Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Essence Of The Experience: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Students' Engagement With Gamification In Higher Education Asynchronous Courses, Pamela L. Huntington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the nuanced academic lived experiences of students engaging in online asynchronous gamification activities at Central Valley Community College District (CVCCD), a mid-sized community college located in California’s Central Valley. The theory guiding this study is Landers’ theory of gamified learning as it provides a framework for understanding how the intentional integration of game elements, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, can influence learning-related behaviors and attitudes, aligning directly with the study’s focus on how gamification impacts student motivation, engagement, and cognitive experiences in asynchronous online discussions. The central research question …

Notifying The Public In Crisis Situations, Deborah Jean Link

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The messages that are provided to the public when there is an imminent or ongoing crisis are of extreme value to individuals, primarily to have information by which to base decisions upon. The sense of urgency during imminent or ongoing crisis is the factor that differentiates the need for information about the crisis from the need for information for other types of events. There is messaging during other, less critical types of incidents, but often there is little to no messaging to the public at a time when it is most needed and sought after, during a crisis. Erik J. …

Passing The Torch: Evaluating Documentation Quality And Its Impact On Nurses’ Perceptions Of Communication Across Va Care Transitions, Shannon Collier Baker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Effective communication during transitions of care is crucial to ensuring patient safety and optimizing outcomes. However, current practices may fall short in supporting clear and comprehensive communication among healthcare providers, particularly during complex care transitions involving Veterans who have received targeted care coordination intervention outside of their primary Patient Aligned Care Team. The absence of standardized tools for handoff documentation exacerbates fragmented communication and ambiguity about the transfer of care management responsibilities, potentially leading to avoidable errors and care coordination failures. This project aimed to investigate nurses' perceptions of the adequacy of communication during the transition of moderate to complex …

Visio Dei, Vision Pro: Beatific Vision And Technological Singularity, John Paul Arceno

Liberty Theological Review

This paper offers a retrieval of the classical Christian theology of beatific vision. The reason behind this is the challenges posed by the progress of digital technology, including Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and robotics, which are prevalent today. This rapid progress somehow threatens the classical view of beatific vision with its version of technological singularity. Hence, the retrieval of the beatific vision, which is grounded in divine ontology, is much needed. The paper is divided into three parts: (1) Visio Dei, which discusses the doctrine of beatific vision, (2) Vision Pro, which discusses technological singularity, and (3) conclusion, which …

The Marriage Metaphor Of Jesus And The Samaritan Woman: A New Interpretative Reading Of John 4:1-45, Bao B. Vang

Liberty Theological Review

This paper explores the marriage metaphor in John 4:1–45, arguing that Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman is a symbolic representation of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Through an exegetical analysis of the text, the study examines key elements such as the double entendre of the well motif, living water, and the concept of worship. The results of this study reveal the depth of John's narrative strategy in intentionally presenting Jesus as the Messianic Bridegroom, illustrated through his explicit use of Old Testament marriage motifs. The study concludes that the episode of Jesus and the Samaritan woman functions …

A Bilingual Jesus: Assessing Evidence In The Gospels, Jordan Lavender

Liberty Theological Review

This article examines issues of the historical Jesus’ linguistic proficiency, particularly in Greek, while providing an analysis of the use of other languages as well. Looking at recent studies on language use in Greco-Roman Palestine and new conceptualizations of multilingualism, the analysis seeks to clarify the languages used by Jesus. This study examines several case studies from the Gospels including the Aramaic sayings of Jesus, found primarily in Mark, a section of the Beatitudes in the Q material found in Lk 6:20–21, and the Lord’s Prayer in Q, with these theoretical frameworks in mind. It concludes that Jesus likely used …

Don't Say You Love Me, Breanna Dunwell

Masters Theses

Teen dating violence is a silent epidemic that is not talked about enough or taken seriously. This shows that age does not matter when it comes to any type of abuse or harassment – physical, emotional, sexual, stalking, etc. The household that the victim lives in, race, parents marital status, and financial situation do not play a role into who is a victim versus someone who is not. The perpetrator does not care about those kinds of details. They only care about needing to be in control of the other person. Even though this is a snippet, the story shows …

The Influence Of School Closing Mandates On Student Performance During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study, Cody Ryan Ratliff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this embedded single case study was to describe the lack of student needs support during the COVID-19 pandemic for parents of middle school students at a county board of education in West Virginia. (Chiwona et al., 2020; Devereux et al., 2020; Dunn et al., 2020). The theory guiding this study was Abraham Maslow’s (1943) theory on the hierarchy of needs, which demonstrated an impact on student performance. This qualitative single-case study utilized an embedded approach. The central research question this study aimed to answer was to describe how a lack of necessary resources affected students during the …

