Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

The Shared Experiences Of Silenced Struggles Of A Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing Community In North Carolina Seeking Mental Health Services, Lindsey J. Laws

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the challenges members of a Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HOH) community in North Carolina have experienced when seeking mental health services. A major challenge is the lack of trained professionals to accommodate the needs of hard-of-hearing and Deaf clients. Barriers include a limited number of providers who know American Sign Language or offer hearing assisted devices to effectively communicate with clients. The theory guiding this study is the social learning theory initially presented by Albert Bandura in 1971. Specific emphasis is placed on learning by direct experience and motivational function of …

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 …

A Case Study Exploring Implementation Of Gamified Adaptive Learning Technology As A Response To Instruction And Intervention (Rti²) Strategy In Elementary Mathematics Education, Tina Marie Clowser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single instrumental case study was to understand educators’ implementation of gamified adaptive learning programs in mathematics education as an intervention (RtI²) strategy for public elementary (K-5) teachers in a rural city school district in the Western United States. The study's central research question explored how educators implemented gamified adaptive learning technology as an intervention (RtI²) strategy in public elementary mathematics education. A single instrumental case study design was used for this study to illicit implementation strategies while uncovering successes, challenges, and barriers for in-service public elementary school educators. Data were collected from twelve participants through individual …

Uncertainty As To The Wide Adoption Of Cryptocurrencies As A National Currency Alternative Within The Financial Services Industry In The New York City Metropolitan Area, Dariusz Przywalny

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cryptocurrencies still have not been adopted widely and there is uncertainty as to whether they can become a mainstream asset while becoming a viable alternative to a national currency such as the U.S. dollar. This research explored cryptocurrency adoption among financial institutions in the New York City Metropolitan Area, the nation’s major financial hub. Both encouraging and discouraging factors related to cryptocurrency adoption were explored with in-depth interviews with cryptocurrency professionals in addition to a literature review. The responses were coded, and emerging themes were discovered. The multiple-case study method was applied to three cases including banks, asset managers/financial advisors, …

Predicting The Understanding And Implementation Of Differentiation In Literacy Instruction For Kindergarten And First-Grade Teachers: A Correlational Study, Anne Robertson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental predictive correlation quantitative study was to determine whether a predictive relationship existed between kindergarten and first-grade teachers’ implementation and understanding of differentiation in literacy lessons and teachers’ years of teaching experience and level of education. The study included 197 participants who were licensed kindergarten and first-grade teachers teaching in public and private elementary schools in the southeastern seaboard region of Virginia during the 2023-2024 school year. The Teacher Survey on Differentiated Instruction as well as background demographics information, were collected through Qualtrics for this study. The questionnaire consisted of screening questions, background demographics, the Teacher …

Gatekeeping The Choral Classroom: The Existence Of Caste System Levels In High School Choral Singing, Amber J. Klein

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The high school choral music sector has become increasingly competitive in education, leading to selectively allowing certain students into the choral classroom and fostering exclusionary practices within choral music instruction. The term "gatekeeping" may evoke a sense of unease and concern, although it refers to a long-standing system that has existed for centuries. Gatekeeping, which excludes pupils who do not meet the standards set by the competitive choral world, is a growing concern in music education. The all-ability choir movement has experienced gradual growth in urban areas following years of challenges that originated from implementing the No Child Left Behind …

Higher Education And Women In Leadership: Gender-Based Training For African American Women In Transformational Leadership, Chavon Anette Freeman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian African American women in leadership have unique lived experiences. Although God calls women to lead, they often meet challenges in ministry and the marketplace. Developing into a great woman in leadership requires intentionality and preparation. This study explored the perceptions and perspectives of Christian African American women in senior leadership roles in ministry and wider corporate America. The qualitative research revealed the need to address gender and racial issues in higher education, develop gender-based training, and further transformational leadership development. The research design utilized interviews with ten open-ended questions to collect data. The study focused on Christian African American …

