Digital Commons Network^™

Higher Education Instructor's Perceptions Of Student Motivation And Academic Success When Implementing Project-Based Learning: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Al Baraa Z Abu Hawili

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of instructors on the perceived impact of project-based learning on their students. Project-based learning was generally defined as a student-focused instruction method that instructors can utilize. This research shed light on the gaps in the study regarding instructors’ perception of the effects of project-based learning on their students’ motivations and academic success. Most available research discussed student perceptions of project-based learning. This research also aimed to identify project-based learning as a possible solution to the decline in students’ motivation and academic success in a post-pandemic world. The …

Revealing Roots: Examining The Intersection Of Trauma, Mental Health, And Bioecological Impact On Pentecostal Black Male Pastors, Dreama Delicia Cole

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe Pentecostal Black male pastors in their understanding of (or experiences with) trauma and mental health in the context of the inclusion of bioecological effects and any thoughts about the potential impact on their congregations in California. The chosen theories complement the lived experiences of these pastors. Based on the research questions, interview questions, and data analysis, the following themes and one subtheme emerged: Their Roots Tell a Story: Lived Experiences of Identity Formation and Early Trauma with subtheme Rejection: Lived Experience of Exclusion and Emotional Wounding, Revelation: Lived Experiences of …

Fort Hays State University Tiger Weekly, April 18, 2025, University Relations

Tiger Weekly Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Contracting For Public Delivery: The Dynamics Of Relational Governance And Power Asymmetry In Public Infrastructure Project, Fazlur Rahman Hassan, Dzulfian Syaafrian, Dinda Ayu Maharani

BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi dan Organisasi

Government institutions often face a dilemma in providing goods and services: whether to ‘outsource’ or manage them ‘in-house’. Large-scale public services typically require complex contracts to ensure successful project completion. This study examines the dynamics of relational governance and power shifts that lead to contract failure using a mixed-method approach applied to a complex public service project in Jakarta, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. The findings indicate that a contractual win-win outcome can be achieved with strong governance rules, particularly relational governance. However, relational governance can weaken without robust contractual governance, particularly during conflicts or disputes. …

Volume Cxliv, Number 17, April 18, 2025, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Worldview Development And The K-12 Christian School Bible Curriculum: A Dissertation-In-Praxis, Shannon Michelle Juris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis explored the development of a biblical worldview in K-12 Christian schools, focusing on how these institutions’ curriculum choices shaped students’ perspectives through intentional integration of faith and education. Drawing on theories of worldview formation, educational philosophy, and Christian pedagogy, the study investigated the methods and curriculum employed by Christian schools to foster a biblical worldview in students. The research aimed to understand how curriculum selection across all grade levels contributed to the development of a biblical worldview. The study examined both the intended and actual outcomes of biblical worldview education by creating a curriculum guide for the current …

Mammonc-Db, An Integrative Breast Cancer Data Analysis Platform For Target Discovery, Santhosh Kumar Karthikeyan, Darshan S Chandrashekar, Snigdha Sahai, Sadeep Shrestha, Ritu Aneja, Rajesh Singh, Celina G Kleer, Sidharth Kumar, Zhaohui S Qin, Harikrishna Nakshatri, Upender Manne, Chad J Creighton, Sooryanarayana Varambally

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Breast cancer (BCa), a leading malignancy among women, is characterized by morphological and molecular heterogeneity. While early-stage, hormone receptor, and HER2-positive BCa are treatable, triple-negative BCa and metastatic BCa remains largely untreatable. Advances in sequencing and proteomic technologies have improved our understanding of the molecular alterations that occur during BCa initiation and progression and enabled identification of subclass-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Despite the availability of abundant omics data in public repositories, user-friendly tools for multi-omics data analysis and integration are scarce. To address this, we developed a comprehensive BCa data analysis platform called MammOnc-DB ( http://resource.path.uab.edu/MammOnc-Home.html ), comprising data …

The Renal Social Workers' Perspective: Attitude, Behaviors, And Barriers To Sexual Health Inclusion, Sapphira L. Blount Murray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sexual health, an important factor of perceived wellness and quality of life, is adversely impacted by renal disease and treatment. The social worker is uniquely positioned on the renal clinical care team to address sexual health. There is a dearth of literature on renal care and sexual health, and no national study on whether or how sexual health is being addressed in renal care planning by the social worker. This qualitative case study was aimed at exploring the attitudes, behaviors, and perceived barriers based on the lived experiences of renal social workers in incorporating sexual health assessments into routine renal …

