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Exploring The Potential For Transformative Learning Through Critical Reflection For Undergraduate Students Of Applied Social Sciences Undertaking Final Year Research Projects, Ruth Harris

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

This small-scale qualitative study investigated the potential for transformative learning through critical reflection for students of Applied Social Sciences undertaking final year research projects. Literature related to transformative learning and critical reflection underpinned the study. Seven lecturers experienced in undergraduate research supervision from one campus in a Technological University were interviewed, reflecting a case study and Action Research approach. Key findings were that currently there is some evidence of transformative learning for these undergraduate researchers, but it ‘is not a given’ and examples of missed opportunities at each stage of the research process were described. Supervisors linked transformative learning to …

The Path Of Preparation: Engaging The Spirit’S Work In Your Soul To Be Ready For The Life God Has For You, Janelle Koontz

Masters Theses

Spiritual preparation is the ongoing act of engaging faith and life in a way that helps a follower of Jesus become more aware of what God is doing in his or her life. With a developed sense of how God is moving, followers of Jesus are able to engage surprises, both positive and negative, in a grounded way. This grounding is rooted in the knowledge that God is with them and that He has been working from before time and through their lives to get them ready for these moments. A biblical understanding of preparation based on word studies and …

The Significance Of Cavalry In The American Civil War In Deciding Victory And Defeat, Specifically In The Western And Trans-Mississippi Theaters Of The War., Tony R. Malone Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research examines how effective cavalry was in the American Civil War, and the ultimate decision in victory and defeat. To answer this question, one must first investigate the origin of the American cavalry from its foundation in the American Revolution and trace it to the beginning of the American Civil War; this brings the reader to several sub-questions that help answer the main question. Why was Confederate cavalry dominating early in the war, and why did Union cavalry ultimately gain parity and superiority over its Confederate counterparts?

The readers will start with a solid look into the history of …

The Relationship Between Morality, Perceptions Of Self And Others, And Purpose In Life: A Moderation Analysis, Ashley Burgess Leininger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Morality is an understudied construct in psychological research, despite its fundamental role in shaping human behavior and self-perception. This quantitative study examined whether purpose in life moderated the relationship between morality and perceptions of the self and others. Two hypotheses were tested, H1: There will be a relationship between morality and perception of self and others; H2: Purpose in life will moderate the relationship between morality and perception of self and others. Ninety-one individuals recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk completed the Purpose in Life scale (PIL), Moral Foundation Questionnaire (MFQ30), Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Collective Self-Esteem Scale …

Insufficient Leadership Training For Ministers At Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church That Enables Them To Serve The Congregation In The Absence Of The Senior Pastor, Shirley J. Gamble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to create an operation and coaching module on every aspect of church ministry to train ministers. This project aims to establish a process following Ephesians 4:11-12, which states, “And He gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (King James Version). The Christian leadership training for ministers at MSMBC will enable them to serve the congregation in the absence of the senior pastor. The desired …

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of Liposomes: Structure, Dynamics, And Applications, Ehsan Khodadadi, Ehsaneh Khodadadi, Parth Chaturvedi, Mahmoud Moradi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Liposomes are nanoscale, spherical vesicles composed of phospholipid bilayers, typically ranging from 50 to 200 nm in diameter. Their unique ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules makes them powerful nanocarriers for drug delivery, diagnostics, and vaccine formulations. Several FDA-approved formulations such as Doxil (R) (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, USA), AmBisome (R) (Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA), and Onivyde (R) (Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ, USA) highlight their clinical significance. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of how molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, particularly coarse-grained (CG) and atomistic approaches, advance our understanding of liposomal membranes. We …

Has Regional Hospital Autonomy Achieved Its Goals? Lessons Learned From Indonesia: A Systematic Review, Masyitoh Basabih, Indriaswari Widhakuswara

Kesmas

This study examined the impact of hospital autonomy implementation on the performance of regional public hospitals in Indonesia, particularly in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and governance. A systematic review of 32 peer-reviewed studies published between June 12 and September 6, 2023, was conducted using Garba Rujukan Digital and Google Scholar, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies addressing financial performance, service outcomes, and challenges related to implementing autonomy were included. The findings indicated that while autonomy led to improvements in infrastructure, service types, visit volumes, and hospital revenues, it had only a marginal impact on improving key health performance outcomes, such as service …

Barriers To Implementing Comprehensive Sexuality Education As A Strategy To Prevent Adolescent Pregnancy In Indramayu District, Indonesia, Een Kurnaesih, Chahya Kharin Herbawani, Nelly Febriani

Kesmas

The implementation of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is not optimal. This qualitative study aimed to identify and contextualize barriers to CSE implementation, specifically in Indramayu District, Indonesia. Conventional content analysis procedures were used. Seven participants, consisting of relevant authorities, were interviewed. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select participants. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. The barriers to CSE implementation in Indramayu District were identified across five themes: advocacy, technical considerations, coordination and collaboration, integration with other sexual and reproductive health projects, and …

