Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Sleep Latency, Duration, And Quality In Adolescents When Altering Nighttime Smartphone And Social Media Use, Ryan R. May

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Smartphones and social media are quickly becoming standard technological tools for connection and socialization within the modern-day adolescent population. Inversely, sleep for adolescents/young adults is decreasing while sleep problems are rising. This research trend is prompting researchers to investigate how restricting or eliminating smartphone/social media use benefits sleep health. The current study hypothesized that when adolescents/ young adults aged 18-21 eliminate smartphone/social media usage one hour before bedtime there would be a significantly lower number of nighttime awakenings, a reduction in sleep onset, and a higher number of minutes slept for participants in the experimental group when compared to participants …

The Impact Of Stress Reduction Programs In Reducing Anxiety And Depression In Pregnant Military Spouses With Disabilities, Faith Clemons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pregnant military spouses with disabilities have high levels of anxiety and depression, as these individuals are more exposed to stress due to various health risks and worries during deployments. Health care experiences of pregnant military spouses who are disabled are explored through interviews and surveys to determine if appropriate services reduce anxiety and depression and help with stress. The study encompasses qualitative design, interviewing with eight participants from the Clarksville, Tennessee area, known for its many military families near Fort Campbell. The study targets evidence-based therapies through theoretical frameworks of attachment, social support and stress and coping theory such as …

Louis Pasteur: The Man Who Said, "Science Brings Men Closer To God", Alan L. Gillen, Adam Russell

Faculty Publications and Presentations

July 6, 2025, marks the 140-year anniversary of the first successful treatment of the rabies virus, discovered by Louis Pasteur. Louis Pasteur’s contributions and reputation are ever prevalent today, with “pasteurized” products being the signature of his legacy in microbiology. Through the creation of the “pasteurization” process (the gentle heating of food and drink products to eliminate pathogens), Louis Pasteur eloquently stated his motive for scientific discovery: “Man’s first look at the universe discovers only variety, diversity, multiplicity of phenomena. Let this gaze be enlightened by science . . . and simplicity and unity shine everywhere.” Ultimately, Pasteur’s work sought …

Ai In Academic Workplace, Alexander Averin, Richard Diddams, Nicole Lowes, Melesa Poole

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

Artificial intelligence (AI), once imagined only in science fiction, is now ubiquitous in the reality of modern life. It influences everything from personalized shopping recommendations (Rane et al., 2024) to advanced medical diagnoses (Al Kuwaiti et al., 2023; Khanam et al., 2024; Maleki Varnosfaderani & Forouzanfar, 2024). Redefining the models of analysis and learning, AI is quickly becoming a fundamental component of higher education as universities embrace AI tools for curriculum development, assessments, teaching, research, individualized instruction, and preparation for technological readiness in the workforce (Shah, 2023). However, the perception and adoption of these tools vary among university faculty members …

Character Challenges American Christian Business Leaders Face In The Secular Digital Age, Kevin J. Kennedy

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

In the digital age, Christian business leaders are a minority who are commonly expected to change their principles of leadership to fit within the secularized culture. These expectations for change are generating character challenges to the very core of a Christian business leader’s moral convictions and forcing them to make decisions which pit the practice of their proclaimed faith against a secularized business practice. In these workplace challenges, the Christian business leader’s faith, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion compete with secularized practices accepted in today’s American culture. Additionally, digital age behavioral visibility, which can be …

If The Halls Could Talk: Educator Narratives On Teen Media Literacy, Doda Lulgjuraj

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adolescents are avid yet vulnerable consumers of digital and social media, frequently exposed to non-credible information without possessing the essential tools to evaluate it effectively. The qualitative research conducted explores adolescent media literacy through the perspectives of middle school and high school educators, intending to understand students' ability to discern credible information. Additionally, this research aims to determine the extent to which current educational practices foster this skill. This study underscores the importance of equipping adolescents with media literacy skills in an increasingly complex and sometimes misleading digital environment. Thirty-six educators from four states in the U.S. participated in semi-structured …

Media Richness In Nfl Communications: A Content Analysis Case Study, Ashley Menard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study aimed to examine the social media engagement of fans of the National Football League (NFL). The central problem identified was a lack of understanding of brand storytelling across different social media platforms, particularly concerning the richness of information each platform provided. Guided by media richness theory, developed by Daft and Lengel, this research explored the varying communication styles employed in brand storytelling on social media. The study sought to provide insights into how NFL brands can effectively utilize different platforms to enhance their storytelling and engage with their audience more richly and effectively. The results indicate that …

