Digital Commons Network^™

Facilitating Inquiry-Based Science Learning Online In A Virtual University, Rosalind Kam, Bernard (None) Hoop Jr.

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The authors reviewed their approaches to facilitating inquiry-based science courses from 2005 through 2010 in a fully online master's degree program at Walden University designed to help teachers bring inquiry-based science to their students. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate their interaction-engagement approach in facilitating online courses, which focused on a guided inquiry approach to build understanding of core science concepts using hands-on experimental science investigations.

Social And Emotional Learning Competencies And Cross-Thematic Curriculum Related Skills Of Greek Students: A Multifactorial And Triangulation Analysis., Olympia Tsolou, Vasileios Margaritis

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The cross-thematic curriculum (CTC) for school education has recently been implemented so that the quality of the Greek educational system is improved. This study aimed at assessing social and emotional learning competencies and CTC-related skills of 541 Greek students aged 11–13. Data triangulation was also used for validating these findings, having 145 school teachers reporting their perceptions on students' skills. Both students and teachers reported moderate scores of all students' skills. Multivariate analysis revealed that gender remained a significant predictor for high scores of all students' skills, and that the higher the grade level of the students, the lower the …

Situated Identities, Competing Cultural Models: Discourse Analysis Of Policy Makers' Views On Teaching, Donna Gee, Mellinee Lesley, Marian K. Matthews

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Because policymakers have a direct impact on schools, teachers, and therefore students, this study examined the discourse of policymakers in relation to their views on “quality” teaching. Findings from the study conclude the cultural models and discourses widely varied among policymakers. Their views were based on an idiosyncratic approach to teaching and learning. A fragmented understanding of quality teaching from policymakers as a whole emerged.

From High School To College: Teachers And Students Assess The Impact Of An Expository Reading And Writing Course On College Readiness, Jennifer Mccormick, Anne L. Hafner, Michelle Saint-Germain

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The study aimed to examine teachers’ and students’ views on the impact of the Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) on students’ college readiness and on teaching practices. Literature in the areas of college readiness, critiques of the English curriculum at the secondary level, and a review of research on the effects of ERWC are summarized. The mixed-methods study used a teacher survey, teacher interviews, and student focus groups. Findings showed that teachers reported making numerous changes and improvements in their teaching as a result of attending a professional development program and also reported making changes in other courses. Teachers …

Cyberbullying In Higher Education, Maria A. Minor, Gina S. Smith, Henry Brashen

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Bullying has extended beyond the schoolyard into online forums in the form of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a growing concern due to the effect on its victims. Current studies focus on grades K–12; however, cyberbullying has entered the world of higher education. The focus of this study was to identify the existence of cyberbullying in higher education, reveal the existence of students bullying instructors, and determine its impact. Three hundred forty-six online instructors from the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs at the school of management at a large online university were surveyed. Of the respondents, 33.8% said they had been cyberbullied …

Hiv/Aids Care, Coping Strategies And Work Environmental Stress Among Nurses In Botswana, Thabo T. Fako, Debra Rose Wilson, James G. Linn, Ntonghanwah Forcheh

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Since 2006 there has been universal acceptance in both developing and industrialized societies that HIV treatment and related services, including more effective programs, be available to all citizens. However, as a result of the worldwide recession and shifting health priorities, progress toward these goals has stalled. While the epidemic continues to grow (approximately 34 million globally, with 2.7 million new cases in 2010), fewer resources are dedicated to treatment and prevention than previously, and clinical staffs, especially nurses are challenged by more patient care responsibilities. This paper focuses on the relationships of HIV/AIDS care, coping strategies and work environmental stress …

Assessing The Developmental Instruction Model: An Exploratory Study Of Classroom “Fit” Using Environmental Types, Daniel W. Salter

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

To support the instructional process, Knefelkamp advanced the developmental instruction model (DIM) to describe the aspects of academic environments that facilitate the epistemological development of college students, consistent with the Perry scheme. No related measurement tool has been developed for the DIM, which may account for the lack of research on it. Because the four DIM constructs (experiential, diversity, personalization, and structure) seemed consistent with the four dimensions found in environmental type theory (extraversion–introversion, sensing–intuition, thinking–feeling, and judging–perception), its related measure, the Salter Environmental Type Assessment, was used. The assertion that advanced learners begin to recognize these four dimensions was …

Student Wellness And The Residency Experience, Joseph Spillman, Laura R. Haddock, Michelle Perepiczka

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This project surveyed MS Mental Health/Marriage Couple and Family /Career residency students. Data was collected over the course of two year s of residencies in a variety of geographic locations to determine what impact the residency experience had on the ProQuol Compassion Satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress levels of Walden Master’s counseling students. The goal was to use the information to assist Walden faculty in the training, education, and personal support of counseling students in their professional and personal growth and development.

