Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparison Of Combined Scoring And Standard Setting Approaches Applied To An Interim Assessment In Predicting Statewide Assessment Performance, Michelle Paul

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The validity of score interpretation and application for specific purposes is dependent upon both the appropriate assignment of test scores and the methods through which those scores are given meaning by defining performance benchmarks. This study seeks to examine the combined utility of various scoring (i.e., number correct, two-parameter logistic, and nominal response model) and standard setting methods in accurately predicting performance on an external assessment. The study will highlight the implementation of the embedded standard setting method, a newer standard setting procedure that is not yet well represented in the literature. Embedded standard setting will be compared to a …

An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Study On Usable Cybersecurity And The Behaviorial Effects Of Cognitive Load, Corey Leong

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study investigated individuals’ behaviors and perceptions, and actions of a cybersecurity event after reviewing relevant cybersecurity content published in a cyber alert. As new technologies are developed and released, humans experience pressure to defend against threats while at work to remain productive and meet desired organizational goals (Chowdury & Skinner, 2019). The first part of the study randomly assigned participants to respond to a pre-questionnaire followed by an intervention, reading a cyberalert. Participants then answered a post-questionnaire that included the identical questions from the pre-questionnaire, in addition to, biographical and career related questions as well. The second part of …

An Examination Of The Effect Of Instructional Facility Size On Student Achievement In The State Of Florida, Paul B. Tweed

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This correlational study used publicly available Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) data on attributes of educational facilities and student performance to determine the degree of correlation between the physical size of instructional space and student outcomes. The sample used in this study comprised sixty-seven school districts in Florida. A quantitative correlational analysis was utilized to compare the amount of instructional space available to each student in a district and student outcomes in terms of district graduation rates and district scores on statewide assessments. A statistically significant, negative correlation was found between per capita instructional space, district graduation rates, and district …

Does Assessment Of Distress Disclosure Enhance Prediction Of Suicidal Ideation In The Three-Step Theory Of Suicide?, Jessica A. Ruiz

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The three-step theory of suicide (3ST) proposes that suicidal ideation (SI) and behavior develops in the context of unbearable pain and hopelessness (Step 1), low social connection (Step 2) and acquired capability (Step 3 - not assessed in this study; Klonsky et al., 2016). Distress disclosure is one way a person may utilize their social network to mitigate feelings of distress and can be a critical measure of social connectedness. Building on efforts to diversify measurement of social connectedness in the 3ST, a sample of 549 college students (mean age = 19.27, SD = 1.28; 56.6% reporting history of SI) …

First Principles Studies Of Nano-Scale Phenomena At Surfaces: From Characteristics Of Single Atom Catalysts To Molecular Structure Formation, Dave I. Austin

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The dissertation explores the electronic structures induced by the adsorption of atoms and molecules on surfaces. It focuses on the physical and chemical properties of dispersed metal atom sites on oxide surfaces and the formation of novel molecular structures at hybrid organic-inorganic interfaces. The study uses density functional theory (DFT) calculations to simulate atomic-scale behaviors and aims to contribute to understanding reaction mechanisms and enhancing catalytic activity. Part one investigates the local environments of single platinum atoms on a cerium oxide surface by analyzing their physical and electronic properties. The next part studies the local environments of single platinum atoms …

An Ultrafast, Mid-Wave Infrared Source For Driving High-Order Harmonics Beyond The Water Window, Zachary A. Marra

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This dissertation details the development of the world’s first cryogenically cooled Fe:ZnSe-based chirped pulse amplifier, a mid-wave infrared source for strong-field physics experimentation. The long upper-state lifetime provided by cryogenically cooling the Fe:ZnSe gain medium allows free-running, diode-pumped Er:YAG lasers to be used as pump lasers. The amplifier is seeded by a novel two-stage optical parametric amplifier pumped at 1 μm, which is potentially carrier-envelope phase-stable. The system is capable of producing 247-fs pulses at 333 Hz and 4.6 mJ with a center wavelength of 4.07 μm, although exact characteristics vary for different repetition rates and arrangements. The spectral bandwidth …

Assessing The Connection Between Social Media And Ideological Polarization, Joshua Stiekman

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Does the usage of social media make individuals more polarized? Previous studies have shown that political use of the internet does make individuals more likely to politically participate, but little academic work has looked at the dynamic of ideology and the social media usage, despite the increase of social media usage in everyday life. This study uses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok to see if social media users are more polarized, and which ideological groups are more polarized on social media. Moderates are included to differentiate if there is a difference. This study analyzed data from the …

Transcriptomic Underpinnings Of Diversification, Phenotypic Plasticity, And Disease Response In Non-Model Amphibians, Nicholas Christodoulides

