Digital Commons Network^™

Relaciones De Las Competencias Docentes Con El Bienestar En Docentes De Ciencias Empresariales Bajo La Modalidad A Distancia En Una Universidad Privada En Colombia, Camilo Ernesto Aguirre Martínez

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de esta investigación consistió en determinar las relaciones de las competencias docentes con el bienestar en docentes de Ciencias Empresariales bajo la modalidad a distancia en una Universidad privada de Colombia. El estudio buscó identificar las relaciones entre las competencias docentes y el bienestar psicológico, el bienestar subjetivo y el bienestar social, cuáles de esas relaciones predominan, así como la identificación de cuáles elementos de estos tipos de bienestar contribuyen con el desarrollo de las competencias docentes.

El enfoque de la investigación fue el empírico analítico o cuantitativo, el diseño fue no experimental y su alcance fue de …

Homeschooling And Online Learning Technologies From A Parent’S Perspective, Karla M. Forti

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational research study was to examine the relationship between homeschooling parents’ use of educational technology tools and their instructional behaviors and perceptions, with additional consideration of virtual school participation. Survey-based data from 22 parents of over 40 homeschooled children were used to examine technology adoption and instructional preferences across non-traditional learning settings. The study addressed four research questions through descriptive statistics and correlational analysis, while quantitative themes from open-ended responses enriched the findings. Results provided insight into parental motivations and trends influencing homeschooling and virtual school choices, highlighting the expanding role of online learning …

When They See Us: The Lived Experiences Of Bglo Members At A Pwi, Brittany Harris-Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explored the lived experiences of members of Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLOs) at a predominantly White institution (PWI) in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. BGLOs have historically served as critical spaces for leadership development, cultural expression, and community support. However, within PWIs, these organizations often encounter systemic barriers related to visibility, funding, and institutional engagement.

The purpose of this study was to center the voices of BGLO alumni who graduated between 2020 and 2024 to better understand how they navigated their membership experiences during a time of social, institutional, and cultural transition. Using a qualitative research design, …

Perceptions Of Mental Health School-Based Team Members On Addressing Suicidal And Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behaviors: A Qualitative Inquiry Into Policy Implementation And Practice In School Settings, Ashlande Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of mental health school-based team members regarding the effectiveness of current prevention and intervention practices for addressing suicidal and non-suicidal self-harming behaviors among school-age children in a large suburban school district in the southern United States. Despite the alarming increase in self-injurious behaviors, with crisis calls rising from 144 incidents in the 2022 school year to 736 incidents in the 2025 school year, the district lacked comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies to effectively address this critical issue.

The researcher used a qualitative phenomenological approach to capture the lived experiences and …

Legislative Impacts On K-12 Social Studies Teacher Identity, Curricular Decision-Making, And Receptiveness To Professional Development, Staci Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examines how K-12 public school social studies teachers are navigating their instructional decision-making regarding content about marginalized groups in response to state legislation. Quantitative data were collected through an online Likert-scale survey to measure teachers’ reported agreement on how state legislation has impacted their instructional decision-making, job satisfaction connected to their professional and personal identities, inclusion of instructional materials, and receptiveness to professional development.

Following data collection, the researchers analyzed whether factors of district political context and teachers’ personal and professional identity characteristics predicted their responses. Survey results showed most teachers reported feeling that state legislation has …

Overcoming Challenges In Obtaining And Presenting Evidence In Federal Sex Trafficking Prosecutions, Jason Brumbelow

Theses and Dissertations

Sex trafficking is a complex and under-prosecuted federal crime (Cook, 2019). Misunderstandings about how this exploitation happens can “frustrate the criminal justice response to trafficking” (Murphy, 2022, p. 4). Investigating and prosecuting the crime of sex trafficking includes understanding concepts such as consent and coercive control. Proving these concepts within the federal criminal justice system is not straightforward (Albanese et al., 2022).

