Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions Of Higher Education Online Students And Faculty Regarding Attrition In Online Courses, Maria A. Cato Parnell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At a large, public, 4-year college in the United States, the attrition rate for students taking online classes is 10% greater than for those taking face-to-face classes. Although the college ranks among the top in graduation rates both statewide and nationally, the research problem was the gap in attrition rates between online and face-to-face students. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore online faculty and online student perspectives regarding why students drop out of online courses at one state college and what recommendations they have for improving retention in online courses. Tinto’s model of institutional departure served …

Ethical Leadership Effects On Medical Laboratory Personnel Accountability Behaviors, Claude-Marthe Daverdine Cherizard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ethical scandals have continued to generate disturbances in the corporate world and have encouraged ethics studies in organizations. Research has shown there is a relationship between ethical leadership and employee accountability in a variety of organizational settings, including healthcare. However, in medical laboratories that relationship has not been explored. A quantitative study was conducted to examine if medical laboratory employee perceptions of manager ethical leadership was associated with their own accountability behavior. A total of 69 participants responded online to three instruments to measure the study variables: ethical leadership was assessed by the Ethical Leadership at Work Questionnaire, employee accountability …

Esl Teachers’ Perceptions Of Intercultural Sensitivity Training In K-12 U.S. Classrooms, Cherise Rosemarie Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent studies have suggested that intercultural sensitivity can improve intercultural relationships and that training increases English as a second language (ESL) teachers’ intercultural sensitivity. However, research investigating teachers’ perceptions of their training in intercultural sensitivity is limited. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore ESL teachers’ perceptions of their experiences with training and professional development (PD) toward becoming more interculturally sensitive in K-12 U.S. classrooms. The conceptual framework was Chen and Starosta’s concept of intercultural sensitivity, as a concept from their theory of intercultural communication competence. The research questions addressed the teachers’ perceptions of their experiences with …

Social Media Marketing Strategies For Improving Customer Relationships, Candel Cuffie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the potential benefits of social media marketing (SMM) to improve customer relationships, some small business leaders lack SMM strategies to improve customer relationships. Small business leaders who fail to improve customer relationships may observe a decline in their customer base, leading to decreased profitability. Grounded in Berry’s relationship marketing theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore SMM strategies small business leaders used to improve customer relationships. Data were collected via reviews of company documentation, participants’ social media pages, and online semistructured interviews with five small retail business leaders who used SMM strategies to improve …

Increasing Nurse Managers’ Knowledge And Self-Confidence Levels In The Use Of Two Alternative Staffing Models, Latonia Yvette Cushingberry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe practice problem for this DNP project was the lack of confidence of eight nurse managers at the project site in implementing alternative staffing models to meet increased inpatient care demands during times of patient surges. The purpose of this DNP project was to provide an education module to nurse managers at the project site to enhance their self-confidence levels for alternative staffing during cases of patient surges. Framed by Knowle’s adult learning theory, the practice-focused question for this project addressed whether an educational program on two alternative staffing models increased acute care nurse managers’ self-reported knowledge and confidence levels …

Leadership Practices Of K-12 Principals Regarding College And Career Ready Performance Index, Joyce Edwards Dean

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School principals are responsible for improving low College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores; however, little was understood about how K-12 school principals’ leadership practices were perceived to improve CCRPI scores in schools. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the leadership practices of K-12 school principals to increase CCRPI scores in a Title I school district in the southeastern United States. The research question addressed the leadership practices of K-12 school principals that were intended to increase CCRPI scores in their Title I school district. The conceptual framework was the instructional leadership framework of Hallinger …

A Staff Education Program To Improve Nurses’ Knowledge Of Managing Type 2 Diabetes, Steven Essien

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractOlder adults residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) have high prevalence rates of Type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, registered nurses practicing in these settings often lack the essential knowledge to manage the condition. The staff development activity developed for this project was to improve LTCF registered nurses' knowledge of understanding of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) position statement on the management of diabetes in LTCFs. The project was grounded in Knowles's adult learning theory. Lynn's content validity model was used to evaluate the staff development activity. The project's practice-focused questions concerned whether the educational sessions met Lynn's evaluation criteria and …

