Digital Commons Network^™

Mindful Design For Adolescent Minds: Moving Away From Digital Hook Models To Mindful Innovation Models, Donald R. Hendriksen

Masters Theses

In the domain of digital technology, an ethical issue surfaces from the design of user interfaces and applications tailored for adolescent users. Techniques frequently incorporated into these targeted systems, such as continuous scrolling, rewards for uninterrupted use, and game-like features, are increasingly linked to addictive inclinations in adolescents. Central to this issue is the stimulation these apps provide for the dopamine system. Adolescents, being in a vital phase of psychological growth, are especially vulnerable to the dangerous consequences of such designs. These effects are extensive and include a perceptible drop in academic achievement, a weakening of relational skills, and an …

It's Going To Be Okay: Experiences And Perceptions Of People Who Seek Reassurance At Work, Liana Bernard

Dissertations and Theses

This study examined the experiences and perceptions of people who seek reassurance at work using a mixed methods (focus groups and experimental) approach. Reassurance-seeking is an attempt to elicit supportive communication from another person to help one reduce experienced anxiety. First, using focus groups with 32 participants, this study found that people seeking reassurance at work develop complex cognitive structures to reduce the prospective negative impacts of reassurance-seeking behaviors, particularly for those with marginalized identities. Then, in a 3x2 between-person experimental design in which employee gender and reassurance-seeking were manipulated, participants read a transcript of an interaction between an employee …

Boundless Learning: Redefining The Library Experience - University Of Central Florida Libraries 2024-2027 Strategic Directions Bibliography, Rachel Vacek, Thomas R. Caswell, Tim Bottorff, Matthew Desalvo, Chereeka Garner, Athena R. Hoeppner, Arielle Petrovich

Libraries' Documents

No abstract provided.

The Mediation-Moderation Effects Of Religiosity On The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Marital Satisfaction In African American Couples, Pauletta Michele Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, multiple regression, mediation research design was to explore the impact of ACEs on Christian African American marital satisfaction. This study was grounded in the Family Systems Theory, introduced by Dr. Murray Bowen, investigating the relationship between ACEs and African American marital satisfaction mediated and moderated by religiosity. A Qualtrics survey was distributed through social media, and a QR code was posted at two churches located in Birmingham, AL, open to all African American married couples (n=105). PROCESS Models 1 and 4, were utilized to determine if religiosity mediates and moderates the relationship between ACEs and …

Art399 Portfolio, Sadie Smith

Professional Practices (ART 399)

My work mainly consists of drawing, using charcoal, ink, and pastels to create pieces that emphasize stark contrasts and surreal, dreamlike atmospheres. The contrast between rendered forms and flat backgrounds creates a sense of timelessness, as if the subjects exist in a space removed from reality. This quality is evident in pieces like “Three Birds,” where three women appear to float in an undefined, eerie environment. The implausibility of the forms and their ethereal nature contribute to the dreamlike quality of the imagery, making it clear that these scenes could not exist in the real world. The themes I explore …

Effective Strategies Used By Trinidad And Tobago Financial Institution Leaders To Attract And Retain Small Businesses As Customers, Billy Brian Seaman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective strategies to attract and retain small to medium enterprises (SMEs) can significantly affect business revenue. Financial institution leaders in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) who fail to effectively engage and retain SMEs are at risk facing instability and long-term challenges. Grounded in relationship marketing theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore effective strategies used by T&T financial institution leaders to attract and retain SMEs. The participants were four financial institution leaders in T&T who effectively implemented strategies to attract and retain SMEs. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and publicly available documents. …

Successful Strategies Used By Health Care Business Managers To Reduce Data Breaches, Amber Branson Rubis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective strategies to reduce data breaches in healthcare organizations can harm patient safety, erode trust, and jeopardize financial stability. Healthcare managers Healthcare managers must implement effective strategies to protect their organization's reputation and ensure long-term business stability. Grounded in protection motivation theory (PMT), the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies healthcare business managers used to reduce data breaches and sustain profitability. The participants were six healthcare business managers who had successfully implemented strategies to reduce data breaches and sustain profitability. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and public records. Using thematic analysis, four themes were identified: …

Achieving Financial Resources For Women Of Color In Nonprofit Startup Organizations, Tanesha Nicole Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizational leaders, especially women of color, have been profoundly affected by a lack of strategies for obtaining capital for financial growth and viability. Nonprofit women of color business owners are struggling with the challenges of securing financial resources and maintaining business sustainability. Grounded in the Baldrige performance excellence framework (BPEF), the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore financial acquisition strategies that some women of color business owners need for long-term financial growth and viability in startup nonprofit organizations. The participant was one leader of a nonprofit business located in the southwestern part of San Bernardino County, …

