Digital Commons Network^™

Implementation Of A Diabetic Resource Toolkit In A Veterans Administration Emergency Department, Caroline Hairston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Uncontrolled diabetes and lack of self-care knowledge leads to increased emergency department (ED) visits, utilizing limited health care resources. The practice-focused question asked whether a patient-focused diabetic self-care toolkit could decrease the number of diabetes-related ED visits. The purpose of this project was to reduce the number of diabetes-related ED visits and was supported by the social cognitive theory. The sources of evidence included the facility's ED Information System (EDIS) data and a patient survey developed by the project lead. There were 149 participants (135 males and 14 …

Educating Oncology Nurses On The Benefits Of Patient Exercise, Roberta Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exercise benefits patients with cancer during and after treatments. A formalized educational program is lacking at the project's site for oncology nurses on the benefits of exercise for their patients during and after treatment. The purpose of the project was to address the identified gap in practice at the project's site by providing education to oncology nurses on the benefits of exercise for their patients during and after treatment. The ARCS model of motivational design was used as a theoretical foundation to develop and guide the educational program presented to the oncology nurses. The question addressed in the project was: …

Strategies And Assessments To Support Special Education Students' Writing The Literacy Test, Angelo Caesar Maniccia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many special education (SPED) students are failing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) despite writing instruction provided by SPED teachers. The purpose of this study was to understand teachers' perceptions about why students were failing the literacy/writing test and document whether evidence-based assessment and writing practices were implemented. Cognitive-behavioral theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions in this study focused on SPED teachers perceptions regarding students not passing the OSSLT, observations of whether assessment and instruction for writing aligned with best practices, and collecting baseline curriculum-based measurement (CBM) data of SPED students' current writing …

Program Evaluation Of A Laptop Initiative For Student Learning, Thomas O'Hara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Administrators of a New Jersey school district implemented a 1:1 laptop initiative in Grades 6-8 in 2013 to bolster student achievement. An evaluation had not been conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of the initiative. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the 1:1 laptop initiative on student achievement. The conceptual framework for this study was Stufflebeam's context, input, process, and product evaluation model. The focus of the research question was the differences in New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge math scores between students involved in the 1:1 laptop initiative for 1 year and students who …

Leadership Strategies For Retaining Mariners Aboard State Maritime Academy Training Ships, Augusta D. Roth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The shortage of qualified merchant marines in the United States requires State Maritime Academy (SMA) leaders to develop competitive retention strategies to retain merchant mariners aboard training vessels. The purpose of this single case study was to identify retention strategies that U.S. SMA leaders used to retain mariners aboard training ships. The conceptual framework of this study was Vroom's expectancy theory. The study participants consisted of 5 SMA leaders overseeing the mariners aboard a training vessel. Semistructured interviews and review of SMA documents pertaining to employment strategies provided the study data. The data analysis included collecting and coding data, and …

Student Perceptions Of Environmental Quality While Attending Accelerated Medical Technology College Courses, Ralph L. Westbrook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Regional weather patterns in the southwestern United States frequently test the engineering involved in indoor air handling equipment in college facilities. Although an adequate indoor thermal environment has been found to affect student learning, little is known about students' perceptions of classroom heating and ventilation and impacts on learning. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how students in accelerated medical technology courses perceived the environmental quality in their classrooms and discern whether these conditions affected overall gains in knowledge, persistence, and retention in their learning. Fourteen participants from 2 local community colleges were interviewed using purposeful sampling. …

Educators' Perceptions Of A School-Based Antibullying Program In An Elementary School, Jacquelyn Andrea Sims-Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bullying is a problem experienced in schools across the country including in the ABC Elementary School in Georgia, where the No Place for Hate antibullying program is in place to address this problem. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand educators' perspectives on their experiences implementing the program. Bandura's social learning theory was used as the conceptual foundation for this study. A content analysis research method based on that of Yin and employing NVivo software was used to analyze interviews. The participants were asked to comment on three main areas: (a) bullying, (b) useful components of the …