Experiences Of Elderly Living With Noncommunicable Diseases In Utilizing Health Services In Myanmar During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nway Eint Chei, Kwanjai Amnatsatsue, Natkamol Chansatitporn, Ariya Bunngamchairat

Kesmas

The COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflicts in Myanmar have intensified the challenges in accessing and utilizing health services, particularly for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among older adults. This qualitative study explored the experiences of the elderly with NCDs regarding health service accessibility and utilization in secure areas with fully operational health facilities by conducting in-depth interviews with 20 eligible older adults in Myanmar; data were analyzed using content analysis. Four key themes emerged: NCD service utilization patterns; unmet needs; preferences and hesitancy toward NCD services; and disparities, barriers, and opportunities. The findings revealed widespread underutilization of NCD services due to several …

Public Benefits Cliffs And Asset Limits Harm The Economic Mobility Of Young Adult Workers, Stephen Roll, Mathieu Despard, Guangli Zhang

Center for Social Development Research

At its best, the public benefits system in the United States helps families avoid poverty’s most severe effects while also giving them a hand up. But the system also can keep working families in poverty. Workers may want to earn more money, take better jobs, or save for the future, but doing so can raise their income above program limits, causing workers to lose the benefits they and their families need to survive. This is known as the benefits cliff. This brief draws upon data from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility survey to explore how benefits cliffs and related …

Predictors Of Self-Efficacy In Single Mothers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Melissa L. Constable

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Single mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face significant difficulties. Challenges faced by these women have notable impacts on their psychological well-being and subsequently their families. Self-efficacy is a key construct to understanding psychological well-being and potentially a key area of intervention for these mothers. This study examined the factors of health care alliance, perceived social supports, and religious coping on maternal self-efficacy in 87 single mothers of children with autism. Findings from a regression analysis suggested that these variables have predictive power regarding maternal self-efficacy, F (4, 82) = 3.721, p =.008. Though when analyzed individually,© no …

Rumination As A Moderator In The Relationship Between Divine Forgiveness And Forgiveness Of Self In Older Adults, Christopher R. Giles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A growing body of research supports empirical evidence that the ability to self-forgive benefits mental, emotional, and physical health. Recent literature has documented the predictive relationship between divine forgiveness and self-forgiveness. However, little attention has been given to the cognitive processes that may influence this relationship. Furthermore, research on forgiveness has largely overlooked the older adult population, despite forgiveness being shown to be a developmental construct. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between offense-specific divine forgiveness, rumination, and self-forgiveness in individuals aged 60 and older. Data were collected from 101 participants through an anonymous online survey utilizing previously validated …

Examining Credit Loss Faced By Military-Connected Students: A Causal Comparison Based On High School Mobility And Resilience Factors, Jamie Alicia Cannon Klink

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, causal-comparative study investigated the number of academic credits lost among military-connected high school students based on their geographic mobility: those who moved zero, one, or more than one time during their high school years, when controlling for the students’ resilience, as measured by the Current Experience Scale. Understanding the impact of geographic mobility on the resilience and academic credits of military-connected high school students is critical, as it exemplifies the unique challenges and obstacles this student population faces. A one-way analysis of covariance was used to test the hypothesis, but assumptions were violated and transformations were unsuccessful. Ultimately, …

Comparing The Effects Of Numerical Versus Syllable-Based Pedagogy On Kindergarten Academics, Tocorey C. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of numerically based and syllable-based pedagogical approaches on kindergarten students in a school located in Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida. The Kodály Method, a well-established and effective music education strategy, offers numerous classroom benefits. Teachers can utilize both numerically based and syllable-based approaches within the Kodály framework. However, additional data are required to ascertain whether these approaches can enhance academic performance among kindergarten students. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of syllable-based music training on kindergarten reading scores and numerical-based music training on kindergarten math scores. The initial …

Is The Misdiagnosis Of Adhd And The Use Of Ritalin Related To Delinquent Behaviors And Problems With Social Anxiety Disorder In Young Boys?, Michael A. Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses are increasing at a rapid rate. Young boys are known to be very energetic, inattentive, and lack the attention needed to function well in school or other venues, and based on these attributes, they often have a higher rate of diagnosis of ADHD than girls. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, comparative study was to assess the validity of retrospectively examining ADHD misdiagnosis and associated Ritalin use. Specifically, how proposed childhood misdiagnosis of ADHD was related to delinquent behaviors and social anxiety in adolescence and adulthood was examined. Results showed over half of the participants (n …

