Digital Commons Network^™

Family Functionality And Social-Emotional Learning Skills For Middle School Students: A Predictive Correlational Study, Elisabeth Anne Chapman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, predictive correlational study was to determine if there was a predictive relationship between family functionality, based on the linear combination of expressiveness, cohesion, conflict, and social-emotional learning skills for middle school students. The findings of this study provided data to better understand the extent to which home life impacts the ability of middle school students to apply social-emotional skills at school and can provide educators with data to use as a baseline in understanding and evaluating the current levels of a child’s social-emotional learning skills. The research observed 80 middle school students, Grades 6-8, …

Examining The Perspectives Of General Education Teachers In Implementing A Multi-Tiered System Of Support: A Qualitative Study, Kristina Nelsen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to discover the perceptions of implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), which included the roles that collaboration, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and professional development played in implementation for elementary general education teachers at rural public school districts in northeast Nebraska. The theory guiding this study was Chrislip and Larson's theory on collaborative leadership, as it supported the vitality of understanding the success of implementing MTSS from a collaborative lens. The central research question was: What are elementary general education teachers' perceptions of implementing MTSS in rural public school districts in northeast …

Experiences Of Asian American Students In Non-Stem Fields: A Phenomenological Study, Diem Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of choosing a non-STEM college major for Asian American students in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it provided a foundation for understanding how cultural and environmental factors interact with internal motivations and interests to shape college and career choices. The study addressed the central research question: What are the lived experiences of Asian American students who have chosen non-STEM college majors? This phenomenological study used purposeful criterion sampling to select 12 Asian American participants who are pursuing a …

Print Culture In New York: The Essence Of The Benevolent Empire From 1816 To 1837, Merritt Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Print Culture in New York: The Essence of the Benevolent Empire from 1816 to 1837 is a story that places technological and organizational business innovations at the center of the American evangelical print culture of the "Benevolent Empire" during the Early Republic. After about 1815, during the "market revolution" (western expansion, eastern urbanization, and boom in trade and manufacturing), the business of benevolence boomed in religious publishing that inspired American merchants and prominent businessmen to consolidate hundreds of missionary, Bible, and tract societies. The consolidation process resulted in the creation of national benevolent societies that produced the first wave of …

Minority Students' Attitudes Toward Reading Among Those Exposed To Mirror Books And Those Who Were Not: A Causal-Comparative Study, Valcine Dyonne Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to conduct a quantitative, quasi-experimental, causal-comparative study to measure the impact of mirror books on high school sophomores’ attitudes toward reading. This study responds to a need identified by educational researchers that the link between motivation and reading be methodically examined. This research study had 43 tenth-grade students in the treatment group and 31 in the control group, for a total of 73 out of 432 sophomore students composing a convenience sample. Groups were determined by their placement in their ELA course by the course generator used at the public high school. The participating …

Documentation For Developing And Managing Multiple Learning Centers As Gospel Outreach Programs In Nyc Chinese American Churches, Alice Tam

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project is dedicated to creating comprehensive documentation for developing and managing multiple learning centers in various Chinese churches in NYC. It is a strategic initiative for the future growth and expansion of the Creator’s Voice Learning Center, and it also builds up a collaborative effort with churches to encourage gospel outreach in NYC Chinese communities. The CV Learning Center has been a pillar of success in NYC Chinatown for over twenty years as a beacon of hope in gospel outreach. However, CV needs assistance to launch its ministry ideology on multiple sites. The project employed two pilot testing …

Cold War Merchants And The Commercialization Of Space, Sandra Jeneane Piseno

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

During the Cold War, several merchants commodified space exploration and human spaceflight. Beginning with defense contractors who supported the development of missiles for national security and artificial satellites for the International Geophysical Year (IGY), industry and government collaborated to form consortiums which promoted U.S. dominance in space. The initiatives resulted in research and development of innovative technology which the U.S. government used to propel hegemony, leading to commercial industries taking an active role in space. The impact of Sputnik created a new competitive environment in which Western economic methods facilitated the commercialization of space, capitalizing on market-based production of goods …

Establishing A Christ-Centered Understanding Of The Minor Prophets At First Baptist Church, Greenville, Ky, John Michael Galyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this action research project is to help members of First Baptist Church Greenville, KY, interpret and apply the Minor Prophets from a Christ-centered perspective. This project measured church members’ understanding of the Minor Prophets as they pertain to Christians today. It also measured attitudes and affections toward the Minor Prophets. A total of eleven people participated in the study. Eight were female; the other three were male. Each participant completed a pre-intervention survey, along with three instructional workshops that focused on biblical exposition, biblical theology, and hermeneutics. An eight-part sermon series was implemented to model the kind …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Writing Motivational Constructs Of Students With And Without Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder In Online College Composition Courses, Michelle Bianco