Evaluating Nursing Pain Assessment Documentation With The Pediatric Client, Aziza Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pain is often seen as a primary complaint in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Assessment and documentation of pain are integral to effective pain management, and nurses are responsible for documenting pain assessment. Nursing documentation is essential for ensuring continuous, safe, high-quality care. Evidence shows nurses are inadequately documenting pain assessment and reassessment and not always using appropriate pain scales in a busy, cosmopolitan children's hospital ED. The practice-focused question that guided this project was: How does an educational module and change in electronic health record pain assessment flowsheet increase the nurses' compliance with initial documentation of pain? An educational …

Use Of Antipsychotic Medications In Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease In Nursing Facilities, Michelle M. Dionne-Vahalik

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patients with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia often require long-term care in nursing facilities (NF) where they may display out-of-character behaviors complicating their care. While antipsychotic medications are sometimes prescribed for NF residents, their use is considered inappropriate for the control of dementia behaviors. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have rated Texas the worst state in the country for the inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications for NF residents with dementia. This project was guided by the star model of knowledge transformation with the goal to reduce inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications through NF staff education. The …

Tracing Writing Techniques From High School To College: Writing As Discussion For Students From Low-Income Backgrounds, Connor Mullins

Honors Theses and Capstones

Students from low-income backgrounds are finding themselves more disenfranchised with school as they progress through their high school careers. This thesis presents the notion that generating a positive form of extrinsic motivation within in the classroom can orient students to become intrinsically motivated towards schooling and writing. In interviewing six students within an Upward Bound program, I found that the approaches the program took during their summer session helped generate an interest for writing within students. By creating a community that cared for each other and brought writing instruction to focus on communication, students found themselves enjoying the process of …

A Qualitative Examination Of Strategic Planning And Process Improvement In Public Universities: Dynamics Of The Relationship To State Funding, Competition, And Undergraduate Degree Completion, Stanford E. Ford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are facing many challenges including state funding, competition, and maintaining the best possible graduation rate. This study: (1) examined the strategic plans and strategic planning processes to explore how, and to what extent, these tool are being used to address these challenges; and (2) explored the extent to which continuous process improvement is included in strategic planning efforts. A qualitative research design employing a grounded theory approach was used in this study. The researcher reviewed the perceptions of the participants at each of four selected public institutions regarding strategic planning processes, including their beliefs with …

Are Audience Response Systems Worth The Cost? Comparing Question-Driven Teaching Strategies For Emergency Medical Technician Education, Lauren M. Maloney, James P. Dilger, Paul A. Werfel, Linda M. Cimino

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: As Emergency Medical Technician educators develop curricula to meet new national educational standards, effective teaching strategies validated for course content and unique student demographics are warranted. Three methods for answering multiple choice questions presented during lectures were compared: a) Audience Response System (ARS, clickers), b) hand-raising-with-eyes-closed (no-cost option), and c) passive response (no-cost option). The purpose was to determine if using the ARS resulted in improved exam scores. Method: 113 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students participated in this cross-over, block randomized, controlled trial, which was incorporated into their Cardiac Emergencies and Pulmonary Emergencies course lectures. Students took …

The Relationship Of Underrepresented Minority Status With Choice Process When Considering The Physician Assistant Profession, Christina Hanson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Representation of African Americans, Latinos, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives in the Physician Assistant (PA) profession is not growing at the same rate as in the general population, leaving these groups underrepresented in the PA profession. To increase the diversity of the PA profession, the diversity of matriculating PA students must first increase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the choice process of underrepresented minority (URM) and non-URM applicants and matriculants to PA school, to identify trends in the choice processes of URM individuals considering the PA profession. In this quantitative, retrospective study, chi-square analysis was performed …

