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Military Spouses’ Lived Experiences In Remote Assignments Overseas: A Heuristic Study, Veronica Carbajal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The heuristic study explored the lived experiences of military spouses accompanying service members on remote assignments overseas. Relatively little was understood about geographically remote assignments from U.S. military installations overseas. Numerous studies have investigated military spouses’ experience transitioning from military to civilian life, geographically remote location challenges within the United States, and culture shock related to overseas military installations, independently. To date, research on military spouses transitioning to nonmilitary communities in remote assignments overseas with their active duty service members is lacking. The qualitative heuristic phenomenological design implemented semi-structured open-ended interviews, a focus group, and reflective questionnaires for data collection. …

The Role Of Citizen Feedback In Improving Public Services: A Case Study In San Diego, David M. Burton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States of America has many vibrant metropolitan areas known for their diverse populations and active civic engagement. Due to its melting pot of cultural diversity and robust public service infrastructure, these metropolitan areas offer an ideal environment for investigating citizen feedback and its influence on public service delivery. This case study, based in San Diego, California, examined the significance of citizen feedback in enhancing the quality and efficiency of public services in multicultural urban environments. The study employed a multimethod design and data collection, which involved both qualitative and quantitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain deeper …

Exploring Higher Education Shared Governance Constitutional Documents As Potential Culture Building Contributors To Friction Between Faculty And Administration Through A Qualitative Analysis Of Foundational Institution Documents, Lanna Monday Emmett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research project investigates the role shared governance documents in higher education institutions play in communicating the guiding principles and expectations used to create, sustain, and challenge culture through a content analysis of foundational institutional documents. Colleges and universities face challenges driven by technology, globalization, the capitalization of education, and shifting expectations regarding diversity, equity, and sustainability. These changes require institutions to adapt their organizational models for more competitive decision-making while navigating evolving governance issues. In some instances, these changes have been cited as one cause for friction between institutional stakeholders, particularly faculty and administration. Previous studies have more …

Ageism From The Perspectives Of Diploma Program Nursing Students After An Aging Simulation: A Phenomenological Reflection, Melissa Suzanne Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Ageism in the healthcare system creates a challenge for nurses and their patients. Knowledge is needed regarding sensory changes that occur with normal aging. This knowledge gap leads to stereotyping and missed opportunities for age-appropriate care. Nurses must recognize that hearing loss and naturally occurring vision changes can lead to poor outcomes and social isolation in older adults. In addition, caring for older adults becomes less desirable to nurses entering practice because of negative perceptions about older adults. However, nursing programs can address ageism by augmenting the curriculum with a geriatric sensitivity simulation. Through a series of exercises that simulate …

The Criminal Justice System And The Effect Of The Color-Blind Racial Ideology On Male Minorities Within Bell County, Texas, Teresa Ortiz Santos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The phenomenological study aimed to define the color-blind racial ideology, understand the effect of the color-blind racist ideology on people of color and determine the perception of racial disparity within the criminal justice system by male minorities within Bell County, Texas. The critical race theory, also known as CRT, explains how the white privileged maintain their standing, allowing them to subjugate others based on their social rank. The author describes the racial disparity within the criminal justice system through the CRT. The author collected data from minority males and those over 18 years old. The information was gathered using a …

Middle School Teachers’ Lived Experiences With Stress Post The Covid-19 Pandemic, Patrice Crenshaw Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe middle school teachers’ lived experiences with stress and coping post the COVID-19 pandemic. The theory guiding this study was Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress as it was developed to examine stress and coping factors in occupational environments, including educational settings. This theoretical approach helped to contextualize and bring developmental understanding to middle school teacher stress resulting from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants for the study were recruited through researcher sharing of study information via Facebook utilizing criterion and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to collect data …

A Qualitative Approach To Understanding A Baptist Association’S Attitudes And Beliefs While Using Digital Spaces During Covid-19, Carolyn L. Banks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When Covid-19 forced worldwide institutional shutdowns, many mass gatherings and public areas of socializing were forced to transition to digital spaces. Of the many institutions that were impacted were the brick-and-mortar church and face-to-face fellowship. Online worship service became the next best mode of communication to keep the body of believers engaged in worship services and other church events. A change from normal brick-and-mortar worship to cyber worship created a need for many to adapt to unchartered territory. Physically unable to be present, hug, shake hands, or personally interact with church members, a sense of belonging, and the potential for …

