Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Relationships Among The Cognitive, Emotional, Social, And Physical Domains Of Listening-Related Fatigue For U.S. Adults Between The Ages Of 30 And 50 With Hearing Loss, Nichole Marie Wooton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adults with hearing loss (AHL) frequently report high levels of listening-related fatigue (LrF). This has mainly been attributed to the increased biopsychosocial demands involved in communication efforts for those with hearing loss (HL). Such fatigue can be measured objectively using the Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale for Adults (VFS-A-40) (Hornsby et al., 2021a). This quantitative survey study explored the relationships among gender, type of HL, and socioeconomic status (SES) and their complex connections among the four domains as defined by the VFS-A-40: cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. Using an online survey method, this research employed a strictly quantitative design to examine differences …

Fire, Covenant, Redemption: Biblical Fire Imagery And Covenant In The Bible, Tony O'Neal Hinton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Understanding biblical signs and symbolism is essential for recognizing how God communicated and interacted with both the original people of the Bible and the modern church. A lack of this knowledge can often lead to misinterpretation of Scripture or the adoption of a false perception when the original context is neglected. From Genesis to Revelation, signs and symbols typically convey either literal or metaphorical meanings. Numerous passages throughout the Bible demonstrate that God used fire as a tool for various purposes. In fact, the King James Version records the term “fire” over 500 times, underscoring its prominence throughout Scripture. Fire …

Exploring Student Perceptions Of Higher-Education Social Media Presence: A Qualitative Descriptive Study Through The Lens Of The Theory Of Interactive Media Effects, Bobby Mikel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As higher-education institutions (HEIs) compete for prospective students in an increasingly saturated digital environment, effective communication on social media has become both essential and challenging. Guided by the cybernetic communication tradition and the theory of interactive media effects (TIME), this qualitative descriptive study explored how students perceived and engaged with social media content produced by HEIs. The study utilized a qualitative survey to explore students’ perceptions of social media content produced by an HEI in the southeastern United States. Additionally, a content analysis of social media posts was conducted to examine how the HEI engages with students. Findings revealed that …

Evaluating Perceived Ease Of Use Of Augmented Reality In Aviation Maintenance: A Technology Acceptance Model Approach, Russell Quenten Gardner Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examines the perceived ease of use (PEU) of augmented reality (AR) technology among two key groups: aviation maintenance students, representing workforce readiness, and professional aircraft maintenance technicians, representing field expertise. This approach offers a comprehensive understanding of AR’s role in maintenance training by accounting for varying levels of participant experience. Addressing the need for innovative methods to improve task accuracy, efficiency, and knowledge retention, this study emphasizes user acceptance as a critical factor for AR adoption. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this research investigates how technician experience influences perceptions of AR’s usability and whether PEU …

Male Post-Secondary Students’ Experiences With Social Isolation Enrolled In Online Classes: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Patrick Ide

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of male post-secondary students enrolled in a large university in the western part of the United States who have felt socially isolated while participating in an online learning environment. At this stage of the research, social isolation was defined as the state of being distant or disconnected from others with limited or no in-person connections. The central research question is: What are the lived experiences of male post-secondary students enrolled in online academic programs who have experienced social isolation? Sub-questions addressed the level of connectedness and how …

Human Resources Impact On Person-Environment Fit And Job Performance: A Single Case Study Design, Constance J. Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Person-environment (PE) fit is central to the interactional psychology (IP) theory, which is the behavioral consequences of the interface between individuals and their environment. According to both PE fit and IP theories, employee motivation, job satisfaction, and job performance are enhanced when individuals are compatible with various aspects of the workplace. In this single-subject, bounded case study, the researcher explored HR’s influence on job performance and person-organization, person-job, and person-supervisor fit. The sole participant is a subject matter expert with over 35 years of experience in HR-related fields. The study procedures consisted of four interview sessions, an observational/field study, and …

