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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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Male Recruitment Strategies For Middle School Chorus, Bryan Cody Rante Aug 2023

Male Recruitment Strategies For Middle School Chorus, Bryan Cody Rante

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study examined the answers given by the K-12 choral directors of District 14 in Georgia about their stories, approaches, and strategies for maintaining and recruiting males into the chorus classes. The instrument used for this study was a survey sent to the participants asking about the successes, failures, thoughts, and approaches to recruiting males in the chorus classes and keeping them enrolled year after year. An analysis of the responses found that recruiting males in the classroom was inspired by their love for music, similar friends or peers signing up for the classes, school requirements, and celebrated masculinity. …


Remote Learning In Collegiate Instrumental Courses: The Impact Of Remote Learning During The Covid-19 Pandemic And The Future Of Remote Learning, Beverly R. Gard Aug 2023

Remote Learning In Collegiate Instrumental Courses: The Impact Of Remote Learning During The Covid-19 Pandemic And The Future Of Remote Learning, Beverly R. Gard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

During the 2020-2022 COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges were required to transition to a remote learning platform. This was a new concept to many professors and proved to impact college courses, including courses that relied on in-person learning and interactions, such as instrumental music courses. Courses were affected because teaching and learning methods that applied to in-person learning were not entirely possible with remote learning due to the mandates of social distancing and the lack of face-to-face instruction. Many music professors were required to make necessary changes to the curriculum, teaching styles, and educational technologies. Courses required new and innovative ways …


Parent Perspectives Of Inclusion For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca A. Mack Aug 2023

Parent Perspectives Of Inclusion For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca A. Mack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the experiences with inclusion for parents of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and combined intellectual impairment in elementary schools in the United States. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s theory on social cognitive learning as it applies to students with disabilities learning from observing their peers without disabilities. This study design was a transcendental phenomenological qualitative design to explore multiple parents’ unique experiences with the same phenomenon—inclusion for their child with ASD. Participants were chosen using criterion and snowball sampling from social media groups and live across the …


Adverse Childhood Experiences In The Yoruba Tribe/Ethnic Group Of Nigerians Living In America: A Phenomenological Exploration, Patricia O. Akinrogunde Aug 2023

Adverse Childhood Experiences In The Yoruba Tribe/Ethnic Group Of Nigerians Living In America: A Phenomenological Exploration, Patricia O. Akinrogunde

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study examined the lived adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of the Yoruba tribe of Nigerians living in America. The study setting was virtual through Microsoft Teams sampling members of a local church in central Maryland with a population of about 95% of Nigerians from the Yoruba tribe. The trauma from ACEs and cultural factors that may have contributed to the participants’ negative adulthood aggressive behavior was explored in this study. Behavioral constructivism and social constructivism theories guided this study and provided insight into the factors contributing to the experiences of Nigerians from the Yoruba tribe with childhood trauma. …


The Cajun Traiteurs, Shelby Kathleen Robert Aug 2023

The Cajun Traiteurs, Shelby Kathleen Robert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Traiteurs are traditional folk medicine healers who are a part of the culture of the Cajuns of Louisiana. These people are believed to possess special healing powers given to them by God. They are a significant part of the lifestyle and traditional culture of the Cajuns. The Cajuns are the descendants of the Acadians, a group of French colonists who were forcibly removed from Nova Scotia and dispersed all over North America by the British in 1755. Though the Acadians were able to partially reassemble themselves in Louisiana, they still faced great adversity within the state. This project examines the …


A Perfect Storm: Exploring The Impact Of The 2020 Sociopolitical Climate And Covid-19 On Police Attrition, Cullen Marshall Duncan Aug 2023

A Perfect Storm: Exploring The Impact Of The 2020 Sociopolitical Climate And Covid-19 On Police Attrition, Cullen Marshall Duncan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The spring and summer of 2020 created new challenges, related to strain, for the law enforcement profession. These challenges were precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the “defund the police movement.” The purpose of this study was three-fold: 1) to understand if the events of 2020 were responsible for increased police turnover, 2) to analyze retiree data pre- and post-spring of 2020, and 3) explore ways in which strain and turnover can be mitigated following critical events. The research design utilized in this study was a mixed method design. Bayesian modeling revealed support for the null hypotheses pertaining to the …


Music Advocacy: The Cognitive Development, Behavioral And Emotional Management, And Academic Success That Music Education Provides Students In Louisiana’S Low Socioeconomic Elementary Schools, Cory D. Dugar Aug 2023

