Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Relationship Between Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Student Engagement At Central Mountain College, Brandi R. K. Atnip

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study compared the perceptions of students versus faculty at Central Mountain College with regard to the issue of student engagement. Central Mountain College participated in the Community College Survey of Student Engagement and the Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement during the spring semesters of 2009, 2011, and 2013. The institution was provided with aggregate results from these survey administrations by the Center for Community College Student Engagement. Prior to this study, the survey results had not been accumulatively evaluated by the institution.

The study aimed to determine areas where there was congruence and incongruence between the students …

Investigating Roles Of Information Security Strategy, Roger V. Seeholzer

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

A fundamental understanding of the complexities comprising an information security strategy (ISS) in an organization is lacking. Most ISS implementations in government organizations equate anti-virus or installing a firewall to that of an ISS. While use of hardware and software forms a good defense; neither comprises the essence of an ISS. The ISS best integrates with business and information system strategies from the start, forming and shaping the direction of overall strategy synergistically within large government organizations. The researcher used grounded theory and investigated what a large government organization’s choices were with the differing roles an information security professional (ISP) …

Weaving Quality Improvement And Patient Safety Skills Into All Levels Of Medical Training: An Annotated Bibliography., Eugene Mochan, Phd, Do, David B. Nash, Md, Mba

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

With the launching of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education’s new accreditation Standard ED-19-A in July 2013, a new era in quality improvement/patient safety (QI/PS) has begun. Core curriculum of medical schools must now include multidisciplinary teamwork; that is, inclusion of practitioners and/or students from other health professions. This Standard ED-19-A is harmonious with the earlier Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s (ACGME) Competency IV.A.5.c., which calls for QI to be integrated into residents’ training curricula. Residents need to be able to determine their strengths and deficiencies. ACGME requires residents to systematically analyze practice using QI methods; to incorporate formative …

Student Organization Success: Developing A Business Plan For The University Of Arkansas American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapter, Candace Brooke Gooding

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper explores best practices and original research to develop suggestions for the University of Arkansas American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapter in order to face an upcoming change in officer structure. Previously relying on a class structure for officers, University of Arkansas AMA is transitioning to leadership completely outside the classroom. College students involved in various organizations across the country were surveyed in order to find commonalities between organizations and perceptions of organizations. Similarities, combined with previous literature, were used as a basis for developing recommendations.

A Phenomenological Study Of National Distinguished Elementary And Middle School Principals From The Class Of 2010, Michael John Dawson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the leadership experiences and perspectives of five National Distinguished Elementary Principals (NDPs) from the Class of 2010 serving in the Midwest region of the United States. Specifically, the study investigated the application and selection process of recognition as an NDP, their views of school leadership, and their perception of best professional practices. Using a phenomenological approach, the researcher used semistructured phone interviews and analyzed National Distinguished Principal application essays. The required essays focused on balancing leadership and management, promoting parent involvement, supporting and challenging learners, and advancing a positive culture. The …

A Case Study To Determine Characteristics For A Successful, Diverse School District, Tanya J. Vest

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In a rapidly changing society, education must make adjustments and keep learning focused on the needs of students by providing increased opportunities for success. Classrooms are filled with students of different cultural backgrounds which makes education a challenge to every building leader and teacher. The challenges are how to design instruction and implement it to meet the academic and Social needs of all learners. Understanding different lifestyles, languages, word context, body language, traditions, and dress present opportunities for educators to expand their cultural knowledge and create learning objectives for students which ultimately affect student achievement in the educational environment.