Pigs For The Dispossessed Goat Demon: Jesus’ Exorcism In Mark 5 And Animal Interest, Michael Joseph Gossett

Masters Theses

This thesis explores how a historical-literal reading of Mark 5:1-20 can be defended against objections that claim Jesus caused or allowed unnecessary animal suffering. Contextual insights gleaned from 2nd Temple Watchers Traditions and Greco-Roman polytheism illuminate plausible symbolic value present in the deaths of the Gerasene swine. The context of Mark 5:1-20 presents a supernatural conflict compatible with Christian theology and rebel angel theodicies. Jesus’ actions concerning the Gerasene pigs are not necessarily unjustifiable examples of animal mistreatment.

Building Culture And Enhancing Patient Safety: A Readability Analysis Of Internal Healthcare Communications, Trevor M. Kinsey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Effective internal communication is essential to creating a shared organizational safety culture, improving knowledge diffusion, and delivering high quality patient care. This study examined the readability of internal healthcare communications, including policies, procedures, and internal newsletter articles, at a mid-sized healthcare system in Michigan. Readability significantly influences cognitive load, information retention, and knowledge diffusion. Poor readability hinders these items, limiting engagement and knowledge transfer. By utilizing established readability tools, including the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level scales, this quantitative, cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether internal healthcare documents meet the readability standards recommended by the American Medical Association. …

An Exegesis Of Matthew 18:15-17 And The Hermeneutical Challenges Of Unrepentant Sexual Immorality, Jennifer Morris

Masters Theses

Sexual immorality (πορνεία) is mentioned twenty-five times in the New Testament. In one of the earliest cases of church discipline, Paul addresses a particular example of sexual immorality, namely incest, where a member of the Corinthian church is engaging in consensual sexual relations with his father’s wife (1 Cor. 5, New International Version).¹ Church discipline can be viewed with a negative connotation; however, disciples of Christ understand He rebukes and disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19) through His Word (“rebuking” and “correcting” in 2 Tim 3:16).² Thus, the scriptural basis for church discipline practices are the …

Where Words Fail Music Speaks: A Qualitative Exploration Of Uses And Gratification Theory And How Music Influences College Students In Their Daily Productivity, Relationships And Self-Perception, Abagayil E. Hatt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The dissertation project explores the music consumption of college students aged 18 - 24 and its influence on them. The study focus is how music impacts daily productivity-related decisions, relationships, and self-perception. Through ZOOM interviews and personal logs, this qualitative dissertation explored the influence music has on college students aged 18 – 24. This study contributes to the field of communication by revealing how music influences young adults’ communication, decisions, and identity. This study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of how music shapes behavior and identity.

A Diversity Dilemma: A Qualitative Research Study On The Past And Present Racial And Cultural Demographics Of Formal Music Education Students, Destiny Deberry Stone-King

Masters Theses

This thesis study examined the relationship between the preference for popular music, racial identity, and the decision to participate in school music courses and ensembles, aiming to understand how the interaction of these factors influences the demographics of music students. The researcher analyzed previous research on music preference, the history of music education in the United States, commentary on the music education system, and personal accounts of music educators and former music students. The researcher used a historical qualitative research design and meta-analysis to answer three research questions: 1) How does a musician’s racial identity, musical preference, and musical training …

A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Single Mothers With Depression In Christian Counseling, Julie Adeline Bliss

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The population of single mothers in the United States continues to grow, whether due to widowhood, divorce, or failed relationships. It is common for single mothers to face many obstacles due to balancing life and parenthood alone. Due to these obstacles, single mothers are at a heightened risk for depression. Themes identified in current research consist of single mothers experiencing poor physical and mental health, life stressors such as financial hardships/poverty, unstable housing, inconsistent employment, behavioral and cognitive problems in their children, religious/spiritual (R/S) interventions, along with the connection of mental health and religious or spiritual beliefs. Current studies have …

Investigating The Role Of Student-Instructor Connectedness And Student Thriving In Living A Calling, Whitney Claire Cranford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study explored student-instructor connectedness and student thriving as predictors of living a calling for graduates of four-year higher education institutions. It also investigated which aspect of student thriving - academic, emotional, or social - is most predictive of living a calling. While research addresses these variables individually, limited research has been conducted to address their interconnection and the results for four-year higher education graduates. All variables were measured using established scales. The mixed-method approach encompassed qualitative data from surveys and quantitative data from interviews with graduates of four-year higher education institutions. A total of 79 participants were recruited …