A Case Study Exploring Lecanemab Antibody Infusion And Reminiscence Therapy For Early Alzheimer’S Disease, Martina Masry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study examined whether a 12-month combined therapy (RT-L), which includes reminiscence therapy and lecanemab monoclonal antibody infusion therapy, will clear beta amyloid accumulation in the brain, slow cognitive decline, decrease depression, reduce anxiety, and increase the quality of life in a participant with mild cognitive impairment due to early Alzheimer’s dementia. The sample included one White female (age = 68) with mild cognitive impairment due to early Alzheimer’s disease who is currently being treated by a geriatrician at a facility in the Midwest. The outpatient treatment included a lecanemab antibody infusion of 10mg/kg every two weeks for 12 …

Exploring The Fusion Of Technological Innovation And Education Among Higher Education Faculty Leaders In Distance Learning Programs: A Phenomenological Study, Jimmy Alexander Gomez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the influence of using emerging technologies on student learning outcomes for emergent faculty leaders at the College of Excellence in the Southwestern United States. The technological pedagogical content knowledge theory guided this study. The Central Research Question guiding this study was: What are the lived experiences of higher education faculty leaders influencing the use of emerging technologies to support student learning in distance learning programs? The integration of emerging technologies on student learning outcomes was generally defined as how new technologies can change student outcomes. The study included 10 emergent …

The Positive Influence Of Minority Male Educators: A Phenomenological Study On Their Role And Necessity In Education, Mark V. Sanders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examined the perceptions and experiences of minority male students in their educational journeys, focusing on the influence of teacher familiarity and cultural awareness. Teacher familiarity referred to shared cultural backgrounds, lived experiences, and relational accessibility that fostered meaningful connections between students and educators. Cultural awareness was examined in relation to minority male educators, who comprised less than 3% of the national educator workforce. Guided by Tinto’s Student Retention Theory, the study explored how academic and social integration influenced student retention and success. The central research question was: What were the experiences of minority male college students regarding …

Culturally Relevant Project-Based Learning: A Quasi-Experimental Study Of The Effect Of Playwriting Instruction On Student Perceptions Of School Racial Climate, Gerald W. Aungst

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental posttest-only nonequivalent control group study with matched comparison groups was to determine if any differences exist in perceptions of school racial climate in four areas—quality of interaction, promotion of cultural competence, cultural socialization, and critical consciousness socialization—among middle-school students receiving culturally relevant project-based writing instruction, standard project-based writing instruction, and traditional writing instruction when controlling for prior English language arts achievement. A convenience sample of at 83 middle school students in two urban schools in Pennsylvania were given project-based playwriting instruction by a nonprofit arts organization. One similar school served as a control. Student …

Millennials, Work Motivation, And Leadership Transition, Ngozi Maduagwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The workforce has evolved and this path was accelerated by the aftermath of the global COVID pandemic starting 2019. Traditionalist and Baby Boomer employees have been rapidly transitioning out of the workforce, which has created a need to find motivated workers and leaders to fill vacated positions. Millennials have been surveyed for their potential to fill these leadership vacuums, yet the research suggested that they present differently from other generational cohorts in terms of their motivation to work and their motivation to lead in the workplace. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine whether any relationship could …

Exploring The Perceptions Of Community College Leaders: Active Learning Strategies For Enhancing Student Engagement And Learning Outcomes, Bradley Robbins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to understand the perceptions of community college leaders about active learning strategies and their role in implementing these strategies on the campus of a rural community college in the east-central region of a southern state in the United States. The theory guiding this study is the self determination theory by Deci and Ryan as it frames the exploration within the fundamental psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The central research question of this study is: What do community college leaders perceive about active learning strategies and their impact on student learning outcomes? …

A Predictive Correlational Design Study To Explore Secondary Student Self-Efficacy And School Refusal, Danielle L. Holmes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational design study was to examine the predictive ability of self-reported self-efficacy beliefs and school refusal behavioral functions on secondary students’ attendance percentages. This study was critical because there needs to be a better understanding of the causes of school refusal and successful interventions for school refusal, since students with disabilities who engage in their education as adolescents become more successful adults. The sample was comprised of 110 secondary students with disabilities, aged 12–17, attending secondary schools within the ABC School District in a western state of the United States. Data were collected using …

Training Timothy: An Analysis Of Discipleship And Leadership Development In Multicultural Churches, Philip Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As America’s social and cultural landscape continues to diversify, churches face the challenge of fostering contextually relevant, biblically grounded communities characterized by unity in Christ. Church leaders play a crucial role in this process by articulating a shared mission that transcends humanistic cultural differences and working towards a unifying biblical culture, based on a common understanding and vocabulary. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine how church leaders were selected, developed, and mobilized in Protestant multicultural churches in America to create a unifying biblical culture through biblical discipleship in a multicultural context. For this study, discipleship was …

