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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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Middle School Administrator And Instrumental Music Teacher Perceptions Of The Danielson Framework For Teaching Observation Tool, Kimberly Hunt Hirschmann May 2024

Middle School Administrator And Instrumental Music Teacher Perceptions Of The Danielson Framework For Teaching Observation Tool, Kimberly Hunt Hirschmann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite continuous efforts to develop teacher observation and evaluation frameworks, one-size-fits-all evaluation tools may not be adequate for an instrumental music classroom. Since implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015, teacher evaluation has shifted from a high-stakes accountability model to models focused on feedback and professional growth. One popular model is the Danielson Framework for Teaching (FFT), which is utilized across all disciplines, including music. The current study proposes to fill a gap in the literature regarding the utility of the FFT to contribute to teachers' professional growth. This transcendental phenomenological study examines the perceptions of middle school …


Undergraduate Baccalaureate Nursing Student Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Neonatal And Pediatric Pain Management Practices, Jordan Lee Slowik May 2024

Undergraduate Baccalaureate Nursing Student Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Neonatal And Pediatric Pain Management Practices, Jordan Lee Slowik

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has indicated that pain management practices amongst registered nurses is inadequate across all age groups; however, it is frequently noted that children receive less analgesia in comparable situations than adult clients leading to harmful and costly consequences. There is a distinct gap in nursing educational research understanding nursing student knowledge and attitudes towards neonatal and pediatric pain management practices. Using a convenience sample from a private, Christian-based university in the southeastern United States, this study used a quasi-experimental, one-group pretest/posttest design to understand the impact of elective nursing courses on undergraduate baccalaureate nursing student knowledge and attitudes towards neonatal …


Exploring The Relationship Between Perception Of Mindfulness In Email Communication And Employee Stress, Jacqueline Christine Snook May 2024

Exploring The Relationship Between Perception Of Mindfulness In Email Communication And Employee Stress, Jacqueline Christine Snook

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between the perception of leadership mindfulness with email communication and employee stress. Foundational to this research was the theoretical basis of the Job Demands Resource model, the Buddhist philosophy of mindfulness, and the Bible. The framework provided a necessary structure for investigating the application of mindfulness to organizational behavior in terms of email communication practices. The study was conducted using a sample of 69 participants. The participants responded to a 33-item Likert inventory through Survey Monkey. Reliability was assessed to determine the consistency and trustworthiness of each item for …


Physical Aggression And Self-Injurious Behaviors Towards Self Or Others By Non-Verbal/Minimally Verbal Secondary Special Education Students With Autism In A Self-Contained Classroom: A Qualitative Case Study, Rodney Keith Jackson May 2024

Physical Aggression And Self-Injurious Behaviors Towards Self Or Others By Non-Verbal/Minimally Verbal Secondary Special Education Students With Autism In A Self-Contained Classroom: A Qualitative Case Study, Rodney Keith Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single intrinsic case study was to describe the experiences of using multiple forms of non-verbal interventions to decrease physical aggression and self-injurious behaviors for special education staff members in self-contained classrooms in Behaviorville ISD. The theory guiding this study was B. F. Skinner’s theory on behaviorism. It explains how non-verbal interventions affect an individual’s environment, how reinforcers influence their behaviors, and how all actions are interconnected. Participants were 10 people who are full-time employees of BISD and have worked with or volunteered with non-verbal/minimally verbal secondary special education students with physical aggression, self-injurious behaviors, and autism …


Perceptions Of Paid Pastoral Staff Of Volunteer Engagement In The Assemblies Of God, Glorielba Orta Meléndez May 2024

Perceptions Of Paid Pastoral Staff Of Volunteer Engagement In The Assemblies Of God, Glorielba Orta Meléndez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Volunteers play a critical role in churches, and successful collaboration between paid pastoral staff and volunteers is essential for achieving the church’s mission. However, conflicts can arise when defining the roles and responsibilities of volunteers and paid pastoral staff. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the perceptions of paid pastoral staff regarding volunteer engagement in the Assembly of God’s (AG’s) church mission. The research drew from Harold Kelley and John Thibaut’s interdependence theory, which shed light on human interactions and their influences. Utilizing semi-structured interviews with 10 AG pastors in paid staff positions, the findings described the volunteer manager role that …


An Examination Of The Perceived Impact Of Social Networking On Discipleship In Yalobusha County, Mississippi, Gary Bernard Walton May 2024