Loneliness As A Treatment Focus For Suicide Prevention In Airmen Who Seek Mental Health Care, Jovanna O. Gaines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Department of Defense is challenged to decrease rising suicide rates in all branches of military service. Studies have consistently shown interpersonal risk factors versus intrapsychic factors as strong indicators of suicide risk, yet the practice has not focused on loneliness as a treatment focus for increased risk. This study explored clinical social workers’ view of loneliness as experienced in patients who are active-duty airmen to identify prevention, coping, and treatment strategies for managing suicides. The methodology involved a semistructured interview of 10 active duty licensed clinical social workers with greater than two years of experience working within a mental …

Organizational Strategies To Reduce Workplace Stress In Oil And Gas Companies In Nigeria, Tobore John Gbemre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Successful strategies are critical for managers in the oil and gas industry to reduce workplace stress while improving employee performance and organizational profitability. Failure of organizations to manage employee occupational stress may lead to employee dissatisfaction, poor morale, diminished performance, reduced productivity, and damaged organization image. Grounded in the stress management intervention framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies managers of oil and gas companies use to reduce employee occupational stress and improve employee performance. Semistructured interviews were conducted with three managers in the oil and gas industry who developed strategies to reduce employee …

Racial Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion Workplace Competencies At A Washington State Agency, Yolanda Denise Geolingo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative project provided a content analysis of secondary data to develop and implement racial equity, diversity, and inclusion workplace competencies for a White-led Washington State government organization. This organization sought to work towards racial equity at its center, based on Governor Jay Inslee's mandate. Consequently, leaders have redesigned systems and cultures using a racial equity lens to understand the concept better. Understanding racism helps to bridge a gap in the literature on how personal and professional beliefs play a significant role in institutional racism and its operation within their organization. The critical race theory informed leaders on how policy, …

Effective Strategies To Prevent And Reduce Substance Abuse In The Workplace, Victor A. Grant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace substance abuse has remained pervasive in recent years, despite substance abuse programs. Abuse in the workplace poses significant risks to business owners in safety, performance, and overall operational success. Grounded in the theory of reasoned action, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies human resources managers (HRMs) use to prevent substance abuse use in the workplace to increase employee productivity. The participants were four HRMs working within the Southeast regions of the United States with significant experience in successfully implementing substance abuse programs. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and organizational documentation, including regulations. …

Preconception Protective Factors Associated With Preterm Birth In Black/African American And Non-Hispanic White Women In Nyc, Joyce Yvonne Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Racial disparities in preterm birth have persisted during the past two decades. Though studies have delineated the medical, behavioral, and social risk factors explaining racial disparities in preterm birth, less is known about protective factors. This quantitative, correlational study was conducted to examine the prevalence, association, and risk of preconception health protective factors and sociodemographic covariates between Black/African American and non-Hispanic White women with preterm birth in New York City (NYC). The maternal and child health (MCH) life course approach was the theoretical foundation. The NYC Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 2016–2018 Phase 8 survey data, which included 2,161 women …

Experiences Of Rural Female Caregivers Of Loved Ones Diagnosed With Chronic Pain And Mental Health Care, Anne Banner Hatfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe complex diagnosis of chronic pain can include both physiological and psychological symptoms resulting in a need for caregivers to assist their loved ones and become involved in their mental health care treatment. As the aging population and the number of individuals diagnosed with chronic pain increases, the number of caregivers who assist them also increases. Critical to addressing the psychological symptoms of chronic pain is knowing how caregivers experience their involvement in mental health treatment. This research addressed the need for an understanding of caregivers’ experiences of caregiving and involvement with health care providers of mental health treatment for …

Association Between Multicultural Counseling Graduate Training And Mental Health Professionals’ Self-Perceived Effectiveness, Janessa Liscette Henry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Special training is often needed for counseling professionals to meet the unique cultural needs of their clients. Previous researchers have suggested that larger samples of professional counselors are needed to better understand the presence of these multicultural skills and noted a dearth of research regarding the effects of training in multicultural counseling following graduation and among practitioners. Following the theory of multicultural counseling and therapy (MTCT), the research questions were tested by using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and multiple linear regression to address the study of multicultural knowledge and multicultural awareness among counseling professionals who did and did not receive formal …

How Secondary Teachers Select, Implement, And Assess Reading Comprehension Interventions For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Tracy Herdlein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Several researchers examined reading interventions used with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but few looked at teachers’ perceptions of their abilities to select, implement, and assess reading interventions. The problem is that secondary teachers in a suburban Mid-Atlantic public high school acknowledge that they struggle with the knowledge of effective instructional approaches for students with ASD. This qualitative case study aimed to understand how nine secondary teachers who have worked with students with ASD for five or more years select, implement, and assess reading intervention strategies to increase the comprehension of students with ASD. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of cognitive …

