Digital Commons Network^™

Where Words Fail Music Speaks: A Qualitative Exploration Of Uses And Gratification Theory And How Music Influences College Students In Their Daily Productivity, Relationships And Self-Perception, Abagayil E. Hatt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The dissertation project explores the music consumption of college students aged 18 - 24 and its influence on them. The study focus is how music impacts daily productivity-related decisions, relationships, and self-perception. Through ZOOM interviews and personal logs, this qualitative dissertation explored the influence music has on college students aged 18 – 24. This study contributes to the field of communication by revealing how music influences young adults’ communication, decisions, and identity. This study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of how music shapes behavior and identity.

Authentic Disciples Of Christ: An Exegetical Analysis Of Jesus’S Expectations Of His Disciples’ Behaviors, Jessika S. Sandel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The fulfillment of the Great Commission demands that the Church possess a clear and objective understanding of what constitutes a disciple. Because the New Testament does not present a specific definition of a disciple, local churches adopt culturally-shaped paradigms—conversion-only evangelism, curriculum-driven frameworks, or programmatic models—that fragment the biblical vision and conflate orthodoxy and orthopraxy. This study addresses this tension by articulating a biblically-formed composition of a disciple, arguing that authentic disciples do not merely confess belief but are Spirit-formed witnesses to Christ’s redemption, reflecting his identity through enduring faith marked by love, obedience, perseverance, and gospel proclamation. Motivated by theological …

A Predictive Correlational Study Of Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction And Emotional Exhaustion Among K-12 Educators, Shelbey K. Covington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to determine if there is a relationship between compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and emotional exhaustion in K-12 educators. There is limited research investigating the impacts of compassion factors on the emotional exhaustion and burnout of educators. This study is important because emotional exhaustion not only affects educators’ well-being and job performance but also has significant implications for student academic outcomes and overall school effectiveness. The research observed 111 full-time, certified K-12 educators, who were employed in a public or private school in the state of South Carolina. Data was collected utilizing …

Single-Working Parents’ Psychological Autonomy And Psychological Well-Being And The Mediating Role Of Work-Life Balance, Patrina Anastasia Lowrie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Single-working parents (SWPs) shoulder dual roles and responsibilities, often resulting in strained psychological autonomy (PA), psychological well-being (PWB), and work-life balance (WLB) across their work and nonwork domains. These overlapping responsibilities create challenges in sustaining a quality of life over time. The specific problem this study addressed is that many SWPs in leadership positions do not manage their emotional center well, and the relationships among their PA, PWB, and WLB remain unknown. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine whether WLB mediates the relationship between PA and PWB in adult SWPs. Research questions were developed to explore …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Exploring Experiences Of Secondary Teachers With Content- Only Training Instructing English Language Learners, Anita Ellis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the initial experiences of secondary content teachers from diverse backgrounds during their first five years in high schools with a substantial number of English Language Learners (above 50%) in north Georgia. The theory guiding this study is Schlossberg's transition theory as it helps to understand the psychological and emotional adaptations teachers undergo while instructing ELLs, highlighting changes in their self- perceptions, circumstances, and support networks. The central research question is: What challenges and strategies do secondary education teachers without ESOL training describe in their experiences teaching various subjects to classrooms with …

Leadership, Personality Traits, And Teacher Training Characteristics Of Secondary Band Directors In Small Alabama Schools, Robbin Nicol Holder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental study aimed to determine the disparities in the leadership, personality traits, and teacher training characteristics of successful public and private secondary band directors in small schools in Alabama. The study focused on identifying perspectives that have not been previously explored or documented. A survey was conducted among band directors at Alabama secondary schools with a daily average enrollment of 300 or fewer students in grades nine through eleven. This information was based on data provided by the Alabama Department of Education and reported by the Alabama High School Athletic Association. The research encompassed dependent variables in leadership, …

A Strategic Study Seeking To Increase Tithe And Offering At The Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Harlem, New York, Silburn I. Reid

