Digital Commons Network^™

The Power Of First Impressions, Seth Peterson

2014-2016 Graduate

No abstract provided.

Counselors Modeling And Mentoring Wellness, Patricia R. King

2014-2016 Graduate

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Burnout In Spiritual Leadership Positions: Role Conflict, Role Ambiguity, And Personal Spirituality, Patricia L. Kimball

2014-2016 Graduate

No abstract provided.

Schiavo's Right To Refuse Food And Water: Ascendancy Of The Artificial Natural Person, Joseph S. Bell

Liberty University Law Review

No abstract provided.

In Defense Of Law: The Common-Sense Jurisprudence Of Aquinas, Sean B. Cunningham

Liberty University Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Supreme Court, Roe V. Wade, And Abortion Law, Francis J. Beckwith

Liberty University Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Judicial Experiment With Privatizing Religion, Gerard V. Bradley

Liberty University Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between In-School Suspension And The Academic Achievement Of Middle School African American Males, Michael Eugene Seckinger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to investigate the relationship between time assigned to in-school suspension and the math and reading scores on the 2013-2014 Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) for 6th to 8th grade regular education, African American male students. Archival data from school databases were used for this study. Following IRB approval and with permission from each district superintendent, in-school suspension and CRCT score data were collected for 6th to 8th grade regular education, African American male students who had been assigned to 1 or more days of in-school suspension, sampled from 30 middle schools …

Phenomenological Study: Perceptions Of Teachers At A Christian High School Toward Performance Pay, Dana Gayle Dionne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this consensual phenomenological study was to delve into the thoughts, perceptions, and personal experiences of teachers at a Christian high school in the Midwest in order to understand the perceived reality of those directly affected by pay for performance. In order to reduce bias, consensual qualitative research method using a research team was utilized. The research team consisted of two additional core members. Teachers were asked questions to determine how performance pay influences their motivation, their teaching, and their relationship with co-workers. For the purpose of this research, performance pay is generally defined as paying teachers according …

The Effect Of Aleks Math Support On Standardized Math Test Scores In Middle School, Amy Dawn Fanusi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A quantitative causal-comparative and correlation research studied Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) at a middle school in rural Georgia. The purpose was to determine if computerized math instruction, as measured by ALEKS, was more effective than traditional teacher instruction with students in math support in order to pass the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). The study also explored the relationship among other variables: if the percentage of concepts a student completed in ALEKS affected student success on the CRCT, and if gender played a factor in achievement on the CRCT when enrolled in the ALEKS computer math …

The Effectiveness Of An Accelerated Cohort Program On Grade Point Averages In The Industrial Process Control Technology Program At A Rural Middle Tennessee Community College, Garry Joe Leonard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this causal comparative study was to determine the effectiveness of accelerated cohort technical programs on student success, defined by grade point average, for both traditional and adult learners compared to traditional technical programs at the community college level. The study was conducted within the Industrial Process Control Program (IPCT) at a community college satellite campus located in a predominately rural county in middle Tennessee. The sample included 138 students who had successfully completed all remediation requirements and a minimum of one first semester IPCT course between the years of 2011 and 2014. Archival data was collected through …

Citizens Of The World: An Autoethnography Of Couchsurfing And Uncertainty Reduction Theory, Anderson Santos

Masters Theses

This study examines through an autoethnography the culture of couchsurfing and the process of hospitality networks through computer mediated communication in five European countries during three months of 2012. Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs as a framework the study was divided into five topics and analyzed using Uncertainty reduction theory. The study found that couchsurfers have needs and prioritize these needs as The hierarchy of needs predicts. CouchSurfers also employ uncertainty reduction strategies similar to those used within computer mediated communication when choosing their host. Over 20 hosting experiences have been analyzed in this study. The field data was collected …

The Relationship Between Middle School Mathematics Teacher Background And Efficacy During The Transition To Common Core, Stacy Plemons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this correlation study was to investigate the relationship between teacher background training and teaching efficacy for instructing mathematics in the middle grades during the transition to Common Core State Standards. Participants included 37 mathematics teachers in grades six, seven, and eight in the CORE East TN region. Surveys containing the Mathematics Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument (MTEBI) were electronically administered to determine the dependent variables: self-efficacy (personal teaching efficacy) and outcome expectancy for teaching mathematics. Additional questions measured the independent variable, teacher background training, defined by number of college mathematics course hours taken, number TNCore mathematics training days …

