Digital Commons Network^™

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Adoption Of Social Networking Platforms To Achieve Digital Literacy For All Learners, Anila Sweitzer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this proposed phenomenological study was to investigate the perceptions and experiences of teachers, administrators, and instructional technology professionals during integrations of social networking platforms for educational purposes to enhance classroom instruction focused on improved academic achievement and digital literacy. Specifically, the study focused on understanding the experiences of teachers, administrators, and instructional technology professionals within K-12 public school districts responsible for having implemented 21st-century technology skills into classroom instruction with the use of online interviews. This study was grounded on Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory as a framework with social networking platforms being the innovation.

The study …

Habitual Offender Monitoring Enforcement (H.O.M.E.) Task Force: Combating Auto Thefts Committed By Habitual Juvenile Offenders, Anika Marie Dzik

Theses and Dissertations

Pinellas County was combating a juvenile auto theft-problem evidenced by a major increase in juveniles breaking into and stealing cars across all city jurisdictions. Due to the auto theft-problem, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office created the Habitual Offender Monitoring Enforcement (H.O.M.E.) Task Force that includes multiple law enforcement jurisdictions within the county to address the problem. The purpose of the H.O.M.E. Task Force is to strictly enforce court-ordered sanctions by intensively supervising juveniles to decrease the likelihood of them committing more crimes. The H.O.M.E. Task Force focuses specifically on habitual juvenile offenders and the auto theft-problem, which is currently one …

Confidence In Law Enforcement When African-Americans Are Underrepresented On The Force: An Exploratory Study, Charles E. Maclean

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the prediction that when African-Americans are underrepresented among sworn officers in a community’s local law enforcement agencies compared to the African-American proportions in that community’s overall population, African-American civilians’ confidence in their local law enforcement agencies may suffer, leading to impaired respect for law, reduced civilian cooperation with law enforcement, and civilian impressions of weakened procedural justice and fairness. With low civilian confidence, the argument goes, one could expect an enhanced sense of disenfranchisement among the underrepresented sub-populations.

The purpose of this study is to consider the impact of underrepresentation of African-Americans among sworn officers serving a …

Exploring The Impact Of Disaster Response Preparedness By The New York State Military Forces To The World Trade Center September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks, Robert L. Wolf

Theses and Dissertations

The problem identified in this study concerned the impact of disaster response preparedness (DRP) from the past, present, and future perspectives. The study explored the experiences of four survivors from the 1993 WTC bombing, the effectiveness of seven New York State Military Forces (NYSMF) deployed to Ground Zero (GZ), and perspectives of five Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals on DRP operations going forward from 9/11.

Following an explorative heuristic research approach, the study utilized a qualitative and content analysis methodology (both qualitative and quantitative aspects) to investigate the problem using published archival interviews from the informants. Minimally, hypothesis testing, and …

Stakeholders’ Perceptions Of An Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program In Special Education In Jamaica, Keitha Ava Marie Osborne

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was that stakeholders (i.e., graduates, cooperating teachers, principals, and heads of special education departments) of a teacher preparation program in special education at a teachers’ college in western Jamaica had not been asked their perceptions of the effectiveness of the undergraduate program that was started in 2011.

The purpose of the study was to determine stakeholders’ perceptions of the preparedness and effectiveness of graduates of a teacher preparation program in special education at a teachers’ college in western Jamaica. The stakeholders were the recent fulltime graduates of the program, cooperating teachers, principals, and heads …

Competency-Based Clinical Supervision In Applied Behavior Analysis, Yulema Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation evaluated a new method that provided a systematic way of training and evaluating supervisors in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Using a single-case multiple- baseline across supervisors and supervisees research design, this study assessed the use of a modified behavioral skills protocol (BST) in the training of master’s and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs/BCBA-Ds) in the supervision of DTT. Additionally, this study evaluated supervisee’s performances before and during the implementation of the modified BST protocol. Included in the new supervisor training curriculum outline (2.0) released by the BACB in 2019, BST is an evidence-based protocol whose efficacy …

Measuring Employee Job Satisfaction During Workplace Downsizing, Trina Sanders

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the effects of workplace downsizing on employee job satisfaction among men and women and employees of different age groups. Results from an employee survey conducted annually by the organizational site indicated that employees had high stress levels, low employee satisfaction and morale, negative attitudes, and a lack of trust of leadership following employee downsizing at the company. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the effects of workplace downsizing on employee job satisfaction to determine any differences by gender or age group.

