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Improving The Classroom Behavior Of Black Male Students At Homestead Elementary School: An Applied Research Study, Terrance Walter Siler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied research study was to solve the problem of classroom behavior for Black male students at Homestead Elementary School and to formulate a solution to address the problem. A multi-method design was used, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The first approach was semi-structured interviews with administrators. The second approach was to survey with teachers. The third approach was archival data using referral data from Homestead Elementary school. The sample size was 23 Duval County district employees. The site location was Homestead Elementary School. The central research question was: How can the problem of minority …

Nurses' Knowledge And Practices Of Physical Restraints In Intensive Care Units: An Observational Study, Maysa H. Almomani, Wejdan A. Khater, Baha'a Aldin Abdel-Latif Qasem, Rachel Joseph

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Aim

To investigate the knowledge and practice of physical restraints (PR) among Jordanian intensive care unit (ICU) nurses.

Design

A descriptive, observational design was used.

Methods

A convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. We examined the knowledge of PR in 301 nurses (knowledge check) and the real‐time practice of PR in 81 nurses (direct observation) in ICU. A knowledge questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge about PR use, and data on their practice of PR were observed and documented using an observation checklist.

Results

The mean scores of nurses' knowledge and practices were 61.5 (SD = …

A Curriculum For Teaching Collaborative Worship Songwriting Inspired By Village Hymns, Craig Alan Osterhus

Masters Theses

The scriptural injunction to “sing to the Lord a new song” motivates the church to create new worship songs that are Biblically based, musically excellent, and reflective of God’s unique gifting and purpose for the church in its time. Village Hymns, a collective of worship leaders and songwriters serving in South Florida churches, has developed a platform for building skill in collaborative worship songwriting through their CREATE events. Through the experience of hosting over 50 CREATE events and recording three EP CDs, Village Hymns has developed best practices for collaborative worship songwriting. The aim of the case study research was …

Experiencing God: Engaging Elementary-Aged Children In Corporate Worship, Laura Rushing Hancock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The engagement of children in meaningful worship has been neglected, despite the investment of modern churches in essential safety protocols and digital media in children’s ministry. The twenty-first-century consumerist mindset is driving worship design, essentially undermining the worship leader’s role as the shepherd of a child-centered and Christ-focused approach. Many churches are neglecting the biblical instruction to cast vision and express value for children’s corporate worship. A sense of awe and wonder is notably absent in many corporate services designed for children. Drawing upon biblical principles, educational theory, and corporate worship practices throughout history, this qualitative historical study seeks to …

Experiences Of Special Education Teachers Responsible For Training Novice Paraeducators In The Inclusive Setting: A Phenomenological Study, Rachel Lyn Wilbur-Carlyle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study, as outlined by Moustakas, was to describe the experiences of special education teachers serving as trainers of novice paraeducators in the inclusion setting. It occured within the metro-Atlanta area. The theory guiding this study was Lave and Wenger’s theory of situativity. This theory focused upon social practices occurring within relationships amongst communities and supported the inquiry of special education teachers. The central research question that guided the study was: “How do special education teachers who work in the elementary school inclusive settings describe their experiences supervising special education paraeducators?” To support the focus …

Dynamics Of Youth Engagement In The Local Church, Jacqueline C. Hanna

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

According to many biblical accounts, children were included in worship experiences. Despite the efforts of many churches to engage, attract, and retain youth, there is still a lack of youth participation, involvement, and interest in the local church. This not only affects youth, but also the church. Unengaged youth do not have the opportunity to become future leaders of the church. In turn, churches will experience a void in future leadership and will be prohibited from flourishing. This qualitative historical study examined reasons for youth disengagement in an effort to find strategies for effective retention and engagement to benefit youth …

The Impact Of The Model Of Black Femininity And Maternal Anxious Mother Attachment To Adolescent Black Girls' Self-Esteem, Mechell R. Guy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research was designed to explore how the traditional Model of Black Femininity stereotypes portrayal of Mammy, Sapphire, Jezebel, and Strong Black Women and maternal anxious mother attachment potentially impacts adolescent Black girls’ self-esteem. These constructs are relevant to increasing concerns regarding developing a high level of self-esteem and psychological well-being amongst adolescent Black girls. Two central questions are guided by this study. First, is the self-esteem of adolescent Black girls influenced by negative stereotypes of African American women? Secondly, would the self-esteem of adolescent Black girls correlate with maternal anxious attachment theory? Participants were twelve adolescent Black females ranging …