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Anurans (frogs) are spectacularly diverse in their life histories, evolutionary trajectories, and morphological features. Advancement of next-generation sequencing techniques has improved knowledge of anuran genetics, but the functional genomic underpinnings of adaptation in most frog species remains uncharacterized. Transcriptomic approaches are some of the most powerful tools available to understand the molecular workings of adaptation among lineages and species. Because anurans face a multitude of anthropogenic threats and are unique in their biphasic life history, a question of particular interest is how gene expression profiles relate to phenotypic variation within and among species. In this dissertation, I tackle this question …

Feedback-Related Negativity, Reward-Based Learning, And Adhd Symptoms: Preliminary Findings In A Pediatric Sample With Prominent Mood Symptoms, Giulia C. Salgari

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Reward-based learning is the ability to alter our future behavior following a novel reward. Dysregulation in this system has been linked to different forms of adult and pediatric psychopathologies such as mood disorders, for which it has proved to be an important treatment target given its link to broader health outcomes for these disorders. However, more research is needed to better understand its underlying mechanisms in the pediatric population. The current study examined how probabilistic reward learning, feedback-related negativity (FRN; an event-related potential from EEG), and dimensional ADHD symptom severity relate in adolescents with prominent mood symptoms. The final sample …

Exploring Fraction Comprehension And Interest In Elementary Education Through Ai-Powered Personalized Learning, Kenneth Holman

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Fraction proficiency is crucial for foundational mathematics and broader STEM fields. This dissertation investigates the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mathematics classrooms, with a primary focus on students with mathematical learning challenges. AI technologies offer unique advantages for personalizing instruction and providing tailored feedback. The empirical study in the dissertation addresses a gap in the research related to AI's application during primary school fraction instruction.

The first manuscript presents a comprehensive literature review of AI in mathematics education, synthesizing research from 2020 - 2024. The second manuscript describes a quasi-experimental study evaluating Mathbot, an AI-based personalized learning platform. Repeated …

Exploring The Influence Of Inclusive Middle School Classrooms On Resilience, Character Education, And Life Skills Development In Students With Disabilities, Katherine Bonilla

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study explored the effects of inclusive middle school classrooms on the academic performance, attendance, and social-emotional development of students with disabilities. Using a quantitative, comparative, and correlational design, the research investigated how inclusion influences these outcomes. The study examined data from 1,198 students, including both exceptional student education (ESE) and non-ESE participants, and gathered teacher perceptions to assess the impact of inclusion on social-emotional learning (SEL). Key metrics analyzed included Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) scores for mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA), attendance rates, and teacher survey responses regarding students' SEL competencies, such as resilience, teamwork, and …

Examining Anxiety And Online Learning Experiences, Charlotte A. Jones-Roberts

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Anxiety is a growing concern across university campuses. University students with anxiety are more likely to experience poor academic performance, disengagement, and attrition in their courses. Anxiety levels among online students can be significant and often more pronounced in online learning environments compared to traditional classroom settings. This dissertation aimed to examine the correlation between anxiety and online courses. Grounded in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework and its subscales, Teaching Presence, Social Presence, and Cognitive Presence, the aim was to understand how these elements correlate with state and trait anxiety in online courses. This mixed-methods study took quantitative data …

The Experience Of Blind Mothers In Parenting Children With Disabilities ``, Abeer S. Ali

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Blind or visually impaired mothers (BVIMs) raising children with disabilities experience an exceptional set of challenges that have been largely overlooked in disability and parenting research and teacher education. With this study the researcher examined how BVIMs support their children with disabilities in key areas such as behavior management, educational advocacy, caregiving, and accessing resources. Additionally, the researcher sought to understand how these mothers navigate their experiences as they challenge with societal perceptions, institutional barriers, and the daily caregiving demands. The researcher employed a qualitative case study methodology, using in-depth individual interviews and a focus group with six BVIM participants. …

The Lived Experiences Of Diverse Caregivers Of Children With Disabilities Participating In Out-Of-School Time Activities, Vanessa Spero

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of parents, family members, and caregivers of youth with disabilities from diverse backgrounds who participate in out-of-school time (OST) activities. This study acknowledged the low employment rate for people with disabilities and the potential for OST activities that utilize positive youth development (PYD) frameworks to increase life skill development to increase employment opportunities. Qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology and photo-elicitation methods were used to engage six caregivers in a series of one to three interviews. These results were analyzed with three major themes and nine sub-themes identified. The identified themes and …

Supporting Online Student Success Via Online Instructor Best Practices, Tori Jayne Taylor

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Fully online learning provides flexibility students appreciate but can be impersonal and socially isolating. Students can experience lower achievement and more frequent course withdrawal because they struggle to connect to the content, instructor, and other students. Twelve experienced general education instructors from a large university were interviewed to understand how they notice and support students who are at risk of underachieving or failing fully online courses. Interview data were triangulated using course content analyses from two of the instructors’ online courses. Thematic data analysis was guided by the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework.