An Examination Of The Perceived Impact Of Social Networking On Discipleship In Yalobusha County, Mississippi, Gary Bernard Walton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Significant technological advancements in this new digital age and culture have increased digital and online technology. However, churches faced many challenges in integrating, creating, and transitioning new media platforms to develop a cooperative network society to train and equip disciples. Some research showed that many clergies vehemently opposed the use of digital platforms for discipleship, primarily because those leaders believed that digital discipleship platforms were insufficient in power to be transformative as compared to what would occur at a traditional church location (Campbell & Garner, 2016). This phenomenological research study aimed to understand better the perceived impact of social networking …


The Effects Of Online Learning On Mental Health During A Pandemic, Christina J. Mcrae May 2024

The Effects Of Online Learning On Mental Health During A Pandemic, Christina J. Mcrae

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the effects of online learning on mental health. The focus included six aspects: academic performance, physical activity, social isolation, food insecurity and other stressors, pros and cons, and religion and mental health. Each aspect included advantages and disadvantages that adolescent students experienced. The study included 6th - 12th graders attending a Charter school. The eligibility requirement was that participants participated in online learning during the 2020-2021 school year. Academic performance data was obtained from the school office for students who attended the school during online learning and requested from parents if they attended other schools. Both positive …


The Experience Of University Academics With Emergency Remote Teaching During The Covid-19 Pandemic Of 2020: A Phenomenological Study, Judith M. Peterson May 2024

The Experience Of University Academics With Emergency Remote Teaching During The Covid-19 Pandemic Of 2020: A Phenomenological Study, Judith M. Peterson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of academics at the university level with emergency remote teaching during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic. The theory guiding this study was Milheim, K. L. (2012) application of Maslow, A. H. (1943) hierarchy of needs. The central research question was: How did academics at the university level experience transitioning their course and teaching online during emergency remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021? Eleven lecture academics were selected from six universities from the University of Wisconsin System who transitioned their residence courses to online during the pandemic. I …


Special Education Teacher Perspective On Implementation Of Assistive Technology Among Students With High-Incidence Disabilities, Olga Volkov May 2024

Special Education Teacher Perspective On Implementation Of Assistive Technology Among Students With High-Incidence Disabilities, Olga Volkov

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of implementing assistive technology with students who have high-incidence disabilities for special education teachers at a large school district. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. Self-efficacy is one’s belief in one’s capabilities to organize a course of action to achieve a desired outcome. Self-efficacy determines how individuals think, behave, and self-motivate. Previous studies that investigated technology utilization in schools found that teachers’ self-efficacy is one of the key factors in determining and predicting technology integration. The study employed hermeneutic phenomenology as its research methodology. A …


Challenges To Musical And Organizational Growth In Small Rural Community High School Instrumental Music Programs In Georgia, William Kenneth Garrett May 2024

Challenges To Musical And Organizational Growth In Small Rural Community High School Instrumental Music Programs In Georgia, William Kenneth Garrett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Rural school instrumental programs are commonly categorized as small and struggling. Teaching in these programs is often considered a stepping-stone for music educators. Despite common challenges such as limited or less educated staff, underdeveloped musicians, and a lack of resources, some rural programs have found inventive solutions to combat the obstacles of rural schools and grow successful band programs. There is a need to address the obstacles of being a high school band director whose program is growing or needs to improve regarding student participation and musicianship in this setting. This qualitative research study seeks to uncover similar challenges current …


Parenting Styles Of Biological Parents With And Without A History Of Childhood Trauma, Alita M. Soulsby May 2024

Parenting Styles Of Biological Parents With And Without A History Of Childhood Trauma, Alita M. Soulsby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper details a survey examining the impact of childhood trauma on the future parenting style of biological parents. This study included 65 parents (58 Mothers, 7 Fathers) with (n=27) and without (n=38) a history of childhood trauma. Parents were surveyed using the Parental Style Measure (Kim, Zang, & Lee, 2015) and the Early Trauma Inventory-Self-Report- Short Form (Bremner 2007) to determine parenting style and whether the participant had a history of childhood trauma. Also, parents were asked to report the number of years from the resolution of the trauma until the commencement of parenting to determine if the demonstrated …


A Basis For Removal Or Retention Of Black Folk Songs In Music Education According To Black Americans In The Music Community, Ashley Yarbrough May 2024

A Basis For Removal Or Retention Of Black Folk Songs In Music Education According To Black Americans In The Music Community, Ashley Yarbrough