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 …

Exploring The Utility Of The Septicyte In Clinical Decision-Making In The Emergency Department, Sylvia Lowery-Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Know thy enemy. A significant obstacle in treating and managing sepsis is the absence of a test or method to diagnose the disease rapidly. Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection (Sinha & Ray, 2018). Despite improvements to sepsis-related care and sepsis outcomes, it remains a worldwide concern and a leading cause of mortality. Early recognition and management of sepsis is critical to provide rapid treatment and to prevent deaths associated with sepsis and septic shock. Since most patients with sepsis receive their initial care in the emergency department, it is …

Mentorship Among Early Career Senior Pastors: Examining Whether Mentored Leaders Are Better Equipped To Lead, Shayla Lenai Hilton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early career senior pastors are often expected to confidently step into senior leadership positions with minimal support, direction, guidance and/or training. The support of an experienced mentor could potentially lessen the challenges for early career leaders. The purpose of this mixed-methods phenomenological study was to explore the effectiveness of mentorships for early career senior pastors who hold senior leadership positions in Christian churches in the United States. For the purposes of this study, a early career senior pastor is defined as an individual with 0-10 years of experience in a senior leadership position. The phenomenological study explored three questions: (1) …

Injury Prevalence Among Females Playing American Football, Anthea Warren-Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While extensive research has examined injuries in men's football, there is a significant lack of studies systematically investigating the types, patterns, and long-term effects of injuries among female football players. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the types and frequencies of injuries sustained by female American football players. A recruitment letter was sent via email, and following approval, an anonymous online survey was distributed to collect data from participants about their injuries during the 2023 season. The study included 13 teams from the WFA Pro division, with a total of 647 players, recruiting 245 participants aged 19 …

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 …

Divorce: A Phenomenological Study On Estrangement In Fathers In Older Adulthood, Janet H. Shaffer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This proposed study will be to look at the phenomenon of estrangement framed in the family system theory through a Biblical lens. The qualitative interpretive approach will look at a minimum of ten individuals who have been or are currently experiencing the outcomes of familial estrangement that occurred between fathers and their adult children. This destructive phenomenon has been found to increase the risk of negative mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, feelings of grief, and loss for those within the family unit. The growing number of parent-adult-child estrangements highlights the need to study the lived experiences …

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 …

High School Teachers' Experiences With Increasing Attendance Rates For Indigenous Students Within A Pbis Model In A Grade Eight-12 High School: A Qualitative Case Study, Amanda Broadway

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to understand the reasons for chronic absenteeism of Indigenous students living on the reservation at a small independent school and how the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) framework may increase attendance rates. The theory guiding this case study is Skinner’s behavior theory. Behavior theory is used to describe the reasons behind the problem behavior of not attending school. Behavior theory includes antecedent and consequence interventions that may help to reduce chronic absenteeism and can be implemented within a PBIS framework. The PBIS framework may be used to implement proactive interventions in the …

Outsider: Major Characteristics Of Andrew Jackson’S Populism And Its Commonalities With That Of Theodore Roosevelt And Donald Trump, Victor W. Fordham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Andrew Jackson’s life, particularly his military accomplishments in the War of 1812, created a reputation and image that allowed him to ascend to the presidency of the United States. While he received his share of criticism during his lifetime for many of his more controversial actions, his status as a war hero and the general admiration of the American people for his position as a nationalist and outsider as well as the high premium that he placed on loyalty, allowed him to rise to power. It was Jackson’s persona, marked by these characteristics, that served as the basis of his …

Identifying Higher Education Employee Experiences Using A Diffusion Of Innovations Checklist Planning For Knowledge Management Implementation: A Phenomenological Study, Eric Christopher Viets