Key Transformational Leadership Strategies For Curriculum Development In Elementary Schools, Sophia Khousadian

Theses and Dissertations

As a result of changing educational expectations and regulatory environment, there is a need for elementary school teachers to consider carefully curriculum development. The purpose of this research is to identify key transformational leadership strategies for curriculum development in elementary schools. Other than the requirements of credentials, teacher's deal with state-required policies and standardized testing. Study methods included interviews of retired elementary school teachers in California to discover transformational leadership strategies implemented in developing curriculum. A qualitative approach was selected to identify strategies implemented within the school setting and used within daily curriculum (Creswell, 2003). Validity was established through an …

Best Practices To Reduce Math Anxiety, Karen Michelle Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations

The subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) have grown in importance because they are fundamental to the future quality of life and the ability to compete in today's global society. The demand for STEM careers is increasing; however, the United States is having difficulty meeting this demand. Society needs students who can research and think critically, so they can be proficient in STEM education and become the next generation of mathematicians, technologists, and engineers. Mathematical proficiency is of particular concern because while it is required from STEM education success, individuals find it challenging. Both adults and children have …

8890: Athletic Training Student Application Of Patient-Centered Care During Clinical Education: A Report From The Athletic Training Clinical Education Network, J. M. Cavallario, C. E. Welch Bacon, S. E. Walker, R. C. Bay, B. L. Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Patient-centered care (PCC) is the most frequently implemented core competency by students in health care education programs, and is more likely to be included when students and preceptors are jointly treating patients during clinical education. However, past research has examined only self-identification of implementation, not the inclusion of components of the competency during patient encounters (PEs).

Objective: To assess whether athletic training students (ATSs) are integrating concepts of PCC during PEs as a part of their clinical education experiences.

Design: Multisite, panel design.

Setting: Three Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training programs (2 baccalaureate, 1 …

8902: Athletic Training Student Application Of Evidence-Based Practice During Clinical Education: A Report From The Athletic Training Clinical Education Network, B. L. Van Lunen, J. M. Cavallario, S. E. Walker, R. C. Bay, C. E. Welch Bacon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Previous research has demonstrated that the translation of evidence-based practice (EBP) from didactic environments to clinical practice can be difficult. The level to which athletic training students (ATSs) incorporate EBP during clinical experiences is still largely unknown. Objective: To assess whether ATSs are integrating concepts of EBP during patient encounters (PEs) as a part of their clinical experiences. Design: Multisite, panel design. Setting: Three Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training programs (2 baccalaureate, 1 postbaccalaureate). Patients or Other Participants: One thousand three hundred nineteen PEs (539 pediatric patients, 775 adult patients, 5 missing) were entered …

8917: Athletic Training Student Application Of Quality Improvement During Clinical Education: A Report From The Athletic Training Clinical Education Network, B. C. Jones, C. E. Welch Bacon, J. M. Cavallario, S. E. Walker, R. C. Bay, B. L. Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: A component of quality improvement (QI) is the ability to reflect on the effectiveness of one's practice. Past research has demonstrated that QI is more frequently implemented in patient encounters (PEs) in which athletic training students (ATSs) are assisting the preceptor. As one of the core competencies, QI will be a required curricular content component in all professional athletic training programs in 2020.

Objective: To assess whether ATSs are integrating concepts of QI during PEs as a part of their clinical experiences.

Design: Multisite, panel design.

