Digital Commons Network^™

Middle School Teachers' Technology Integration, Andrea Noonan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although school districts have invested heavily in technology for teachers and students, the problem of inconsistent technology integration permeated a local school district. In order to create a 21st century learning environment for students, teachers must integrate technology with curriculum and evidence-based teaching practices. The purpose of this case study was to investigate current middle school teachers' technology integration in a suburban school district in North Dakota, Midwest Public Schools (pseudonym). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) was used as a conceptual framework to guide the study. This study focused on exploration of current teacher practice in regard to technology integration …

Perspectives Of Primary Care Physicians On Adopting Electronic Medical Records In The Atlanta, Georgia Area, Chris U. Okoro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Slow adoption of electronic medical records (EMR) by primary care physicians in medical office practices has not facilitated the EMR adoption process. The problem is the slow pace of EMR adoption by primary care physicians in the Atlanta, Georgia area has become a public health concern. Research regarding the lived experiences of these physicians with EMR implementation and utilization may identify reasons for the slow adoption. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of primary care physicians, who practice in the Atlanta area, regarding their perception, successes, barriers, and urgency of adoption of EMR in …

Understanding The Perceptions And Decision-Making Behaviors Of First Responders In The Context Of Traumatic Events And Ptsd, Sunday O. Olatunji

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous researchers have indicated that first responders are in an ever-changing environment, and unfortunately, the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among first responders is increasing. This study sought to better understand first responders' perceptions of emergency preparedness protocols and training, as well as the prevalence of PTSD. This study also examined first responders' thoughts, decision making processes, and protective actions information, communications necessary during situations of emergency preparedness for traumatic events, and how PTSD impacted this process. A sample of 16 first responders of various ages was recruited for the purpose of this study. The participants were made up …

Cultural Backgrounds And Leadership Styles In The Virtual Work Environment, June Reid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The introduction of the virtual work environment has resulted in the creation of a new work structure where interaction between employees and leaders occurs through technological innovations such as teleconferencing, emails, and text messages. The absence of physical workspace has also created a diverse work environment with people from various cultural backgrounds working together as virtual teams. Existing studies have been conducted on leadership styles and culture in the traditional work environment, but few empirical studies have been conducted on leadership styles and culture in the virtual work environment. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental survey study was to identify …

A Grounded Theory Of Millennials Job-Hopping, Deborah L. Rivers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Corporations are finding it challenging to attract and retain the top talented Millennials. Their frequent job-hopping is costing the U.S. economy $30.5 billion annually despite corporations' best efforts to retain them. The central research question concerns the decision-making process that Millennials use to decide whether to job-hop or stay with an organization. The purpose of this qualitative study was to develop a theory that explains the Millennials' process for deciding whether to job-hop or stay with an organization. The conceptual framework for this grounded theory research is generational theory, Herzberg's hygiene and motivational factors, and psychological contract theory. The data …

A Causal Layered Analysis Of Assistive Technology For The Cognitively Impaired Elderly, Dariusz J. Ropiak

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Assistive technology may delay cognitively impaired elders' need for long-term institutionalization, and the promote independence. Its use is on the rise, yet the gap between the needs of the cognitive impaired elderly and what developers of the assistive technologies design, manufacture, and implement, remains to be filled. Using Inayatullah's 6-pillar approach, as the guide to the future of assistive technology, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how assistive technologies may fulfill the daily functional needs of the cognitively impaired elderly with Alzheimer's or other dementia by 2037. Data were collected from a focus group of 10 seniors …

Financial Advisors' Marketing Strategies To Minorities, Jonica Rowland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Independent financial advisors face challenges with successful marketing strategies as competition from web-based resources, large U.S. financial services, and wealth advisors' corporations increase. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to understand financial advisors' perceptions, experiences, and marketing strategies to improve their companies' sustainability by targeting a broader population base, including minorities, who need assistance with retirement planning strategies. Consumer culture theory was the conceptual framework for this study. Purposeful sampling was the basis for selecting 7 financial advisors from the mid-Atlantic region of the United States for face-to-face interviews. Semistructured interviews with open-ended questions were used to identify …

Effective Strategies For Managing The Outsourcing Of Information Technology, Marsha N. Hopwood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