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, causal-comparative study is to determine if there is a difference in the writing motivation of students with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and students without ADHD in online college composition I courses. The study of writing motivation in relation to ADHD in online college composition courses is significant as writing motivation is a crucial predictor of academic success and persistence. Data was collected from a population of approximately 1685 students enrolled in online college composition I at an accredited online university within a larger midwestern land-grant public university system. Using the Writing Motivation Questionnaire and …

Optimizing Care Delivery: Determining The Impact Of A Mobile Interpreter App On Patient Satisfaction, Leslie M. Bright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Introduction: Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) experience increased health disparities including poorer health outcomes, lack of access to quality healthcare services, and decreased patient satisfaction related to cultural and language barriers.

Purpose/Significance: The purpose of this project was to determine the impact of a technology-based mobile app used for medical interpreter services on patient satisfaction in patients with LEP during urgent care visits.

Methods: The project design consisted of a mobile interpreter app used for medical translation services during urgent care visits. Pretest and posttest patient satisfaction questionnaires were administered before and after the mobile app use to determine …

Exploring Hobbies As A Critical Component Of Work-Life Balance: Perceptions Of Their Influence On Job Satisfaction And Job Performance, Maigon Campbell-Nowlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Work-life balance is an ongoing challenge for many individuals, as they seek to harmonize their personal and professional lives. In this study, I explored hobbies as a critical component of work-life balance and their influence on job satisfaction and job performance. I strived to fill a gap in the existing literature by shedding light on the influence of hobbies on work-life balance, job performance, and job satisfaction. Using qualitative methodology, I investigated how individuals perceive and explain the interconnection of their hobbies with their work responsibilities, examining the possible impact of hobbies on job performance and job satisfaction. Through 15 …

Implementing A Discipleship Strategy Plan For Lay Leaders At Redemption Baptist Church To Help Them Grow Spiritually, Robermann Dorceus

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Discipleship may not be a requirement for salvation. However, it is a requirement for spiritual development and a command that Jesus has given all His disciples to obey. Christians must understand that they are Jesus' followers with a calling to bring others to Christ. Jesus makes it clear when He calls His disciples to follow Him. He calls them to follow so that they can become disciple-makers (Matt 4: 19). However, some members, mainly lay leaders at the church, whose responsibility is to disciple others, were not trained to disciple others, which creates a burden for the pastoral ministry in …

Equipping Spiritually Mature Men To Mentor The Next Generation Of Leaders, Seth S. Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The primary objective of the study was to enhance the operational leadership within the church by implementing a mentorship program. The main target audience consisted of existing ministry leaders who would undergo specialized training to empower them in mentoring the upcoming generation of leaders within the church community. Emphasis was placed on the significance of dedicating resources toward nurturing the spiritual growth of the current leaders, as this would offer valuable insights into effectively guiding the spiritual journey of the future leaders based on solid biblical principles. The project probed into various key themes such as Story, Wisdom, Prayer, Character, …

The Effects Of Pre-Marital Counseling, Brandi Rhymes-Proctor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The action research project explores the implementation of a pre-marital program at Victory Tabernacle Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas. The pre-marital counseling program equips couples with practical and impactful tools for building strong marriages. The church's 120-year history emphasizes the importance of family and Christian values, and the counseling program is a natural extension of that commitment.

Chapter Two delves into the biblical foundations of marriage, exploring God's vision for this sacred covenant, and establishes a precedent for churches that offer similar programs to their congregants. Such an understanding shapes the program's pre-marital context, ensuring couples embark on their journey …

A Quasi-Experimental Study Looking At The Effect Of Project-Based Learning On Sixth-Grade Students' Self-Concept, Miranda C. Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental study investigated the differences in self-concept among sixth-grade students across various school subjects, particularly reading and mathematics, by comparing those engaged in project-based learning versus traditional learning. In rural eastern Virginia, the researcher utilized a modified version of the Self Description Questionnaire-I (SDQ-I) and a nonequivalent control group, pre/posttest design with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) during the 2023–2024 academic year. Focusing on a Virginia middle school, classes were randomly assigned to either treatment, which was project-based learning, or control, which included traditional learning methods. The mean self-concept scores across three SDQ-I subscales—reading, mathematics, and all school subjects—served …

Enterprise Systems: Installing And Configuring Erpnext On Macos, Yazan Abbasi

Senior Honors Theses

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems integrate business processes across organizations onto unified digital platforms through data and workflow consolidation. However, high licensing costs of proprietary ERP solutions like SAP and Oracle limit adoption for small and medium enterprises. This led to the emergence of open-source ERP alternatives like ERPNext which provide sophisticated capabilities at much lower total cost of ownership. However, ERPNext faces documentation gaps that hamper onboarding, customization, and widespread adoption. Accelerating ERPNext implementation by developing a comprehensive installation and configuration guide tailored for developers using Mac environments will be examined furthermore.

