Digital Commons Network^™

Factors That Influence The Use Of Culturally Relevant And Responsive Pedagogies For Elementary School Leaders, Stephanie Lindstrom

Theses and Dissertations

The presence of minority students in public schools has highlighted the need for teachers and school leaders to seek and implement exclusive instructional strategies that will foster cultural diversity. The climate, culture, and vision of a school are a direct reflection of the school’s leadership. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural readiness of elementary school leaders, as measured by the cultural readiness leadership scale (CRLS), and their beliefs and perceptions of culturally relevant and responsive practices. The foundational philosophy used to support this research was the transformational leadership theory. The research methodology entailed a mixed-method approach …

The Success Strategies Of The Iranian-American Women Who Initially Received Their Primary And/Or Secondary Education In The Post-Revolution Iranian Education System In Attaining Higher Education Degrees In The United States, Niloufar Mirhashemi

Theses and Dissertations

The driving theme for this research was cultural discontinuity as experienced in the American academic institutions. Cultural discontinuity is understood as a way in which the cultural practices and values of students’ home culture affect the academic achievements of the students usually, resulting in low academic accomplishments. This phenomenon can be triggered by the existing disparities and gaps in the educational and cultural structures of a society. This research investigated the encounters, challenges, and perspectives of women born in Iran who initially received their primary and/or secondary education in the post-revolution Iranian education system and later obtained college degrees in …

Psychotherapeutic Interventions For Individuals Experiencing Auditory Verbal Hallucinations: A Systematic Review, Keren Shemesh

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this review was to systematically review the available research on psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals experiencing Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVH). This review focused on interventions evaluated using Randomized Control Trials (RCTs). Data on the treatment protocols and their efficacy was reviewed, as well as proposed mechanisms of change. Included treatment protocols were evaluated for their attention to culture. Using specific search criteria, 17 studies were identified and evaluated. Out of the 17 included studies, three utilized individual and group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) as their intervention of choice and six utilized individually created therapies based upon …

Research To Policy To Practice: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Special Education Recruitment Using State Emergency Funds During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jarrod Hobson

Theses and Dissertations

An adequate supply of special education teachers is a long-term critical need in many schools across the United States. The Covid-19 Pandemic increased the urgency of this need, but also brought about new opportunities to address these long-standing challenges. Policymakers and government agencies played a vital role in capitalizing on these opportunities. This dissertation study consists of two content analyses of publicly available documents related to actions of the executive branch of state governments to address critical special education shortages from March 2020 to September 2024. The first qualitative content analysis consists of 51 documents which include the “State Plan …

Associations Between Childhood Trauma And Tobacco Dependence Among Latine Adults: Testing The Protective Effects Of Compassion For Self And Others, Camila Tirado

Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco dependence has posed a significant public health challenge in the United States and disproportionately affects Latine adults' risk of developing a variety of adverse health conditions. Childhood trauma is a recognized risk factor for dependence, overall health, and mental health concerns. Still, the influence of compassion for self or compassion for others in this context remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the moderating effects of self-compassion and compassion for others on the relationship between childhood trauma and cigarette dependence among Latine adults. Data was collected through questionnaires assessing childhood trauma, self-compassion, cultural values and factors, compassion for others, and …

Exploring The Experiences Of Refugee Youth In Public Schools: An Ethical Phenomenological Inquiry, Hilary T. Stim

Theses and Dissertations

The study outlined in this dissertation focuses on the intersection between refugee youth between the ages of 13-18 and the United States public school, specifically the manner in which refugee youth experience institutionalized education. It utilizes ethical phenomenology as a means to amplify the voices of refugee students and to centralize the students' experiences, thoughts, and ideas related to education The study was framed by one research question that is addressed to the participants: “What is it like being a student in a public school?” Seven students took part in the study. Collaborative dialogues took place with the participants across …

In Shame I Will Find Paradise, Taehee Whang

Theses and Dissertations

As a Korean American non-binary digital artist and designer, my recent explorations have focused on using voice as a medium to articulate nuanced feelings of displacement and the intricate relationships between language, identity, and expression. This journey expands beyond my personal experiences with gender dysphoria, delving into the lives of non-binary and transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming voice therapy. Through my thesis research, I have developed interactive multimedia installations inspired by dialogues with individuals such as Umico Niwa, who traveled to Korea for voice feminization surgery, and Jeong Yoon Lee from Hyperlink Press, a four-year participant in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). …

Supervisor-Subordinate Communication In The Contemporary Audit Environment, Devon P. Jefferson