The Cultivation And Harvesting Of Parasocial Relationships For Evangelism: An Exploratory Multiple Case Study Of Pastors’ Use Of Video On Social Media, Larry D. Witzel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The digital transformation of society has resulted in people living much of their lives online. Some believe the command of Jesus to “go into all the world” necessarily includes entering the digital realm for evangelistic purposes, particularly as the effectiveness of traditional evangelistic methods has declined. This research explored the communication techniques used for digital outreach by seven pastors on social media to cultivate parasocial relationships and the calls to action they used to harvest these relationships evangelistically. This qualitative multiple case study analyzed public video communication and other social media, comparing these pastors’ online ministry with the known techniques …

Ecclesiological Support For Veterans Suffering From Moral Injury: A Phenomenological Study, Douglas Guy Wood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For many military service members, the cost of their service is through the psychological, physiological, emotional, sociological, and spiritual scars from the trauma of conflict. This trauma is most associated with the diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Moral Injury (MI). Existing literature primarily focuses on a humanistic underlying philosophy to symptoms and patient care or uses a non-specific definition/categorization of religion/spirituality (e.g., Ames et al., 2019; Hill et al., 2000; Sharma et al., 2017). Studies have addressed psychological, physiological, emotional, and sociological healing (e.g., Åkerblom et al., 2020; Drescher et al., 2011; Gray et al., 2012; Nash & …

The Moderating Effects Of Perceived Organizational Support And Work-Life Balance On Job Satisfaction And Turnover Intentions, Marvin J. Ramlall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Employees often contemplate departure from their organization because they experience a dissatisfaction that is associated with their jobs. Many of these employees lack adequate support from their organizations. This quantitative non-experimental research examined the moderating effects of perceived organizational support (POS) and work-life balance (WLB) on the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intentions in frontline female nurses in New York City (NYC). A total of 68 full-time nurses from several NYC hospitals participated in this study. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire–Short Form (MSQ-SF) was used to examine job satisfaction. The Turnover Intentions Scale (TIS-6) was used to measure turnover intentions. …

A Saddlebag Doctor Of The Mahantongo Valley Of Pennsylvania: The Life And Practice Of Reuben Harris Muth, M.D., 1826-1899, Lawrence K. Knorr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The life and medical practice of Reuben Harris Muth, M.D., a rural saddlebag doctor, is reconstructed from an extant set of physicians’ daybooks, chronicling his professional activity from 1858 until 1898, including patients seen and the fees charged. The daybooks also provided a modicum of hints at other activities in his life, including his farming business and the whereabouts of his wayward son. However, there were no personal letters or diaries available. Thus, other primary sources and local newspaper accounts were utilized to fill out the most likely details and actions of his life, approximating his movements, key decisions, and …

Examining The Relationship Of Neuroticism And The Three Dimensions Of Religious/Spiritual Doubt Through The Mediating Role Of Intolerance Of Uncertainty, Michael E. Mullins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research on religious/spiritual (r/s) struggles, such as doubt, has increased over the past two decades and is important because of links between these struggles and negative holistic outcomes. The problem is there are Christian adults with r/s doubts that lead to negative outcomes, and there is a lack of research that examines how the personality trait factor of neuroticism and the dispositional factor of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) affect r/s doubt. The aim of this study was to examine the possible mediating influence of IU upon neuroticism and r/s doubt (including the three dimensions of r/s doubt: factual, emotional, and …

A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Nazarene Compassionate Ministries' Holistic Model Of Education, Phillip Jason Dixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to assess the effectiveness of the holistic model of Christian education in the development and preparedness of ministerial leadership roles as used by the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries’ child sponsorship program (NCMCSP) in Armenia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Philippines. According to Moustakas (1994), transcendental phenomenology research seeks to understand human experiences (Moustakas, 1994). The participants in this study were delimited to graduates who experienced the NCMCSP from 2000 to 2020 and actively serving in ministerial leadership to assess their perceptions of the NCMCSP’s effectiveness in educating and preparing them for …

Converting Membership Into Discipleship: A Spiritual Formation Program In Discipleship For Rural African American Churches, Ernest L. Williams Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project addresses the need for rural African American churches to focus on spiritual formation and discipleship for their parishioners. Churches that emphasize the importance of the gospel and believers’ daily commitment to it represent progress toward discipleship. Discipleship creates a connection between worship and lifestyle. Churchgoers, particularly African American Christians in rural settings, may struggle to understand and practice discipleship. Historically, church worship and attendance have been prioritized in this faith community. However, Sunday worship that fails to provide a plan for daily spiritual formation may contribute to the issue. If the gospel is not the church’s primary …

Fearfully And Wonderfully Made, Addressing The Lack Of Special Needs Leadership At Fusion Church In Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Christina Martinez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Problem this student seeks to address is that Fusion Church in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, lacks special needs leadership services.