Instructors in smaller courses use a variety …

Teacher Agency In Dual Language Programs: Examining Constraining And Facilitating Factors Through An Ecological Lens, Marcio R. Soares Gomes

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In the state of Florida (USA), several public schools offer dual-language education programs that include the equal use of Spanish and English to teach both English to speakers of other languages, the vast majority of whom are immigrants, and Spanish to school-age speakers of the majority language. Using the ecological approach (Priestley et al., 2015), as defined by Emirbayer and Mische’s (1998), this study seeks to understand how teachers in dual language programs achieve agency to protect the interests of their English learners. Through the lens of the ecological perspective, the study attempts to answer the following research questions: i) …

Elementary General Education Teachers' Beliefs About Inclusive Practices In General Education Classrooms In The Cayman Islands, Tracey Ann Trail

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Research indicates that teachers' beliefs are pivotal in shaping their inclusive practices. However, there is a dearth of local research on general education teachers’ beliefs about inclusive practices in the Cayman Islands. This qualitative study aimed to fill this gap by understanding the beliefs of general education elementary teachers about inclusive practices in general education classrooms in the Cayman Islands. This encompassed their beliefs about inclusive education, supporting student learning and participation, and their self-efficacy beliefs about implementing inclusive practices. Data about the teacher’s beliefs were collected using two semi-structured interviews with nine general education elementary public elementary school teachers. …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Impact Of Anti-Woke Legislation On Higher Education, Brittany Knowles

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The events immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, to include the uptick of hate crimes against Asian-Americans and the murder of George Floyd had a profound impact on public awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion issues. Where initially it appeared, public perception was supportive of the work- in recent years it has come under increasing scrutiny particularly within the academic space. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work specifically anti-racism has become increasingly polarizing. The decline in public perception of DEI work was marked by the use of simplified catchphrases like woke agendas and CRT in reference to schools. With then presidential …

The Role Of The Principal In The Recognition Of High Ability Students Who Are Black, English Language Learners, And Low Socio-Economic Status, Nadia N. Winston

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Researchers consider the underrepresentation of Black, English Language Learner, and Low Economic status students who are high ability in gifted and advanced programs, an issue largely due to multiple issues (i.e. lack of standard definition or single conception, identification testing flaws, bias). Though many district and school related mitigation factors have been studied and suggested, there is very little research on the school principal and their role in mitigating these effects. This sequential, exploratory mixed methods study examined the challenges leaders face when implementing policies and processes for supporting and recognizing Black, English language learner, and low socio-economic students who …

Dual Coalitions Or Dueling Coalitions?: A Comparison Of Single-Issue And Dual-Issue Statewide Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault Coalitions In The U.S., Shannon Sokolowski

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA) are critical social issues requiring a large scale national response. In the U.S., federally designated statewide DV and SA coalitions are nonprofit organizations that play a critical role at the national, state, and local levels. Once individual social movements, DV and SA advocacy coalitions have merged at higher rates in recent decades. Efforts to achieve economic sustainability may drive the decision to merge or reform. However, nonprofit organizations have a double bottom line, needing to consider financial and mission-related performance. With economic uncertainly rising, it is critical to understand the impact that forming …

Program Evaluation Of Behavioral Health Training: Using The Retain Model, Kris J. Toscani

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study investigated the effectiveness of gamification elements introduced into a well-established behavioral health in-person professional training. The gamification elements were designed with the RETAIN Model and Rubric and intended to increase team member engagement by increasing Relevance, Embedding a fictitious medical-themed story, creating opportunities for knowledge acquisition and Transfer, Adapting the content to the job functions of the participants, creating an Immersive experience in which the team members were fully engaged in the medical mystery, and repetitively applying gameplay concepts to efforts to create a Naturalized learning experience. The methodological approach to assessing …

Every Person A Home Every Home A Person, Emily R. Miller

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Every Person a Home Every Home a Person is a collection of poems that explores the meaning of “home” and the places where our homes are made. The collection consists of intertwining thematic threads that delve into what makes a home, including those found in physical houses, cultural identities and regional areas (in this case, Florida/the American South), other people, and personal identity. Through probing poems inspired by the author’s life and experiences as a queer, neurodivergent woman*, Every Person a Home Every Home a Person asks and tries to answer the question: what makes a home, and how do …