Theses and Dissertations

Just five years ago I was working as an Audit Manager in person (in the office or at the client site), amongst each of my subordinates, which made common work practices like knowledge sharing, responding to questions, and building team morale easy. Since then, remote work has become the new norm, which has significantly changed the communication dynamics between supervisors and subordinates. This dissertation is my personal pursuit to understanding how supervisor and subordinate auditors are currently interacting to achieve desired work outcomes, and identifying specific areas where challenges may exist. I accomplish this objective through four papers, including a …

Towards Effective Developer Communication In Open Source Software Via Emotional Awareness, Mia Mohammad Imran

Theses and Dissertations

Emotions play an integral yet understudied role in open-source software development, profoundly shaping critical collaborative processes such as knowledge sharing, decision-making, and team dynamics. However, accurately detecting and analyzing emotions in developer communications poses significant challenges due to the lack of visual and auditory cues in text-based interactions. This dissertation investigates techniques to enhance the understanding and modeling of emotions within the textual artifacts of open-source projects. We conduct an extensive evaluation of existing emotion classification tools using a novel dataset of annotated GitHub comments. An error analysis reveals deficiencies in handling implicit emotional expressions and figurative language. We demonstrate …

Transforming Children's Oral Health: The Impact Of Oral Healthcare Policies On Virginia Medicaid Dental Health Outcomes., Anita M. Kumar

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract: Transforming Children's Oral Health: The Impact of Oral Healthcare Policies on Virginia Medicaid Dental Health Outcomes.

Objectives: This dissertation uses Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) administrative files at the individual and provider level from fiscal years (FY) 2011 to 2021 to systematically study the effect of recently implemented oral health policies (EBD guidelines on sealants, CMS updated quality measures, expansion of Medicaid oral healthcare for qualifying pregnant women) on oral health outcomes of Virginia Medicaid-enrolled children.

Methods: The studies employ a difference in differences regression methods (negative binomial, Poisson, and logistic) to examine the effects of oral health …

Using Asset-Based Community Development To Increase Student Engagement And Improve Student Experience In Schools, Jacqueline Hopkins

Theses and Dissertations

The following is a dissertation in the three-paper dissertation format. The first section will give background information on the issue of alienation in schools and how asset-based community development (ABCD) could be an effective tool for educators to combat alienation and disengagement, especially with students with marginalized identities. This first section will also show the significance of the three papers as a whole and how they connect to one another. The first paper is the conceptual literature review, the second paper is an empirical study of the ABCD model in schools, and the dissertation will end with a practitioner's article …

How Ebony Transcends In The Ivory Tower: Unveiling Transformational Black Women Forging Leadership Paths In Historically White Institutions, Lauren N. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Considerable literature has amplified the perceived challenges and deficits of Black women as they advance in their careers within historically white institutions (HWI). As a result, there is a notable absence of anti-deficit explorations of the inherent abilities and strengths that contribute to Black women’s professional mobility. Grounded in anti-deficit achievement framework and Black feminist leadership, this study aimed to illuminate the assets and factors that influence the professional ascension of seven, current/former senior-level Black women in a HWI within the Southeastern region of the U.S. By adopting a qualitative, phenomenological framework, this study provides in-depth insights into the participants’ …

The Patient Experience Of Language Discordance And Interpreter Services In The Emergency Department, Keri L. Baker

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Clear communication is critical to the interaction of a patient and medical provider. For non-English speaking patients, language discordance, described as the lack of proficiency in a shared language, with the medical team results in a poor patient experience and poor patient outcomes. The predominant solution to language discordance is the use of interpreter services, however these services are underused in the emergency department (ED). Studies examining underuse of interpreter services have primarily focused on the clinician and little is known about the patient’s influence on the use of interpreter services.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 Spanish-speaking …

Perceptions Of Classroom Technology Use Among Adult English Learners, Mandy Chien

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess adult English Learners’ perceptions of using Microsoft Teams in classes. Specifically, the study aims to explore the strength and direction of the correlation between the elements of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and using Microsoft Teams in English language courses. This study addressed the following research question: What are the strengths and directions of the correlations between the elements of the technology acceptance model and the use of Microsoft Teams among adult ELs?

The researcher utilized a quantitative methods approach to investigate the relationship between TAM variables and the use of Microsoft …

Engaging With Culturally Relevant Curriculum Development Practice In First-Year Writing Courses Through A Community Of Practice, Mitchell Dallas Herring

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative action research study provides a case study of a community of practice (CoP) comprised of six faculty who teach first-year writing at Southern Technical College (pseudonym) as they engaged with culturally relevant teaching to review their curriculum development practices. The guiding question of this study was: How does engagement with culturally relevant pedagogy within a community of practice impact faculty who teach first-year writing's curriculum development practice, especially given their perceptions of students' needs and literacies? The study used a case study research design to document the faculty's experiences discussing and reflecting on their practice and perceptions of …

A Phenomenological Study On University Students’ Perceptions And Attitudes Of The Effectiveness Of Mobile Apps On Communicative Competence, Leveth Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study is focused on understanding how university students who are learning English as a foreign language (EFL) perceive and experience using mobile application on their speaking abilities. The primary goal was to examine the perception and attitudes of EFL learners towards using mobile apps for independent English-speaking practice and creating a customized learning experience outside of the classroom.

