Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Advanced Practice Nurses In Advanced Care Planning For Cancer Patients, Sincere Mcmillan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, more than 75% of people will spend their last months of life in a health care facility. A key role for clinicians is to discuss care goals with the patients as part of a process called advanced care planning (ACP). As part of the oncology care team, advanced practice nurses (APNs) could help to increase the frequency of ACP discussions. The purpose of this project was to assess the knowledge and practice experiences of APNs regarding ACP at a National Cancer Institute designated cancer care hospital. Carper's patterns of knowing was the theoretical framework of this …

Recidivism And Prison Overcrowding Due To Denial Of Legal Representation In Botswana, Sidney Pilane

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Botswana has been experiencing high rates of recidivism and prison overcrowding, but the causes of these problems have not been explored. Thus, this qualitative study was conducted to investigate whether the denial of legal representation to criminal defendants tried in the customary courts is one of the causes of high rates of recidivism, prison overcrowding, or both. The main research question addressed a possible relationship between these factors and the denial of legal representation, and the study was guided by the punctuated equilibrium theory and the policy feedback theory. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with 10 released first …

Special Education Teachers' Perceptions Of Professional Development Around Assessment, Mary Sue Durr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The significance of professional development (PD) is acknowledged in research studies as essential to implementing rigorous state standards. Although the literature recognizes that PD is a crucial component in improving teachers' knowledge and skills, some teachers at a midsized urban public elementary school in the southern United States did not see the benefit of attending PD. The purpose of this study was to explore elementary special education teachers' perceptions of PD around assessment. Guided by a framework based on Chen and McCray's whole teacher approach to teacher PD, this basic qualitative study was designed to understand how these elementary special …

Teacher Perceptions Of Math Professional Development In A Small Vocational School, Nisha Woody

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract The vocational math teachers at a vocational secondary school lack the adequate skills needed to be effective in math classrooms. The vocational teachers who teach math at the local vocational school have been identified as noncertified teachers based on their certification with the state department of education. The purpose of this project study was to determine the best professional development sessions needed to improve the instructional practice of untrained math teachers at the school. Their work is critical to the academic and career development of students. The social development theory of Vygotsky, which states that social interaction has an …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Daily 5 Literacy Routine: A Case Study, Kim Penland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Even with extensive literacy research, routines, and policy modifications, many elementary students are not provided with the needed tools to develop independent literacy skills. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine what independent literacy behaviors are developing in first through fourth grade students to determine whether the Daily 5 framework is developing the desired independent literacy skills in those students. Based on Vygotsky's social development theory, the Daily 5 literacy routine teaches students five essential habits to develop independent literacy abilities across various grade levels. This qualitative study's research questions were developed to examine what independent …

Beliefs And Opinions Of Low-Income Residents Living In A Food Desert In A Gulf Coast State, Kimberly Lakeidra Willis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was an investigation of the access problem to fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables and how limited access influenced the beliefs and opinions of residents of a food desert as designated by United States Department of Agriculture. Many researchers have documented that price, availability, and transportation are barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption, particularly among low-income individuals. Researchers in other studies have concluded that these barriers are further exacerbated by an individual's distance from a supermarket or grocery store. However, much less information is available regarding the beliefs and opinions about life in a food desert and how …

Female Veterans' Combat Experience And Ptsd On Male Partners' Psychological Distress And Relationship Quality, Theresa Denise Abraham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Female veterans' combat exposure to trauma places them at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has consequences for healthful reintegration to family and civilian life. Previous research found that wives who provide continuous care to male veterans with PTSD experience symptoms of psychological distress; however, little research has been conducted on the influence of female veterans' PTSD on their intimate male partners' (IMPs) psychological well-being. A multivariate correlational design was used to examine the influence of female veteran PTSD on psychological distress and relationship quality in IMPs. The couples' adaption to traumatic stress model was used as the …

Systematic Review Of Alternative Therapies To Treat Cancer Pain, Karla Michelle Bonilla Carmona

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cancer pain is a complex symptom that affects the quality of life of oncology patients, caregivers, and families. The limitations of pain management treatment for cancer patients can be attributed to the lack of knowledge and availability of nonpharmacological treatments. The purpose of this project was to identify and gather evidence on the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in the treatment of cancer pain using the methodology of a systematic review. Watson's theory of human caring supported the project by incorporating the perception of treating the human being holistically during the illness process. The Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model provided …

