Digital Commons Network^™

A Case Study Of Educational Context Influencing High School English Teachers’ Knowledge, Perceptions, And Uses Of Technology, Alicia Curles

Dissertations

One-to-one programs are being implemented in schools and districts to improve and increase students’ learning opportunities. This qualitative case study aimed to examine high school English teachers’ perceptions, knowledge, and contextual uses of one-to-one technology devices in a unique context after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study consists of a single case study in a large South Georgia district that is a combination of rural, urban, suburban, and island communities. This research study was guided by Brianza et al.’s (2022) extension of the technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge framework, XTPACK, and was informed by a social constructivist approach. Qualitative data from …

Exploring Students' Perceptions And Experiences Of Faculty Caring In The Undergraduate Classroom In A Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Program: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Sheila M. Garilli

Dissertations

Academic nurse educators' use of caring attributes in the classroom could impact students' educational journey. Educators are leaders who should model caring behaviors toward their students. This role modeling will empower students to demonstrate these caring behaviors toward their patients. A literature review discovered a gap surrounding the study of faculty caring in the classroom. This research study explored students' perceptions and experiences of faculty caring in the undergraduate classroom in two traditional baccalaureate nursing programs. This study utilized a qualitative descriptive method with purposeful sampling and in-person recruitment at two universities in a Northeastern state in the United States. …

Organizational Control And Technological Capabilities: The Moderating Role Of Family Influence On The Firm, Sean Leahy

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the influence of organizational controls on technological capabilities in privately owned U.S. corporations, with a specific focus on family-owned businesses. The primary objective of the study was to investigate how formal controls (process and outcome) and clan controls (informal practices) impact technological innovation and competence. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 177 individuals and analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) path analysis. The findings indicate a significant relationship between formal controls and technological capabilities. However, the interaction of family influence on this dynamic was not supported. Results also revealed a robust association …

Power And Control In Medicine And Nursing - Could Intrinsic Gender Beliefs Impact Interprofessional Education In Pre-Professional Programs?, Catherine Christine Delant

Dissertations

Examination of the power dynamics at work in perpetuating health care hierarchy-related interprofessional collaboration barriers is needed to rationally develop strategies for teaching collaborative skills to health care providers. A mixed-methods study employing critical realist grounded theory examined the implicit beliefs, assumptions and power hierarchies related to gendered perceptions of the professions of nursing and medicine by students of those professions.

The Lived Experience Of Registered Nurses And Registered Midwives In St. Kitts And Nevis, Raiden Gaul

Dissertations

At the beginning of the 20th century, St. Kitts and Nevis had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the Caribbean. However, unlike some Caribbean nations with similar historical and socioeconomic factors that continue to suffer from significant health disparities, St. Kitts and Nevis implemented strategic health reforms that have led to dramatic improvements in maternal and neonatal health outcomes. One of the strategic reforms designed to address these poor health outcomes was to mandate that all registered nurses in St. Kitts and Nevis pursue certification in the post-basic midwifery program. The purpose of this study was to examine …

Evaluation Of New Graduate Nursing Orentation Program, Elizabeth Arroyo

Dissertations

When a new graduate nurse enters the hospital for the first time the feeling is intense, and intimidation is at an all-time high. The fact that everyone in the unit knows there is a new nurse is worrisome for often the phrase "nurses eat their young" is a thought that overwhelms so many new nurses. The hospital located in central Florida has a 16-week orientation program that has been in effect for three years, but is facing negative results. The job turnover rates in the hospital from new graduate nurses is 70% in just one year (Lindfors & Junttila, 2014). …

How Does Vr Affect Motivation, Engagement, Performance And Student Interest In High School Science?, Ann Marie Carrier

Dissertations

This study investigates the impact of virtual reality (VR) on high school science students' motivation, engagement, performance, and interest in STEM disciplines. Building on Huang et al. (2021), this research replicates and extends their findings, focusing on how different levels of VR immersion influence learning outcomes. The study aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, 123 high school students experienced varying levels of immersive VR via the Titans of Space Plus app on Meta Quest 2 headsets and desktop computers. Study population included 55% males, 45% minorities, and …

Special Education Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives, Attitudes, And Self-Efficacy Towards Inclusive Education, Mieke Kramer Tavares

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of special education preschool teachers in California regarding the inclusion of children with disabilities in general education preschool classrooms. Furthermore, the study examined the self-evaluation of these teachers regarding their abilities to support children with disabilities in general education classrooms. Last, the study aimed to identify additional factors that impact the attitudes of teachers towards including children with disabilities in general education preschool classrooms.