The researcher also investigated the participants’ views on the challenges and advantages of incorporating mobile apps into university speaking courses. The findings of this investigation may inform language educators at universities on the potential benefits of using mobile apps in …

Black Teachers, Black Students, And Cultural Brokering: Leveraging Positionality To Strengthen Academic Identity, Shakasha L. Stevenson

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a phenomenological photovoice approach to understand the lived experiences of veteran Black high school teachers. Black teachers are positioned to serve as cultural brokers to support the academic identity of Black students. The prevalence of symbolic violence in the Eurocentric curriculum and other curricular practices continues to hinder successful outcomes for Black students. The study leverages the experiences of Black teachers to understand how their positionalities influence their decision-making and pedagogical practices.

The literature review explored research on the social and political implications of Black education, Black identity development, cultural brokering, and academic identity. More specifically, the …

Exploring Communication Preferences And Experiences Of First-Generation Students: Bridging Psychological Distance With Librarians In Online, Hybrid, And In-Person Library Environments—An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Sabine Jean Dantus

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explored the preferred communication methods for reducing the psychological distance between librarians and 17 first-generation students (FG004 – FG020), including graduate and undergraduate participants in the University Libraries’ online, hybrid, and in-person environments. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, eight themes emerged, illustrating how participants' communication preferences, cultural and linguistic demands, financial obstacles, and early library experiences affected their communication expectations with librarians.

The findings revealed a dichotomy between in-person and online communication preferences, with participants valuing both the immediacy and social presence of face-to-face interactions and the convenience of online tools like chat services. Cultural and linguistic familiarity …

Middle School Mainstream Educators’ Perceptions Of Preparedness For Teaching English Language Learners, Jessica Lebron

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was crafted to investigate the perspectives of middle school educators concerning their preparedness to instruct English language learners (ELL), an expanding subgroup of students. Given that over half of the student population in the target school district communicates in languages other than English at home, there is a heightened emphasis on fostering language and cultural connections between educators and students. Despite this, a significant number of educators within the school expressed a sense of inadequacy in teaching ELL students. In response to these concerns, some educators proactively sought additional, more specialized professional development opportunities to enhance their …

Case Study: Implementing Strategies To Meet The Needs Of English Language Learners, Sierra Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide an understanding of effective ways to meet the needs of English language learners. To focus its inquiry and gain a thorough understanding of the experiences and methods of teachers in various classroom environments, the study used a case study approach. Extensive interviews with the participants yielded interesting insights into the methods they use to tailor their instruction to the requirements of their students as well as the useful resources they include into their instruction. A thorough grasp of instructional dynamics was also made possible by the participants' permission for the researcher to observe …

The Role Of Attitude, Subjective Norms, Behavioral Control, And Personality In Predicting Intention And Use Of Protective Strategies For Cannabis, Joseph A. Ciolino

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Food For Thought: Fabricating The Cannibal In Colonization, Hannah Dubrovich

Theses and Dissertations

Anthropophagy means people-eating, as does cannibal, but the terms are not synonymous. After Europeans landed in the Americas, Christopher Columbus coined the word cannibal. Despite the two terms having similar base definitions, there are additional connotations associated with cannibal. The way in which cannibalism has been thought about by Western cultures is not about the act of people-eating, but the constructed character of the cannibal as a “savage” Other created through colonization. In addition to the term's associated meaning being cemented during this time, colonizers used the term as a tool to Other Native peoples and aid in colonization. It …

Realizing The Role Of Interdisciplinary Practices In Psycho-Educational Assessment For Learners With Special Education Needs/Disabilities In Guyana, Keon Cheong

Theses and Dissertations

A growing number of students are referred to special education sectors. With the growing numbers, there is a need for structures and systems to be in place to ensure that the least restrictive environment is used while ensuring that learners are adequately placed based on their abilities. This challenge is heightened in the Global South. In the Caribbean, few countries have legislation to address disabilities, and in locations where there is legislation, it is either outdated or not enforced. This dissertation conducts a systematic review using 60 studies to compile comprehensive research-based information about interdisciplinary practices, specifically in the psycho-educational …

