Digital Commons Network^™

The Consequences Of Attempted Human Perfection: Genetic Enhancement And Why It Is Immoral, Kiran S. Sajnani

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

In the field of biomedical ethics, genetic enhancement—the alteration of human DNA to increase characteristics beyond normal function—is a highly contested topic. Genetic enhancement presents serious ethical issues, especially when gene therapy seeks to treat or prevent disease. This paper makes the consequentialist case that genetic enhancement, whether somatic or germline, is intrinsically unethical because of its ethical, societal, and systemic ramifications. The autonomy of future persons is violated by germline enhancement, which also runs the risk of deepening socioeconomic gaps and escalating intergenerational inequity. Even though it only affects the individual, somatic augmentation undermines human diversity and agency by …

University Lecturers' Narratives On Teaching Esl Online: An Ethnomethodological Study, Marlon D. Sipe, Jean A. Saludadez

The Qualitative Report

The shift to remote teaching during the pandemic has influenced the way the lecturers teach English as a Second Language (ESL) at Asian universities. Studied through the lens of ethnomethodology which focuses on understanding what the lecturers do in the face of pandemic, this investigation was conducted to answer the following research questions: (1) What are the ESL teaching practices of the University lecturers during the pandemic? (2) How do these practices accomplish ESL learning among students? In this study, the teaching practices of the participants constitute the meaning that explains how learning takes place. Three lecturers from three Asian …

Emotional Regulation Strategies Used By Indonesian Teachers In Thailand: Descriptive Qualitative Study, Didit Haryadi, Jeffrey Dawala Wilang

The Qualitative Report

The significance of this study is to explore insights into the emotions experienced by Indonesian English teachers in Thailand, highlighting their emotional journeys and the emotion regulation strategies they use. Ten Indonesian English teachers from diverse elementary and secondary schools across Thailand voluntarily participated in this qualitative research. Through semi-structured interviews, the collected data were analyzed deductively, applying Richards' (2020) framework to examine teacher emotions and Gross' (1998) framework to analyze emotion regulation strategies. The findings reveal a wide range of emotions, including happiness, pride, anger, confusion, loneliness, and mixed emotions. Notably, emotion regulation strategies, situation modification, and response modulation …

Emergent Methodologies: Quantum Qualitative Research, Nicole Weinberg, Gabriel Huddleston, Garrison Daly, Molly Weinburgh

The Qualitative Report

This methodology paper considers the prospects for quantizing qualitative inquiry in the context of equity and program evaluation. This paper first examines how quantum logics have been applied to the social sciences. Quantum logics refers to a set of generalizations, or rules, that embrace uncertainty and relationality, challenging the linear causality of traditional social science. Then, it reflects upon the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the local community as a site to reframe findings and methods through the lens of quantum logic. For example, schools may be understood as quantum systems, co-constituted and rhizomatic communities shaped by entanglement and …

“Fairy-Tale Beginnings Are Often Pretty Bad.” Filling The Gaps Of The Adoption Experience With Narrative Inquiry, Christina B. Gunther, Michelle A. Cole, Robin L. Danzak

The Qualitative Report

This study utilized narrative inquiry to delve into some of the less-celebrated experiences of adoptees and their families. Drawing on focus group data from 17 adult participants with various connections to adoption, we co-constructed three composite narratives centering on darker aspects of the adoption experience: adoptees’ sense of loss, adoption as a secret or taboo, and the challenging implications of interracial adoption. By weaving together participants' authentic voices, the study provides rich insights into the multifaceted experiences of those touched by adoption. The narratives reveal complex emotional journeys of adoptees, including feelings of rejection and grief, identity struggles, and the …

Wavelet-Based Mechanomyographic Intensity Responses To Sustained Tasks Anchored To Low Versus High Ratings Of Perceived Exertion, Dolores G. Ortega, Robert W. Smith, Jocelyn E. Arnett, Tyler J. Neltner, Trevor D. Roberts, Justin S. Pioske, Richard J. Schmidt, Terry J. Housh

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Purpose: This study examined the effects of sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks anchored to ratings of perceived exertion of 2 (RPE2_FT) versus 8 (RPE8_FT) on the wavelet-based mechanomyographic (MMG) intensity responses from pretest and posttest maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) as well as the time course of changes in the MMG intensity responses throughout the sustained tasks. Methods: Eleven men (mean±SD: age=20.9±2.3 yrs) performed MVICs before and after the sustained tasks. The wavelet analyses decomposed the MMG signals onto a set of 11 wavelet bands (WBs). Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyze the MMG intensity …

Setting Our Priorities Right: (Human) Security As Defined From The Bottom-Up, Zsófia Hacsek, David Curran, Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor, Anna Gillions

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

One of the most persisting challenges of the human security concept are to decide what issues should be prioritised, what resources should be used to solve them and by whom, and who bears responsibility for this process. In this discourse, it is crucial to involve voices from the bottom-up: UK residents whose lives are directly affected by the answers given to the above questions. Our research project, the Alternative Security Review, used a mixed-methods approach to find out what security means to individuals residing in the UK. We argue that their priorities should be taken into account in top-down decision-making …

