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The Covid-19 Pandemic And College Students' Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Mervin L. Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and comprehend the lived experiences of college students at North Carolinian colleges and universities during the interruption and transitions of studies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This research used qualitative inquiry design and employed Schlossberg’s transition theory to guide the study. Schlossberg’s transition theory correlates with this research and phenomenological exploration because it underscores the varying abilities and incapacities of students to persist through their studies during challenging circumstances. The setting for this research was North Carolinian higher education institutions within Mecklenburg County which boast 17 colleges and universities within a 50-mile …

Exploring The Deficiencies Of Business Improvement Programs: A Qualitative Look Into Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, Eos, And Developing Hybrid Opportunities, Michelle Tucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative case study researched the deficiencies of three established business improvement programs: Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, and Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), to discern the possibility of a tailored hybrid improvement program. Utilizing data collected through semi-structured interviews from the experiences of twelve business leaders representing different industries. All of the leaders had five or more years of direct experience with one or more of the business improvement programs. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding, applying Constructivist Grounded Theory. The analysis found that Continuous Improvement empowered employees and nurtured incremental changes, but it …

Describing The Retention Experiences Of Special Education Teachers In Rural California: A Phenomenological Study, Adriel Gama Reynoso

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the retention experiences of special education teachers who taught in rural elementary school districts in California. Retention was generally defined as a teacher who was influenced to stay with their district for a long time. The theory guiding this study was Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation-hygiene. This theory was particularly effective in addressing teacher retention because it provided a clear framework for understanding the factors that contribute to job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. This transcendental phenomenological study described the retention of special education teachers who taught in rural elementary school districts …

The Difference Of Self-Efficacy Between General And Special Education Teachers In Rural Elementary Co-Taught Classrooms: Quantitative Causal Comparative, Tilnisha Pritchard Rosser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study examined differences in teacher self-efficacy between general and special education teachers in co-taught classrooms within a rural school district in the southeastern United States. A convenience sample of 162 participants (99 special educators and 63 general educators) completed the short form of the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES), which assesses instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare student engagement scores, and a one-way ANOVA analyzed differences in instructional strategies, classroom management, and total self-efficacy. Findings indicated no significant difference in instructional strategies; however, special educators demonstrated significantly higher scores …

Describing The Lived Experiences Of Professional School Counselors: Providing And Advocating For Services To Address Childhood Trauma, Toawondia T. Underwood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The professional school counselor’s role is to enhance student success by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. Professional school counselors often focus on addressing the needs of students impacted by trauma, who exhibit increased absences, behavioral challenges, and diminished academic performance. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to understand the lived experiences of professional school counselors providing and advocating for services to address childhood trauma. The American School Counselor (ASCA) National Model served as the structural framework, and the theory guiding this study was Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. The research engaged 15 practicing professional school counselors from …

Qualitative Evaluation Of Eeg Neurofeedback For Anxiety In Adults, Leah M. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders globally, yet many treatment options are inaccessible, ineffective for some, or lack long-term efficacy. One treatment for with substantial research support is neurofeedback, though it remains categorized as an experimental treatment and is underutilized in clinical practice. The qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of adults who received neurofeedback treatment for anxiety. The purpose was to understand participants’ perceptions of neurofeedback’s efficacy and the interactive effects of neurofeedback and psychotherapy. Data were collected from two Oregon clinics that offer Neurofeedback and from students at Liberty University. An open-ended survey …

The Impact Of Psychological Well-Being, Gratitude, And Self-Efficacy On Resiliency In High School Students: A Predictive Correlational Study, Jennifer Nevard-Blanco

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational study was to examine the impact of psychological well-being, gratitude, and self-efficacy on resiliency in high school students in a northeastern state. This study is important because the promotion of positive psychological factors such as gratitude, self-efficacy, and psychological well-being have been identified as predictors of increased resilience, buffering the negative effects of stressors and adverse circumstances. The sample was composed of 110 high school students from a public school in the northeastern part of the United States. Data was collected using four self-report instruments: Ryff's Psychological Well-being 18-item scale, the Gratitude Questionnaire …

Public Safety Injuries: Treatment And Organizational Support Variations Experienced By Injured Employees, Patrick S. Daugherty Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Public safety employees work in an environment characterized by a greater risk of injury than the workplaces of employees engaged in other professions. The deterioration of trust in public safety workers has increased both the violence against them and their risk of injury, negatively affecting their retention and recruitment efforts. The effect is exhausted and overworked employees who answer an increasing call volume with less resources, resulting in greater stress and frustration. Frustration can be expressed with negativity and isolation toward accommodated employees while they attempt to recover from their injuries. This phenomenon raises the question of “What treatment variations …