This study will examine the challenges law enforcement professionals face in identifying and putting forth the elements of force, fraud, and coercion in federal sex trafficking investigations and prosecutions. Investigating and prosecuting the crime of sex trafficking requires …

A Study Of The Effect Of Incentives On Police Recruitment And Retention, Taylor R. Wiggins

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines factors contributing to the staffing crisis in police departments, focusing on officers' perceptions of their organizations. It explores their attitudes toward their departments, motivations for joining law enforcement, and reasons for remaining in their positions. Additionally, the research assesses the impact of various incentives on officer retention.

A total of 140 participants were surveyed, with 113 completing the survey in its entirety, ensuring reliable data analysis. Demographic findings revealed a predominantly male sample (85.8%), with most officers aged between 25 and 44. Analysis of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) indicated that intrinsic satisfaction (M = 3.85; range …

Examination Of The Influence Of A Standardized Law Enforcement Curriculum, Christopher E. Powell

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the extent to which the standardized 2024 Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) Basic Law Enforcement recruit curriculum influenced the attitudes of 33 cadets at the Broward Police Academy concerning critical policing issues. Employing a pre- and post-survey design with a convenience sample, the research specifically assessed changes in cadets' preconceived notions regarding the appropriate use of force, the perceived dangerousness of individuals experiencing mental illness, and the necessity of police discretion in community interactions. The findings revealed statistically significant shifts in two key areas following academy training: cadets demonstrated a reduced perception that police …

Unrestrained Voices: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis On Formerly Incarcerated Trans People’S Perceptions Of Safety During Incarceration, James Anthoney Crawford

Theses and Dissertations

Heightened risks of violence, discrimination, and insufficient institutional protections mark the experiences of incarcerated trans individuals. This qualitative thematic analysis investigated the perceptions of safety among formerly incarcerated trans people within U.S. correctional facilities. Using qualitative research methods, the study gathered firsthand accounts of physical and sexual assault, examined institutional responses to reported incidents, and assessed the effectiveness of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 in addressing the unique vulnerabilities of trans inmates. Data collection involved oral history transcript analysis, which was analyzed through thematic coding to identify patterns of institutional neglect, inadequate training of correctional staff, and systemic …

Perceptions Of Maine Batterer Intervention Program Directors On Treatment Challenges, Jenna Ostrowski

Theses and Dissertations

Intimate partner violence (IPV), commonly known as domestic violence, is a widespread social issue that continues to impact many victims. To combat this problem, multiple funded resources target not only the victims’ needs, but also attempt to reduce recidivism rates for domestic violence offenders. Treatment programs for domestic violence offenders have been operational since the 1970s, with curricula directed toward changing power and control dynamics in intimate relationships. Growing research supports the idea that domestic violence offenders have more prevalent histories of childhood trauma and mental health issues, which may increase the risk of IPV perpetration. However, research also shows …

Law Enforcement And The Need For Mental Health Collaboration, Jacquline Gillins-Hatcher

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the ongoing challenges and the necessity of enhanced collaboration between law enforcement agencies and mental health professionals in responding to mental health crises in the United States. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews with law enforcement officers and mental health professionals, along with an analysis of existing records and policies.

Findings highlighted that crisis intervention team training improved officers’ ability to manage crisis situations. However, barriers such as limited interagency coordination, funding constraints, leadership challenges, and systemic policy gaps continued to hinder effective collaboration. Data from this research indicated that …

Lived Experience Of Middle School Science Teachers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, David E. Abbott Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted education worldwide, compelling schools to adopt remote teaching and learning. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of six middle school science teachers in an Alabama school district during this period. Data were collected through interviews and reflective journals maintained for 2 weeks following the interview. The research investigated how teachers navigated shifting instruction to remote settings, engaged students, assessed and monitored their progress, and managed challenges. Guided by the technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) framework, findings revealed that teachers leveraged a combination of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge to adapt their instruction. Despite …

Investigating The Impact Of Student Motivation And Self-Efficacy On Academic Performance In Advanced Placement Courses, Alicia Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods applied dissertation was designed to provide insight into the effects of student motivation and student self-efficacy on academic performance in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Secondary educational institutions in the United States offer their students Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment or dual credit courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, and early college programs to encourage and promote the quest for outstanding student attainment. Although many students in the study school enroll in the Academy for Advanced Placement Studies, not all ninth through 12th graders achieve Advanced Placement credit in the Academy’s required courses.

