Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Variations Of Victim Impact Statements On Juror Bias, Emily Sutton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Victim impact statements (VIS) are federally protected statements describing the physical, emotional, and financial impact of a crime on a victim. States can decide the content and timing of the VIS, resulting in much variation. Previous research has found an effect of these variations on mock juror bias in capital trials. The current study examined if variations such as changing the strength of emotion, crime type, and including sentencing recommendation within a VIS affects the judgements of mock jurors. The results showed the sexual assault VIS produced higher guilt ratings and longer sentences. Furthermore, the inclusion of a high sentencing …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Women Superintendents In Texas, Louisiana, And Mississippi, Lakeyshure Washington-Marzell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

A qualitative phenomenological study examined the challenges and barriers women superintendents encountered in their quest for and service as superintendents in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Women make up most teaching positions today, but men dominate the superintendent’s office. A correlation should exist between the number of women teachers and the number of women leaders. However, women account for less than one-quarter of superintendents in the United States, while men occupy most positions. A qualitative research design was employed to gain a deeper understanding of the problem. After gathering information from research participants, I performed an interpretative phenomenological analysis to …

An Examination Of Conflict Resolution In Dispersed Organizations Using Strengths-Based Leadership, Tracie Leigh Shutt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to try to gain a deeper understanding of the impact and effectiveness of a shared leadership approach, implemented through a strengths identification and development program, on the team member trust, affective conflict, and employee engagement within a dispersed organization. The participants in the study all worked in a dispersed organization and participated in a strengths identification development program, centered around the StrengthsFinder 2.0 self-assessment. After completing the assessment, the participants in the study participated in a group strength coaching session with a certified strengths coach, where they were coached on their individual strength …

Exploring The Upward Transfer Advising Experience Of First-Generation Latinx Community College Students, Lizette Avalos-Morales

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the student experience of Latinx first-generation community college students who graduated from a community college and transferred to a 4-year university. The research examined if intrusive advising served as a mechanism to aid academic persistence despite the challenges of first-generation Latinx students. Eleven first-generation community college students who graduated from a Hispanic Serving Institution in southwest Kansas were interviewed. The thematic analysis conducted led to five themes emerging. The themes included family, meaningful relationships, belonging, independence, and embracing uncertainty. The theme of family was separated into two subthemes: family support and …

A Formal Wound Care Plan For Homelessness Populations, Sophia C. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to develop a formal care management program for homeless patients during transition into the rehabilitation setting. This DNP scholarly project worked with one specific rehabilitation center, which is most open to the care of homeless individuals needing wound care, on the creation of a postdischarge service. An interprofessional team worked together to create a plan for the creation, implementation, and evaluation of this innovative service based on the protocols derived from the CDC to facilitate a framework and practice for those suffering from open, chronic, and worsening wounds in an effort to prevent further …

Reference Frames In Human Sensory, Motor, And Cognitive Processing, Dongcheng He

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reference-frames, or coordinate systems, are used to express properties and relationships of objects in the environment. While the use of reference-frames is well understood in physical sciences, how the brain uses reference-frames remains a fundamental question. The goal of this dissertation is to reach a better understanding of reference-frames in human perceptual, motor, and cognitive processing. In the first project, we study reference-frames in perception and develop a model to explain the transition from egocentric (based on the observer) to exocentric (based outside the observer) reference-frames to account for the perception of relative motion. In a second project, we focus …

Being And Trauma: A Theory Of Listening As A Dis/Appropriation Of The Listener To The Call Of The Unspeakable In Trauma, Kathleen M. Douglass

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

What is it to have a voice, to be heard? And how is this connected to the need to have someone listen? Through a close reading of Heidegger’s later works woven together with readings of Judith Butler, Jean Luc Marion, Michel Foucault, and Shoshana Felman, I explore a concept of Listening as it is connected to the event of our being, creating a theory of Listening that emphasizes what happens in the Listener as she Listens.