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This doctoral thesis explores the complex relationship between church members and financial giving at the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church. The study aims to understand why members refrain from contributing to tithes and offerings by examining their trust in local church leadership and the denomination at large. The study identifies several underlying reasons for the reluctance to give by using qualitative and quantitative research methods, including surveys, teaching seminars, and participant group observations. These are grouped into three primary themes: transparency, education, and dissatisfaction with church governance. One of the key findings was that the lack of trust in church leadership …

Biblical And Spiritual Disciplines And The Worship Leader, Milagros Rodriguez Trinidad

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the expectation of spiritual leadership from worship leaders, many of them may struggle with consistently practicing biblical and spiritual disciplines. This qualitative study examines the need for spiritual preparation, the importance of spiritual community, and the spiritual life of the worship pastor/leader, all of which are central to the spiritual health of worship leaders. To build and grow in the daily practice of spiritual disciplines and to mature in spiritual formation, worship leaders must have a correct understanding of these disciplines and a humble spirit to self-evaluate their presence through the lens of Scripture. This understanding is crucial not …

Developing Microelectrode Arrays As Multiplex Point-Of-Care Diagnostics, Yu-Chia Chang

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health challenge, particularly in urinary tract infections (UTIs), where 92% of cases exhibit resistance to at least one antibiotic, causing over 260,000 deaths annually. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and growing awareness of the adverse effects of unnecessary antibiotic use highlight the urgent need for better UTI diagnostics. Current state-of-the-art methods are either expensive and time-consuming, or they lack specific details about the nature of the antibiotic and only determine inflammation. This hinders timely and effective treatment decisions regarding whether an antibiotic is actually necessary. Given this backdrop, there is a demand for a …

Biomarkers In Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review And Immunohistochemical Validation Study, Brett Berezowski, Robert Boothe, Billy Chaplin, Sharon J Del Vecchio, Zakariya Fares, Tyrone L R Humphries, Keng Lim Ng, Taylor Noonan, Hemamali Samaratunga, Aaron Urquhart, David A Vesey, Simon T Wood, Glenda C Gobe, Robert J Ellis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The worldwide incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) rose by 22% between 2012 and 2022. In Australia, RCC accounted for 2.8% of all cancer diagnoses and contributing to 1.8% of cancer-related deaths. Identification of RCC biomarkers may aid in diagnosis and management. Methods: A systematic review of immunohistochemical markers of RCC studies published between 1990 and 2019 was undertaken to select candidate biomarkers of RCC. Immunohistochemical staining of 73 clear cell RCC tumors and paired normal tissue was undertaken using selected markers. Semi-quantitative and quantitative analysis of staining intensity between paired samples was undertaken to evaluate utility as potential …

Red Room Redesign: Improving Operating Room Workflow For Urgent And Emergency Procedures, Hipolito Jamilan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Limited operating room (OR) availability is a significant challenge in many healthcare facilities. Overbooked or understaffed ORs can lead to delays in surgical procedures, which are particularly detrimental in urgent and emergency situations (Cholewa et al., 2024). The OR is among the costliest areas in a hospital; it is essential to improve efficiency in surgical throughput to deliver timely care for urgent and emergent cases, enhance patient outcomes, and manage healthcare costs effectively.

Context: The microsystem for this project is a Northern California OR that handles a high volume of surgical procedures. There is a dedicated red room for …

Exploring Mental Health Issues And Health-Seeking Behaviors Among Bangladeshi International Students: A Qualitative Study, Md Monir Hossain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This qualitative study explores the mental health experiences and help-seeking behaviors of Bangladeshi international graduate students in the United States. Based on in-depth interviews with sixteen students at the University of Memphis, I examine their mental health challenges, coping strategies, and the impact of cultural stigma. Participants report depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms linked to academic pressure, financial stress, housing issues, and social isolation. Cultural stigma and institutional barriers discourage formal help-seeking, leading most to rely on self-help and peer support. However, some students avoid even informal support due to fear of judgment, gossip, and exploitation within their community. The …