Empathy In Digital Healthcare, Michael R. Powell

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation investigates how the rapid expansion of telehealth, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has reshaped clinician-patient interactions, with a focus on the role of empathy. Telehealth has broadened access to care and introduced new efficiencies, but it also presents distinct challenges in fostering the deep emotional connections traditionally associated with in-person consultations. By exploring how empathy is mediated through digital platforms, this research offers valuable insights into how empathetic connections can be supported, though not fully replicated, in virtual healthcare settings. Through a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative interviews with healthcare providers, the study examines both the barriers …

The Role Of School Culture And Autonomous Motivation In Supporting Academic Achievement And Teacher Retention In A Public Charter School: An Ethnographic Case Study, Amanda W. Reschke

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

U.S. public schools are in crisis amid declining student achievement and widespread teacher shortages, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, putting students at risk for poor academic outcomes. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows 4^th and 8^th grade students’ average reading and math scores have decreased by 5 points and 7 points respectively since 2019. Furthermore, NCES data showed that 53% of public schools reported being understaffed for the upcoming school year in August 2022, and by October 2022, 45% of public schools reported at least one vacant teaching position. While many …

Developing A Multi-Level Model Of Integrated-Organizational Resilience, Reza Bahari

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Most contemporary organizations work in unsteady environments and are impacted by various types of disruptions that have profound impacts on performance such as natural disasters, globalization, and financial recessions. Due to this, the concept of integrated organizational resilience (IOR) has become an important issue for both academic researchers and practitioners in recent years. A review of the literature shows that much of the research has focused on identifying and measuring the factors that affect OR in an effort to improve organizations' capacity for resilience. While significant research has been conducted in this area, much of the evidence focuses on a …

Machine Learning Algorithms To Study Multi-Modal Data For Computational Biology, Khandakar Tanvir Ahmed

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Advancements in high-throughput technologies have led to an exponential increase in the generation of multi-modal data in computational biology. These datasets, comprising diverse biological measurements such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and imaging data, offer a comprehensive view of biological systems at various levels of complexity. However, integrating and analyzing such heterogeneous data present significant challenges due to differences in data modalities, scales, and noise levels. Another challenge for multi-modal analysis is the complex interaction network that the modalities share. Understanding the intricate interplay between different biological modalities is essential for unraveling the underlying mechanisms of complex biological processes, including …

Eavesdropping-Driven Profiling Attacks On Encrypted Wifi Networks: Unveiling Vulnerabilities In Iot Device Security, Ibrahim A. Alwhbi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Abstract—This dissertation investigates the privacy implications of WiFi communication in Internet-of-Things (IoT) environments, focusing on the threat posed by out-of-network observers. Recent research has shown that in-network observers can glean information about IoT devices, user identities, and activities. However, the potential for information inference by out-of-network observers, who do not have WiFi network access, has not been thoroughly examined. The first study provides a detailed summary dataset, utilizing Random Forest for data summary classification. This study highlights the significant privacy threat to WiFi networks and IoT applications from out-of-network observers. Building on this investigation, the second study extends the research …

A Multimodal Framework For Automated Content Moderation Of Children's Videos, Syed Hammad Ahmed

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Online video platforms receive hundreds of hours of uploads every minute, making manual moderation of inappropriate content impossible. The most vulnerable consumers of malicious video content are children from ages 1-5 whose attention is easily captured by bursts of color and sound. Prominent video hosting platforms like YouTube have taken measures to mitigate malicious content, but these videos often go undetected by current automated content moderation tools that are focused on removing explicit or copyrighted content. Scammers attempting to monetize their content may craft malicious children's videos that are superficially similar to educational videos, but include scary and disgusting characters, …

Analytical And Experimental Verification Of Bistable Composite Laminates For Aerospace Applications, Maxwell J. Booth

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Composite laminate structures offer promising aerospace applications owing to their multi-functional capabilities. These composites exhibit the unique ability to transition between stable geometries, passing through an intermediate, predicted unstable geometry. Actuation is achieved through the application of external loading conditions, encompassing both mechanical and thermal stimuli, with a particular emphasis on the latter. The nonlinear response induced by such transitions experimentally motivates this research due to the minimal amount of data on the transition section between geometries. Application of these composites under loading conditions proves interesting for a thermal management application with additional thermal loading present. This use would require …

A Near Field Lagrangian Particle Modeling For The Multiphase Flow Of Reaction Control System Thrusters In Space Environments, Janice Zou

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

In the current age of space exploration, the push to reach further to deep space presents a greater need for analysis and verification and validation of rocketry components in the space environment. Due to the nature of space, firings of rocket thrusters in space is a multi-regime problem. With the low density, pressure, and temperature of the environment, the resultant plume structure, seeded with unburnt fuel droplets, extends up to multiple orders of magnitude in distance as compared to a plume structure in the Earth’s atmosphere. The frozen droplets, or particles, create concerns including surface contamination and erosion, calling a …