Digital Commons Network^™

El Impacto De La Herramienta Teams En Los Maestros Como Medio De Enseñanza Ante Un Evento Pandémico, Jessica M. Rivera Figueroa

Theses and Dissertations

La herramienta de Microsoft Teams demuestra ser una completa y efectiva en el desarrollo de clases virtuales sincrónicas y asincrónicas ante una pandemia. La accesibilidad permitió la continuidad de la educación en el Departamento de Educación de Puerto Rico. Dicho proceso trajo consigo muchas incógnitas para el uso efectivo de la herramienta a pesar de adiestramientos y asistencias.

El propósito del estudio fue identificar el impacto de la herramienta Teams en los maestros como medio de enseñanza durante la pandemia para mejorar su uso en el proceso educativo y que se logre un uso efectivo en todas las materias de …

Community College Faculty Perceptions Of Their Role In The Academic Achievement Of Minoritized Students, Erin R. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of community college faculty and the impact of those perceptions on the academic success of African American and Hispanic students. Within the context of the achievement gap, finding out how colleges can better serve disadvantaged students supported the aims of this study. This research strove to contribute to the literature on 2-year institutions of higher education and to provide research from the perspective of 2-year faculty. The findings of this study could contribute to faculty professional development, onboarding, and environmental changes for 2-year institutions in support of the academic …

A Post-Pandemic Measurement Of The Required Soft Employability Skills For Business School Graduates, Sean O. Stallings

Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental descriptive quantitative applied dissertation was designed to identify and analyze the soft employability skills desired by mid-Atlantic employers of business school graduates in a post-pandemic environment. The study evaluated alignment of the competencies possessed by business school graduates and the desired skills of employers. The study explored opportunities to guide change in the development of learning outcomes for business school undergraduates that were influenced by the effects of COVID-19 to ensure adequate postgraduation placement and overall effectiveness of business school graduates.

Workplace readiness or employability also included identifying new hires who had the full package that included hard …

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 …

Should We Disaggregate Latino Youths Based On Ancestral Group When Examining Risk Factors Of Violent And Delinquent Behavior, Elvis G. Sevilla

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers frequently aggregate Latino subgroups during statistical analyses despite findings indicating that cultural distinctions within Latino subgroups have unintended hidden impacts on analyses. This study disaggregated the Latino sample to assess if Latino youth samples differ among subgroups (i.e., Mexicans/Mexican Americans, Cubans/Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, Central/South Americans, and other Latinos) who self-reported violent and nonviolent delinquent behavior. Also, this study used Sampson and Laub’s age-graded theory to investigate life-course characteristics that predicted violent and nonviolent delinquent behaviors. A two-step approach analysis determined the differences in violent and delinquent behaviors among Latino subgroups and then which life-course risk factors predicted the …

Victim Advocates' Experiences In The Provision Of Domestic Violence Services For Jewish Women, Michael Sue Jenefsky

Theses and Dissertations

Domestic violence is a serious, dangerous global epidemic and does not discriminate. Domestic violence has no limitations happening in all communities, religions, and cultures. There are many types of abuse, and it is not always physical; however, the underlying threat of violence is perceived by victims. Abusers use manipulative and coercive tactics to gain and maintain power and control of victims. It is deliberate and a choice. Feelings of shame, guilt, blame, failure, helplessness, and being trapped with no means to escape are prevalent among victims. Jewish women have specific feelings and fears that are associated with halakha, Jewish law, …

Examining Digital Hostility Against Black Women: A Thematic Analysis Of The Black Manosphere On Twitter, Nekea Sanders

Theses and Dissertations

The Manosphere is a collective of powerfully influential men who create and control harmful narratives about women online. Individuals within the Manosphere are disseminating their beliefs and garnering support through various online platforms, including social media. This research study sheds light on the Black Manosphere, a group within the Manosphere that has gone under the radar, despite the detrimental and toxic content they publish online about Black women. This qualitative research study examined the hostile rhetoric published by the Black Manosphere on Twitter (now X) about Black women. The research questions guiding this qualitative examination were: (1) What types and …

Campus Police Legitimacy And Campus Crime Reporting: Moderating Effects Of Academic Major, James Earl Lyons Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Investigating crimes on college campuses is a prevalent phenomenon that often requires student cooperation with campus police. Using the procedural justice theory’s process-based approach, this applied research examined the likelihood of students reporting campus crime based on their perceived legitimacy of campus police and whether the student’s academic major moderated the relationship. The study used a quantitative, non-experimental design employing non-probability sampling methods.