The concept of Listening is relied on, but under-considered, in both clinical and philosophical theories. In order to understand what it means to have …

Design, Determination, And Evaluation Of Gender-Based Bias Mitigation Techniques For Music Recommender Systems, Sunny Shrestha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The majority of smartphone users engage with a recommender system on a daily basis. Many rely on these recommendations to make their next purchase, download the next game, listen to the new music or find the next healthcare provider. Although there are plenty of evidence backed research that demonstrates presence of gender bias in Machine Learning (ML) models like recommender systems, the issue is viewed as a frivolous cause that doesn’t merit much action. However, gender bias poses to effect more than half of the population as by default ML systems are designed to cater to a cisgender man. This …

Perceived Social Isolation And Turnover Intention Among Black Faculty At Midwestern And Southeastern Public U.S. Universities, Trenee T. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite organizational recruitment and retention initiatives, Black faculty remain underrepresented in U.S. higher education. Existing research substantiates that Black faculty continue to encounter the isolating effects of racial discrimination. The purpose of this quantitative survey research was to examine the association between perceived social isolation and turnover intention among Black faculty at predominately White institutions (PWIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This study also sought to identify systemic or social practices that counteract Black faculty retention initiatives. Two research questions guided the study: (a) Does perceived social isolation increase turnover intention among Black faculty? and (b) To what …

Academic Performance Of Low Ses At-Risk Black And Latinx Students: A Case Study Of Teachers’ Perceptions, Shelly Lynn Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study determined the perspective of the teacher when researching low SES at-risk Black and Latinx students’ academic performance. Research, over the years, not only highlight reasons and evidence for the low academic performance and the struggles the low SES at-risk Black and Latinx students face. In addition, research also recommends educational interventions that are not effective in bridging the achievement gap of low SES at-risk Black and Latinx students in comparison to their wealthier, White counterparts. Previous research denotes that school districts desire to implement educational interventions for struggling learners; however, theories, strategies, and interventions often do not translate …

A Multiple Case Study: The Impact Of Instructional Coaching On Novice Teachers, Misti N Tope

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the problem of retention for novice teachers in struggling schools. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to provide insight into the support instructional coaches provide novice teachers in an urban school district. School administrators have worked to determine the best method for utilizing their instructional coach to improve instructional practices and increase novice teacher retention. Data were collected using structured interviews with instructional leadership team members and their novice teachers. Three research sites were used, including one elementary, middle, and high school in an Oklahoma large urban school district. Findings indicated that good instructional …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Barriers To Providing Services To The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Children Ages 2–9, Irene S. García-Benavides

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the knowledge and experiences of 12 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding the culture and linguistic processes of the Deaf culture when assessing and treating deaf and hard of hearing children ages 2 to 9. Data analysis has resulted in identification of the following main themes: (a) The Scope of Practice, (b) Barriers Regarding Culturally and Linguistically Informed Practices, and (c) Awareness of Similarities and Differences in Language Acquisition and Structures in English and American Sign Language (ASL). The findings of this study underscored the importance of knowledge that SLPs have to acquire in order to provide …

The Effect Of Nondiagnostic Information On Internal Auditor Skepticism: Capturing The Dilution Effect, Joseph Anthony Giordano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Internal auditors assigned to assess internal controls over financial reporting incorporate irrelevant information into their judgment, showing decreased skepticism when irrelevant information contradicts preconceived stereotypes of management, known as the dilution effect and attributed to the representativeness heuristic. Irrelevant information consistent with preconceived stereotypes does not decrease skepticism. In this experiment practicing internal auditors are provided an irrelevant description of the Chief Information Officer portrayed as either gregarious or introverted then subsequently receive relevant internal controls information. When the Chief Information Officer is described as gregarious, counter to common stereotypes, internal auditors assess risk as less likely to occur compared …

Legitimization Of Affective Domain Learning: A Transformative Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Learning Outcomes Assessment Practice, Lan Misty Song

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ever since the development of Bloom’s Taxonomy, educational institutions have primarily focused on the cognitive learning domain, concerned with the transmission and acquisition of knowledge and skills. Recently, educators and researchers have become more interested in the affective domain—concerned with attitudes, emotions, and values—and how it affects student learning outcomes. While it is important to address affective-domain learning in any educational setting, one discipline giving it particular attention is nursing; their accrediting bodies are increasingly incorporating affective learning outcomes (ALOs) in their criteria. Thus, examining how nursing programs assess for ALOs may give insight in how to successfully integrate affective-domain …

Burnout In Medical Assistants In Primary Care: Can Mindfulness Be A Solution?, Natalee D. Calais

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Burnout is described as feelings associated with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization of patients, and a loss of sense of personal accomplishment and it is unique to healthcare workers. Current research highlights this condition among physicians, nurses, and mid-level providers; however, insufficient research exists regarding the effects of burnout on medical assistants. Research led to mindfulness as a possible solution defined as an intentional regulation of attention and awareness of the present moment. This project sought to see if mindfulness practices could be utilized to mitigate the effects of burnout in medical assistants. It was hypothesized that mindfulness could be a solution. …

