Digital Commons Network^™

Teachers’ Experiences In Schools That Serve Rural Communities In The Dominican Republic: Their Readiness To Respond To Challenges, Nidia Beatriz Columna Pérez

Dissertations

In 2016, the Dominican Institute for Evaluation and Research of Educational Quality (IDEICE), indicated educational inequalities due to the geographical location of schools in the Dominican Republic. Despite several policies enacted by the Ministry of Education, including curriculum and teacher credentialing reforms, success indicators such as completion rates and academic performance still suggest a major achievement gap. Limitations in understanding the unique characteristics of schools that serve student in rural communities contribute to education policies that may not be sufficiently sensitive to those circumstances. One particular area of insufficient understanding is the manner in which teachers experience teaching in schools …

Dominican Public-School Novice Principals’ Description Of Their Early Career Experiences And Needs Entering The Principalship, Mary Francis Benzo Hernandez

Dissertations

Research on principal leadership is extensive; however, studies suggest such research cannot be generalized across all contexts, as educational leaders’ needs are a result of the specific context in which they work. Since there is limited research on principal leadership in the Dominican Republic (DR), the country can benefit from current and contextualized research on principal leadership within primary and secondary education. The purpose of this basic interpretive qualitative study is to explore Dominican public-school novice principals’ early career experiences and how they identified their needs entering the principalship. Through portraiture, this study aims to document principals’ life stories, background, …

Saudi Arabian Women’S Lived Experiences Attaining Higher Education Deanships: Paths, Supports, And Challenges, Sarah Abdullah Allhoian

Dissertations

Saudi Arabian women are underrepresented in higher education leadership positions. To take advantage of opportunities and have lasting effects on future generations of women, women must learn to attain leadership positions such as academic deanships. Deans are in a uniquely influential position as they engage in many significant aspects of educational leadership, such as academics, operations, and administrative aspects of colleges and universities.

The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand the lived experiences of female deans to understand the specific supports and challenges they faced in attaining their leadership positions. These challenges and supports are embedded in the …

Dominican Nursing Students’ Self-Reported Mastery Of International Nursing Competencies, Wady Ramirez

Dissertations

The Dominican health care system has many challenges to meet the legal and the population’s health care expectations (La Hoz, 2018; United States Agency for International Development, 2013). The purpose of this study was to evaluate how well Dominican nursing students, who have completed their internship but not yet defended their final career project, assessed themselves against a set of international nursing competencies. In addition, the purpose was to explore any differences in their self-assessments based on whether these students completed their internship at public health care centers or not. Finally, the goal was to determine to what extent do …

Tattoo Adversity, Regret, And Removal: Constructivist Grounded Theory, Luis R. Esparza

Dissertations

To date, unique tattoo designs and inks have become a trend (Mao & De Joseph, 2012). Regrettably, trendy tattoos have brought many forms of tattoo adversity. Tattoo adversity can include tattoo regret, tattoo-related health complications, and tattoo artist -tattooed relational betrayal (Birrell & Freyd, 2006). The purpose of this study was to explore the events, circumstances, and experiences that comprise tattoo adversity to such a degree that an individual would seek tattoo removal. The researcher utilized constructivist grounded theory to understand participants’ experiences of tattoo adversity leading to tattoo removal. Interview data illuminated participants’ tattoo regret, pain, and aspirations while …

The Influence Of Intergroup Contact On Attitudes Toward Diversity Among Professional Counselors: A Mixed Methods Study, Jiyoung Moon

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore diverse intergroup contact experiences and attitudes toward diversity among professional counselors. A total of 137 participants were included in the first phase of the study, which was a quantitative survey of intergroup contact experiences and attitudes, and eight participants were interviewed for the second qualitative phase. The quantitative results indicated that the quantity of intergroup contact was positively related to the perceived importance of intergroup contact, and all intergroup contact variables were positively related to the overall attitudes toward diversity. While multicultural courses in graduate counseling programs were not found to …

The Impact Of Neurofeedback On Women Diagnosed With Ptsd: A Multiple Case Study, Reema Abdulrahman Alhowaish

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how women diagnosed with PTSD experienced neurofeedback (NFB) using quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data included pre- and post-test scores on the quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG), the Davidson Trauma Scale, and the Inventory of Altered Self-capacities. The qualitative data illuminated participants’ experiences with NFB and their observations about the changes that occurred during and after NFB. The participants in this study included three women who received at least 20 sessions of NFB to treat their PTSD. The results indicated that two participants achieved a significant reduction in their PTSD symptoms and improvements …

The Epidemiology And Burden Of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors In A Young Emirati Population, Fatima Abobakr Hussein Mezhal