Authentic Leadership Within Local Government: An Empirical Evaluation, Anthony Scott Morris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study established the current issue of low authentic leadership in business as a known issue that has contributed to lower confidence in leadership throughout various organizations. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between authentic leadership and confidence in leadership in a medium to large size department of a local government located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. To achieve this aim, the researcher adopted a descriptive and diagnostic analytical approach. The sample of the study consisted of 207 participants, consisting of positions consistent with regular positions within local government. The researcher used two survey instruments to achieve the …

The Predictive Relationship Between School Climate And Self-Perceived Stress Levels Among Fourth- And Fifth-Grade Teachers, Andrea Wood Eason

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Educational research continues to show that teachers are leaving the field of education in large numbers for a variety of reasons. One documented reason for teacher attrition is job-related stress. This correlational, predictive study examined the relationships between the predictor variables of school climate (collaboration, decision-making, instructional innovation, school resources, and student relations) with the criterion variable of teacher stress among fourth- and fifth-grade public school teachers from across the United States. A convenience sample of 68 teachers participated in the study by completing the Revised School Level Environment Questionnaire (R-SLEQ), which measured school climate, and the Teacher Stress Inventory …

#Generation Z: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of Elementary Title I Teachers’ Use Of Educational Technology In The 21st Century Classroom, Rachel Nichole Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology was to describe the experiences of teachers’ educational technology use in Title I elementary schools in Central Florida. The central research question in this study was: How do Title I elementary teachers in Central Florida describe their experiences utilizing educational technology in the classroom? The theoretical foundation for this study was grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory, more specifically, teacher self-efficacy, which is a significant component of social cognitive theory. The design of this study was a transcendental phenomenology, a qualitative model that is most appropriate since I sought to make meaning from the …

Emotional Regulation And Treatment Progress Of Male Child And Adolescent Therapeutic Campers, Stephen Edward Talley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For the past 75, years Therapeutic Camping (ThC) has been utilized as a therapeutic modality, although it has been largely unknown or unrecognized by the traditional treatment community. ThC bears similarities to wilderness therapy and was initially developed for children and youth suffering from behavioral and emotional problems. Mental and behavioral health issues are frequent in youth which can cause personal, familial, social, and economic problems. Another core underlying issues emotion dysregulation, which involves the inability to regulate emotion across multiple domains. Mental health providers have recognized the need to reduce the effects associated with emotion dysregulation and limited treatment …

The Effects Of Mentoring On Student Outcomes, Leroy Dwan York

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Historically, African Americans males have scored significantly lower than other subgroups on standardized assessments and in academic grades. In addition, African American males have also acquired more disciplinary infractions than all other subgroups. In general, statistics show that adolescent boys have lower achievement and more deviant behaviors than all other subgroups. Boys often struggle with the lack of motivation to excel in school and display appropriate character. This study compared the academic achievement and discipline of a group of boys participating in a mentoring group to a control group with no mentor over a four-month period. Resulting data was analyzed …

Addressing Prescription Opioid Misuse Through The Increased Reporting Of Prescription Monitoring Program (Pdmp) Data: An Integrative Review, Claudia Hannah Georgestone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Opioid misuse relating to prescription pain killers have claimed the lives of many Americans, posing an escalating nationwide public health crisis. Prescription opioid overdose and death can impair an individual’s functionality, destabilizes family, and impose a significant financial burden. In 2014, the U.S. had an estimated 36 million people ages 12 years and older who had used prescription opioids for non-medical reasons. In that same year, there were “28,647” (61%) of 47,055 prescription and non-prescription opioid overdose deaths, indicating an increase from previous years (Center for Disease Control (CDC, 2020). Several measures to address the opioid crisis have been implemented, …

The Relationship Between Parental Stress And Externalizing Behavior: The Mediating Role Of Family Functioning On Ethnically Diverse Families In Multisystemic Therapy, Jennifer D. Vinces-Cua

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parental stress is an expected phenomenon during the parenting of an adolescent. Higher levels of parental stress are associated with an adolescent with externalizing behavior. Parents are instrumental in the development of adolescents and are critical agents of change with youth problematic behavior. Family functioning is often determined in part by a parent’s ability to adequately respond and manage their adolescent’s behavior and their environment. Focusing on improving family relations has been known to positively impact both parent and adolescent. Multisystemic therapy is a well-known treatment for adolescent externalizing behavior and families of diverse ethnicities. Additional attention and resources examining …

Self-Management Education For Prevention, Early Detection, And Treatment Of Hypoglycemia: An Integrative Review, Chinedum Rosemary Ikwueme