Evaluation Of Diet Quality, Physical Health, And Mental Health Baseline Data From A Wellness Intervention For Individuals Living In Transitional Housing, Callie Millward, Kyle Lyman, Soonwye Lucero, James D. Lecheminant, Cindy Jenkins, Kristi Strongo, Gregory Snow, Heidi Leblanc, Lea Palmer, Rickelle Richards

All Current Publications

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline health measurements among transitional housing residents (n = 29) participating in an 8-week pilot wellness intervention. Methods: Researchers measured anthropometrics, body composition, muscular strength, cardiovascular indicators, physical activity, diet quality, and health-related perceptions. Researchers analyzed data using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Results: Most participants were male, White, and food insecure. Mean BMI (31.8 ± 8.6 kg/m2 ), waist-to-hip ratio (1.0 ± 0.1 males, 0.9 ± 0.1 females), body fat percentage (25.8 ± 6.1% males, 40.5 ± 9.4% females), blood pressure (131.8 ± 17.9/85.2 ± 13.3 mmHg), and …

Sustained Impact: Long-Term Application Of Diagnostic Uncertainty Communication Training, Danielle M. Mccarthy, Jethel Hernandez, Dimitrios Papanagnou, Kenzie A. Cameron, David H, Salzman, Andrew W. Long, Alexandra D. Franiek, Kristin L. Rising

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: More than one-third of discharged emergency department (ED) patients leave without a clear diagnosis for their symptoms. In 2019-2020, we implemented a simulation-based mastery learning curriculum across two academic medical centers to train emergency medicine residents to discuss diagnostic uncertainty during ED discharge, guided by the Uncertainty Communication Checklist (UCC). We sought to assess if this cohort continues to apply skills learned and to obtain trainee insights into the most valuable checklist items.

METHODS: A survey was emailed to all 109 participants who completed the training in 2019-2020. Questions assessed how often participants currently encountered uncertainty and used the …

Harnessing Emergent Multiple Scattering Resonances In A Photonic Glass Structure For Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion, Ashlyn G. Descarpentrie, Robert H. Coridan

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Light trapping nanostructures are often necessary to improve carrier collection yields in semiconductor photoelectrodes with intrinsically poor electron transport. Photonic crystal templates can generate tailorable light trapping via periodic and precise nanostructure, though this is not a scalable strategy for photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications. It is therefore critical to identify alternative mechanisms for light trapping that tolerate disorder. Light trapping in disordered media is generated by the diffusive transport caused by multiple scattering. In some cases, multiple scattering can generate resonances that resemble those observed in photonic crystals. While resonant multiple scattering is a disorder tolerant light trapping mechanism, it is …

Real-World Opera Education And The Business Of Performance: Perspectives From Young Professionals, Sarah Beckham-Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the traditional practice of operatic vocal training in universities, many young operatic singers found that their education needed to be improved regarding the current demands of the business of being an operatic performer. Understanding the essential skills for operatic training in universities was crucial for preparing singers to handle the demands of a professional career. This qualitative study investigated the perspectives of professional operatic singers, university opera training educators, and professional opera companies to discover possible gaps in operatic training in universities. Through interviews with five professional opera singers, five trained singers who chose a different career, six current …

A Strategy For Helping Mother And Daughter Churches Foster A Healthy Symbiotic Relationship, Timothy Blazer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project explores the dynamic relationship between mother churches and daughter churches within the context of church multiplication, with particular emphasis on the mutual benefits and shared challenges that emerge throughout the planting process. Central to the study is the guiding research question: “Will applying biblical principles of church planting partnership between mother and daughter churches enable church plants to thrive and flourish?” While much of the existing literature centers primarily on individual church planters, this study focuses on how mother churches and their church plants can experience growth and vitality through intentional and collaborative partnerships. The purpose …

Navigating The Digital Impression: A Grounded Theory Exploration Of Impression Management, Personal Social Media Curation, Cybervetting, And Whole-Person Hiring In The Hiring Process, Stacey G. Benson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The interaction between job seekers and hiring managers within the social media space was examined through this grounded theory research. Undergraduate college students training to work in local Christian organizations and the hiring managers seeking to hire them were the two participant types who provided the rich data for this study. Study participants included 22 undergraduate students nearing graduation from a Christian university (in 3 focus groups) and 17 hiring managers from Christian churches and organizations who participated in individual interviews. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. The study gathered data from both groups to discern how …