Russian Foreign Policy Narratives And Their Impact On The United States And The International Community, Magdeline Joy Hedrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines how Russian foreign policy narratives shape Western reactions, using the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the 2014 annexation of Crimea, and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine as case studies. While previous research has explored how narratives function in foreign policy, this study focuses on how Russia’s rhetorical strategies- such as deflection, defense, and justification- relate to Western reactions, defined here as public statements of condemnation, sanctions, or calls for behavioral change. The data for this study is composed of over 4,000 statements, speeches, press releases, and other key discourse from 70 different Russian and Western officials. Discourse analysis was …

How Media Framing Of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (Cte) Influences Parental Experiences In Youth Football Programs: A Mixed Methods Study, Valerie Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by repetitive jostling of the brain inside the skull. The disease was first discovered in boxers in the 1920s. Further accounts surfaced in combat soldiers, firefighters, and soccer players. However, once Dr. Bennett Omalu found the infliction in NFL Hall of Famer Mike Webster in 2002, CTE hit center field in the media and became synonymous with football and concussions. CTE is not a concussion. During the rise in media coverage, youth football witnessed its largest decline since Pop Warner began compiling participation data. This dissertation used a mixed-method, …

An Applied Multimethod Study: Addressing The Problem Of Property Integrity Issues In The State Of Alabama, Suzanna Kirkpatrick Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This applied multimethod study addressed the problem of property integrity issues in the state of Alabama. The central research question aimed to discover how property integrity issues could be identified and reduced within the state. The multimethod design utilized qualitative and quantitative data collection methods framed with Cohen and Felson’s (1979) routine activity theory across semi-structured interviews, content analysis of online news articles posted to the International Association for Property and Evidence’s Headline News webpage, and a survey questionnaire. Data observations revealed the problem of property integrity issues was complex. Target suitability for property items being stolen was found to …

Exploring Elementary Mathematics Teachers’ Use Of Learning Analytics For Educating Black And Hispanic Students In Low Socioeconomic Schools: A Multiple-Case Study, Eboni Nichols

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the role of learning analytics with teachers who develop the mathematics skills of Black and Hispanic elementary students in Title I schools. The theory that guided this study was Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, as it provides a framework for how new information can transform adults' thinking and actions. The central research question that guided the study was: How do elementary teachers in Title I schools use learning analytics to develop the mathematics skills of Black and Hispanic students? The study was conducted using a multiple-case study design. Purposive sampling and snowball …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Understanding Charter School Teachers’ Experiences With Increasing Expectations Of Students’ Learning Outcomes And Attrition Rate, Pamella Pauline Pindling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study focuses on understanding charter school teachers’ experiences with increasing expectations of the students’ learning outcomes. This hermeneutic phenomenological study addressed the influence of these factors on organizational and student learning outcomes. The investigation provides valuable insights by thoroughly examining the connection between these factors and the education system. A comprehensive review of pertinent literature and empirical evidence was undertaken to achieve these goals. The study focused on a hermeneutic phenomenological design, using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and journal prompts as primary data collection methods. The gathered data undergo thematic analysis to discern prevailing patterns and …

A Qualitative Study Exploring The Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Development And The Role Of Resilience In Shaping Adult Life, Rebecca Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study investigated the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on development and examines how resilience shapes adult outcomes. Early life experiences significantly influence an individual's lifelong development, with childhood experiences playing a particularly crucial role. Adverse childhood experiences, which encompass abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, are recognized as a major public health concern due to their association with health disparities and psychosocial issues in various aspects of life, including substance use, relationships, education, and employment. Despite these challenges, some individuals demonstrate remarkable resilience, adapting to new circumstances and maintaining normal functioning in the face of adversity. Themes from …

Entrepreneurs’ Inability To Address Employee Grievances In The Small Business Industry, Tedford Hope

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Grievances are common in work, indicating major impediments to employee performance. Employee grievances lower productivity, motivation, and work happiness, damaging firms. This flexible design qualitative study investigated and improved understanding of entrepreneurs' failure to resolve employee concerns in Los Angeles' small businesses, resulting in lower organizational performance. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants—4 executives and 11 junior staff. A thematic analysis identified eight main themes: Small business employee grievances; reasons for grievances; consequences of grievances; resolving grievances; leaders' responsibilities in handling grievances; leaders' mindsets that hinder or improve grievance management; and how to improve leaders' mindsets. Data from this …

A Qualitative Study Of Registered Nurses’ Perceptions Of The Impact Communication Modalities Have On Patient Care Outcomes In Primary Care, Eleanor M. Chapital

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Communication plays a vital role in the provision of patient care and directly impacts patient care outcomes across the care continuum. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and determine registered nurses’ perceptions of the communication modalities that facilitate optimum patient care outcomes in the primary care setting. Registered nurses play a critical role in the provision and coordination of patient care. Therefore, it is imperative to study their experiences and perceptions to facilitate communication within primary care teams. The central research question for this study was the following: How do registered nurses describe their use of communication …

