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Exploring Grounded Theory In Educational Research: Literature Review, Reflexivity, And Conceptual Development In Doctoral Research, Huidan Niu

The Qualitative Report

My article explores the application of grounded theory in educational research, focusing on the literature review process, reflexivity, and conceptual development. I address common misconceptions about grounded theory, especially for novice researchers, and advocate for its use as a comprehensive methodology rather than solely as a data analysis tool. Drawing on my doctoral research experience, I argue that grounded theory offers a valuable framework for fostering theoretical sensitivity and independence, making it particularly suitable for educational research. Through detailed examination, I offer novice researchers practical strategies for navigating the methodological complexities of grounded theory and for contributing conceptually robust and …

Gendered Politics Of Pictures: How Images In A Pakistani English Textbook Homogenize Female Identities, Liaquat Ali Channa

The Qualitative Report

This qualitative multimodal analytical study draws upon Kress and van Leeuwen’s ideas about pictures and problematizes textbooks of English that supposedly teach only English in Pakistan. It aims to understand the identities of an adult female as shown in the images of an English textbook. It uses Foucault’s theories of discourse and discursive formation, and a Vygotskian sociocultural view of the development of consciousness. By following Braun and Clarke (2006, 2019), all the pictures of the My English Book 4 are first analyzed thematically. Later, O’Toole’s (1994) method of analyzing pictures is employed for a detailed examination of a representative …

The Prosecution Of Nicolás Maduro, Jose Manuel Vanegas

NSU Undergraduate Law Journal

This paper examines the complex legal and political issues that came from the capture of Nicolás Maduro by United States authorities, an event that has generated controversy in both domestic and international legal debate. It begins by providing the necessary background of Maduro’s rise to power, his role as president, and the broader political and economic conditions of Venezuela under his administration. The paper then analyzes the criminal charges brought against him in U.S. federal court, including allegations of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and related offenses tied to alleged collaborations with transnational criminal organizations. Building on this foundation, the …

2026 Nsu Graduate Commencement Program, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Commencement Programs

May 5, 2026

• Shepard Broad College of Law

May 8, 2026

• Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy
• College of Dental Medicine
• College of Optometry

May 8, 2026

• College of Computing, AI, and Cybersecurity
• College of Psychology
• H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship

May 13, 2026

• Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

• Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center

May 13, 2026

• Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine and Dr. Pallavi Patel School of Health Sciences

May 14, 2026

• Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of …

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2026 Nsu Undergraduate Commencement Program, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Commencement Programs

May 4, 2026

• Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

• College of Psychology

• H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship

• College of Computing, Al, and Cybersecurity

• Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center

• Shepard Broad College of Law

May 5, 2026

• Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and Dr. Pallavi Patel School of Rehabilitative Sciences

• Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine and Dr. Pallavi Patel School of Health Sciences

• Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing

A Functional Nutrition Literature Review For Brain Fog And Adhd-Like Symptoms In Adults, Natalie Elisani Aldahondo-Matos

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ADHD-like symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue, and problems with executive functioning, are increasingly recognized in adults. Although medication is commonly used to manage ADHD, there is growing interest in whether nutrition may also play a role in supporting brain function and attention. Several nutrients involved in brain health including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, magnesium, iron, and choline  have been suggested as potential contributors to cognitive performance and attention. However, the research examining the connection between diet and ADHD symptoms is still limited and sometimes shows mixed results.