Education has traditionally been viewed as …

Teachers’ Perspectives On Behavioral Classroom Expectations Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Jennifer E. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was that adolescents with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) were failing in general education courses. The purpose was to investigate how teachers’ perceptions and biases influenced EBD students. Participants included five teachers (two special education teachers and three general education teachers) from each of Grades 6, 7, and 8 recruited from social media. The study was guided by the case study research design, and the interview instrument was the Indepth Interview Protocol. Data analysis was guided by a coding system that facilitated searching the interview responses for themes.

Research Question 1 queried about forms …

La Enseñanza Del Arte A Estudiantes Con Trastorno De Déficit De Atención: Una Aproximación Fenomenológica Desde La Perspectiva Docente, María Torres Guzmán

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada se diseñó con el propósito de explorar, describir y entender las experiencias fenomenológicas de los docentes en la enseñanza del arte a estudiantes diagnosticados con Trastornos de Déficit de Atención (TDAH). Se documentaron las vivencias, se explicaron las experiencias y se describieron los problemas que enfrentan los docentes en su proceso de enseñanza a los estudiantes con TDAH. El marco teórico empleado fue la Teoría de las Inteligencias Múltiples de Howard Gardner, que plantea la existencia de ocho inteligencias que son la musical, la corporal cinestésica, lingüística, lógico-matemática, espacial, interpersonal, intrapersonal y naturalista.

Esta investigación tuvo un …

Teacher Perception On The Implementation Of A Culturally Responsive Ela Curriculum, Erica Tate Dial

Theses and Dissertations

While the principles of culturally responsive and culturally relevant teaching hold transformative potential, they can only be fully realized if educators are genuinely equipped and empowered to implement them. This qualitative study examined teacher perceptions of an English Language Arts curriculum through the lens of culturally relevant and culturally responsive teaching. A diverse group of teachers, varying in experience, age, gender, and race, were interviewed to gather a range of perspectives on the implementation of this curriculum. The study focused on addressing the following research questions: 1. What are teachers’ perceptions of culturally responsive and culturally relevant instruction and academic …

Perspectives Of Corporate Instructional Design Experts On Effectiveness, Personal Traits And Attributes, And Technology, Thomas A. Gant

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological descriptive study explored corporate instructional design experts' perspectives on effectiveness, personal traits and attributes, and technology that enhance their expertise. Three central themes emerged: "Mastering Instructional Design: The Journey of Continuous Learning and Skill Development," highlighting the importance of mentorship, lifelong learning, and professional development; "Accessing Instructional Design Expertise Through Individual Strengths," emphasizing adaptability, problem-solving, and empathy; and "Navigating Technological Integration and Innovation in Instructional Design," showcasing the transformative role of tools such as virtual reality, learning management systems, and authoring software. Semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom with 10 corporate instructional designers with at least 10 years …

Beyond The Brochure: Exploring The Reality Of Belonging In South Florida Private Schools, Jennifer Vigille

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to explore Black parents’ perceptions of teachers and leadership in predominantly White private schools. The research drew on a rich body of literature on race, education, and social dynamics in diverse school settings. The study addressed the ongoing challenges Black families faced in navigating these environments, particularly in terms of communication and cultural competence. The central research questions investigated how Black parents experienced and interpreted teacher and leadership relationships and support in predominately White private schools.