The …

Examining The Relationship Between Trait Goal Orientation And Behavior In Team Debriefing Sessions, Amanda Woods

HIM 1990-2015

The present study explored the impact of the individual difference, goal orientation, on the team intervention, debriefing, thus contributing insight into a previously unexplored component behind debriefing effectiveness. Three sub-dimensions of goal orientation were examined in terms of their influence on debriefing: learning goal orientation, performance-prove goal orientation and performance-avoid goal orientation. The outcomes investigated included elements of a successful debrief: self-correction, self-promotion and speaking up behavior. A sample (N=69) of undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida individually completed a goal orientation self-report measure and participated in a team debriefing session within their three-person teams. The audio-recorded debriefing …

Assessment Of The United States National Security Space Management And Organization, Charles G. Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes the results of the Report of the Commission to Assess the United States National Security Space Management and Organization, dated January 11, 2001 in order to determine which recommendations were beneficial, which recommendations are still in effect and what additional measures should be undertaken to continue, and even advance, our standing as a premier space power. It analyzes the potential managerial and organizational shortcomings of National Security Space within the United States Government, specifically the Department of Defense. Additionally, this paper reviews the various management and organizational force restructuring which occurred as a result of the commission’s …

Reviving The Declaratory Judgment: A New Path To Structural Reform, Emily Chiang

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Increasing Comfort With End-Of-Life Discussions, Theresa Catherine Berton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

End-of-life discussions and advanced care planning are part of the healthcare process, and within the scope of practice for providers. Despite the evidence supporting the effectiveness of these conversations, the system falls short. Talking about death is never easy. At times, it is difficult for healthcare providers to approach the topic with patients who are living with serious life-limiting illness. Reports in the end-of-life literature reveal that healthcare professionals avoid discussions about preparations for end-of-life care due to feeling unprepared, and a lack of framework for such discussions. Purpose: The purpose of this doctoral project was to improve the quality …

Playful Aggression And The Situational Contexts That Affect Perceptions, Jennifer Hart

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Play is considered a fundamental tool for early childhood education practices as it provides numerous developmental benefits for young children. However, not all play is viewed by children, parents, and early childhood educators the same, especially playful aggression. For example, rough-and-tumble play, risky play, superhero play, “bad guy” play, active pretend play, play fighting, big body play, war play, gun play, and physically active and imaginative play are types of playful aggression that benefits young children’s development; but are often viewed negatively by the adults who observe it. The contextual factors that influence the development of these conflicting perceptions—the motivation …

Structural Empowerment: A Qualitative Inquiry Into The Work Life Of The Oncology Nurse, Altagracia Mota

Education Doctoral

Through the lens of Kanter’s theory of structural empowerment, this study sought to explore oncology nurses’ perceptions of structural empowerment and their insights on how existing structures provide support, opportunities, information, and resources needed to get their work accomplished and impact the delivery of safe quality care. The research sought to examine the extent to which oncology nurses believe they are working within this prescribed environment. Through qualitative research methods, this study used in-depth interviews to explore seven oncology nurses’ perceptions of structural empowerment. The research questions were: (a) What are oncology nurses’ perceptions of structural empowerment? and (b) How …

The Impact Of Employee Engagement And A Positive Organizational Culture On An Individual’S Ability To Adapt To Organization Change, Jane D. Parent, Kathi J. Lovelace

Management Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to explore the connections between employee engagement, positive organizational psychology and an individual’s ability to adapt to ongoing organizational change. We review the literature on individual adaptability, positive organizational psychology, and employee engagement and propose a model that suggests that a positive work culture enhances employee engagement and in specific cases leads to increased adaptability. Suggestions for future research are provided with the intent to further the academic research in this area.

Fostering Creativity In Higher Education Institutions: A Consulting Model, Mario A. Manzi

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This project presents a consulting model to approach higher education institutions for the design, development, and implementation curricula, programs and academic resources about teaching creativity, teaching creatively and creative learning. This project also presents a portfolio of products and services for the consulting model. In spite of the valuable theoretical developments on how to improve education through creativity, there is still a lack of implantation of those theories. There is an opportunity is to bring creativity knowledge and training to higher education institutions through creative educational approaches. This project aims to implement educational and creativity theories into educational environments.

Telephone Usage At Mercy Hospital's Primary Care Practices, Julia C. Nason

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This capstone focuses on Mercy’s primary care practices, reviews how their phone process currently works, reasons for patients calling, and then researching best practices for the telephones.