Science Unleashed: The Influence Of Science Content Implementation Within Learning Management Systems, D'Aieriean Murray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The qualitative, phenomenological study addressed the factors secondary science teachers face in implementing the science content in online LMS while continuing to teach in traditional classrooms. The research addressed the adequate training secondary science teachers may or may not have received in LMS and technology integration into the classroom. Utilizing Bruner's constructivist theory (1966) concerning the virtual classroom to recognize the imperativeness of educators in curriculum development to answer the question, "How are science teachers' experiences regarding the effectiveness of LMS and online learning?" While conducting a literature analysis, the most frequent themes were faculty readiness, transitioning to online education …

Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselors’ Perspective Of Parental Engagement And Involvement, Dominique Rose Lynn Woods

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to describe Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselors' (TDTCs) lived experiences with parental engagement and involvement (PEI) for TDTCs, within their professional collaborations in Virginia. The study focused on a specific aspect of TDTC’s lived experience: their perspective of PEI. Several theories were reviewed as a foundation for research development. Bronfenbrenner's (1979) Ecological Systems Theory has been an essential component of the research, as it emphasized that a child's development involves multiple elements of their environmental and social systems. Stroul and Friedman's (1986) Systems of Care Theory provided a foundation for understanding …

Psychological Safety And Its Impact On Teacher And Staff Morale, Yvonne R. Crace

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Psychological safety is a concept that has been around since 1965. Psychological safety exists when employees feel safe to share their ideas and opinions without fear of retaliation, retribution, or belittlement. Studies on psychological safety have mainly focused on businesses and corporations and work team learning behaviors. In recent years, it has become evident that psychological safety is needed in additional types of industries, including all stages of education, from primary to graduate school. In education, teachers and staff often feel isolated and have concerns about voicing their opinions which creates relational stress and conflict, thus lowering staff morale. This …

A Study Of The Relationship Between The Stress Responses From Rehearsal Preparations For Music Ensemble Performance Evaluations And Performing Arts Adolescents’ Working Memory, Gregory Thomas Minter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The organization of memory retrieval is vital to the association between stress responses and negative educational achievements. These stress responses offer an opportunity to study the harmful consequences of prolonged strain on the developing brain, which may impair emotional restraint, self-control, and cognitive development. However, little research considers the fundamental notions of how stress responses from rehearsals for music ensemble performance assessments impact adolescent working memory. This mixed-methods study explored how rehearsal-related stress in music ensemble settings may affect adolescents' working memory. Participants included high school students in grades nine through 12 who participated in performing arts band ensembles. The …

Bridging The Gap: Does Individual Crossfit Open Performance & Event-Type Influence Crossfit Games Team Performance?, Anthony J. Mack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individual CrossFit Open (CFO) and CrossFit Games (CFG) performance factors, including physiological metrics, sex, competitive experience, and workout pacing strategies, are well established; however, there is a gap in the literature comparing CFO and CFG team performance. The purpose of this study was to examine whether individual CFO scores and event category (i.e., monostructural, gymnastics-skill, weightlifting, or work capacity) influence a team's final score at the CFG. Teams (n = 196) from the 2018-2024 CFG seasons were included in data collection. Data from CFO workouts (n = 28) and CFG team events (n = 62) were extracted from games.crossfit.com. Scores …

Navigating Legal Constraints: A Phenomenological Study On Black Educators’ Experiences With Integrating Race-Related Topics In K-12 Education In North Central Texas, Christa H. Hicks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black educators in North Central Texas as they navigated the legislative restrictions placed on teaching race-related topics in public schools. The theory guiding this study was the critical race theory framework, which provided insights into how societal structures contribute to inequalities and shape the professional experiences of Black educators working within the constraints of laws that limit the teaching of race-related topics. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of Black educators in North Central Texas on navigating the legislative restrictions of teaching race-related …

The Leader And Employee: A Public Administration Study On Legitimacy In Small To Medium-Sized Municipal Governments, Dustin Bovee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this empirical study was to investigate how municipal government administrative leaders’ effectiveness, value creation, innovation, ethical behavior, fairness, contributions, role alignment with duty expectations, trust, and support influence their employees’ perceptions of leader legitimacy. The target population consisted of public service employees working in two county governments and four city governments in Western Colorado. The theory guiding this study is the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory, which offers a nuanced framework for examining factors influencing employees’ perceptions of legitimacy for their leaders. The study explored the factors that influence employees’ perception of leader legitimacy within municipal government departments. …

