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Power Of Connection: How Communication Between Leaders And Employees Impacts Job Satisfaction, Keaira G. Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Direct communication in the workplace plays a critical role in shaping employees’ perceptions of leadership and the organization. This study examines the impact of Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX) on understanding the relationship between leaders and employees, with particular attention to how effective communication practices influence that relationship. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 27 participants, who were invited to share their workplace experiences with their supervisors. Using a hybrid coding approach, the data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes across participants' responses. Five key themes emerged, including (1) trust through communication, (2) transparency and …

Servant Leadership And Affective Commitment In A Bottom-Line World: Considering The Implications Of Leadership Orientation, Richard Herczeg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined how servant leadership (SL), bottom-line mentality (BLM), Theory X/Y orientation (XY), and Theory X/Y manager–worker congruence relate to affective commitment (AC) in contemporary workplaces. In response to persistently high turnover and low engagement, even amid widespread wellness initiatives, this study positions AC as a vital, yet often overlooked, contributor to organizational resilience. While grounded in a Christian worldview, this research was applied within secular workplace contexts to examine how leadership styles and orientations, such as SL, BLM, and XY, may reflect relational and psychological conditions that shape a worker’s AC. Participants included individuals who were …

Parents Of Students With Severe Autism Studying In Virtual Learning Environments And Their Perceptions And Experiences Working With School Administrators: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Shelli L. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand parents’ lived experiences and perceptions of their interactions with school administrators in virtual learning environments. The study centers on the following research question: What are the experiences of parents of children with severe autism as they work with school administrators in virtual learning environments? The hermeneutical framework guiding this study is Vygotsky’s Constructivist Learning Theory, which helps us understand learning through interaction, collaboration, and cognitive apprenticeship, with a focus on instructional practices that prioritize students’ cognitive development. The phenomenological design is to help the researcher to examine parents’ lived experiences …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of Rural Elementary School Teachers’ Stem Education And Training Development, Jack W. Owens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience rural elementary school teachers receiving STEM education, professional development, and training to provide high-quality STEM education to students at rural elementary schools. The theory guiding this research study was Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory, which promotes autonomy, competence, and relatedness; when these factors are present, thereby teachers’ motivation and effectiveness in teaching STEM are enhanced. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of rural elementary teachers concerning their preparedness to teach STEM subjects? This research study used a transcendental phenomenological qualitative design. This …

Legal Administrators’ Perceived Impact Of Coaching On Job Satisfaction And Commitment: A Phenomenological Study, Michael Francis Hayes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Executive coaching has emerged as a leadership development tool that can influence how professionals interpret their work experiences within organizations. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how legal administrators within the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) described their lived experiences with executive coaching and how those experiences influenced their perceptions of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 active-duty legal administrators. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns within the collective experiences described by the participants. The analysis revealed several themes that characterized how legal administrators experienced coaching and its …

Artificial Intelligence Use In Educator Pedagogy In Higher Education Institutes: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Rebecca L. Fuller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to discover the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in pedagogy as the lived experiences of educators at higher education institutions. The theory guiding this study was the self-determination theory by Ryan and Deci 2017. The central research question is: What are the lived experiences of educators in higher education who use GAI tools in their pedagogy? The participants were 10 educators, at least 25 years old, from four-year higher education institutions in the United States who had used GAI tools in their pedagogy in the last year. The methodology is …

Examining The Perceived Self-Efficacy Of Governing Board Members Of Charter Schools In Florida: A Qualitative Holistic Case Study, Donald Toy Williams Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, holistic case study was to examine the perceived self-efficacy of governing board members in charter schools in Florida. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory, which explains how personal beliefs, behaviors, and environmental influences shape an individual’s and collective governance self-efficacy. The central research question guiding this study was: How does the self-efficacy of governing board members in Florida charter schools influence their governance practices? This study used a qualitative, holistic case study design and purposeful sampling to select governing board members from charter schools across Florida. Data were collected through …

The High Cost Of Care: A Georgia Qualitative Study Of High School Counselors' Responsibilities And Their Well-Being, Shadiqa Techell White Points

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Secondary school counselors play a vital role in supporting the students’ academic, social, emotional, and vocational development. However, the increasing scope of their duties - especially in response to increased demands on student mental health and the lasting consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic - has led to an increase in the emotional and psychological demands placed on them. While there is a large body of research examining student outcomes, qualitative studies that analyze the ways counselors understand the effect of their professional roles on their personal well-being are scarce. The current qualitative study assumed a hermeneutic phenomenological orientation to examine …