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology study was to understand the experiences of higher education employees planning to implement knowledge management through utilizing a diffusion of innovations checklist. Knowledge management is generally defined as the process of creating, sharing, using, and managing the knowledge and information of an organization. The theory guiding this study was the diffusion of innovations by Everett M. Rogers, as it provided a clear and comprehensive model of the stages of change and knowledge management implementation. The research questions sought to understand the experiences of ten higher education employees utilizing the diffusion of innovations checklist within …

The Heart Of The Matter: Prioritizing The Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Of Pastoral Leaders, Ashley M. Herron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pastoral leadership is a unique and peculiar leadership vocation. It is unique and peculiar in its expectation that those in the pastoral leadership vocation should operate in multiple roles. It is also particularly unique in its experience of occupational stressors. The pastoral vocation is considered by many to be the single most stressful occupation in the United States and perhaps around the world (Thordarson, 2022). Although pastoral leaders are experiencing mental and emotional stress and distress at high rates, they are not seeking help at the same rate. Research indicates that pastoral leaders are reluctant and slow in pursuing care …

The Impact Of 21st-Century Technology Teaching On Socio-Economically Challenged Students In Public High Schools: A Phenomenological Study, Duncan Kenneth Guishard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of 10 teachers who have used 21st-century technology teaching methods in three U.S. public high schools (PHS), North, South, and West in the Mid-Eastern United States. Schlossberg’s transition theory guided this study and was used to address the central research question: What essential elements of 21st-century technology teaching practices do you believe can improve students’ performance and academic success in U.S. public high schools? The three sub-questions helped uncover the teachers’ lived experiences and perspectives using 21st-century technology teaching methods in public high schools. Purposeful sampling …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Retrieval Practice, Spacing And Interleaving, And Feedback-Driven Metacognition Tools For Learning And The Academic Achievement Of Students Living In Poverty, Angie Leigh Sholar Dutton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study evaluated the relationship between learning tools such as retrieval practice, spacing and interleaving, and feedback-driven metacognition tools for learning and the academic achievement of students living in poverty as measured by reading pre and post -assessments. This study utilized a quantitative approach using a between-subjects design to determine if the learning tools have an impact on student reading achievement. Additionally, this study explored if a positive interaction between learning tool conditions and the reading achievement of third grade students pre and post reading assessments would be evident. At the conclusion of this study, a factorial analysis of variance …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Faculty Perceptions Of A Humanistic Classical Education, Nils Ivan Borquist

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the descriptions of experiences for faculty members at classical education curriculum academic institutions at the PreK-12 school level. The descriptions of experiences were defined as phenomenal experiences of faculty through the subjective lens. The theory guiding this study was the humanistic learning theory of education as it focuses on self-directed and self-evaluative classwork as well as the common use of canonical works to cultivate a desire for students to learn and study great texts for their entire lives. The Central Research Question asked “How do faculty at classical education institutions …

A Predictive Correlational Study Of The Relationship Between Two-Year College Faculty Participation In Professional Development And Career Commitment, Faculty Leadership, And Professional Service Activities, Deborah Josey Burks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this predictive correlational non-experimental study was to examine the relationships between faculty participation in professional development, and career commitment, faculty leadership, and engagement in professional service activities. The predictor variable was faculty professional development and criterion variables were career commitment, faculty leadership, and engagement in professional service by faculty employed within two-year colleges in the southeastern United States. This study contained a convenience sample of 76 faculty employed at two-year colleges within a system of colleges. Data was gathered utilizing the combined self-reported Career Growth Opportunity Measure (Adams, 1999), the Teacher Leadership Inventory [TLI] (Angelle & DeHart, …

Task Force 57: The British Struggle Of Implementing A Pacific Fleet, J Robert John Streit

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

By the Fall of 1941, the British were struggling to fight the German and the Axis powers in the European theater. The Royal Navy was occupied in the home, Atlantic, and Mediterranean waters and did not have the available ships to send to the Pacific. In December of 1941, the Japanese had not only attacked the Americans at Pearl Harbor, but also attacked Singapore and other British possessions, to include a small naval task force sent by the British as a deterrent to the Japanese. From December 1941 on, the British struggled to have enough forces to fight against the …

