Digital Commons Network^™

The Influence Of Mileage Club On Females' Body Image And Self-Esteem, Shanda Crowder

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Using An Early Warning System To Identify Potential High School Dropouts, Dawn B. Hillman

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Narratives Of Competency, Creativity, And Comfort: Religion And Spirituality In Counselor Education, R. David Johns

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Undergraduate Nursing Student Situation Awareness During Simulation, Lynn Phillips

Dissertations

Graduate nurses encounter complex and rapidly changing patient care situations that require attentiveness, careful surveillance, and the recognition of subtle changes and patterns that will lead to appropriate decisions. Many researchers concur that new graduates are ill-equipped to meet these challenges, resulting in significant risk to patient safety. Situation Awareness (SA) is a skill that has been taught in the field of aviation to facilitate decision-making in complex, dynamic situations; however, there is little known about how nursing students develop SA. This mixed methods explorative study contrasted sophomore and senior nursing students’ (n=33) measured levels of SA during simulations of …

Being Undocumented In The United States: The Impact On Mexican Immigrants' Mental Health, Karina B. Samaniego Estrada

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold: (a) to obtain a deep understanding of the phenomenon of being undocumented in the United States based on undocumented Mexican immigrants’ experiences and perceptions and (b) to identify how immigrants’ mental health was impacted by the phenomenon. A phenomenological research design was employed in this study and saturation was reached after a total of eight participants were interviewed. Several common themes emerged that described the participants’ experiences in varying aspects of their lives: low wages; guilt; fear of driving; financial difficulties; social isolation; limitations exclusive to undocumented immigrants such as limited access …

Resilience And Coping: The Perspectives Of Cancer Patients, Family Caregivers, And Medical Volunteers At Khampramong Monastery, Thailand, Wipanee Su-Kerb

Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore in-depth experiences of cancer patients, family caregivers, and medical volunteers who engaged in the treatment and services provided at Khampramong Monastery, Thailand, particularly in the areas of resilience and coping. Participants included 21 individuals (eight cancer patients, eight family caregivers, and five medical volunteers). Data collection was conducted at Khampramong Monastery (Thailand) during the summer of 2013 including interviews, field observations, and artifact collections. Moustakas’s (1994) phenomenological method was used for data analysis. Bracketing (Creswell, 1998) was employed to set aside researcher bias. Standards of trustworthiness were employed throughout all phases …

Educational Resiliency In Teen Mothers, Linnea Lynne Watson

Dissertations

Teen pregnancy has been heralded as a social issue that affects families for generations. While recent research has shown the long-term effects are not as devastating as once predicted, more than 40 years after the passage of Title IX, legislation mandating equal educational opportunities for pregnant and parenting teens, only 50% of teen parents graduate high school, lagging far behind their non-parenting peers. Additionally, most of the research on this at-risk population comes from the social science field rather than the educational arena, leaving a research gap on the educational opportunities teen parents receive from within the field of education …

The Lived Experiences Of Veteran Elementary Urban School Teachers: Why And How They Stay, Cynthia A. Anthony

Dissertations

Longevity in teaching careers depends on many things, including job satisfaction, the work environment, career stages, and strategies to manage stress and avoid burnout. Teachers who have high levels of job satisfaction are more likely to stay in the profession. Job satisfaction is dependent on the motivators in a job: administrative support, collegiality, recognition, advancement, and growth. The work environment, job demands, career development, empowerment, and bureaucracy, plays an important role in retaining teachers.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine factors that enabled and encouraged a sample of 12 veteran elementary school teachers in a small urban …

Screening For Novel Inhibitors Of Αlpha-Ynuclein Seeded Nucleation-Dependent Aggregation And Toxicity As A Potential Therapeutic Strategy For Parkinson’S Disease, Mustafa Taleb Ardeh

Dissertations

α-Synuclein aggregation is the key pathogenic event in several important neurological disorders including Parkinson’s Disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy, giving rise to a distinct group of neurodegenerative diseases known as synucleinopathies. Although the molecular basis of α-syn toxicity has not been precisely elucidated, recent studies indicate that α-syn toxicity is mediated by a nucleation-dependent aggregation process. To elucidate the structural basis of α-synuclein mediated toxicity, we developed various methods to prepare different α-synuclein species of a defined size and morphology distribution, and we investigated their toxicity in different human dopaminergic cell lines. We observed that crude …

Teachers' Making Meaning Of Reduced Class Sizes: A Phenomenology, Brenda Ludy Snow

Dissertations

It is every teacher’s dream to have a classroom full of students who come to class each and every day highly motivated to learn. However, in all reality teachers know that this is not always the case. Researchers continue to search for reasonable alternatives to improve students’ learning. As children enter school a good start is imperative if they are to succeed in school, (Achilles & Finn, 2000). Class size reduction is a strong alternative and should be considered as part of a reasonable plan for student learning.