Music Advocacy: The Cognitive Development, Behavioral And Emotional Management, And Academic Success That Music Education Provides Students In Louisiana’S Low Socioeconomic Elementary Schools, Cory D. Dugar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are many technological curricular activities in math and science classrooms, yet few are found in music classrooms. Although many elementary schools may be benefiting from advocacy for music and technology, many elementary schools in the state of Louisiana have lost funding for music programs. For the Louisiana Department of Education to act as an advocate for music education, there must be a thorough understanding of the benefits of music education. Extensive research is one way to suggest that elementary music classes can raise the cognitive capacity of elementary students and could be the catalyst for ensuring the upcoming generation’s …


The Word Made Digital: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Increase Bible Engagement, Henry Lee Jackson Iii Aug 2023

The Word Made Digital: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Increase Bible Engagement, Henry Lee Jackson Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to understand whether a relationship exists between an individual's behavioral intention to use a Bible-based chatbot that leverages AI to create human-like engagement with Scripture and the constructs of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, perceived enjoyment, and perceived risk, controlling for gender, age, and experience among registered users of the Inductive Bible Study App. Data was collected through an online survey and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), multi-group analysis (MGA), and homogeneity-of-slopes analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). While this quantitative descriptive study validated the correlation between each of the four reflective …


Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones But Words Will Never Hurt Me...Until I See Them: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Trolls In Relation To The Gricean Maxims And (Im)Polite Virtual Speech Acts, Angelika C. Smith-Jones Aug 2023

Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones But Words Will Never Hurt Me...Until I See Them: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Trolls In Relation To The Gricean Maxims And (Im)Polite Virtual Speech Acts, Angelika C. Smith-Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The troll is one of the most obtrusive and disruptive bad actors on the internet. Unlike other bad actors, the troll interacts on a more personal and intimate level with other internet users. Social media platforms, online communities, comment boards, and chatroom forums provide them with this opportunity. What distinguishes these social provocateurs from other bad actors are their virtual speech acts and online behaviors. These acts aim to incite anger, shame, or frustration in others through the weaponization of words, phrases, and other rhetoric. Online trolls come in all forms and use various speech tactics to insult and demean …


A Stewardship Curriculum To Promote Financial Independence: Congregants Of Sbc Depend On The Church For Financial Support, Davon Simpson Aug 2023

A Stewardship Curriculum To Promote Financial Independence: Congregants Of Sbc Depend On The Church For Financial Support, Davon Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project investigates the congregation of Second Baptist Church of Selma, Alabama, and their dependency upon the church for financial support. The thesis presupposes biblical illiteracy on stewardship as the hinderance for congregants of Second Baptist Church in obtaining financial independence. This project will launch a research study of the congregants of Second Baptist Church using a triangulated approach evaluating the knowledge of participants from the congregation in comparison to the stewardship curriculum. The research method includes surveys, one-on-one interviews, and small focus groups as tools to investigate the problem. This design proposes that when the curriculum is implemented …


A Quantitative Comparison Of Emotional Intelligence Scores For Generation X And Millennial School Leaders, April Desjarlais Clark Aug 2023

A Quantitative Comparison Of Emotional Intelligence Scores For Generation X And Millennial School Leaders, April Desjarlais Clark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study using a non-experimental, quantitative, and correlational research design, was to discriminate between the emotional intelligence of school leaders in two cohorts: Generation X and the Millennial Generation. Emotional intelligence (the ability to process emotions and emotional stimuli to guide thinking and behavior) was measured using the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso-Emotional-Intelligence-Test. Emails on public school district websites were used to recruit the principals and distribute the survey. The convenience sample consisted of 86 school principals from the northeastern United States. The total emotional intelligence score was significantly higher in the Millennials than Generation X. Discriminant Function Analysis classified …


Music Education And At-Risk Students: A Home For Everyone, Sherry L. Francis Aug 2023

Music Education And At-Risk Students: A Home For Everyone, Sherry L. Francis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite positive efforts toward inclusion, learners with special needs are progressively increasing in the United States today especially “at-risk” students; therefore, it is imperative music educators prepare to meet the needs of a diverse population. At-risk most commonly refers to students who struggle academically and have a higher probability of dropping out of school, ultimately, leading to an unstable life. Any student can be at-risk, regardless of background or ability level. Fortunately, music education plays an important role in reaching and retaining at-risk students, particularly, in high school. Music is a reinforcing, valuable tool that creatively encourages student achievement which …


