Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
File Type

Articles 2941 - 2970 of 6524

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

A Phenomenological Study Of Academic Nurse Educators' Experiences During The Transition From Bedside Nurse To Academic Nurse Educator, Dara L. Lanman Nov 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of Academic Nurse Educators' Experiences During The Transition From Bedside Nurse To Academic Nurse Educator, Dara L. Lanman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of nurses who have recently transitioned from the healthcare environment to the role of an academic nurse educator at a large, for-profit private nursing college in the United States. The research questions were written to understand the lived experiences of these nurses through the lens of the Schlossberg transition theory. I used criterion sampling to select participants who were novice nurse academic educators. The participants were 18 novice educators within their first five years of teaching in the classroom setting at a large, multi-state, private, for-profit …


A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Teachers' Experiences With Cross-Curricular Learning, Emily R. Holloway Nov 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Teachers' Experiences With Cross-Curricular Learning, Emily R. Holloway

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of cross curricular academics through teaming for middle school teachers within central-western Virginia. The theory that guided this study was the experiential learning theory, which supports active teaching and learning through experiences, not lectures of independent content, allowing experiences to build on previous knowledge. The study discusses the perspectives of 12 middle school teachers in rural, central-western Virginia who teach one of the main academic core contents of reading, math, science, or social studies. The central research question asked, what are the lived experiences of middle school teachers …


The Aging Population And Masking Requirements: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Tiffany M. Mioduszewski Nov 2023

The Aging Population And Masking Requirements: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Tiffany M. Mioduszewski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study is to understand the lived-experiences of individuals over 60 years old. This study was done to specifically understand psychological effects of adhering to protective measure put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. A pandemic can be described as a global epidemic that has the ability to spread to other continents. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted thousands of people worldwide. There have been multiple preventative measures put in place for individuals to follow to reduce the spread of the virus. The mandates vary depending on the country and state in which an individual lives …


Program Evaluation On 4kids On Foster Parent Retention, Brittany Morton Nov 2023

Program Evaluation On 4kids On Foster Parent Retention, Brittany Morton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The number of children coming to the foster care system is increasing while the individuals willing to be foster parents and take these children in their care is rapidly decreasing. There are some aspects that play a crucial part in foster parents’ choice to foster children, including available resources and motivation. Research has studied why foster parents elect to foster and what leads foster parents to close their doors. For the foster care programs that provide services to foster parents, there is minimal research on foster care program evaluation regarding foster parent retention. The program evaluation aims to assess 4Kids …


Improving Diversity And Inclusion Increasing Multiethnic Presence Within Religious Organizations, Marquita Nicole Davie Nov 2023

Improving Diversity And Inclusion Increasing Multiethnic Presence Within Religious Organizations, Marquita Nicole Davie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The program is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within a religious organization by increasing the participation of individuals from various ethnic backgrounds. The validity of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s statement regarding the most segregated time in Christian America being Sunday mornings will be evaluated through observation, exploration, and scholarly articles. The Fort Leonard Wood Protestant Women of the Chapel will serve as a framework for program design and implementation. The program serves to boost the presence of multiethnic members and leaders by 10% and 5%, respectively. This program will adhere to a logic model that will include five …


Perceptions Of Vocation, Calling, And Work Among College Students From Union University: A Phenomenological Study, Matthew S. Bowman Nov 2023

Perceptions Of Vocation, Calling, And Work Among College Students From Union University: A Phenomenological Study, Matthew S. Bowman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore perceptions of vocation, calling, and work among junior classification students at Union University. Calling was defined as a transcendent drawing toward a particular path in life, particularly as it relates to work. Vocation was defined in light of its historical and theological roots with a focus on the transcendent drawing toward a way of life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Work was defined as one’s job or career. The theory guiding this study was that of constructivism or social constructivism, which “understands human reality as socially constructed reality” (Berger …


The Ability Of Autism-Specific Professional Development And Years Of Experience To Predict Teacher Self-Efficacy For Those Working With Students On The Autism Spectrum, Kathleen M. Howard Nov 2023

