was as follows: What are early childhood teachers’ classroom experiences regarding providing instruction to address mental health, ACEs, childhood trauma or other factors that cause young children to display challenging behaviors? The study’s sample included 11 preschool teachers with two to 26 years of experience …

Overcoming Barriers To Persistence: A Single-Case Study Of Student Veterans In Higher Education, Janet G. Hupel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic case study is to understand the lived experiences of student veterans as they overcome barriers to persistence at a small, faith-based institution of higher education in the South. The theory guiding this study is Pascarella’s student-faculty integration model, as it explains the relationship between the student veterans’ unique background characteristics and other educational experiences to the degree of integration with faculty on campus and, ultimately, their persistence in higher education. What are the experiences of student veterans as they overcome barriers to persistence in higher education? The setting for the study is a small, faith-based …

Church Adoption: Three-Pronged Elements That Support The Revitalization Of Coastal Church Battery Park Location In Virginia, Michael Christopher Bard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church is God’s plan for delivering the good news of Jesus Christ’s finished work on the Cross. This finished work is evidenced through the bodily resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15). In the US a steady decline in church attendance has been prevalent over the past three decades and church buildings are either near empty or closing. This research explores the concept of church adoption merger in hopes of one avenue that would promote revitalization of local fellowships. Though multiple elements are supportive in revitalization this research explore three elements that should lead towards centralizing the church on Christ. …

Cultural Influence On Recruiting Middle School Children To The Jordanian Nai Choir, Diana Samir Talhami

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social practices influenced the recruitment of middle school children to the Nai choir despite the rich Jordanian culture. This research addressed beliefs, cultural dynamics, social values, and strategies to identify a critical gap in the literature regarding the recruitment of middle school students to the Nai choir. To understand students’ enrollment challenges, the researcher examined community perspectives related to the Jordanian culture, socioeconomic status, communication between students and community, beliefs, and values. Furthermore, exploring the age perspectives of middle school students was essential. The culture of these students also influenced their decision and motivation to join the choir. This study …

Mentoring Emerging Leaders As It Relates To Senior Leadership Succession, Kevin D. Neal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore the effects that a leadership mentoring plan had on the development of emerging leaders within the ministry of the International Ministry Network of Churches (IMNC). This study also sought to determine future leadership readiness regarding succession. This church fellowship currently does not have an established mentorship program in place, and without a successful plan for preparing new leaders for the future of the IMNC, the organization's growth and perpetuity can be potentially impacted negatively. The research was conducted by surveying senior local church leaders within the IMNC to assess their current …

Navigating Eating Disorders Through Counseling, Alyssa Pelella

The Kabod

Honors Petition submitted to PSYC365-001: Psychological Foundations of Learning.

Social Learning In Individuals With Autism, Benjamin Ellis

The Kabod

Honors Petition submitted to PSYC 365-001: Psychological Foundations of Learning.

Slapp-Ed Around: Examining The Use Of State Anti-Slapp Laws In Federal Courts, Jacob Dryer

Helms School of Government Undergraduate Law Review

This Note explains Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and examines the applicability of state anti-SLAPP laws in federal cases. Currently, the United States Courts of Appeals are split on this issue, and the United States Supreme Court has not granted certiorari to any cases that have addressed this issue. This Note reviews the jurisprudence related to the application of state anti-SLAPP laws in federal court. The author further examines what the various United States Courts of Appeals have held about the applicability of anti-SLAPP laws and the rationales of each decision. Based on this information, this Note argues that …

Four Steps That Ended The West And One To Revive It, David Goodwin

Liberty University Law Review

Our goal for the 2024 Liberty University Law Review Symposium was to explore the case for educational freedom from multiple angles. While several of our other authors have focused on the proper role of parents and the civil government in education, those approaches represent only part of the American education system. Many of our articles are more poignantly focused on the legal aspects that this topic implicates, but Mr. David Goodwin provides a slightly different perspective. Mr. Goodwin is a seasoned educator, intellectual, author, and an advocate for Classical Christian schools.