The world views special needs individuals as a burden, but God views them as anointed sons and daughters. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus tells his disciples to let the children come to him and not to hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. This serves as a reminder that he wants every one of his followers to come to him with the hearts of children. Special needs children and adults have hearts filled with …

Teaching-Induced Emotional Distress: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Paige White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to interpret the lived experiences of teaching-created emotional distress from secondary teachers in the Midwest. The theory guiding this study is Lazarus and Folkman’s cognitive appraisal theory, as it suggests how the body appraises the harm emotional distress can cause and how coping can limit it. The central research question is how do teachers describe their experiences of teaching with emotional distress? The qualitative research study was done through a hermeneutic phenomenology design. The data was collected through interviews, physical artifacts, and a focus group that includes 13 secondary teachers who have …

English As A Second Language Nurse Experiences With Collaborative Learning During Pre-Licensure, Baccalaureate Nursing Education: A Phenomenological Study, Candice Tart Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand how ESL nurses experienced collaborative learning with their native English-speaking peers in traditional baccalaureate-accredited nursing programs across the United States. The theories guiding this study were the Social Learning Theory (SLT) of Academic Self-Efficacy (ASE) by Albert Bandura and the Sociocultural Theory of Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) by Lev Vygotsky. The central investigative research question was: What are the lived experiences of novice ESL nurses who participated in collaborative learning with their native English-speaking peers during baccalaureate nursing education? Sampling methods used included a purposive and a snowball sample …

Perceptions Of Preparedness Regarding School Violence: A Qualitative Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Kirkham Moyle Burbidge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand the school violence preparedness training perceptions of teachers in K-6 Utah schools. Bandura’s social cognitive theory guides this study by supporting knowledge via social connections and context-specific situations. The central research question was “What are the school violence preparedness training experiences of Utah K-6 school teachers?” Van Manen’s approach to researching lived experiences methodologically guides the qualitative study. Participants were K-6 elementary school teachers in Utah, recruited using purposeful and criterion sampling. Teachers were interviewed individually and in focus groups and invited to reflect on their training experience via protocol …

Immigration Federalism In The United States: Texas Case Studies, Kelly A. Atwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the immigration federalism framework for public administrators in Texas border cities. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of public administration officials in managing immigration challenges and integrating immigrant populations into their communities. The guiding theory is Friedman’s immigration federalism framework, emphasizing state and local actor involvement in developing immigration policies (Friedman, 2022). Friedman’s framework explains why cascading effects of federal level actions are inapplicable at the local level and how a theory meeting communities’ needs is preferential to the removed policies instituted at higher levels of government. …

The Ability Of Algebra Final Grades And Teas Scores To Predict Undergraduate Nursing Student Grade Point Averages: A Quantitative, Non-Experimental, Predictive Correlational Study, Jeanna L. Kerchner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A major concern for many nursing programs is student completion rates. This is due in large part to the demands and rigor of curriculum in accredited nursing programs. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, predictive correlational study was to determine if final nursing program GPA can be predicted by the linear combination of college algebra final grades and TEAS scores in an undergraduate nursing program at a private university. A quantitative, non-experimental research design was used to address the proposed study’s purpose. The study’s sample of participants was purposive and convenient in nature, and was accessed using an existing, archival …

Yielding Fruit: The Relationship Of Love, Unity, And Spiritual Gifts, Douglas Donald Vannostrand

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the interconnectedness of love, unity, and spiritual gifts within the Christian church, primarily through an analysis of Paul's letters in Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians. It argues that these principles are essential for the church to fulfill its divine purpose. The study examines how love serves as the foundation for unity and the effective use of spiritual gifts, contributing to the community's edification and reflecting the nature of the Trinity. The research employs exegetical analysis, historical context, and practical application to demonstrate how these principles can address contemporary challenges in the church, fostering spiritual growth and reflecting God's …