Learning Needs Of African American High School Students With Dyslexia Within An Inclusive, Co-Teaching Environment: A Holistic Single Case Study, Aigbovboise Ayo Ehabahe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic, single case study was to describe the experiences of special and general education teachers collaborating to support the learning needs of African American high school students with dyslexia within an inclusive, co-teaching environment. The theory guiding this study was Cole’s intersectionality theory on co-teaching, as it explains how the interactions and strategies between co-teachers influence the academic success of students with dyslexia. The central research question was: How do special and general education teachers describe their experiences collaborating with one another to support the learning needs of African American high school students with dyslexia within …

Do Males Use Ai Tools Differently Than Female Students When Conducting Social Science Research?, Marsha A. Donaldson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, applied, relational study aimed to explore how male graduate students used AI tools differently from female graduate students when conducting social science research. The sample for the study was collected using the Prolific application. The inclusion criteria were that participants had to be adults aged 18 years or older, English-speaking, graduated between 2020 and 2024, social science majors, and had utilized AI tools in their research. The study’s total sample consisted of 210 participants, which were disaggregated into 50% female and 50% male participants. T-test, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between multiple …

Increasing Patient Satisfaction And Engagement By Improving Patient Intake Process In An Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Hotenesia Njoroge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This scholarly project aimed to enhance patient satisfaction and engagement by improving the intake process in an outpatient mental health clinic. Inefficient intake procedures, characterized by long wait times, communication gaps, and misreferrals, contribute to patient disengagement and dissatisfaction. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design evaluated a patient-centered intervention involving communication training, streamlined workflows, and real-time updates. Data were collected from 52 participants using Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) and qualitative feedback. Quantitative results revealed high satisfaction with staff respect (M = 4.19), communication clarity (M = 4.06), and facility comfort (M = 4.13). Wait time satisfaction scored slightly lower (M = 3.96), …

Paul’S Second Missionary Journey In Acts: How Paul Was Adaptable In His Church-Centered Missiology For Fulfilling The Great Commission Among Jews And Gentiles, Terri P. Graham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation argues that the Apostle Paul fulfilled the Great Commission by employing a church-centered missiology throughout his second missionary journey, as recorded in Acts 16–18. Through contextualized evangelism and intentional church-planting, Paul established covenant communities marked by baptism, discipleship, pastoral leadership, and theological instruction. His model demonstrates that the local church drives the agent and result of the mission, offering a biblically grounded paradigm for contemporary missions.

Decreasing The Incidence Of Healthcare Associated Presure Injuries In The Acute Care Setting, Amanda R. Nichols

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Healthcare-associated pressure injuries (HAPIs) can cause great harm to vulnerable patients. Acquiring a HAPI during hospitalization can result in delayed wound treatment, prolonged hospitalization, risk for infection, reimbursement issues for the facility, and delayed patient discharge. Avoiding these injuries is essential to improve patient outcomes. Research reveals that the implementation of nurse education and two registered nurse skin assessments on admission, instead of one nurse skin assessment, can decrease the incidence of healthcare-associated pressure injuries. Using the Iowa model, the goal of this scholarly project is to implement evidence-based research to change the current process and decrease the incidence of …

Defining Moral Injury: A Delphi Study For A Comprehensive And Consensus-Based Definition, Darius J. Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study utilized a modified Delphi method to develop a consensus definition of Moral Injury across theological, clinical, and experiential domains. Recognizing the term's interdisciplinary ambiguity, the research engaged chaplains, clinicians, ethicists, and professionals from healthcare, military, and psychological contexts to discern shared language and conceptual frameworks. The Delphi process consisted of three iterative rounds, progressing from open-ended questions to structured Likert-scale responses and definition validation. While consensus (80% agreement) was not achieved, a majority (61.5%) of panelists affirmed a pneuma-oriented definition that positions Moral Injury as a wound to the spirit resulting from a violation of deeply held ethical …

Social Media And Mental Health According To Generation Z: A Health Belief Model-Based Cross-Sectional Evaluation Of Generation Z Adults’ Attitudes And Perceptions Of Problematic Social Media Use And Its Relationship With Depression And Anxiety, Michael Chad Gann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Purpose: This study aimed to examine Generation Z adults’ attitudes and perceptions of problematic social media use (PSMU) as they relate to mental health problems (depression and anxiety) through the lens of the Mental Health Belief Model.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey gathered data from a convenience sample (N = 353) of Generation Z adults (age 18-30) after receiving approval from the LU IRB. The previously validated instrument battery included the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Patient Health Questionaire – 9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder – 7 (GAD-7), and the Greene (2012) MHBM subscales for perceived susceptibility …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Principals On The Impact Social And Emotional Learning Has On Student Academic Performance, Angela Mastantuono