The purpose of this project was …

Solo Faculty Program Coordinators In Student Affairs-Related Graduate Programs, Phillip A. Olt, Mitch Nasser, Louise Michelle Vital, Steven Tolman, James G. Archibald, Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif, Blue Brazelton, Rozana Carducci, Michael Houdyshell, Tryan Mcmickens, Cara Meixner, Molly Mistretta, Amy Paciej-Woodruff, Richie Stevens, Ann Wendle, Claude E.P. Mayo

The Qualitative Report

Many graduate programs in student affairs-related subfields employ just one full-time faculty member, who then also functions as the program coordinator. Program coordinator duties and compensation vary widely, but they are generally the person who ensures all aspects of the program function. Research shows that fulfilling these responsibilities in addition to teaching, research, and service is difficult; however, this study sought to expand on that literature to understand what it was like to coordinate a HESA program as the only full-time faculty member isolated in that subfield at the institution. We utilized the hybrid qualitative methodology of phenomenological polyethnography, wherein …

Coordinated Telehealth For People With Parkinson’S Disease: A Qualitative Comparison Of Providers’ And Patients’ Experiences, Erin J. Bush, Reshmi L. Singh, Josephine Cox, Merrill R. Landers, Annalisa V. Piccorelli

The Qualitative Report

Telehealth increases access to allied healthcare in rural areas. People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) need improved access to health care, and from a patient-centered perspective, the coordination of their healthcare should be a priority. Four speech-language pathologists, two physical therapists, two pharmacists, and two study coordinators provided a coordinated allied healthcare intervention for people with PD in rural Wyoming and Nevada. Both the providers of the intervention, as well as the participants who received it, were interviewed about their experiences with the eight-week intervention and asked about aspects that were successful or unsuccessful. Through a naturalistic paradigm using a qualitative …

A Rigorous And Ethical Methodological Framework For Navigating Cultural Differences With Police Officers In A South African Rural Community, Masefako Andronica Gumani

The Qualitative Report

Research contexts pose different challenges during research processes, and these challenges may affect the credibility of study findings. This was especially the case when, as a researcher, I interacted with police participants from different cultural backgrounds from my own. This paper reflects on my experience as a female Sepedi‑speaking researcher conducting a Ph.D. qualitative, grounded theory study with male and female South African Police Service (SAPS) officers from the Venda and Tsonga cultural backgrounds. I used a reflexive autoethnographic research design to purposively look at myself as the subject of inquiry and analyze my reflexive journal using reflexive thematic data …

Testimonios De Una Estudiante De Doctorado: Regaining Joy In Graduate School Through Research-Practice Partnerships, Sophia Piral Lee

The Qualitative Report

Through an epistolary critical autoethnography and Latina and Chicana feminist framework, I explore the question of how international graduate students of color can overcome cultural, linguistic, ethnoracial, and social class isolation on predominantly white campuses and in college towns. By writing a letter to my mother (one of my methods for survival in academia), I share my challenges as a Guatemalan, first-time mom, first-generation college student, international student, and non-English native speaker in graduate school during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, this writing helps me recognize how I overcame my isolation and regained my joy and …

Beyond Victimhood, Expanding Narratives: A Generative Inquiry With Trafficking Survivors, Giacomo Chiara, Celiane Camargo-Borges, Diego Romaioli, Alberta Contarello

The Qualitative Report

This study is a generative inquiry with survivors of trafficking from a social constructionist perspective. Inspired by the principles of Appreciative Inquiry, its focus is collaboration between researchers and trafficking survivors with a view to shaping and understanding their trafficking experiences together, expanding understanding of the topic and co-constructing a relational space in which counter-narratives on victimhood can be generated. It consisted of 10 interviews with women survivors of trafficking at the Italian Anti-Trafficking System. These women were from a range of nations and their experiences of exploitation varied. Taking a constructionist approach to research, we formulated an episodic-generative interview …

Exploring Lay Meanings Of Happiness In Contemporary India: A Qualitative Inquiry, Kunmun Mishra, Kailash Bl Srivastava Professor

The Qualitative Report

Three decades of professional research suggest several explicit concepts of happiness; however, exploring the lay theories of happiness has largely been overlooked. Addressing this gap, our paper attempts to explore lay concepts of happiness in the contemporary Indian context. Given the inherently subjective nature of happiness, a qualitative study was conducted to explore the impact of beliefs and lived experiences on happiness. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Meanings, causes, and actions to maintain happiness evolved into seven significant themes: contentment, achievement and hope, collectivist orientation, autonomy, materialism, pragmatic orientation, and spirituality. …

