Digital Commons Network^™

Church Survivability: A Qualitative Study On Planters’ Leadership Development Role In Southern Baptist Texas Convention Planting, Alton R. Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since the pandemic, there has been an accelerated decline in church membership, and within groups of young adults, there are alarming trends that raise concern for the direction of the church. Wang (2022) wrote that the decline is about 10 percentage points between 2019 and 2021 for those under age 35 and those 65+, but only four percent for the middle-aged group. This increased decline in attendance can be addressed by developing leaders who are well-equipped to handle many issues and problems simultaneously. Many secular leadership development concepts will help leaders become more efficient and practical. Winston (2018), in his …

Maintaining Elementary Student Engagement And Motivation During Stem Activities: A Phenomenology, Christopher Feiler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of maintaining student engagement and motivation during STEM activities in elementary classrooms across the United States. For this research, I applied Bandura's self-efficacy theory as my foundational framework. The study highlights that a teacher’s perception of their efficacy affects their instructional practices and the achievement levels that students reach in STEM disciplines. As such, the primary guiding research question in this case was framed as follows: In what ways do elementary educators articulate their experiences fostering engagement and motivation in students during STEM activities? Data collection for …

Social Media Marketing Impacts On Sme Customer Engagement And Prodictivity, La'keisha J. Morton-Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative multiple case study explored the underutilization of social media marketing among small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs and its impact on customer engagement and business productivity. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, the study examined how SME owners perceive, adopt, and apply social media platforms in their marketing efforts. Data were collected from 38 participants through semi-structured interviews and surveys and analyzed using NVivo 15 software. Thematic analysis revealed five emergent themes: Digital Hesitancy, Strategic Gaps, Customer Engagement Variability, Resource Constraints, and Peer Influence. Findings indicated that while entrepreneurs recognized …

Digital Identity Management As A Critical Criminal Justice And Homeland Security Legal Issue: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Reasonable Person Factors Involved In Court Decisions, William H. Nicholson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive qualitative applied study is to define and explain through analysis the reasonable person standard as it relates to prosecution and sentencing computer crime cases involving digital identities while addressing the problem of digital anonymity. This has been done by analyzing computer crime cases with the advent of current and planned technologies, and surveying potential jurors to understand the current state of knowledge of digital attribution. This descriptive qualitative research method analyzed the problem through the use of criminological theories of control and social learning theory to better understand the reasonable person standard in computer crime …

Exploring How People Become Investigative Genetic Genealogists Who Assist With Law Enforcement Investigations: A Multiple Case Study, Matthew Serio Hoggatt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In today’s world of criminal justice, the use of Deoxyribonucleic Acid, otherwise known as DNA, to solve crimes, has become a popular tool for law enforcement, and a popular subject plot within the entertainment industry. Also growing in popularity at a fast rate, is the use of DNA combined with consumer-based genealogy websites to help identify unknown suspects or unidentified human remains. This process has become commonly known as investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), or forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG). What remains unclear however, is how people learn the skills necessary to establish a career within the IGG field. The purpose …

Leading Through Critical Incidents: A Phenomenological Study Of K–12 School Leaders’ Responses To Critical Incidents, Terry-Ann Griffin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore how K–12 school leaders respond to critical incidents in schools. A critical incident is any actual or alleged event or situation that creates a significant risk of substantial or severe harm to physical or mental health, safety, or well-being. The study focused on three major critical incidents: school shootings/gun violence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and racial unrest. The research was guided by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, which explains human behavior through reciprocal interactions between personal, environmental, and behavioral factors. The central research question was: How do K–12 school leaders respond to …

The Relationship Between Attitude Toward Suicide And Related Sociodemographic Factors That Influence The Use Of Mental Health Resources Among Undergraduate College Students: A Predictive Correlational Study, Floydena S. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive, correlational research study was to identify the relationship between attitude toward willingness to intervene against suicide scores and the linear combination of sex and age among undergraduate students. Higher education institutions must now determine if these sociodemographic variables prompted undergraduate college students to seek out interventions and use mental health services in case of suicide. The target undergraduate population included 93 full-time students between the ages of 18-45 from a postsecondary institution. A convenience sample was used to obtain 93 students, but only 80 participants in the study completed the survey in its entirety. …