Procedural justice is a theoretical approach that explains cooperation with police as the result of interactions. The theory asserts that regardless of the outcome, when citizens perceive interactions with police as procedurally just and fair, they are …

Punitive Experiences: Perspectives Of School Discipline Among Black American Males, Joseph Martin King

Theses and Dissertations

Among student groups within American public schools to date, Black males continue to be one of the most marginalized student groups in America. In spite of all the documented research findings that describe the problem from a research, policy, and practice standpoint, and given the plethora of well-documented knowledge of structural patterns identified and labeled as zero-tolerance policies and/or the school-to-prison pipeline, in conjunction with school reform attempts, Black males remain the largest segment of students who are academically discouraged and disproportionally affected by discipline in American public schools. Among the abundance of academic literature that describes the academic marginalization …

Faculty Experiences Incorporating Universal Design For Learning In Online Course Design At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Chinyere Yvette James

Theses and Dissertations

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) contributed to over 20% of all bachelor’s degrees earned by African American students. Since the 2019 pandemic, HBCUs have provided more online course offerings to their students. The continued success of HBCUs depends on their ability to grow with technology. This study examined the lived experiences of faculty applying universal design for learning (UDL) principles in online courses at HBCUs. This study was conducted to gain insight into the impact UDL had on retention rates, learning experience, and implementation. Online courses at HBCUs are underdeveloped, which poses a problem for continued growth and success …

Examination Of The Differences And Similarities In The Classification Of Multiple Homicide Perpetrators, Lucy M. Papp

Theses and Dissertations

The applied dissertation compares the lifestyle and behavioral characteristics of mass, serial, and spree murderers. Historically, studies have focused on serial murder according to the perpetrator's typology or indicators at the crime scene. The current topics of research lack a comparison of these classifications. While the classification and described typologies are essential for academic and investigative purposes, understanding the impactful lifestyle factors of these perpetrators may also serve as an essential factor in predictive analysis, victimology, and the motive behind their heinous crimes.

The researcher collected data on the classifications for each type of multiple homicide perpetrator: mass, serial, and …

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 …

A Study Of K-5 Teacher Perceptions Of Home Visits On Attitude, Belief, And Behavior, Dene E. Gainey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the qualitative descriptive study was to explore teacher perceptions of attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs as it pertained to home visits. The body of research available prior to the study focused on parent appreciation and takeaways from home visit experiences and/or students’ achievement as it pertained to having experienced a teacher coming into their home environments. Specifically, the researcher wanted to understand how K-5 teachers perceived their attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs prior to conducting home visits, during home visits and after the home visits were completed.

Through semi-structured interviews, participants were asked a series of questions that were …

Exploring The Integration Of Technology In Elementary Literacy Instruction: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Melvina L. Barton

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study delved into the challenges faced by elementary educators at a suburban school in integrating technology-enhanced literacy pedagogy to bolster student success. Guided by Venkatesh’s unified theory of acceptance, the research investigated educators’ perceptions and utilization of technology in literacy instruction to foster student achievement. Key questions probed teachers’ perceptions of technology’s role in enhancing literacy outcomes and their views on administrative support for instructional practices.