Causal-Comparative Study Of The Difference In Teacher Perceptions Of School Climate And Teacher Occupational Stress Among Elementary, Middle, And High School Teachers, Jennifer L. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study is to determine if there is a difference in teachers’ perceptions of school climate and teacher occupational stress among elementary, middle, and high school teachers. There is a gap in the literature pertaining to teachers’ perceptions of school climate and occupational stress in different school settings. The sample included 79 teachers from a district in eastern North Carolina. The instrument used for teacher stress was the Teacher Stress Inventory-Short survey (TSI-S), and the instrument for school climate was the Delaware School Climate Scale–Teacher/Staff (DSCS-T/S) survey. Data was collected using Survey Monkey. A one-way …

Physiological And Biomechanical Perspectives On Elbow Function During Forehand And Backhand Disc Golf Throws: A Novel Investigation, Lauren Rachelle Giles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Over 81% of players have reported injuries linked to disc golfing, predominantly due to overuse. Since disc golf originated, there is a lack of research on the proper biomechanics of the disc golf throw. This descriptive, quantitative study seeks to be the first. We investigated 6 females and 35 males, aged 21-66, registered to compete in disc golf. The goal was to examine the kinetic parameters of healthy disc golfers to identify biomechanics likely associated with safety. Research questions investigated whether there is a connection between lean body mass and disc distance traveled, elbow torque and disc distance, or grip …

After The Training Ends: A Qualitative Study Of Therapists’ Experiences With Trauma Training And Self-Efficacy, Megan L. Briggs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Counselors meet many clients with experiences of trauma throughout their careers, and many counselors do not feel confident in their skills to process trauma. The training programs that teach trauma-focused skills have been researched regarding dissemination practices, but there has been very little exploration of the experiences of the individuals who do not utilize newly acquired skills. The primary research question asks what are the experiences of outpatient therapists in applying the skills they learned in trauma processing training programs when practicing in the outpatient setting? The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study will be to describe the experiences of …

Exploring Generational And Vicarious Trauma In The Haitian Diaspora Of America: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Lourna Charles-Thelusca

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study is to understand the generational and vicarious trauma experiences of first-generation Haitians living in the diaspora in the United States (U.S.) and to gain insight into how trauma affects their lives. To achieve an advanced understanding of this population, this study explores the factors contributing to participants' trauma experiences focusing on coping strategies and interpersonal impacts. Haitians, as the first enslaved people to liberate themselves from their European colonizers, have built a rich history marked by overcoming adversity and resilience. Historically, the ongoing cycle of trauma stemming from Haiti's persistent challenges, including …

Discipling Your Children For Dating, Isaiah Del Pilar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently, in the culture of the church in the West, there is a very weak support system or culture of guidance as it relates to dating and courtship. This primarily is played out on the level of discipleship with primary caregivers with their children. Participants in this research project reported a low degree of feeling prepared and equipped to properly guide their children toward a quality spouse. There is an urgent need to improve the overall ability of primary caregivers in regard to discipling their children on the subject of dating marriage. The purpose of this project is to prepare, …

Physiological Response To Resisted Plyometric Training On Swimmers Sprint Swim Abilities, David Newman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study used a casual comparative/quasi-experimental research design to determine whether resisted plyometric training has a more significant effect than non-resisted plyometric training on competitive teenage swimmers’ power and speed. Twelve swimmers were randomly assigned to a resisted group (n = 6, age: 14.5 ± 0.96 years; G (RES)) and an unresisted group (n = 6, age 14.17 ± 1.77 years; G UNRES). In both RES and UNRES groups the plyometric training consisted of lateral box step-ups and squat jumps before swim training twice per week. Pre and post-tests consisted of a power test (vertical jump via Vertical Jump Challenger) …