Independent Living Oldest-Old And Their Primary Health Provider: A Mixed Method Examination Of The Influence Of Patient Personality Characteristics, Lee Stadtlander, Martha Giles, Amy Sickel, Emma Brooks, Cherri Brown, Melissa Cormell, Lara Ewing, Delores Hart, Dawn Koons, Christy Olson, Pamela Parker, Veronica Semenova, Shawna Stoneking

School of Psychology Publications

This convergent mixed methods study examined 35 healthy, independent living individuals' (over 85 years) perceptions of their relationship with their primary health provider (PHP) and health practices. The relationship between PHP relationship perceptions and locus of control (LOC), resilience, and self-efficacy was explored through surveys and interviews. The majority indicated they visited their PHP just for preventative care; the number of PHP visits per year was significantly lower than reported for individuals over 85 by the CDC, possible reasons for this finding are provided. A positive relationship between LOC, resiliency, and self-efficacy for the oldest-old was found. Few participants indicated …

Leadership Strategies And Initiatives For Combating Medicaid Fraud And Abuse, Krista K. Laursen

Frank Dilley Award for Outstanding Doctoral Study

An estimated 3-10% of the $2 trillion spent annually on health care in the United States is lost to fraud. Improper payments undermine the integrity and financial sustainability of the Medicaid program and affect the ability of federal and state governments to provide health care services for individuals and families living at or below the poverty level. This study explored how health care leaders in the state of Arizona described factors contributing to the invisible nature of Medicaid fraud and abuse and necessary strategies for counteracting the business opportunities of Medicaid fraud and abuse. The institutional choice analytic framework grounded …

Applying Principles Of Psychology To Contemporary Society, Gary J. Burkholder

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Independent Living Oldest-Old And Their Primary Health Provider: A Mixed Method Examination Of The Influence Of Patient Personality Characteristics, Lee Stadtlander, Martha Giles, Amy Sickel, Emma Brooks, Cherri L. Brown, Melissa Cormell, Lara Ewing, Delores Hart, Dawn Koons, Christie Olson, Pamela Parker, Veronica Semenova, Shawna Stoneking

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

This convergent mixed methods study examined 35 healthy, independent living individuals' (over 85 years) perceptions of their relationship with their primary health provider (PHP) and health practices. The relationship between PHP relationship perceptions and locus of control (LOC), resilience, and self-efficacy was explored through surveys and interviews. The majority indicated they visited their PHP just for preventative care; the number of PHP visits per year was significantly lower than reported for individuals over 85 by the CDC, possible reasons for this finding are provided. A positive relationship between LOC, resiliency, and self-efficacy for the oldest-old was found. Few participants indicated …

Sexual Scripts And Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Black Heterosexual Men: Development Of The Sexual Scripts Scale, Gary Burkholder, Seth Noar, Michelle Teti

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Sexual scripts are widely shared gender and culture-specific guides for sexual behavior with important implications for HIV prevention. Although several qualitative studies document how sexual scripts may influence sexual risk behaviors, quantitative investigations of sexual scripts in the context of sexual risk are rare. This mixed methods study involved the qualitative development and quantitative testing of the Sexual Scripts Scale (SSS). Study 1 included qualitative semi-structured interviews with 30 Black heterosexual men about sexual experiences with main and casual sex partners to develop the SSS. Study 2 included a quantitative test of the SSS with 526 predominantly low-income Black heterosexual …

A Middle Management Perspective On Strategy Implementation, Ahmad Salih, Yvonne Doll

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Middle managers play critical roles in the implementation of organizational strategies. Yet, little is known about the views of middle managers on the organizational factors influencing strategy implementation. This paper is an attempt to extend existing understandings on the organizational factors influencing strategy implementation from the viewpoints of middle managers, including the contribution of middle managers in the implementation of organizational strategies and the challenges associated with the implementation process. Data were collected using semistructured in-depth email interviews with 12 middle managers. This research demonstrates that management style, strategic alignment, internal communication, and middle management contribution are critical factors influencing …

The Internationalization Of Counselor Education In Tibetan School Communities In India, Mark D. Stauffer

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This qualitative case study adds to the Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) research base on culturally sensitive practices when internationalizing counselor education. It examines why and then how Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) school and mental health counselors synthesize Western mental health with Buddhist philosophy and practices.