Nova Law Review Full Issue Volume 50, Issue 1

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Botox And Blurred Lines: Why Florida's Med Spa Boom Needs A California Reality Check, Madeline Broderick

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Better Off In The Big Leagues: Why Juveniles Who Get Direct Filed Have More Rights When Analyzed From A Constitutional Standpoint, Lexi Kest

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Ethics When Using Chatgpt, Blake V. Ailes

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

With the general population’s recent and dramatic increase in the frequency of ChatGPT and other similar Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) usage throughout various industries, gray areas are becoming more prominent regarding whether ChatGPT is considered to be ethical or unethical in certain situations. Examples of unethical use of ChatGPT include plagiarism, the use of inaccurate information in drawing conclusions, and the creation of malicious code that negatively impacts various companies. Not all of these ethical concerns are necessarily the fault of the user or the AIGC. To date, peer-reviewed research on the ethical usage of ChatGPT is limited, primarily …

From Sediment To Mangrove: Tissue-Specific Metal Accumulation In Red Mangroves Of Southeastern Florida, Sophie Welch

Honors Theses

Coastal wetlands near industrialized waterways face increasingly heavy‐metal contamination, posing risks to benthic communities and food webs. Mangroves can influence metal cycling through sediment trapping, root‐zone sequestration, and internal physiological regulation, yet their effectiveness in urbanized systems remains debated. This study quantified concentrations of 17 heavy metals in sediments and mangrove tissues from four sites near Port Everglades, Florida, examined tissue‐specific partitioning, spatial and temporal contamination patterns, and examined the mangroves’ role in mediating metal loads. Ecological risk metrics identified STB as a contaminant hotspot with exceedances of TEL values across multiple elements (Ni, Pb, and Zn) as well as …

Nsu Business Graduate Student Catalog 2025-2026 Winter 2026 Edition, Nova Southeastern University

Huizenga Postgraduate Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

It's In The Name—Examining The Obligations Sureties Should Possess Under Performance Bonds In The Construction Industry, Dylan C. Shaffer Esq.

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Mandating Professionalism In Florida: Continued Attempts To Sanction Lawyers Into Being Nice, Debra Moss Vollweiler

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Nova Law Review Full Issue Volume 50, Issue 2

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Where Does The Border Begin And The Fourth Amendment End? Warrantless Forensic Searches Of Outbound Travelers' Electronic Devices, Robert C. Buschel Esq., Bradford M. Cohen Esq.

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Access Denied: Closing The Construction And Renovation Loopholes In Disability Design, Lidia Menbaeva

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Divide Of Women’S Health: Systematic Thinking Of Women, Tasfia T. Howlader

Honors Theses

Women’s health has constantly been changing- from public health infrastructure to health policies, and even medical advancements. Yet, the struggles are persistent within the gaps present in women’s health. The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) explains interactions between different levels of relationships, which result in health outcomes that vary from individual factors to environmental factors. Applying the SEM to describe health disparities can help explain how the relationships an individual has influenced their health. This project serves to exemplify these different levels while discussing the tailoring of services to the needs and the importance of populations based on their experiences. Specifically, adhering …

Paradise Lost And Character Motivation: Sinful Behavior Or Inferiority Complex?, Esperanza Barrios

Honors Theses

Sin is a concept that is always viewed through a religious perspective. But, through Paradise Lost, John Milton was able to bring further understanding towards human nature and one’s own sense of committing what’s perceived as sinful behavior without the veil of religion glazing over academics' understanding. In religious terms, sinful behavior is the idea of defying God’s commandments, but for this research, sinful behavior may be described as abnormal behavior that damages our best interests and relationships, usually for selfish gains. Each of Milton’s main characters, Satan, Adam, and Eve, fell from grace because all three damaged their relationship …

The Influence Of Metacognition On College Readiness And Persistence, Michael L. Fitzgerald

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined the influence that metacognition has on college readiness and its most traditionally used metrics: performance-based outcomes and persistence. Specifically, this study addressed to what degree underlying metacognitive structures differ between college students’ successful metrics of performance and persistence compared to a more general sample of college students.

The research characterized metacognition along three domains of analysis: (a) selfefficacy/ motivation, (b) soft skills/psychological capital (Psycap), and (c) expected value of control (EVC). The quantitative study included 54 college students and a crosssectional design. Participants completed a four-part Likert-style survey, where their responses were measured along the three …

Effect Of Employees’ Breakfast Choices On Energy Levels In The Hispanic Population Working In Healthcare In South Florida, Jennifer Rivas

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the effect of employees’ breakfast choices on perceived energy levels among Hispanic healthcare workers in South Florida. As breakfast consumption has been widely associated with cognitive function, productivity, and metabolic stability, this research focused on understanding how specific breakfast patterns influence daily energy in a population that plays a critical role in regional healthcare delivery.