Ink Therapy: The Use Of Tattoos By Male Survivors Of Sexual Trauma, Lisa M. Johnson Aug 2023

Ink Therapy: The Use Of Tattoos By Male Survivors Of Sexual Trauma, Lisa M. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the advancement of the feminist movement, our society typically views the experience of sexual trauma as a female issue. The male perpetrator–female victim dyad is the most academically researched and socially recognized experience of sexual trauma. The continued focus on that dyad leaves the male experience of sexual trauma underrepresented in scholarly literature and socially misunderstood. When seeking post-trauma clinical treatment & social support, the shame and stigma associated with male rape myths may represent significant barriers. These barriers leave male survivors to exercise autonomy in finding effective means of identity reformation and coping. The purpose of this phenomenological …


A Case Study On Persistence Among Financially Stressed College Students From Low-Income Families, Steven E. Mcdaniel Aug 2023

A Case Study On Persistence Among Financially Stressed College Students From Low-Income Families, Steven E. Mcdaniel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of low-income undergraduate students concerning the effects of financial stressors and the persistence to academically succeed at Anytown University. Anytown University is a large institution of higher education with over 100,000 total student enrolments, 46,438 undergraduate students and 154 programs of study. The theory supporting this study is Deci and Ryan’s theory of self-determination which is concerned with the motivation behind one’s choices and their goal to fill a psychological need. As applied to this study, the psychological need is the motivation to pursue the attainment of a …


Prediction Of Health Literacy Scores From A Linear Combination Of Age, Sex, Smoking Status, And Health Insurance For College Students, Diane Mary Dolezel Aug 2023

Prediction Of Health Literacy Scores From A Linear Combination Of Age, Sex, Smoking Status, And Health Insurance For College Students, Diane Mary Dolezel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study is to examine how well the independent variables predict the health literacy levels of college-age students, to fill the gap in research in this area. This study is significant because research has shown that health literacy levels are low in the United States which leads to poor health outcomes and costly overuse of the healthcare system. College students have been underrepresented in health literacy studies. Results will inform educators’ interventions to improve the health literacy abilities of college students, which could have future benefits for the students and the United States health care …


Agents Of Redemptive Hope: Churches And Communities Addressing The Problem Of Anger And The African American Adolescent Male, Reginald M. Robbins Aug 2023

Agents Of Redemptive Hope: Churches And Communities Addressing The Problem Of Anger And The African American Adolescent Male, Reginald M. Robbins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many African American adolescent males struggle with controlling their anger leading to abusive and addictive behaviors. The question is, should the Churches respond, and if so, how can they help? This paper argues that the Church must reach out with the compassion and healing message of the gospel to the at-risk young Black males who are having difficulty dealing with anger issues to ensure a positive future for the next generation of strong and stable Black men.


Discovering The Pedagogy And Secrets Of Gamification And Game-Based Learning Applied To The Music Theory Classroom, Jordan E. Montana Richards Aug 2023

Discovering The Pedagogy And Secrets Of Gamification And Game-Based Learning Applied To The Music Theory Classroom, Jordan E. Montana Richards

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research project aims to establish the credibility of gamification and game-based learning (GBL) in higher education and online education, specifically for applying digital game-based learning (DGBL) to the twenty-first-century music theory classroom. This research project aims to address the current Education Engagement Crisis, the historical need of engaging students, and adapting the music curriculum to the current technological age. This research project will propose an original digital game concept and framework for teaching music theory core skills and other areas of music-related study in higher education as its contribution to the field and research of music education and digital …


The Impact Of Instructor Immediacy And Social Presence On Online Students' Academic Success: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology Study, Colette B. Lazenka Aug 2023

The Impact Of Instructor Immediacy And Social Presence On Online Students' Academic Success: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology Study, Colette B. Lazenka

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of instructor social presence and immediacy on student success for asynchronous online students at universities that offer asynchronous learning in Southern California. The theory guiding this study was Short’s theory of social presence, as it explains the real and present interaction that affects the saliency and interpersonal relationships of the participants. The methodology for this qualitative study followed a hermeneutical phenomenological design of 10 asynchronous online students enrolled in universities in Southern California. Data were collected using individual interviews, letter writing, and a focus group. The data analysis …


The Paradoxical Effect Of National Diversity And Inclusion Management On Organizational Commitment, Clara Iyabo Stephens Aug 2023