Setting: Three Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training programs …

8893: Athletic Training Student Application Of Health Information Technology During Clinical Education: A Report From The Athletic Training Clinical Education Network, C. E. Welch Bacon, S. E. Walker, J. M. Cavallario, R. C. Bay, B. L. Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Health information technology (HIT) is becoming ubiquitous in health care, so it is essential to ensure professional athletic training students (ATSs) are gaining exposure to the concepts of HIT throughout their clinical experiences. Research has demonstrated that when ATSs observe patient encounters (PEs) they are less likely to implement HIT; however, it is still unclear how or to what extent ATSs are incorporating concepts of HIT during individual PEs. Objective: To assess whether ATSs are integrating concepts of HIT during PEs as part of their clinical experiences. Design: Multisite, panel design. Setting: Convenience sample of 3 Commission on Accreditation …

Empowering Parents To Encourage Children To Read Beyond The Early Years, Margaret K. Merga, Saiyidi Mat Roni

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Enjoyment of reading books is related to reading proficiency, and fostering students’ enjoyment of reading is imperative to support continued reading engagement. However, not all students understand that reading is important, and not all students are regularly engaged in recreational reading. Children typically read for pleasure less often as they age, leading researchers to seek effective ways that social influences can support them to be lifelong readers beyond the early years. Parents can play an important role in communicating the continued importance of reading and fostering positive attitudes toward reading. However, after independent reading skill acquisition, parents may become a …

Predictors Of Noncompliance To Antihypertensive Therapy Among Hypertensive Patients Ghana: Application Of Health Belief Model, Yaa Obirikorang, Christian Obirikorang, Emmanuel Acheampong, Enoch Odame Anto, Daniel Gyamfi, Selorm Philip Segbefia, Michael Opoku Boateng, Dari Pascal Dapilla, Peter Kojo Brenya, Bright Amankwaa, Evans Asamoah Adu, Emmanuel Nsenbah Batu, Adjei Gyimah Akwasi, Beatrice Amoah

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study determined noncompliance to antihypertensive therapy (AHT) and its associated factors in a Ghanaian population by using the health belief model (HBM). This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Kintampo Municipality in Ghana recruited a total of 678 hypertensive patients. The questionnaire constituted information regarding sociodemographics, a five-Likert type HBM questionnaire, and lifestyle-related factors. The rate of noncompliance to AHT in this study was 58.6%. The mean age (SD) of the participants was 43.5 (±5.2) years and median duration of hypertension was 2 years. Overall, the five HBM constructs explained 31.7% of the variance in noncompliance to AHT with a …

A Brief Overview Of Robotic Telescopes, Student Research And Education Research In The English Literature, Michael Fitzgerald, Ross Cutts, Saeed Salimpour, Stephanie Slater

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this paper, a brief overview of the 250 known academic publications that can be considered Robotic Telescopes, Student Research and Education related articles is provided. Their method of selection is described as well as their availability on the istardb.org database. The typical types of articles are described and their major locations of publications are outlined. From this a rough impact analysis using a blunt citation metric is used to get a broad feel for the field as a whole. These explorations lead to some fairly compelling conclusions about broadly how to write an article in the field with some …

Our Solar Siblings: A High School Focused Robotic Telescope-Based Astronomy Education Project, Michael Fitzgerald, David H. Mckinnon, Lena Danaia, Ross Cutts, Saeed Salimpour, Mariana Sacchi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this paper, a robotic telescope-centric high-school level astronomy education project, Our Solar Siblings (OSS) is outlined. The project, an LCO official education partner, was formed as an institution-independent non-profit collaboration of volunteers officially in 2014, although the first version of the curriculum materials and approach was initially first designed in 2010. We outline the five goals of the project and the three approaches (formal classroom, independent student research and providing support to similar endeavours) we implement to try and achieve these goals. The curriculum materials, a central part of the project, are outlined as are their connections to various …

College As Capability Enhancement, Cristina Lee

CMC Senior Theses

In this thesis I wanted to apply the Sen’s framework in Development as Freedom to college campuses. In my experience at Claremont McKenna College, I have seen how some students are able to take advantage of the resources better than others. Given that we were all accepted by the same admissions office, I always questioned why did some students know how to take advantage of the system. In order to explore this, I first discuss Sen’s capability approach. Then, I show how the capability approach is more comprehensive than social networking theory and William Deresiewicz’s account on elite colleges. Finally, …

Exploring Incivility Among Nursing And Health Science Students: A Descriptive Study, Diane Louise Smith

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Incivility has infiltrated our institutions of higher learning as well as the world of nursing. All too familiar in nursing is the phrase “eating their young,” which aptly describes how nurses treat other nurses, even though they should be nurturing and caring professionals.