Methodology: A mixed methods nonexperimental descriptive, sequential, convergent research design was employed. Data collection tools included surveys (quantitative) and interviews (qualitative). In Phase 1, dependent …

The Impact Of Hourly Safety Rounding On Pediatric Fall Rates, Natalie Doskal-Poe

Dissertations

The Impact of Hourly Safety Rounding on Pediatric Fall Rates

Abstract

Problem: Falls are a common adverse event in the inpatient pediatric setting and are a significant risk to patient safety. Environmental factors, such as unclear pathways, bed rails down, beds in high position, and call lights out of reach, are considered avoidable causes of patient falls. The site’s fall data in a 12-month period from January 2023 to January 2024 showed (n=9) patient falls occurred with (n=5, 55.6%) due to environmental factors. The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) pilot project was to assess the …

Self-Harm In Female Youth With Undiagnosed Adhd: Implementing American Academy Of Pediatrics Screening Guidelines, Roselie M. Woodard

Dissertations

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. If undiagnosed or untreated, ADHD can lead to severe psychosocial issues such as academic failure, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and incarceration. The financial burden in the U.S. from diagnostic errors creates an immense, rising fiscal impact. Early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent these complications.

Females with ADHD, particularly those with the inattentive subtype, often face diagnostic challenges due to symptom masking and over-compensation. This results in poorer cognitive functioning and self-esteem compared to males with ADHD. ADHD is linked to autonomic nervous …

The Influence Of Misconceptions On Pedagogical Choices Of Secondary Science Teachers: An Embedded Case Study, Tracey Beyer

Dissertations

This case study, using phenomenography within science disciplines, examines how educators' experiences with misconceptions affect teaching methods in high school physics, chemistry, and biology. Based on constructivist and interpretive theories it highlights that personal experiences shape learning and involve continuously reconstructing knowledge. The shared misconceptions of 13 educators across science disciplines reveal how those experiences influenced both their content knowledge and instructional practices. The findings indicate that educators who openly acknowledge and learn from their past experiences with misconceptions are better equipped to recognize and address gaps in understanding, an asset to furthering student learning. This research highlights the importance …

Patient-Generated Health-Data Information Needs In Pediatric Asthma, Victoria L. Tiase

Dissertations

Patient-generated health data (PGHD) are data collected by patients that can be used to screen for health problems or monitor progress toward health goals. These data may be especially useful for those with chronic health conditions such as pediatric asthma, as PGHD reflect the day-to-day status and home behaviors. Without access to PGHD within clinical workflows, clinicians working to personalize care and treat patients at an individual level may have an incomplete picture of those patients. A thorough understanding of information needs and display preferences is required to present PGHD in the clinical documentation without causing information overload. The aims …

Stepparenting And Schooling: Challenges, Reconstitutions, And Outsider Perceptions, Christopher Repa

Dissertations

This study examined the challenges stepparents face in schooling their high-school aged children. An analysis of how stepfamily formation can impact this process was also investigated. The sample included 13 families composed of one biological and one non-biological parent with at least one child between the ages of 14 and 18 who was currently attending high school. Stepparents were asked to share their experiences with other family members, the school, and the community as they related to the education of their stepchildren. The primary research focus was to identify difficulties and successes that stepparents encounter as they engage with schools …

Finding The Gut Microbiome Connection To The Risk Of Childhood Obesity Through An Examination Of Gut Microbiota Among Children In Los Angeles, California: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study, Cecille M. Basilio

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between gut microbiota composition and child obesity. The specific aims were to: 1) evaluate the impact of child obesity status on three related outcomes to be assessed by extracting DNA from children's stool samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing: alpha diversity of gut microbiota composition, Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratio, and abundance of SCFA-generating gut microbes between obese and non-obese school children; 2) compare the dietary habits and intakes between obese and non-obese school children; and 3) evaluate the association of body mass index differences in gut microbiota composition between obese and …

The Impacts Of Authentic Learning On Student Outcomes, Evan Sheppard, Cameron Conner

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the evolving American education system, emphasizing the role of authentic learning in bridging the gap between schooling and employment, especially in the context of the modern post-pandemic student. Authentic learning, characterized by hands-on activities and real-world applications, is posited as a solution to the skilled labor shortage impacting the economy. This study delves into the history and current practices of authentic learning, examining various programs and strategies implemented in educational settings. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, qualitative data was collected through interviews with recent high school graduates to assess the impact of authentic learning on their post-secondary trajectories. …