Left Of The Boom: Addressing Burnout Before It Occurs, William S.D. Vernon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined healthcare burnout, focusing on both organizational and individual factors that contribute to it, as well as mitigation strategies. Healthcare burnout increases the risk of harm to healthcare workers as well as their patients. Participants of the study included healthcare workers with direct experience in burnout. The aim was to understand their personal experiences, the actions, both individual and organizational, that contribute to burnout, and the methods that have been used with varying success to address it. The study also explored the connection between self-determination theory and the areas-of-work-life model, along with participants’ insights into contributing actions and …

Ancient Astronaut Theory And Christian Belief Among Evangelical Millennials: A Quantitative Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study, Richard Barry Bazzell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, exploratory, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was to explore the possible influence of the Ancient Astronaut Theory upon Evangelical Christian millennials in the aspects of their biblical worldview, belief in the triune God, and Christian praxis. The researcher structured the study upon four pillars: (a) Evangelical millennials, (b) Evangelical theology, (c) Lev Vygotsky’s social constructivism, and (d) Eric Von Däniken’s Ancient Astronaut Theory. The study population was Evangelical millennials in the state of Texas. The study’s instrumentation was a researcher-designed 5-point Likert scale survey titled Ancient Astronaut Theory–Evangelical Christian Millennials (AAT–ECM). Because the respondents were fewer in …

Exploring The Relationship Between Becoming A Parent, Goal Orientation, And Productivity, Among Self-Employed Entrepreneurs, Andrew Dean East

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study explored the relationship between parenting status and goal orientation and productivity among self-employed entrepreneurs. Using a sample of 471 participants, the study compared entrepreneurs with and without children under five years of age living at home to examine group differences, relational patterns, and potential moderation effects. No statistically significant differences were found in goal orientation or productivity between parents and non-parents, indicating that early-stage parenting does not inherently hinder these traits. However, a small but statistically significant positive correlation was observed between goal orientation and productivity, suggesting that individuals with higher internal motivation reported slightly greater productivity, …

The Current State Of Islamic Extremism, Barkot G. Biniyam

Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy

Transnational Islamic Jihadists, particularly ISIS and Al-Qaida, have increased propaganda and recruitment efforts in an attempt to mobilize affiliates to increase attacks on overseas and domestic U.S. targets. There will likely be a steady increase in attacks on U.S. personnel and entities. Salafi Jihadist organizations, particularly ISIS and Al-Qaida, have increased mobilization and recruitment efforts since the fall of the ISIS caliphate in 2019. These terrorist groups have an expressed intent to conduct attacks on U.S. soil and overseas interests. Terrorist groups have exploited ongoing conflicts and power shifts in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa to remobilize a …

Chinese Communist Party Infiltration Of U.S. Pacific Islands: Protecting American National Security Through Defending Strategic Pacific Assets, Contessa Amedore

Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy

Many Americans picture the U.S.’s Western most border to be the coast of California. However, when threats have historically formed in the Pacific, U.S. Pacific Island territories have served as the nation’s first line of defense. Today, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have slowly but ambitiously deployed new age or ‘unrestricted’ warfare tactics against the United States and allies in their long awaited plan to assume global hegemony. Their illegal infiltration and psychological operations have gone past Taipei and reached American soil in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. This paper examines how the (CCP) uses unrestricted warfare …

Letter From The Editors, Adam Opp, Joshua Harden, Matthew Mccracken, Kaeli Rasnake

Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Event Conclusion, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

The Sport Leadership Summit (SLS) provided emerging sport professionals an opportunity to engage with industry leaders. Participants learned to identify best practices and applied relevant research while developing meaningful relationships with other sport professionals. Speakers came from a variety of organizations and addressed current industry topics. The SLS included panel discussions, keynote speakers, research presentations, and professional development sessions focused on equipping students for the next phases of their career development.

