Digital Commons Network^™

The Experiences Of Novice Elementary School Teachers In California, Lori A. Moayed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the past 10 years, obtaining and retaining qualified teachers have become increasingly difficult. Previous research has focused on the experiences of veteran teachers but has neglected to study the experiences of novice teachers. Using semistructured interviews, this qualitative study explored the experiences of eight novice teachers with a maximum of two completed years of teaching service. Through the use of flyers and participant referrals, the snowballing sampling strategy was used to recruit participants. The Colaizzi method was used to collect, interpret, and analyze the data. Five thematic results were found that were related to teacher experiences with required trainings, …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Programs To Reduce Juvenile Recidivism, Monte Powell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Multiple community prevention programs have been established to help reduce delinquency, but further research is required to address the gaps that exist by measuring the effectiveness of state-sponsored (Community that Cares) and private programs (D.A.R.E.). The purpose of this study was to examine these programs, which may provide pathways toward a successful and fulfilling livelihood for juveniles by preventing them from reoffending. The research questions were aimed at determining the reasons why deviant behavior is increasing and identifying effective methods for improving organizational aftercare program efficiency to reduce juvenile delinquency and recidivism. Environmental and demographical variables were examined that are …

Co-Taught Inclusive Classrooms And Algebra I Achievement Of Students With Disabilities, Valeree Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Co-teaching has become an increasingly important topic for students with disabilities (SWDs) to access to the general education curriculum. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the instructional effectiveness of co-teaching versus inclusive non-co-teaching classroom instruction for SWDs using Algebra I End of Course (EOC) scores and whether these effects differed by gender. Cook and Friend’s principles of co-teaching provided the framework for the study. The first research question was: is there a significant difference in EOC scores for male SWDs enrolled in Grade 9 Algebra I who receive instruction in co-taught Algebra I classes as compared to …

Creating A Pain Management Clinical Practice Guideline For Hospice Patients, Tiffany Ann Bowland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current evidence-based research shows that pain in hospice patients is a growing problem. A gap in practice was identified as the current clinical practice guideline (CPG) in a hospice center in South Carolina was outdated and not being employed. A literature review revealed that updated CPGs provide better outcomes in pain management for end-of-life care. The project answered the practice-focused question: In the context of hospice, what are current evidence-based strategies for managing pain. The Stettler model and Kolcaba’s comfort theory guided the development of the CPG. Three nurse case managers and two physicians participated in the creation of CPG. …

Attitudes Toward The Electability Of Atheist And Nontraditional Religious Candidates, Brittany Escobedo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Atheists are underrepresented in political office compared to their numbers in the general population. In the United States, anti-atheist prejudice is prevalent, likely contributing to the disparity in atheist representation. Informed by social identity theory and the sociofunctional approach to prejudice, the purpose of this study was to examine the comparative electability of atheists compared to other minority religious identities, as well as one nonminority option for a baseline reference of attitudes. Using the voter likelihood scale and three 7-point semantic differential scales, 579 participants rated their intention to vote for and their feelings of trust, disgust, and fear toward …

Analysis Of School Discipline Policies At A Title I High School In Texas, Kimberly N. Guess

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Discipline referrals and suspensions are used as a last resort to address inappropriate student behavior in schools. The problem investigated in this study was the inconsistent trend in the number of discipline referrals and suspensions during implementation of three different discipline policies (zero tolerance, progressive discipline, and restorative practice) at a local Title I high school in north Texas from 2013 to 2019. Guided by Skinner’s theory of behaviorism, the purpose of this quantitative, ex post facto study was to determine if significant differences in the total number of disciplinary referrals and suspensions existed between the 2-year implementation period of …

Black Mothers’ Birthing Center Experiences And Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices, Natashia King-Conner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The persistence of racial disparities in breastfeeding is associated with a range of interconnected factors, such as historical, cultural, social, social, and psychological. The current gap in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among Black mothers and White mothers has led to rising concerns in the United States. A basic qualitative approach was used to conceptualize the multidimensional constructs of the social–ecological model to investigate the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and community-level structures and existing policies in birthing centers that inadvertently harbor biases that impede care for Black mothers. Data were gathered through purposeful sampling and semistructured interviews with 10 Black mothers …

Nonacademic Factors Affecting Retention And Academic Success At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Charlene Denise Mallory