Voices Of Change: Narratives Of African Americans And Their Recommendations For Reforming Law Enforcement Practices, Tanisha N. Hines-Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The focus of this study was to explore real-life experiences African Americans have with law enforcement to suggest changes that can be put into action to improve interactions, fairness, and accountability. This study, which makes use of a case study technique, examined perceptions of police interactions and engagement from the viewpoints of community members. The study specifically responded to the following two research questions: 1) What is the narrative of individuals in the African American community regarding law enforcement? 2) What changes do participants suggest are needed to improve interactions and establish a better relationship between the African American community …

Mindful Parenting And Parental Stress Relation In Parents Of Children With Autism, Nika Badiei-Emran

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of mindfulness and mindful parenting in reducing the stress and anxiety levels of parents with children who have autism. This study utilized pre- and post-surveys to assess parents' stress and anxiety levels before and after participating in the mindfulness component of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy course. These levels were compared to those of parents involved in an Applied Behavior Analysis program, where a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) conducted parent training at least once a month.

Participants were recruited by posting research flyers on social media platforms, including the Autism Facebook group. Participation …

Transforming The Challenges Of Improvisation For Sacramento Elementary Music Teachers, Monta Monique Saïd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the widespread consensus among music teachers that improvisation is a crucial skill for children to learn, there have been multiple challenges integrating improvisation into daily teaching practice in general elementary music classrooms. This research, conducted across multiple public schools in the Greater Sacramento Area Unified School District, aimed to identify these challenges and provide actionable solutions based on teacher feedback to improve the situation. Using phenomenological research design as explained by Creswell, this study analyzed, synthesized, and identified patterns of experience among general elementary music teachers through observations, interviews, and collected artifacts. The study found that lack of time, …

African–American Faculty Retention At Community Colleges: A Phenomenological Study, Wontae Javar Neal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the retention rates of African-American faculty in community colleges in the Northeast Region of the United States, highlighting their unique experiences and the factors influencing their professional lives. The theoretical framework for this study was the critical race theory (CRT), which is a post-Civil Rights social philosophy, legal theory, and technique for dealing with racism and our rapidly changing society. The central research question was: What are the professional and academic experiences of African-American community college faculty? The three research sub questions were: (1) How do the professional and academic experiences of African-American community college …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Sub-Sahara African Catholic Priests On Their Transition Through The Covid-19 Global Pandemic In The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Cornelius Kelechi Anyanwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) has disrupted significant aspects of societal life worldwide, forcing individuals, communities, health organizations, educational institutions, consumer industries, and governments all over the world into unprecedented challenges. Likewise, religious organizations like the Catholic Church were not spared. African Catholic priests in the United States provide pastoral ministries in US dioceses and parishes, fulfilling the roles of shepherding their congregations and offering spiritual, moral, social, and emotional support in times of great adversity, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore how sub-Saharan African Catholic priests …

Comparative Efficacy Of Combined Versus Singular Auditory Alpha-Theta Brainwave Entrainment And Hypnotherapy Modalities In Chronic Pain Management, Jennifer Nicole Leavitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This experimental quantitative research, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated combined efficacy of auditory alpha-theta brainwave entrainment (BWE) and hypnotherapy in chronic pain management versus each modality alone. Chronic pain is a serious clinical challenge that may benefit from novel, nonpharmacological interventions. Previous studies have demonstrated benefits of both BWE and hypnotherapy for pain; but research on combined effects was not identified. This study hypothesized that a synergistic approach would offer superior pain relief compared to singular modalities. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial design with a sample size of 38 participants, initially, aged 25 to 65 years old, recruited …

Societal Gender Norms' Influence On Music Education, Lindsey N. Folsom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study uses a phenomenological design to answer the question: How do students and educators perceive the influence of gender on instrument choice, ensemble participation, and student socialization opportunities inherent to ensemble participation? The theoretical framework for this study is Lev Vygotsky’s social development theory. Data was collected using interviews and surveys from K-12 teachers and college instructors. The data is analyzed using qualitative methods such as coding and triangulation. The results of this study and its potential to significantly inform and shape music education practices will provide research on teacher and student perspectives on the influence of societal …

“To Speak With A Representative, Please Press 3”: A Quantitative Analysis Of The Effects Of Artificial Intelligence On Patient Satisfaction In A Modern Healthcare Contact Center, Dennis Alexander Wulfeck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the advancement of telecommunication and digital technologies over the past few decades, there has been a concomitant fundamental shift in the contact center industry and the role it plays. What was once an internally focused center with a goal of cost-reduction in providing a necessary service has now evolved to become a proactive frontline for anticipating customer needs, promoting quality customer service, as well as playing a larger role in corporate decision-making (Gans et al., 2002). In order to fulfill these complex customer interactions, modern day contact centers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence and large language models to …