More than half of information technology (IT) outsourced projects fail, primarily due to a lack of effective management practices surrounding the outsourcing end-to-end process. Ineffective management of the IT outsourcing (ITO) process affects organizations in the form of higher than expected project costs, including greater vendor switching or reintegration costs, poor quality, and loss of profits. These effects indicate that some business leaders lack the strategies to effectively manage the ITO process. The purpose of this single-case study was to apply the transaction cost economics (TCE) theory to explore strategies 5 business professionals use to manage an ITO project in …

Nursing Pain Management In An Emergency Room With Hallway Overflow, Zaida Ruiz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Overcrowded emergency rooms (ERs) decrease the flow of nursing care creating a delay in nurse-administered pain management leaving patients in pain. The project-focused question asked if ER nurses felt that overcrowding in the ER led to inadequate pain management and if a clinical practice guideline (CPG) could be developed to promote effective pain management in the setting. Callista Roy's theory of human adaptation was used to guide the project. To prepare for CPG development, data from a simple random selection of 10 nurses who had worked in the ER for a minimum of 6 months was obtained from the practice …

Development Of A Clinical Nurse Leadership Orientation Program, Sunita Waddell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurses are often promoted or hired into leadership positions without the benefit of a formal orientation to their new leadership positions. The challenge of navigating the various expectations of the role of clinical nurse leader (CNL) such as fiscal ownership, staffing patterns, payroll, and disciplinary action process can be overwhelming. The lack of a formalized orientation process and an identified nurse leader to function as a mentor can contribute to the novice CNL feeling unsupported and overwhelmed. The purpose of this project was to identify, develop, and evaluate a CNL orientation manual, outline, and program for newly appointed CNLs. The …

Nurses' Perception Of Their Role In Patient Safety, Janeane Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite efforts to ensure patient safety in the United States, patients are being harmed by preventable errors. There is a gap in the literature from the nurse's perspective as to why medical errors continue to occur despite having evidence-based safety strategies available. The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to develop a theory explaining nurses' perception of their role in patient safety and why medical errors are still occurring despite implementation of evidence-based safety strategies. The systems engineering initiative for patient safety (SEIPS) model provided the conceptual framework for the study. Data collection included interviews with 11 nurses …

Improving Chronic Constipation Health Literacy Proficiency: Animation Versus Traditional Written Pamphlets, Jason Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. health care system is evolving from medical centric to patient centered, augmenting the importance for patients to comprehend and process medical information. The Department of Education indicated that 77 million Americans have a basic or below basic health literacy proficiency and 12% register as health literacy proficient. Animation is a time-tested device for improving health by enhancing comprehension. Chronic constipation (CC) complexity entails physiological, anatomical, and environmental mechanisms. Using the cognitive theory of multimedia learning and dual-channel auditory and visual processing, the primary research question addressed whether an animated educational video improved health literacy for CC more than …

Student Perceptions Of E-Assessment Tools For Sign Language Interpretation, Marc Boese

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

American Sign Language (ASL) has grown to be the 3rd largest enrolled secondary language course in the United States, and colleges and universities seek to identify effective assessment methods for this visual-based language. Although much research exists on sign language e-learning programs, asynchronous video feedback, and sign recognition software, very few studies have been conducted on using technology to as a method of assessment for sign language courses. The purpose of this hermeneutical, phenomenological, qualitative study was to document the lived experiences of students using the electronic assessment tool, GoReact, in courses. The conceptual framework was guided by engagement theory …

Public Awareness Of Human Trafficking, Chelsea Annette Farrell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public awareness is crucial in the fight against human trafficking, but little academic research looks at the public policy implications of different types of messaging the public may be using in recognizing human trafficking. Using policy feedback theory as the theoretical lens, the purpose of this quantitative study was to compare mean awareness scores for both film and social media to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between the scores and their degree of public awareness. Data were collected through an online survey, which included questions related to both film and social media, using a participant pool service. …

The Predictability Of Facebook Memorial Page Participation On Grief, Colleen Grote

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As the world's largest social networking site, Facebook, continues to grow in popularity, it is imperative for counselors and counselor educators to better understand how online environments impact all facets of life, including death. Grief behaviors on Facebook have been a focus of scholars since the launch of the social networking site in 2004. Researchers have demonstrated that Facebook memorial pages have a significant impact on the social and cultural practices related to death and memorialization for Facebook users. However, despite a rapid rise in research related to online mourning, researchers have yet been able to establish the potential risk …

Elementary English For Speakers Of Other Language Teachers' Perceptions Of The Push-In Program To Support Mathematics Skills, Joye Henry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University

College of Education

This is to certify that the doctoral study by

Joye Elfreda Henry

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,

and that any and all revisions required by

the review committee have been made.

