Digital Commons Network^™

Civil Liberty And National Security: The Implications Of The Debate For The United States Intelligence Community, Peyton Hedrick

Senior Honors Theses

For years, the US Intelligence Community has worked to maintain the thin and often wavering line between civil liberty and national security in its attempts to protect the American people while simultaneously preserving their constitutional rights. However, this line has often shifted with the course of American history, including events such as the Alien and Sedition Acts, the establishment of the Church Committee, and the publication of the NSA’s data collection program. One of the most significant of these factors was the passage and eventual amendment of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which opened the door to later constitutional controversies. …

How To Make It As A Maker: Maximizing Customer Experience To Increase Brand Value In The Saturated Marketplace Of Paper Goods And Gifts, Hannah Lynch

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Creative or Artistic

The Wonderful War Of Disney: Walt Disney And The Promotion Of American Ideals In Cold War America, Abigail Shimer

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Textual or Investigative

Implementation Of A Scripted Education On Comfort Goals To Improve Patient Perception Of Pain Control, Vicki F. Mclean

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

Pain management is the culmination of physician, nurse, and patient expectations. Successful pain management is impacted by the patient’s perception and expectation of the provided interventions, as well as the perception of the care provider of the patient’s pain. Pain assessment tools have been utilized for decades and still pain control is rated as inadequate. Providing scripted education to the patient on the purpose and utilization of these tools impacts the patient’s perception of pain management. This project implemented the evidence-based practice intervention of education to improve the relationship of comfort goals to pain management. Nurses’ knowledge of pain management …

Quantum Attacks On Modern Cryptography And Post-Quantum Cryptosystems, Zachary Marron

Senior Honors Theses

Cryptography is a critical technology in the modern computing industry, but the security of many cryptosystems relies on the difficulty of mathematical problems such as integer factorization and discrete logarithms. Large quantum computers can solve these problems efficiently, enabling the effective cryptanalysis of many common cryptosystems using such algorithms as Shor’s and Grover’s. If data integrity and security are to be preserved in the future, the algorithms that are vulnerable to quantum cryptanalytic techniques must be phased out in favor of quantum-proof cryptosystems. While quantum computer technology is still developing and is not yet capable of breaking commercial encryption, these …

Servant Learners: Short-Term Missions As An Effective Strategy, Abigail Chennells

Senior Honors Theses

Short-term missions (STM) is a phenomenon that is quickly growing; each year more and more teams are sent out from North America to locations across the globe to share the gospel and do work projects in another culture. However, there are some significant issues with the current execution of STM, ranging from its ineffectiveness in accomplishing helpful projects to its heavy financial cost to the potential negative impact on host communities. In order to push the impact of STM in a positive direction, there are two major shifts in the way it is carried out that must take place. First, …

An Exploratory Examination Of Police Shooting Data, My Viet Ha Nguyen, Joshua Brendible

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Applied

Political Marketing: How Social Media Influenced The 2008-2016 U.S. Presidential Elections And Best Practices Associated, Morgan Swartley

Senior Honors Theses

Political marketing has become a growing facet of marketing that has infiltrated the campaigning of U.S. presidential elections. Within this cognate of marketing, social media has become a major component of predicting election outcomes starting with the 2008 U.S. presidential election. An analysis of the social media performance of candidates from the 2008 to 2016 U.S. presidential elections reveals how the power of social media can be harnessed to increase voter participation, connect voters to offline political activity, and engage voters with candidates on a more personal note. Social media political marketing should further emphasize the candidate’s brand and build …

Pediatric Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus: Examining The Upward Trend, Allison Foering

Senior Honors Theses

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in pediatric onset of type II diabetes. This paper will examine elements contributing to this trend. Type II diabetes will be discussed, including related pathophysiology, manifestations, diagnosis, and complications, with differentiation between adult and pediatric onset. Possible prevention and treatment methods appropriate for pediatric patients will also be discussed, along with possible outcomes in pediatric patients that could result from this disease. Overall, this paper will provide insight on the causes of this growing trend, and ways to improve the risks imposed on pediatric patients.