Catholic Action At War: Prayer, Study, And Action In The National Catholic Welfare Conference Bulletin, 1939-1945, William Vician

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study of the Roman Catholic Church in America during the twentieth century focuses on the Second Vatican Council’s (1962-1965) massive social changes and reactions, often minimizing the importance of the social and political forces of the preceding decades. The most significant of these forces was the Second World War (1939-1945), in which the nation’s twenty million Catholics participated in roles both on the battlefront and the home front. The Catholic Church that met the challenge of the war effort was increasingly led by the National Catholic Welfare Conference, the forebear of today’s United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The …

Navigating The Digital Impression: A Grounded Theory Exploration Of Impression Management, Personal Social Media Curation, Cybervetting, And Whole-Person Hiring In The Hiring Process, Stacey G. Benson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The interaction between job seekers and hiring managers within the social media space was examined through this grounded theory research. Undergraduate college students training to work in local Christian organizations and the hiring managers seeking to hire them were the two participant types who provided the rich data for this study. Study participants included 22 undergraduate students nearing graduation from a Christian university (in 3 focus groups) and 17 hiring managers from Christian churches and organizations who participated in individual interviews. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. The study gathered data from both groups to discern how …

Exploring The Decision-Making And Implementation Process Of Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices In Predominantly Native American Schools: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Christine Fitzgerald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the decision-making processes of principals when implementing culturally responsive leadership practices in schools with predominantly Native American populations. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this study frames the influences on decision-making behaviors through a social systems framework. A decolonizing framework for Indigenous evaluation was employed, recognizing Indigenous ways of knowledge creation and understanding. This qualitative study answers the central research question: What are the decision-making experiences of K-12 principals when implementing culturally responsive leadership practices in schools with high Native American populations? Purposeful criterion sampling was used to select eight …

A Study Of The Impact Of The Impostor Syndrome On Women Of Color In Leadership Roles In Predominantly White Institutions, Alecia M. Ho-Sang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the emotional, spiritual, and physical ramifications of impostor syndrome on women of color in leadership roles within predominantly white institutions using social cognitive theory. The impostor syndrome was coined in 1978 by psychologists Suzanne Inmes and Pauline Rose Clance (Clance & Imes, 1978, p. 241). It is the experience of individuals who, despite possessing the qualifications for esteemed positions, attribute their achievements to sheer luck. Benefitting from diverse social and organizational theories, including achievement goal theory and social identity theory, this study draws on social cognitive theory. It illustrates the multifaceted impact of environmental, behavioral, …

Examining Literacy Habits, Reading Attitudes, And Literacy Perceptions Of College-Educated Black Men: A Case Study, Turkesshia D. Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-case qualitative study was to explore the literacy attitudes, reading habits, and literacy perceptions of college-educated Black men in North Carolina. The theory guiding this study is Freire’s Critical Literacy Theory (CLT). CLT supports educators in providing critical pedagogy, which includes critical thinking and critical text analysis. Participants in this study viewed literacy as a valuable life skill. They felt they would have had more positive literacy experiences during their K-12 schooling if they received culturally relevant and culturally responsive instruction. The central research question for the case study was: How do college-educated Black men describe …

Vulnerable Student Populations’ Understanding Of Title Ix, Campus Support, And Supportive Resources: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, April Lynn Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutical phenomenological study examined how vulnerable student populations on college campuses perceived Title IX, campus support, and campus resources. The theory guiding this study is Homans’s social exchange theory, which connects the three pillars of rules, resources, and social relationships. The connection between the theory and the study is that while Title IX has guidelines established to support students after a campus sexual assault, the guidelines do not mean much if a student who has experienced a campus sexual assault is unsure of the support and resources that are available to them. While social exchange theory highlighted the rules, …

A Qualitative Study On Retention And Engagement At A Private Historically Black College And University Among First-Year African American Students From Rural Communities, Miquelle Latoine Fields

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how the intersection of rural culture and race influences the lived experiences of first-year African American students at a private Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Moustakas's theory on phenomenological research methods, based on Husserl's transcendental phenomenology framework, guided the study. The research focused on how cultural context intersects with the lived experiences of first-year African American students from rural areas. It examined how this diversity affects their retention and engagement at a private HBCU. The central research question was: How do the lived experiences of first-year African American college students …

