Digital Commons Network^™

How Things Take Up Space: A Grounded Theory Of Presence And Lived Space, Aleš Oblak, Asena Boyadzhieva, Jaya Caporusso, Borut Škodlar, Jurij Bon

The Qualitative Report

In cognitive science, it is unclear what precisely presence (both in the sense of objecthood and immersion) refers to in lived experience. The present study addresses the research question of what the relationship between presence is and lived space. A hundred and seventeen phenomenological interviews were conducted with 14 participants. We sampled their experience in a transdiagnostic manner. That is, we observed how the experience of presence changes both in circumstances appraised as positive (e.g., sexual intimacy) and negative (e.g., psychopathology). Our grounded theory suggests that presence is a phenomenon that is comprised of all available sensory knowledge, however, it …

The Current - Volume 33 Issue 3, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Heterotopias Of Nationalist Youth Organisations In Poland: Communitarisation And Entry/Exit System, Helena Ostrowicka, Klaudia Wolniewicz-Slomka

The Qualitative Report

The article presents the results of an analysis of the discourse of nationalist youth organisations in Poland. The authors have attempted to reconstruct the common “us” of two youth organisations based on the materials made available by them as well as articles in the press published in 2018 in selected journals and weeklies. This was the year when Poland celebrated its 100^th anniversary of regaining independence, which made this an exceptional time in the context of discourse about the community. The article focuses on two youth organisations – the All-Polish Youth (APY) and the National Radical Camp (NRC). The …

Detectives And The Legal System: A Paradigm To Support Scholarly Inquiry And Mixed Methods Research In The Social Sciences, James A. Bernauer, Frank Hartle

The Qualitative Report

It is argued in this article that the legal system, from initial investigation by detectives to final resolution in court by lawyers, judges, and juries, offers a basis for investigating phenomena in the social sciences using mixed methods. We think that this new paradigm combines the components of both the qualitative and quantitative paradigms and provides a practical model for conceptualizing and conducting mixed methods research. The implication of this new paradigm is that it may help us better understand underlying phenomena in scholarly inquiry and thus offers a potential contribution for using a mixed-methods approach in both education and …

Contextual Coding In Qualitative Research Involving Participants With Diverse Sociocultural Backgrounds, Ahtisham Younas, Angela Cuoco, Ercole Vellone, Sergi Fàbregues, Elsa Lucia Escalante Barrios, Angela Durante

The Qualitative Report

Understanding participants’ perspectives in qualitative research is contingent on unravelling the essential meaning of their speech. When data are collected in native language and translated into English language, the underlying sociocultural meaning of participants’ speech can be missed. This paper discusses a new contextual coding approach and illustrates its application in research. The technique was used in a phenomenological study in Pakistan and a mixed methods study in Europe. Contextual coding entails a preliminary coding stage involving data reading in native language, choosing socially and culturally relevant words and phrases, and developing preliminary codes. The concluding coding stage focuses on …

Imposter Participants: Overcoming Methodological Challenges Related To Balancing Participant Privacy With Data Quality When Using Online Recruitment And Data Collection, Jacqueline M. Roehl Ph.D., Darci J. Harland Ph.D.

The Qualitative Report

In this paper we describe the lessons learned when untrustworthy participants were included in a qualitative interview study. In online research, participants can more easily misrepresent their identity and volunteer for studies even if they do not meet inclusion criteria. The term “imposter participant” refers to dishonest participants who completely fake their identities or simply exaggerate their experiences to participate in qualitative studies. Untrustworthy participants are a threat to data quality, yet little has been published on how qualitative researchers should prevent and handle this unique methodological challenge. In this paper, we provide a detailed account of how specific issues …

Covid-19 Pandemic And Special Education Teacher Voices, Rama Cousik

The Qualitative Report

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 created havoc in schools across the world as it necessitated school closures and lockdowns, and/or a sudden switch to an online mode of learning. Although all children and teachers were adversely affected, children with disabilities faced additional problems. Special education teachers bore the burden of having to continue providing high quality special education in the face of these challenges. In this paper, I present findings from a survey of special education teachers through use of qualitative and arts-based research technics.

