Digital Commons Network^™

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of The Perceptions Of Teachers' Lived Experiences Of The Connection Between Classroom Management And Teacher Attrition, Trisha Hofmann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand what meaning teachers ascribe to classroom management and teacher attrition in the lived experiences of teachers with less than 10 years teaching experience in U.S. public schools. Classroom management was defined as the process teachers use to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. The theory that guided this study was Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which posits that self-efficacy is the foundation of human motivation and well-being. The central research question for this study was: What meaning do teachers with less than 10 years of teaching experience ascribe to …

Examining Influences Of Academic Resilience Among Minority Adolescent Students, Sylvia Alice Okpon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative and correlational study aimed to investigate which variables of minority adolescent students promote academic resilience and focus on African American and Hispanic students within a public charter school located in Southeast Texas. Grounded on resilience theory, the research investigated the cognitive and emotional regulation of students and student–teacher connections in the process of academic resilience. A purposive sample composed of more than 100 students was used to collect data using the Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the Inventory of the Student–Teacher Relationship, and the Academic Resilience Scale for an online survey. Data analysis indicated that cognitive and emotional resilience …

Theory Informed Audit And Feedback To Decrease Medication Administration Errors, Victoria Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Medication administration errors remain a serious and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in health care. Technology at the point of care is often bypassed in the medication administration process despite the intention to prevent adverse drug events through the addition of a layer of cross-checks and alerts. The purpose of this project was to understand if human behavior could be influenced using effective audit and feedback, data transparency, and communication tactics to decrease administration-related errors, such as wrong patient, wrong medication, wrong dose, and adverse drug events, with the use of barcode medication administration (BCMA) in the emergency department. …

What's In It For Me? Applying Social Exchange Theory To Beverage Brand Engagement On Facebook, Destiny Elise Rinder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Managing engagement with existing and potential consumers on social networking sites has proven to be a challenge for many brands (Gretry et al., 2017). Focusing on the marketing communications of American beverage brands on Facebook, the researcher aimed to learn why some brands earn more engagement than competing brands. To answer this question, the researcher conducted a qualitative study that utilized a content analysis. Social exchange theory was applied to the findings of the content analysis, which allowed the researcher to perceive and interpret the high-value rewards of brand communication. Applying a communication theory that combines behavioral psychology and elementary …

The Efficacy Of Group Therapy As A Primary Treatment For Military Veterans, Sheldon Kauffman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injury (MI) are often comorbid in military veterans. While various manualized group treatments have demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptom severity, the effect sizes for these diverse treatments have been similar indicating something other than the intervention (e.g., peer social support) may be driving symptom reduction. This mixed methods study examined the efficacy of non-manualized group psychotherapy for reducing PTSD and MI symptom severity in military veterans. The sample (n = 34) consisted of post-911 and Vietnam military veterans, aged 30 - 78, who attended voluntary government and non-government funded PTSD groups in southcentral Pennsylvania. …

Exploring The Post-Covid Lived Experiences Of Parents Of Middle School Children Who Continued Learning In Online Modality: A Phenomenological Study, Gladys Ode Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenology approach to explore the lived experiences of working parents of school children who transitioned to and continued online learning during and post-pandemic. Twelve parents were selected using criterion and snowball sampling methods, with Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory guiding the study framework. Existing literature highlighted challenges faced by parents and schools during the pandemic, such as balancing work and children’s education, connectivity issues, and dissatisfaction with school support and communication. Analysis of interview data revealed that despite ongoing concerns, parents successfully adapted to managing work and online education responsibilities. They reported satisfaction with their children’s …

Prophetic Theology: The Essence Of Prophecy, Charmain M. Jarrett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this action research project is to equip the members of Jesus Strong Ministries to discern the authenticity of contemporary prophetic messages. This research project aimed to measure the effectiveness of teaching the members of Jesus Strong Ministries the purpose or essence of true prophecy, focusing on discerning and interpreting prophetic messages. To accomplish this, the researcher developed and taught thirty-two participants an eight-week virtual prophetic training course via Zoom. The course examined eight vital elements of prophecy: the definition of prophecy, types of prophets, history of prophecy, relevance or purpose of prophecy, dimensions of prophecy, Spirit of …

So Why, D&I? A Study On Diversity And Inclusion In The Workplace In The Digital Age, Dina Abed Abughannam