The Paradoxical Effect Of National Diversity And Inclusion Management On Organizational Commitment, Clara Iyabo Stephens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States demographic and workforce are increasingly becoming more diverse. However, the question remains of how the leaders within diverse organizations can consistently manage workforce interaction to attain employee commitment. This quantitative study examines the relational effect of diversity and inclusion management on organizational commitment. Data for this study was collected using the SurveyMonkey online identity anonymity survey weblink. Voluntary participants entered the online survey through an invitation link to the consent page, explained the study's purpose focus on Nigerian American Immigrants and relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria. Initial one hundred thirty-five responses, whereas one hundred and twenty met …


E Pluribum Una Ecclesia: Addressing Ideologically Driven Disunity Through A Multifaceted Approach, John M. Craft Iv Aug 2023

E Pluribum Una Ecclesia: Addressing Ideologically Driven Disunity Through A Multifaceted Approach, John M. Craft Iv

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pastors and church leaders within the Rocky Mountain Church Network, an association of 48 churches, face difficulty caused by ideologically driven disunity (IDD). Current polling shows IDD's negative effect on pastors, church leaders, and congregations. Due to the foundational nature of ideologies, attempts to alleviate IDD have typically worsened the situation. This action research project seeks to identify the presence and impact of IDD as well as provide a strategy and tools to address IDD in a congregation. Using surveys, focus groups, and personal interviews, the researcher acquired quantitative and qualitative data from 22 project participants that affirmed the data …


The Impact Of Video-Based Whole Group Lessons On Place, Manner, And Voicing Of Speech Sounds On Reading Achievement, Myranda Noelle Victoria Aug 2023

The Impact Of Video-Based Whole Group Lessons On Place, Manner, And Voicing Of Speech Sounds On Reading Achievement, Myranda Noelle Victoria

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if students who received video-based lessons of the place, manner, and voicing (PMV) of speech sounds demonstrated gains on reading achievement compared to students who did not receive the intervention. A quantitative, quasi-experimental study with a pretest, posttest was developed, using the instrumentation of the reading Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). This study addressed gaps in the existing research regarding the impact of video-based instruction of speech sounds on reading achievement. Participants in this study (n=136) were drawn from a convenience sample of kindergarten students attending two elementary schools within the same …


Metamorphosis Of The Traditional Church: The Hybrid Church Model, Steven Edward Adams Aug 2023

Metamorphosis Of The Traditional Church: The Hybrid Church Model, Steven Edward Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For several decades, Church attendance in America has steadily declined. This observation is corroborated by extensive surveys and academic research analyzing church attrition. The national attendance phenomenon is evident is also evident at Livingwater Church of God. Using the Livingwater Church of God as the test lab, this project utilized and implemented the Hybrid Church Model, and evaluated its effectiveness for improvements. Substantiated by practical research surveys, interviews, and academic research, this thesis addresses attendance decline with a systematic implementation, evaluation, and modification of the Hybrid Model for the local church unique to the Western North Carolina area. This ministry …


Career Pathway Of Women In Higher Education Leadership: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Avel Shenika Fulp Aug 2023

Career Pathway Of Women In Higher Education Leadership: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Avel Shenika Fulp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study aimed to explore the real-life experiences of women serving in senior-level higher education leadership positions in higher education institutions. The theory guiding this study was the Self-Efficacy Theory, as presented by theorist Albert Bandura, was used as a theoretical guide, identifying if participant's self-efficacy could be or was affected by whether or not they were successful in the studied environment, along with how others within the environment contributed to that perception as imposed by their experiences. This research employed a qualitative method, with the design being a transcendental phenomenological study. Purposeful and snowball sampling identified …


The Perceived Availability And Usefulness Of Academic Accommodations, Academic Supports, And Academic Self-Efficacy In Graduate Counseling Students With Invisible Disabilities: A Preliminary Study, Lisa Marie Ansell Aug 2023

The Perceived Availability And Usefulness Of Academic Accommodations, Academic Supports, And Academic Self-Efficacy In Graduate Counseling Students With Invisible Disabilities: A Preliminary Study, Lisa Marie Ansell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Academic accommodations exist through Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amended Act of 2008. Graduate counseling students with invisible disabilities may be unaware of all available accommodations or find incomplete information on disability support services websites. Such lack of awareness creates academic and emotional barriers for students with an invisible disability. While these issues are not isolated to one university, this quantitative study analyzed responses to an anonymous survey that invited current graduate counseling students enrolled in a CACREP counseling program who identified as having …