An Autoethnographic Approach To Developing Human Connections: A Prison Educator’S Lived Experiences, Kyle L. Roberson, Karen L. Alexander

The Qualitative Report

Storytelling and reflective practices have been recent buzzwords in the fields of education and family and consumer sciences. The point is to tell our stories and inform the public about the infinite number of ways educators and family and consumer sciences professionals impact our schools and communities. Through this autoethnographic study, the researcher details how making human connections and the sharing of these stories has the potential to improve correctional institutions, education programs, and student-teacher relationships. Lessons learned and experiences easily translate to public education, higher education, and industry. Journey with the researcher through his memories and reflections as an …

"You Must Defeat [The Tutorial] To Stand A Chance": Learning To Play Competitive Fighting Video Games, Aidan D. Rivas

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Modern competitive video games are complex systems that require players to learn techniques and develop strategies in response to computer- or human-controlled opponents. Building on the work of both game studies scholars and game designers, this thesis analyzes various learning spaces within and surrounding competitive video games, including in-game tutorials, arcades, and online communities. It focuses on “fighting games,” those competitive video games in which, typically, two players control characters to face off in single combat. Through analysis of the interfaces used, the audio-visual artifacts present within the tutorial sections of fighting games, and the paratextual materials produced by members …

Transforming From Addicted Video Gamer To Doctoral Candidate: An Autoethnographic Reflection, Xiao Hu Dr., Hongzhi Zhang Dr

The Qualitative Report

Video game addiction has become a significant concern in many countries with the development of the digital entertainment industry. Researchers have devoted their efforts to understanding the causes of video game addiction and seeking solutions and treatment approaches to help reduce the addictive problem. Similar to the worldwide situation, video game addiction issues are also a major socio-cultural problem in China. Although qualitative and quantitative research methods have been used in video game addiction studies, current research still follows the model of collecting data from objective participants and then analysing it. Contrarily, there is a lack of first-person empirical data …

The Right Pathway To Becoming A Successful Qualitative Researcher: A Book Review Of Char Ullman, Kate Mangelsdorf, And Jair Muñoz’ Graduate Students Becoming Qualitative Researchers: An Ethnographic Study, Elih Sutisna Yanto

The Qualitative Report

Graduate Students Becoming Qualitative Researchers: An Ethnographic Study is a book written by Char Ullman, Kate Mangelsdorf, and their student, Jair Munoz, of the University of Texas. The book addresses questions such as, "What problems do inexperienced qualitative researchers face?" and “How can an individual become a qualitative researcher?” This book examines the academic and identity processes of disadvantaged students who become qualitative researchers. An in-depth ethnographic study was conducted by the authors to demonstrate how these elements fit into Communities of Practice. As ethnographers and researchers, students engage with and learn from communities, drawing from their prior experiences and …

A New Method To Bridge New Materialism And Emotional Mapping: Spatio-Emotional Experiences In Disaster-Affected Brazilian Favelas, Gemma Sou, Juliana Carvalho, Natalia Cidade, Maria Eugenia

The Qualitative Report

Within the field of emotional mapping, and mapping more broadly, nonhuman things are often understood as mere instruments - they have utility but not agency to shape meaning-making. In this paper we experiment with a new method that aims to challenge the dualism between human and non-human things by bridging new materialism and participatory emotional mapping. We experimented with this “new materialist methodology” during a one-day workshop to explore residents’ spatio-emotional experiences in a disaster-affected favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reflecting on this one-day workshop, we argue that materials with diverse colors, textures, shapes, densities, weights, and smells are …

Working Conditions Of Indonesian Remote Elementary School Teachers: A Qualitative Case Study In Southern Papua, Basilius R. Werang, Donatus Wea, Agustinus Kia Wolomasi

The Qualitative Report

The quality of the teaching-learning process is determined not only by the qualifications and competence of teachers, but also by the school conditions in which they work. Teachers are clear about the working conditions that they need for them to be successful with students. A better working condition improves mood and concentration and provides an excellent working approach for teachers. This case study was intended to learn what working conditions teachers note as challenging while teaching in the remote elementary schools of Southern Papua. Seventeen teachers were willing to be interviewed to assist in answering the main inquiry question: “What …

Out Of The Body, Onto The Page: Awakening The Role Of The Body In Writing And Practical Applications Of Embodied Composition, Jasmine Jackson

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Academic writing courses privilege a style of learning that often excludes the awareness of the body. In this thesis, I propose an exploration of the role of the body as an active agent in the writing process. This thesis collates and queries research on embodiment to provide what a sample of embodiment theory and writing activities that facilitate embodiment in the classroom might look like by bringing in interdisciplinary studies to help fill the gap of research on embodied composition in the field.