A Closer Look At The Global Management Of Spina Bifida: The Implementation Of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy In The Treatment Of Spina Bifida-Related Hydrocephalus In Africa, Caryssa Burckart

Senior Honors Theses

Spina bifida, specifically myelomeningocele, is a debilitating neural tube defect that affects patients and families throughout the world. Traditional management and treatment methods are described, followed by an explanation of why this is often inadequate in providing care for those in impoverished areas of the world, including many regions of Africa. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is proposed as a promising alternative to traditional methods for treating hydrocephalus, an often associated condition, and the implementation of this treatment method in Africa is explored. In order to relieve Africa of the burden of spina bifida-related hydrocephalus and improve global management of spina bifida, …

Find Him In The Valley: A Missionary's Burden, Susannah Martin

Senior Honors Theses

The main portion of this thesis includes a presentation of the short film script, Find Him in the Valley: A Missionary’s Burden. The script follows a young missionary, his older mentor, and their guide on a journey to a village where they will be witnessing to people who have never heard the Gospel. Unfortunately, the village is mostly destroyed by a mudslide before they can arrive. I also explain my creative choices as an author, discuss how transmedia can be used to further engage viewers of the film, and explain my future plans for the script, including marketing.

A Director Acts: My Experience Directing And Acting In A Short Film, Benjamin Grist

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this creative thesis was to test the difficulties of both directing and acting in a short film at the same time. I began my research by completing three honors petitions that covered this subject and used the information I gained while writing and performing them to inform my decisions while completing the thesis. During pre-production, I prepared for my roles in the film and began to discover the challenges involved. In the production phase, I directed and acted in a short film over the course of five days. This experiment has led me to believe that one …

Developing A 1-Megawatt Photovoltaic Power Plant For Liberty University, Andrew Knudsen

Senior Honors Theses

A photovoltaic power plant with a generation capacity of 1-megawatt is designed for Liberty University. Liberty University’s location and size are stated to provide context for the design. Design choices are presented, first with general information that is applicable to any photovoltaic plant design, then with significant factors that impact this design. Specific models of solar panels and inverters are selected after the necessary classifications are determined. The final design has 2,880 solar panels with a fixed angle 30⁰ above the horizon, has two central inverters, and takes up 2.57 acres. Future research is suggested for finances as well as …

The Effect Of Post-Production On Storytelling In Narrative And Documentary Filmmaking, Natalie Pace

Senior Honors Theses

Documentaries and narrative films both tell stories in different ways. A common saying states that narrative filmmakers write one movie, shoot another, and edit a third. In postproduction, timelines are rearranged, montages are created, new dialog and voiceovers are written, and the score can alter the mood and meaning entirely. Documentaries can change even more over the course of their creation. Usually, the script of the documentary is not written until the edit, after most of the interviews and B roll have been shot. This paper examines whether documentary post-production makes more or less use of storytelling techniques than does …

Parameter Analysis Of An Adaptive, Fault-Tolerant Attitude Control System Using Lazy Learning, Matthew Russell

Senior Honors Theses

Several key requirements would be met in an ideal fault-tolerant, adaptive spacecraft attitude controller, all centered around increasing tolerance to actuator non-idealities and other unknown quantities. This study seeks to better understand the application of lazy local learning to attitude control by characterizing the effect of bandwidth and the number of training points on the system’s performance. Using NASA’s 42 simulation framework, the experiment determined that in nominal operating scenarios, the actuator input/output relationship is linear. Once enough information is available to capture this linearity, additional training data and differing bandwidths did not significantly affect the system’s performance.