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hypoglycemia is a major complication from poor diabetic care management. Available literature indicates that it is the underlying cause of mortality in over 258,000 deaths reported in 2017. That notwithstanding, it remains a phenomenon that is given less attention than it deserves, particularly in adults with type 2 diabetes. Aside from the huge annual financial costs to the health care system (about $327 billion) in 2017, patients with hypoglycemia complications risk many cardiovascular and neurological complications, including skipped time from work in middle aged adults, dementia, falls, hospitalization and death. The purpose of this integrative review is to educate nurses …

Leadership Behaviors And Their Impact On Employee Retention, Shaun Patrick Nichols

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study analyzed the impact leadership behaviors had on employee retention in the Houston, Texas manufacturing sector. Many authors’ work was reviewed with literature pertaining to leadership behaviors and employee retention. Multiple interviews were conducted with current leadership at Houston, Texas manufacturing organizations to gain a better understanding of the experience of these employees. The results of the leadership study have a profoundly positive impact on employee retention. Three emergent themes were developed based on data analysis, which included empathy, listening, and employee development.

Investigation Of Undocumented Heart Disease In Cadaveric Donors, Crystal Danae Passburg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For nearly a century, heart disease has been the leading source of death and disease in the United States, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of individuals every year and burdening millions more with diminished health and severe disability. However, despite the significant known prevalence of heart disease, studies suggest that many more individuals—and particularly those within the female and elderly populations—may possess undiagnosed heart disease which remains undetected even after death due to the lack of autopsy examination. In the absence of autopsy, many cases of heart disease may never be identified, resulting in a skewed understanding of …

Faculty-Student Mentoring-Relationship Experiences Of African-American/Black Ces Doctoral Students, Steven Odipo Siaji

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative inquiry explored the lived experiences of African American/Black (AA/Black) doctoral counselor education and supervision students in relation to faculty-student mentoring relationships. The literature review provides a theoretical framework based on Miller’s (1976) theory of relational-cultural theory. Data were collected through a demographic survey and in-depth telephone interviews. Data analysis included identifying participants’ significant themes, utilizing themes to create structural and textural descriptions, and ultimately describing the essence of participants’ experiences. The five themes that emerged, related to participants’ lived experiences, were these: belonging within the African American/Black community, coping, racism, and multiculturalism. The study results suggest that …

“The Friendly And Flowing Savage, Who Is He?”: Manifest Destiny, Native American Stereotypes, And How American Print Culture Closed The Western Frontier, 1865-1890, Emily Parrow

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

This article examines how 19th Century American print culture shaped white American perceptions of Amerindians. Between the close of the Civil War and the Wounded Knee Massacre, the American press, Indian captivity narratives, and fictional accounts reflect diverse white perspectives on and attitudes towards Native Americans’ past and future in a continental United States.

Identifying Risk Factors For And Responding To Religious/Spiritual Distress In Transplant Patient Populations, Amber Nicole Ryman

Masters Theses

Due to the advancement of organ transplant technology, more people are able to receive a second chance at life through organ donation. In 2019, the United States conducted close to 40,000 transplants and this represents close to 40,000 people experiencing various states of healthcare crisis. Chaplains have the opportunity, and responsibility, to care for the religious/spiritual well-being of these transplant patients and their caregivers as they navigate the unique processes and challenges that transplantation entails. It is the argument of this thesis that risk factors for spiritual distress in transplant populations need to be identified as early as possible, in …

Turning The Page: A Design Thinking Approach To Increasing Literacy Advocacy In West Alabama, Justin C. Walters

Masters Theses

Through the problem/solution lens of design thinking, this research critically analyzes the promotional activities and materials used by the Literacy Council of West Alabama (LCWA) to determine their effectiveness in reaching both functionally illiterate populations as well as the fully-literate population aiming to work the advocacy front with this nonprofit organization. Qualitative data was gathered through the utilization of a web heuristic evaluation, as well as the evaluation of current marketing materials for LCWA; these insights were used to guide the design and creation of new print and digital marketing materials for the organization. Results of this research aimed to …

The Knowledge Of Lazarus And Raskolnikov: Expansive Epistemology And The Moral Argument For Theism, Josiah Lee Yates

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to present a moral argument for the existence of God. This thesis deals with themes from epistemology, philosophy of religion, and ethics. It is about what and how we can know about God. The main premise of this work is that there is knowledge that goes beyond propositional knowledge (or is deeper than propositional knowledge), and further that this knowledge points toward something or someone supernatural or transcendent. This task begins with illustrating some expansive epistemological concerns, particularly as displayed within the works of John Henry Newman and Eleonore Stump. Following this is an …