Building Resilience In Graduate Nurses Through Online Virtual Simulation, Robert Grant Harmon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resilience has become a popular topic in nursing research. Nurses experience enormous stress throughout their training process that extends into their first employment as they transition into practice. Simulation training is a standard for training nurses and for continuing professional education within academia. Most simulation training for nurses is focused on building critical thinking skills. While critical thinking is an essential quality equipping nurses to meet professional demands, resilience is a crucial quality to overcome the stress of both training and practice. Resilience is believed to play an essential role in the retention of new graduate nurses and preventing burnout …

Pathways To Success For Black Women Leaders In Online Higher Education: Intersectionality Of Gender, Race, And Personality Traits, Shanaya Kuykendahl Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous literature has been used by researchers to suggest that Black women face challenges and obstacles seeking leadership roles at higher education institutions (HEIs). Many of these Black women have consistently and pervasively faced prevailing stereotypes, biases, and barriers as they seek career advancements at online HEIs (Nigar, 2020; Tarbutton, 2019). This qualitative phenomenological study was undertaken in order to examine the intersectionality of gender, race, and personality traits of Black women leaders who hold positions of department chair level or higher in HEIs. Using the theoretical framework of Black feminist thought, this research was conducted to understand better the …

Pediatric Obesity In Primary Care, Lynne C. Liggins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this evidence-based quantitative quasi-experimental research was to compare if providing the parents with information on the health risk associated with childhood obesity would cause the parents to make healthier food choices and encourage their children to be involved in a full hour of physical activity a day. Participants included parents and pediatric and adolescent children 5 to 18 years of age at a solo practice primary care office in a large city in Southern, California, which specializes in treating pediatric and adolescent patients. A pre- and postquantitative intervention design were used and analyzed using the paired t …

Leadership Style In A Faith-Based Athletic Department Setting, Adam P. Ybarra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this intrinsic case study, the researcher sought to explore athletic directors’ leadership styles with their coaches’ and administrators’ workplace satisfaction at a Christian-affiliated college in the Southwestern United States. The study explored which leadership style is likely to encourage motivation (i.e., achievement, recognition, growth) and hygiene factors (i.e., policies, supervision, work conditions), which could potentially increase or decrease job satisfaction. The data collection method was semistructured interviews conducted with athletic department personnel. The researcher transcribed and quality-checked the interviews against the audio recordings. The transcripts were member-checked by sharing them with each of the study participants. The researcher analyzed …

The Effect Of An American Heart Association–Approved Exercise Regimen On Burnout In Nurse Practitioners And Physician Assistants Working In Emergency Departments, Michelle Lee Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Burnout is a widely known state of physical and emotional fatigue previously noted to affect as many as 60% of healthcare providers, but one that is understudied in nurse practitioners and physician assistants working in emergency departments. It is imperative that the providers of healthcare recognize in themselves signs of burnout and have resources available to mitigate the condition. A pretest–posttest, quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group, descriptive research design with descriptive statistics analysis was used to analyze answers to an email-based survey sent to nurse practitioners and physician assistants working for one large emergency medicine staffing company. The intent of this …

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Techniques In Chronic Illness, Anna Celia Gil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Chronic stress and its effect on both physical and mental health have been a topic of increasing interest in the past several decades. There is mounting evidence that recurrent, persistent stress of both a physiologic and psychological nature leads to a dysfunction in the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA), the system which helps the body recover and adapt to short term stress. In long term stress, this HPA dysfunction leads to impairment of the immune and neuroendocrine systems resulting in chronic low-grade inflammation. This type of chronic inflammation acts as a precursor to several chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, …

Female Ex-Offenders Transitioning Into Society, Stacey L. Forte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine female ex-offenders’ perceptions of their lived experience(s) while transitioning into society after incarceration. This study examined risk factors that female ex-offenders faced while transitioning into society asking the question, “What are the lived experiences of female ex-offenders who utilized transitional housing for reentry with regard to their perception of the benefits of certain services/offerings and staff support?” Nine participants were part of the study ranging from 25–64 years of age, with the majority being between the ages of 25 and 55 years old, residing originally in five different states. Sixty percent …

Ceo, Cfo, And Audit Partner Gender, And Accounting Conservatism, Ceara Hintz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I examine the association between CEO, CFO, and audit partner gender and accounting conservatism using a unique sample that encompasses hand-collected data. While accounting conservatism reflects less risky accounting choices, risk aversion theory indicates that females are more risk averse than males. I apply risk aversion theory to accounting conservatism and investigate two research questions: (i) Does the CEO or CFO and audit partner gender influence accounting conservatism? (ii) Does a female audit partner influence the relationship between a male CEO or CFO and accounting conservatism? Using skewness as a proxy of accounting conservatism, I test three hypotheses. The results …