Exploring Factors Required For Small Business Success In The 21st Century, Kevin J. Miles

2010-2016 Archived Posters

In the U.S., new small businesses have had a high failure rate in their first 5 years of operation. Small businesses create jobs and drive innovation that is critical to the economy. The purpose of the study was to explore factors that could improve the small businesses survival rate.

Men Who Have Sex With Men And Use Of An In Home Hiv Test, Richard Jimenez

2010-2016 Archived Posters

The authors will examine Men Who Have Sex with Men’s (MSM ) knowledge, attitudes, and utilization patterns of a new rapid in home HIV test. Data will be collected via a focus group interview session of MSM ages 18-21 recruited from the Houston, Texas metropolitan area with the assistance of a community research collaborator partner, the Montrose Center.

Students’ Reactions To The Use Of Animals As Instructional Tools For Science, Vickie Gurzau

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Teaching science to students with special needs requires different approaches. The purpose of this study: to provide a formative program evaluation documenting students’ reactions to the use of animals as instructional tools for science. Students with disabilities were scoring lower than those students without disabilities. It was conjectured that delivering science in a hands-on environment using animals would increase student interest to learn science and provide an alternative and effective way to meet teaching standards in science and tap into students’ natural curiosity and interest in the world around them.

Dr. William Gorgas And His Management Style In The Eradication Of Yellow Fever During The Panama Canal Construction: A Historical Case Study, Faisal H. Aboul-Enein

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This study describes the style of management of Dr. William Gorgas as he led the public health effort to reduce diseases to a level that permitted the completion of the Panama Canal construction. Initially, Gorgas was skeptical of the mosquito vector theory. He fully accepted this theory after participating in Walter Reed's massive cleanup of Havana, Cuba during the Spanish American War of 1898. During 1905 to 1914, Gorgas was selected to lead the sanitary effort during the construction of the Panama Canal. The lessons learned from this historical case study provide public health administrators with guidance to effectively lead …

Encouraging Corporate Social Responsibility In Rayong, Thailand, Christina Spoons, Mark Gordon

2010-2016 Archived Posters

A review of literature revealed a gap in research on effective ways to promote corporate social responsibility in the Rayong province of Thailand where the Integrated Refinery and Petrochemical Company (IRPC) is located. This case study used purposeful sampling of eight key informants in a CSR program designed to help restore the environment surrounding the refinery, increase cooperation and good will between IRPC and surrounding villages, and make better use of local resources.

The Role Of Leadership In Ict Integration And Its Impact On The Economy In Haiti, Carmel Louis-Jacques

2010-2016 Archived Posters

A phenomenological study on the process and effect Haitian leaders have on the implementation and application of information communication technologies in Haiti. Guided by Colaizzi’s Seven Steps of Phenomenological Analysis, the emerging concepts included key sectors, corruption, lack of infrastructure, decentralization, and engagement. The findings can aid researchers, academicians, and leaders interested in investigating how the use of ICT can produce positive or negative social and political outcomes in LDCs.

2013 Walden University Research Symposium, Walden University

2010-2016 Archived Programs

Welcome to the 2013 Walden University Research Symposium. Again this year we are excited to be able to showcase research projects from our academic community, including work by our recent graduates, in two different formats. Poster presentations provide an opportunity for researchers to engage with all individuals attending the symposium and potentially to network with other interested researchers. Within the roundtable presentation format, a select group of researchers will be available for interactive discussions of their work, with handouts and visual materials available to support the discussion. The topics and approaches are diverse as usual, but this year we see …

Impact Of Hiv And Aids On Elderly Caregivers In Chiang Mai, Thailand, Sarah-Kate Hawkins

School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) Dissertation Award

The UN General Special Assembly on HIV/AIDS reported that Thailand's elderly are living on the edge of poverty. Those who become caregivers for the children who have been orphaned by AIDS incur even greater challenges. The 2007 Survey of Older Persons of Thailand concluded that there is a range offinancial and social safety nets provided by the government, nongovernmental (NGO), and faith-based organizations (FBOs) to help the elderly caregivers and their families. The research literature offered limited studies on Thailand's elderly caring for these children. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the social, religious, and familial experiences …