Inference Methods For Token-Level Topic Assignments With Fixed Topics, Stephen Cowley

Theses and Dissertations

Topic modeling, an unsupervised technique used to gain high-level understanding of a large collection of documents, often involves two major goals: The discovery of topics used in the corpus (topic-discovery) and the assignment of topics to individual words (token-level topic assignment). While Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) normally performs both of these steps simultaneously, some situations require only the token-level topic assignments, using fixed topics. We evaluate three topic assignment strategies using fixed topics -- Gibbs sampling, iterated conditional modes, and mean field variational inference -- to determine which should be used when only token-level topic assignment is needed. Among these …

Predicting Speaking Proficiency With Fluency Features Using Machine Learning, Ethan D. Erickson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the interplay between temporal fluency measures, self-assessment, and language proficiency scores in novice- to intermediate- level language learners of Spanish and French. Analyzing data from 163 participants, the research employs both traditional linear regression and advanced XGBoost machine learning models. Findings demonstrate a moderate positive correlation between self-assessment and Oral Proficiency Interview by Computer (OPIc) scores, underscoring the dependable self-awareness of learners. Notably, XGBoost performs as well as linear regression in predicting OPIc scores and has more potential, underlining the efficacy of advanced methodologies. The study identifies Mean Length of Utterance (MLU) as a crucial predictor, highlighting …

Bridging The Gaps: Characterizing Alzheimer's Disease In Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Populations, Justina P. Tavana

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses critical gaps in dementia research in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities. Focusing on Samoan and Tongan communities, the study successfully adapted and validated the AD8 informant interview and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale in native languages, establishing these instruments as reliable tools for detecting cognitive impairment in these populations. The research process prioritized meaningful community engagement and forged partnerships with indigenous professionals, ensuring alignment with and responsiveness to the specific needs of the community. These invaluable connections were the foundation of making this difficult work possible. Subjects assessed with these adapted instruments were enrolled …

Portuguese Language Use Among First Generation Brazilian Immigrants In Utah County: Some Considerations About Language And Ethnic Identity, Simone Pizzio

Theses and Dissertations

The current study presents an investigation of the Portuguese language use among first generation Brazilian immigrants in Utah County. The research was carried out with 54 first generation immigrants. Several studies have shown that ethnic identity is related to shared cultural characteristics such as practices, beliefs, and languages (Liebkind, 2010; Pennycook, 2010; Reyes, 2010; Souza, 2016). This study explores the relationship between language and ethnic identity by analyzing the attitudes toward the Portuguese language, the contexts and factors that influence language choice, and the purposes for which the Portuguese language has been used by this selected group of immigrants. The …

Revisiting Marshallese Causative Constructions Using Lexical Aspect, Damon Hatch Swain

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reexamines causative constructions found in Marshallese; an Austronesian language spoken in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Both Bender, Capelle & Pagotto (2016) and Willson (2008) hint that lexical aspect is a necessary predictor of causative behaviors in Marshallese, but offer no explanations. The primary focus of this thesis is to examine lexical aspect's influence on causative derivations. This project shows that Marshallese stative verbs display two distinct causative constructions: stative causatives and causative abstract nouns. The Marshallese causative prefix, ka-, tends to exhibit common crosslinguistic patterns of causative constructions as laid out by Dixon and Aikenvald (2000). …

Finding Words For God: Poetic Foraging In Louise Glück's The Wild Iris, Rachel Cardall

Theses and Dissertations

The primary speaker of Louise Glück's The Wild Iris is a wanderer in her own garden. She relentlessly searches for God among her foxgloves and daisies, straining to hear God's voice. Two other speakers, God and the collective plants of the garden, offer their perspectives without acknowledgement by the human speaker. Many critics read these two other speakers as, in fact, narcissistic projections of the human speaker, a God and a world made in her own image. In this thesis, I clarify that the kind of narcissistic projection that occurs in The Wild Iris is actually productive for genuine spiritual …

Drawing About Writing: Exploring Egyptian Middle School Students’ Writing Motivation And Perceptions, Maryam Elbayady

Theses and Dissertations

The principal aim of this study is to explore Egyptian middle school students’ perceptions of their writing experiences using artistic expression, specifically drawings. It also aims to understand their levels of writing motivation using the Self-Beliefs, Writing-Beliefs, and Attitude Survey (SWAS) (Wright et al., 2019). Finally, it examines the relationships among participants’ perceptions, motivation, and their narrative writing performance. The view that students’ voices are valuable to research geared towards school improvement has largely propelled this study (Bland, 2018; Zumbrunn et al., 2017). In addition, due to the limited literature about middle school students enrolled at private Egyptian schools, this …