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractRetention rates for African American students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been low compared to rates of predominantly White institutions. The problem investigated was the retention rates of African American students enrolled at degree-granting Title IV HBCUs. The absence of research focused on African American students and retention at HBCUs leaves more to be learned about how institutions can improve retention rates for this population. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the association between nonacademic factors (enrollment status, residency status, SES, and family income) and retention rate (full-time and part-time) for African American full-time, …

Millennials' Future Employment Expectations And Challenges, Annette Hopkins Mccoy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Millennials, the most prominent among the existing generational groups, have views, ethics, and values that differ considerably from previous generational groups in the workforce. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand why millennials do not remain in traditional jobs over the long term. Generational theory and leadership theory provided the theoretical foundation in this study. The research question referred to millennials' lived work experiences regarding their expectations, management practices, and longevity. The research design was a qualitative transcendental phenomenology. This qualitative methodology gave further attention to understanding the background or perspective of millennials working in the public sector …

A Systematic Review Of Tobacco Cessation Strategies Tailored For Military Personnel, Ni Ketut Supiyati

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractA Systematic Review of Tobacco Cessation Strategies Tailored for Military Personnel by Ni Ketut Supiyati

MS, Walden University, 2000

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University August 2021

Perceptions Of Correctional Practitioners On Contraband Prevention In Maryland Adult State Prisons, Patrick Orock Agbortarh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAlthough contraband trafficking has been a focus of scholars since 2013, researchers have yet been able to establish a more reliable contraband control strategy. The present study was based on the perceptions of correctional practitioners of Maryland State Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). These perceptions were necessary in devising a strategy to prevent the flow of contraband items into Maryland’s adult state prisons. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of 10 correctional practitioners from Maryland correctional facilities, with the goal of providing insight into which efforts are most effective in preventing contraband from …

Elementary School Administrators As Instructional Leaders For Improving Student Reading, Charmain Day-Heggie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSchool administrators not only lead and manage a school, but are also required to be strong instructional leaders. In the Sunnybrook Public School District [pseudonym], elementary administrators of Title I schools were challenged to support teachers’ reading instruction for students. The purpose of this basic qualitative research study was to understand how elementary administrators in rural Title I school described the strategies they use to improve reading achievement for students. Data were collected using semistructured interviews from eight elementary school administrators; six were women, and two were men. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis using a priori, open, and axial …

The Importance Of Staff Education About Implementing Ketogenic Diet In Prediabetic Patients, Clarissa L. Dorsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes, a chronic disease that can lead to many complications, is one of the leading causes of death. Obesity tends to increase the risk of diabetes. Nutritional therapy can not only control diabetes but also prevent it in some cases by decreasing weight. The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that can prevent and control diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine the recommendations of medical providers before and after the presentation of educational content on the ketogenic diet as nutritional therapy in prediabetic and diabetic patients. The practice-focused question addressed whether educating medical staff at a …

Strategies For Mitigating Voluntary Employee Turnover In Small Businesses, Eric Regneco Gant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractVoluntary employee turnover costs businesses significant resources in training and recruitment. An employee’s voluntary turnover could cost small business owners $3,000 to $10,000 in training and recruitment costs and reduce company performance, profitability, and competitive advantage. Grounded in Vroom’s expectancy theory of motivation, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that owners of small businesses in the eastern United States use to mitigate voluntary employee turnover. Data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with five small business owners with at least three years of experience mitigating voluntary employee turnover. Data were analyzed using Yin’s five-step approach. …

Parole Officers’ Perspective On The Needs Of Indigenous Offenders On Conditional Release, Ritesh Dalip Narayan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Indigenous offenders are overrepresented in all aspects of the Canadian criminal justice system, including corrections. Indigenous offenders are overrepresented in the prison population and are least likely to be granted an early release from prison. Indigenous offenders also disproportionately breach their conditional release orders and consequently spend more time incarcerated than non-Indigenous offenders. To understand the reasons behind the breaches, need-based theoretical lenses were used to analyze data. Sixteen parole officers were interviewed using a narrative design where participants shared their accounts on supervising Indigenous offenders while highlighting the needs which they felt were not being met by their Indigenous …