A Collective Case Study To Examine Administrators' Instructional Leadership Perspective Of The Role Of Instructional Coaches And Teacher Librarians In California Public Schools, Melanie Ann Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to develop an understanding of why California K-12 public school administrators distribute instructional leadership responsibilities to either instructional coaches or teacher librarians and how the two roles compare within the context of the implementation of the California Common Core State Standards in ELA/Literacy. The study addressed the following research questions: Why do administrators select instructional coaches/teacher librarians to help them provide instructional leadership? How do administrators and instructional coaches/teacher librarians work together to provide professional learning within daily instructional practice? How do administrators evaluate the effectiveness of the instructional coaches’/teacher librarians’ instructional …

The Relationship Between Well-Being And Technology Among Senior Citizens In Indiana, Treg Hopkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Across America technology has become an ever present requirement for day-to-day living. Senior citizens for this study were those who were 50 years of age and older and were often hindered in understanding and using technology. The purpose of this research study was to determine if there is a statistical significant correlation between the number of technology classes a senior citizen takes and general well-being. Senior citizens were surveyed to determine if understanding of technology changed level of well-being. A paper survey was used with a convenience sample of seniors who take technology based courses through an organization designed to …

A Multiple Case Study Of The Interagency Relationship Between School Administrators And Law Enforcement Personnel In The Creation, Implementation, And Sustaining Of School Emergency Management Plans, Robert Lopez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to examine how the interorganizational relationship between school administrators and law enforcement personnel in the Midwest, South, and Southwest regions of the United States with diverse cultures, missions, and objectives to collaborate to create, implement, and sustain emergency management readiness. The theoretical concept that guided this study involved interorganizational theories as they relate to two or more organizations working together toward a common goal. This study used purposeful sampling of 12 participants from three school districts from the states of Alabama, New Mexico, and Illinois. A within-case and cross-case analysis along …

Reframing Identity In The Age Of Authenticity, Daphne Edmonston

Masters Theses

Many in American culture have either actively or passively adopted the idea that authenticity is one of the highest virtues, if not the highest. The cultural ideal of authenticity states that personal identity and meaning are found within oneself. Being true to ‘the real you’ is the path to meaning, pleasure, and flourishing. This way of framing personal identity proves to be insecure, unstable, and leads to a lack of flourishing. In contrast, a Christian view of authenticity provides stability and security and leads to the possibility of flourishing in this life as well as for eternity. There is a …

Consumer Perception Of Sport Event Sponsors, Omar Olando Brown

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore sport consumer’s perceptions of sport event sponsors, specifically concerning the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. This quantitative research surveyed 119 participants, employing a 24-questions survey instrument composed of Likert type and demographic questions. The data was analyzed to answer three specific research questions. The analysis of the data indicated although respondents fully supported the Olympics and believed athletes are using the product they endorsed, they believed the products must be beneficial to athletes. The findings also indicated respondents felt it was necessary for companies to support the Olympics, however they did not find …

Emotional Re-Engagement After Deployments: Using Attachment Principles With Relationship Resources For Post-Deployment Relational Enhancement, Rob Fasnacht

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The understanding of attachment theory helps one to overcome personal and relational problems that are exacerbated by past traumas. This thesis project focused on how long durations of separations, especially in a military setting, may trigger symptoms from past traumas, which may impede relational secure attachments to friends and family. A survey was crafted and answered by over 100 adults, including military members, military dependents, and non-military civilians. The results were analyzed to discover how often people were separated from loved ones, the length that perhaps caused problems, and the feelings that developed. A literary review of books and scholastic …

A Phenomenological Study: The Quest For God In An Epoch Of Distraction, Todd Marcy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Distraction happens to everyone at some point in time. Diverted attention while driving can have serious consequences, and being sidetracked while talking on the cellphone can cause one to forget where the car keys were laid down at home. Distraction at church during a worship service can affect one’s relationship with God and others. Personal motivations, pre-existing conditions, and duration of time contribute to how a person will interact with a disturbance of attention; likewise, factors of biology, technology, values, and mores can influence the power of partial attention. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to examine the lived …

Differences Of Mean Scores On The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (Psat) For Classical Christian Schools Compared To Non-Classical Christian Schools, Christy Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian education continues to play an important role in our society. The purpose of the present quantitative study is to compare mean scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) compared between Classical Christian schools and non-Classical Christian schools to see if there are any significant differences in selected areas of academic performance. Classical Christian schools are defined as private schools employing a distinct Christ-centered pedagogy with an emphasis on the Greco-Roman Trivium. Non-Classical Christian schools are defined as private schools with a Christ-centered pedagogy with no emphasis on the Greco-Roman Trivium. A causal-comparative study was conducted to measure archival …