The Ability Of Autism-Specific Professional Development And Years Of Experience To Predict Teacher Self-Efficacy For Those Working With Students On The Autism Spectrum, Kathleen M. Howard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlation study was to examine teacher self-efficacy while working with students on the autism spectrum (ASD), as related to autism specific professional development and years of experience. Autism is being diagnosed at an exceptional rate, resulting in a greater emphasis being placed on educators to provide effective interventions, in both the general education and special education classrooms. Positive self-efficacy among teachers working with students on the autism spectrum is critical to improving educational outcomes for this unique population. A random sample of 73 teachers from six schools in a rural Virginia school district completed …


Causal Comparative Study Of Public Middle And High School English Language Arts Teachers' Usage Of Technology For Learning And Teaching, Alison Lauren Watson Nov 2023

Causal Comparative Study Of Public Middle And High School English Language Arts Teachers' Usage Of Technology For Learning And Teaching, Alison Lauren Watson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative casual-comparative study examines the differences between reported barriers and technology anxiety when integrating technology into teaching and learning based on years of teaching experience of public middle and high school English language arts (ELA) teachers. Despite the need for a 21st-century learning environment, there is a lack of study on the challenges of integrating technology into ELA classes in public middle and high schools and the level of teacher anxiety these teachers experience. The Kotrlik-Redmann Technology Integration Survey was used to poll 163 middle and high school ELA instructors from various school systems in the Southeast. The data …


Air Force Officers' Faith Influences On Enlisted Member's Motivation And Commitment, Christopher D. Doyle Nov 2023

Air Force Officers' Faith Influences On Enlisted Member's Motivation And Commitment, Christopher D. Doyle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The vast amount of current literature in the field of spiritual leadership focuses on corporate settings. The current literature highlights followers’ meaning of work, emotional commitment, and innovative work in spiritual organizations. However, current literature lacks data on leaders’ faith influence on followers in other than civilian organizations. The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological case study was to understand Air Force officers’ faith influence on followers’ motivation and commitment for Air Force enlisted members at an Air Force base in the Northwest of the United States. Nine Air Force enlisted members in the ranks of Airman First Class through Chief …


Unique Challenges In State Defense Force Chaplaincy, J. Todd Smith Nov 2023

Unique Challenges In State Defense Force Chaplaincy, J. Todd Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As the impact and effectiveness of traditional ministry wanes in this current culture, the influence of chaplaincy is expanding and making new inroads into numerous fields, including business, sports, health care, and the military. Chaplaincy’s commitment to pluralism and emphasis on spirituality instead of denominationalism makes it the perfect vehicle for ministry to this seemingly secular population still searching for meaning, purpose, and connection. These chaplains must be well trained for these serious moments in time and the lives of individuals. State Defense Forces are the nation’s least-known uniformed service and, therefore, lack the resources and funding of other services …


Grantmaking Decision-Making Of A Philanthropic Foundation Funding Community Colleges And Community College-Focused Intermediary Organizations: A Case Study, Tanya Wightman Giovanni Nov 2023

Grantmaking Decision-Making Of A Philanthropic Foundation Funding Community Colleges And Community College-Focused Intermediary Organizations: A Case Study, Tanya Wightman Giovanni

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, single-instrument case study was to discover and understand how philanthropic foundations decide to fund community colleges by exploring the perceptions of the decision-making processes of the leadership team. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Cohen et al.’s garbage can model of organizational choice. Semi-structured interviews were used to engage with persons identified as members of the leadership team, decision-makers, and board of directors for the philanthropic foundation. The interviewed study participants were asked open-ended questions related to the central research question, ‘What are the decision-making processes of philanthropic foundations when deciding to fund …


Erosion Of Credibility: A Mixed Methods Evaluation Of Twitter News Headlines From The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, And Usa Today, Melinda M. Skrbin Nov 2023

Erosion Of Credibility: A Mixed Methods Evaluation Of Twitter News Headlines From The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, And Usa Today, Melinda M. Skrbin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

To entice and commodify social media news consumers, contemporary news organizations have increasingly relied on data analytics to boost audience engagement. Clicks, likes, and shares are the metrics that now guide the editorial process and shape decisions about content and coverage. As such, news headlines are regularly manipulated to attract the attention of those who quickly scroll through social media networks on computers and smartphones. However, few studies have examined the typologies of news content most likely to be manipulated in social media news headlines or the impact of news headline manipulation on news source credibility. For this research, source …


