Digital Commons Network^™

Creation Of An Evidence-Based Practice Guideline For A Seclusion Alternative, Patricia Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Seclusion is a behavioral management intervention used at the practicum site to manage maladaptive behaviors seen in mentally ill patients. Seclusion is not a voluntary occurrence for patients. The practice-focused question asked: Can development of an evidence-based practice (EBP) guideline help guide health care providers in the development of a multisensory room as an alternative to seclusion for people living with mental health disorders (PLWMHD)? The purpose of this DNP project was to develop the EBP guideline for a multisensory room as an alternative to seclusion for the practicum site. To aid in the development of the EBP guideline, the …

Parents Of At-Risk Students Reluctance To Using Technological Learning Platforms, Michelle J. Landley Lee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite school leaders' attempts to implement technology designed to provide resources for parent and student use at home, many parents of at-risk children are reluctant to use the learning platforms. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the meaning of human experiences as they related to parents' reluctance to using learning management systems (LMSs). Elements from Rogers's innovation diffusion theory, Davis's technology acceptance model, and Epstein's parent involvement model were combined for the study's conceptual framework. The research questions addressed the challenges parents encounter with learning platforms; parents' experiences with teachers and schools with regard to training, orientation, …

Implementation Of The Crafft Cannabis Screening Tool, Barbara Loeprich

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cannabis use among teenagers in Canada is a concern because of the long-term and irreversible effects cannabis has on the developing body and mind. Nurses can be instrumental in screening for cannabis abuse by implementing a tool to assess for substance use disorder (SUD) and triage drug users to appropriate treatment. This project focused on how to implement the CRAFFT screening tool while gaining insight of the practitioner's knowledge base about the tool and how SUD is being screened for, currently. The CRAFFT screening tool aligns with the DSM-IV's SUD diagnosis criteria, allowing for efficient identification of those at risk …

The Relationship Of Parental Involvement And Reading Achievement Of Ninth-Grade Students, Florence Ann Mayhall-Andrews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The local high school and school district have failed to achieve adequate yearly progress in reading due to the poor performance of 9th-grade and special education students on the annual state reading assessment. There may be numerous factors leading to the low scores, but researchers have suggested that students whose parents are engaged in their education have more academic success than students whose parents have minimal participation. An explanatory survey design was used in this quantitative study to identify the involvement activities of parents of 9th-grade students and determine if there was a relationship between their involvement and their child's …

An Elementary Perspective Of The Value-Added Model, Pat Mccoy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a small, rural school district in the southeastern United States, elementary school teachers were receiving positive evaluation ratings while student proficiency on state assessments was below the state average. Due to changes in federal and state laws, school personnel evaluate methods have undergone significant reform. The purpose of this study was to answer the guiding research questions of teachers and administrators perceptions toward the value-added model (VAM) of evaluation and how those perceptions affect teacher performance. Taylor's scientific management theory, which suggests examining human productivity through the lens of applied science served as the conceptual framework. Data were collected …

Effects Of Stigma On The Use Of Spirituality By Older Black Men Living With Hiv, Warren Lee Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous research on HIV stigma and the use of spirituality by people living with HIV/AIDS is scarce. Moreover, the research with older Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) is scant. The focus of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of BMSM living with HIV aged 50 and older with encounters of HIV stigma on the use of spirituality. The research questions were designed to explore the lived experiences of aging, HIV stigma, and spirituality. Conceptually, this study was framed within the minority stress theory and the HIV stigma framework. Data were collected through …

Elementary Teachers' Beliefs Of Using Guided Reading Pedagogy And Student Data, Ivonne Miranda

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In today's classrooms, many teachers meet students' reading needs by providing guided reading. However, little is known about how teachers combine student data and pedagogical content knowledge to plan guided readings lessons. This study focused on understanding how elementary teachers use guided reading pedagogical content knowledge and student data when planning a guided reading lesson. The conceptual framework was based on Fountas and Pinnell's guided reading framework, and Clay's theory of data collection with respect to literacy processing. The research questions concerned how teachers' use, guide, and reflect on guided reading pedagogical content knowledge and students data when planning a …