Man In The Medium: A Historical Examination Of The Life And Work Of Roger Ailes In The American Political Arena, Korey A. Bowles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Roger Ailes is one of the most prolific figures in American politics and media of the last 60 or so years. Despite his many contributions and achievements, he remains relatively unknown among the public and underrepresented in the field of communication research. This study uses a critical historical approach to examine the life and influence of Ailes on the American political and media landscapes through his work with Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Bush, and numerous other key political figures, as well as the founding of Fox News Channel. In doing so, this study provides insight into Ailes’ perspective on the ecology …

The Impact Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Enhancing Employee Well-Being And Performance In The Workplace, Chris M. Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the lived experiences of clinical administrative professionals in healthcare settings who have undergone Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training. The importance of this study lies in addressing significant gaps in existing literature, particularly the long-term outcomes of CBT training in healthcare workplace settings and the necessity of tailoring these training to diverse work environments. The purpose of the study is to explore how CBT training influences the mental health, job performance, and overall well-being of these professionals.

Employing a Transcendental Phenomenology approach, the study will conduct in-depth interviews with clinical administrative professionals in various healthcare settings. The sample …

Developing Biblically Based Media As A Tool To Influence Societal Values Towards Godliness, Jasmine Deanne Andrews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The media can influence cultural values using narrative storytelling. Common tropes in narrative storytelling may reinforce cultural norms that vilify women and reinforce racial stereotypes. Frequent exposure to these negative tropes in the media condition audiences to accept gender and racial biases rather than society taking responsibility for gender and racially motivated violence and social mistreatment. These gender and racial biases can be further reinforced by church doctrines that support cultural norms that vilify women and reinforce racial stereotypes. This study exposed audiences to biblically-based media using the faith-based film, Then Sings My Soul, to determine the types of images …

Phenomenological Study Of Counselors Working As Community Response Team (Crt) First Responders For Mental Health And How They Cope With Stress And Burnout, Modupe Adekunbi Olaniyan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of counselors working as Community Response Team (CRT) first responders for mental health crises and to describe how they cope with job stress and burnout. The study involved 12 participants who were interviewed via Zoom. Participants were selected using criterion sampling, and the research sites were located in the Metropolitan area of the east-central United States (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia). The theoretical framework guiding this study was the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC) developed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984). Recent literature on job stress and burnout, …

A Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Veterans During Their Separation Transition, Nereida Valentine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the phenomenon of the lived experiences of U.S. veterans’ during their transition into civilian life across all military branches. The theory guiding this study was Schlossberg’s 4S theory on adult transitions, this theory identifies what factors influence how veterans adapt to their transition into civilian life. Data analysis was led from this central research question: “What are the lived experiences of veterans’ and their academic readiness during their transition into civilian life?” The methodology used was transcendental phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of 12 participants and how they adapt …

A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Men In The Dmv Area, Who Experienced Sexual Trauma Prior To 18 Years Old, Transitioning Into, Through, And Out Of Professional Counseling, Gregory Cecil Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A transcendental phenomenological approach can be a very effective qualitative research method in exploring the “lived experiences” of Black men in the DMV area, who experienced sexual trauma prior to 18 years old, transitioning into, through, and out of professional counseling. An enormous void in literature exists concerning the exploration of Black male sexual trauma survivors, their stories, and their professional counseling experiences. This counselor education issue will be investigated in this qualitative research proposal. The research question to be explored is "What are the lived experiences of Black men, who experienced sexual trauma prior to 18 years old, transitioning …

The Homeschooled Student Athlete And Their Transition To College: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study, Michele Marie Sandon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover homeschooled student-athletes’ lived experiences as they transitioned to the rigors of academics, social settings, and athletic life at NCAA and NAIA institutions in the United States. This study was guided by Tinto’s integration theory, which offers insight into how college students experience academic and social integration. The central research question asked: What was the homeschooled student-athlete’s experience in transitioning to college? This qualitative study used a transcendental phenomenological design to examine those lived experiences. The data was collected from a purposeful sample of eleven homeschooled student-athletes through semi-structured interviews conducted …

Healthy Outcomes From Positive Experiences Training And Child-Serving Providers, April Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An in-depth knowledge base of prevention frameworks with strategies to address the root causes of dysfunction is lacking for many child-serving providers as they work to prevent and mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Through learning the building blocks of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) that prevent and buffer trauma, child-serving providers may become more effective in preventing ACEs and enhancing resiliency. Child-serving providers often focus on reducing deficits or mitigation of traumatic experiences, as opposed to building resilience to prevent traumatic experiences from occurring in the first place or strengthening the ability of children to bounce back when ACEs occur. The …