Data collection involved interviews and surveys with 12 participants, selected based on demographics and teaching credentials. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and insights. The study explored the alignment among literacy …

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Of The Perspectives Of Health Care Leaders Concerning The Implementation Of Telehealth, Gary Gerard Camille

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how healthcare leaders on the east coast United States described the role of implementing, the outer setting, inner setting, individual characteristics, and the process when implementing telehealth in a patient-centered care environment in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

The study used a qualitative method with a descriptive design to capture the descriptions of the participant’s experience during the implementation of telehealth in a patient centered care environment in different health care facilities in east coast of the United States. Due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the interview sessions and …

The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach With Contingency Management: Examining The Effectiveness Of Relapse Prevention Program For Adolescents, Gwendolyn Bullard

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the efficacy of the adolescent community reinforcement approach with and without contingency management to improve the lives of adolescents with substance use disorder in relapse prevention programs. Adolescents with substance use disorder do not have access to effective continuing care and relapse prevention in rural towns in the state of Georgia. There is no ongoing care for adolescents with substance use disorder that incorporates a comprehensive treatment plan that includes community reinforcement approaches along with contingency management.

Relying on a multi-element research design, the researcher investigated the interaction between the adolescent community reinforcement …

Investigating Teacher’S Perceptions Of Equitable Author Choices In Secondary High School Classrooms, Joy Price

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how English teachers can incorporate diverse authors into instruction. The following research questions guided the study:

1. What do teachers describe as the pros/cons of integrating diverse perspectives into teachers’ instruction, in the form of literature by diverse authors?

2. In what ways and how can incorporating literature by diverse authors benefit students?

3. What challenges may teachers face when integrating diverse literature perspectives into instruction?

4. What might enable teachers to integrate diverse literature perspectives into instruction.

The researcher developed designed and field tested a questionnaire for teachers to take …

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 …

Exploring Human Resources Practices And Challenges To Retain And Develop Millennial Workers For Future Leadership Roles In The Transportation And Logistics Industry: A Phenomenological Perspective, Graciela Pineda-Blasco

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined Human Resources practices in place in the Transportation and Logistics industry aimed at the retention, and development of millennial talent into future corporate leaders in the industry. Despite extensive literature on millennials, there remains ambiguity regarding their specific traits, behaviors, and commitment within corporate settings.

Given the generationally diverse workforce, it is crucial to understand the unique needs and expectations of different cohorts. This study focuses on millennials' communication styles, technological adaptability, and expectations for training and advancement. The findings highlight significant issues in current corporate culture, particularly in HR retention and training strategies, which are …

A Qualitative Study: Sex Offenders’ Perceptions Of The State’S Sex Offender Registry, Ann Marie Elliott

Theses and Dissertations

Sex offender registries (SOR) were created because of gruesome crimes committed against minors and the vulnerable, and they serve as a punishment. Empirically, SORs have become more functional over the years, so providing accurate information should be fundamental. It is the topic of discussion in many conversations, specifically during holidays and events involving minors, and it is used for background searches and ongoing investigations. Consequently, society expects the information displayed to be precise. Inaccurate information can potentially be harmful, especially to sex offenders. Nevertheless, when SOR is mentioned, rightfully so, society, including law enforcement, immediately exhibits sympathetic emotions for the …

In Their Own Words: The Unique Perceptions Of Minority Encounters With Law Enforcement, Summer Louis

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the perceptions of people of color who have experienced interactions with law enforcement during adulthood. Utilizing a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 12 individuals of color. The findings illuminated various perceptions significantly influenced by personal experiences and community context. The most prominent themes identified by the majority of participants include: (1) frequency of police encounters; (2) personal experiences with law enforcement; (3) negative experiences; (4) racial profiling; (5) police misconduct or mistreatment; (6) police use of force and excessive force; (7) contributing factors to these experiences; (8) perceptions of law enforcement …

Pressure Points: A Quantitative Study Of Young Adults Perception Of Police Officers, Yasmean Talas

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to quantify factors contributing to young adults' perceptions of law enforcement based on their experiences and exchanges with police. Data were collected via an online survey from young adults to assess variables such as peer influence, familial influence, social media impact, police interactions, and perceptions of law enforcement (POPS).