Experiences Of Midwest Nursing Faculty Decisions To Leave Academia: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Teresa H. Moorman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Midwest nurses related to their decision to leave academic faculty positions. The theory guiding this study was Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory. The motivation-hygiene theory examines the factors that inform the relationship between satisfaction and lack of satisfaction, as well as dissatisfaction and lack of dissatisfaction. Herzberg outlined several motivating factors that influence employees to perform at their best, and several hygiene factors that negatively impact performance. Additionally, Dewey’s experiential learning theory underpinned the study. The lived experience comprises the physical environment, perceptions of the person, and the …

Harmonizing Voices: Vocal Pedagogy In 21st Century Music Education, Thomas J. Clark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to provide recommendations for improving vocal pedagogy practices in both collegiate and secondary-level education, emphasizing fair and equitable treatment alongside the evolution of teaching practices from the 1950s to the current classroom environment. Vocal education, a cornerstone of music instruction, has been shaped by the changing educational landscape over the decades, presenting educators and students with unique challenges, including the need for inclusive and culturally sensitive practices. In response to these challenges, a central research question arises regarding the evolution of vocal pedagogy and its potential for improvement within the context of fair, equitable, …

Virtual Reality Mindfulness For Nursing Stress And Burnout, Rebecca Jean Cantrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout has been a term that has been researched since the 1970’s; however, it has been noted that throughout the past few years there has been increased burnout amongst healthcare workers. Mindfulness has been researched as a tool to decrease burnout and stress. The delivery of mindfulness activity has been completed through different avenues such as in-person and virtual. The purpose of this research project was to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality mindfulness experiences and the burnout rates amongst nursing staff in the ambulatory units of a VA Healthcare System. Six nursing staff members volunteered to participate in the …

Examining The Relationship Of Simulation To Nursing Communication Competency: A Quantitative, Causal-Comparative, Retrospective Study, Patresha Pamella Pearson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, causal-comparative, retrospective study investigated the impact of simulation-based education on nurse communication competence by evaluating communication skills between two groups of recently graduated and licensed registered nurses while controlling for total experience hours. Though nursing communication competence significantly impacts patient care outcomes, few studies have addressed the impact of simulation on the communication competence of licensed nurses practicing in the clinical setting. The study was conducted in the clinical setting with 78 participants divided between two categorical groups of recently graduated and licensed registered nurses depending on the proportion of simulation-based education received during clinical experience requirements. The …

Disunity Of Pentecostal Pastors Planting Churches In Suburban Areas: Unifying Leaders With The Same Goal, Jamare L. Razor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem is that disunity exists among suburban church planting pastors of multidenominational and nondenominational churches in a tri-state region of the United States. Approximately 4,000 churches are planted in America each year and sadly about 3,700 of those churches will close. One reason for this is disunity among pastors that leads to the lack of support needed for church plant success and longevity. This problem must be remedied if the church plants are to succeed. The purpose for this Doctor of Ministry action research project is to identify the causes of the disunity that hinder church plant success in …

The Silent Legacy: A Phenomenological Study Of Transgenerational Trauma Passed From Mothers To Daughters In The African American Community, Stephanie Diane Jeffreys

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the transgenerational trauma passed from mothers to daughters in the African American community. The problem is that transgenerational trauma is unintentionally passed from mothers to daughters, which has a negative impact on their life outcomes, such as their self-worth, worldview, and relationships. The study was guided by the historical trauma theory, arguing that populations that have historically been subjected to traumatic experiences exhibit higher instances of psychological and physiological conditions multiple generations after it has happened. Through the research, how the trauma transmission happens from mothers to daughters was assessed, …

The New “Female Hysteria”: A Phenomenological Approach To Understanding The Effects Of The Imposter Phenomena In African American Women In Educational Leadership: A Qualitative Study, Alexandria Nicole Purifoy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the intersectionality of imposter phenomenon, misogyny, and racism and the impacts on African American women in educational leadership roles at secondary schools. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as it applies to the importance of belongingness for Black women in these roles. The central research question for this study is: What perspectives have shaped the views of Black women in educational leadership roles? The proposed methodology utilizes a combination of journals, interviews, and focus groups to gather information from participants. This study used the transcendental phenomenological approach …