Flipping Commitments - Exploring Factors Behind College Football Recruiting De-Commitments, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

While recruiting de-commitments are widely reported in the media, there is little scholarly research on their causes and implications. This study will help fill that gap by analyzing the factors influencing de-commitments in Power Four football.

Social Media Behaviors & In-Person Attendance - A Mixed-Methods Study Of Small-Market Nba Teams, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study examines how social media behavior influences attendance at small-market NBA games. Social media behavior is categorized into two areas: marketing and fan engagement. The rationale stems from the inconsistency in attendance among small-market teams and the lack of research focused on these markets. Understanding how digital engagement affects live attendance can help teams refine their marketing strategies and boost ticket sales.

Social Media Marketing And Fan Engagement - A Quantitative Study Of Nba Strategies, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study investigates how different forms of social media marketing—specifically pictures, graphics, and reels—impact fan engagement in the NBA. As digital platforms increasingly replace traditional media, understanding which strategies most effectively engage fans is crucial for sports organizations. The study is grounded in existing research and uses Instagram analytics to assess engagement metrics, offering practical insights for marketing teams.

Televised Youth Sport And Athlete Well-Being - A Study Of The Little League World Series, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study analyzes the commercialization of the Little League World Series (LLWS) and its psychological effects on young athletes, including stress, identity, and enjoyment. The rationale stems from growing concerns about media pressure and public attention on children in sport. The study is ethical, feasible, and valuable for understanding how televised youth events may impact athlete well-being and development.

The Shifting Landscape Of Ncaa Recruiting - Nil's Impact On Division 1 Football In Mid-Major Schools, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

This study examines how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies have reshaped recruiting outcomes at mid-major NCAA Division I football programs. The rationale is to understand how mid-major schools can leverage NIL opportunities to compete with Power Four institutions by building local partnerships and customized athlete branding, despite having fewer resources and less media exposure.

Sport Leadership Summit Summary, Liberty University

Sport Leadership Summit

Monday, October 27, 2025

8:45 – 9:10 a.m. – Check-In

9:15 – 11:45 a.m. – Panel Discussions

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch & Keynote

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Research: Oral Presentations

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Panel Discussions

4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Wrap-Up

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

8:45 – 9:10 a.m. – Check-In

9:15 – 11:45 a.m. – Panel Discussions

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch & Keynote

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Research: Poster Presentations

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Panel Discussions

4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Wrap-Up

The Dinosaur Trials, Ashley Brooke Allen

Masters Theses

This thesis presents dinosaurs as a thematic craft element in fiction. The research portion of the thesis project describes dinosaur fiction as a genre and surveys key works of dinosaur fiction. It focuses on how the genre’s literary tradition established thematic precedent for fictional dinosaurs. The thesis highlights dinosaurs as characters and symbols while tracing the development of tropes and expectations within dinosaur fiction. It also acknowledges a potential limitation in the genre where science fiction elements constrain the creative and thematic potential of fictional dinosaurs. In response to this limitation, the thesis argues for new fantasy genre installments of …

The Impact Of X On Economic Policy Communication, Ray Harris Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates how U.S. presidential candidates use the platform X (formerly Twitter) to frame and communicate their economic policy during the election campaign period. The research uses a quantitative content analysis method to select candidates' posts and systematically examine the frequency and patterns of economic themes posted by the candidates, drawing from the agenda-setting and framing theories. Moreover, this study aims to measure audience engagement (likes, reposts, comments) to see which message strategy resonates best. The literature review underlines how this media tool can direct political communication and influence public opinion on significant issues. Existing research lacks a systematic …

Strange And Weird Tales: H.P. Lovecraft And Horror In American History, Serafin Hector Matthews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Author Howard Phillips (H.P.) Lovecraft (1890-1937) of Rhode Island was a transformative figure in American fiction. Hailed by one modern writer as “the twentieth-century horror story’s dark and baroque prince,” Lovecraft wrote over sixty-five works of fiction representing—alongside Clark Ashton Smith, Robert Bloch, and David H. Keller—“the golden age of weird fiction.” Lovecraft, however, enjoyed only modest commercial success during his lifetime, writing for amateur journals and pulp magazines such as The Vagrant, Amazing Stories, and Weird Tales. Most of his stories, then, were not published in hardcover or paperback form until after his death, including what many literary critics …