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the contribution of a large body of musical literature by Black Americans from the late nineteenth century forward, few musical contributions of Black American slaves have been properly attributed from the centuries prior, and many were credited to White Americans. In recent years, cultural sensitivities and misinterpretations toward the early music of Black Americans have created a movement to remove many of these songs from circulation and in particular, music education repertoire. In this study, the folk music created by Black Americans from the seventeenth through the nineteenth century was explored in order to determine the motivational factors according …


Empowerment And Advocacy Culture Within Higher Education For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Case Study, Rachel R. Kovach May 2024

Empowerment And Advocacy Culture Within Higher Education For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Case Study, Rachel R. Kovach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the impact that advocacy and empowerment practices have on the intellectual disabilities community in academic and social constructs for students within community colleges and disability programs on the West Coast of California. The theories that served as the foundation of this study are intergroup contact theory and empowerment theory. Intergroup contact theory assures that the acceptance of societal norms and expectations must be agreed upon and embraced by all within a subpopulation for cultures to adapt and advance. Empowerment theory states that a fundamental goal during moments of progress and struggle …


Evangelism Development In A Multigenerational Rural Church, John E. Baldwin May 2024

Evangelism Development In A Multigenerational Rural Church, John E. Baldwin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Berea Baptist Church in Rockville, VA lacks a multigenerational means of evangelism.


An Exploration Into The Effectiveness Of Yoga In Reducing Anxiety In Female Military Personnel, Aubrey C. Berry May 2024

An Exploration Into The Effectiveness Of Yoga In Reducing Anxiety In Female Military Personnel, Aubrey C. Berry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research indicates that female service members remain more anxious than their male counterparts, as these women report facing additional familial and occupational stressors. However, despite this evident incongruence, women in the military also remain less likely to seek mental health treatment for chronic anxiety. Current research indicates that yoga could serve as an efficacious alternative treatment to reduce anxiety, as study conclusions hint at elevated benefit and minimal risk when compared to counseling session attendance. A review of existing research presents several positive features and positive effects of yoga that lead to decreases in anxious mood. However, there is a …


The Impact Of Guided Doodle Note-Taking On Reading Comprehension: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Kayla L. Dewald May 2024

The Impact Of Guided Doodle Note-Taking On Reading Comprehension: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Kayla L. Dewald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quasi-experimental nonequivalent control-group study is to determine the impact of guided doodle note-taking strategies on middle school students’ reading comprehension. The importance of this study is the impact the data makes on the best practices of teacher instruction. The sample size is 101 students set in a city district in the Southeast United States. The students vary in socioeconomic levels, with many of them falling below the poverty line and representing a wide variety of ethnicities and races. Data was collected using pre- and post-test practices. The instrument utilized was the Reading Comprehension Scale. Data were …


The Impact Of A Project Management Approach On Micro-Businesses In Achieving Strategic Goals, Karen M. Lowe May 2024

The Impact Of A Project Management Approach On Micro-Businesses In Achieving Strategic Goals, Karen M. Lowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This flexible case study delves into the challenges micro-businesses in Ontario face, where the informal nature of operations and unique goal-setting processes are seen as obstacles to achieving strategic goals. Despite project management being proven to improve business success, many micro-businesses do not engage in formal processes. The research, employing a flexible case study methodology involving 15 micro-business founders in Ontario, explores the approaches used, differences in outcomes when goals are achieved versus not, and the role of project management in mitigating potential business failure. Analysis reveals five key themes, including lack of defined strategic goals, the unintentional use of …


An Investigation Of The Effect Of A Combined Physical Exercise And Counseling As A Therapeutic Approach To Reducing Anxiety Symptoms, Andrea C. Beltran May 2024

An Investigation Of The Effect Of A Combined Physical Exercise And Counseling As A Therapeutic Approach To Reducing Anxiety Symptoms, Andrea C. Beltran

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health issues are on the rise as the increase in emotional, psychological, and social well-being affects how people think, act, or feel toward themselves and others. The topic of physical exercise and mental health services has been researched to show a strong relationship between physical activity and positive mental health outcomes. Anxiety is the most common mental health concern in the United States (Goodwin et al., 2020). This study aims to investigate and quantify the impact and explore the relationships of the combined intervention approach of physical activity and counseling in reducing symptoms of anxiety. This research will utilize …


Teachers’ Lived Experiences Nurturing The Development Of Self-Regulated Learning To Address Academic Outcomes For High School Students With Low Reading Achievement: A Phenomenological Study, Kimberly Mazie Wilson May 2024