Neural And Behavioral Evolution In An Eavesdropper With A Rapidly Evolving Host, Aaron W. Wikle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The diversification of animal communication systems is driven by many interacting factors. Unintended receivers play an important part in this process, yet little is known about their role in signal evolution. Flies of the genus Ormia are parasitoids of crickets and rely on acoustic cues to locate hosts. In Hawaii, selection imposed by Ormia ochracea has led to recent and rapid diversification in the songs of their host. Here, we compare neural and behavioral responses of Hawaiian flies to those of an ancestral population to understand the role of parasitoid sensory and behavioral variation in the evolution of host songs. …

A Phenomenological Study Of Science Teachers’ Lived Experience: Pedagogical Judgment During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amy Vo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in March of 2020, education in the United States changed dramatically. Science teachers began to look at the implementation of ambitious and equitable science teaching practices differently. Employing the hermeneutic phenomenological framework, the purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experience of science teachers, specifically looking at their pedagogical judgment related to ambitious and equitable science teaching. Semi-structured interviews, artifacts and surveys were used to develop a rich description of the phenomenon. Data analysis of the science teachers’ narratives, Qualtrics surveys, and lesson plans illuminated six essential themes common to all …

Artificial Emotional Intelligence In Socially Assistive Robots, Hojjat Abdollahi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Artificial Emotional Intelligence (AEI) bridges the gap between humans and machines by demonstrating empathy and affection towards each other. This is achieved by evaluating the emotional state of human users, adapting the machine’s behavior to them, and hence giving an appropriate response to those emotions. AEI is part of a larger field of studies called Affective Computing. Affective computing is the integration of artificial intelligence, psychology, robotics, biometrics, and many more fields of study. The main component in AEI and affective computing is emotion, and how we can utilize emotion to create a more natural and productive relationship between humans …

Interactions In The Mind: Examining Metacognition's Role In Entrepreneurial Performance, John Sebesta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To better understand the mental processes that shape entrepreneurial performance, this dissertation examines the moderating effect of metacognitive abilities on the relationship between cognitive style and entrepreneurial alertness on performance at the opportunity identification and planning stages of the entrepreneurial journey. Prior research identifies these factors as components of an entrepreneurial mindset. However, the present research develops and examines theoretically driven predictions regarding how the factors interact. Using a sample of seventy teams participating in a business plan competition enables performance evaluation at these early steps in the entrepreneurship process. The hypotheses were not supported, but post hoc analyses indicate …

Virtual Reality Influence On Moral Reasoning Through Compassion, Dennis W. Dunivan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates quantifiable links between virtual reality, moral reasoning, and compassion, contributing to the development of improved pedagogy for moral leadership development through experiential learning. It is the first empirical study to determine how specific virtual reality experiences potentially influence moral reasoning as measured by the DIT-2 (Rest et al., 1999), as well as the possible mediation effects of compassion on this relationship as measured by the Compassion Scale (Pommier et al., 2019). Although pedagogical implications are discussed, including the integration of virtual reality experiences into curriculum, the boundaries of this study are controlled to measure the direct influence …

“We’Re Dealing With An Inhumane Lack Of Resources”: Provider Perspectives On Palliative And End-Of-Life Care For Adults Experiencing Homelessness, M. Pilar Ingle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although palliative and end-of-life (PEOL) care offer many benefits to individuals with life-limiting illness, unhoused individuals face barriers in accessing these forms of care. Despite calls over the last several decades to improve PEOL services for unhoused individuals, this population remains underprioritized in efforts to improve access to healthcare. A richer understanding of these inequities as they relate to the specific social and political contexts within a state, such as Colorado, may offer more direct guidance on opportunities to improve policy and care provision.

The purpose of this study was to explore healthcare and social service provider-identified approaches and challenges …

Sense Of Community And (Third) Place Among Young Adults In Permanent Supportive Housing: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry, Danielle Maude Littman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Unhoused young people have often endured co-occurring experiences of marginalization, including long-term abuse and neglect from systems which have failed to support them. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a formal intervention which seeks to offer stability and support to young people. This three-manuscript dissertation uses community-engaged mixed methods to understand sense of community, sense of place, and third places among young adults in PSH in Grand Junction, Colorado.

The first manuscript used longitudinal mixed methods to understand how PSH residents’ (N = 27) sense of community shifts over 1.5 years of living in PSH. We found that residents’ sense …