For this qualitative study, I examined and described the experiences of 12 …

Working With Medical And Psychological Illness: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Nurses' Experiences In Treating Eating Disorders, Diana Levas-Luckman

Dissertations

Eating disorders (EDs) have become an epidemic within the United States, with medical and psychological consequences that can be lethal. Treatment for these diseases is complex and demanding, requiring an integrated treatment approach by a multidisciplinary team in which nurses play an integral role. Research has demonstrated a wide array of both positive and negative experiences among nurses in traditional medical and mental health settings. Though researchers have assessed nurses' subjective experiences in treating EDs, the literature neglects to focus upon the broader experiences of nurses, including perceived benefits and challenges, in treating both adult and adolescent ED patients. The …

Establishing The Validity And Reliability Of The Fairness Of Items Tool, Nikole Anderson Hicks

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy Through The Voice Of Adolescent Clients In A Community Mental Health Center, Jessica Riedel Chenoweth

Dissertations

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has recently been shown to be an effective therapy for treating adolescents with suicidal and self-harming behaviors. Despite the growing interest of DBT, there is a lack of research on the subjective experiences of DBT from the perspectives of adolescent clients. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how adolescents experienced DBT in a community mental health setting. Using constructivist, case study methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine adolescent participants. Findings emerged from the shared experiences of the participants including themes related to treatment modality, use of skills, and the impact of …

The Experience Of Registered Nurses During Their First Year As Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Students, Catherine Lewis Witt

Dissertations

Many neonatal intensive care nurseries require neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) to manage care of premature and sick neonates. The supply of NNPs has consistently lagged behind the demand for their services and the current number of projected graduates from NNP programs is unlikely to meet the demand. Neonatal nurse practitioner students are required to have two years of experience as a registered nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit prior to beginning a NNP program. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of registered nurses during their first year as neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) students. This …

Relationships Between Participation In Extracurricular Activities, Act Scores, Gpa, And Attendance In Select Public High Schools In Mississippi, Lance Kelvin Reed

Dissertations

There are contemporary concerns about improving and sustaining positive student outcomes in secondary schools today. In light of student needs and limited time and resources available to address those needs, educational leaders are faced with making difficult decisions about what should and could be offered to students through their schools. In addition to the general curriculum, schools generally offer a variety of extracurricular activities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between extracurricular participation and select student outcomes. The findings of this study can provide valuable insight to school leaders as they make decisions about how to …

Molecular Probes For The Detection Of Zn2+ And Fe3+ Ions, Erendra Manandhar

Dissertations

A number of molecular probes have been designed and synthesized for the detection of Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions. Two types of functional groups have been incorporated into the molecular scaffolds to utilize different fluorescent mechanisms. The first class of receptors contains a pyrene moiety. These molecular probes use the excimer mechanism for the detection of Zn²⁺ ion. The probes work well in an organic solvent with a detection limit of 20 nM (one ppb). Alternatives are made to make them water soluble, but this proved to be difficult. An interesting ion-induced self-assembly system will also be discussed. …

Studies On The Initial Stage Of Lipid Oxidation In Bulk Oils, Elizabeth Budilarto

Dissertations

During the oxidation of bulk oils, oxidation products (i.e. peroxide values, conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) are formed gradually and increased sharply at the end of the induction period. Tocopherols were consumed, some water was formed, and micelles increased in size during the induction period of vegetable oils oxidized in bulk. The evidence that the evolution of micellar size was in parallel with the end of induction period corroborates the recognition that micelles are the active site of oxidation. The interactions of α-tocopherol and three synergists: ascorbyl palmitate, phosphatidylcholine and L-lysine were studied in cod liver oil, to …