Exploring African American Women’S Experiences With Breastfeeding Support In Health Services, Jennifer Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breastfeeding provides complete nutrition to infants and reduces the risk of many chronic diseases among infants and their mothers, yet disparities exist. African American mothers have the lowest breastfeeding rates compared to other ethnic groups in the United States. There is limited qualitative research on health services support from the African American mother’s perspective. Understanding health behaviors may improve programming, reduce racial and ethnic disparities, and address social determinants of health. The purpose of this study was to explore African American women’s beliefs, experiences, perspectives, and opinions around breastfeeding support provided in healthcare settings by healthcare professionals. From a conceptual …

Self-Efficacy And Perceived Social Support As Predictors Of Academic Achievement Among First-Generation African American Females At A Historically Black College And University, Felicia Brown Kelly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American, female, first-generation students face unique social and academic challenges due to their triple minority status of being Black, female, and first-generation and often perceiving low social support. The problem this study addressed is the role that self-efficacy and social support play for this group of students is insufficiently known. The purpose of this study was to explore the role that self-efficacy and perceived social support play for first-generation African American females at a Historically Black College and University. Theoretical frameworks for this study were Bandura’s self-efficacy theory which analyzes self-efficacy relating to mastery and Bandura’s social cognitive theory, …

The Psychosocial Experiences Of Retired Police Officers: A Phenomenological Study, Steven Maurice Kelsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis phenomenological study was conducted to explore retired police officers’ perceptions of their retirement and the factors that positively or negatively affected their retirement. This issue is critical to explore to ensure that officers receive the support they need to transition out of their career into retirement positively and manage some of the emotional turmoil that have been seen to result from retirement (e.g., denial, stress, anger, anxiety). A conceptual framework was designed integrating the theory of continuity and the role theory of retirement. Three research questions were designed to focus the inquiry: How do retired police officers perceive their …

Coping Strategies Linked To African Americans With Chronic Kidney Disease, Gabrielle Lawrence

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a health problem that affects African Americans more often than Whites and other ethnic groups. Individuals with CKD need to develop strategies to help with the disease and life challenges. Social support, self-management, and self-efficacy are factors that may influence how individuals with CKD cope with the disease. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationships among self-management, self-efficacy, and coping behaviors in African Americans with CKD in Stages 3 or 4. In addition, the moderating effect of social support on the extent to which self-management and self-efficacy account for the variance of coping behaviors in …

Bullying Experienced By Newly Graduated Registered Nurses In Long Term Care, Valeria Linetski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bullying toward newly graduated registered nurses (NGRNs) is a global concern that impacts various health care settings. Long term care (LTC) setting received minimal attention related to bullying experienced by registered nurses. NGRN’s face difficulty integrating into practice due to bullying experiences which causes them to quit, change jobs and even leave the profession, which further contributes to the nursing shortage and high turnover rates. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to address the knowledge gap in the literature by exploring NGRNs lived experiences of bullying as they transition into practice in LTC. Exploring bullying experienced by NGRN’s …

Strategies To Reduce Nonconformance Of Parts In Aerospace Manufacturing, John Louis Lloyd Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The cost of nonconformance of parts can impact the aerospace industry globally, resulting in revenue loss and consumer confidence degradation. Grounded in the eight disciplines of problem solving, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies aerospace manufacturing quality managers in the United States used to implement successful change initiatives to address the nonconformance of parts. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with four aerospace quality executives and supporting company documents. Data were analyzed using methodological triangulation, coding, and thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (a) identify and implement a specific problem-solving strategy, (b) identify and mitigate employee …

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Mentorship, And Burnout In Nursing Faculty, Jasmine Louis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing faculty early in their careers face challenges involving transitioning into new roles, high workloads, and lack of support, making them vulnerable to burnout. Burnout is a syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. The purposes of this study, guided by Maslach’s burnout theory, were to determine if there is a relationship between emotional intelligence and mentorship in terms of burnout among nursing faculty who are in their early careers, if there are differences in terms of burnout among these nursing faculty who have received mentorship compared to those who did not receive, and if there is …

