Digital Commons Network^™

Sea Swimming During Pregnancy And Matrescence: Embodiment, Experiences And The Environment, Eva Mcgrath, Jill Shawe

School of Nursing and Midwifery

There is a knowledge gap around pregnant women's experiences of sea swimming both within the social research sphere and wider public health communications. Using creative methods, this cross-disciplinary research focuses upon the embodiment and experiences of 13 pregnant and 5 matrescent women who sea swam during winter in the UK. Findings document the women's perceived health and wellbeing benefits of cold water swimming through pregnancy including a protected space for mothers to create time for themselves. Cold water immersion was reported as easing aches and pains associated with pregnancy. Some women used the controlled breath of entering cold water as …

Attitudes Of African American Police Officers Towards Violent Police Encounters In An Urban Environment, Larry Ernest Jackson Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem for this study is why confrontations between urban police and citizens are becoming increasingly violent. The purpose of this study was to examine the continued rise of violent police encounters between urban police and urban citizens. To provide a proper perspective on this phenomenon, the core research question was how African American officers born and raised in urban environments who have since become police officers in those same settings feel about the violence between these two groups. The theoretical framework used to understand the relationship between the two groups was the social learning theory. As part of …

The Odds Don’T Lie: Mathematical Reasoning And Societal Ignorance In Don’T Look Up, Nysa Vedwan, Shane Carey

LASER Journal

In Adam McKay’s 2021 satirical sci-fi movie Don’t Look Up, two astronomers discover a comet heading directly toward Earth. Despite overwhelming evidence and near-certainty of global extinction, their warnings are ignored and ridiculed. This paper discusses the mathematical and scientific foundations of the movie’s social and political reception, and specifically focuses on orbital prediction and probabilistic modeling as they relate to public understanding of risk. This paper shows how data is often undermined by political and social dynamics, by connecting the fictional events of the movie with real-world crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate emergency. In Don’t Look …

Can Motivation And Self-Efficacy Predict A Law Enforcement Officer’S General And Job-Specific Fitness?, Robert G. Lockie, Maria M. Beitzel, Tyler Campana, Jennifer Kramer, Robin (Rob) Marc Orr, J. Jay Dawes, Joseph Dulla

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1393-1409, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/GEHB5425 Sedentary behaviors contribute to law enforcement officer fitness declines over a career. An officer’s motivation (desire to exercise) and self-efficacy (belief in ability to exercise) could affect whether they exercise and predict resulting fitness. Data from 60 officers (48 men, 12 women) were analyzed. Motivation (amotivation, external, introjected, identified, integrated, and intrinsic regulation) was measured via the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire. A 6-item questionnaire assessed coping (confidence in exercising under challenging conditions) and scheduling (confidence in scheduling exercise) self-efficacy. General fitness variables included sit-and-reach, grip strength, 60-s push-ups, 60-s sit-ups, …

Perspectives On Teaching Academic Publishing Skills: Helping Graduate Students Navigate The Hidden Curriculum, Martha Stuit, Christie Hurrell, Jill Cirasella, Christy Caldwell

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

Many graduate students feel pressure to publish but need guidance on navigating the scholarly publishing process, which often is not covered in their graduate curricula but rather learned in conversation with faculty mentors. In other words, publishing is often a hidden curriculum—not explicitly taught but a learn-as-you-go venture. In this article, we describe our individual approaches to teaching publishing literacy to graduate students, highlighting how our efforts are both responsive to the specifics of our campuses and informed by our own and others’ research. We also discuss how we spread the word about our services and how we advance equity …

A Systematic Review Of Quizlet In Vocabulary Acquisition, Kübra Öcel, Ayfer Su-Bergil Dr.

i.e.: inquiry in education

The aim of this review article is to assess the use of “Quizlet” as a supplementary web 2.0 tool for vocabulary acquisition in English language settings. To our knowledge there is a dearth of research that thoroughly examines the use of Quizlet. To this end, this paper demonstrates the results of a systematic review of the literature regarding vocabulary acquisition through Quizlet. 25 studies from the ERIC and Web of Science databases, all published in academic journals within the past four years, were analyzed to identify their key concerns and offer an updated understanding of vocabulary acquisition. The scope of …