Dissertations

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced rapid economic growth that was paralleled by a drastic rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs); primarily cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which account for 40% of mortality in UAE. CVDs have complex etiology, interplay, and accumulation of many risk factors. Understanding the clustering and interrelationships between common risk factors like obesity, deglycation, dyslipidemia, hypertension and central obesity, and the associations with social and lifestyle determinants are warranted. The study aimed to estimate the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs), their interrelationship, and their associations with other social and lifestyle determinants in a young Emirati population. Data …

A Qualitative Study Investigating The Common Or Shared Experiences Of Saudi And American Parents Of Students With Autism In The Iep-Process, Alwiah Abdullah Alsaggaf

Dissertations

Nationally, research on special education has emphasized the importance of involving parents in the individual educational plan (IEP) process (Al-Herz, 2008; Angel, Stoner, & Shelden, 2009; Hebel & Persitz, 2014; Hobbs & Silla, 2008; Hui-Chen & Mason, 2008). The IEP is a blueprint for special education and related special education services in the United States and other countries (Alquraini, 2013; Hebel & Persitz, 2014; Martin et al., 2006; Tal, 2009; Yell, Katsiyannis, Ennis, & Losinki, 2013). Development and implementation of effective educational programs for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involve collaboration with parents (Hebel & Persitz, 2014). However, the …

The Pre-Instructional And Reading Comprehension Strategies Special Education Teachers Use To Engage And Instruct Elementary Student Readers With Asd, Murfet Alnemr

Dissertations

Lyon (1998) called reading “critical to a child’s overall well-being.” Given the ubiquity of text in their lives today, reading skills can help students lead productive, meaningful lives. But what about elementary student readers with ASD? Senokossoff (2016) argued that “in addition to the social and emotional difficulties that children with ASD experience, many also struggle with reading comprehension.” Research indicates that students with ASD can face deficits associated with self-regulation and sensory overload—associated with visual, hearing, and touch —and this can threaten learning and comprehension (Bogdashina, 2003). Thus, it could be argued that pre-instruction strategies focused on visual, hearing, …

A Qualitative Study Investigating Post-Secondary Services For Students With Learning Disabilities At Saudi Universities, Nahed Mohammed Binbakhit

Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the challenges and obstacles confronting students with learning disabilities who receive assistance from support service centers at Saudi Arabia universities. It also addressed the strategies and skills that students used to overcome these challenges and reviewed the recommendations for the further development of support services. The study was conducted in support services centers at two Saudi public universities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). The participants were five female students with learning disabilities and five female staff members at the support services centers.

The study used a semi-structured, faceto- face in-depth interview process to gather information.

Participants addressed …

Evaporation Rate From Free Water Surface, Safa M. Aldarabseh

Dissertations

This work aims to perform an experiment in the laboratory and investigate the effect of the wave steepness, airflow velocity, air relative humidity, air temperature, and water surface temperature on the evaporation rate from still and wavy water surface. In this investigation, the experimental results are used to quantify an evaporation rate from a still and wavy water surface under different convection regimes that are free, mixed, and forced convection under turbulent airflow conditions. Empirical correlations are also derived using the experimental results based on modified Dalton’s law and Similarity method (analogy between mass and heat transfer equation). In this …

Cross Language Information Transfer Between Modern Standard Arabic And Its Dialects – A Framework For Automatic Speech Recognition System Language Model, Tiba Zaki Abdulhameed

Dissertations

Significant advances have been made with Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) applications. Yet, dialectal conversation ASR is still trailing behind due to limited language resources. As is the case in most cultures, the formal Modern Standard Arabic language is not used in daily life. Instead, varieties of regional dialects are spoken, which creates a dire need to address dialect ASR systems. Processing MSA language naturally poses considerable challenges that are passed on to the processing of its derived dialects. In dialects, many words have gradually morphed from MSA pronunciations and at many times have different usages. Also, …

Efficient Hardware/Software Partitioning Techniques For A Cloud-Scale Cpu-Fpga Platform, Samah Ziyad Rahamneh

Dissertations

The diversity of workload characteristics has stimulated the deployment of heterogeneous architectures to accommodate workloads’ requirements disparity in cloud data centers. In heterogeneous computing, co-processors are utilized to support Central Processing Units (CPUs) in fulfilling workload demands. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have advantages over other accelerators because of their power, performance and re-configurability benefits. In order to achieve the most benefit of a heterogeneous platform, efficient partitioning of workload between the CPU and the FPGA is a crucial demand.