Understanding How The Spiritual Formation Process Has Been Affected In A Post-Covid 19 World, Matthew E. Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The need for community is essential in the life of the believer. Without a solid community, a believer may fall into isolation and even driven away from God instead of closer to Him. Psychologists have stated that community impacts human cognitive and moral development. James Fowler takes this a step further, outlined a believer’s stages of faith compared to human development. These levels of development directly impact the spiritual formation process in the life of a believer and demonstrate the vital role it plays in the believer’s life. Discipleship remains an important tool for helping a believer move through these …

Changing Hearts And Minds: Educating Medical Students To Transform Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Organ Donation, Matilin G. Rigsby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The national organ shortage is exacerbated by physicians who, contrary to federal mandates, do not refer patients with organ donation potential in a timely fashion. Whereas United States medical school curricula widely omit organ donation-related topics, literature demonstrates that educating future physicians significantly improves those students’ ability to understand and positively perceive donation, influencing their willingness to refer donor candidates. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if an educational module among fourth-year medical students at Texas A&M University College of Medicine Dallas Campus affects those students’ perceived knowledge and attitudes toward organ donation. The researcher administered a …

Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Impact Digital Consumption Has On Adolescent Cognitive And Behavioral Abilities: A Case Study, Latisha Lambert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand student digital consumption and its potential implications on cognitive and behavioral development at a suburban middle school in Southeastern United States. The study was guided by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and Veblen’s technological determinism theory, providing a dual lens for examining how environmental modeling and societal shifts in technology influence student learning and behavior. The study utilized a single-site embedded case study design. Ten middle school teachers from various grade levels and subject areas participated. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and teacher journaling. NVivo coding was used to identify …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Indirect Impact Of Killings Of Unarmed African Americans By Police On African American Women, Deantonie E. Price

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the indirect impact of police killings of unarmed African Americans on the mental and emotional well-being of African American women. This research aimed to fill a significant gap in the literature, which has been largely overlooked by focusing on the specific experiences of African American women. The central research question explored how these women articulated and experienced the emotional and psychological effects of police killings within their communities. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to explore the complexities of individuals' perceptions, emotions, and lived experiences. Data collection included in-depth interviews, a …

Inclusion May Affect Marching Band Members Of Black Universities Differently Than Members Of White Universities: Narrative Inquiry: A Case Study, Derrick K. Yates

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a lack of research on the emotional connection and support students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities may seek through their band experience versus students of Predominantly White Institutions. Some studies demonstrate that those who participate in music ensembles express heightened self-esteem, a sense of connectedness, and a positive impact on their mental and psychological well-being. This narrative inquiry research study focuses on the unexplored perspectives of three band members from historically black and three predominantly white university marching bands, regarding their emotional connections to their programs and the emotional connections and support they receive from them. The …

Immersive Learning In Higher Education: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jamel R. Pittman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of implementing immersive learning technologies in virtual environments for higher education faculty at Coastal Bay University. Guided by constructivist learning theory, which emphasizes the construction of knowledge through firsthand experiences, this study explored how faculty designed and implemented immersive learning environments to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Data were collected through interviews, journal prompts, and a focus group with faculty from various disciplines. The findings revealed that immersive learning technologies enhanced student engagement, promoted critical thinking, and facilitated the real-world application of knowledge. Faculty participants also highlighted …

Sexual And Relationship Satisfaction Among Monogamous Heterosexual Married Female Survivors Of Primary Caregiver Childhood Sexual Abuse, Andrea K. Diaz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood sexual abuse can have devastating lifelong impacts for children who were abused by a primary caregiver. Research shows links to a gamut of adverse risks including physical health problems, intimate partner violence and revictimization, mental health concerns, interrupted life roles, interpersonal relationship attachment, sexuality, communication, and social support issues. Many studies are limited in delineating sexual orientation and relationship status. Despite significant research related to childhood sexual abuse, a gap in the literature exists. The presented qualitative phenomenological study sought to understand sexual and relationship satisfaction among monogamous heterosexual female survivors of primary caregiver childhood sexual abuse within the …

Pass It On: Developing Children's Identity With Biblical Storytelling At First Baptist Church Of Sanford, Caleb Mccord

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In a culture where many youths are not only leaving the church but also facing psychological issues like identity crises, it is important that children develop their identity as God’s Word prescribes rather than the preference-based identities pushed by secular parties. To best ensure this development, then it is essential that children receive biblical storytelling from both the church and also the parents at home, the latter of which is underutilized in many modern Christian homes. This thesis posits that if parents are made aware of the need for biblical identity development and trained to do so, then they will …