Applying The Principles Of The Five Building Blocks Of Reading Strategies To Teaching Rhythmic Concepts To Pre-Kindergarten (Age-Four) Music Students, Keith S. Cottrill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative experimental case study was to explore the effects of applying the principles of the five building blocks of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) to teaching rhythmic concepts to pre-kindergarten (age four) music students and how they affect the student's ability to develop a rhythmic vocabulary and comprehension. Furthermore, this experiment showcased how teachers can incorporate cross-curricular activities into the music classroom. There is an expanding interest in the broader benefits of music in relationship to reading; however, there is little evidence relating to the effect that the five building blocks of reading …

Experiences Of Forgiveness With People Who Have A Problematic Use Of Pornography: A Phenomenological Study, Clarence E. Chapman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of participants in early recovery from self-perceived problematic porn use (PPU). The theory guiding this research study was attachment theory, which was developed by John Bowlby, a physiatrist who focused on the overall development of a child’s emotional development. The study aimed at trying to discover if there are barriers to a person for receiving forgiveness from God when in early recovery. Research indicated there are guilt and shame that can be reasons to these barriers for those who struggle with self-perceived pornography use as Christians. Methods used …

Exploring Teacher Knowledge In Meeting The Expectations Of Integrated Content Language Development In Mathematics: A Descriptive Case Study, Carrissa Rozelaar-Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive case study was to discover how knowledge is applied to meet the expectations of integrated content and language development in mathematics for Title I elementary teachers at an urban school district in the central United States. Halliday’s theory on systemic functional linguistics guided the research as it relates to the function and purpose of language through meaning and social interaction in different genres. The central research question was: How do Title I elementary teachers apply specific integrated content and language development knowledge in mathematics? The participants consisted of 10 teachers with at least three years …

William Perkins And His Polemical Relationship With The Roman Catholic Church, Scott Osattin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation covers the polemical relationship that William Perkins had with the Roman Catholic Church. It includes showing how Perkins used his writings and scripture to defend the biblical practices of the Church of England and the Puritans when it came to the practices covered in the dissertation. It provides the reader with the necessary background to understand the life, works, and ministry of William Perkins. There is a treatment of the historiography of the works produced on William Perkins and critical works pertaining to the Puritan Movement. Perkins wrote using polemical language to warn the members of the Church …

Understanding The Impact Of Romantic Relationship Satisfaction On Depression In Women Veterans, Rhonda Jean Gaston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Depression is a prevalent and impactful mental health issue worldwide, with a particularly high incidence among women. Previous research has established a positive association between romantic relationship satisfaction and depression in women. However, little attention has been given to the mental health of women veterans, a growing population within the United States military, leading to significant gaps in understanding their unique experiences. This nonexperimental retrospective study was conducted to examine how initial romantic relationship satisfaction predicted the reduction of depression symptoms following psychotherapy. Additionally, it explored how minority status among women veterans influenced post-treatment depression outcomes. Using archival data, between …

A Causal-Comparative Study: Teacher Efficacy With Students With Autism, Natasha Cassidy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study is to compare teacher self-efficacy among elementary, middle, and high school teachers of students with autism. Self-efficacy in teaching is the unwavering belief that a teacher can deliver highly effective instruction to foster positive learning outcomes in students with autism. Teachers confident in their abilities to accommodate the needs of students with autism can provide the necessary support, adjust their teaching methods, and create learning opportunities that promote the development of essential skills. The sample size included elementary, middle, and high school teachers from public schools across the northwest region of the United …

Predicting Parental Satisfaction From School Level And Parental Demographics For Private Christian K-12 Schools In The Southeast United States, William J. Monts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to investigate the relationship between parental satisfaction in private Christian K-12 schools, school level (primary or secondary), and multiple parental demographic variables. The multiple parental demographic variables include geographic location, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, education level, and parental income. This study is important because private Christian school enrollment has been on a decline and will help educational institutions to understand better how to appeal to prospective families. Students and parents of private schools tend to have a high level of stakeholder investment, and parent satisfaction is an outcome that indicates whether …

Uncovering The Essence Of Teachers’ Influence On High School Mathematics Instruction In The Northern United States School Districts: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jim Mchenn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand and describe the lived experiences of high school mathematics teachers in the Northeast United States, focusing on how their backgrounds, education, and personal attitudes shaped their teaching practices and influenced students' academic performance in mathematics. The study was guided by Bandura's social learning theory, which emphasizes learning through observation of behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes. The central research question was: How do the diverse backgrounds, educational experiences, professional development, and personal attitudes of high school mathematics teachers in select school districts across the Northern United States influence students' academic performance, as …