Evaluating 30 Day Rehospitalization After Sbar Implementation In Rounding, Michell Mulberry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transferring from an acute care setting to a sub-acute rehabilitation (SAR) setting can be challenging for both patients and providers because communication errors may occur. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2017 quality improvement (QI) initiative that was implemented to reduce 30-day rehospitalization in a SAR setting serving older patients. The project involved an evaluation of the implementation of the Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation (SBAR) tool for patient rounding to decrease the incidence of 30-day re-hospitalizations. Aristotle's linear model of communication, which emphasizes the impact of message delivery on audience response, provided the …

Barriers To Effective Curriculum Implementation, Erica Nevenglosky

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An administration of a private school located in the south reported the problem of a lack of curriculum fidelity to a new phonics program, which created a need to identify barriers preventing full curriculum implementation. Using the concerns-based adoption model (CBAM) as the conceptual framework, this qualitative case study identified concerns and barriers teachers report when implementing a new curriculum and used the. Data were collected from 10 participants (8 teachers and 2 administrators) through a questionnaire, interviews, and observations. Participants were interviewed to identify any barriers experienced with curriculum fidelity of a new phonics program. Teachers were observed to …

Relationship Between English Proficiency And Academic Achievement Of Nigerian Secondary School Students, Goldlyn Ugonna Ozowuba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian stakeholders are concerned with the continuous low scores of final-year senior secondary school students (FYSSS) in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Studies have shown that limited proficiency in English among FYSSS is the cause of low scores on the WASSCE. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to investigate the relationship between English proficiency and academic achievement among FYSSS as measured by the WASSCE. The theoretical framework for the study was Cummins's theory of second language acquisition to address the distinction between conversational language and academic language. Archival data from 225 FYSSS were collected from …

Elementary Principals' Perceptions Of Special Education Teachers' Performance Evaluation Process, Nafees H. Rasul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence suggests that current special education teacher evaluation systems may not accurately reflect these teachers' unique duties and responsibilities. In a Midwestern, urban school district, the teacher evaluation system was not adequately aligned with the performance expectations of special education teachers. Guided by Danielson's framework for teaching, this qualitative case study explored elementary school principals' perceptions of teacher evaluation approaches, perceived effectiveness of these approaches, applications of key indicators of teaching quality, and barriers preventing accurate evaluations of special education teachers' performance. An online survey comprised of closed- and open-ended questions was distributed to 445 principals in the district with …

Exploring Teachers' Perspective Of Digital Literacy Pedagogy: Implications For Future Practice, Kindra Xerez Sabado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pedagogy has not addressed the literacy shift from reading, writing, and speaking to include cognitive digital literacy skills. Teachers lack the technological pedagogical content knowledge to integrate digital literacy skills into student learning. Using a digital literacy framework with 6 essentials skills, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate teachers' (a) current understanding, knowledge and skills; (b) current integration of digital literacy skills; (c) challenges they face in integration; and (d) supports needed in shifting pedagogical practices to address change. Participants were 13 teachers from high school content areas. Data were gathered through focus groups interviews, observations, …

Comparing Job Satisfaction Between Certified And Noncertified Substitute Teachers, Katie Schkolenko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A rural, mid-sized district is experiencing great difficulty in the recruitment and retention of substitute teachers despite increased recruitment efforts. Such difficulty has resulted in numerous disruptions to the educational process. Despite their integral role in the educational process, research on substitute teachers remains absent from the literature. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the job satisfaction of substitute teachers with regard to differences between the two subgroups of certified and noncertified substitute teachers. This study was based on the two-factor theory. The research questions addressed the overall job satisfaction of substitute teachers, whether teacher job satisfaction …

Nature Of Regional Nongovernmental Organizations During The Post-Soviet Transformation In Georgia, Shota Shubladze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the post-Soviet transformation process influenced the establishment of democratic institutions in the country of Georgia. Scholars and analysts from international organizations have revealed a gap in the development of the central and regional civil society organizations in Georgia. Using Morgan's organizational metaphors framework as a guide, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the nature, culture, and structure of regional nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia. Research questions focused on the influence of the post-Soviet transformation on the development of Georgia's regional NGO sector and its perceived capacity as a democratic …

Initiating Kangaroo Care In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Karen Stadd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Kangaroo care (KC) is a cost-efficient method to increase infant-parent bonding and neonatal health outcomes worldwide. Despite evidence supporting KC in critically ill infants, nursing perceptions regarding patient safety and interrupted work flow continued to impede practice in the local high-tech neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Their current policy failed to address the 2-person transfer method recommended for safe practice. In addition, both staff and parents lacked training and education regarding the benefits and feasibility of KC. This doctoral project aimed to decrease practice barriers and promote earlier and more frequent KC by developing and integrating an evidence-based clinical pathway …

Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Data Decision-Making For Instructional Practice, Joy Simon Swain

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At an elementary school in the northeastern region of the United States elementary teachers struggled with using data to make instructional decisions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore elementary teachers' perceptions about how their teaching experiences prepared them to use data to make lesson decisions. The theoretical-conceptual frameworks of this study were Bandura's self-efficacy, a theoretical framework of data use at the building level, and organizational routines framework. The data collected from interviewing eight elementary teachers revealed their perceptions of having to use data to make lesson decisions and how these perceptions influence their teaching practices. The …

Exploring Factors Of Effective Virtual Mentoring Of Novice, Rural K-12 Teachers, Kendra Berger Turpeinen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior research on new teacher mentoring has focused on in-person mentoring to mediate rates of teacher attrition, yet few studies have explored applying digital communication technologies (DCTs) as tools for virtual mentoring of novice teachers, particularly for supporting novice rural teachers who may be at higher risk of attrition. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how the virtual mentoring of novice rural teachers through DCTs reflected Hudson's five-factor model of mentoring. The research questions focused on how novice rural teachers and their mentors described the virtual mentoring experience and how the pairs interacted during the mentoring …

The Relationship Between Parenting Styles And Conduct Disorder In Hispanic Families, Jessica Vera-Rios

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Conduct disorder (CD) is prevalent among American teens, yet limited research has been conducted on Hispanics adolescents. Based on social learning theory and parenting theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship amongst parenting styles, Hispanic cultural influences, and CD. A sample of 85 parents with adolescents receiving juvenile probation services in South Texas were surveyed to assess their parenting style, Hispanic cultural influences, and their adolescent's symptoms of CD. The Mexican Parent Questionnaire measured the independent variable: parenting styles. The Brief Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II measured the independent variable: Hispanic cultural influences. The …

College Readiness As Perceived By First-Year Community College Students Taking Remedial Courses, Kristopher Kyle Wallaert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Roughly 60% of first-year community college students attending a community college in

Idaho need to take remedial courses. Such a high percentage of first-year community

college students in remedial courses indicates that students are not being properly

prepared for collegiate studies. The purpose of this study was to understand college

readiness through the perception of first-year community college students who were

taking remedial courses. The framework for this study builds on Conley's

multidimensional model of college readiness. Data from 10 semi structured interviews

conducted with community college students taking remedial courses provided

information about the opinions and ideas about college …

The Relationship Between Differentiated Instruction And 11th-Grade Students' Academic Performance, Jeffery Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2007, the state of Georgia answered the call of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 with training that introduced differentiation instruction in the classroom. However, to date, few studies have investigated whether differentiated instruction in Georgia high school classrooms are associated with student success. The purpose of this quantitative study was to fill this gap in the literature by determining whether a significant relationship existed between levels of differentiated instruction and 11th-grade student scores on the standardized End-of-Course Tests (EOCTs) in a Georgia high school. The modern concept of differentiated instruction to improve pedagogy and erudition constituted …

Educational Manager Perceptions Towards Integrated Management Information System Implementation In Yemen, Mahfood Hussain Alkaabi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The government of Yemen has been developing government offered services designed to improve the quality of education management. Yemen's managers of education and managers of higher education in the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) have sought to improve quality of education, reduce costs, and provide timely information for decision-making processes by implementing an integrated management information system (IMIS). The problem was the lack of understanding the barriers that hinder successful IMIS implementation by the MOE and MOHE, and the role that lack of collaboration has played in prior unsuccessful attempts. The purpose of this …

Levels Of Income And Quality Of Care For Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Lorna Bowen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes impacts the lives of adults in the low-income, middle-income, and high-income brackets in the United States and globally. More research was needed on how adults 45 years and older in Marion County managed their diabetes and the care they received based on their income. This case study involved investigating how adults 45 years and older in Marion County self-managed their diabetes and the quality of care they received based on their income. The health belief model supported the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected through face-to-face and telephone interviews with 15 purposefully selected participants. Data …