College Students’ Perceptions On The Use Of Kahoot To Learn Vocabulary In A Second Language: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Adriana Hatch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover college students’ perceptions of their lived experiences as they learn vocabulary in a second language with Kahoot. The self-efficacy theory of motivation (Bandura, 1995) provided the theoretical framework. The central question in this research was What are college students’ perception of their experiences using Kahoot to learn vocabulary in a second language? This study took place at Maleki College in Arizona. The study sought to understand second-language college students’ motivation when learning vocabulary. The data for this study was derive from individual interviews recorded on a computer, two questionnaires, and …

Biblical Followership In The Local Church: A Phenomenological Study, Terrence M. La Masters

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explores biblical followership in the local church context by examining the followership construct formed by followership and leadership distinctives. Followership, often overlooked in the leadership process, is typically not considered equal to leadership in purpose, process, or impact. While Kelley’s comprehensive model of followership from 1992 has been widely recognized, this study specifically focuses on the first formal theory of followership proposed by Uhl-Bien, Riggio, Lowe, and Carsten in 2014. This theory highlights the interconnected nature of leadership and followership and the integrated behaviors of followers and leaders, is particularly relevant in the local church setting—a …

Is Learning Relative? Exploring Student Learning In A Special Relativity Digital Game Case Study, Meredith Rae Kunz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this embedded single case study was to explore how undergraduate students learn special relativity theory in a digital game at Midwest College. The theory guiding this study was Sweller’s cognitive load theory as it applies to how students learn in a digital game environment. The central research question was: How do students learn special relativity theory in a digital game environment? I conducted a qualitative embedded single case study at a small liberal arts college in the Midwest under the pseudonym of Midwest College. Purposive and criterion sampling was used to select participants. This embedded case study …

The New Glass Ceiling, Andrea K. Schneider, Abigail R. Bogli, Hannah L. Chin

Articles

Until the last decade, gender inequality in the legal profession was selfevident. Law school classrooms and law firm offices were overwhelmingly filled with men. In recent years, women have outnumbered men in law school classes and reached parity with men among first-year associates. These developments have created the misperception that gender equality has been achieved. In this Article, we challenge this complacency. We present new evidence from a detailed case study of law firms in a midsize city, showing that women remain underrepresented in leadership roles and underpaid relative to their colleagues. We then show how the limited opportunities and …

The Call To Worship/Music Vocational Ministry: A Case Study To Better Understand The Function Of The God-Ordained Call To Vocational Worship Ministry, Jerry Leonard Newman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the multifaceted role of worship and music leaders in Christian congregations. It emphasizes that their responsibilities extend beyond mere musical proficiency to embody a profound spiritual calling rooted in a vocational call to ministry. A survey of 401 worship leaders from various Christian denominations reveals the role's dual nature: they are skilled musicians and spiritual guides uniquely called to facilitate the congregation’s faith journey. This vocational calling highlights their divine appointment to ministry, aligning with biblical principles such as those found in Ephesians 4:11-12, which stress the equipping of the saints and the building up of the …

A Mission Simulation Retreat For Senior Youth Leaders To Train Adventist Young Professionals In The South Bahamas Conference, Jamal Doran Franklyn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The mission simulation retreat SDA action research project trains senior youth leaders of young adult professionals for urban ministry through their vocational orientation. To address the problem of only having a global youth day one-day mission drive, the Mission Simulation Retreat (MSR) equipped young leaders in local SDA churches to simulate mission projects matching their professional careers. By building on the Hebrew culture, the priesthood of all believers, and spiritual gifts, MSR customizes a spiritual gifts database that aligns with vocational careers to provide mission project options by vocational skills. Through focus group presentations, a questionnaire, and a survey, data …

Exploring Family Mealtime Environment, Screens, And Mental Health Among School-Aged Children In Japan, Ami Nishimori Alnouri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of family mealtimes during breakfast and the mental health of school-aged children (6-18 years) in Japan, comparing those who used and did not use screens during breakfast. This study involved two research questions: How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who used screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who did not use screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? In this study, a qualitative phenomenological approach employed semi-structured interviews with …