Advancing Sustainability In The Indonesian Oil Field Services Landscape, Firmansyah Arifin, Sudarso Kaderi Wiryono, Sylviana Maya Damayanti, Gatot Yudoko

The Qualitative Report

This study examines sustainability practices in Indonesia's drilling and oil field services (OFS) industry, addressing a critical research gap from a business and management perspective. Using a qualitative case study approach, ten in-depth interviews with industry leaders identified key performance variables and developed a sustainability model specifically designed for the OFS drilling sector. The findings highlight three core dimensions: Internal Variables (e.g., Employee Health and Safety, CSR Initiatives, ESG Performance, Cost Savings, Energy Efficiency, Carbon Footprint Reduction), External Variables (e.g., Green Financing, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Welfare), and Performance. Novel contributions include operationalizing advanced HSE technologies like cyber rigs and tailored …

From Tradition To Transition: Evaluating Culinary Medicine As A Tool For Metabolic Health Among Nigerian Immigrants In The United States And The United Kingdom, Simi Oduwole M.S.

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

This scoping review examines existing publications to evaluate whether Culinary Medicine can be used as a tool for metabolic health among Nigerian immigrants in the United States and the United Kingdom. Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing populations globally, with increasing migration to high-income countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Evidence suggests that Nigerian immigrants experience a rise in diet-related chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as duration of residence increases. This phenomenon is often attributed to dietary acculturation and shifts toward Westernized eating patterns. This scoping review evaluates whether culinary medicine can mitigate …

Effects Of Probiotic Supplementation On Symptoms In Teenagers Ages 13-18 With Inflammatory Skin Conditions, Katelyn S. Walker, Jessica Rosen, Matilde Belfiore

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 are particularly susceptible to inflammatory skin disorders such as acne vulgaris and atopic dermatitis, which can have a detrimental effect on their physical and mental health. Emerging evidence highlights the importance of the gut-skin axis, indicating that the makeup of the gut microbiota affects both skin health and systemic inflammation. Adolescent-specific research is still limited even though probiotic supplementation, especially Lactobacillus strains, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory, animal, and small clinical studies.

The purpose of this experimental study is to determine whether oral probiotic supplementation improves inflammatory skin condition symptoms in …

The Current - Volume 36 Issue 9, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Empirical Benchmarks For Interpreting Effect Sizes In Violent Crime Interventions, Kohta James Matsukawa Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

Criminal justice researchers apply Cohen’s (1988) benchmarks to classify effect sizes as small, medium, or large, despite these standards never being meant for broad, decontextualized use (Cohen, 1988; Gies et al., 2024; Goulet-Pelletier & Cousineau, 2018; Lakens, 2013; Milner et al., 2023). Repeatedly doing so may weaken statistical validity, distort findings, and impede effective policymaking. This study introduces the first effect size benchmarks specifically designed for violent crime interventions.

Using a quasi-meta-analysis framework, 1,605 effect sizes from 104 violent crime intervention studies from the CrimeSolutions clearinghouse were converted to Cohen’s d. Three new discrete benchmarking methods were created using a …

Photogrammetric Analysis Of Porites Lobata And Pocillopora Spp. Live Coral Cover At Devil's Crown, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Katherine Whitehouse, Preston Toutant

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Porites lobata and Pocillopora spp. are predominant scleractinian corals at Devil's Crown, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador that have been monitored for 48 years. Fluctuations in colony abundance and live tissue surface area of both taxa are associated with environmental variability driven by El Niño-Southern Oscillation. To better quantify colony number and live tissue cover of the two taxa, photogrammetry was utilized during a research expedition in May 2025. Two GoPro cameras were used during snorkel transects in the northwest (Porites) and northeast (Pocillopora) sectors of the shallow (2-3 m depth), elliptical submerged caldera to produce overlapping digital …

The Hidden Map Of Women's Health: Predictors And Protectors Across Our Lives, Tasfia Howlader