Life Chaos As A Predictor Of Diet Quality In U.S. Adults, Heidi Barbara Buchert Egan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor diet quality is a source of morbidity and mortality within the United States. Previous researchers have examined psychosocial influences on diet; however, the relationship between life chaos, a psychosocial measure, and diet quality was not known. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to use the Life Chaos Scale and the Healthy Eating Index-2010 to collect data on life chaos and diet quality, consistent with the biopsychosocial model of health, from a sample of 103 U.S. adults. Regression analysis was used to construct a predictive model. According to the study results, life chaos was not a significant predictor …

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Nonprofit Volunteer Engagement And Commitment, Victoria Bohannon Buck

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit leadership attributes exert a significant effect on the nonprofit volunteer workforce to provide optimal service delivery to communities. Meeting the local community demands challenges nonprofit leadership to model inspirational behavior and attitudes that may motivate workers to transcend personal aspirations to support organizational goals more effectively. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to determine whether transformational leadership influences the level of commitment and engagement of volunteer workers in nonprofit organizations. A theoretical framework based on transformational leadership guided the research. The research questions addressed the relationships between transformational leadership and nonprofit volunteer engagement and commitment. A sample …

Factors Affecting Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African-Born Immigrants In The United States, Chidoziri Chibundu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the evidence that colorectal cancer screening is effective in reducing the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer, racial and ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer screening persist in the United States. African-born immigrants in the United States have lower colorectal cancer screening rates than native-born Americans. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional study was to examine how family income, health insurance status, language of interview, length of stay in the United States, perceived health status, level of education, and having a usual place for medical care affect colorectal cancer screening among African-born immigrants in the United States. The …

College Instructors' Perceptions On Coteaching, Theresa Da Costa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Coteaching is a teaching strategy that requires 2-teachers to collaborate in developing a course syllabus, selecting materials, and assessing students' work. The research problem, addressed in this study, was an appeal to educate the diverse adult population whose needs could not be addressed through traditional instructions at Rex College. Because of a high number of enrolled adult students, coteaching at Rex College was used to improve student success for academically underprepared students in a Set for Success program. The purpose of this study was to examine the coteaching strategies used at Rex College so that teaching guides and/or professional training …

Experiences Of Current Or Former Homeschool Students Who Report Adhd Symptoms, Melissa Felkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homeschooling is currently the fastest-growing educational population in the United States with an estimated 2 million students. Because 11% of school children have been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there are likely to be many children with ADHD symptoms in the homeschooling population. The purpose of this study was to extend knowledge of the experiences of homeschooling in this population to assist students with ADHD as well as their parents and educators to make informed educational decisions. The multiple intelligences theory provided the theoretical framework for this phenomenological study. The key research question was focused on how current or …

Public Health Strategies For Strengthening Prehospital Injury Responses In St. Lucia, Delwin Oliver Ferguson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic injuries have steadily increased during the last two decades, affecting over 5.8 million persons annually and have become a global public health issue. Since 2008, 80% of all deaths from noncommunicable diseases and trauma, approximately 29 million occurred in developing countries. Sixteen thousand young adults worldwide have died due to traumatic injuries. Additionally, injuries account for over 15% of the global burden of diseases, with approximately 90% of these injuries occurring in developing countries like St. Lucia. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine policy gaps in prehospital traumatic injury responses and explore implementing Essential Public …

Hand Expression With Lactation Support: Effect On Self-Efficacy And Breastfeeding Duration, Florence Omekara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding method, and breastmilk has many immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect babies against illnesses and diseases. It protects the health of the mother and saves society substantial economic costs, as demonstrated in many studies. Studies show that if 90% of U.S mothers breastfed for 6 months, up to $13 billion in healthcare costs could be saved. Despite the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding, most women stop breastfeeding before 6 months postpartum, which falls short of the recommendations of the World Health Organization, U.S. Surgeon General, and American Academy of Pediatrics. This study explored …

Comparative Analysis Of The Usaf F-16 And Raaf F-18 Training Programs, James D. Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As experienced fighter pilots leave the United States Air Force (USAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), there is a need to develop new competent pilots to meet national defense requirements. Fighter training programs are expensive for taxpayers, and the USAF and RAAF face significant resource problems developing and implementing these programs. Using policy feedback theory and punctuated equilibrium theory as the theoretical foundation, the purpose of this comparative, multi-case study of current USAF F-16 and RAAF F-18 fighter pilot training policies was to inform training policy development and efficacy of future USAF and RAAF fighter pilot training programs. Data …