Review Committee

Dr. Gloria Jacobs, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty

Dr. Jerita Whaley, Committee Member, Education Faculty

Dr. Mark Earley, University Reviewer, Education Faculty

Chief Academic Officer

Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University

2018

African American Males' College Readiness Through The Public School System, Howard Lee Hope

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem in a Northeastern district is that African American (AA) males need enhanced support in the high school to improve college readiness thereby strengthening access and the opportunity for college success. The purpose of this study was to gather educators' and adult AA males' perspectives of the influence of connectedness, perception, and self-valuation. Using McClelland's need achievement theory as the conceptual framework, the study focused on educators' perspectives of college readiness and AA males' perceptions of goal-valuation, academic self-perceptions, motivation, and attitudes related to teachers and college readiness. This qualitative case study included interviews with 6 administrators and 1 …

Reading Achievement Of Middle School Boys In Single-Gender And Coeducational School, Jean Hunter-Batty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in the study was the lack of evidence on the efficacy of the single-gender educational model as compared to the coeducational model in increasing reading achievement for middle school boys in the local school district. Leaders in the district implemented the single-gender model to address the problem of an ongoing reading achievement gap among middle school boys and girls. The gap has also been noted nationally and leads to limited reading-dependent opportunities for boys. The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare the two educational models to determine whether the single-gender model offered advantages over the …

Teacher Perspective On Differentiation For Gifted Students In The General Education Classroom, Karen Arnold Kilgore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Gifted middle school students may not always be provided with a differentiated curriculum that ensures their academic progression in inclusive educational settings. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine teachers' perspectives on differentiation for gifted students in the general education classroom. The conceptual framework for the study was anchored by the theories of Gardner, who recognized that students learn in different ways, and Vygotsky, who determined that students learn best at their level of learning or zone of proximal development. The research questions focused on teachers' perspectives about teaching the gifted students in the general classroom environment …

Teacher Perceptions Of Instruction As An Expeditionary Learning Core Practice, Jamie M. Kociuba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In an urban, low-achieving district in the northeastern United States, a small school has adopted the Expeditionary Learning (EL) philosophy and pedagogical approaches to instruction. Between the academic years of 2012-2016 state-assessed student achievement scores were less than proficient and implementation reviews revealed that the school made little to no improvement in the core practice category of instruction over 4 years of EL implementation. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to answer guiding questions by examining 12 teachers' perceptions regarding EL instruction as a core practice and element of the annual implementation review, and the impact of EL …

Demographic Differences, Self-Esteem And Sexual Assertiveness Among Black Women, Sharon Lewis-Keith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a high HIV prevalence rate for Black women in Virginia; however, few scholars have examined how sexual assertiveness and self-esteem against HIV vary within this group. Black women who have low levels of self-esteem may increase their risk for HIV. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to determine if four aspects of sexual assertiveness (sexual initiation, sexual refusal, HIV/AIDS/STD communication, and contraception/STD prevention) differed across demographic categories and were associated with self-esteem in a diversified group of Black women living in Virginia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a community-based sample of 117 adult Black women. …

Strategies And Assessments To Support Special Education Students' Writing The Literacy Test, Angelo Caesar Maniccia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many special education (SPED) students are failing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) despite writing instruction provided by SPED teachers. The purpose of this study was to understand teachers' perceptions about why students were failing the literacy/writing test and document whether evidence-based assessment and writing practices were implemented. Cognitive-behavioral theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions in this study focused on SPED teachers perceptions regarding students not passing the OSSLT, observations of whether assessment and instruction for writing aligned with best practices, and collecting baseline curriculum-based measurement (CBM) data of SPED students' current writing …

Workplace Violence Among Nurses And Nursing Assistants In Texas, Tamala Norris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace violence (WPV) is ranked as one of the leading causes of occupational injury in the United States and is common in health settings. Nurses have the highest rate of violent victimization reported in the U.S., thus presenting a significant issue for healthcare leaders. Various researchers focus on prevalence rates of WPV among nurses discussing types of violence, location, and the setting where the WPV occurred. Less information exists regarding time taken off work and factors associated with WPV among nurses versus nursing assistants (NAs). This information is important due to the impact on safe work environments for nursing employees. …