Perceptions Of Economic, Health, And Environmental Effects Of Hydraulic Fracturing In Indiana, Juliana Bayowa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Effects of hydraulic fracturing (HF) have become a controversial public health issue in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore community members' perceptions of economic, health, and environmental effects of HF in Gibson County, Indiana. The conceptual framework was adapted from the health belief model and was named the HF health impact belief model (HFHIBM). Data were collected from stratified purposeful non-randomly selected 32 Gibson community members, using semi structured questionnaires, complete observations, and existing documents. Stratification was based on factors influencing perception, such as, gender, race, level of education, age or technology exposure, …

Preventing Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes In Immigrant Populations, Maxwell K. Chikuta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity-related diseases have been increasing in African immigrants throughout the United States. Although research has been done to identify risk factors associated with many ethnic groups in the United States, only a few studies exist that explore obesity and type 2 diabetes diseases among Central African immigrants. The conceptual framework for this qualitative case study was social constructivism and the health belief model. The primary research question addressed the potential underlying causes for an increase in obesity and type 2 diabetes among Central African Immigrants. The secondary research questions explored how culture, illiteracy, and religion contribute to the problem of …

Development Of An Interactive Game For Education Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sherri Arrington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence rates are increasing in the United States and globally. Education has been found to be an important strategy for increasing STI testing and treatment rates among sexually active young adults. The goal of this project was to develop an interactive educational game suitable for young adults to decrease the social and economic burden of STIs. The health belief model informed the project. A moderated usability evaluation was conducted using the concurrent think-aloud technique. The participants (N = 5) were a purposive sample of professionals who played the interactive game and then completed Schnall, Cho, and …

High School Teachers' Perceptions Of Developing Critical Thinkers Via The Socratic Method, Melissa Gilbert Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A global concern exists regarding the lack of critical thinking skills in young adults and college graduates. Fortune 500 companies have reported the need for better development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills to prepare employees to be successful in the workplace. This study focused on teacher perceptions of the Socratic method (SM) in developing critical thinking skills in high school students. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative case study was to describe high school teachers' perceptions regarding the development of critical thinkers via the Socratic method. Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development was used in this qualitative study to …

Influence Of Two Instructional Models On Reading Achievement Of Esl Middle School Students, Thomasine Campbell Hassell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

English as second language (ESL) students are not meeting reading proficiency standards

compared to their native English-speaking middle school peers. To address the low achievement

scores among ESL students, the study site implemented an instructional hub in which trained

ESL resource teachers used the sheltered instruction observation protocol (SIOP) model. The

purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine the difference in reading achievement

scores between ESL students who participated in the instructional hub and those who

participated in traditional instruction. Krashen's second language acquisition theory and Terrell's

natural approach theory provided the framework for the study. Archival data from …

Effect Of Model Of Care And Comorbidities On Multiple-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment In Nigeria, Oluremilekun Comfort Kusimo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a public health problem in several countries such as Angola, India, China, Kenya, and Nigeria. Due to the increasing high burden of MDR-TB, most of these countries do not have adequate capacities to manage MDR-TB patients effectively. This study investigated the effect of model of care; human immunodeficiency virus comorbidity; and demographic factors such as age, gender, and marital status on the treatment outcomes of MDR-TB patients in Nigeria. The study was based on the analysis of secondary data of 402 MDR-TB patients accessed from the data systems of the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy …

Post-Ebola Case Management Of Orphaned Young Adults In Rural Sierra Leone, Augustine Frazer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The 2014-2016 Ebola pandemic in Sierra Leone significantly increased the orphan population and the need for social support programs, especially for student-orphans in higher education. Poorly prepared disaster response managers have little knowledge about how college student-orphans experience social services. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore how post-Ebola student-orphans enrolled in an agricultural university in rural Sierra Leone experienced post disaster specialized case management to enhance student performance. Criterion sampling techniques including specific inclusion and exclusion criteria guided the recruitment, that included 10 research participants taking part in the semi structured interviews. Ecological system theory and …