Grade K-5 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Development That Supports Mathematics Instruction, Shannon Annette Manley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many Grade K-5 teachers in the United States do not receive the mathematics support they need from the professional development (PD) activities offered by their school districts. The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore the perceptions of Grade K-5 teachers on the PD activities they received from their school district to support mathematics instruction. The conceptual framework that supported this study was andragogy, an adult learning theory that takes the learner’s needs into account and values the connection to real-world situations. The research question addressed how Grade K-5 teachers perceive the PD that they were offered by their …

Program For Dementia Group Music Therapy In Long-Term Care, Alfonso Cruz Manuel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a need for evidence-based nonpharmacological nursing management skills fordementia that are low-cost and effective in managing common symptoms such as agitation. Music-based therapy is a nonpharmacological intervention shown by evidencebased studies to be effective in the management of dementia. The gap in practice is that there was no evidence-based group music therapy programs in this family-based long- term care setting for dementia patients. This project employed a multidisciplinary effort to formulate an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for implementing group music therapy program. The clinical practice question was whether a multidisciplinary team can agree on the guideline for implementing …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Human Resources Managers Hiring Applicants With Past Criminal Convictions, Semone Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Felony convictions leave ex-offenders searching for employment but are regularly denied jobs due to their status as past felons. Inability to obtain employment has been shown to increase recidivism. The research problem was that the hiring managers' perception of the applicants with past criminal convictions could distort their hiring decisions. This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experiences of seven human resources managers within New York City through random sampling. This study's conceptual framework was grounded in Durkheim's labeling and Goffman's social stigma theories. The research question asked what the lived experiences of hiring managers were when …

Designing A Standardized Workflow For Improved Contract Administration In Non-Profit Organizations, Shaneva D. Mcreynolds

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored a process that can help nonprofit organizations design and implement a new contract management system with a standardized workflow associated with administering their government contracts. The problem directly resulted in a decrease in efficiency and profitability for the organization. A mixed method study was conducted based on the business process reengineering (BPR) model. Previous studies have indicated that additional knowledge and development is required in the area of BPR implementation. Critical sources of evidence in the study included the partner organization’s stakeholders, its staff, including those of its subsidiaries, and peer-reviewed literature. Qualitative interviews with 10 participants …

Factors Influencing Burnout Among African American Clergy, Antoinette Moyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human service professionals such as clergy have taken part in the connection of community to public policy awareness through their leadership and advocacy especially in the Black community. Research has identified burnout in clergy; however, there is minimal research to offer insight on factors of burnout for African American clergy through exploring whether a relationship existed between burnout and transformational leadership. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to analyze the influencing factors of burnout among African American clergy. Effort–reward imbalance and person–environment fit theories were used as theoretical foundation to support the findings. An electronic survey was distributed …

Perspectives Of Law Enforcement Officers In A Suburban Community On Use Of Body Cameras, Todd Samuel Nagbe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

As law enforcement in the United States struggles to improve relationships with the communities they serve, especially in the wake of unprecedented police use of deadly force incidents, police community relations continue to deteriorate. With advancements in technology and the creation and introduction of the Internet, footage of police misconduct including the use of deadly force has been shared on social media in real time. This has made situations between the community and police fragile to a point where it sometimes results in rioting and other public disturbances. Many have asked if the introduction of police worn-body camera systems …

Lifestyle Modifications To Reduce Hypertension In Obese Patients: A Clinical Practice Guideline, Tiffany Lynn Oates

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, obesity affects almost 50% of the population with estimates of 60–70% of hypertension in adults attributable to adiposity. The practice gap addressed in this project is a lack of standardized patient education on lifestyle modifications aimed at reducing hypertension in the obese patient, which is the recommended first line of treatment for these patients. The practice focused questions were answered when evidence from the literature supported the implementation of a clinical practice guideline developed from evidence-based literature focused on patient education about lifestyle modification as the initial treatment for the reduction of hypertension in the obese …

Predictors Of Medication Alternative Cost-Saving Strategies Among Adults With Type 2-Diabetes, Olaseni Solomon Oduwaye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the United States experience a significant financial burden in managing their condition due to prescription medication, higher out-of-pocket (OOP) costs, number of prescribed medications, and health insurance status to stay compliant with their medications. This study examined the association between the alternative medication cost-saving strategies, including obtaining free samples from doctors or patient assistance programs, splitting pills or changing dosage frequency, purchasing from other countries, purchasing over the internet, and the three independent variables among adults diagnosed with T2D. Reasoned action approach theory helped guide how external factors may influence an alternative medication …