Parental Influence On Hiv Vertical Transmission In Kenya, Hussein Abdi Nunow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mother-to-infant vertical transmission of HIV usually occurs during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding. It is the third leading cause of transmission of HIV after sexual intercourse and blood transfusions. In 2008, 12 million women aged 15 years and above were anticipated to be living with HIV in countries within Sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the association between parental HIV knowledge, attitudes and risk reduction practices, and HIV vertical transmission in Kenya were explored. The health belief model was used to help understand and interpret the findings. For this quantitative study, data were collected via surveys from 212 participants in 3 …

Program Evaluation Of A Laptop Initiative For Student Learning, Thomas O'Hara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Administrators of a New Jersey school district implemented a 1:1 laptop initiative in Grades 6-8 in 2013 to bolster student achievement. An evaluation had not been conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of the initiative. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the 1:1 laptop initiative on student achievement. The conceptual framework for this study was Stufflebeam's context, input, process, and product evaluation model. The focus of the research question was the differences in New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge math scores between students involved in the 1:1 laptop initiative for 1 year and students who …

Therapists' Comfort Level In Providing Psychotherapy In Home-Based Therapy Settings, Jacqueline A. Ramirez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Home-based psychotherapy has expanded in the mental health community; however, little was known about the therapists' comfort level in a home-based venue. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess therapists' comfort level (TCL) in providing psychotherapy in a home-based setting and how therapeutic competency (TC), therapeutic relationship (TR), and advanced therapeutic training (ATT) related to the comfort level. The social-ecological systems theory and the theory of comfort served as the theoretical frameworks. The present study used the Therapist Comfort Scale, Counseling Competencies Scale-Revised, the Scale to Assess Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health Care-Clinician, and a demographic questionnaire. …

Teachers' Perceptions And Attitudes Towards Inclusive Education In Sierra Leone, Christian Sesay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Salamanca Accord advocating the implementation of inclusive education for learners with special needs was signed in 1994, as well as the Convention of the Right of Person's with Disabilities in 2006. Yet, Sierra Leone faces challenges to implement fully inclusive education in schools. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to examine teachers' attitudes towards inclusion in mainstream classrooms. The conceptual framework for this study was premised on Azden's theory of planned-behavior, which maintains that attitude and behaviors are products of experiences acquired. Using a Spearman rho correlations and descriptive statistics to analyze the data, gender, age, educational background, …

Intervention Specialists' Perceptions Of A Tutoring Program For High School Students With Disabilities, Jerlisa M. Calhoun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students with disabilities (SWD) at an urban high school in Midwestern United States experienced academic, social, and emotional problems. When SWD experience difficulties in high school, they may drop out and face potentially life-long problems. The purpose of this case study was to understand how a Response to Intervention (RTI) tutoring program addressed the academic, social, and emotional needs of students using the RTI model as a conceptual framework. The research questions addressed intervention specialists' perceptions of how use of the RTI model helped them meet SWD needs and what tutoring documents revealed about tutoring practices. Data sources consisted of …

Eighth-Grade Students With Low Academic Performance In Middle School Science, Tennille Heath Fowler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem of low achievement and failure of 8th-grade students to attain state proficiency level in science in a local school district was addressed in this case study. Data from 2012-2016 revealed that 93% of 8th-grade students in 2 suburban middle schools in the targeted state failed to meet science proficiency standards on the science Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests and the state's Milestone Assessments. The purpose of conducting this qualitative case study was to develop an understanding of teachers' perceptions regarding high failure rate of 8th-grade students to meet state mandated standards in science. Piaget's constructs of developmental and operational learning …

Strategies Small Construction Business Managers Use To Reduce Safety Incidents In Their Organization, Peggy Ann Mcknight

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Globally the construction industry struggles to prevent injurious and fatal safety incidents. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies used by construction business managers that had significantly reduced the occurance of safety incidents in a Northwest Ohio construction company. Data were collected from organizational records and interviews with 6 construction managers. The conceptual framework for this research was the concept of safety management systems. Data were compiled and organized, disassembled into fragments, grouped, and then interpreted for meaning. Methodological triangulation and member checking were used to enhance reliability and validity. Four themes emerged from the data: …