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have adapted new models of work that shifted diversity and inclusion initiatives within the workplace digitally. There is very little research that currently exists on diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace in the digital age. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between perceived management involvement in diversity and inclusion initiatives and employee performance, commitment, and engagement. Additionally, this study sought out to determine whether work location (remote, hybrid, onsite) moderated the relationship between the perceived management involvement in diversity and inclusion initiatives and employee performance, commitment, and …

Overcoming Barriers To Persistence: A Single-Case Study Of Student Veterans In Higher Education, Janet G. Hupel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic case study is to understand the lived experiences of student veterans as they overcome barriers to persistence at a small, faith-based institution of higher education in the South. The theory guiding this study is Pascarella’s student-faculty integration model, as it explains the relationship between the student veterans’ unique background characteristics and other educational experiences to the degree of integration with faculty on campus and, ultimately, their persistence in higher education. What are the experiences of student veterans as they overcome barriers to persistence in higher education? The setting for the study is a small, faith-based …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study On Teacher Self-Efficacy: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Teachers With Provisional Licensure While Working In The Classroom, Shawn Kristine Ruiz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental qualitative phenomenological study was to describe self-efficacy through the lived experiences of K-12 teachers working with a provisional license in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the state of Georgia. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory on self-efficacy, as it explained the sources of self-efficacy. The central research question this study set out to answer was: What are the self-efficacy experiences of K-12 teachers working with a provisional license in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the state of Georgia? The subsequent sub-questions focused on each of the four sources of self-efficacy: (1) mastery, (2) …

An Investigation Of Law Enforcement Officer Background And Personality: A Study Of The Effects Of Education And Time In Service On Personality Characteristics, Courtney A. Claiborne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Within the last ten years, the actions of law enforcement officers have received increased attention, particularly in events involving disproportionate use of force. However, researchers and individuals should not generalize all law enforcement officers based on these incidents. In other words, the actions of law enforcement officers in these incidents should not be used as a basis to predetermine the actions of all law enforcement officers. Therefore, examining law enforcement officers' personalities and backgrounds is one way to understand individual police officers better. Through an exploratory research study, the researcher was able to examine the effect education and time in …

The Importance Of Bridging The Generation Gap Within Grace City Church: A Plan For An Intergenerational Discipleship Program, Keila A. Boychak

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The generation gap exists within the local church. The purpose of this praxis problem was to address the lack of intergenerational ministry in the church and create an intergenerational discipleship program to start the process of bridging the generation gap. The researcher intended to study the generations that are involved within Grace City Church and better understand how to reach them. In following Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory (1969), the researcher planned to create a practical program that assisted in gaining participants, who are among various generations and are currently members of the congregation. Through the implementation …

Teaching Aural Skills In Undergraduate Music Using World Music Concepts: A Narrative Inquiry, Eugene Seow

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project recognizes the potential of pedagogical innovation through world music concepts, particularly in applying world music education techniques to acquiring undergraduate aural skills. The study examines concepts from African drumming, Indian tala, Arabic maqam, and Japanese gagaku, briefly inquiring into the psychology and theory behind these world musics, and determines how best to transfer the concepts to an undergraduate aural skill teaching curriculum alongside its core concepts rooted in the Western classical idiom. Thus, teachers can augment aural skills education at the collegiate level with cross-cultural perspectives and integrative techniques. This qualitative narrative inquiry research recognizes the imbalance in …

Church Adoption: Three-Pronged Elements That Support The Revitalization Of Coastal Church Battery Park Location In Virginia, Michael Christopher Bard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church is God’s plan for delivering the good news of Jesus Christ’s finished work on the Cross. This finished work is evidenced through the bodily resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15). In the US a steady decline in church attendance has been prevalent over the past three decades and church buildings are either near empty or closing. This research explores the concept of church adoption merger in hopes of one avenue that would promote revitalization of local fellowships. Though multiple elements are supportive in revitalization this research explore three elements that should lead towards centralizing the church on Christ. …

Mentoring Emerging Leaders As It Relates To Senior Leadership Succession, Kevin D. Neal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore the effects that a leadership mentoring plan had on the development of emerging leaders within the ministry of the International Ministry Network of Churches (IMNC). This study also sought to determine future leadership readiness regarding succession. This church fellowship currently does not have an established mentorship program in place, and without a successful plan for preparing new leaders for the future of the IMNC, the organization's growth and perpetuity can be potentially impacted negatively. The research was conducted by surveying senior local church leaders within the IMNC to assess their current …