A Self-Determination Theory Model Investigating The Relationship Between High School Male Student-Athlete Motivation And Academic Achievement, Adam H. Ploeg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This non-experimental regression study examined the relationship between six motivational factors and academic performance for male high school student-athletes. Research has shown motivation in athletics can have an effect on academic achievement. The study was conducted at six public high schools in the northeast region of South Carolina. The revised Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-II) was the survey instrument used to collect athletic motivational levels of the 10th-12th grade high school male student-athletes (n=140). Academic achievement was measured through overall student grade point average (GPA). Sport type and grade level were statistically controlled in this study making them covariates. The data …

Shepherding The Flock: C.A.R.E. - A Model For Pastoral Ministry, Ronald Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A seminary graduate is often well equipped in a variety of areas including preaching, languages, church growth, and the like. One area that graduates often feel ill equipped is the practical area of pastoral care; however, every minister, whether in a church of ten or ten thousand, must have a way to effectively deal with this part of their ministry. From a review of the literature and a survey of pastors, this project will confirm the current need for further training in the area of pastoral care. In addition, this project will offer a plan to meet those needs within …

I Would Prefer Not To Help You, Christen Dunn

Aidenn: The Liberty Undergraduate Journal of American Literature

Bartleby, the Scrivener recounts a story of a scrivener who would prefer not to do anything, whether that be parts of his job, changing his location, or eating his dinner. The narrator’s reaction to Bartleby’s lazy desires seem to be admirable, but his selfish motivation and false compassion are evident. The way the narrator views and treats Bartleby is consistent with the standards of philanthropy of the wealthy during the mid-nineteenth century. The narrator truly believes he has helped Bartleby to the best of his ability, yet fails to connect with Bartleby outside of offering him money and future assistance …

In The Hands Of The Reader, Allie J. Kapus

Aidenn: The Liberty Undergraduate Journal of American Literature

“In the Hands of the Reader” is an analysis of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” integrating the views of Michael Jay Lewis in his article “Contingency, Narrative, Fiction: Vogler, Brenkman, Poe.” “The Black Cat” is a narrative penned by a man reflecting on his life as he awaits his own death. As the narrator is mentally unstable and therefore unreliable, the reader is brought into the story to interpret the truth or falsehood of the narrator’s story. Lewis is accurate in his strong acknowledgment of the unreliability of the narrator, yet he fails to address in-depth the reason for …

Marital Satisfaction And Aging, Lisa S. Sosin

Faculty Publications and Presentations

One way to organize the empirical conclusions related to marital satisfaction and aging is to categorize them according to “Attitude” and “Action” factors. The attitude of the marriage describes spouse’s opinions about the quality of the bond and the overall emotional climate of the relationship. Action characteristics, on the other hand, are the kinds of activities regularly engaged in by satisfied couples. This entry presents the traits of satisfied older couples, provides a brief discussion of gender differences, and concludes with implications based on the scientific findings.

Building A Foundation For Crisis Intervention In Eastern Europe, Evan D. Parks

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The principles of Critical Incident Stress Management for assisting individuals and groups are applied to an Eastern European crisis event. This case study demonstrates the importance of understanding the cultural context where crisis events occur and the value of developing a network of local relationships as a step toward gaining credibility when working cross-culturally. I recount experiences over the past 13 years working in Eastern Europe as a clinical psychologist, consulting and intervening in a wide variety of critical incidents. There is a great need to raise the awareness of depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and addictions among health professionals, educators, …

The Resurrection Of Jesus: A Clinical Review Of Psychiatric Hypotheses For The Biblical Story Of Easter, Joseph Bergeron, Gary R. Habermas

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

Jesus’ resurrection to bodily life after death by crucifixion is foundational to orthodox Christianity. The disciples had encounters with Jesus after his crucifixion which caused them to believe he had been bodily resurrected to life again. Psychiatric hypotheses have been proposed as naturalistic explanations for his disciples’ beliefs, which include hallucinations, conversion disorder, and bereavement experiences. Since they propose hallucinatory symptoms that suggest the presence of underlying medical pathology, clinical appraisal of these hypotheses for the disciples’ encounters with the resurrected Jesus is warranted. Psychiatric hypotheses for the disciples’ belief in Jesus’ resurrection are found to be inconsistent with current …

From Patristics To Postmodernity: Does A Message Still Exist?, Douglas Taylor

Other Graduate Scholarship

Dr. David Wheeler once advised that while not all are called to be an evangelist, all Christians are called to be evangelical. Although some may counter that postmodernity is waning, the question remains how one might be evangelical in a postmodern world. The concept that no metanarrative exists has been one of the pillars of postmodernity, and as such challenges the premise that Scripture contains an overarching story encompassing all of mankind. If Dr. Wheeler was correct, and all are called to be evangelical, then the question that would seem to require answering is how one might begin to address …