In doing so this thesis argues in favor of an embodied approach to composition and is supported …

Keeping It Real: Use Of Simulation For Communication Skill Development For Student Learning, Engagement, And Interaction, Lea Kaploun

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Participants will learn the steps to creating a video simulation activity where students watch a video of a scenario they may encounter, in order to use problem-solving and self-reflection in skill development. Discussion of components of the activity, including prebriefing, instruction, simulation, and debriefing will support instructors in preparation of their own activities. Participation in a simulation activity and reflection on the experience, its benefits, and its challenges will prepare instructors for some issues that may arise in their own work. Participants will then formulate a plan for a video simulation activity involving content that they want to present to …

Roundtable 3: Creating Meaningful Social Presence In Online Courses, Jennifer Reeves

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Using Garrison, Anderson and Archer's (2000) Community of Inquiry (CoI) Framework, this roundtable will focus on ways to create meaningful and lasting social presence in your online classes, meetings, and/or virtual conference. According to Garrison et al. social presence is “the ability of participants in a community of inquiry to project themselves socially and emotionally, as ‘real’ people (i.e., their full personality), through the medium of communication being used.” (p. 94). Therefore, this roundtable will discuss various communication mediums and tips for successfully creating social presence that is lasting and meaningful. Ideas such as more personable and exciting introductory posts …

Roundtable 1: Putting It All Together: Utilizing Student-Curated Portfolio Projects To Engage And Immerse Students From Week 1, Christi M. Navarro

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

It is not uncommon for educators to assign semester- or weeks-long projects giving students ample time to plan and execute, only to realize that many students choose to complete the assignment the night before the due date. Although the results may vary in the quality of submissions, the intent of educators to have students synthesize course content over the span of the semester may fall flat. The objective of this session is to present a multi-faceted portfolio project that will meaningfully engage students and synthesize course concepts from the onset.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Define the Gradual Release of Responsibility Framework.
2. Describe …

Cloud-Based Video-Conferencing Is Here To Stay (Zoom, Or Similar): Implementing Authentic Assessment And Curbing Cheating Without The Need For Proctoring, Judith Slapak-Barski

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we found ourselves forced to switch to online learning in a hurry to ensure instructional continuity. As we faced abrupt change by meeting learning needs through rushed fixes, namely distant learning online using a cloud-based video conferencing solution, we realized that some of those temporary changes had tremendous potential for becoming permanent.

As we emerge from the pandemic, one of those temporary changes is here to stay. Zoom brought unexpected value to our daily learning activities and made us realize that this type of cloud-based video conferencing solution featuring interactive tools will likely become a …

All You Need Is Love: Compassionate Design For Better Teaching And Learning, Walter Milner

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

In order to connect, engage, and inspire students we need to account for who they are as individuals. This can be accomplished through a compassionate approach to course design and course interactions. Compassionate design involves actively learning who our students are, actively approaching the design of course activities in a way that considers all learners and being conscious of our interactions with learners. Compassionate approaches to course design have the added benefit of demonstrating a model that transfers to society at large and makes the world a better place. This presentation will highlight each of these areas and demonstrate techniques …

Active Learning In Practice: Integrating The Digital Mastering Apa Style Student Workbook In A Canvas Course, Vanaja Nethi, Kate Ramunda

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines need to develop excellence in scholarly writing to communicate their ideas to peers in the academic community effectively. One of the most widely used set of guidelines to help students achieve excellence in scholarly writing is the APA Style. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association is the main resource for this.

In this session, the presenters will introduce a new digital-only resource, Mastering APA Style Student Workbook released last year that matches the organization of The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7e). The resource utilizes active learning, interactive learning, …

Designing Engaging Quiz Questions In Canvas, Andreas Häberlin

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Student engagement is critical to student success. In an age of knowledge and digital distractions, the creation of meaningful learning experiences is key to student engagement. Established approaches have long focused on in-person classroom engagement. However, a growing body of scholarly literature indicates the research community's interest in digital engagement strategies. Digital instruction poses unique opportunities and challenges to student engagement. One powerful digital education tool is the quiz. Beyond competitive gamification, edutainment and trivia, quizzes present an excellent opportunity to spark student inquiry. This presentation explores the intersections of cognitive learning, quiz question design, and the Canvas quiz engine. …

Developing And Using Vision Statements To Enhance Course Design And Improve Student Outcomes, Rita Shea-Van Fossen

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Instructors face many challenges when designing or redesigning courses including what content and topics to include and exclude, and how to bring course content into a cohesive whole. Organizations use vision statements to provide focus and direction to a company’s activities and motivate employees towards improved performance. In this hands-on LEC Teaching and Learning Conference session, participants will walk through the process of developing and using a course vision statement to focus and align content, communicate a course’s purpose, and motivate and engage students in a course. We will then use your course vision statement to fully design or redesign …