The Torchbearer Project At The Whitefield Center Lessons Learned From Developing An Adolescent-Level Christian Discipleship Program, Kenneth Reed Vaughn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this dissertation, the author discussed the lessons learned regarding building and administering Christian discipleship programs for adolescents. The discussion involved three institutions influenced by the work of the Reverend George Whitefield, all of which have recently faced challenges related to forced organizational transformation or renewal for sustained growth and service. At Bethesda Academy, founded by Whitefield in 1740 as an orphanage, the need for transformation arose from the decreased necessity for the academy to continue providing that service, prompting Bethesda to seek a new purpose. In the case of Christ Church Anglican, founded in 1733, where Whitefield served as …

Gamification As A Catalyst For Integrating Diverse Disciplines In Higher Education Curriculum: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Sierra Pollard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of university students as they engaged with gamification strategies in cross-disciplinary higher education programs. By focusing on students' perspectives, this study aimed to uncover how the integration of gamified elements in their coursework influenced engagement, intrinsic motivation, and the development of interdisciplinary competencies. Flow theory guided this study, providing insight into the relationship between motivation, engagement, and optimal learning experiences. The central research question was: What was the cross-disciplinary experiential learning experience of students at Central University? The study employed a qualitative, phenomenological design with …

Apologetics Curriculum In A Chinese International School, William Kiel Nation

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian schools face the challenge of engaging students whose biblical views are being secularized by a culture that is individualistic and materialistic. At International Christian School Hong Kong, in response to such secular challenges, the overreliance on classical and evidential apologetics in the Bible curriculum has led to student disengagement, as these methods often fail to address the presuppositions of secular youth. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a presuppositional apologetics curriculum, grounded in Tim Keller’s Making Sense of God, compared to the traditional classical approach grounded in Keller’s The Reason for God, to determine which method better …

Exploring The Stigma Of Mental Health In Oneness Pentecostal Churches From A Pastoral Perspective, Jannett Liburd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the stigma of mental health in Oneness Pentecostal churches in the Northeast from a pastoral perspective. The theory guiding this study is Sigmund Freud’s object relational theory (ORT), as it focuses on the past experiences an individual has with an object, person, or event, and how the experience, whether negative or positive, shapes the person’s attitude and behavior in the future. Mental health stigma is a phenomenon with which individuals may have had a harmful experience. In the study, the central research question was: What are the lived experiences of Oneness …

Investigating The Relationship Between Social Media Usage, Perceived Stress, Depression And Spirituality, Jeffrey Leyland King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The rapid rise in social media usage (SMU) in the past two decades correlates with a sharp rise in depression (Dep) and self-harm in emerging adults. Many studies have focused on the aspects of diminished well-being, self-harm and suicide, and a possible association between daily spiritual experiences (DSE) and Dep, although there is a paucity of research on DSE to moderate the association. This study was guided by three theories; need-to-belong, social comparison, and cognitive dissonance. The present quantitative study aimed to explore the significance of the association between SMU, perceived stress (PS), and Dep moderated by DSE in emerging …

Collegiate Music Recruiting: Using Athletic Recruiting Best Practices To Transform The Industry, Larry Jay Giddens Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The recruitment of new students is vital to every music program and can have a tremendous impact on its success. As technology evolves and the needs of the world change, so do the methods of student recruitment and retention in music departments, music schools, and colleges of music. This study covers the perspectives of collegiate music unit recruiters and compares current and potential strategies. Using a mixed methods approach, this research employs surveys to identify current music unit recruiting trends and challenges. Online recruiting, scholarship availability and facilities/staff emerge as themes within the small body of existing literature and personal …

Christianity, Conception, And Consciousness: Why A Conscious Human Mind Is Necessary To Fulfill The Conception Requirement, Vittoria L. D'Addesi

Liberty University Law Review

As artificial intelligence (“AI”) advances, it not only affects our daily life, but also implicates patent law. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has already held in Thaler v. Vidal that only a natural human person can be an “inventor” entitled to receive a patent, thereby excluding AI. The rationale in Thaler centers on statutory interpretation, leaving open the question of whether AI is capable of fulfilling the conception requirement—an essential element of qualifying as an inventor and receiving a patent. This Comment aims to expand the rationale of Thaler and argues that AI cannot fulfill the conception requirement; thus, …