The background on ERP systems explores critical …

Exploring The Benefits Of Dual-Language Immersion Programs: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Ashley Cunningham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand current practices in dual language immersion (DLI) programming, identify biases, and investigate designs for implementing dual language immersion programs to provide consistency between programs in elementary schools in Georgia. The theory guiding this study was Cummins' threshold theory, as it describes the process of language acquisition for young children and the cognitive effects of bilingualism. Selected public elementary dual language immersion teachers in Georgia participated in an individual interview, focus group, and a questionnaire to collect data. Data analysis was used to interpret the findings to answer the central research …

The Relationship Between Resilience, Psychological Capital, Burnout, And Grit In Direct Care Staff, Nicholas Stoia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present study examined the relationship between resilience, psychological capital (PsyCap), grit, and burnout among direct care workers. The current study assessed other fields within direct care that have not been investigated. When it comes to research methodology, the current research utilized a quantitative approach. Participants were selected and sent the survey through the online platform. The present study had a total of 195 participants between the ages of 18 - 60. Participants were workers in agency settings within the direct care field. These agencies included state agencies, private agencies, non-profits, federal agencies, and home care. Specific types of direct …

Lived Experiences Of Special Education Co-Teachers With High-Leverage Instructional Practices At Secondary Title I Campus: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Aaron M. Logan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to investigate the lived experiences of special education co-teachers with high-leverage instructional practices at secondary Title I campuses. The central research question of this study was how special education co-teachers at secondary Title I campuses describe their lived experiences with high-leverage instructional practices. Bandura's social cognitive theory guided this study. In particular, the triadic reciprocal causation defined in social cognitive theory guides the study's questions and analysis. Triadic reciprocal causation influences how people communicate, work through tasks, and conduct daily activities related to personal, behavioral, and environmental factors. The social cognitive theory …

Teacher Perceptions Of Principal Personality And Intent To Remain: A Causal-Comparative Study, Brittani Leanna Blair

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study is to explore the relationship between teachers' perceptions of their principals' personality traits, based on the big-five factor structure, and the teachers' intentions to remain in the teaching profession. Research indicates school leadership significantly influences American teachers' commitment to teaching, highlighting the need to understand teachers' perceptions of principal personality traits given the teacher shortage crisis in the United States. Data from a sample of 278 teachers was collected using an online Qualtrics survey that included the M5-50 personality questionnaire items and an item related to teacher intent to remain in the profession. …

Experiences Of Educators In Implementing Mindfulness In K-6 Special Education Transition Settings: A Case Study, Matthew David Bilchak

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study will be to understand the perspectives of implementing mindfulness-based interventions for special education teachers in elementary special education transition settings. The theory guiding this study involves experiential learning, which requires students and educators to acquire skills to promote self-regulation actively. A qualitative case study approach provides insight into the advantages and challenges of implementing mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) to understand elementary special education teachers' perceptions. Ten educators from rural Pennsylvania school districts compromise the sample pool. Collection methods include interviews, lesson plan analysis, and surveys. Triangulation of data reveals how educators in special education transition …

School Culture, Teacher Experience, And Commitment: A Phenomenological Study Of High School Teachers At A Cyber Charter School, Sarah Cole Brodish

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the influence of school culture and leadership on the experiences and levels of commitment of high school teachers at a cyber charter academy in the northeastern United States. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Dansereau, Graen, and Haga's Leadership-Member Exchange Theory, which examined the impact of leadership relationships on school culture and teacher experience. This study sought to answer the primary research question: How does school culture influence teacher experience? A phenomenological approach was chosen to gain a deeper understanding of these experiences specifically, a hermeneutic phenomenological …

Missional Leadership: An Instructional Program To Cultivate Leaders Of A Missional Church, Conner Mathias Brew