Volunteer Motivation Of Individuals In Rural Pacific Northwest, Lenea Kindred Pierzchanowski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Volunteering is a selfless social action in which an individual chooses to participate through personal motivations. These actions of public service are a combination of need-based vacancies within organizations and unpaid compensation for filling those needs. The purpose of this research was to identify motivational attributes of individuals who volunteer in the identified rural area using one-on-one semi-structured interviews through the lens of the volunteer process model, in addition to the social identity, ecological, and social capital theories. The 15 participants for this study were over the age of 18, fluently spoke and read English, and had been a volunteer …

Relationship Between Media Coverage And Child Measles Vaccination Uptake, Tanika Ward

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood vaccines have been a source of heated debates between both opponents and proponents of vaccination. Childhood immunizations have proven to be effective and save lives, but antivaccine movements continue. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional quantitative study was to determine if there was a significant difference in child measles vaccine uptake based on provider facility type and census region, after adjusting for age and education of mother, for the years 2003–2012, pre-and-post 2007 media coverage deeming vaccines unsafe, and for the years 2013–2017, pre-and-post exposure to measles at Disneyland in 2014–2015 for children aged 19–35 months. The social ecological …

Exploring Postsurgical Decision Attitudes Among Young Women Electing Hysterectomy, Mary Esther Webb-Tafoya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over half a million women undergo a hysterectomy procedure for reproductive issues each year. For over a decade, researchers have explored the impact of a hysterectomy on women over age 35 with a diagnosis of malignancy. Much less is known on the impact of an elected hysterectomy over alternative treatments for younger women with benign reproductive issues. The purpose of this study was to understand women’s postsurgical attitude towards an elected hysterectomy. A qualitative phenomenological design was used with purposive sampling to interview 15 women between 18-40 years of age who had a hysterectomy for a benign reproductive issue using …

Social Media And Physical Activity Among African American College Women, Carmen Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Among African American (AA) college women, physical activity (PA) is decreasing, with less than 20% participating in moderate-intensity cardio or aerobic exercise. Physical inactivity can lead to increased morbidity and mortality from chronic conditions. There is a need for more research on AA women’s health practices to develop interventions that can lead to sustainable behavior change among this population. More than 70% of AA college women reported using some form of social media (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat) daily. Social networking sites (SNS) in particular can provide health information, advice, and an open forum for individuals with health …

Stories Of Learning And Instructional Practices In Traditional Hawaiian Hula Education, Lynn Kaleihaunani Melena

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers of traditional hula have preserved Native Hawaiian cultural knowledge despite societal changes that led to cultural suppression in Hawaii. However, little is known about how these teachers accomplished this feat. The purpose of this study was to understand how hula instruction has evolved to transmit cultural knowledge and how past methods influenced current instructor practices in sustaining a vibrant culture. Research questions explored the instructional approaches and innovations of hula teachers past and present in one traditional hula school. The conceptual framework integrated the Native Hawaiian worldview and a Western theory of participatory creativity. A qualitative study using Indigenous …

Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports To Reduce Short Term Suspensions Of African American K-5 Students, Monisha Bynum

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated was the disproportionate suspensions of African American students in Grades K to 5 in an elementary school in Virginia despite implementing positive behavioral interventions support (PBIS) intended to reduce this disparity. Exploring the implementation of PBIS is important because an increased understanding may lead to the development of additional supports and training that may reduce the short term suspensions of African American students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore why implementing PBIS was not successful in reducing short term suspensions. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory served as the conceptual framework. Two research questions focused on …

Nurse Retention Strategies In The Healthcare Industry, Luke Anthony Nicholson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurse turnover in the healthcare industry is detrimental to the quality-of-care patients receive, organizational financial health, and nurse job satisfaction. Nurse managers who lack effective nurse retention strategies might struggle to reduce voluntary turnover, which can adversely impact nurse job satisfaction and patient care quality. Guided by the unfolding model of voluntary employee turnover and job embeddedness theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore retention strategies nurse managers use to reduce the voluntary turnover of nurses. The participants were three nurse managers at three hospitals in central and southern Illinois with proven strategies to reduce …

Perceived Attributes Of Diffusion Of Innovation Theory As Predictors Of Postsecondary Faculty Adoption Of Text Expander Technology, Katherine Ruthann Mckinney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Postsecondary faculty do not provide detailed, individualized, and timely feedback to students, although faculty and students consider feedback an integral aspect of higher education. Text expander technology, or software programs that automatically convert snippets of predetermined text into longer phrases, can aid postsecondary faculty in providing digital written feedback, but little quantitative research exists regarding postsecondary faculty adoption of text expander technology. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the perceived attributes of Rogers’ diffusion of innovation theory that predict postsecondary faculty adoption of text expander technology. The research questions were related to the frequency at which postsecondary …