Exploring The Role Of Values And Ethics In Transformational Leadership And Their Impact On Teacher Wellbeing: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Brittany Nicole Evans Javier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the impact of values and ethics in transformational leadership on teacher wellbeing for teachers at a private Christian school. The transformational leadership theory proposes that leaders lead through inspiration, and this theory underpinned the study, as more recent research focused on specific aspects of transformational leadership and called for further research in the area of ethical leadership. The primary research question asked how values and ethics in transformational leadership impacted teacher wellbeing in a private Christian school in North Carolina. A transcendental phenomenological study was conducted, as a phenomenological qualitative study …

A Qualitative Case Study On Leadership And Organizational Dynamics In The Adoption Of A Learning Management System In Higher Education: A Post-Positivist Approach Using The Technology Acceptance Model (Tam), Ashley Hudson Tharpe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this flexible design, qualitative, single case study was to explore the process of a learning management system (LMS) transition and the perceptions of administrators, course designers, and faculty during that process at a higher education institution. The study focused on understanding perceptions of LMS adoption, using the technology acceptance model as a conceptual framework. Three research questions were used to address the problem by providing insights into the procedural, relational, and strategic elements of LMS adoption. Data was collected through 30 semi-structured one-on-one interviews, 33 reflective journal responses, and multiple institutional artifacts related to LMS migration. Six …

Singing Is Believing: A Case Study Of Worship Song Themes Sung By Sbc Churches, Cindy L. Beirne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a notable gap in scholarly research on whether a denomination’s beliefs are clearly and accurately represented in the songs used in corporate worship. This study examines the themes of Contemporary Praise and Worship songs and hymns used by a sample of Southern Baptist congregations and compares them with core beliefs in the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. The study seeks to identify the intersection of the songs commonly sung, the importance of contributing to the formation and reinforcement of SBC beliefs, and the factors that influence song selection. This mixed-methods research study examined a sample of Southern Baptist …

Church Disaffiliation's Impact On Black Christian Millennials' Faith Development, Kevin M. Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher explored the faith, ways of living, and ideologies of Black Christian millennials that unite them with others and with God, leading to what James Fowler called the “ultimate environment” (Attfield, 1994). The study employed a qualitative phenomenological research design to examine whether the faith development path of Black Christian millennials had been impacted by church disaffiliation. From their perspective, identifying factors that fuel their beliefs, religious expressions, and views on their religious identity (Thomas, 2017). Faith, in its simplest form, is defined not by creeds or their institutional practices, Fowler acknowledges. However, its foundational truth lies in the …

A Phenomenological Study Of Pastoral Perspectives Of Conservative Churches Effectively Serving The Disability Community, John D. Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the experience of pastors leading conservative churches engaging with and serving persons with disabilities and their families. It focused on six theologically conservative churches providing special needs ministry, with at least three distinct scheduled ministry opportunities staffed by lay leadership, meeting a minimum of quarterly, and overseen by a paid staff member. This research sought to understand the perspectives of the pastors leading these churches, focusing on their personal experiences with disability, vision implementation, and leadership development. This study explored these pastors’ leadership through the lens of Transformational Leadership Theory and whether their style demonstrates transformational …

The Lived Experiences Of Olympic Medalists As They Describe Their Sense Of Self: A Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Ana Barend

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Olympic medalists are characterized by their commitment to performance excellence. While research has extensively examined factors that influence athletic outcomes, comparatively less attention has been paid to how elite athletes experience and make meaning of their own identities beyond sport. Despite possessing extraordinary personal resources, many struggle with identity foreclosure during transitions and mental health challenges at rates comparable to the general population. This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Olympic medalists as they perceive and describe their sense of self. Guided by van Manen's approach to human science research and informed by Self-Determination Theory, this inquiry examined …

The Role Of Social Media In Shaping Romantic Relationships, Chelsea A. Fiszbajn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study’s purpose was to examine the role social media has in adult romantic relationships. This study focused on the impact social media has on trust, communication, and the quality of the relationship. Social media platforms have become a very integral part of today’s relationships, which in turn has added room in the relationship for more jealousy, temptation, and validation from others. This study used a survey-based methodology to collect data on individuals' personal experiences and perceptions of how social media impacts their current romantic relationships. Using quantitative measures, the research evaluated how often a partner uses social media, …