Community Partnerships For Music Education In Rural Eastern New Mexico And West Texas, Joseph Manuel Flores

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the availability of music education courses in rural America’s secondary school setting, the quality and quantity of music education offerings may be in a state of decline due to student retention, lack of collaborations between extra/co-curricular activities and their instructors, scheduling conflicts, or lack of community involvement. Music education opportunities allow students to engage in art forms that further life-long learning and music advocacy. This study will investigate the perspective of music educators in rural Eastern New Mexico and West Texas as they continue to create high-quality music-band programs. The qualitative phenomenological research study highlights perspectives of rural American …

Insurgency Apologetics: Refuting The Claims That Christianity Is A White Man’S Religion, Brian L. Gadson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project, with the utmost respect for the participants, aims to assess the ability of the members of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church to counter the claims of Black religious identity cults, Black conscious community, and Black atheists who assert that Christianity is a religion that belongs only to White people. The study's main objective was to design an African-American church curriculum that addresses the purpose of this research. The new training curriculum aims to offer essential information to church members about the ancient African connection to Christianity that existed long before the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The …

Do Something: Does The Use Of Compassionate Empathy By Staff Affect The Safety Of A Colorado Correctional Facility?, Kelly Lynn Kuhns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied multimethod study is to explore the relationship between the use of compassionate empathy and safety in a Colorado correctional facility. This research involved 25 staff members and employed a thematic analysis approach, integrating results from the Toronto Empathy questionnaire and semi-structured participant interviews. The study aimed to provide insights into the potential impact of compassionate empathy on safety within correctional facilities and inform policy and training initiatives to enhance overall safety. The findings offer valuable information to correctional administrators and policymakers in Colorado and beyond, aiding efforts to improve the safety and well-being of both …

Trauma-Informed Care Education Program To Increase Provider Confidence In Caring For Patients With Trauma, Lillian Priante

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This scholarly project addressed the critical need for education on trauma-informed care and birth trauma among birth center providers and staff. The project aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of birth center professionals to better support birthing individuals who have experienced trauma, ensuring a more compassionate and effective care environment. A comprehensive educational program was administered to birth center midwives and staff exploring the principles of trauma-informed care, the psychological and physiological impacts of birth trauma, and evidence-based strategies for mitigating these effects. The curriculum of trauma-informed care included interactive training sessions using the City Birth Trauma Scale tool …

The Battle Of Mobile Bay: A Joint Masterpiece, Thomas Rutherford Key

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States and Confederate Navies saw the most action and glory in the first days of the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. It is therefore not surprising that historians paint the opening scenes of the battle with naval accounts such as Admiral David Glasgow Farragut shouting, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” as he sails into Mobile Bay. They mention little about the Army. In contrast, historians record little about the U.S. Navy’s role in the following three weeks while the Army laid siege to Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan. However, both services played critical and interdependent roles …

An Examination Of Employee's Perceived Level Of Their Leader's Religiosity As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between An Employee's Religiosity And Job Satisfaction, Brad Carney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an employee’s perceived level of their leader’s religiosity moderates the relationship between an employee’s level of religiosity and job satisfaction. The participants in this research study were recruited through the utilization of a snowball sampling method, primarily leveraging Liberty University’s doctoral student email list and social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Participants in the study were required to be 18 and older and had been employed under their current leader for a minimum of one year. The total sample size was N=65. The researcher used a quantitative self-reporting survey …

School Counselor’S Perceptions Of The Influence Of Sudden Traumatic Loss On Secondary Urban Adolescents, Tiffany L. Hillian-Sullivan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When an adolescent has a traumatic experience, the impact of the incident may be manifested within the confines of the educational setting. Educators are then required to support the student as they attempt to handle the trauma. When a student experiences a sudden and traumatic loss (death) of a parent, family member, or close friend, they are not prepared to handle the trials that come with grief. Often, teachers are not equipped with best practices of trauma-informed teaching methodology in order to best meet the needs of traumatized adolescents. When students are unable to handle their challenges, they are typically …

Keeping The Beat: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Retention Strategies And Their Impact On Historically Black Colleges And University Band Student And Alumni Success, Melton Randolph Harvey Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Music programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich cultural legacy, but there is still little understanding of how these programs impact students in particular ways. HBCUs provide Black individuals a chance to achieve equality, gain respect as a collective in the United States, and secure employment in professional fields. The purpose of this study aims to explore the factors concerning retention that contribute to participation in Historically Black Colleges and University band participation and analyze the effectiveness of its current retention initiatives.