The study utilized a quantitative, descriptive, comparative methodology using …

The Effect Of Training And Institutional Support On Title Ix Coordinators' Responses To Sexual Violence On College Campuses, Mercedes M. Pino

Theses and Dissertations

One out of five women in college are victims of sexual assault. The uptick in cases being brought before the US Department of Education for the mishandling of sexual assault cases on college campuses raises a question about the adequacy of the training and support being received by Title IX Coordinators. This study was designed to determine whether Title IX Coordinators are receiving adequate support and sufficient training necessary to adhere to the federal mandates regarding sexual assault on campus, as well as how the Title IX Coordinators’ years of experience relate to the challenges they face.

Using SurveyMonkey, a …

A Qualitative Study Of Common Faculty Perceptions Of Online Healthcare Graduate Students’ Writing Challenges, Latazia Stuart

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to understand and explore common faculty perceptions of why some faculty engage their online healthcare graduate students who are deficient in writing skills to improve and what interventions they used. This study utilized a case study qualitative approach to collect and analyze the data. This study explored online faculty perceptions of online graduate healthcare students writing deficiencies, exploring how they defined it, what beliefs and motivations underlie their decision to engage these students in the improvement of their writing skills, and what interventions they used to address this problem in an online learning environment.

The …

Investigating The Improvement In Science Achievement Among Fifth Grade Science Students When Using The Instructional Design Model, Kisha J. Jarrett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine if the Instructional Design Model will improve science achievement. The study addressed the problem of low science achievement among 93 Grade 5 students. The theoretical framework that was applied to this study was developed by Ralph Tyler in 1949. The researcher believed that Tyler’s four-process curriculum planning approach guided teachers to look differently at teaching and learning. This model assisted teachers in developing lessons that used the Instructional Design Model and produced objectives that reflect their classroom goals, impacted curriculum, and increased the understanding of science concepts. The school administered a multiple …

Grado De Satisfacción De Estudiantes Con El Uso De Simulaciones Clínicas Y Su Percepción Sobre El Aprendizaje Logrado En Una Universidad Al Norte De Puerto Rico, Mónica Cerejido Ruiz

Theses and Dissertations

Esta investigación fue diseñada para medir el grado de satisfacción de estudiantes con el uso de simulaciones clínicas en una universidad al norte de Puerto Rico. Esta universidad adquirió dos tipos de simulaciones para los programas que ofrece de Sonografía Médica y Tecnología Radiológica. Sin embargo, hasta el momento que se hizo la investigación, no se conocía la opinión de los estudiantes usuarios sobre la utilización de estas tecnologías de enseñanza. El marco teórico de esta investigación fue la Teoría del aprendizaje experiencial de Kolb (1984) y la teoría de la Difusión de Innovaciones de Rogers (1983). Se plantearon tres …

A Case Study: Meeting The Needs Of English Learners With Limited Or Interrupted Formal Education, Michelle Ivette Marrero

Theses and Dissertations

Increasing numbers of English-language learners with limited or interrupted formal education are entering schools across the United States. This new trend is affecting school districts with new challenges as high school teachers of English speakers of other languages are not prepared to address the beginning literacy needs of students with limited or interrupted formal education. In addition, students with limited or interrupted formal education are encountering challenges in high school as they are simultaneously learning a new language and academic content in a new culture in addition to learning how to read and write for the first time in their …

Kindergarten Parent Engagement And Student Reading Literacy In Title I Schools: A Systematic Literature Review And Meta-Synthesis, Stacy L. M. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to systematically review research on the relationship between parent engagement and student reading outcomes in Title I schools at Kindergarten level. The following research questions guided this study:

1. What is the relationship between parent engagement and student reading literacy outcomes in low socioeconomic students in kindergarten? Findings show that parent engagement brings parents together with the school staff working with one another to promote a child’s reading literacy. Parent engagement includes the parent as an active member who shares responsibility for a child’s achievement. A need for teacher professional development for teachers on building …

How Do You Like Me Now? Social Media Bridging The Distance In Online Education, Lee Heller

Theses and Dissertations

Distance education has disrupted our educational norm, with students taking more online courses than ever before. Some research has assumed that online students experience a feeling of isolation, disconnect with their institution, and overall, have a diminished educational experience. During the last 10 years, another phenomenon, social media, has also experienced explosive growth, including the largest and most interwoven into modern society: Facebook.

With almost 92% of respondents in this study reporting they use Facebook daily, this study found there was statistical significance (1) between using Facebook for social use and the feelings of isolation; (2) between belonging and participating …

Respect And The Role It Plays In Explaining The Disproportionate Number Of African-Americans Incarcerated, Tina B. Craddock

Theses and Dissertations

This was a quantitative research study that examined the roles respect and self-esteem play within the African American population. There is no disagreement among social scientists that there is a disproportionate number of African Americans incarcerated. This study attempts to offer one possible explanation. This was a quasi-replication of a study conducted nearly two decades ago using African American adolescent males between the ages of 14 to 18. This research study identified a sample population consisting of African American males and females between the ages of 18 and 50. A cross-sectional analysis was utilized using convenience sampling. The research instruments …

Violent Offenders And Assaults On Staff Members, Lisa Gentry Long

Theses and Dissertations

Violent Offenders and Assaults on Staff Members. Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Fischler College of Education, School of Criminal Justice Department. Descriptors: Violence, violent offenders, violent inmates, corrections, prisons, assaults, correction officers, staff members.