Trauma And Children: A Call To Action In School Psychology., Steven Little, Angeleque Akin-Little

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for children or adolescents to be exposed to traumatic events. Experiences such as sexual or physical abuse, severe accidents, cancer or other life threatening illness, natural or man-made disasters, or the sudden death of a relative or peer can all result in maladaptive responses. As all children are in attendance at schools, this location seems the most logical place to meet the needs of children who have experienced these types of events. Therefore, it is imperative that psychologists working in schools have training in meeting the needs of this segment of the population. This manuscript …

Effects Of Direct Instruction And Corrective Feedback On Second Language Acquisition, Don Jones, Helen Ramirez

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

ABSTRACT

This study compared the effectiveness of differing instructional approaches used within two units of study in Spanish classes at a suburban middle school. The purpose of this quantitative, pre-experimental study was to determine if direct instruction in grammar and vocabulary combined with a variety of corrective feedback types would facilitate higher levels of second language acquisition than an instructional approach that concentrated on student activity and task performance. The theoretical base of the present study focused on associative-cognitive second language theories and hypotheses that explained how second language learning occurs. The purposive convenience sample was comprised of 86 students …

Mentoring In Online Doctoral Education, Alice A. Walters, William Barkley

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Online higher education is a growing source of educational attainment for both traditional and nontraditional students. This research integrates rapid expansion of online learning with mentoring practices in graduate education aimed to increase student success rates. Presented are results from a qualitative case study analyzing one quarter of pilot data from an online doctoral mentoring forum. Major themes of student discussion included program processes, relational interactions, and professional development. Study findings increase understanding perceived needs of human services doctoral students. Implications of the research lead to increasing effectiveness of graduate mentoring and improved student success rates in online education.

Mentoring In Online Doctoral Education, Alice A. Walters, William Barkley

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Online higher education is a growing source of educational attainment for both traditional and nontraditional students. This research integrates rapid expansion of online learning with mentoring practices in graduate education aimed to increase student success rates. Presented are results from a qualitative case study analyzing one quarter of pilot data from an online doctoral mentoring forum. Major themes of student discussion included program processes, relational interactions, and professional development. Study findings increase understanding perceived needs of human services doctoral students. Implications of the research lead to increasing effectiveness of graduate mentoring and improved student success rates in online education.

The It-Business Equilibrium Model: Understanding The Dynamics Between Business Demand And It Supply, Lawrence Ness, Shankar Babu Chebrolu

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

The factors that could be used to define, measure, and improve IT flexibility are not considered to be well-defined or understood. A theoretical framework for understanding and determining such factors is proposed in this article, which could be used by business and IT leaders to assess their IT flexibility. Organizations can use this framework, termed the IT-business equilibrium model, as a tool to improve their own IT flexibility as a means to improve their IT effectiveness and ultimately achieve sustained competitive advantage for their businesses.

How Does Alignment Of Business And It Strategies Impact Aspects Of It Effectiveness?, Shankar Babu Chebrolu, Lawrence Ness

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Alignment between information technology (IT) and business stakeholders on their strategies has traditionally been viewed as the means to achieve greater IT delivery capabilities, but there is lack of empirical evidence as to how strategic alignment impacts individual aspects of IT effectiveness (e.g., quality of service [QoS], user satisfaction, and IT helpfulness to users); there is also a lack of empirical evidence surrounding how each individual element of strategic alignment impacts overall IT effectiveness. The intent of this research was to contribute to the body of knowledge that could be applied by researchers, businesses, and IT organizations alike to achieve …

Can Partial Offshoring Contribute Growth Of Multinational Electronic Manufacturing Service Companies In The United States?, Harjit S. Naru, Tim Truitt

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

With the increasing trend of offshoring, leaders of many companies prefer to offshore projects to reduce product cost and be competitive in the global market. This phenomenon creates fewer jobs in the United States as compared to low-cost foreign countries such as China. To address this problem, this quantitative correlational study reviewed the extent to which partial offshoring impacted the business growth of multinational electronic manufacturing service (EMS) companies in the United States. Results showed that partial offshoring does not have a significant relationship with business growth. Although statistically not significant, partial offshoring was found to be positively related to …