This dissertation first presents a design and implementation of cooperative CPU-FPGA execution techniques, which include code and data partitioning, of …

Extremal Problems On Induced Graph Colorings, James Hallas

Dissertations

Graph coloring is one of the most popular areas of graph theory, no doubt due to its many fascinating problems and applications to modern society, as well as the sheer mathematical beauty of the subject. As far back as 1880, in an attempt to solve the famous Four Color Problem, there have been numerous examples of certain types of graph colorings that have generated other graph colorings of interest. These types of colorings only gained momentum a century later, however, when in the 1980s, edge colorings were studied that led to vertex colorings of various types, led by the introduction …

Our Shared Vision: Representations Of The Trans-Mississippi American West, Joshua D. Koenig

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the role played by museums in shaping our understanding of the American West. The history of the American West holds a place in American popular culture, evidenced by music, movies and television shows, novels, art, architecture, clothing, and numerous other examples. However, such examples raise questions of authenticity depending on medium and setting, Representations of the American West depict certain images or beliefs held by society. At the same time, the United States houses nearly 1,500 historic sites and museums focusing on the American West. These museums and sites are found scattered throughout thirty-eight states, in addition …

The Effects Of Balanced Scorecard Implementation On Organizational Performance: The Case Of The Healthcare Sector In The Uae, Alaa Salah Mushtaha

Dissertations

The aim of this study is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) that positively affect balanced scorecard (BSC) implementation in the healthcare sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to examine the impact of BSC implementation on organizational performance. The BSC theory has been applied in various industries, including manufacturing, the public sector, banking and insurance, hospitality, and healthcare. However, little knowledge has been revealed about its design and implementation in healthcare organizations. In addition, no published articles exist on BSC implementation in the context of the healthcare industry in the UAE, which shows a clear gap when …

Activated Carbon Nanofibers From Renewable (Lignin) And Waste Resources (Recycled Pet) And Their Adsorption Capacity Of Refractory Sulfur Compounds From Fossil Fuels, Efstratios Svinterikos

Dissertations

The development of advanced engineering materials such as carbon nanofibers from low-cost, renewable and/or waste resources is a key aspect of sustainability. In addition, escalating concerns related to the presence of noxious sulfur compounds in commercial fuels are driving the need to develop more efficient desulfurization technologies. In this PhD dissertation research, activated carbon nanofibers were produced from a blend of lignin with recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (r-PET) and they were successfully tested for the adsorption of refractory sulfur compounds from a model diesel fuel. Starting from different lignin/r-PET mass ratios, precursor nanofibers of different morphologies were initially prepared using the …

Activated Carbon Nanofibers From Renewable (Lignin) And Waste Resources (Recycled Pet) And Their Adsorption Capacity Of Refractory Sulfur Compounds From Fossil Fuels, Efstratios Svinterikos

Dissertations

Dementia is a condition in which higher mental functions are disrupted. It currently affects an estimated 57 million people throughout the world. Dementia diagnosis is difficult since neither anatomical indicator nor functional testing are currently sufficiently sensitive or specific. There remains a long list of outstanding issues that must be addressed. First, multimodal diagnosis has yet to be introduced into the early stages of dementia screening. Second, there is no accurate instrument for predicting the progression of pre-dementia. Third, non-invasive testing cannot be used to provide differential diagnoses. By creating ML models of normal and accelerated brain aging, we intend …

A Mixed-Method Investigation Of The Best Practices Of Online Education In Southwestern China At Four Public Universities By Yu Hao, Yu Hao

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to discover the best practices of online education in Southwestern China in order to improve the quality of online education in the region. The Chinese overall higher education online courses and programs are continuously expanding (Chou & Lu, 2013). However, the Chinese southwest region’s online education was still in its initial stages, which lacks research and reports regarding regional online education development. This study is innovative research essential to assist in online education development in Southwestern China. The researcher conducted this study at four universities that reflected the local culture. According to Baghdad …

Female Superintendents’ Self-Sabotaging Behaviors And Their Journey To Reclaiming Their Power, Rebecca Pianta

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory mixed-methods study was to identify and describe self-sabotaging behaviors experienced by female superintendents and to explore the impact these behaviors had on their career development. A secondary purpose of this study was to identify strategies employed by female superintendents to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors.

Methodology: This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study described the experiences of 11 female public school superintendents in Southern California. For the quantitative phase of the study, an online survey was designed to identify female superintendents’ most prevalent self-sabotaging behaviors and the impact they had on their career development. Following the quantitative phase, …

Bay Area Lgbtq+ Millennials: The Newest Generation Leading The Gay Civil Rights Movement, Sara Miyo Hall-Kennedy

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ millennials that influenced their participation in the gay civil rights movement in the Bay Area of California. Another purpose of the study was to explore and describe the recommendations LGBTQ+ millennials have for the future of the national gay civil rights movement.