Lived Experiences Of Counselors: Navigating The Changing Role Using Emotional Intelligence, Marissa Joelle Stelzer Nov 2023

Lived Experiences Of Counselors: Navigating The Changing Role Using Emotional Intelligence, Marissa Joelle Stelzer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of counselors during the transition from traditional face-to-face counseling to a teletherapy format during the COVID-19 pandemic and how counselors were able to utilize emotional intelligence skills/abilities during this time. The theories that guided this study were the ability model of emotional intelligence and social constructivism. The following questions guided this study: How did counselors experience their changing role from primarily face-to-face counseling to teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic? How did counselors experience emotional intelligence during the transition from traditional face-to-face counseling to teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic? …


Transformational Leadership Behaviors Promoting Job Satisfaction In Mental Health Leaders: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Taylor Blakeley Nov 2023

Transformational Leadership Behaviors Promoting Job Satisfaction In Mental Health Leaders: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Taylor Blakeley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Similar to leaders in other roles, mental health leaders are responsible for leading, supporting, and guiding their followers. Transformational leadership and job satisfaction are two popular areas of research. However, research primarily focuses on followers’ job satisfaction rather than leaders with transformational leadership. This study focused on what and how mental health leaders’ transformational leadership behaviors promote their job satisfaction. This study used a qualitative phenomenological research design with semi-structured interviews as the data collection method. The population sample consisted of ten (10) mental health leaders. The participants were recruited using social media platforms Facebook, LinkedIn, and Liberty University’s School …


A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of History Doctoral Candidates' Experiences With Technology And Information Overload, Roger A. White Nov 2023

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of History Doctoral Candidates' Experiences With Technology And Information Overload, Roger A. White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of history doctoral candidates at Liefrig University with technology and information overload. The theory guiding this study was Sweller’s cognitive load theory, as it explains the characteristics of the information received using technology and the effect of exposure to varying levels of data. The study advances the understanding of the influence of technology on online students and their experiences with information overload. The participants consisted of history doctoral candidates completing their studies through a private online higher education institution in a Southeastern state. The three data collection methods …


The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of African American Female Faculty At Predominantly White Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Jasmine L. Jackson Nov 2023

The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of African American Female Faculty At Predominantly White Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Jasmine L. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological approach aims to understand the perceptions and lived experiences of African-American female faculty at predominantly White institutions and the strategies used to overcome barriers. The theory guiding this study is intersectionality theory, introduced by Kimberlè Crenshaw, discovering the multilayers of discrimination that women face and providing a template to encourage antidiscrimination. This theory adequately addresses the focus of this inquiry because it highlights the discrimination often experienced by African-American female faculty and the experiences of various individuals from the targeted population. This study's methodology was based on interviews with different African-American female faculty at predominantly White institutions. …


A Qualitative Descriptive Case Study Of Special Education Teachers' Experiences Utilizing Interactive Whiteboards For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Elementary Self-Contained Classrooms, John P. Terrell Nov 2023

A Qualitative Descriptive Case Study Of Special Education Teachers' Experiences Utilizing Interactive Whiteboards For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Elementary Self-Contained Classrooms, John P. Terrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to describe the experiences of special education teachers who use Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) to instruct students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in elementary self-contained special education classrooms. The theoretical framework for this study includes the persuasive technology theory and the social learning theory. Ten special education teachers from two elementary schools in a suburb of north Georgia will be asked to participate in this study. Data collection included an individual interview, and participant letters, followed by a focus group. Data analysis consisted of categorical aggregation, development of naturalistic generalizations, and …


The Transformative Preaching And Teaching Of The Old Testament Through Its Expositional Approach, Sony Olivier Nov 2023

The Transformative Preaching And Teaching Of The Old Testament Through Its Expositional Approach, Sony Olivier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The aura of the Old Testament preaching and teaching today has been absorbed by the enthusiasm of its fulfillment in the New. Thus, the interest in exploiting the Old Testament principles as fulfilled in Christ through its expositional preaching and teaching needs to be revised. As revealed in the book of Acts, the commitment to preach the complete Word of God, the Old Testament, is vividly clear as Christ being the center of their preaching and teaching. Therefore, in today’s context, proclaiming the whole counsel of God’s Word calls for every preacher to consider Scripture in its entirety duly, from …