Telepsychiatry In The Management Of Chronic Mental Illness: A Quantitative Study, Jason Andrew Lam

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The use of emergency departments for chronic mental illness is a growing problem and contributes to overcrowding. Preventing psychiatric patients from using an ED for their chronic mental illness is a key part of reducing this problem. Telepsychiatry allows patients to access psychiatric care from wherever it is convenient to them with shorter wait times for appointments. This study compared emergency department use between in-person and telepsychiatry utilizers to determine if one group had fewer occurrences than the other. Through an anonymous online survey, data was collected and analyzed using quantitative analysis techniques. This study concluded that patients using telepsychiatry …

Island Transformation: A Missional Approach To Cultivating A Jesus Culture On The Transitory Island Of South Padre., Matthew A. Wyatt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following DMin action research project explores the transformative potential of a missional approach to cultivating a Jesus culture within the transitory community of South Padre Island. The research addresses the challenge faced by OneTwo Church, where many members, entrenched in the local island culture, find themselves ill-equipped to evangelize effectively to a transient population. This paper contends that by implementing a unique missional model, the church can instigate cultural transformation from within through strategic engagement in missional evangelism. Equipping OTC with this distinctive model will shift the community’s paradigm from passive island participants to active missional agents. Central to …

Christian Schoolteachers’ Shared Experiences Of Learning And Teaching In The Face Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The East Coast Of The United States, Elizabeth Joy Geddes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study sought to better understand and describe the lived experiences of Christian schoolteachers who provided in-person instruction during COVID-19. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, 12 ACSI Christian schoolteachers from the East Coast of the United States were asked to share their stories of providing in-person instruction during the fall of 2020. While studies have explored the challenges and adaptations of public-school educators during COVID-19, there remains a significant gap in understanding the experiences of Christian schoolteachers who navigated in-person instruction amidst the pandemic. The gap highlights the need for focused research to capture the unique perspectives, challenges, and …

Growth, Maturation, And Selection Of Elite Youth Ice Hockey Players, Ryan Podell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Maturity status may influence the selection of elite youth ice hockey teams in the United States. Assessing biological maturity status could provide insight into the prevalence of maturation related selection biases. Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish normative maturity status ranges, determine if maturity or relative age effect selection biases existed, and compare levels of agreement between methods to predict maturity status for elite youth ice hockey players in the United States. Part one of this study assessed the biological maturity status and birth months for 126 athletes, ranging 9-16 years of age, from an elite youth …

A Phenomenological Study Of Christian And Non-Christian Views On Human Dignity Among Marginalized Persons In Essex, Md, Jeffrey K. Belcher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand Human-Dignity views among marginalized persons living in Essex, MD, with Human Dignity being rooted in a biblical worldview, and how these views potentially relate to marginalized persons’ perceived experiences of marginalization. For the purposes of this study, Human Dignity is founded upon principles expressed in Genesis Chapters 1 and 2, and is defined as all people, made in the image of God, created to live in relationship with God, called to reflect the nature and character of God, as possessing intrinsic worth based upon God’s purpose for and calling upon …

Examining Literacy Habits, Reading Attitudes, And Literacy Perceptions Of College-Educated Black Men: A Case Study, Turkesshia D. Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-case qualitative study was to explore the literacy attitudes, reading habits, and literacy perceptions of college-educated Black men in North Carolina. The theory guiding this study is Freire’s Critical Literacy Theory (CLT). CLT supports educators in providing critical pedagogy, which includes critical thinking and critical text analysis. Participants in this study viewed literacy as a valuable life skill. They felt they would have had more positive literacy experiences during their K-12 schooling if they received culturally relevant and culturally responsive instruction. The central research question for the case study was: How do college-educated Black men describe …

Mental Health Provider Education On The Benefits Of Telepsychiatry To Increase Knowledge And Promote Adoption To Improve Organizational Efficiency, Standards Of Care, And Revenue Generation., Jada Eugene