Methodology: A qualitative analysis of the data from a combination of both social movements and symbolic interactionism theoretical perspectives was conducted. Data for this study was generated through the synthesis and triangulation of the thematic coding of 12 interviews conducted by …

Women In County Government Leadership: Using Personal Power To Overcome Self-Sabotage, Jamie R. Crews

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory mixed methods study was to identify and describe self-sabotaging behaviors experienced by female county government executives and to explore the impact these behaviors have had on their career development. A secondary purpose of this study was to identify strategies employed by female county government executives to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors.

Methodology: An explanatory mixed methods research design was used to explore the use of self-sabotaging behaviors of 9 female county government executives in Southern California. A 10-item survey instrument was administered to participants, followed by a semistructured interview consisting of 13 scripted questions. Data collected …

Characteristics Of Notes Taken During The Employment Interview And Their Impact On Organizational Outcomes, James T. Mundell

Dissertations

Note-taking during the interview process has been recommended by both academics and practitioners. However, little research on note-taking in employment interviews exists. Although the limited amount of research points to the benefits of note-taking, characteristics of the notes taken have not been studied in detail and in relation to many organizational outcomes. As such, this study examined characteristics of note-taking (including job relatedness, detail, and valence) and their impact on interview question scores, hiring recommendations, hiring decisions, employee performance, and turnover. Archival data from an organization was utilized and the notes taken during employment interviews were coded to better understand …

The Effects Of Socioeconomic Status On Mathematical Achievement, Joshua Lee Holt

Dissertations

Socioeconomic background is one of the strongest, best-established predictors of a student’s academic achievement (Claro, Paunesku, & Dweck, 2016). The purpose of this study was to conclude the difference in mathematics achievement levels based on socioeconomic status determined by the concentration of free and reduced price meal rates in elementary schools grades K-4. Identification of specific mathematics achievement gaps could lead to a more individualized program of instruction and increased awareness of professional learning needs at instructional sites. To recognize if there was a difference in mathematical achievement levels based on socioeconomic concentration, three quantitative research questions were asked as …

Women In Judicial Leadership: Using Personal Power To Overcome Self-Sabotage, Tiffáni Thomas

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-method study was to identify and describe self-sabotaging behaviors experienced by female judges and to explore the impact these behaviors have on their career development. A secondary purpose of this study was to identify strategies employed by female judges to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors.

Methodology: This mixed-method study explored the lived experiences of eight female State trial court judges in California who self-identified that they have experienced self-sabotaging behaviors throughout their career. Convenience and snowball sampling were utilized to identify women who met the delimiting criteria for participation in the study. An electronic survey instrument and …

The Perceptions Of Public High School Administrators Regarding The Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities In The General Education Classroom: A Phenomenological Study By Jennifer A. Thomasian, Jennifer Thomasian

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perceptions of high school administrators in Southern California regarding how they interpret and implement specific federal and state policies concerning the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom and to identify additional factors high school administrators perceive affect implementation. It was also the purpose of this study to describe how high school administrators perceive that their prior experiences with students with disabilities impact their interpretation and implementation of policies concerning inclusion.

Methodology: A sample of participants was selected from the target population of administrators serving at …

The Voices Of African American Female First-Generation College Student Seniors At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Tamara Frazier

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to describe the academic, financial, and social institutional factors that African American female First- Generation College Student seniors perceive supported their persistence at Historically Black Colleges and Universities as outlined in Tinto’s College Retention Theory (1990, 1993) and Tinto’s Framework for Institutional Action (2012).

Methodology: This study utilized a qualitative multiple-case study methodology to record the perceptions of eight African American female First-Generation College Student seniors regarding the academic, financial, and social institutional factors that allowed them to persist at their Historically Black College and University. Respondents were purposively selected …

The Organizational Socialization Experiences Of First-Year Principals, Alicia M. Montgomery

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify and describe the organizational socialization processes implemented by school districts to support first-year principals. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to identify and describe the degree to which first-year principals perceive these processes are effective.

Methodology: This study identified and described district implementation of organizational socialization supporting first-year principals enrolled in the ACSA Clear Administrative Credentialing Program. The participants completed a survey and were interviewed, which provide the data analyzed.

Findings: The are several findings from this study. Only two thirds of participants experienced organizational socialization. …

Political Styles And Strategies Of Suburban Unified School District Superintendents And Board Members: A Mixed Methods Study, Reginald Thompkins

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to understand the political styles of suburban unified school district superintendents and school board members as perceived by superintendents. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to identify and explain the political strategies suburban school district superintendents use to work with the different political styles of board members.

Methodology: This explanatory sequential mixed methods study served to identify political styles of suburban unified school district superintendents and board members. The collection and triangulation of data included digital survey responses, face-to-face interviews, artifacts and observations. The quantitative and …