Undergraduate Student Symposium

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 to …

Parental Perceptions About Crispr And Other Biological Treatments For Fragile X Syndrome Compared With Sickle Cell Disease (2000-2025): Systematic Review Protocol, Ethan Hunter, Lukah Varghese, Mohit Belur, Prathiv Raj Ramesh Babu

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic condition associated with intellectual disability, while Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) comprises inherited red blood cell disorders. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) gene-editing therapies are currently being implemented for SCD but remain experimental for FXS. Understanding caregiver perspectives on CRISPR-based therapies is crucial because families play a central role in weighing risks/benefits during treatment decision-making. Synthesizing evidence on caregiver attitudes toward CRISPR-based therapies for FXS and SCD can help determine if perceptions observed with SCD can inform expectations for FXS. This systematic review will include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published between …

Creatine: More Than Just A Gym Bro Supplement? An Evidence-Based Review Of The Safety And Efficacy Of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation, Lara Kotak

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Creatine monohydrate (CrM) is an extensively researched supplement that has been used to enhance athlete performance, muscle mass, recovery, and even improve health span beyond athletes. Despite the plethora of reasearch supporting creatine supplementation at recommended dosages, misconceptions and further questions regarding its safety and effectiveness remain. Examples of existing concerns include the potential effects of creatine on hydration levels, renal and liver function, fat mass, hair loss, muscle cramping, and fertility. Additionally, there are questions regarding the safety and effectiveness of creatine across populations of such as children, adolescents, females, older adults, and pregnant individuals. Furthermore, inquiry about the …

Predicting Alzheimer's Disease Via Machine Learning Through Adni Data, Sahana Reddy

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Since the neurological pathology, including protein deposits and neurodegeneration, starts a decade before cognitive, memory, and behavioral symptoms, AD development should be predictable from physical biomarkers. This study investigates how patients' memory and cortical brain thickness at baseline can predict their likelihood of developing AD through supervised machine learning. From baseline visits, 205 participants' data were extracted from the ADNI database, all designated as healthy control in the first visit, but some converted to AD or Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in later visits (Group 2), and some remained healthy (Group 1). The …

Time-Dependent Modulation Of Isr And Upr In Glioblastoma Stem Cells Using A Curcumin-Inspired Bis-Chalcone Analog, Abby Morrill, Carleigh Miller

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor driven by therapy-resistant GBM stem cells (GSCs). GSC's rely on adaptive stress pathways like the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). Curcumin modulates these pathways but has poor bioavailability. We developed curcumin-inspired bis-clacone analogs with improved potency and selectivity against GSCs and tested efficiency using a time-course study. A series of bis-chalcone analogs were synthesized and tested against three patient-derived GSC lines using MTS assay (0.1-10 μM, 72 h). A lead derivative compound compatible with carbon dot nanoparticle conjugation was synthesized and evaluated for mechanistic consistency and GSC cytotoxicity. ISR/UPR …

Marine Biodiversity Monitoring And Community Engagement On The Boulder Reefs Of Peanut Island, Sophia Oliveira, Luke Mckeon, Josie Larson, Raymond Hernandez, Triumph Perry, Lianna Rasimowicz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Artificial boulder reefs were constructed along the shoreline of Peanut Island in Palm Beach County, Florida to enhance habitat complexity and provide a safe, accessible snorkeling experience for the island's many visitors. These nine boulder reefs support a diverse assemblage of marine organisms and offer an ideal setting for ecological monitoring. This project documents the fish, invertebrate, and coral species that utilize these structures and provides the public with accurate, easily accessible information about the organisms they may encounter while snorkeling. Monthly GoPro surveys employing a roving fish sampling technique were conducted on each reef to record new species observations …