the main research tool created to investigate the dynamics of recruitment and retention in HBCU …

Corporate Social Responsibility Programs In Supply Chain Strategies, Craig A. Standridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study focused on United States-based small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturing companies and their decision-making strategies regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs within their supply chain strategies. As CSR gains global acceptance, those stakeholder interests seek validation and compete for outcomes that affect the triple bottom line of people, the planet, and profits. Strategic managers must skillfully balance the implementation of CSR programs with available resources, all without a guaranteed increase in competitiveness or organizational excellence. CSR is often perceived as more suitable for larger organizations with ample resources. At the same time, SMEs grapple with the fiduciary challenges of …

Lighting The Lamp Of Learning: Florida Freedmen’S Education During Reconstruction, Jessica L. Damron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While the American Civil War attracts significant research attention, Reconstruction often receives little attention in comparison. Focus the research on Reconstruction in Florida, and the scholarship narrows even more. This study reveals the efforts of the Freedmen’s Bureau, northern aid societies, and the freedmen teachers who advanced the education of the freedmen in Florida during Reconstruction. The cooperative effort included the freedmen who participated inspiringly during this period in their pursuit of education. The freedmen understood education represented the key to unlocking the potential of their new freedom. The Reconstruction period in Florida underwent progress and setbacks. However, the zeal …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Reading Motivation And Reading Achievement In Middle School Special Education Students Of Black, Hispanic, And White Descent, Anisha L. Mendez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study is to determine if there is a difference between reading motivation and reading achievement of middle school special education students of Black, Hispanic, and White descent. The importance of this study was to close reading gaps between ethnic groups. This study was conducted in four middle schools in a suburban area in Northeast Georgia. Participants included 58 Black=Group 1, 35 Hispanic=Group 2, and 33 White=Group 3 middle school special education students with a total of 126 students. The research questions guided this causal-comparative study with the following: (a) Is there a difference between …

Improving Nursing Retention Through Mentorship In A Long-Term Care Facility: An Educational Toolkit, Adriane Nichole Anthony-Cupil

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A major nursing shortage in the healthcare industry is made worse by high turnover rates. Healthcare organizations have used mentoring programs that have been found to enhance job satisfaction, thus improving nurse retention. To address this challenge, this study examined the use of a mentorship program supplemented by an educational toolkit that is specially made to improve nurse retention in long-term care facilities. By offering an organized learning path with resources that address support, effective communication, and cultural competency, the educational toolkit has the potential to enhance mentorship. The objective of this initiative was to equip registered nurses with the …

Increasing Self-Efficacy Of Nurse Practitioner Preceptors In Primary Care By Using The One-Minute Preceptor Model, Amy J. Lancaster

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nurse practitioners represent the fastest growing profession in the United States, with 385,000 practitioners currently licensed. Over 70% of these licensed practitioners are serving in primary care settings. As the growth of this workforce continues, so does the need for nurse practitioner preceptors. The preceptor plays an essential role in championing clinical competencies for nurse practitioner students. This project was implemented in a primary care setting with an aim to improve the self-efficacy of nurse practitioner preceptors by using the One-Minute Preceptor teaching method to improve the practicum experience for both the preceptor and the nurse practitioner student. The One-Minute …

Nursing Faculty Exposure To Student Incivility And Interventions In Place To Address: A Case Study, Kimberly Lowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore nursing faculty exposure to nursing student incivility at a nursing college in the Mid-Atlantic region. Bandura's social learning theory provided this study’s theoretical framework. The continuum of workplace aggression and conceptual model fostering incivility in nursing education also guided this study. This study answered the following central research question: How have nursing faculty been exposed to incivility by nursing students? Data were collected for this study through one-on-one interviews with nursing faculty exposed to nursing student incivility and a focus group with the same nursing faculty to discuss the current …

Exploring Health Science Students' Perception Of The Influence Of Health Precaution Practices During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Marquitta L. Foster

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to address a lack of research on health science students’ perceptions and use of health precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory frames this study of bachelor's, master’s and doctoral level students at Liberty University, George Mason University, and Norfolk State University. Data was gathered via surveys, interviews, and observations from 35 students across the three universities, providing a diverse pool of age, gender, and ethnicity. The initial survey gathered demographic data on whether students considered themselves immunocompromised, their view on COVID-19's severity for the immunocompromised, and whether they felt …