On average, participants exhibited neutral perceptions of law enforcement. The analyses revealed significant relationships between family influence, social media impact, police interactions, and POPS scores. Specifically, family and police interactions showed significantly positive associations with POPS scores, indicating that strong family bonds and positive police interactions tend to …

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 …

Exploring The Differences In Military Attitudes Toward Rape Myths And Their Relationship To Demographic Factors, Essence Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Military sexual assault crimes, including rape, attempted sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact, and sexual harassment, have continued to increase over the last few decades. The issue has become problematic enough for the Department of Defense to allocate a significant amount of money for sexual assault resources. Specifically, the Department of Defense gives millions of dollars each year for the prevention and training of sexual assault, yet the issue continues to persist. There is a lack of understanding of the posture of service members' attitudes toward sexual assault and if certain demographics differ in their attitudes toward rape myths. While sexual …

Parent Participation In Student Academics And Behaviors At An Urban Early Learning Center Utilizing The Two-Generation Approach To Education, Angela E. Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations

The problem in the study was students living in low-income areas, below the poverty level, were vulnerable to experiencing less academic and behavioral success in school. The purpose was to understand how the experiences of parents engaged in a twogeneration approach impacted the success of students living in poverty. The early education and care of young children, especially those of low socioeconomic status, was essential for child development. Children who attended these programs were more likely to develop the necessary skills to become lifelong learners. When children attended early childhood education programs, it helped prepare them cognitively and socially prior …

Examining The Intersection Of Policing And Mental Health: Analyzing Baker Act Admissions In Davie, Florida, Matthew Goodnow

Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on the Police Department of the City of Davie, Florida. It analyzed the rate of involuntary admissions under the Florida Mental Health Act, commonly known as the Baker Act, focusing on factors such as officer experience, training, demographics, and other variables. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, the research provides insights into Baker Act admissions to inform policies and interventions to improve mental health services and relieve strain on law enforcement resources.

Key findings indicate that Crisis Intervention Team training significantly increases the likelihood of officers performing Baker Acts. In contrast, more experienced officers tend to perform fewer …

Strategies Teachers Use To Encourage Student Reading Motivation And Engagement In The High School Setting: A Generic Qualitative Study, Shelia Tate

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide an understanding of the practices and strategies used by Title 1 high school teachers to promote student reading motivation and engagement. Engaging students in the curriculum and motivating them to read is essential to a successful classroom experience. As districts move to a more prescribed curriculum with provided scope and sequence, teachers look for ways to engage their students and provide relevant resources to meet their students' needs creatively.

The researcher interviewed teachers to explore their beliefs, strategies, and practices for fostering student reading motivation and classroom engagement in high school. The guiding …

Female Offenders: Exploring Risk Factors For Adulthood Violence, Lauren N. Fowler

Theses and Dissertations

The number of females under correctional supervision has been increasing in the last four decades. For adult women, these offenses are generally drug offenses; however, there have also been increases in the number of women committing violent crimes. Unfortunately, violent females are an understudied population, which limits the data available to inform programs and policies that could address the problem. This study explored potential factors related to violent behavior among adult females by analyzing public-use data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Survey of Prison Inmates, 2016. More specifically, violent and nonviolent state and federal female inmates were assessed regarding …

Exploring The Role Of The Teacher In Motivating Students To Learn Mathematics At Alternative High Schools, Anne-Marie Johanne Mohammed

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to provide an in-depth understanding of the teacher’s role in motivating students to learn mathematics at alternative high schools because motivation impacts academic achievement in mathematics. Students in South Florida must pass an end-of-course exam in algebra as a requirement to receive a high school diploma. Therefore, it is essential that students are motivated to learn the mathematics concepts that are necessary to pass the end-of-course exam. This research study was guided by the following research questions:

1. How and in what ways do mathematics teachers adjust and integrate instructional strategies to support …

The Effects Of Jurisdictional Variances On Rates Of Rape Offenses: How Differing Jurisdictional Definitions Contribute To America’S Rape Culture, David Lopez-Herrera

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between jurisdictional definitions of rape and rape offense rates across various states in the U.S., with the goal of proposing a standardized federal definition to enhance consistency in data collection and improve the efficacy of legal responses. Despite extensive research on rape, no prior studies have explored the impact of jurisdictional definition variances on state rape offense rates. This seminal study aimed to fill this gap by analyzing the correlation between state-specific rape definitions and reported rape offenses, utilizing a theoretical breakdown of definitions into eight components and a rubric for evaluation.

The analysis revealed …