Health And Nitrate-Contaminated Drinking Water In The Lower Yakima River Valley, Michael David Mcnickle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, many private wells are used as the only source of potable water. These wells, under current federal and state regulations, are neither monitored nor checked for water purity. The purpose of qualitative case study was to gain an understanding about how the documented nitrate contamination problem in the Lower Yakima Valley River Valley is perceived by members of the community and to measure their willingness to engage in collective action for social change. Purposive samples of 6 participants were interviewed using 10 questions derived from the drinking water disparities framework by Balazs and Ray. Additional historical …

Administrators' And Teachers' Perceptions Of Factors Influencing Veteran Teachers' Professional Practice, Mary Frances Mollway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers and administrators have different perceptions regarding the importance and validity of various factors that influence veteran teachers' professional practice. Herzberg's 2-factor motivation-hygiene theory was used as the conceptual framework for this basic qualitative study. The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of veteran teachers' and administrators' perceptions about motivating and hygiene factors and their influences on veteran teachers' professional practice in a southern California suburban school district. One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with 8 veteran high school teachers and 4 high school administrators. The interview responses were audio recorded and transcribed, then coded using open and …

Regulatory Independence And The Development Of The Telecommunications Sector In The English-Speaking Caribbean, Delreo A. Newman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small developing states can use proper regulatory frameworks in policy and sector development to implement efficiency and consumer safeguards to the sector. However, sufficient research on the impact of telecommunications regulatory institutions on micro economies has not been conducted. Capture theory was used as the theoretical lens for this thesis. In doing so, a quantitative analysis was done using, cross-sectional pooled time series to determine how an independent telecommunications regulator impacted the telecommunications sector in the English-speaking Caribbean. All the data acquired for analysis were secondary yearly data collected from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) from 1993 to 2012. Specifically, …

Community Engagement And Diverse Representation In Planning For An Immigrant Neighborhood In A U. S. Pacific Northwest City, Christopher Amba Ndifon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traditional avenues of influencing planning decisions are not intuitive for diverse, historically underrepresented community residents in many neighborhoods and many immigrant residents come from societies where engaging in public discourse is discouraged or dangerous. The focus of this study, the Planning Outreach and Engagement Liaison (POEL) program, was designed to address these discrepancies, yet whether the program was successful is unknown. Using participatory democracy as the theoretical framework, the purpose of this case study was to explore whether the POEL program brought diverse residents together to participate in the neighborhood planning process. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with …

Improving The General Education Development (Ged): Retention And Completion Rates Of Low Income Adults, Kimberly Mashaun Rice

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Retaining adult education students has been a growing concern. The new GED requirements have generated low completion rates for a free GED program in a 3-year period, in a non-profit agency in a Southeastern state. Instructors are concerned about this problem and need to understand the factors that are inhibiting adult learners from successfully attaining their GED. This qualitative research design was the most appropriate to answer the research questions to determine the experiences that caused the adult learners to not complete the program and identify potential educational strategies needed to improve retention. Sticht's functional context theory was the conceptual …

Investigation Of Posttraumatic Growth On Health Behaviors With Self-Efficacy As A Mediator, Annissa Pellicano

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has been accumulating on the positive outcomes that people may experience following trauma. However, scholarly literature is deficient in the area of investigating the association among centrality of event (CE), posttraumatic growth (PTG), and health behaviors of women with histories of sexual trauma. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to (a) determine the extent of the relationship between CE and PTG, (b) explore the relationship between PTG and health behaviors (i.e., drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, and physical activity), and (c) to determine whether general self-efficacy (SE) mediated these relationships. The theoretical frameworks used to inform this …

African American Women's Experiences And Understanding Of Secondary Infertility, Claudelle Parchment

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of African American women with secondary infertility, defined as an inability to conceive or carry a baby to term after a previous conception. Research on secondary infertility has ignored the prevalence of the condition in African American women. The implications of secondary infertility in African American women have immediate and far-reaching health and psychosocial consequences. African American women rely on interconnectedness and social networks; therefore, social networks and social support served as the key concepts underwriting the study's conceptual framework. Social networks and social support underscore the connection …