The investigator explored nursing and health science students’ perceptions of student and faculty uncivil behaviors within the academic environment, seeking the levels and frequency of the problem. Bandura’s social learning theory presents a sound theoretical framework for this dissertation. The research methodology consisted of a quantitative descriptive approach. The Incivility in Higher Education-Revised (IHE-R) Survey was used …

Effects Of An Alcohol Education Program On Improving Knowledge, Attitudes And Satisfaction Of Registered Nurses Caring For Patients Undergoing Alcohol Withdrawal, Luis Medina

Seton Hall University DNP Final Projects

Managing and caring for patients who are undergoing alcohol withdrawal presents challenges for nurses in an inpatient setting. These challenges are influenced by factors such as negative attitudes, lack of knowledge and poor satisfaction. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to determine whether the effects of implementing an alcohol educational program would improve knowledge and satisfaction while reducing negative attitudes. This program implemented education on alcoholism, alcohol withdrawal and the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar) monitoring tool which would be incorporated into the everyday practice of nurses caring for patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal. The …

Biblical Patriarchy In Doctrine And Practice: An Analysis Of Evangelical Christian Homeschooling, Tonya Vander

Intermountain West Journal of Religious Studies

“I spent most of my days while homeschooling trying to figure out how to be a better person, how to be more perfect, how to be a better homeschooler, a better dishwasher, a better everything,” Janine, a mother, reflected on her homeschooling years. In the United States, homeschooled children made up three percent of the population in the 2011-2012 school year. In addition, two-thirds of all homeschooling families were concerned about the integration of religion in their children’s education as a core reason for choosing homeschool over public school. Some Evangelical Christian homeschoolers (ECHS) responded to such concerns by tailoring …

Elim's Cultural Values: Reaffirming And Implementing Indigenous Values In Education, Samantha C. Marchant

Education

The curriculum project Elim's Cultural Values: Reaffirming and Implementing Indigenous Values in Education was brought to light through community-based participatory action research. Through informal interviews, survey analysis and discussions with local residents of Elim, Alaska; Elim's Cultural Values were identified and implemented into local curriculum. The Indigenous values of the community of Elim are a combination of both Yup'ik and Inupiaq heritage. These values have been carefully laid out into a set of forty separate lessons, (ten cultural value units) in which educators in the local school can implement culturally relevant lessons that connect with the Bering Strait School District …

Effectiveness Of Social Work Reentry Programs At Preventing Recidivism, Daniel C. Grijalva

Publications and Research

Each year in the United States, thousands of individuals are released from prisons and must reintegrate into society. Ensuring these individuals obtain adequate employment upon release is key to keeping them from returning to the penal system. This paper examines different social work programs that attempt to secure employment for ex-offenders. This paper reviews the obstacles these programs face and considers how social workers can improve the effectiveness of these programs at preventing recidivism. This paper acknowledges that some of these programs have achieved moderate success in preventing recidivism but recognizes the need to research current programs’ methodologies so that …

Reciprocity And Reflection In Community-Based Study Abroad Courses In Rural Costa Rica, Genny D. Ballard, Sarah Murray

PRISM: A Journal of Regional Engagement

This manuscript will examine two high-impact practices in academia, community-based learning, and study abroad. The authors discuss the benefits of both practices and how pairing the two can benefit not only future educators but future leaders. This model provides students with the opportunity to become more globally competent through their time in another culture. Throughout this immersion, college students taught English in the context of reading, mathematics, science, or social studies. Critical and analytical reflection was a significant aspect of their college course. At the conclusion of their community-based study abroad course, students were asked to synthesize a final report …