Biblical Servant Leadership And Physical Therapists' Clinical Decision Making For Breast Cancer Patients After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Correlational Study, Cleve Carter Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to determine whether a relationship exists between physical therapists’ (PTs’) perceptions of their manager’s or director’s application of BSL and the clinical decision-making of the PT when treating patients of varying socioeconomic status (SES) and race after breast cancer surgery (e.g., mastectomy, lumpectomy) in the United States (U.S.). This study utilized case-based vignettes for a patient population seeking skilled physical therapy services after breast cancer surgery within the U.S. healthcare system context. The sample population consisted of PTs from across the U.S. who actively evaluate and treat patients following breast cancer (BC) …

Exploring The Bidirectional Relationship Between Attachment Styles And Spiritual Practices In Protestant Christians: A Qualitative Study, Emily Lauren Pritt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study explores the bidirectional relationship between spirituality and attachment among Protestant Christians—a topic with limited empirical focus. Grounded in attachment theory and theological insights, prior research often treats attachment as a static predictor of spiritual development, with little attention to how spiritual engagement may reshape attachment. This study addresses the gap by examining how these relational domains mutually inform each other and affect psychological well-being within a Christian context. The purpose was to explore if adult attachment styles and spiritual practices influence emotional health, relational security, and overall well-being among active Protestant Christians. Twenty-two adults actively engaged in …

Investigating The Need For A Contemporary Bachelor Of Music In Music Education Degree At Trevecca Nazarene University And Union University, Thomas Paul Goddard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the traditional music education curriculum being valuable to music education majors, it fails to provide contemporary approaches and relevant content within a modern musical society. Students graduate from Trevecca Nazarene University’s (TNU) School of Music (SoM) and Union University’s (UU) Department of Music (DoM) and enter the music education field without sufficient guidance. This study examined the perspectives of music education professionals from interviews and the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES). Guided by Gordon’s music learning theory, this multimethod study identifies experiences from music educators that create a comprehensive undergraduate music education curriculum. In addition to the traditional …

Peaceably If We Can, Forcibly If We Must”: The Scots Irish And Early American Politics, Kacey Mae King Huffaker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The saga of the Scots Irish is a story of generational movement. They moved from a barren existence in the Scottish Lowlands to the plantations of Ulster in Northern Ireland. They moved from economic, religious, and political oppression in Northern Ireland to the American colonies seeking land and opportunity. When they arrived in the American colonies, they found land and opportunity on the frontier. Life on the frontier pushed them to the periphery of society. Living on the fringes of society isolated them from the political and economic centers of colonial life. Vulnerable and disregarded, Scots Irish settlers refused to …

Superintendent Stress And Mental Health: The Case Of African American Female Superintendents In The United States, Kamika Lynette Bell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the challenges faced by African American female K–12 school superintendents in the United States, with a particular focus on work-related stress and mental health. The unique challenges encountered by African American women in leadership positions include work stressors, racial and societal barriers, and gender discrimination. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain a deeper understanding of the work-related stress and mental health experiences of African American female superintendents in K–12 schools. The study was a means to elicit new information from the experiences of African American women regarding experiences of gendered racism and its …

The Meaning And Essence Of Depression And Loneliness In Widowhood: Discovering The Healthy Construct Of Self-Efficacy, Christine M. Ward

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to describe the lived experience of widows aged 65-80 who lost their husbands within the past five years in one of three counties in Washington State: Pierce, Kitsap, or Mason. The two theories guiding this study will be Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, (SLT), as they relate to post-loss identity and mourning. Both serve as vital tools for surviving and recovering from the impact of losing a spouse. When these affectional attachments are lost, a widow’s quality of life can be lessened or even damaged. A widow will go …

Fostering Belonging: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Nontraditional Students In Higher Education, Gina M. Bolin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the sense of belonging for nontraditional students in online higher education environments. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the CoI, which emphasized the importance of social, cognitive, and teaching presence to foster a supportive and positive student experience. The central research question was: How do online nontraditional students in higher education describe their experiences of academic and social belonging within their learning communities? This study employed a transcendental phenomenological design. Participants included 15 nontraditional students enrolled in fully online degree programs at various U.S. institutions. Data collected through …

Investigating The Retention And Persistence Of Black Undergraduate Students At Hbcus And Pwis: A Multiple Case Study, Tamika L. Lindsay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental, multiple-case study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences, perceptions, and challenges faced by Black undergraduate students at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). I ultimately aimed to propose viable strategies to help close the retention and persistence gap for Black undergraduate students at PWIs. The theories guiding this study were Bourdieu’s Social Reproduction Theory and Tinto’s Model of Institutional Departure as they examine the issues surrounding the retention and persistence of Black undergraduate students. The central research question was: How do the unique experiences and support …