He has written a book—a New York Times Best …

Something To Hold On To: Judicial Independence As An Antidote To The Dissent’S Institutional Integrity Concerns In Dobbs V. Jackson Women’S Health Organization, Teddy Breece Paisley Iii

Liberty University Law Review

Today’s legal and political landscape places heavy emphasis on the decisions handed down by nine illustrious jurists—the sitting Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. These decisions, like the Justices themselves, are often characterized as purely political. From left and right, accusations of partisanship and judicial activism hurtle toward the Court with increasing velocity and regularity. On June 6, 2022, the Court released one of the most significant and controversial decisions in its history when it overruled Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, holding that …

To Track Or Not To Track: The Privacy Dilemma And The Veil Of Consumer Choice, Amber L. Solberg

Liberty University Law Review

Technology has contributed to rapid yet fundamental changes in the way society functions—but the information revolution is just getting started. Ubiquitous, distributed, and interconnected computational power and massive data storage, coupled with human ingenuity and entrepreneurship, have led to profound impacts on society, changing the way we live, work, and interact with each other. However, these rapid advances have given rise to new legal challenges and upended the balance between the interests of corporations and consumers regarding privacy, ownership of personal data, and fundamental concepts of intellectual property. As multi-billion-dollar corporations thrive by monetizing personal data, existing legal frameworks struggle …

Internet Frisking Jurors During Voir Dire: The Case For Imposing Judicial Limitations, Hannah L. Shotton

Liberty University Law Review

Our nation has long recognized the need for a fair and impartial jury in civil and criminal cases. At the heart of this pursuit for fairness is the juror, who sits as the factfinder in the process. For centuries, voir dire has served as the backbone for providing parties with a fair and impartial jury. Traditionally, during voir dire, jurors are questioned under oath by the court or counsel to determine their qualifications or disqualifications to sit as a juror in the case. The purpose is to expose potential bias in a juror that would render him or her unable …

A Case Study Of Using Social Media Influencers For Sponsored Posts, Meagen Rockenbach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The use of social media changed consumer behavior and how company leaders conduct business, including the way that they promote products and services. Instagram is a social media platform that many companies use to promote products and services. In the beauty and lifestyle industry, company officials hire social media influencers for influencer marketing campaigns. In the Unites States, the Federal Trade Commission has rules for these sponsored posts that influencers must disclose that they are working with a brand within the sponsored post. This study was to establish a connection between Instagram influencers and their use of disclosed sponsorship in …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of First-Year Christian Student Success In Theological Studies During The Pandemic, Philip Lamar Nash

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the journeys of first-year undergraduate theological students during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to figure out what, if anything, aided the students in completing their coursework with passing grades. COVID-19 has impacted organizations and individuals around the world, prompting changes to ensure that things kept moving forward safely. The research was conducted to discover what, if anything, brought about achievement for students in a COVID-19 collegiate environment. The research was guided through a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative approach by conducting interviews with students about their first year in a residential secondary educational setting that moved to being online because …

A Quantitative Survey Exploring The Types Of Internet Accessible Mental Health Resources Recognized By U.S. Long-Haul Truck Drivers, Cristal Angela Reyna

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) are an important part of the supply chain in the United States. Their work schedules include holidays, weekends, night shifts, and can last anywhere from 60–70 hours for a single 6- to 8-day run to meet the demands of society. Poor work–life balance, high job demands, and poor sleep quality that can be experienced on the job as an LHTD can negatively affect not only their physical health but also their mental health. Depression, anxiety, and stress are three psychological effects that can develop from an unhealthy lifestyle and inability to maintain any healthcare appointments, despite …