Prison facilities are an integral part of the criminal justice system. Prisons are meant to provide punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation for inmates that are serving time. Prisons across the country are understaffed due to many reasons. It is important for staff members to be trained on how to keep themselves and inmates safe when they are behind the walls of these facilities. Staff members are in positions …

Nsu Sharks Rx_Winter 2019, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

Newsletter

Physical Therapy Faculty, Clinical Instructors, And Employer Expectations For New Dpt Graduates In The Acute Care Setting, Leah Nof, Claudia Gazsi, Shari Rone-Adams, Debra F. Stern

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine how the expectations of new graduate physical therapists held by physical therapy faculty (PTF), clinical instructors (CIs), and employers (PTE) compared in the acute care (AC) setting, and determine if graduates are meeting the entry-level expectations of the three stakeholders in acute care. Methods: This mixed method study used Survey Monkey to gather data from participants. Faculty, CIs and PTEs were recruited from CAPTE accredited DPT programs. The current survey used the top 25 characteristics developed by the Delphi study by Gazsi to determine level of agreement of importance among …

Use Of The Kawa Model To Facilitate Interprofessional Collaboration: A Pilot Study, Jennifer E. Lape, Ashley Lukose, Diana R.M. Ritter, Brian D. Scaife

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The Kawa (river in Japanese) model uses the metaphor of a river to view one’s life from a metaphysical perspective, with consideration given to the interaction between social and physical environments, life circumstances, assets, and liabilities. Preliminary research suggests that the Kawa model may be an effective tool for interprofessional collaboration, but studies employing the model with diverse groups of healthcare professionals have not been undertaken. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if the Kawa model could serve as an effective collaboration tool for a diverse healthcare team within a skilled nursing facility.

Method: A pilot …

Inside Outsourcing: Experiences Of Outsourced Physical Therapy Services In Dutch Hospitals, Rudi A. Steenbruggen Pt, Mba, Hannah Boven Msc

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Over the past years, it has become more common in Dutch hospitals to outsource allied healthcare services to the private sector. This development has affected hospital-based physical therapy significantly. And as a result, there is an increasing need for guidance in this new situation. In response to this, the Dutch Association of Physical Therapy in Hospitals (NVZF) conducted a comprehensive study into the process of outsourcing with the objective to inform and advise physical therapy services in hospitals about outsourcing developments. Eight Dutch hospitals where physical therapy services had been outsourced or where this option was explored, were interviewed. The …

Need For Nutrition Education In Health Professional Programs: A Review Of The Literature, Nava Livne

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The ever-increasing burden of obesity as a high risk factor for nutrition-related diseases, together with health professionals’ lack of competencies in nutrition, has left health professional students needing further education to offer nutrition advising to patients. The purpose of this review was to summarize the current literature related to nutrition education in health professional programs.

Method: This literature review was conducted using eight scientific literature databases: PubMed, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, Directory of Open Access Journals, Professional Development Collection, Complementary Index, and Google Scholar. Articles published in English from January 2007 through January 2018 were reviewed. …

Students' Perception Of The Educational Environment In An Indian Physiotherapy College, Prachita Walankar, Vrushali Panhale, Sayli Situt

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Educational environment has a significant impact on students' behavior, academic progress and quality of learning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the students’ perception of their learning environment in an Indian physiotherapy college and compare their perceptions in terms of demographic attributes and academic level. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 undergraduate physiotherapy students. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), a 50-item, self-administered inventory was employed to assess the student’s perception of learning environment. It comprises of five domains: students’ perceptions of learning; students’ perceptions of teachers; students’ academic self-perceptions; students’ perceptions of atmosphere …

Epidemiology Of Equestrian Accidents: A Literature Review, Lauren Meredith, Robert Ekman, Karin Brolin

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This manuscript aimed to present a review of the literature pertaining to horse riding and other horse-related injuries.

Method: A review of the literature was performed, searching for appropriate terms with regards to horse accidents, horse riding injuries and protective clothing for the horse riding context. The literature review search returned 151 relevant full-text articles, with 71 of these detailing the overall injury epidemiology of horse-related accidents. Most of these studies were conducted in the USA and used a retrospective review of hospital data methodology.