Collegiate Music Recruiting: Using Athletic Recruiting Best Practices To Transform The Industry, Larry Jay Giddens Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The recruitment of new students is vital to every music program and can have a tremendous impact on its success. As technology evolves and the needs of the world change, so do the methods of student recruitment and retention in music departments, music schools, and colleges of music. This study covers the perspectives of collegiate music unit recruiters and compares current and potential strategies. Using a mixed methods approach, this research employs surveys to identify current music unit recruiting trends and challenges. Online recruiting, scholarship availability and facilities/staff emerge as themes within the small body of existing literature and personal …

Apologetics Curriculum In A Chinese International School, William Kiel Nation

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian schools face the challenge of engaging students whose biblical views are being secularized by a culture that is individualistic and materialistic. At International Christian School Hong Kong, in response to such secular challenges, the overreliance on classical and evidential apologetics in the Bible curriculum has led to student disengagement, as these methods often fail to address the presuppositions of secular youth. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a presuppositional apologetics curriculum, grounded in Tim Keller’s Making Sense of God, compared to the traditional classical approach grounded in Keller’s The Reason for God, to determine which method better …

Student And Teacher Perspectives On Blending Popular Music Pedagogies Into Kodály-Based Elementary Music Classes, Maurine Floyd Parker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Kodály instructors in the United States train music educators to use American folk songs and classical Western European music as a foundation for students’ lessons; however, American music classrooms today look very different from the 1940s Hungarian classrooms when Zoltán Kodály developed his philosophy for teaching music, and there is a current need to include music that reflects the diverse student population within our schools. While Kodály “purists” may be hesitant to add music outside the realm of folk songs and art music, doing so may provide today’s learners the relevancy to stay engaged as valued members of the music …

To Use Or Not To Use Exclusionary Discipline In Early Childhood Education? A Phenomenological Analysis Of Pre-Kindergarten Teachers In Alabama, Christal C. Coker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to examine the lived experiences of pre- kindergarten teachers in Alabama regarding their use of and restraint from using exclusionary discipline. The study aimed to find outcomes that could potentially improve social contexts in Alabama's preschools by creating more equitable learning environments. The problem addressed by the study is that the lived experience of preschool teachers regarding their use of and restraint from using exclusionary discipline when students misbehave at school remains to be discovered. A purposive sampling strategy was employed to recruit seven preschool teachers licensed in Alabama for a one-on-one semi-structured Zoom …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of University Students With Lyme Disease: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Rebekah A. Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of students with persistent or reoccurring Lyme disease symptoms post-treatment within the context of higher education institutions. Guided by Nancy Schlossberg’s transition theory, the research sought to explore the challenges students encountered while experiencing lasting symptoms of Lyme disease post-treatment. The central research question driving the inquiry was: What are the lived experiences of students contending with persistent or reoccurring Lyme disease symptoms post-treatment while pursuing higher education? Employing a transcendental phenomenological method, the study utilized journal prompts, interviews, and two focus groups comprised of students who have navigated …

Crossing The Line: How Larry Doby, Jack Johnson, And The Syracuse Eight Broke The Color Barriers And Demanded Equality In Sports, Joey O'Ryan Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines how Jack Johnson, Larry Doby, and the Syracuse Eight broke racial barriers in sports. In this dissertation, the lives of several people who broke racial barriers in sports will be examined. First, there is the life and times of Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight boxing champion, known for his larger-than-life attitude and his willingness to live his life on his own terms. Then, Larry Doby will be explored. He was the second African American to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball and the first to do so in the American League. Lastly, the …

Systemizing Church Hospitality: Converting Attendees To Committed Members, Dallas J. Blacklock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The American church continues to lack a theoretical framework to guide newcomers through the process of becoming members. The problem is that First Mt. Carmel MBC lacks an onboarding system to guide visitors and guests through the process from attendees to members. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to design, teach, and implement a 12-week onboarding system to integrate visitors into the congregation. To connect visitors to the congregation in the process of becoming a new creation in Christ, strategic steps are predetermined to assimilate them into the congregation. This problem was addressed by developing and implementing …

The Call (And Aftermath) Of The Void: Understanding Suicide Loss And Bereavement Processes Amongst Student Populaces, Saraha K. Brawner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Each year, over 800,000 people die via lethal self-harm, leaving behind millions of survivors to navigate qualitatively unique manifestations of grief. Despite the profound psychosocial and psychopathological effects associated with suicide loss, research addressing these experiences remains extremely limited. This quantitative survey study examined the relationship between suicide loss and grief-related distress among students, focusing on sociodemographic, psychosocial, and psychopathological factors influencing bereavement over time. It also explored how the individual learned about the suicide and expanded upon 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree relationships. Forty-one participants recruited from universities and mental health organizations across the United States completed a loss summary/death …