Faculty Parental Status: An Investigation Of Network Homophily, Marginalization, And Supportive Work–Family Academic Culture, Megumi Watanabe

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Serious incompatibility between work and family life among faculty is well known, and various work-family policies have become available to faculty. Due to the traditional academic work culture (e.g., the ideal worker norms and the individualism norms), however, these policies tend to be underused. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an academic work culture that is more supportive of faculty’s work-family needs. Using data collected on tenure-line faculty at a research-intensive Midwestern university, this dissertation pursues three complementary research objectives that provide new insight into the culture of academic work environments. First, based on social identity theory and homophily theory, …

Mothers Who Choose Traditional Public Education In Times Of Economic Stress, Criticism, And District Reform, Brian W. Davis

Dissertations

As districts attempt to achieve higher accountability for student results while making complex decisions to balance budgets, it has become increasingly more common to restructure or reorganize educational delivery systems in ways that affect children and their families. Understanding how families and, in particular, mothers translate their experiences with structural and other changes enacted by the schools serving their children can assist in defining a new strategic direction of renewal, growth, and revitalization.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of 18 mothers, and their children, who were participants in multiple school reform initiatives in an …

Church Turnaround : A Study Of Formerly Declining Churches That Are Growing, J. Bradley Martin

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Describing And Understanding Factors Related To Implementing Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs By Physical Educators, Catherine Price Berei

Dissertations

Recent recognition related to the importance of physical activity participation in living a healthy lifestyle (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2010b; Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, 2008), as well as the rise in obesity rates (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2012), and physical inactivity (Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness and Council on School Health, 2006) has led to increased attention to the physical activity levels of children. In response, the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) model (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance [AAHPERD], 2011b; CDC, 2013) and a “whole-of-school” approach (Institute of Medicine, …

Challenges In Transitioning From Waterfall To Scrum, Rini Iyju

Master's Theses

In today's fast-paced, fiercely competitive world; speed and flexibility are essential. Companies are increasingly realizing that the sequential approach to developing new product simply will not get the job done.

The goal of this thesis is to investigate critical issues and challenges that occur during the transition from a traditional software development methodology such as Waterfall to Scrum. During the last decade, Scrum has gained a vast success in software development due to its lightweight character and efficient way of handling the challenges of increased market speed, change and product complexity.

This thesis is based on a sequential exploratory mixed …

Investigating The Pathogenecity Of Chl1 Leu17phe Polymorphism In Schizophrenia, Brooke Nichole Hansen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Schizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder that affects a surprising 1% of the world's population. Despite this prevalence, little is known about the molecular aspects of this disorder making it both difficult to diagnose and treat. Several studies have identified the CHL1 gene (Close Homolog of L1), sometimes referred to as CALL, as a risk gene for schizophrenia. CHL1, a neural cell adhesion molecule, has major roles in cell migration, and the development of dendritic and axonal projections. Therefore any deficiency in CHL1 may result in brain defects similar to those identified in schizophrenic populations. Moreover, in genetically engineered mice, …

Planting, Transitioning, And Growing Multiethnic Churches, Gloria Young-Eun Kim Fowler

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Of Professional Coach-Client Communication., Scott Shank

Honors Theses

Organizations increasingly embrace coaching as a core process to improve employee learning, increase overall performance, and develop leaders. Extant research on coaching is increasing, yet communication-based theories are underrepresented in the literature despite the fact that coaching is fundamentally discursive in nature. Further, although the coaching literature suggests that coaching conversations contribute to client identity growth and potential transformation, studies that specifically explore such activities are underrepresented in existing scholarship. Further, there lacks sufficient research examining how coaching contributes to the ongoing identity development of the coaches themselves. To fill this gap, this qualitative study explored the role coaching plays …

Creating And Integrating A New Patient Experience Leadership Role: A Consultative Approach For Partnering With Executive And Clinical Leaders, Denise M. Kennedy

Patient Experience Journal

Many healthcare organizations are creating new leadership roles to add subject matter expertise and structure to their patient experience improvement efforts. The patient experience field is emerging, however, so there are many questions about this role’s function and how best to structure it in the organization for maximal effectiveness.