The study hypothesized that Black parents perceived significant gaps in communication and cultural competence among educators and leaders, affecting …

Resisting Ableism In Research Design, Gipsy Hosking

The Qualitative Report

This paper explores how ableist assumptions can unintentionally create barriers to participation in research by those of non-normative bodies or minds. In traditional epistemology, bodies are considered “universal” rather than “specific,” and the universal body is coded as fully able-bodied and independent with brain and body adhering to normative standards of the White heterosexual English-speaking male. In this article, I present a story of “enabling participation” for those of diverse body capacity in my work with young women living with chronic illness.^[1]Specifically, I explore the accommodations and adaptions I made to my research design to account for the …

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Technology In The Mathematics Classroom, Francena D. Gargaro

Transformations

The integration of technology into teaching pedagogy, particularly in mathematics instruction, has been a subject of significant. This paper examines the impact of utilizing technology for mathematics education. It reviews multiple categories of technological tools available for classroom use, including hardware, software, and online resources, and discusses their potential benefits and drawbacks. Positive aspects of technology integration include personalized learning experiences, increased engagement and collaboration, and enhanced visualization and conceptual understanding. However, challenges such as dependency on technology, loss of conceptual understanding, distraction, and the widening achievement gap due to inequity are also addressed. The paper explores the role of …

Understanding The Transitional Needs Of Servicemembers To Veterans: A Focus On Mental, Social, And Behavioral Health, Marieann C. Raguso

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to fill the gaps on the transitional American veterans’ lived experience using their own voice. The reconstruction of an American Veteran’s identity after transitioning back into civilian life is a process with many challenges. Transitional practices often fail to help veterans to acculturate back into the civilian world. This includes the formulation of identities and associations. There is a lack of consistency in military transitional practices leading to identity loss and the formulation of mental and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the lived experiences of veterans who have transitioned back …

Exploration Of College Students’ Use Of The Occupation Of Music Listening To Support Engagement And Well-Being, Beverly Murphy, Morgan Breen, Jenna Breseman, Jailine Gonzalez, Tiesha Henley, Julianne Sta.Ana

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Heightened feelings of stress or anxiety can often accompany the transition to college, secondary to changes to an existing routine. These changes can potentially lead to occupational disruption or imbalances impacting students’ well-being and performance. This descriptive, exploratory research investigates whether college students are utilizing music as a means to support or enhance their occupational well-being. At this point, little is known about the extent of utilizing music listening as an occupational therapy intervention on college campuses to manage the allostatic load among students. To address this, a quantitative survey with close-ended questions was distributed virtually to college students within …

Stories Of Mothering: Autoethnography Of Generational Sexual Abuse, Karen D. Barley Dr

The Qualitative Report

Being a mother is both rewarding and challenging and most women seek to be the best mother that they can be. Despite best intentions, many find their ability to ‘mother’ has been tempered by their own mothering. This autoethnography encapsulates a series of vignettes describing poignant and melodic memories of my mother; and explores her neglect and inability to protect me because of sexual abuse in her life. Within my family heritage there has been a craven cycle of abuse that has perpetuated a lineage of multigenerational family sexual violence. This cycle has affected the mothers in my family’s ability …

The Experience And Identity Interview: Narrative Therapy In Research Interviewing, Janet E. Conti, James T. M. Calder, Rebekah Rankin

The Qualitative Report

In this paper we introduce “The Experience and Identity Interview” (EII) and demonstrate ways that this qualitative research interview can be used to engage participants in talk that scaffolds between their experiences, the meanings they ascribe to these, and their identity (re)negotiations. In doing so, there is scope to generate rich interview data that addresses a range of research questions. Drawing on the paradigm of narrative therapy, the EII generates a collaborative dialogical space wherein both researchers and research participants may co-contribute to the unpacking of normative discourses that shape participants’ usual ways of speaking about their lived experiences, thereby …

Collaborative Creative Inquiry: An Arts-Informed Approach To Transdisciplinary Research, Natalia Balyasnikova, Meghan Bruce Kumar, Yecid Ortega, Melanie Wong