Pulpits And Pews—Professors And Pagans: A Grounded Theory On Worldview Development And Integration Within Christian And Secular Culture, Luke Charles Moen

Masters Theses

The fragility characterizing the faith of young believers is nothing new to Christianity. Doubts as to whether or not Christianity is actually true continue to pose challenges to Christian youth as they grow into adulthood in an increasingly secularized culture. This study explores the concept of worldview development and integration within Christian youth, and addresses the growing problem of youth apostasy. Utilizing a methodology based on constructivist grounded theory, this study explores the relevant research on worldview integration and development through six worldview elements (Origin, Purpose, Value, Morality, Nature, Destination) to catalog the available data. The analysis of the research …

The Relationship Between Students' Tracking Of Their Learning Data And Overall Academic Achievement In Fifth-Grade Mathematics, Angela Van Sant Poag

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teachers are in a constant cycle of data collection to guide instruction and increase student achievement; however, students are not always involved in the data collection or discussion of their own learning data. The purpose of this correlational study was to explore the relationship between students’ tracking of their own learning data and their academic achievement in fifth-grade mathematics as measured by the aimswebPlus assessment. A convenience sample of 154 students from a middle school in a southern Tennessee school district participated in the study using archival data. A Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to test the null hypothesis …

Improving Perceptions Of School Climate In Low Income Schools: An Applied Study, Bethany Nicole Straub

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to further understand the problem of teachers’ perceptions of school climate in low income schools and to formulate a solution to address the problem using both qualitative and quantitative data gathered from teachers. The problem was that factors outside of the scope of control of teachers and administrators have the potential to affect school climate because teachers use multiple factors to gather and make a decision on their perception of their building’s school climate, and educators and researchers must understand these multiple facets in order to suggest improvement. In Chapter One, the researcher …

Identification Of Human Trafficking Victims In The Health Care Setting: An Integrative Review, Jami Leigh Castellucci

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Most victims who have escaped trafficking report that during their captivity they were taken to health care facilities. Though health care–based trafficking reporting has increased over the last few years, studies show that private practices and most hospitals within the country do not have a human trafficking protocol, policy, nor educational intervention for their frontline staff to be able to identify and refer victims for short- and long-term support. The United States health care system is poised to play a large role in the fight against human trafficking. This integrative review describes the current status of human trafficking victim identification …

The Experiences Of Sixth- Through Twelfth-Grade Students Identified As Having Autism Spectrum Disorder And Classified As Academically And Intellectually Gifted: A Multiple-Case Study, Callie Sa'dena Everett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multi-case-study was to shed light on the lived experiences of students in sixth through twelfth grade who are identified with an autism spectrum disorder and academically or intellectually gifted. Four students along with his/her parents and teachers participated in this study. Each student and his/her parent(s) and teachers formed one case. The problem that this study sought to examine was the lived educational experiences of twice-exceptional students who have autism spectrum disorder and are academically gifted. The central research question addressed how students in sixth through twelfth grade who are identified with autism spectrum disorder …

Burnout, Compassion Satisfaction, And Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Higher Education Faculty Members, Ramon Jose Velez-Cruz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study used a quantitative correlational method to examine the correlation between self-care, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress among higher education faculty members across multiple disciplines. One hundred and fifty-one participants from two higher education institutions and Listservs provided feedback for the study. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire and two surveys, the National Alliance in Mental Illness Self-care instrument and the Professional Quality of Life scale. Results showed collectively significant results between self-care and burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress. Physical self-care and emotional self-care had significant, positive relationships with compassion satisfaction. Physical self-care and emotional self-care …

Walking Through Smoke: Implementation Of The 5a'S For Smoking Cessation Counseling In Rural Virginia, Cristina Maria Minotti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Tobacco use represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. and is a contributing risk factor for multiple pulmonary, cardiovascular, and oncologic diseases. Despite documented evidence of these health hazards, use of tobacco products remains high, particularly in rural America. While providers may frequently question patients regarding tobacco use and inform patients of associated health hazards, a standardized, structured process for delivering smoking cessation counseling (SCC) is rarely established in practice settings. One such method for standardization of SCC is the 5A’s (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) model which has a robust body of evidence to support …

A Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of High School Students With A Reading Disability, Ellen R. Ziegler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Reading is an essential skill for all students. However, students who do not grasp the basic reading skills during elementary school struggle through school. Without basic skills, many of these students are at risk for behavioral issues and a low self-concept. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of high school students with a specific learning disability in reading. The theory that guided this study was the social identity theory as it relates to high school students with a disability in reading to their identity to self and others. The central research question for this …