Youth Entrepreneurship Among University Graduates In Anambra State, Nigeria, Mike Chike Nwosu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian policy is inconsistent with regard to the promotion of entrepreneurship among young adults in Anambra State that would serve as a guide to becoming self-employed. Most young adults in Anambra State lack information on entrepreneurial characteristics to become self-employed. The issues confronting Anambra State as a result of youth unemployment include increase in crime rate, drug abuse, kidnapping, and suicide rate. Guided by the human capital theory, the purpose of this case study was to explore the entrepreneurship strategies that young adults in Anambra State needed to become self-employed after graduating from universities. Twenty youth entrepreneurs participated in the …

Teachers' Perceptions About A High School Mastery-Based Learning Program, Robert Charles Searfoss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A public suburban high school in South Carolina used a mastery-based learning program called Power of M that was created with the specific goal of decreasing the number of students who repeated the 9th grade. A large volume of 9th grade students who were enrolled in the English 1 mastery-based learning course failed, which prompted this study. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate teachers' perceptions and experiences about mastery-based learning, about student performance within this program, and about teachers' professional needs to improve program delivery. Bloom's mastery-based learning theory formed the conceptual framework that guided the study. …

Educating Medical--Surgical Nurses To Improve Nursing Knowledge And Understanding Of Health Literacy, Heather Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low health literacy levels put patients at greater risk for poorer compliance and access to care, which leads to worse patient outcomes. Nurses must understand health literacy to improve health literacy for their medical surgical patient population. It is necessary for a formal education program on this topic. The purpose of this project was to increase medical surgical nurses' awareness and knowledge of the importance of health literacy and to introduce the REALM-SF tool to assess a patient's literacy level, allowing a nurse to better individualize the education provided to the patient. Lewin's change management theory was key in the …

Mexican Women And Postpartum Depression In Maricopa County, Arizona, Julio Presendieu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found that postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10 to 15% of new mothers in the U.S. and minority groups experience more depressive symptoms than most of the U.S. population. In Maricopa County, Arizona, research studies of PPD suggested that Mexican women had the highest PPD rate when compared to African-American, Cuban, and Puerto-Rican women. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive descriptive study was to explore what experiences Mexican women in Maricopa County had with PPD, their perceptions of factors such as low-income, cultural beliefs, intimate partner violence, social support, and healthcare services, and to explore barriers that may prevent …

African American Masculinity And Its Influence On Hypertension-Related Behaviors, Tangee Denise Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High blood pressure (hypertension) is known to be one of the leading factors that directly contributes to heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of disabilities and death in the general U.S. population. The prevalence of high blood pressure among African American men in the United States ranks as one of the highest in the world. Research indicates the roots of this phenomenon are found in physiological, psychosocial, cultural, and socioeconomic factors differentially affecting the African American population. The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction between African American males' masculine perspective and …

Improving Provider A1c Testing Frequency Adherence To Recommended Diabetes Guidelines, Susan Ann Simmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Appalachian region of the United States has a high prevalence of diabetes, placing residents with diabetes at risk for physical, psychological, social, and financial burdens. To compound the issue, primary care providers often do not adhere to the guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) regarding the recommended frequency of testing hemoglobin A1C in patients with diabetes. Lewin's planned change theory guided the project. The purpose of this project was to measure the knowledge of the primary care providers before and after an educational intervention covering the ADA guidelines for A1C monitoring and testing and to assess compliance …

Improving Piano Teaching At International Schools In A Suburban District Of Beijing, Wei Xie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The quality of piano education in international schools in China has been affected by an increasing number of piano students and piano teachers experiencing heavy teaching loads. The research questions in this qualitative case study included both teachers' and parents' perceptions of the quality of teaching and learning in piano classes at multicultural international schools in a suburban district of Beijing. The 4 principles of the Suzuki method provided the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected through interviews with 10 experienced piano teachers, 10 selected parents of K-12 piano students, and observations of 3 group piano classes, 8 …

Patient's Compliance With Diabetes Self-Management In The Primary Care Setting, Chidinma Onyegwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can be self-managed to control the disease and its adverse consequence. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to examine the barriers to patients' successful adherence to the self-management plan and to examine strategies used to improve patients' compliance with self-care behaviors. Three practice-focused questions focused on the personal characteristics or factors influencing patients' compliance with self-management, the barriers to patient compliance regarding diabetes self-management, and the effective strategies used to improve patients' compliance with diabetes self-management at primary care clinics. The literature review used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and …