The Lived Experience Of La Raza’S Membership In Lowrider Car Clubs: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Ramos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lowriding is a cultural practice that has become a way of life among some Raza or individuals of Mexican descent. However, the literature lacks an understanding of these individuals and what has influenced their participation in car clubs. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experience of Raza, who are members of lowrider car clubs. The theoretical frameworks were Erikson’s identity development theory, social identity theory, and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. These guided this qualitative study to answer the following research questions: How Raza described their lived experience as members of a lowrider car club and …

Lived Experiences Of Police Officers And Their Roles During Opioid Overdose, Sean Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have conducted multiple studies regarding opioid users, opioid addicts, relatives of addicts, and health professional responses. The opioid crisis has been a focus for scholars following the first wave of prescription in 1991 (CDC, 2016). However, there is limited research that examines the lived experiences of law enforcement officers and their roles during an opioid overdose. As the opioid crisis has continued to negatively affect individuals, families, communities, cities, and countries, federal, state, and local policymakers have searched for ways to combat the opioid crisis. For many law enforcement agencies, policymakers have enacted policy that mandates patrol officers carry …

Strategies To Handle Complaints Or Incidents Of Suspected Workplace Misconduct, Vonetta Ford-Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractBusiness leaders often fail to investigate cases of workplace misconduct effectively, costing organizations millions of dollars in losses each year. Effective investigation of cases of workplace misconduct is essential to avoid costly lawsuits. Grounded in Adams’ equity theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies business leaders use to investigate complaints of workplace misconduct. The participants were three business leaders from three different organizations in Georgia, United States, with successful strategies to investigate complaints of workplace misconduct. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, organizational documents, and artifacts. Yin’s five-step process guided the data analysis. Two …

Racial Capitalism And The African American Experience Entering The Cannabis Industry, Ayoka Medlock-Nurse

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The cannabis industry in the United States is a competitive 16.9-billion-dollar industry built on private ownership, access to resources, operation for profit, and racism. However, under current cannabis policies, African American entrepreneurs are not benefiting from ownership and employment within the cannabis industry. Though some policies claim that the current medicinal and adult recreation laws will rectify racial disparities in arrest and ownership regarding cannabis sales, thus far, there are no sufficient increases to ownership, employment, or effective equity programs in place that accurately address racial disparities and the public policy barriers that keep African Americans excluded from the cannabis …

Behavioral Strategies And Predicting Impulsive Aggression In Among Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Raul Alafa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have explored the relationship between the application of written attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impulsive aggression (IA) behavioral intervention strategies with current public-school educational plans in reducing aggression and how exclusion of behavioral strategies may increase aggression and impact students’ long-term ability to control emotions. However, the social learning theory of aggression suggests that positive self-efficacy and modeling may improve effective coping. This study explored the relationship between aggression as measured by the modified overt aggression scale and the individualized education program (IEP)/504 Plan behavioral strategies’ effectiveness for ADHD aggression as measured by a repeated measured analysis of variance. Data …

Business Strategies For Small Business Success In Obtaining Federal Defense Contracts, Christina K. Firth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has one of the largest federal agency budgets for small business set-asides; yet, billions of dollars remain unawarded each fiscal year. Despite the multitude of Congressional programs for small businesses, small business leaders’ engagement with the programs and receipt of successful awards remains low. Grounded in agency theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies five small business owners operating in the southeastern U.S. use to secure and conduct DOD procurement contracts. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, business websites, and archival data. Through thematic analysis, four themes emerged: …

Effectiveness Of 7-Day And 30-Day Interval Aftercare To Reduce Psychiatric Readmissions, Aldrick Dwight Barr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The results for psychiatric readmissions and 7- and 30-day follow-up care post psychiatric discharge are mixed. Psychiatric readmissions of psychiatric patients are costly. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the association between 7- and 30-day follow-up care percentages and 30-day readmission rates for an inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF). The transtheoretical model was used to assess patient readiness for behavior change and a patient-centered guide that provides strategies for patient progression during hospital readmission and post psychiatric hospital discharge. In this study, a quantitative, correlational research design utilizing public secondary data retrieved from the Centers of Medicaid and …