Diversity Matters In Public Education: A Phenomenological Study, Monique A. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of diverse public-school educators who are overlooked for promotion and educational advancement opportunities within public school systems in the State of Texas. The theories guiding this study were Marilyn Brewer's optimal distinctiveness theory, which advocates how every individual needs to belong and feel uniquely accepted, and James House's social support theory, which purports the importance of groupthink--a concept that leans toward togetherness. The central research question, What are the lived experiences of diverse, public-school educators who are overlooked for promotion and educational advancement opportunities within public school …

Sense Of Belonging In The Workplace: Development And Validation Of A Scale, Campbell C. Dunson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this dissertation, I describe the development and validation of the Sense of Belonging in the Workplace Scale (SBWS). A comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of the belonging construct revealed five key components of a sense of belonging in the workplace: (1) accepted/liked, (2) known/understood, (3) purpose/status, (4) respected/voice, and (5) safety/trust. Scale validation began with a review of 40 initial items by a panel of 12 subject matter experts (SMEs). The items were then revised, and a pilot study involving 67 participants was conducted to test these 40 items through exploratory factor analysis and construct validation. The top-performing 25 items were …

The Not-So Wonderful World Of Disney: How Disney Films Usurp What Is In The Bible, Jacquelyn Irene Cortez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Disney films are often chosen as entertainment for families and their main target audience is children. While many adults still choose to watch these films, there is a darker side to these films. A majority of these films depict magic and/or witchcraft in them. The ideologies of feminism and toxic masculinity are on display in many of their films. And finally, a lot of these films mock God and what is in the Bible. When looking at popular films such as The Little Mermaid and Frozen, these films are teaching children about magic and making deals with the devil. Disney’s …

Do Perceived Social Support And Positive Religious Coping Moderate Any Relationship Between Post-Intensive Care Syndrome–Family Symptoms And Quality Of Life In Informal Caregivers Of Intensive Care Unit Survivors?, Carol R. Hirschkorn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Family members and close friends often act as informal caregivers (CGs) for survivors of critical illness, assisting with activities of daily living, ongoing care needs, and adjustment to life after critical illness. These CGs simultaneously cope with their own mental, physical, and social sequelae, including significant changes (to roles and responsibilities) in everyday life. Qualitative researchers have examined this constellation of CG symptoms, which constitute post-intensive care syndrome–family (PICS-F), to understand the experiences, needs, and coping of CGs of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. None have looked at the impact of religious coping and perceived social support on PICS-F and …

Identifying Effective Counseling Strategies For Working With Women Who Endorse A Strong Black Woman Schema: Exploring The Perspectives Of African American Clinicians, Jacqueline Javonne Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African American women underutilize mental health services despite experiencing high rates of psychological distress. Existing literature has not fully explored how the Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema influences this behavior. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how the lived experiences of African American women positively influenced or impeded their help-seeking behaviors to address mental health problems through the lens of African American women mental health clinicians via Zoom Video Communications. This study addressed the gap in research on how cultural norms, systemic barriers, and therapeutic strategies shape access to care for this population.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted …

Judicial Deference In Immigration Cases: A Qualitative Inquiry Into How Judicial Decision Making Shapes Immigration Policy, Jurgen R. Soekhoe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the United States, the inherent right of a sovereign nation to regulate immigration and naturalization has been a privilege long recognized. The judicially established plenary power doctrine affirmed that right in 1889, only to be forgotten to history through shifting judicial focus. This study analyzed the connection between the political branch’s constitutional and statutory authority on immigration regulation and the influence of the federal judiciary on that power by reviewing immigration law, executive action, and judicial decisions. Increased judicial review into immigration-related matters has affected immigration policy. Soliciting firsthand insight from 17 federal judges provided unparalleled insight when investigating …

Family Mealtime Experience Of Traditional Fathers Post-Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Eric C. Tibbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 2020, COVID-19 impacted the world and transformed the way individuals and families operated and functioned daily. Lockdowns and restrictions forced families to stay home and find alternative ways of providing and living concerning employment, education, and family functioning. One particular area impacted by this phenomenon was how families operated and conducted family meals. During COVID-19, increases in family mealtime were seen to take place but little evidence was found regarding the quality of these mealtimes, the father’s experience, and what family functioning looked like after COVID-19. While family functioning and mealtimes during COVID-19 have been examined and analyzed over …