Impact Of Gamified Elearning On Learning Outcomes For Municipal Employees Aged 50 And Over In Ontario, Canada: An Experimental Study, Cristin Ann Keller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, experimental, causal-comparative, posttest-only, control-group study is to determine if there is a difference in system enjoyment, effort expectancy, and performance expectancy for male and female employees aged 50 years or older at a corporate municipality in Ontario, Canada who participated in eLearning programs with and without game elements. The sample consisted of 38 male and 64 female employees aged 50 years or older who participated in eLearning and then completed an Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology questionnaire. Data from the questionnaires was analyzed using a two-way multivariate analysis of variance. The …

The Fidelity Of Iep Implementation In The Secondary Choral Classroom, Kristen Ellison Passmore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite efforts to support teachers in successfully implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in the secondary music classroom, music educators still face challenges in differentiating instruction for each student with an IEP during secondary choral rehearsals. Legally, teachers must follow all accommodations outlined in a student’s IEP, and every student served by an IEP deserves equity in the classroom. This study examines the opinions of secondary choral educators in the State of Georgia regarding IEP implementation. This qualitative phenomenological transcendental study investigates the difficulties associated with implementing IEP goals and explores secondary choral educators’ perceptions of their implementation. Themes such as …

Undergraduate Nursing Students' Perceptions Of Faculty Mentorship For Student Success In Persevering Toward Program Completion: A Qualitative Study, Shirley C. Callihan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory single case study is to explore the undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of faculty mentorship for student success in persevering toward program completion. The theory guiding this study is the Roy Adaptation Model (RAM) by Callista Roy, as it relates to nursing students' adaptation to the challenges in their environment through faculty mentorship. The central question is: What are undergraduate nursing students' perceptions concerning faculty mentorship for student academic success in persevering toward program completion? Convenience sampling was used to recruit ten participants who were undergraduate nursing students from a Registered Nursing program in the …

Exploring The Challenges And Resilience Of Licensed Black Female Counselors In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic And George Floyd Era: A Phenomenological Study, Krissandra C. Haynes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the licensed Black female counselors (LBFCs) that provided mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd era. This study was guided by Schlossberg’s transition theory to examine how LBFCs navigated professional and personal transitions during a time marked by collective trauma, public health disparities, and heightened racial tension. Participants described this time of counseling clients through parallel experiences of grief and social unrest while also tending to their wellness. Core themes included the duality of the healer role, significance of spiritual and faith-based coping, influence of social activism, …

Illuminating The Communication Analysis Of Investigative Interviews And Interrogations: An Interdisciplinary Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis, Erica N. Heller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores communication in investigative interviews and interrogations through a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) across the three disciplines of communication, psychology, and criminal justice. This investigation was guided by two research questions: identifying communication themes in investigative contexts and examining the variations in how the disciplines approach investigative interviews and interrogations. Through the utilization of the QIMS method, this study investigated and analyzed interdisciplinary artifacts from academic and professional (gray) literature. This resulted in the discovery of two key themes, confession-focused goals and inconsistent terminology, and three sub-themes: interviewee focus, siloed mindset, and individualized methodological focus. The findings of …

California Community College Chief Executive Officer Turnover: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Ryan Bent

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the turnover causes of chief executive officers (CEOs) within the California community college system. The central research question was, “What are the lived experiences California community college CEOs experience that led to CEO departure?” The theory guiding this study is Ryan and Deci’s (2017) self-determination theory, which helps to explain the relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic factors of basic psychological needs. The research design was a transcendental phenomenology study, which is a form of qualitative design. Three methods of data collection were used. This study focused on participants who are …

Teacher Perspective And De-Escalation Of Aggressive And Disruptive Behaviors In Early Elementary Students Who Come To School At Risk Of Academic Failure: A Phenomenological Study, Rebecca L. Thurman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological research study was to understand the experiences of early elementary educators with the rising negative behaviors, such as aggression and classroom disruptions, in their current classrooms within a progressive and growing school district in northwest Georgia. The theory that guided this study was Bandura’s social learning theory. This study addressed the question: How do educators perceive, understand possible causes, and utilize research-based programs and strategies to de-escalate and improve students’ aggressive and disruptive behaviors in the elementary classroom? This study focused on individual and focus group interviews, as well as a teacher behavior …