Perceptions Of Divine Intervention In Suffering Impact On Meaningful Work Mediated By Posttraumatic Growth, Thomas E. Weil Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout is a costly phenomenon, and creating a comprehensive model of wellness to increase resiliency to burnout is a complex task worth the endeavor (Eckleberry-Hunt et al., 2009). The negative correlation between self-care and burnout is well-known (Shanafelt et al., 2020). Models such as the psychological capital model (Youssef‐Morgan & Luthans, 2015) have provided insight into the relationship. Several findings since the inception of the psychological capital model indicate that other phenomena are involved in increasing resistance to counselor burnout. The positive relationship between meaningful work and counselor burnout resistance is well documented through peer-reviewed literature. Mental health professionals experience …

The Role Of Persuasive Rhetoric In The Dynamic Transformation Of A Mediatized Social Drama: A Thematic Analysis Of The 2023 Maui Wildfire, Chinua Joi Ivey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

On August 8, 2023, one of the deadliest wildfires in American history occurred in Maui County, Hawaii. The wildfires’ unprecedented impact on the town of Lahaina caused a tremendous loss of life, cultural artifacts, and property. Many suffered unimaginable conditions to survive the rapidly spreading flames, and thousands were displaced. While this tragedy evolved through the journalistic lens of the news media, reports showcased the dynamic phases of social drama punctuated by persuasive rhetoric. Mediatized hope appeals were leveraged to influence a change in the audience's attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors, revealing divergent goals for future expectations. How can mediatized …

Do Males Use Ai Tools Differently Than Female Students When Conducting Social Science Research?, Marsha A. Donaldson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, applied, relational study aimed to explore how male graduate students used AI tools differently from female graduate students when conducting social science research. The sample for the study was collected using the Prolific application. The inclusion criteria were that participants had to be adults aged 18 years or older, English-speaking, graduated between 2020 and 2024, social science majors, and had utilized AI tools in their research. The study’s total sample consisted of 210 participants, which were disaggregated into 50% female and 50% male participants. T-test, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between multiple …

Low-Impact Functioning Autism And Psychotropic Medications, Angela N. Butler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

From the onset of the discovery of its existence, studies provided additional information pertaining to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its influences on a child’s growth, everyday performance, including the capability to interrelate with people. Studies on appropriate medications to prescribe to ASD youth have yielded questionable results. Objective: This study’s purpose was to address adverse effects as an overall issue and re-evaluation of the psychotropic medications prescribed to Low-Impact ASD (LIASD) youth. Additionally, this study examined the process of diagnosing and supporting the reclassification of autism. Method: A mixed-methods design was employed, to review prescribed medications and determine the relationship …

Leaving The Cockpit: Understanding The Military-To-Civilian Transition Experience Of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Aviation Veterans, Robert D. Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the military-to-civilian (MTC) transition experiences of U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) veterans through a hermeneutic phenomenological approach supported by reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). ARSOA aviators operate in a demanding environment that requires advanced technical proficiency, exceptional cognitive agility, and the capacity to shift between complex tasks rapidly. They possess elite-level skills in target acquisition, decision making under pressure, and processing high volumes of information, capabilities that extend well beyond those typically expected of conventional military pilots. Thirteen former ARSOA aviators, crew chiefs, and flight medics who had separated within the past five years participated in semi-structured …

The Impact Of Modeling Music Literacy After English Literacy On Elementary Students’ Music Reading Abilities, Madeline Ann Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although numerous studies have been conducted to determine music’s ability to improve student achievement in other content areas, integrating general education pedagogy practices for the purpose of enhancing music education has not received the same attention. Music and language share one of the strongest and most recognizable connections, yet parallels drawn between music and language do not typically extend to the pedagogy used to teach music literacy acquisition and application. This applied research study compared the music literacy abilities of students instructed using traditional music literacy practices to those instructed using techniques modeled after English literacy practices. To determine the …

Empowering The Next Generation Of Female Leaders In Restoration Church Rhode Island, Elizabeth Faroul Arah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this praxis-in-dissertation was to enhance the leadership skills of current Christian female members within the Fervent Women’s ministry at Restoration Church (REZ Church) in Rhode Island. The plan was to enable them to engage and connect with young and new females who would be interested in joining the ministry. By using the situational leadership model as a tool to support the selected female participants from one stage to the next, the ministry Director gained valuable insights into their own leadership effectiveness and how they were able to best support each female through the process. The results of …

Integrated Growth: Developing A Sustainable Continuum Of Whole-Person Discipleship For Cultivating Healthy Leaders, Joyce A. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership, particularly within ministry contexts, involves complex responsibilities that often lead to chronic stress, burnout, and diminished well-being. These challenges underscore the need for a holistic, sustainable framework that supports leaders in every dimension of life. This Dissertation in Praxis explored a biblically grounded, multidimensional wellness initiative designed to foster integrated health among ministry leaders at The Harvest Church, a nondenominational congregation in North Houston, Texas. Framed by biblical principles of stewardship, wholeness, and relational unity, this study implemented and assessed a structured wellness program addressing four critical domains of a leader’s well-being: emotional resilience, financial stability, physical/nutritional health, and …