Effective Instructional Strategies Utilized In Successful And High Performing Secondary Schools In The Southern Region Of Mississippi, Jeanifer Lynn Pearson

Dissertations

The schools in the United States have implemented measures intended to close the achievement gap for over fifty years (Solomon, 2009). The mandates handed down by the federal government cannot be altered. Therefore, schools are required to determine specific measures that increase student academic success. Prior research has demonstrated that schools can be successful if effective leadership at the district, school, and classroom level was present (Gregory, 2003; Johnson, Livingston, & Schwartz, 2000). At the classroom level, it was the leadership of the individual teacher to determine the creation of innovative techniques aimed at academic success of all students (Farr …

Online Versus Face-To-Face Biology: A Comparison Of Student Transactional Distance, Approach To Learning, And Knowledge Outcomes, Mary Erin Riggins

Dissertations

Community colleges are among many other institutions increasing course offerings online, but there is still some concern about the quality of online learning. Educator concerns, a lack of empirical evidence on biology courses offered online, and the need for an equal opportunity for education support the need for clarification of the quality of distance education in biology, especially in the community college setting. Student attitudes, approaches to learning, and performance should all be studied in order to formulate a better evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of online courses (Svirko & Mellanby, 2008).

The purpose of this study was to …

The Influence Of Observational Learning On Self-Reported Physical Activity, Self-Efficacy For Physical Activity, And Health-Related Fitness Knowledge For Physical Activity, Charles Gregory Bullock

Dissertations

The obesity epidemic has caused tremendous burden to our economy and healthcare system. Physical activity is one method that can reduce the obesity rate. However, physical activity declines in high school and does not recover. The likelihood of adolescents continuing their involvement in physical activity depends on how they navigate the highs and lows of their physical activity experiences (Feltz & Magyar, 2006). The purpose of this study is to look at the role of observational learning in physical activity and behaviors in an adolescent population. Specifically, this research examines the influence of observational learning on self-reported physical activity, self-efficacy …

Increasing Student Achievement In English Language Learners Through Dual Language: A Policy Advocacy Document, Melissa Durrance

Dissertations

English language learners (ELL) represent the fastest growing population of learners in our schools. A substantial and continuing education achievement gap exists between ELLs and English speaking students and an alarmingly disproportionate number of ELL students contribute to the dropout rate. As educators, it is imperative that we provide educational programs to help reduce the achievement gap. All students deserve an education that will enable them to be productive citizens and that will provide them with the skills needed to enter either a career or an institution of continuing education upon graduation. As a solution to the increasing dropout rate …

Recruiting Minority Faculty: The Effects Of The Bradley Memo Of Understanding On An Urban School District - A Program Evaluation Dissertation, Lois Mckee

Dissertations

This Program Evaluation Plan (PEP) explores aspects of the Bradley Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with respect to its implementation in Pinellas County Schools (PCS). Although the Bradley MOU has many facets, this dissertation examines the minority faculty initiative portion of the agreement. There are many obstacles to overcome regarding attracting African American teachers to the PCS district, and they seem to be similar to struggles found in other districts across the state of Florida. By implementing a pre and post survey and conducting interviews with teachers and district employees, I was able to discover that Pinellas County Schools is showing …

Teacher And Evaluator Perspectives On The Teacher Evaluation Process For Teachers Of English Language Learners: A Change Leadership Plan, Nancy Martinez

Dissertations

This paper examines the need to add indicators to the current teacher evaluation system that are specific to English Language Learners (ELLs). Florida teacher evaluation protocols do not specify ELL-specific instructional strategies. This study explores perceptions of ELL teachers and school administrators on the fairness of current evaluative practices for ELL teachers. I considered research that supported the need for differentiated instruction for ELLs. I used the diagnostic framework by Wagner et al. (2006) to identify “arenas” of change: culture, context, conditions, and competencies. I used these arenas to present the existing situation in a school district. I then presented …

Applying Social Return On Investment Analysis To A Large Central Florida County Public School District, David F. Lewis

Dissertations

All social organizations are faced with basic questions pertaining to the value they add to their community and how effectively and efficiently they do so. These questions are increasingly being directed to public schools and school districts as well relative to the various programming they offer and the results they achieve. By completing all aspects of a Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis with fidelity, I have established a statistically reliable baseline SROI ratio based on a comparison of inputs (revenues) to outputs (outcomes). This baseline ratio serves as the foundation for subsequent change initiatives that will lead to district-wide …