Leadership Development Through Service-Learning For First-Year Students: A Phenomenological Study Of The Significance To Leadership Studies, Jennifer E. Wilson Nov 2023

Leadership Development Through Service-Learning For First-Year Students: A Phenomenological Study Of The Significance To Leadership Studies, Jennifer E. Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the leadership development experiences of first-year undergraduate students who participated in service learning. The central research question is: What are the shared leadership experiences of alumni who participated in service-learning activities during their first-year courses? Ten recent graduates from a large public research university in the Midwest make up the sample for this study. The theory guiding this study is Kolb’s experiential learning theory as it aims to explore experiential leadership development through service-learning during first-year undergraduate studies. Data collection methods included a timeline and digital data collection, individual interviews, …


The Lived Experiences Of Elementary School Teachers Who Embedded Behavioral Support In Academic Instruction: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Christina Marie Anderson Nov 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Elementary School Teachers Who Embedded Behavioral Support In Academic Instruction: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Christina Marie Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of educators who embed behavioral learning support into their academic curriculum and describe the meaning of the perceived influence on academic achievement and social development for elementary students in two elementary schools. What are the lived experiences of educators who embed behavioral support as a form of social-emotional learning (SEL) into their academic curriculum? Social constructivism was the interpretive framework used to guide this study, supported by Gagne’s and Vygotsky’s learning theories. Ten elementary school teacher participants in a metropolitan Atlanta area school district were selected using …


A Qualitative Case Study Examining Collaborative Teaching In Inclusion Classrooms Post-Pandemic, Danielle Maria Grunert Nov 2023

A Qualitative Case Study Examining Collaborative Teaching In Inclusion Classrooms Post-Pandemic, Danielle Maria Grunert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to discover educators’ perceptions of the challenges and benefits of collaborative teaching post-pandemic in inclusion classrooms throughout various New York public schools. The study focused on the central research question, what are the main advantages and disadvantages of collaborative teaching in inclusion classrooms post-pandemic? The theoretical framework guiding this study was the theory of self-efficacy, which examines educators' perceptions, beliefs, and confidence in their abilities to succeed co-teaching within inclusive classrooms. The design is an instrumental case study methodology, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon under investigation. This study utilized a …


Solving The Problem Of The Reading Achievement Gap Among Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners In A West Texas Elementary School: An Applied Study, Narichica V. Handy Nov 2023

Solving The Problem Of The Reading Achievement Gap Among Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners In A West Texas Elementary School: An Applied Study, Narichica V. Handy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to solve the problem of low reading achievement among English language learners at Wiley Elementary School in West Texas. A multi-method design was used, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The first approach involved semistructured interviews with campus administrators, campus teaching coaches, and dual language teachers. The second approach involved conducting a focus group with campus administrators, campus teaching coaches, and dual language teachers. The third approach consisted of a document review of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness reading results. The findings resulted in several recommendations for solving the problem …


How Eagle Public Schools' Gifted Program Works As A System: A Case Study, Casey Rae Ward Nov 2023

How Eagle Public Schools' Gifted Program Works As A System: A Case Study, Casey Rae Ward

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Learners who are gifted often underachieve due to various issues related to how they are served in their gifted programs. The purpose of this qualitative single-instrumental, embedded case study was to describe how the components of the gifted program of Eagle Public Schools, a small suburban school district in northern Virginia that recently implemented a new talent search approach in its gifted program, work together as a system to address the problem of underachieving gifted learners. The study sought to answer the central question: How do the components of Eagle Public Schools’ gifted program work together as a system? The …


Communication And Community: The Impact Of Closed Facebook Groups On Athletic Trainers, Allison M. Schwartz-Strickland Nov 2023

Communication And Community: The Impact Of Closed Facebook Groups On Athletic Trainers, Allison M. Schwartz-Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research study will use semi-structured interviews to explore the motivations of athletic trainers using social media for professional collaboration. The socio-psychological tradition is used to frame the study. Communities of practice, uses and gratification theory, and the Wisdom of the Crowd model are used as the guiding theoretical perspectives as they provide a framework for understanding how and why athletic trainers use social media. This qualitative study sought to show the impact of closed Facebook Group participation on athletic trainers. How athletic trainers understand patient privacy laws when participating in closed Facebook groups for athletic trainers will also …


Current Management Issues In Health Information Technology, Gladys Dadson Nov 2023