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this action research project is to design, execute, and evaluate a small group instructional framework that cultivates a missional culture focused on communal discipleship at MVMNT Church, a local church in the Association of Related Churches network, while also addressing a gap in scholarship surrounding the interrelation of discipleship and the missional church. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study leveraged inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with survey data to validate the lack of discipleship activity at MVMNT Church and moderate-to-low comprehension of topics related to mission, discipleship, and leadership in the church. This project recommended and …

A Phenomenological Study Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy In Special Education Classrooms, Ashley Deluccia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe experiences of dialectical behavior therapy for special education teachers at a large, suburban school district in the Southeast United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura's social cognitive theory (SCT), as it explains how new behaviors are learned and acquired. The central research question was: What are special education teachers' experiences of dialectical behavior therapy at a suburban school district in the Southeast United States? This qualitative design utilizes a phenomenological method. The sample included 12 special education teachers in behavior classrooms receiving dialectical behavior therapy. The setting was …

A Position Of Strength: The Reagan Military Buildup And The Conventional Forces, Kevin D. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Ronald Reagan's military program, commonly known as the buildup, was one of the most high-profile and enduring aspects of his presidency. Often characterized as “the largest peacetime buildup in U.S. history,” the program remains ill-defined in the extant historiography except concerning the strategic nuclear forces and total cost. This study provides a more in-depth examination of the greater fiscal beneficiary, the non-nuclear conventional forces. Fundamental questions are addressed on the rationale, necessity and destination of expenditures in the primary budget areas of Procurement, Research, Personnel, and Operations. Funding is analyzed in terms of linkage to the administration and the armed …

Impact Of Body Dissatisfaction And Selfies And The Effect Of Self-Compassion: A Mixed Methods Study, Amelia Jing Zhen Cheah

Masters Theses

Social media has become one of the most widely consumed platforms worldwide—specifically, the act of taking pictures of oneself otherwise known as selfies. Previous research has demonstrated links to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders about social media usage. There is a lack of research on the selfie-editing process, from taking to selecting and editing the pictures before uploading them. In turn, social media may become a risk factor for young individuals engaging in selfies and experiencing body dissatisfaction. Given how rapidly the use of social media has evolved within society, there is a constant need to address and overcome body …

School Teacher's Perceptions Of Twins: A Study On The Educational Experience Of Teaching Identical And Fraternal Twins, Robyn M. Lindley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored teachers' perceptions of twins' academic abilities and achievements compared to single-born students. It aimed to understand teachers' attitudes towards classroom dynamics and social interactions among twins and their peers, as well as how teachers differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of twins in the classroom. By employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, the research gathered comprehensive data through surveys/questionnaires and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 elementary school teachers with experience teaching identical and fraternal twins in primary and secondary schools in Texas and Virginia. The study identified several key themes through thematic analysis: the importance of individualized …

Predicting Educator Perceptions Of Tennessee's Teacher Evaluation System: The Role Of Teacher Gender, Years Of Experience, And School Level Taught, Leonida T. Bell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, correlational study aims to determine if a predictive relationship exists between teacher perceptions of Tennessee's teacher evaluation and the linear combination of teacher gender, years of experience, and school-level taught (elementary, middle, high). Although teachers have recognized the current teacher evaluation system, many educators expressed concerns about it. This study is vital in determining teachers' perceptions of the evaluation system. Participants of this study included a sample of 108 certified elementary, middle, and high school teachers from one of the public school districts in southwestern Tennessee. Data were collected via an anonymous, self-paced online survey utilizing a modified …

Educating Nurses On The Components Of A Healthy Work Environment, Kathryn L. Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is essential to look at the entire picture to ensure patient care is offered in the highest quality manner possible. One must look at patient satisfaction, quality outcomes, and job satisfaction experienced by the nursing staff providing care to accomplish this goal. Research has shown that nurse burnout has increased exponentially as of late. Some blame the COVID-19 pandemic; others look at the generation of nurses graduating from nursing school and starting in the field, comparing the baby boomer nurse to the Gen Z nurse. Many factors are involved, and with the recent addition of paying particular attention to …

Psychological Profile Of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes, Leandro De Lorenco-Lima

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Martial arts and combat sports have been shown to influence several desirable psychological factors positively. This quantitative study aimed to explore the differences in mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, aggression, life satisfaction, and mental health between belt ranks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes. A sample of 410 BJJ participants (323 males and 87 females) from 18 to 60 years of age was included in this study. Data was collected anonymously via Google Form and included the Mental Strength Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, Grit Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Brief Self-Control Scale, Brief Aggression Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Mental Health …