The Relationship Between Mobile Learning And Academic Achievement In A Community College System Online Environment, Daniel Grenier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study poses the question: Is there a relationship between student use of mobile technology in an online environment and student achievement expressed by final grades? The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between mobile learning (m-learning) using mobile technology and academic achievement in terms of final grades in an online environment. The literature on m-learning indicates the freedom and flexibility of the m-learner constitutes a new paradigm in education. The untethered nature of m-learning means students can access course content anywhere, anytime. Studies have focused on the use of specific technologies in learning environments; this study …

Connecting The Church Beyond Prison Ministry: Transitioning The Discipled Prisoner Into A Discipleship Community, Joyce Weathers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The prison population in the United States surpasses all other countries on a per capita basis. The number of released inmates, who return to prison (recidivism) is staggering. In-prison Christian discipleship programs have successfully transitioned parolees into the free world, but little research has been done to confirm a standard practice for the transition process. Theories abound from clergy and laity alike; yet apathy and fear remain persistent deterrents. The church is confronted with a biblical mandate to assist the incarcerated (Matt. 25:36) and to make disciples (Matt. 28:19). By addressing the current concerns of church and prison ministry leaders, …

High Academic Achievement For Adolescents In Blended And Stepfamilies: A Heuristic Inquiry, Vernette Gilbreath

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this heuristic study is to understand the lived experiences (i.e., values, attitudes, and practices) of 10 biological parents in blended and stepfamilies in which at least one child experienced high academic achievement at the middle school and high school level. Building on dynamic systems theory and educational resilience theory as theoretical underpinnings, this qualitative study seeks to answer the following central research question: What are the values, practices, and attitudes experienced by biological parents in blended and stepfamily units that contribute to high academic achievement for adolescents in these families? Participants living in the Southeastern area of …

Ipads In Preschools: A Collective Case Study About Tablet Technology In Subsidized Preschool Programs, Dean Tagawa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Preschool children today will not remember a time when there were no smartphones, laptops, or iPads. The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges and benefits of implementing tablet technology for early education teachers that work in subsidized preschool programs. Tablet utilization in preschool classrooms was generally defined as how teachers from five different classrooms utilize tablet technology to enhance the instructional programs for children in subsidized preschool programs. The setting for this study was five early education centers in a large urban school district. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, …

A Case Study To Understand Global Awareness Among A Christian Homeschooling Group, Bobo Beck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to document and describe how Christian home educators addressed global awareness in their homeschool curriculum as part of a home education network in a large northeastern city in the United States. My primary research question had to do with how Christian home educators addressed global awareness in their curriculum. There were four sub-questions pertaining to the specifics of addressing global awareness in the homeschool context. The questions were as follows: RQ1 How are Christian home educators implementing 21st Century Skills for Learning?; RQ2 What methods do Christian home educators use to address global …

A Phenomenological Study Of Teacher-To-Student Technology-Mediated Communication In Secondary Virtual School Environments, Sherry Ashe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe teacher experiences of teacher-to-student technology-mediated communication (TMC) in secondary virtual school (VS) environments in Alabama. The central research question for this study was: How do virtual school teachers in Alabama describe their experiences of teacher-to-student technology-mediated communication in secondary virtual school environments? Five sub-questions were also used: (1) How does technology-mediated communication meet the needs of individual teachers? (2) How does technology-mediated communication lead to better work performance? (3) How do teachers describe characteristics of the tasks that must be performed? (4) How do teachers describe characteristics of the technology …

The Lived Experiences Of Secondary School Parents In Raising Responsible Digital Citizens In A One-To-One Learning Environment, Gabriel Guven

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As technology use increases among adolescents both in and out of school, parents face the new challenge of teaching their children to successfully navigate learning in a digital world. A review of the existing literature provided a history of both the benefits and risks of one-to-one learning. Research revealed a lack of parent voice. The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to look at the experiences of 10 parents whose students had access to one-to-one technology required or provided for educational purposes at a private, faith-based secondary school in California. Baumrind’s (1967, 1968) parenting style theory and Potter’s (2004) …