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study implemented an educational intervention on the benefits of telehealth among mental health providers to improve their level of knowledge and promote technology adoption to improve organizational efficiency, revenue generation, and standards of care. The clinical question was: Among mental health providers, does an educational intervention on the benefits of telehealth, compared to no education, enhance knowledge of telepsychiatry consultations and promote adoption to improve organizational efficiency, standards of care, and revenue generation? Utilizing the Iowa Model of EBP, the researcher implemented a pilot study using the quasi-experimental design. Knowledge, telehealth usability, revenue generation, and standards of care were …

The Gospel To The Ends Of The Earth: The Role Of The Temple And Mission In The Expansion Of The Church As Seen Through Stephen’S Sermon In Acts 7, Robert Franquiz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to answer the research question: How does Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7 set a theological trajectory for the church by redefining the temple and reimagining the mission of the early church, thus propelling the church into a global movement? The findings help to fill a gap in scholarship regarding the view of the new temple as the early church moved away from the temple in Jerusalem and into mission. The research question was addressed by the study, which employed a biblical-theological hermeneutic design, incorporating Particular hermeneutics related to intertextuality to achieve a faithful exegesis …

Jesus's Theology Of Human Value Through The Use Of Rhetorical Speech In Luke 15, Daniel E. Butler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study is framed by the concept of Jesus’s theology of human value as articulated through rhetorical speech, with a particular focus on the stories presented in Luke 15. It seeks to examine the narratives of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the father with his two sons, analyzing the rhetorical strategies employed by Jesus and the discursive constructions crafted by the evangelist Luke. Through this hermeneutical approach, the research explores how these stories convey theological messages concerning human worth, divine compassion, and the redemptive nature of God’s engagement with humanity. Rhetorical analysis, or rhetorical criticism, serves as a …

Use Of Single Bout Exercise On Symptoms Of Burnout In Secondary Teachers, Robert A. Campos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Increased levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout among educators within the United States educational system have contributed to elevated attrition rates and diminished student outcomes. This study investigates the effects of single-bout exercise sessions on reducing of burnout, specifically emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal achievement among secondary public-school teachers. Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Educators Survey (MBI-ES), this correlational study used a repeated-measures design in which 36 secondary teachers participated in a control (no exercise), aerobic exercise, and anaerobic exercise sessions. Pre- and post-exercise session scores were analyzed to evaluate the immediate effects on burnout elements. Findings …

Understanding How The Spiritual Formation Process Has Been Affected In A Post-Covid 19 World, Matthew E. Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The need for community is essential in the life of the believer. Without a solid community, a believer may fall into isolation and even driven away from God instead of closer to Him. Psychologists have stated that community impacts human cognitive and moral development. James Fowler takes this a step further, outlined a believer’s stages of faith compared to human development. These levels of development directly impact the spiritual formation process in the life of a believer and demonstrate the vital role it plays in the believer’s life. Discipleship remains an important tool for helping a believer move through these …

Hand Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, And Hand Dirtiness Of Primary School Students Before And After A Behavioral Change Intervention During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Belize 2022-2023, Anh N Ly, Christina Craig, Kelsey Mcdavid, Dian Maheia, Yolanda Gongora, Francis Morey, Russell Manzanero, Alexandra Medley, Allison Stewart, Allison Lino, Ramiro Quezada, Rosalva Blanco, Vickie Romero, Gerhaldine Morazan, Ella Hawes, Oluwadara Okeremi, Kanako Ishida, Matthew Lozier, Kristy O Murray

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hand hygiene (HH) can prevent the spread of infectious diseases and school absenteeism. However, limited data exist on HH practices at schools. Our study assesses the impact of a pilot HH intervention in 12 schools in Belize during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. After a national assessment of existing water, sanitation, and hygiene resources (December 2021-January 2022), 12 pilot schools were selected to evaluate an HH intervention, which included environmental nudges and HH education. Baseline assessments occurred in March 2022, the HH intervention was implemented during October 2022-May 2023, and follow-up assessments were conducted in June 2023. Student knowledge, …