Understanding The Silos Of Assessment, Strategic Planning, Institutional Effectiveness, And Their Relationships To Accreditation, Dana Marie Juenemann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand how collaboration, or lack of collaboration between community college-level silos, affected the process of accreditation as conducted by the Higher Learning Commission. The theory that guided this study is Smith’s theory of seven silos of higher education, as it explains the relationships between the areas of assessment, strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, and their impact on accreditation. This study sought to discover how collaboration and communication between administration, faculty, and staff, as well as between the silos of assessment, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness, affected accreditation efforts at Moses Community College. The …

Purpose, Performance, And Process Influence On Airline Pilot Trust In Automation Technology: A Quantitative Study, Thomas Robert Meyer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, descriptive survey study was to determine if purpose, performance, and process influence airline pilot trust in automation technology. The role of a tool is an extension of human capabilities. Initially limited to mechanical extensions of arms and legs, tools are more sophisticated and extend into mental abilities. Quantum leaps in computer and automation technology mitigate repetitive or complex calculations using developed cognitive processes. Through the Trust in Automation theoretical lens, this study used the Likert-based System Trustworthiness Scale offered online to approximately 3,000 airline pilots using simple random sampling methods comprising voluntary submissions. Data was …

An Integrative Review: Improving Copd Patient Outcomes Using The Teach-Back Method, Bichundo Lambert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common clinical health concern that causes airflow resistance to the lungs and persistent respiratory symptoms, which can impact quality of life for the COPD patient. The condition is common to adults over 40 years of age. It is estimated that 210 million people worldwide suffer from the disease, and its incidence is on the rise. In United States, COPD affects 16 million people and costs the government $24 billion annually. The researchers predicts that COPD will be the third-leading course of mortality by 2030 worldwide. The objective of this integrative review was to …

Moral Panic In The Modern Era: The Effects Of Moral Panic On Policy Implemented Through The Field Of Law Enforcement, Charles J. Oakley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study employed a grounded qualitative approach to explore the intricate relationship between moral panic and public administration policy in the subfield of law enforcement administration. Using a nationwide survey derived from the U.S. Major Cities Chief Association census, postsurvey interviews and employing document analysis and crime statistics, the research investigated the impact of moral panic-induced policy decisions on law enforcement agencies from 2018 to 2022. Social media emerged as a significant catalyst, fueling public outrage and facilitating political rent-seeking. The punctuated equilibrium theory highlights abrupt budgetary and policy shifts notably found in a surge of legislative initiatives in 2021. …

An Examination Of The Influences Of Critical Thinking Tasks On Mathematics Instruction: A Qualitative Study, Glen E. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to understand the mathematics critical thinking process for teachers in primary education in northern Virginia. The theory guiding this study is Kolb’s experiential learning theory, which applies to critical thinking processes. The central research question will be: What are the experiences of primary mathematics teachers implementing critical thinking? This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study aims to determine the influences of critical thinking tasks on planning and instruction. Using qualified participants from northern Virginia, this study will collect data through interviews, a focus group, and document analysis. After data collection, the data will be …

Teacher Retention In Title I Schools: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Jessica Marie Stetekluh Cain

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the elements contributing to teacher retention through the lived experiences of K-5 teachers at Title I schools in the Southern United States. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as it applies to teacher retention. The central research question of this study is as follows: what are the experiences related to retention of K-5 teachers who teach in a Title I school? The sample size included 10 participants. The sample was a convenience sample of teachers from three Title I schools in an urban school district in …

Exploring The Role Of Innovation Across Social And Academic Integration For First-Generation Caribbean Undergraduate Persistence, Angelina Natasha Carvalhal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to understand how innovation across social and academic integration among first-generation Caribbean Undergraduates supports persistence at three public universities in the Northeast. The theory underpinning this study was Tinto’s dropout theory and theory of institutional departure. Tinto’s theory connected to this study of how supporting innovation through social and academic integration supports the persistence of first-generation Caribbean Undergraduates. The central research question guiding this study was: How has innovative academic content delivery affected the retention of first-generation Caribbean Undergraduates? Purposeful sampling was applied to interview students on-site, while random sampling was applied …