Building Research Initiatives By Developing Group Effort (Bridge): Patient-Partners In Aphasia Research, Alejandro Brice, Jacqueline Hinckley

HPD Articles

Researcher-initiated research often has little or no input from the groups who will be affected by the results of the research. The aim of this project was to describe practices of embracing patient-partners (i.e., individuals with aphasia and spouses/family members) in research. Six webinars were developed for both researchers and patient-partners that were required prior to participating in a joint conference that focused on collaborative research teams. The conference was designed based on an appreciative inquiry approach. Including patient-partners into research priorities and planning has been accomplished across various health domains in the United States, but this was the first …

Using Behavior Skills Training To Promote Self-Advocating Behaviors: A Single Subject Research Design To Examine The Effectiveness Of Behavior Interventions Among Teachers, Clarence Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

Using Behavioral Skills Training to Promote Self-Advocating Behaviors: A Single-Subject Research Design to Examine the Effectiveness of Behavior Interventions Among Teachers. Clarence Cooper, 2022: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: applied behavior analysis, behavioral skills training, inclusion, individual education plan, operant conditioning, prompting, reinforcer, self-advocacy, accommodation

This applied dissertation utilized the behavioral skills training to train teachers on how to prompt, identify, and reinforce self-advocacy behaviors among students with learning disabilities. In applying behavioral analytic interventions to strengthen desired outcomes, a one- day intervention that was grounded in a …

The Current - Volume 33 Issue 2, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

“We Live On An Island:” Perspectives On Rural Family Caregiving For Adults With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias In The United States, Heather J. Williamson, Andria B. Begay, Dorothy J. Dunn, Rachel Bacon, Mark Remiker, Yolanda E. Garcia, Michael J. Mccarthy, Julie A. Baldwin

The Qualitative Report

As the United States’ aging population grows, there will be increased prevalence of individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD), who largely rely on the support of their family caregivers. Family caregivers residing in rural areas face additional challenges with managing caregiving responsibilities and navigating support services. The purpose of this multilevel phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the assets, unique needs, and resources of rural-residing ADRD caregivers from the caregiver, provider, and policy influencers’ perspectives. The study took place between 2019 through 2021 in northern Arizona, a largely rural and geographically vast area home to caregivers from …

Graduate Student Mothers And Issues Of Justice: Steps, Challenges, And Benefits Of A Systematic Review For Examining Master’S Theses And Doctoral Dissertations, Anna Cohenmiller, Zhanna Izekenova, Almira Tabaeva

The Qualitative Report

mothers in academia, literature review, PRISMA, coding, gender equity and inclusion, social justice

Global Research In Anatomy And Physiology During Covid-19: Lessons Learnt And Future Recommendations, Harsh Chheda, Jeet Patel, Santanu De

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

The ongoing Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a significant disruption in several areas of research within the fields of Anatomy and Physiology. With the whole world coming to a standstill, research of any kind was difficult to pursue, especially in these disciplines requiring kinesthetic/tactile application of concepts or testing hypotheses through hands-on engagement, as the new social guidelines and risks to certain groups of people hindered up-to-date research-data collection. However, with new technology and protocols created or adopted, there has been an effort to better help students and scientists to conduct research remotely; such alternatives cannot effectively …

Research Internship At Marcus Neuroscience Institute, Abhinav Ankem

Trick to the Treat of Internships and Research

My internship experience at the Baptist Health Marcus Neuroscience Institute allowed me to pursue an opportunity in researching neuro inflammation with specific types of strokes and injuries resulting from impaired blood flow to the brain. I work with data from the lab, and with analyzing multiple pieces of literature for a greater understanding of the topics of interest in the lab. Lastly, I work with the staff and principal investigator to confirm my findings and work ahead on the data analysis.

Poststroke Seizure And Epilepsy: A Review Of Incidence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, And Pharmacological Therapies, Joseph Phan, Mario Ramos, Theodore Soares, Mayur S. Parmar

HPD Articles

Stroke is the most common cause of epilepsy and ultimately leads to a decrease in the quality of life of those affected. Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes can both lead to poststroke epilepsy (PSE). Significant risk factors for PSE include age less than 65 years, stroke severity measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), cortical involvement, and genetic factors such as TRPM6 polymorphism. The diagnosis of PSE is made by using imaging modalities, blood biomarkers, and prognostic criteria. Electroencephalography (EEG) is currently the gold standard to diagnose PSE, while new combinations of modalities are being tested to increase …