Results: Of the 71 articles investigated, 60 suggested that those most frequently involved in …

Factors Affecting Student Persistence Into Athletic Training Programs, Heather Hudson, Valerie Herzog

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that contribute to student persistence and gauge prospective athletic training students' perceptions of experiences that contributed to their persistence. Method: The Athletic Training Student Persistence-Revised Survey was developed to gather data about program attributes, social, academic, clinical integration, and program commitment. Institutional demographics, program demographics, and program attributes were collected during interviews. Surveys were administered online through SurveyMonkey. Survey data were returned anonymously by designated contact persons (Athletic Training Program Directors or Clinical Education Coordinators) for all freshmen prospective athletic training students enrolled in the athletic training introductory course/s. …

High-Fidelity Simulations Offer A Paradigm To Develop Personal And Interprofessional Competencies Of Health Students: A Review Article, Nava Livne

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Simulation instruction is an effective method to help health professional students develop personal and interprofessional competencies. The purpose of this review was to summarize the literature on high-fidelity mannequin simulation using methods that develop various personal and interprofessional competencies of health students in profession-specific and interprofessional health settings.

Method: This review was conducted using 10 databases, and articles published in English from January 2008 through January 2018 were reviewed. Keywords and terms from the Medical Subject Headings [MeSH] thesaurus were used to create keyword combinations. Of 95 articles that resulted from this search, 44 research studies were chosen for …

Mapping Evidence From The Literature About The Experience Of Internationally Educated Health Professionals To Canadian Professional Competency Profiles Of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Physicians, And Pharmacists., Michael E. Kalu, Ukachukwu O. Abaraogu, Kathleen E. Norman Dr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Abstract

Purpose: To review experiences of internationally educated healthcare professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, physicians and pharmacists) in their new country and to map these experiences using a competency framework.

Method: Database (Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO ) were systematically searched to include articles published between 2000 and 2017 and described the experiences of internationally educated healthcare professionals (IEHPs) in physiotherapists, occupational therapists, physicians and pharmacist in attaining registration in new country. The data were synthesised using conventional content analysis. Emerging themes were mapped across a competency framework based on the profiles of the selected professions.

Result: Thirteen articles were included; …

Critical Appraisal Of “Immediate Changes In Spinal Heights And Pain After Aquatic Vertical Traction In Patients With Persistent Low Back Symptoms: A Crossover Clinical Trial” By Simmerman Et Al -- An Opinion Piece, David C. Berry, Nicole Miela

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to critically review the article, Immediate changes in spinal height and pain after aquatic vertical traction in patients with persistent low back symptoms: a crossover clinical trial. PM R.2011 May;3(5):447-57. [PMID: 21570033] doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2011.01.010. Methods: Study, key evidence including study design, sample population, procedure, outcome measures, and results were summarized. Critical appraisal of the study's internal, external, and statistical validity followed. Results: In a crossover study of 61 total subjects, mean age 59.6 years, fifteen minutes of supine land-based flexion and weighted aquatic vertical traction were applied in both groups preceded by …

Incivility Among Radiography Educators In The United States, Kevin R. Clark, Jessyca B. Wagner

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Medical imaging education must nurture a civil environment for both students and educators. Because faculty incivility can potentially compromise learning and interfere with workplace productivity, this study examined the perceptions of incivility among radiography educators in the United States.

Methods: A survey research method was designed to examine the severity and frequency of incivility among educators teaching in radiography programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JCERT). Using a scale of 1 to 4, the participants in this study considered their perceptions of faculty incivility among radiography educators within their respective departments.

Results: Civility …

Cultivating Acute Care Rehabilitation Team Collaboration Using The Kawa Model, Jayme L. Ober, Jennifer E. Lape

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Effective healthcare team collaboration is imperative for quality client-centered care, job satisfaction, and overall morale. Rehabilitation team collaboration can be impacted by high productivity demands, differing backgrounds of individual team members, and the unpredictable healthcare environment. The Kawa (river) model, a culturally-neutral model of occupational therapy practice, has been shown to improve communication and collaboration with its use of metaphors, but its utility in various contexts to enhance collaborative practice is still being explored. The purpose of this study was to implement an evidence-based teambuilding intervention with use of the Kawa model to investigate the impact on acute care …

Integration Of Vision And Vestibular Therapy For Vestibulo-Ocular Post-Concussion Disorder – A Case Study, Lauren Ziaks, Rosemary Giardina, Anne Kloos

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this case study was to examine the effectiveness of integrated vision and vestibular therapy for an individual with oculomotor and vestibular system impairments secondary to a concussion further defined as vestibulo-ocular post-concussion disorder. A secondary purpose was to suggest an appropriate timeline to introduce vision therapy and integrate vestibular rehabilitation therapy based on protocol used in an outpatient concussion rehabilitation clinic.

Method This was a case study on a 16-year-old female with protracted concussion recovery. Treatment consisted of 9 in-clinic visits for vision therapy with the final 6 visits addressing vision and vestibular deficits. A home …