Silicon Sentinels: Using Whistleblower Protections To Manage Information Asymmetry And Ai Risk, Jason Green-Lowe, Fynn Fehrenbach, Mark Reddish

Liberty University Law Review

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (“AI”) development, policymakers face a critical challenge: obtaining accurate and timely information about the potential risks and impacts of advanced AI systems. This Article examines the pivotal role of whistleblower protections as a mechanism to address the information asymmetry between AI companies and government officials. Employees inside AI companies are uniquely positioned to share information that can help outside regulators make wise policy decisions, but employees might be reluctant to do so unless their decision to share that information is legally protected. We propose a comprehensive framework for AI whistleblower protections as …

Is Ai A Horse Or A Zebra: Do Ai Free Speech Concerns Require New Legal Tools?, Jennifer Huddleston

Liberty University Law Review

In 1996, as the internet was emerging into more popular use among the general public, Judge Frank Easterbrook published Cyberspace and the Law of the Horse. In this essay and lecture, Judge Easterbrook warned against the rise of specialized law for general purpose technology and instead posited that many common law legal principles will be able to evolve. As this essay and lecture posit, new technologies provide may provide an opportunity to examine if existing legal principles function optimally, but we should be cautious of interventions in the name of protecting the public from new and rapidly evolving technologies.

Nearly …

Artificial Intelligence In Surveillance And Privacy, Elizabeth D. Brasher

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

This paper attempts to provide insight into the new and developing world of artificial intelligence and its integration into surveillance technologies. These technologies being implemented by the government, retail companies, healthcare organizations, and more, all raise ethical questions and implications addressed in this article; other topics, such as the integration of Christian ethics and responsibilities, are also explored.

Review: What Is Given From The Heart, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 7-9

Caring, Compassion, Coping, Dignity, Generosity, Giving, Inspiration, Neighborliness, Sacrifice, Sharing, Unselfishness

Review: Poet: The Remarkable Story Of George Moses Horton, Rachel Schwedt

Ages 7-9

Fairness, Creativity, Initiative, Perseverance, Self-respect

Fur, Fins, And Feathers: Abraham Dee Barlett And The Invention Of The Modern Zoo, Rachel Schwedt, Janice Delong

Ages 3-6

Citizenship, Caring, Dedication, Devotion, Enthusiasm, Leadership, Unselfishness

Border Crisis Impacts On United States National Security, Victoria Halyne Smith

Masters Theses

This thesis addresses how the United States (U.S.) currently faces various homeland and national security threats. A specific and substantial threat to the U.S. is the border crisis that began to escalate in later 2020 but has been an ongoing issue for decades. Several elements encompass the border crisis such as the political circumstances, policy passed by Congress and endorsed or drafted by the President, resources at borders, and law enforcement or security implementation. However, two vital elements to analyze within the current border crisis are the border security and immigration policies of the Trump and Biden administrations as well …

The Discipling Worship Leader: How Perceptions Impact The Role Of The Worship Leader, Justin Smith

Masters Theses

Although worship and discipleship are often envisioned as two distinct practices, they share fundamental aspects of spiritual formation. Worship is often restricted to music, emotional expression, and outward performance, while discipleship tends to be associated with intellectual study, biblical knowledge, and structured learning. However, both disciplines encompass holistic contributions to a believer’s spiritual growth. Discipleship extends beyond epistemology; it involves personal transformation. Worship is not merely an experience or the expression of emotions but rather transformative in nature. Both worship and discipleship, however, encompass more than the contemporary church culture often acknowledges. The two-fold research plan combined findings from a …

Recess: Utilizing Gamification To Encourage Lifelong Creativity In Emerging Adults, Julia Schneider

Masters Theses

While creative outlets are prioritized in childhood, adults in the United States are increasingly less likely to engage their creativity during leisure time, which ultimately impacts overall well-being. This project aims to explore: (1) What is creativity, and why is it beneficial? (2) What factors contribute to the decline of creative engagement? (3) How does engaging with creative outlets impact overall well-being? (4) How can play be used as a catalyst to foster creativity? Through a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses, this thesis examined and integrated existing research on creativity and play in order to effectively create a …