Teachers’ Lived Experiences Nurturing The Development Of Self-Regulated Learning To Address Academic Outcomes For High School Students With Low Reading Achievement: A Phenomenological Study, Kimberly Mazie Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine teachers’ lived experiences nurturing the development of self-regulated learning to address academic outcomes for high school students with low reading achievement. The two conceptual frameworks that guided this study were Zimmerman’s self-regulated learning, derived from Bandura’s social cognitive theory, and Duke and Cartwright’s active view of reading. These frameworks both provided contributing factors of self-regulatory skills for improved learning and reading outcomes. The research method used for this study was qualitative, and the design was transcendental phenomenology. Using the qualitative method gave a voice to the participants’ lived experiences. It …


Community Formation And Effective Leadership In African American Churches In High-Poverty Communities, Kevin Laron Moore May 2024

Community Formation And Effective Leadership In African American Churches In High-Poverty Communities, Kevin Laron Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African American church traditions were reputable for serving “the least of these" (Matthew 25:35 - 46) (TLOT) through intentional, Bible-based community fellowship and relationship. However, African American churches are moving away from community ministries to inside worshiping that does not fulfill God's agenda. As a result, the phenomenon of serving in isolation versus serving through community formation is incrementally deviating from the biblical worldview. This qualitative phenomenological study explores, community formation and effective leadership in African American churches in high-poverty communities in the aggregate city of Newark, NJ. This research aims to explore community formation and effective leadership in African …


Perspectives Of High School Orchestra Teachers In Urban And Suburban Settings In Using Social-Emotional Learning Techniques, Dale A. Kokot May 2024

Perspectives Of High School Orchestra Teachers In Urban And Suburban Settings In Using Social-Emotional Learning Techniques, Dale A. Kokot

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A need exists for more literature concerning high school orchestras in an urban setting versus a suburban neighborhood and the different styles of social-emotional learning strategies implemented in each. Universities and other professional development specialists now teach teachers social-emotional learning procedures and processes. However, these specialists often must provide orchestra directors with more specific skills. There also should be more differentiated instruction for high school orchestras in an urban setting versus what school corporations require of teachers in a suburban-specific area. Teachers must identify the demographics of where and to whom they teach and tailor lesson plans and social-emotional techniques …


An Exegetical Analysis On Zechariah 11, Jian Wu May 2024

An Exegetical Analysis On Zechariah 11, Jian Wu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The prophetic book of Zechariah, the longest one of the Twelve Prophets, contains many interpretive challenges. This dissertation focuses on Zechariah 11 while acknowledging textual issues and heavy influence from the Major Prophets and offers a harmonized holistic interpretation of the two sign-acts, the shepherds and staffs, and other relevant issues such as the thirty pieces of silver through applying five research methodologies. This dissertation argues that Zechariah 11 provides a retrospective of what Israel experienced to raise an alarm for them to obey God’s command. This partly explains the abrupt shift in tone from hope and promise in Zechariah …


Inclusive Classroom Setting For High School Students With Emotional Behavior Disorders: A Phenomenological Study Of Educators' Experiences, Marvin Marshall May 2024

Inclusive Classroom Setting For High School Students With Emotional Behavior Disorders: A Phenomenological Study Of Educators' Experiences, Marvin Marshall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of public high school teachers educating students with emotional behavior disorders (EBDs) in the inclusive classroom setting in the Major County School District. The theory guiding this study was Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory (SDT). SDT was applied to this study to understand the autonomy, competence, and relatedness experiences of teachers. Hermeneutics, meaning interpretive or explanatory, was the application of phenomenological design that was used for this study. This approach focused on the commonality of lived experiences that lay beneath surface awareness which is an interpretive process …


Applying Stewardship Leadership That Impacts Employee Work Attitudes To Reduce Voluntary Turnover, H. Dea Dietrick Wood May 2024

Applying Stewardship Leadership That Impacts Employee Work Attitudes To Reduce Voluntary Turnover, H. Dea Dietrick Wood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

At a time when leadership corruption threatens a hazard to sustainable organization development, a new brand of leadership governance is in demand. Therefore, the importance of this quantitative study was to examine a unique, newly proposed theory—stewardship leadership (SSL). SSL theory, based on a biblical worldview, was hypothesized to influence subordinates perceived organizational support (POS), subordinate affective commitment (AC), and subordinate organizational identification (OI) that, in turn, reinforces job embeddedness (JE) and reduces voluntary turnover intentions (TI) in comparison to servant (SL), transformational (TL), and leader-member exchange (LMX) leadership styles on work attitudes. SSL also appeared to be a composite …