The Emotional Aspects Of Disbelief: A Study Of Negative Emotions And Their Influence On Atheists When Reasoning About God’S Existence And Christianity, Esteban Canales

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The lack of sufficient evidence has been signaled by atheists as the main reason for their disbelief, identifying arguments such as God’s silence and the problem of evil as intellectual reasons against the existing of God and the plausibility of Christianity. While Christians found in arguments from Natural Theology, Scripture, morality, and the like, reliable sources in order to recognize God’s wonders and purpose for humanity, for atheists it seems that no argument seem sufficient neither rational. But what about if these so-called intellectual reasons are the product of an underlying emotional condition, affecting negatively the way atheists reason the …

Sacred Silence: The Unspoken Realities Of Satisfaction In Marital Intimacy Among Black Christian Women, Shonda Reneé Brooks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sexual intimacy is a vital component of marital satisfaction, yet many married Black Christian women, taught to abstain from sex until marriage, enter matrimony without adequate marital guidance. This qualitative phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of married Black Christian women, ages 30–60, who were taught to abstain from sex until marriage but received little to no instruction on sexual intimacy after marriage. The central research question is: How do married Black Christian women, who were taught to abstain from sex until marriage, describe their experiences with marital intimacy? Framed by feminist theory, attachment theory, and intersectionality, the study examines …

Use Of The Casper Test As An Admissions Test For Predicting Academic And Clinical Performance In Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists: A Predictive Correlational Study, Barbara A. Acord

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, non-experimental, predictive correlational study examined the extent to which CASPer test scores predict academic and clinical performance among student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs). Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) provide over 80% of anesthesia services in the United States, showing the importance of effective admissions processes to identify candidates most likely to succeed academically and clinically. Traditional admissions criteria in nurse anesthesia programs largely prioritize grades and may underrepresent non-cognitive attributes associated with student success. A convenience sample used a medium effect size, power of .8, and alpha level of .05, with G*Power calculated to be 85 participants 2nd …

Protecting Computer Systems In The Post-Quantum World, Thomas C. Gerlach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The 20th century saw remarkable growth due to technological advances, with many of the most significant advances due in no small part to the transistor and the computer revolution it spawned. During the last several decades, an even more transformative technology has been making incredible advances: quantum computing. Quantum computers will significantly impact computer security, with a profound risk to encryption and privacy. However, because of the incredibly complicated nature of quantum computing and the variety of fields involved, quantum computing continues to be viewed as science fiction by many and is failing to garner enough attention within the computer …

Experiences Of Parents Moving In, Moving Through, And Moving Out Of Play Therapy: A Phenomenological Study, Carly Rowan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of parents as they make meaning of their children’s participation in play therapy in the Dallas/Fort Worth region. Schlossberg's transition theory was utilized to provide a theoretical framework for answering the following questions: How do parents describe their expectations and perceptions of play therapy for their children who have received a minimum of eight play therapy sessions? How do parents describe their expectations for play therapy before their experience? In what ways were the parents' expectations met, and what were the unexpected outcomes experienced while their child was …

Exploring Help-Seeking Behaviors For Marital Distress Amongst African American Clergy, Desmond John Crawley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the help-seeking behaviors of African American clergy along the East Coast of the United States in response to marital distress. The theory guiding this study is social constructivism, which was developed in the 1930s by Russian Social Scientist Lev Vygotsky. This theory explores how meaning is developed through social interaction within and between individuals in a given community. Relative to this study, this constructivist perspective will help to explore the meanings that African American clergy assign to marital distress, the prioritization of help-seeking, and their role within the Black community. This …

Nature’S Sovereign: Environmental Archetypes In Isaiah’S Kingship Polemic, Christopher Ryan Sandel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines how Isaiah employs environmental archetypes to advance a comprehensive kingship polemic that asserts Yahweh’s unrivaled sovereignty over all creation. The study addresses a gap in scholarship by offering the first systematic analysis of Isaiah’s environmental imagery within a unified rhetorical and theological framework. Drawing on historical, literary, and comparative ancient Near Eastern backgrounds, the study argues that Isaiah’s civilizational, cosmic, and terrestrial archetypes function as strategic instruments that dismantle rival claims to power and reorient the audience toward covenantal fidelity. Civilizational archetypes reveal the fragility of human empires and the futility of political trust. Entities such as …