Factors Affecting Ethical Sources Of External Debt Financing For Indian Agribusiness Firms, John D. Obradovich, Amarjit Gill, Harvinder S. Mand, Neil Mathur

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Non-Resident Family Members And The Financial Performance Of Small Businesses In India, John D. Obradovich

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Recent literature in small business management suggests that small businesses are financially constrained. They also face challenges of poor financial performance, which leads to their failure. Literature also shows that family involvement improves small business performance. We asked research participants consisting of small business owners from India about their beliefs and perceptions regarding the relationship between non-resident Indian family members (NRIs), financial support from NRIs, internal financing sources, and the financial performance of small businesses. Results indicate that the involvement of NRIs as foreign directors, financial support from NRIs, and internal financing sources improve the financial performance of small businesses …

The Failure Of “She:" An Evaluation Of Solutions To Gendered Language, Mary L. Bobbitt

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis looks at the prevalence of gendered language in modern day English in North America. Drawing upon different analyses of masculine pronouns and slang, this paper argues that modern solutions to gendered language fail to come to terms with the contextual elements of language. While acknowledging that gendered language is a significant problem, the author argues that the solutions thus far presented, specifically replacing the generic pronoun “he” with “she,” cannot combat the way language reflects societal masculinization. Using Wittgenstein to criticize a Heidegger’s notion of language, this paper argues that societal change is a prerequisite to the success …

A Study Of Idioms In Relation To Language Universals, Kathryn Ayers

Senior Honors Theses

In this thesis, I examine how language universals reveal information about the relationship between culture and language. To further understand this connection, I conduct a survey with non-native English speakers. I present universal idioms and ask each participant to write down an equivalent idiom in English, translated from their native language. I examine which expressions are cross-cultural, noticing which languages express the figurative speech in ways different from English and other languages. I identify the varieties of expressions of universal ideas, specifically in relation to the culture of each language. I also address the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis through my research, agreeing …

Developing An Academic Library Assessment Plan: A Case Study, Gregory A. Smith, Howard D. Tryon, Lori B. Snyder

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the process of developing an academic library assessment plan and its relation to the furtherance of a culture of assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Qualitative study of a university library’s assessment planning process; findings based on documentary evidence as well as an employee survey; analysis framed in relationship to relevant literature.

Findings

– Planning for the future of assessment offered the Jerry Falwell Library a significant opportunity for organizational change. Evaluations of the planning process were mixed, but generally revealed evidence of conditions associated with the development of a culture of assessment. …

Vishal Mangalwadi: The Book That Made Your World Study Guide, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Spiritual Formation Among Nontraditional Seminary Students, Jacob Dunlow

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Theological higher education is going through massive changes as a result of the technological changes in education. Many seminaries have gone from a strictly on campus option for students seeking a master's degree, to a variety of options available to students. Given this recent shift, research is needed to study the impact of these nontraditional means of education on the training of future pastors and church leaders.

This research was conducted with the purpose of studying students who choose to attend seminary through a nontraditional means of online, hybrid, and extension centers. Specifically, exploring the relationship between mentoring and the …

The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership Behavior, Adult Attachment And God Attachment, Deboarah Foulkes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Transformational leaders are charged with the undertaking of not only accomplishing tasks, but also engaging followers in a manner that will achieve these tasks. An interaction with the follower is needed to achieve this, and the quality of that interaction may be impacted by environmental stressors. Past studies suggest that adult attachment orientation will determine the quality of interpersonal interactions. Additionally, past studies also suggest that an attachment to God influences the quality of interpersonal interactions and how one copes with stress. A correspondence model of God attachment posits that a person’s attachment to God will be similar to their …

An Investigation Of Adversity In Christian Living And Proposal For Discipleship Response, Christopher Payne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With numerous ministries teaching a cultural gospel comprised of prosperity and pleasure, people have the impression that a saving faith limits personal hardships. Jesus taught his disciples the truth about hardship and how to struggle well and the Church is called to do likewise. This thesis will present five key biblical truths to equip Christians for growing their faith through personal struggle. Moreover, the project will give leaders a guide for discipling hurting church members. The author will research current and historical discipleship materials and models, examine current teachings on faith and struggle, explore relevant biblical teachings, and survey fifty …