This article explores the benefits of a consultative approach for improving the patient experience. Previous research on management consulting and the integration of new roles in established organizations is briefly reviewed. Mayo Clinic Arizona’s (MCA) comprehensive, "7-prong" service model is revisited. Developed and implemented in 2008, the model is predicated on …

Patient Partnership In Quality Improvement Of Healthcare Services: Patients’ Inputs And Challenges Faced, Marie-Pascale Pomey, Hassiba Hihat, May Khalifa, Paule Lebel, André Néron, Vincent Dumez

Patient Experience Journal

This research focuses on the perception of patients who participated in Continuous Quality Improvement Committees (CIC) regarding their contribution, lessons learned, and challenges encountered. The committees are engaged in a care partnership approach where patients are recognized for their experiential knowledge and treated as full members of the clinical team. Based on patient interviews, we conclude that they bring a structured and thoughtful vision of their experience. They identify themselves as real partners in the care process and are grateful for the opportunity to improve the care provided to other patients by using their own experience and by bringing changes …

Preparing For Change: An Examination Of An Urban School's Extra-Curricular Activities And Professional Learning Communities In Creating A Culture Ready For Change, Linda Brown-Bartlett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study is to examine the use of extra-curricular activities and professional learning communities to create a school culture ready for academic change. This unique approach to implementing change, in a historically failing urban middle school, utilizes a two pronged approach focusing on personalizing strategies specific to the school based on student and staff expressed needs. The study takes place at Sonia Middle School located in the United States' fifth most dangerous and impoverished city, Bartlett, New Jersey. Numerous academic reform models have failed to improve teaching and learning. The researcher hypothesizes these programs failed …

The Sword In The Stone: The Arts As Harbingers Of Social Change, Raymond L. Forbes

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Artists have been often been criticized by their scientific brethren for a lack of perceived current utility in their work. One potentially useful response to the issue of present value is through the use of historical analysis of art as a means for anticipating major social transformations. The thesis of this article is that Art, besides being representative of the Zeitgeist or spirit of its time, may well be an effective progenitor of coming significant social upheavals. The paper employs as a methodology comparison of historical waves of social change with pre-period artistic expression. Additionally, the legend of King Arthur’s …

The Effects Of 12 Weeks Of Instructor-Led Yoga Classes On Balance In Older Adults, Patricia C. Hart

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Participation in a regular exercise program is an effective way to reduce and/or prevent a number of functional declines associated with aging (Chodzko-Zajo et al., 2009). Older adults are advised to participate in regular aerobic activity and practice muscle strengthening activities and exercise that maintains or improves balance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, [USDHHS], 2012). Less than one third of older adults engage in 30 minutes of low to moderate intense physical activity at least five days a week as recommended in current guidelines (USDHHS, 2012), and these guidelines fail to address losses in strength and flexibility seen …

Affect Variability At Work: Examining Pulse And Spin In A Stressor-Strain Framework, Jenna Shapiro

Doctoral Dissertations

Research on emotions has been influenced by societal changes and developments, and scholars have recognized that the integration of both cognition and affect in predicting employees’ attitudes and behaviors is a vital next step in organizational research efforts. Despite the growing interest in the dynamic nature of affectivity at work, most studies have examined either cross-sectional or mean levels of affective states, overlooking the variability from a multidimensional perspective. This dissertation examines a novel approach to conceptualizing and measuring affect variability. In particular, how affect pulse (i.e., the variability of affect intensity) and affect spin (i.e., the variability of qualitatively …

The Five Hundred And Twenty‑Third Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee: Organizational Change – Formation Of The Academic Health Collaborative., University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.