Approaches To Enhancing University Rankings, Mustafa Bulut, Servet Özdemi̇r

i.e.: inquiry in education

Owing to the intense globalization of higher education, competition between universities in national and international settings has increased in speed, and in parallel with this development, a demand for tools has emerged to meet the information needs of stakeholders of higher education institutions. Currently, a large part of this need is met by university ranking systems. Today, there are several types of these systems, which have been subjected to intense criticism with their popularity and wide audience. In this study, which was designed as a qualitative research; in-depth interviews were conducted with local and foreign researchers, policy makers, system administrators …

What Interviewer Reflexivity Has To Offer Qualitative Inquiry: Reflections On Ikeda/Soka Studies, Nai-Cheng Kuo

i.e.: inquiry in education

Interviewer reflexivity is essential in social sciences to enhance the integrity of research studies because it builds trustful relationships, facilitates a nuanced understanding of phenomena, and captures both the individual and social dimensions of the human being (McNair et al., 2023; Olmos-Vega et al., 2022; Soedirgo & Glas, 2020; Villanueva, et al., 2024). Although Finlay’s (2003) five lenses of interviewer reflexivity—strategic, contextual-discursive, embodied, relational, and ethical—provide detailed guides for researchers to consider throughout their interview studies, there is limited literature that demonstrates how these lenses of reflexivity can offer qualitative inquiries in Ikeda/Soka studies, an emerging educational field for peace …

A Collective Journey: Supporting Our Nonbinary Students, April Vazquez

i.e.: inquiry in education

For nonbinary young people, school is often a hostile environment. However, as educators, we can support and affirm diverse gender identities in the classroom, validating students who identify outside the binary and fostering their classmates’ empathy and understanding. A key component of culturally relevant pedagogy is literary representation. By offering books featuring authentic, humanizing depictions of nonbinary characters, we can provide not only mirrors and windows for our students but also telescopes by which something far away—a world free of cisnormative gender prejudice—seems closer and more achievable.

Analysis Of Students' Opinions On National And International Painting Competitions Held In Secondary Schools, Ersin Eren Akgöz

i.e.: inquiry in education

No abstract provided.

Exploring Pre-Service Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs And Self-Handicapping Behaviours In The Context Of University Culture, Ersin Eren Akgöz, Fatih Şahin, Emre Sönmez

i.e.: inquiry in education

This study explores pre-service teachers' perceptions of university culture, their beliefs regarding academic self-efficacy, and their engagement in self-handicapping behaviors, as well as the interrelationships among these variables. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 251 pre-service teachers selected through an appropriate sampling method. In addition to descriptive statistical analyses, correlation and regression analyses were conducted.

The findings indicate that pre-service teachers predominantly perceive university culture as hierarchical, exhibit high academic self-efficacy beliefs, and demonstrate minimal self-handicapping behaviors. Furthermore, both university culture and academic self-efficacy beliefs were found to be negatively correlated with self-handicapping behaviors. Notably, only the university's …

Examining The Effect Of Supportive Language Training Activities For Bilingual Children On Their Language Skills And Reading Levels, Zeynep Fulya Temel, Ayşe Belgin Aksoy, Vedat Bayraktar, Hurşide Kübra Ozkan Kunduracı, Kübra Kanat, Merve Karakaş Aksoy

i.e.: inquiry in education

The study aimed to examine the effect of supportive language training activities for bilingual children, who were attending state primary schools in Turkey, on their language skills and reading levels. To this end, one group pre-test and post-test experimental design from quantitative methods was used. 10 primary school children aged 6 to 9 years were selected on a voluntary basis by the Migration Services Centre of Kecioren Municipality in Ankara. Supportive language training activities were applied to the children two hours a day a week for a 12-week period. The Turkish Expressive and Receptive Language Test (TIFALDI) and the wordless …

Cover And Front Matter

Research and Reflection on Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Cover and Table of Contents for Volume 3 (2025)

Fall 2025 Student Showcase For Research And Creative Inquiry Program, Office Of Student Research, Longwood University

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

No abstract provided.

Leadership Communication, Heather Arlen, Eli Bruess, Mitchell Buerkle, Ali Gravelle, Magdalen Kramer

Leadership Education Newsletters

No abstract provided.