Current Management Issues In Health Information Technology, Gladys Dadson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Health information technology can improve quality care delivery, thereby boosting the healthcare business reputation. However, it can negatively affect quality care delivery and lead to a negative business reputation if not efficiently managed. This single qualitative study aimed to explore the causes of the inefficiencies in managing health information technology and strategies that healthcare organizations use to ensure its efficiencies. In a purposive sample, the researcher conducted telephone interviews with twenty-one participants from Lancaster General Hospital. The participants comprised medical doctors, Doctor of Nursing practitioners, managers of health informatics, and informatics specialists working in various divisions and E-health operations. Other …


The Resurrection And The Witness, Michael A. Thomas Nov 2023

The Resurrection And The Witness, Michael A. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The thesis project aims to educate and equip New Life Christian Church (NLCC) and Eagle View Christian School (EVCS) leaders to use biblically fundamental arguments and theories about Christ’s Resurrection to defend its merits against contemporary cultural objections. The study employed the quantitative design method to gather information through a survey utilizing open and closed-ended questions with a convenient sample of thirty-eight participants from the NLCC and EVCS population. As leaders teach, others become effective witnesses of Christ’s Resurrection, equipping them to implement the teachings of Mathew 28:19-20 and 1 Peter 3:15 in their witness and defense of the gospel’s …


The Effects Of Motivational Messages On The Mathematics Anxiety Of Preservice Elementary Education Majors, Eric William Bryant Nov 2023

The Effects Of Motivational Messages On The Mathematics Anxiety Of Preservice Elementary Education Majors, Eric William Bryant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the effects of motivational messages on the mathematics anxiety of preservice elementary education majors. A quantitative, quasi-experimental posttest nonequivalent control group design was used. The attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction model of motivation and control-value theories provided direction for this study. Sampling methods included convenience and voluntary response sampling of preservice elementary education majors in nine intact sections of required college mathematics courses. The number of participants sampled was 32. Participants in the treatment group watched supplemental videos embedded with motivational messages that covered concepts in the enrolled course. Participants in the control group watched supplemental videos …


The Perspectives Of Ghanaian Political Leaders And Citizens Concerning The Development And Implementation Of The Ghana Vision 2020 Development Plan, Kwame Aduhene-Kwarteng Nov 2023

The Perspectives Of Ghanaian Political Leaders And Citizens Concerning The Development And Implementation Of The Ghana Vision 2020 Development Plan, Kwame Aduhene-Kwarteng

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative research case study is to collect, investigate, and assess Ghanaian citizens’ and political leaders’ perspectives and viewpoints regarding the success or failure of Ghana Vision 2020 and the challenges facing developing nations. The study used a descriptive approach to examine Ghana’s Vision 2020 and the country’s development challenges using a descriptive methodology and primary and secondary sources. The 105 participants for the study included 65 males and 40 females living in Ghana. The theoretical framework of this study are modernization, globalization, and dependency theories. To that end, the study set out to investigate the question: …


A Qualitative Study Of Music Therapy's Effectiveness On Treating Ptsd, Shariee Jones Nov 2023

A Qualitative Study Of Music Therapy's Effectiveness On Treating Ptsd, Shariee Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study in this qualitative research described how music therapy has been beneficial to the treatment of trauma survivors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The research in this study consisted of six participants and previous research to show how music therapy has been effective in treating PTSD. The six participants were individually interviewed based on their prior experiences with music therapy from Board Certified Music Therapists. For years, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs have used music therapy to treat trauma survivors with complementary and alternative medical treatment. Several studies have been done on music …


Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Undergraduate Transfer Students At Faith-Based And Religiously Affiliated Institutions: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Amanda Nicole Davis Nov 2023

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Undergraduate Transfer Students At Faith-Based And Religiously Affiliated Institutions: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Amanda Nicole Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of undergraduate transfer students at faith-based and religiously affiliated institutions in the United States. Thus, in order to explore this phenomenon, the central research question directing the present study was: What are the lived experiences of undergraduate transfer students at faith-based and religiously affiliated institutions in the United States? The two theories guiding this study were Astin’s theory of involvement and Tinto’s theory of engagement, as they explain the relationship between institutional fit, involvement, and feelings of belonging. This study employed a transcendental phenomenological design and included …