A qualitative survey was developed by the researcher and was used to collect data from Hispanic employees working in a variety of healthcare settings. Participants completed a structured survey assessing breakfast habits, nutritional quality, frequency of consumption, and …

Instructional Systems Design In Lesson Planning For Substance Use Treatment Groups: A Mixed Methods Exploratory Study, Michelle Robin Gould

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored lesson planning for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment groups, investigating the presence of components from the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) instructional systems design (ISD) process in routine facilitator lesson planning practices. Using an exploratory mixed-methods convergent parallel design, data were collected via an online survey featuring closed- and open-ended questions regarding self-reported planning activities and perceived effectiveness. Quantitative analysis confirmed that SUD facilitators perform tasks associated with all five ADDIE phases. Qualitative findings showed that facilitators perceive themselves as effective planners despite logistical and organizational constraints. However, facilitators do not appear to conceptually link instructional …

Screen Time Use, Reading Achievement, And Thinking Maps: A Correlational Study Of Fifth-Grade Students, Morgan Brooke Unger

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was the fixation of screen time among fifth-grade students at a kindergarten to Grade 12 private school in South Florida. By the time children reach age 12, 69% of adolescents own a smartphone. The purpose of this study was designed to determine (a) the relationship between screen time use and reading achievement among fifth graders, (b) the relationship between parents’ awareness of their child’s screen time use and their child’s actual screen time use, and (c) how well fifth-grade students’ Thinking Maps illustrate the problems associated with screen time fixation at a kindergarten to …

Why Educators In South Florida Are Leaving The Profession, Keyona Burnes

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide better access to current information for the students and staff in a middle school. The printed materials located in the school’s media center were outdated, scarce, or inadequate. Electronic databases were available in the media center for online searching and information retrieval. However, the students did not know how to use databases as a source for completing class assignments or how to browse within these online services to find additional information. Teachers also did not know how to use electronic information to enrich their lessons.

The researcher developed lesson plans and strategies to …

Exploring The Benefits Of Virtual Learning Environments For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Kenton Louis-Jean

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological applied dissertation explored the lived experiences of K–5 teachers who worked with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in virtual learning environments. As virtual instruction became increasingly prevalent in K–12 education, limited research had examined how teachers adapted instructional practices to meet the cognitive, sensory, and engagement needs of students with ASD in online settings. This study addressed that gap by examining educators' firsthand perspectives on implementing virtual instruction for students with ASD.

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight K–5 teachers who had experience teaching students with ASD in virtual or hybrid learning environments. Participants …

Balancing Care And Chaos: A Phenomenological Study On The Emotional And Mental Health Challenges Of Emergency Department Nurses, Shantilee Green

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of emergency department nurses related to emotional and mental health challenges, coping with stress, and ways to provide them with better workplace support. Emergency department nurses are required to work 12-hour shifts in a high-stress environment with a significant patient load and an inadequate patient-to-nurse ratio. Emergency department nurses are exposed daily to patient events that can be traumatic and affect their mental and emotional health, and nurses may find it challenging to cope with the resultant stress.

The researcher created an interview protocol of 14 questions to …

Impact Of Job Demands On Performance, Satisfaction, And Environment, Michelle Chin Loy

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined the relationships between job resources, job demands, work engagement, perceived stress, and job satisfaction among university employees. The target participants for the study were employees at an academic institution in the South Florida area. The researcher e-mailed two surveys to the employees, and a response rate of 20% was achieved. One survey was conducted to assess the psychosocial work environment factors, and the impact on the employees’ well-being. The sub-scales used were Job Resources, Job Demands, Well-being outcomes, and Stress. The other survey measured the work engagement, the employees’ well-being, and how they experience enthusiasm, commitment, …

Usage Behavior Of Hispanic English Learners With Bilingual Homework Resources In Developmental Mathematics At Community College, Debra Krieg

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation, grounded in the theoretical framework of metalinguistic awareness, was designed to understand how six Hispanic English learners (ELs) were utilizing homework help resources when offered in both English and Spanish. Specifically, the study was conducted at a mid-Atlantic community college with students enrolled in a developmental mathematics course. Homework has long been established as a tool that increases the probability of academic success. The shift to web-based assignments in developmental mathematics from traditional pencil and paper homework has yielded positive results yet little is known regarding how learners utilize bilingual digital assessment tools to achieve mastery of …

The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Skills Training In Enhancing Teachers’ Ability To Write Specific, Measurable, And Individualized Iep Goals Targeting Quality-Of-Life Skills, Emilia Endean

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation sought to assess the effectiveness of a behavior skills training (BST) protocol in improving teacher behaviors for writing high-quality individualized education plan (IEP) goals that target quality-of-life (QoL) domains. High-quality IEP goals that target both academic and functional repertoires are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) and are essential for students with disabilities to achieve meaningful outcomes. BST is an effective intervention for teaching a variety of skills. No prior research has explicitly examined the application of BST for teacher professional development in writing IEP goals.

This single-subject study used a time-lagged multiple probe …