Evaluation Of The Use Of Longitudinal Data For Depression Research And Antidepressant Drug Discovery, Rojie Ekanayake, Niousha Mousavi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, affecting over 280 million people globally. Diagnosis of depression remains limited, and treatment is complicated due to the subjectivity of using psychometric scales for diagnosis. This has created a need for more objective methods for the diagnosis of depression and the assessment of the outcome of various treatment/management methods. These methods should consider a holistic approach encompassing biochemical, mental, and socioeconomic factors of patients. Longitudinal datasets, in the age of AI, offer an unprecedented opportunity for such an approach. Thus, it is hypothesized that the application of machine learning to …

Investigating Oct3-Mediated Buprenorphine Transport As A Mechanism For Salivary Accumulation And Oral Toxicity, Laasya Vemparala, Veda Pesala, Sydni Gunpath, Mehtab Singh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In this study we prepared a 3D printed model to better understand OCT3-mediated buprenorphine transport. Buprenorphine is a high affinity partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor (μ-OR) and main component of Suboxone. It has a unique pharmacological profile that makes it effective for treating both pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) but has been linked to oral health issues such as dry-mouth and tooth decay. The exceptionally tight binding of suboxone to μ-OR allows for sustained receptor occupancy and reduced opioid misuse potential by patients. Recent evidence suggests that the Organic Cation Transporter 3 (OCT3), a membrane transporter expressed in …

Comparative Evaluation Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Implications For Active Learning And Assessment In Global Stem And Health Sciences, Vinay Munlapudi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Today's all-pervasive emergence of Artificial intelligence (AI) necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of its role in education, especially for occupational disciplines in healthcare and STEM. AI has reshaped student learning and instructors' navigation of the evolving, post COVID-19 global academic landscape. This study aimed at encapsulating evidence-based AI implications for student-centered, active learning and assessment of STEM and health-science education in developed countries versus underprivileged communities. An exploratory, scoping review of 50 recent, scholarly journal-publications was conducted over six months through diverse search engines (Pub-Med, Google Scholar, and library databases) using keywords such as "Active learning with AI" and "Assessment of …

Integrating Domain Knowledge And Machine Learning In Rice Cultivation: A Case Study Of Algeria, Sara Faruqui, Jane Krivosheev, Jenna Handal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Research has highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a promising solution to mitigate the threat of food insecurity. Rice, a staple in the global diet, is particularly vulnerable to heat stress caused by climate change. The challenges of climate change, population growth, and increased famine risk may be alleviated through the implementation of AI models in rice cultivation. For decades, agricultural workers have faced the dilemma of needing to increase crop yields while dealing with dwindling resources and the need for more efficient practices. AI models, however, are limited by the quality and scope of the data they receive. Integrating domain …

Molecular Consequences Of Pcos-Linked Aromatase Variants: Structural Modeling And Inhibitor Docking, Kiran Sajnani, Bharath Kumar Reddy Burry, Yuktha Milukuri, Preya Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 10% of reproductive-age women and involves hormonal imbalance partly driven by impaired estrogen synthesis. Aromatase (CYP19A1) catalyzes conversion of testosterone and androstenedione to estrogen, but structural consequences of PCOS-associated variants remain unclear. We investifated Val161Asp (V161D), a PCOS-linked substitution that replaces a nonpolar valine with a negatively charged aspartate in a hydrophobic helical region. Using the wild-type structure (PDB 3EQM), we generated a 3D-printed model highlighting the mutation and key catalytic features (heme, substrate-binding channel, conserved monooxygenase motifs). We then produced an AlphaFold V161D model and compared it with wild type in Jmol to …

From Bedtime To Bacteria: A Sleep Extension Pilot Study Revealing Gut-Linked Pathways, Maya Totev

Undergraduate Student Symposium

While the gut contains trillions of bacteria that influence the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, its implications in health interventions and wellness are often underappreciated. Lifestyle factors, including sleep duration and quality, influence gut microbiome composition and are linked to adverse health outcomes. While sleep extension is known to benefit health, emerging evidence suggests the gut microbiome and inflammatory pathways may help clarify these underlying mechanisms. This pilot study examined the effects of a two-week sleep extension on the gut microbiome composition in healthy adult females as part of a larger investigation of sleep, stress, and systemic inflammation. Participants completed …