The Qualitative Report

This paper presents Collaborative Creative Inquiry (CCI) as innovative arts-informed approach to transdisciplinary research. Moving away from conventional qualitative research paradigms, we adopt a reflexive stance to introduce CCI as a process that challenges static narratives and fosters inclusivity within the research process. Through critical introspection, we describe an iterative five-step CCI approach, elucidating its unique process and methodological underpinnings. Drawing upon vivid personal illustrations, we offer vignettes to illustrate the application of CCI in practice and showcase opportunities for collaborative knowledge generation with co-creation. We conclude by reflecting on insights we gained through our CCI process and inviting others …

Comparisons Of Buried And Unburied Benthic Communities On Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems, Michael Mcdonough

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Mesophotic coral ecosystems, MCEs, are coral ecosystems found at depths between 30-150m and are divided into two zones-the upper and lower MCE. The upper MCE serves as a transitional zone between shallow water reefs (SWRs) and the lower MCE. This transition is marked by increased reliance on heterotrophy by benthic organisms. While MCEs have been of increased interest by resource managers as potential sources of resiliency for impacted benthic species, these benthic communities are understudied. Mesophotic benthic communities in close proximity of Port Everglades between 32-37m depth were surveyed using video footage recorded by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). This …

An In-Depth Investigation Into Yersinia Pestis Phages: Isolating A Yersinia Pestis Phage From Soil And Constructing A Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis Of Known Yersinia Pestis Phages, Jacqueline Chavez

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague, has become increasingly resistant to many antibiotics; therefore, alternatives such as phage therapy are necessary. Phage therapy uses combinations of bacteriophages or phages, which are viruses that only infect bacteria. However, phages—especially Y. pestis phages —are severely understudied. Thus, this research has sought to specifically isolate a phage from soil that infects Y. pestis. There were 146 samples that were collected from across the US, focusing on those with reported cases of plague. These samples were enriched with Y. pestis to maximize the amount of potential phage that target Y. pestis. …

Finding Identity Complexity Through Dialogue, Johanna Solomon

Peace and Conflict Studies

Intractable conflicts like the longstanding one between Israel and Palestine have the social psychological effect of exacerbating and enshrining negative inter-group dynamics (Bar-Tal, 2007; 2013). In these conflicts the welfare, status, power, and resources of the in and out-groups can seem directly at odds with each other (Brewer, 2001) leading to dehumanization, violence, and difficulty seeing the other side as potential partners in ending war. Groups affiliated with these conflicts around the world often also find themselves polarized, disconnected, and even threatened by groups on the ‘other side.’ College campuses, cities, and workplaces can become mired in hostilities that interfere …

Mobilizing For Peace: Civil Society’S Influence On The Peace Process Between The Colombian Government And The National Liberation Army (Eln) (2010-2021), Cécile Mouly, Esperanza Hernández Delgado

Peace and Conflict Studies

This article analyzes how different civil society actors in Colombia used civil resistance to influence the peace process between the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) between 2010 and 2021, thereby contributing to a recent research agenda on civil resistance and peace processes. Drawing on interviews and documentary analysis, we examine how social actors employed nonviolent resistance tactics to: (i) get the parties to the negotiating table, (ii) carve themselves a space to participate in the process and influence it, (iii) press the parties to take measures to alleviate civilians’ suffering, (iv) help the parties overcome hurdles at the …

Student Misbehaviors, University Instructors’’ Mental Health, And Trauma Management: A Phenomenological Study, Abdul Karim, Bineeta Rahman, Muhammad Kamarul Kabilan

The Qualitative Report

The present study aimed to unpack student misbehaviors that instructors face inside the university campus. It also intended to unfold how student misbehaviors affect instructors’ mental health and how they overcome the trauma engendered by student misbehaviors. Adopting a phenomenological approach, we explored the phenomenon to answer the research questions by conducting semi-structured interviews with six teachers. Through a thematic analysis, we found that university instructors experience various misbehaviors presented by students inside the university campus, and as a result, their mental health suffers. However, instructors tend to ignore their mental health and focus on academic activities to overcome the …