Rooted In Identity: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Describing The Pre-Freshman Self-Esteem Experiences Of African American Female Students Entering Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Wanda Minor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to describe the pre-freshman self-esteem experiences of African American (AA) female students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The study explored the experiences of AA women and the factors that contribute to the development of their self-esteem before their enrollment as students in HBCUs. Literature suggests that numerous issues, including racial discrimination and prejudice, cultural stereotypes, socioeconomic concerns, historical and intergenerational trauma, beauty standards, and institutional and systemic hurdles, have affected their self-esteem (Woods-Giscombe, 2010). However, there was a void in addressing the issues AA women face in college, particularly students at HBCUs. This …

Cognitive Learning Strategies And Candidates In Teacher Education Programs: A Phenomenology, Nicole Kircher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of graduates from teacher education programs in the Western United States and their exposure to cognitive learning strategy instruction. The theory that guided this research is cognitive learning theory, which focuses on the internal processes surrounding memory and information. The research questions explored the experiences of teacher education program graduates with cognitive learning strategy instruction, how these programs incorporated cognitive learning strategies into their curriculum, and how graduates applied their knowledge of these strategies to their own teaching post-graduation. The chosen design was hermeneutic phenomenology, which is …

Challenged And Chosen: Discipling Christians With Chronic Conditions Towards Kingdom Identity And Purpose, Allison J. Hampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose for this DMIN action research project was to create an eight-week discipleship program and accompanying workbook to help Christians diagnosed with chronic medical conditions to rediscover their identity in God. Because of the limitations and physical changes that often accompany chronic diagnoses, members of Living Chronic Faith (a faith-first nonprofit organization that serves believers with chronic diagnoses) felt incapable of serving on the same level as their physiotypical counterparts. Marginalized by their faith community and hesitant to engage in their ministry contexts, eleven LCF members participated in this online focus group. This project’s surveys, interviews, journal entries, and …

Readiness For Interprofessional Teamwork Of Graduate Public Health Students At The Time Of Their Graduation, Liliana Morosanu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of lacking empirical evidence for the contribution of interprofessional education (IPE) towards readiness for teamwork interprofessional practice (T-IPP) of Master of Public Health (MPH) graduates, and to design an IPE evaluation model in response. Current knowledge about T-IPP of MPH graduates is insufficient yet critical for professional practice. It is unclear how academic IPE builds MPH students’ T-IPP skills, and whether other training sources exist. A cross-sectional multimethod design was implemented with a sample of 58 MPH graduates from accredited programs within 12 months from graduation, of whom 12 …

The Lived Experiences Of Male Nurses In Nursing Education: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, James Robert Nolin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of male nurses currently in nursing academia to determine what attributes draw them and keep them in academic roles. The phenomenon was viewed through the lens of interpersonal relations theory, social learning theory, and hermeneutic phenomenology, looking for similarities and differences to discover the population’s views, beliefs, and experiences. The sample included 21 male nurses currently teaching in nursing programs. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observations collected through field notes allowed for an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of male nursing faculty. The data were analyzed …

The Development Of A Men’S Ministry At Remnant Church To Foster The Spiritual Leadership Development Of Men To Provide Leadership For Family, Church, And Community, Anthony L. Herron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this student seeks to address is that the Remnant Church in Midwest City, Oklahoma, does not have a men's ministry to develop men as spiritual leaders. The Remnant Church is a non-denominational church focused on growing and developing people to become more like Jesus Christ. The men of the Remnant Church do not meet regularly for discipleship or fellowship.

The men of Remnant Church are not organized to provide a network of support for men. Men need a support network within the church to develop spiritually. Men need a forum for discussing men's issues, such as leading in …

Chiropractic Patient Safety Education Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Michael P. Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe and interpret chiropractic educators’ experiences teaching patient safety competencies within the didactic portion of a Doctor of Chiropractic program in the Southern United States. The theory guiding the study is the information processing model. The study’s central research question is, what are the lived experiences of chiropractic educators teaching didactic patient safety courses? The study utilizes a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative methodology. Data was collected via individual interviews, a focus group, and a protocol writing prompt. The data was collected from 12 chiropractic educators teaching patient safety competencies within the didactic portion …

One Holy Nation Under One God: A Survey On Achieving Unity Amongst Believers, Cindy Casalis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The goal of this work is not only to amplify the purview of all believers in God regarding the true meaning of loving a neighbor and being a member of God’s covenant, rather to usher an atmosphere of accord that could set the right conditions for the coming of the Messiah and of the final redemption as hinted to in 2 Peter 3:11-12 where the apostle describes the sort of holy conduct befitting to those who in fact are hastening the Messiah’s final arrival. Of all the possible ways to approach the matter of election of the Jewish people, it …