Ethical Leadership And Moral Foundations Congruence, Sarah Willey

Dissertations

Research has examined follower perceptions of ethical leadership, but rarely accounts for the (mis)alignment between a follower’s sense of ethics and morality and that of a leader. This research examined the effects of a leader’s expression of each of the five Moral Foundations dimensions on ethical leadership perceptions, moderated by the respondent’s preferences for each of these foundations. To address this question, a policy capturing design was used to manipulate leaders’ high and low levels of each of the five foundations. The results of multilevel analyses indicate that at least for some dimensions of Moral Foundations, a follower’s evaluation of …

A Mixed-Methods Study On The Implementation And Perceptions Of Grading For Equity Practices In A Sixth Grade Science Midwest Middle School, Lisa Meacham Stein

Dissertations

Equitable grading practices were a focal point in present-day educational discussions and gained increasing attention in recent years due to concerns regarding fairness, inclusivity, and student success. This research study examined the principles and implementation of equitable grading practices within a sixth-grade science classroom. The researcher synthesized existing literature, examined case studies, and considered the perceptions of students, teachers, and the researcher study in order to contribute to the ongoing discussion on creating more equitable grading systems.

Key areas of focus included the history and development of the education system, the purpose and significance of grades, the examination of traditional …

Development And Evaluation Of A Nurse Practitioner-Directed Mindfulness Initiative Among Patients Diagnosed With Generalized Anxiety Disorder In An Outpatient Psychiatric Practice, Keilah B. Ford

Dissertations

This quality improvement project presents the impact of mindfulness intervention, such as guided meditation on anxiety levels in adult patients in a psychiatric outpatient practice.

Empowering Female Voices In The Ela Classroom, Jacqueline Gurliaccio Vance

Dissertations

This study aims to understand how women’s voices can be empowered in a high school English Language Arts (ELA) class. Through the use of female authors and female protagonists in the classroom texts, this study seeks to understand if implementing female-driven texts enhances female students’ literary experiences, empowers the personal identities of female students, and shapes female students’ perspectives of themselves and their peers. This case study includes female students in twelfth grade AP Literature class.

Department Of Defense Project Management Team Leaders: Team Dynamics And Teamwork Strategies During Complex Construction Projects, Shane Frey

Dissertations

Purpose: This qualitative multi-case study explored the challenges, strategies, and recommendations that DOD project management team leaders experienced as they made complex decisions leading successful construction projects based on Parker’s (2008) model.

Methodology: A qualitative multi-case study research design described the challenges, strategies, and recommendations Department of Defense project management team leaders used as they made complex decisions leading successful construction projects.

Findings: Close examination of data collected from interviews and artifacts yielded 117 frequencies for DOD project management team leader's team characteristics, and six themes regarding the lived experiences, challenges, strategies, and recommendations. Five key findings and one unexpected …

Describing Nursing Care Of Severely Obese Patients In Critical Access Hospitals Using Total Quality Management Theory: A Qualitative Study, Amy M. Blankenship

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' perceptions and experiences regarding caring for severely obese patients and factors that affect quality care of these patients in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHS).

Interdisciplinary Medication Reconciliation Approach For Arabic-Speaking Patients, Rebecca Rodman

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Limited English Proficiency (LEP), which includes Arabic speakers, presents challenges in healthcare and can impact medication reconciliation and adherence. Interdisciplinary collaboration involving patients and interpreters is crucial for improving medication reconciliation and adherence. This project aimed to examine the impact of an interdisciplinary medication reconciliation approach on medication adherence with Arabic-speaking patients ages 18-99 over three months.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) pilot project utilized a descriptive cohort design. A translated validated Morisky, Green, and Levine (MGL) adherence survey consisting of four questions was administered pre- and post-implementation to a convenience sample of Arabic-speaking patients 18 years …

Implementation Of Chlorhexidine Gluconate Dressings And The Effect On Bloodstream Infections In Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients At A Pediatric Hospital, Kaitlin Vernier

Dissertations

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced lifesaving therapy used for patients with significant cardiorespiratory failure not responding to conventional therapies. The most common and life-threatening complications associated with ECMO are blood stream infections (BSIs). In addition to increased mortality, BSI's increase patient length of stay and cost. Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) is known to be a significant factor in BSI reduction. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to assess the utilization of CHG-impregnated dressings on the incidence of BSI rates in pediatric ECMO patients. The setting was a 40-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and a 30-bed cardiac …

Wiping Out Central Line Associated-Bloodstream Infections: Cleaning High Touch Surfaces In The Picu, Emily Heth

Dissertations

Problem: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a significant, preventable healthcare-related complication of hospital admission and medical management of critically ill and medically complex patients. CLABSIs result in significant adverse outcomes such as increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the hospital, increased cost of treatment, and increased rates of readmission. Direct and indirect contact within the patient’s hospital environment are potential means of transmission for microorganisms, increasing the inherent risk of acquiring a CLABSI.