An Evaluative Study On The Relationship Between Caregiver Stress Of Adult Caregivers For Aging Parents With Chronic Medical Conditions And Life Satisfaction Moderated By Self-Compassion, Cristal Byrd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As of 2015, in the United States alone, approximately 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid (informal) care to an adult age fifty or older in the past twelve months Forty-two percent of these individuals are caring for a parent including 31% for a mother, and 11% for a father (Jones, 2015). Frequently, the impending challenges correlated with the aging process are discovered in concordance with each other; to which obligation or onus for caregiving of this demographic falls on the shoulders of their adult children. According to recent studies, approximately 1 in 3 adult children in the United States provide …

The Significance Of Cavalry In The American Civil War In Deciding Victory And Defeat, Specifically In The Western And Trans-Mississippi Theaters Of The War., Tony R. Malone Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research examines how effective cavalry was in the American Civil War, and the ultimate decision in victory and defeat. To answer this question, one must first investigate the origin of the American cavalry from its foundation in the American Revolution and trace it to the beginning of the American Civil War; this brings the reader to several sub-questions that help answer the main question. Why was Confederate cavalry dominating early in the war, and why did Union cavalry ultimately gain parity and superiority over its Confederate counterparts?

The readers will start with a solid look into the history of …

Mathematics Self-Efficacy And Achievement Among Elementary Students Who Participate In Extended Day Mathematics Programs: A Causal Comparative Study, Maria V. Kerr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study is to examine whether there is a difference in mathematics self-efficacy and achievement among fourth and fifth-grade students who participate in extended-day mathematics programs versus those who do not. The study utilizes the Mathematics Interest Inventory (MII) and the iReady Mathematics Program to measure these variables. Student performance in mathematics is influenced by various factors, including motivation, interest, and self-efficacy. In response to learning loss from emergency school closures, schools nationwide have implemented extended-day programs to help close the achievement gap. Federal and local governments have allocated over $8 billion to support these …

Identifying Aspects Of Musical Diversity That Engender Multigenerational Worship In Select Baptist Churches: A Case Study, Megan Scruggs Hollifield

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Multigenerational worship through the avenue of musical diversity in the Baptist church is the focus of this case study. This study aims to identify critical components of musical diversity, emphasizing song selection as a key element of liturgy within corporate worship. The research undertakes an observational analysis of the relationship between musical diversity through liturgy and congregational engagement of all generations. Five Baptist churches were selected to be studied to categorize the similarities and differences in the area of multigenerational worship. The case study research model provided a variety of data collection methods through research observations, online questionaries and in-person …

Elementary Seeds Of The Creation-Order Theodicy In The Early Christian Apologists, Lori A. Peters

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem of evil and suffering is a significant obstacle for people to consider the truth of Christianity. One way to eliminate this barrier is to provide a theologically sound and biblically accurate theodicy. The Creation-Order Theodicy is one such attempt. The purpose of this paper is to examine if the elements of the Creation-Order Theodicy have their roots in the early teachings of the church through the writings of the early Christian apologists through AD 250. Chapter 1 includes the nature of the problem, a review of existing literature, and the research methodology. Chapter 2 will summarize various modern …

A Journeys End: A Phenomenological Approach To End-Term Buyer-Supplier Relationship Performance Management, James M. Capps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The incumbent research study examines the lived work experiences of buyer-side buyer-supplier relationship managers as they seek to optimize supplier performance while navigating the end-term buyer-supplier relationship. While contemporary literature has explored several topics on supplier performance management and end-term, buyer supplier relationships separately, no research has explored detailing the experiences of supplier relationship managers within this phenomenon. Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological design with hermeneutical analysis, the incumbent study utilizes multi-stage random sampling techniques to recruit sample participants (N=7) in various industries. Research participants were interviewed on their lived experiences navigating end-term buyer-supplier relationships and how they optimized supplier performance …

The Influencer Effect: Impression Management In The Age Of Social Media And Online Dating, Erin L. Callahan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the relationship between individuals who follow social media influencers online and their impression management behaviors on online dating profiles. The central problem was defined as individuals adopting beliefs, goals, products, and news from the social media influencers they follow on Instagram. The theories guiding this study are Kelman’s Social Influence Theory and Goffman’s Presentation of Self Theory. This exploratory qualitative study employed comparative content analysis as its research method. Two sets of content were compared and analyzed: content from social media influencers (subjects) and the Hinge dating profiles of participants who …