Rebuilding The Secondary School Choral Program After The Covid-19 Pandemic: Tools For Teachers And Administrators And Implications For Future Disruptions To Education, Brandon Allan Stroup Aug 2023

Rebuilding The Secondary School Choral Program After The Covid-19 Pandemic: Tools For Teachers And Administrators And Implications For Future Disruptions To Education, Brandon Allan Stroup

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many secondary choral music programs suffered in terms of student involvement, performances, the ability to rehearse, and the overall impact on students’ social and emotional health. Choral music educators have been tasked with implementing strategies to rebuild their programs as schools resumed in-person learning. Utilizing explanatory sequential mixed methods, this study considered surveys of choral music educators and disaggregated student perception data, analyzing the specific needs of students, as well as utilized research surrounding the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social and emotional health of students. Guided by student perception surveys, this mixed …


From Lau To Now: A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Secondary Educators With Monolingual Driven Language Laws, Brooke Elizabeth Boutwell Aug 2023

From Lau To Now: A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Secondary Educators With Monolingual Driven Language Laws, Brooke Elizabeth Boutwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the influence of monolingually biased federal language policies on English language learners and secondary educators in a middle school in the Oceana School District. The theory guiding this study was Richard Ruiz’s Orientations in Language Planning as it pertains to ideology behind language policy. The transcendental phenomenological study was conducted in the Oceana School district at Waves Middle School. Participants included seven middle school content teachers, a school administrator, and two English as a second language specialists. All participants were chosen based on the criteria of having worked in the Oceana …


A Phenomenological Study Of Central Texas Caregivers’ Experiences In Relation To Stress And Coping Mechanisms, Becky D'Ann Olson Aug 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of Central Texas Caregivers’ Experiences In Relation To Stress And Coping Mechanisms, Becky D'Ann Olson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Long-term, publicly funded caregiver services in Texas have always focused on institution-based care, although informal caregiving makes up 8% of the country’s long-term care. Informal caregivers provide care to their loved ones who demand support due to illness, disability, or frailty. Taking care of one’s loved ones or family members is rewarding and demanding. Consequently, informal caregivers are known to encounter negative and positive psychological health effects and, therefore, should be provided with appropriate support. This is contributed by the fact many times, informal caregiving is unpaid, mentally and physically demanding, and often performed by individuals who are balancing their …


Law Enforcement Perceptions And Responses Regarding Child Sex Trafficking Victims In South Carolina, Alton B. Terry Jul 2023

Law Enforcement Perceptions And Responses Regarding Child Sex Trafficking Victims In South Carolina, Alton B. Terry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the new wave of laws and victim advocate services implemented to treat all children involved in sex trafficking as victims, many law enforcement officers have some difficulty in identifying potential victims of child sex trafficking. The purpose of the study was to understand how law enforcement officers perceive child sex trafficking victims in South Carolina and how law enforcement officers respond to child sex trafficking victims in South Carolina based on those perceptions. The theory that guided the study was Becker’s (1963) labeling theory. This multiple case study investigated how law enforcement officers perceive child sex trafficking victims in …


The Experiences Of Teachers Providing Feedback Using One-To-One Technology On Teacher-Student Relationships: A Phenomenological Study, Robert Christopher Magee Jul 2023

The Experiences Of Teachers Providing Feedback Using One-To-One Technology On Teacher-Student Relationships: A Phenomenological Study, Robert Christopher Magee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe teacher perceptions of teacher-student relationships while using one-to-one technology to provide feedback. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s theory of learning as it describes learning as a social process. A transcendental phenomenological design was used for this study with a social constructivist worldview as the study sought to understand the perceptions of teachers within the one-to-one learning environment and their relationships with students when providing feedback using one-to-one technology. The central question for this study was: How do teachers describe relationships with students while using one-to-one technology to provide …


Together Alone: The Effects Of Phubbing In A Romantic Partnership, Stephanie Elease Ligon-Tucker Jul 2023

Together Alone: The Effects Of Phubbing In A Romantic Partnership, Stephanie Elease Ligon-Tucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Partner phubbing has been defined as an individual distracted by their phone or someone who would rather be on their phone than interact with the people in front of them. In most romantic partnerships, phubbing is directly connected to relationship satisfaction and can be linked to how frequently phubbing occurs in the union. Several research studies provide qualitative data on how phubbing negatively influences romantic relationships. 97% of the population admit that phubbing has lowered the connection quality with their partner. Phubbing can lead to jealousy, declining mental health, partner surveillance, conflict, separation, reciprocal phubbing, and adaptation. This research aims …