A Policy Advocacy Dissertation To Increase Transparency And Accountability Through Social Return On Investment Analysis, David F. Lewis

Dissertations

The connection between the funding of public schools and student achievement is complex. Facing dwindling revenue streams, schools and the communities they serve must begin to assess how effectively and efficiently school systems are utilizing federal, state, and local taxpayer resources. As seen in the previous program evaluation and change leadership projects, the Social Return On Investment (SROI) methodology provides a framework that yields a statistically reliable vehicle for doing so that garners trust through transparency. Toward this end, this document advocates for school districts and their boards of education to incorporate the SROI analysis as an essential element of …

Tuning Responsiveness Of Polypeptide Based Block Copolymers For Drug Delivery, Ashley J. Johnson

Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation was to tune the pH response and self-assembled morphologies of amphiphilic polypeptide block copolymers for use as drug delivery vehicles. Poly(L-lysine) and poly(L-glutamtic acid) are responsive, ionizable polypeptides that undergo secondary structure transitions, from α-helix to random coil, whereby the change in conformation of the peptide chain results in changes to the global morphology of a self-assembled system. The main focus of this work was to understand how changes in the polymer composition and the local environment can lead to control over the behavior of the overall system. First, the responsive behavior of poly(L-lysine) block …

Exploring Perceived Norms And Protective Strategies: Self-Consciousness And Gender As Moderators, Jeremy James Noble

Dissertations

College alcohol abuse has been a staple in the college environment over the past 30 years (Johnston, O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2011) resulting in numerous negative consequences (Hingson, Edwards, Heeren, & Rosenbloom, 2009). Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) reduce the negative consequences typically associated with alcohol use (Martens et al., 2004). A positive relationship exists between perceived norms of PBS use and PBS use (Benton, Downey, Glider, & Benton, 2008), and an individual’s level of self-consciousness moderates the relationship between perceived norms and alcohol use (LaBrie, Hummer, & Neighbors, 2008). The relationship between perceived norms and PBS use under the conditions …

Blue Mountain: A Chamber Opera For Winds And Voices By Justin Dello Joio: A Unique Contribution For Wind Band Literature, Armando Saldarini

Dissertations

Blue Mountain is an opera in one act scored for four voices, and thirty-three instruments, commissioned by Det Norske Blaseensemble. Under the direction of Kenneth Jean, the premiere took place on October 8, 2007, at Kanonhalen in Oslo, Norway, as part of the Edvard Grieg Centennial celebrations and the 2007 Ultima contemporary Music Festival. The opera takes place in Troldhaugen, Norway, during the last days of Edvard Grieg’s life. Suffering from emphysema, Grieg was being treated by his doctor with morphine that created great anxiety, fear, and mental torment. A visit from his friend, Percy Grainger, gave Grieg great …

Making Telework Work: The Effect Of Telecommuting Intensity On Employee Work Outcomes, Maria Spilker

Dissertations

The current study examined the effects of telecommuting intensity – the amount of scheduled time that employees spend doing work away from the central work location – on employee outcomes. Results of this study provided insight into how telecommuting intensity relates to turnover intent and supervisor-rated performance through mediating mechanisms of work-life conflict, professional isolation, and Leader-Member Exchange. An online survey instrument was created, and an invitation to participate was sent by e-mail to telecommuters. Each participant was asked to provide an email address for his or her direct supervisor. The supervisor was asked to complete a shortened version of …

The Effects Of Capabilities And Governance On Information Technology And Business Process Outsourcing Performance: Client And Provider Perspectives, Aihua Yan

Dissertations

Research on information technology outsourcing (ITO) and business process outsourcing (BPO) has consistently found that client firm capabilities, provider firm capabilities, and governance mechanisms (contractual and relational) are key determinants of outsourcing performance. These key determinants work together to affect outsourcing performance, however, the information systems (IS) literature has investigated them in a separate manner. This study contributes to the body of IS knowledge by examining capabilities and governance mechanisms influence on outsourcing performance independently and jointly. Based on resource-based theory, transaction cost economics, and relational exchange theories, we develop a research model to examine the independent and joint effects …