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of principals in examining the social and emotional learning skills of middle school grades sixth-eighth and if there is an impact on student academic achievement. The theories that guided this study were Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, as they are grounded in explaining the need for social and emotional learning integration into the classroom and how to successfully achieve this. Both theories discuss the positive impact that socialization has on the development of any human being. The central research question was, “What are the lived …

Forgiveness, Spousal Infidelity, And Sex Addiction: Christian Wives’ Lived Experiences, Angela Roake Livingston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how betrayed Christian wives described their understanding of and motivation to forgive their husbands’ infidelity due to sex addiction in the United States. The theory which guided this study was Albert Bandura’s Self- Efficacy, as it examines one’s ability to use personal judgment in executing courses of action to contend with challenges. For this reason, the Self-Efficacy theory was best suited for understanding Christian wives’ lived experiences of forgiveness after experiencing sexual betrayal in marriage. Data was collected via virtual, open-ended, semi-structured interviews via Zoom following a thirty-two-question script addressing the …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of The Role Of Spiritual Mindfulness Practices In Coping With Divorce Loss In Christian Women, Gale Louise Nicolai

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aims to understand the role of spiritual mindfulness practices in counseling individuals who have experienced divorce. The theory guiding this study is the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, which recognizes the interconnectivity and mutual influence of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. This data will be descriptive, using open-ended interview questions. Data analysis will be thematic. The study participants are women who self-identify as Christian at 1-10 years post-divorce. The independent variable is spiritual mindfulness practices. The dependent variables are women who self-identify as Christian at 1-10 years post-divorce.

Centralizing Discipleship Through Small Groups, Roger O. Nelmes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Centralizing Discipleship through Small Groups explores how intentional leadership development and relational disciple-making practices can reframe a megachurch’s approach to spiritual formation. Conducted at Hope City, a dynamic, urban, multisite nondenominational congregation, this mixed-methods action research integrates qualitative interviews, quantitative Likert scale surveys, and a focus group to evaluate the effectiveness of a holistic discipleship framework. Key interventions included a Group Leader Intensive Training (LIT), the implementation of Rooted small groups, and the launch of Intentional Relational Discipleship (IRD) groups, all designed to shift the church’s culture from attractional programming to a missional, relational ethos. Data revealed that small groups, …

Exploring Academic Motivation In Students With Intellectual Disabilities Through The Experiences Of Teachers: A Phenomenological Study, Brett Franz O'Brien

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of teachers when addressing the academic motivation of elementary-aged children with intellectual disabilities in suburban Eastern North Carolina. The theory guiding this study was Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory, which explains that people can be intrinsically motivated, extrinsically motivated, or have amotivation. The central research question of this hermeneutic phenomenology was “What are the lived experiences of teachers when addressing the academic motivation of elementary-aged children with ID in suburban Eastern North Carolina?” The study focused on the lived experiences of 10 teachers in Eastern North Carolina who …

Evaluating Mental Health Providers’ Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Stigma Among Teenagers Aged 13 To 19 Years With Mental Illness, Fredrica Murray-Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Limited knowledge and poor attitudes among mental health providers contribute to stigma towards individuals with mental illness, adversely affecting treatment experience and outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving mental health providers’ knowledge and attitudes toward stigma-based practices. The clinical question stated: Among mental health providers, does an educational intervention, compared to standard practice, improve knowledge and attitudes of stigma and promote evidence-based care delivery to teenagers aged 13 to 19 with mental illness within six weeks? The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) was used as a framework for implementing this study. The quasi-experimental …

Divine Grace In Human Flourishing Amid Suffering, Sutjipto Utomo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Human flourishing is as potent as it is intricate. There is a need in the Christian context for a model of human flourishing among other available models. This current qualitative study seeks to gather insights into human flourishing amid suffering among Methodist clergy in Indonesia. The phenomenological approach delved into the essence of encountering the grace of the Lord and flourishing amid the adversities in their ministry. The purposeful sampling was carried out, and fifteen clergy participated in the semi-structured interviews. Their responses helped with gaining insights into the themes of God’s grace, suffering, and human flourishing amid suffering. The …

The Primacy Of Revelation 21:1-7 As Declared In The Covenant Formula As A Theological Mosaic Of Creation, Covenant, And The Metanarrative Of God’S Plan In Scripture, Paul E. Hinsberg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the theological significance of Revelation 21:1-7, as defined through the theological mosaic of creation, covenant, and the metanarrative of God's plan in Scripture, as embodied in the covenant formula. The study examines the covenant formula's role in the Old Testament, focusing on its appearances and variations, and how it interacts with surrounding texts to convey theological themes. The analysis extends to the New Testament, ultimately focusing on Revelation 21:1-7, where the covenant formula appears uniquely as direct utterances by God. The dissertation argues that Revelation 21:1-7 should be viewed as a declarative statement of God's culminating act, …