Method: For this quality improvement (QI) project, a pre-post design was utilized to evaluate the …

Implementation Of A Standardized Nursing Handoff In A Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Tori Keeven

Dissertations

Handoff communication is critical in healthcare and is associated with patient safety outcomes. Various tools and interventions are available to improve handoff communication as inadequate communication contributes to medical errors, patient adverse events, and increased mortality. The implementation of a standardized handoff tool has been shown to be effective. Findings revealed a significant 60% reduction in reported patient harm events, despite the study's limited sample size and lack of statistical significance (p = .614). Challenges such as low utilization (18.62%) were attributed to concerns about tool organization, spatial constraints, and staff resistance to change. Recommendations include refining the tool to …

Improving Identification Of Complicated Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Using The Prediction Of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale, Kristin Hagopian

Dissertations

Problem: Individuals who drink alcohol excessively are at great risk for alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) when hospitalized. Symptoms and their severity differ for everyone, and research shows that the identification and treatment of AWS is challenging and often inadequate. Mild AWS is often overtreated, while moderate to severe AWS is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, placing individuals at risk for longer hospital stays, more time needed in critical care units, and a variety of unintended consequences.

Methods: This evidence-based practice project had a pre-post intervention design in which the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale (PAWSS) was implemented to promptly identify …

Implementation Of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring, Sarah Gutzke

Dissertations

Approximately 48.1% of adults in the United States have high blood pressure. Providers may encourage patients to monitor and log their blood pressure at home. Still, patients often fail to bring this information to appointments, leading to reliance on less comprehensive in-office measurements. This quality improvement project aimed to increase adherence to home blood pressure logs using a Blood Pressure Toolkit. A descriptive, observational design was utilized to record patient adherence of taking home blood pressure measurements and increase the number of patients who brought their blood pressure logs to their healthcare provider visits over two months. A convenience sample …

Bridging The Gap: Psychopharmacologic Education And Side Effect Screening For Non-Prescribing Mental Health Professionals, Elaine Fitzgerald

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: The United States is experiencing a growing demand for pediatric mental health support. Surges in mental health diagnoses and psychotropic medication prescriptions have occurred, compounded by a shortage of psychiatric providers. Non-prescribing mental health professionals are well-positioned to recognize psychotropic medication side effects. However, psychologists and counselors lack formal pharmacology education.

Methods: The quality improvement (QI) initiative was guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. The evidence-based psychopharmacologic education for non-prescribers utilized a quasi-experimental pre- and post- test design. Data collected from clinicians included knowledge, confidence, and skill concerning psychotropic medications. The Psychotropic Medication Monitoring Checklist (PMMC) screen clients …

Improving Mental Health Outcomes For Amputees, Zachary Elmore

Dissertations

Problem: depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are more commonly diagnosed in the amputee population related to changes in mobility, activities of daily living, and quality of life (Turner et al., 2020.) As the amputation population is projected to reach over 3 million Americans in the next 25 years, additional screening is imperative to identify patients at high-risk for mental health deterioration (Ziegler-Graham et al., 2018).

Methods: this was a project that included screening all patients with the Personal Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ-8) meeting the inclusion criteria of being admitted to 7500 Vascular Surgery at Barnes-Jewish …

Restraint Reduction Using The Brøset Violence Checklist, Deanna Kappelmann

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Patient aggression, restraint usage and assaults against healthcare workers have numerous negative health outcomes. Patient aggression and restraint usage on inpatient psychiatric units can be identified early with imminent violence predicative tools such as the Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC), where patient de-escalation interventions can subsequently occur.

Methods: This quality improvement project was conducted using a cohort design with a retrospective and prospective chart review. The IHI PDSA model was used for this project. The BVC was administered to male and female patients ages 18 to 64 years old on the adult inpatient psychiatric unit during the implementation period. …