Representation Matters: The Importance Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Students Identifying With Academic Advisors, Temeshia N. Lemons May 2024

Representation Matters: The Importance Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Students Identifying With Academic Advisors, Temeshia N. Lemons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the underdeveloped identifiable relationships with assigned academic advisors for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) at a public higher education institution. The theory guiding this study was the relational cultural theory (RCT), as it assisted with understanding the importance of BIPOC students developing identifiable relationships with assigned academic advisors. This study's central research question asked, "What are the experiences of BIPOC students building positive relationships with assigned academic advisors?" A qualitative research design was chosen for this study to explore further the experiences shared among …


Ethics As A Stand-Alone Course For Ph.D. In Public Administration, Daniel Scott May 2024

Ethics As A Stand-Alone Course For Ph.D. In Public Administration, Daniel Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Ethics is an essential aspect of society and public administration (PA). Despite being an essential aspect of PA, ethics courses are not universally integrated into higher education programs. Few higher education institutions have adopted a comprehensive approach to ethics, and ethics courses are not required for most doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) graduates in PA. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to understand the ramifications of not having a stand-alone ethics course in PA Ph.D. programs. The research questions that guided this study are: What are the ramifications of not having a stand-alone ethics course in PA Ph.D. programs? …


An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Exploring African American Women’S Perceptions Of Access To Healthcare In The Midwest, Ramona D. Benson May 2024

An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Exploring African American Women’S Perceptions Of Access To Healthcare In The Midwest, Ramona D. Benson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to explore access to healthcare through the lens and lived experiences of African American Women (AAW) in Midwestern towns throughout the United States. African American women and other people of low socio-economic backgrounds continue to live with poorer health outcomes than many of their counterparts African American Women experience barriers to healthcare from a unique perspective than their White counterparts. Although medical professionals endeavor to attain equal treatment among each of their patients, significant healthcare disparities are prevalent among AAW Commonly recognized ethnic stereotypes are not always intentionally supported, however, their mere …


Determining The Impact Of Mindfulness Activities To Increase Joy In Work And Decrease Burnout: An Integrative Review, Kimberly Gleason Bogart May 2024

Determining The Impact Of Mindfulness Activities To Increase Joy In Work And Decrease Burnout: An Integrative Review, Kimberly Gleason Bogart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This integrative review aims to evaluate whether mindfulness effectively increases joy in work and decreases nursing burnout. A lack of joy leads to feelings of burnout and negatively affects nurses and their desire to leave the profession. Nursing is often accompanied by intense emotional and physical demands that can lead to job dissatisfaction, anxiety, and stress. Burnout diminishes the quality of care and negatively impacts nurses’ well-being. This integrative review aims to explore mindfulness interventions to increase joy within nursing and potentially alleviate burnout. Drawing upon existing literature, this paper examines various mindfulness interventions and factors contributing to burnout among …


Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of High Attrition Rates Of Special Education Teachers Working With Students Who Have Severe Disabilities Or Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Cara Jo Lord May 2024

Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of High Attrition Rates Of Special Education Teachers Working With Students Who Have Severe Disabilities Or Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Cara Jo Lord

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to understand why special education teachers who worked with students with severe disabilities or emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) experienced elevated stress levels and burnout, resulting in high attrition and migration rates. The central research question guiding this study was: What were the leading causes of attrition and migration among teachers who taught students with severe disabilities or EBD in separate settings outside the general education population? This study, guided by Maslow's motivation theory, explored attrition factors among 10 special education teachers in the United States who had taught students with …


Using The Motivated Information Management Theory And The Social Support Theory To Understand Caregiver Perspectives Of Currently Available Health Communication Regarding Dementia: A Qualitative Study, Sara J. Alig May 2024

Using The Motivated Information Management Theory And The Social Support Theory To Understand Caregiver Perspectives Of Currently Available Health Communication Regarding Dementia: A Qualitative Study, Sara J. Alig

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Dementia brings a cascade of changes into the life of not only the person facing it, but also the lives of the supporting family and caregivers. Dementia manifests with a gradual decline, or in some cases, a variably progressive decline in cognitive abilities. This decline requires the individual to rely more and more on caregivers. Caregiving necessitates the giving of oneself for another’s sake and oftentimes results in negative physical and social-emotional side effects. To navigate through the changes that are happening to their loved ones, as well as to themselves, caregivers need educational and social support. The purpose of …