Curating Christmas: A Simplified Approach To Christmas Celebrations, Jillian L. Ramsey

Masters Theses

This thesis project titled Curating Christmas: A simplified approach to Christmas celebrations originated from a personal observation of rampant consumerism during the Christmas season, both in retail stores and through online haul videos. This project aims to redefine the holiday experience by shifting the focus from mass consumerism to a more intentional and meaningful celebration. Targeting elder Generation Z, particularly those with young children, the project emphasizes the curation of unique, handmade, thrifted, and sustainable items. Research for the project included a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses. The visual solution includes creating a cohesive brand identity, marketing materials …

Culture Wars In The Icu: When Medicine And Religion Collide, Ami Darby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The overarching aim of this dissertation is to contribute to the research gap by investigating the experiences of Christian SDMs by asking two core questions: (1) Do covariates (Gender, Age, Education) and Religion predict satisfaction with care? and (2) Do covariates (Gender, Age, Education) and Religion predict satisfaction with decision making? This study contributes to the academic literature by addressing the gap in literature regarding the ICU experiences of Christian SDMs, and it extends John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Theory (MST) to include its limitations in its failure to capture the political landscape within healthcare systems and the effect of institutional …

Police Officer Recruitment And Retention: How Can The Problem Be Solved, Paul R. Eagleston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This grounded theory study aimed to understand the issues with police officer recruitment and retention for police administrators nationwide. The theory guiding this study was the grounded theory approach by Glaser and Strauss (1967) as it relates to the reasons for the loss of interest in law enforcement, including an increase in officers resigning before retiring. Data collection will explore if the police administrator being interviewed has experienced increased difficulties in recruiting potential candidates to fill vacancies and an increase in police officers in their department resigning before retirement. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with law enforcement administrators. Recruitment …

Family Poison: A Phenomenological Study Of The Role Of Toxic Parental Influence On Romantic Relationships, Kimberly Eichelberger-Searcy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study sought to describe the lived experiences of adult survivors of toxic parents across the United States. The assumption was that toxic parental influence impacts romantic relationships. The following research questions framed this study: “How do adult survivors of toxic parents describe their experiences growing up with a toxic parent in the United States? How do adult survivors describe the effects of growing up with a toxic parent?” and “How do adult survivors of toxic parents describe the impact of their childhood experiences on their intimate/romantic relationships?”. The two theoretical frameworks guiding this study were Bowlby’s attachment theory, …

Halcyon: Creating New Authentic Connections With Nostalgic Marketing In Small Businesses, Claire Elise Stough

Masters Theses

In an over saturated market, there are many brands that fall into the trap of uniform and formulaic marketing strategies that fail to resonate deeply with consumers. This research explores how a brand can break away from these repetitive tactics by evoking a sense of nostalgia to create emotional connections that lead to long-term loyalty with their intended audience. The importance of this topic is found in addressing a gap in contemporary marketing. The challenge is fostering genuine consumer relationships in a world that is dominated by fleeting trends and consumer engagement that is surface level. Leveraging nostalgia, which is …

Diamonds In The Shadow: Hidden Treasures From The 1930s-1970s-African American Female Guitarists In The Blues, Jamisha-Antarae Harris

Masters Theses

Culturally, African American females are recognized as vocalists in American music but are routinely overlooked as guitarists. Writers and scholars of the blues generally ignore African American female guitarists’ creative and innovative contributions to this genre of music. This thesis documents the exploration of African American females playing guitar to define their musical roles in American society. Racial and gender identity, as well as the limitations imposed by the larger society, will be explored through this instrument as an essential element of creative expression. Racism and sexism are two sides of the same coin, rendering their musicianship identities nearly invisible. …

Understanding The Challenges And Needs Of Postpartum Soldiers In Fitness Training, Sarah Elizabeth Eaton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Postpartum females are consistently faced with unique challenges within the military setting. Prior studies have illustrated increased risks of musculoskeletal injury and psychological distress in military postpartum females due to insufficient recovery time and inconsistent unit support (Acton, 2021; Armitage et al. 2014; Darroch et al., 2023). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Army postpartum females, aged 18-45, who have delivered over 36 weeks, either vaginal or cesarean, who have given birth within the last two years, as they navigate the physical and psychological challenges of preparing for the Army Combat Fitness Test …