The Predictors Of Mental Health And Suicidal Ideation Among People With Homelessness, Pi-Ming Yeh

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction/Significance: A record-high 653,104 people experienced homelessness with 39.3 percent unsheltered in 2023. This is more than a 12.1 percent increase over the 2022. Homelessness is an important societal problem. Mental illness, adverse childhood experiences, and substance use are serious issues among people with homelessness.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of psychological well-being, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression among people with homelessness.

Methods: Sixty people with homelessness were recruited in Tennessee, USA. This was a cross-sectional descriptive research design. IRB was approved. Questionnaires were used to collect data. SPSS 28.0 was used to analyze …

Building Bridges: Co-Producing Philanthropic Public-Private Partnerships For The United States National Park System, Jason S. Northern

Dissertations

The sustainability of America's National Park System increasingly relies on public–private partnerships that leverage private philanthropy. While the National Park Foundation provides national support, local Park Partner nonprofit organizations, like the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, are key to community-level fundraising and advocacy. This qualitative study of the St. Louis Arch grounds renovation examines how this public–private partnership structure influences donor motivation, trust, and engagement. Guided by Social Exchange Theory and Resource Dependency Theory, this research explores the relational and structural dynamics of this philanthropic co-production including reciprocal donor motivations and interdependence among public, private, and nonprofit partners. Fifteen semi-structured interviews …

"The Terms And Spirit": Preserving The Purpose Of The Fair Labor Standards Act By Applying The Clear And Convincing Evidence Standard In Flsa Exemption Cases, Bridget Mccourt

Cleveland State Law Review

In 2023, the Fourth Circuit in Carrera v. E.M.D. Sales split from its sister courts by requiring employers to prove by clear and convincing evidence that an employee is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The Supreme Court reversed the Fourth Circuit’s decision, resolving the split by holding that the preponderance of the evidence is the correct standard. This Note argues that the Fourth Circuit, despite failing to provide a justification for its heightened standard, was correct because it preserves the terms and spirit of the FLSA. Congress enacted the FLSA as a remedial statute aimed to alleviate …

The Impact Of Teachers' Mathematics Qualifications On Student Proficiency, Riaz H. Zaidi

Dissertations

Schools across the United States face persistent challenges in strengthening mathematics and science education. The present study investigates the relationship between mathematics teachers’ qualifications and their students’ performance on standardized assessments, using data from a Midwestern urban school district’s ACT mathematics scores. Findings are discussed within the broader context of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and national efforts to enhance competitiveness among industrialized nations. Despite the presence of leading universities and colleges, U.S. students continue to rank near the middle internationally in math and science achievement, according to the Pew Research Center. Contributing factors include disparities in teacher …

The Lumberjack, November 19, 2025

Cal Poly Humboldt's Student Newspaper

The student newspaper of Humboldt State University.

What's My Age Again? The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace And The Constitutional Void In Re-Aging Law, Lauren Gay

Et Cetera

When a child’s legal age can be judicially reclassified without rigorous procedural safeguards, the foundations of American due process erode. This article explores the alarming constitutional vacuum exposed by the case of Natalia Grace, an adopted Ukrainian child whose age was legally reclassified from eight to twenty-two without procedural safeguards such as a hearing, legal counsel, or evidentiary testing. Unlike competency or parental rights proceedings, re-aging decisions lack uniform standards, judicial transparency, or appellate recourse. This article argues that re-aging implicates fundamental liberty interests and must be governed by heightened due process protections. Drawing on comparative models from guardianship and …

It Takes A Village: Why Developing Community And Implementing Collaborative Teaching Methods In The Legal Classroom Fosters True Inclusivity, Activates Active Learning, And Promotes The Attainment Of True Knowledge-Creating Students Who Are Better Prepared For The Practice Of Law, Erica L. Kravchenko

Cleveland State Law Review

Legal education has long relied on traditional teaching methods, such as the Socratic, case-dialogue and lecture methods, which prioritize individualism and competition over collaboration. While these methods have historically shaped legal pedagogy, they no longer adequately prepare students for the evolving demands of legal practice. This Article examines the impact of traditional teaching methods on the changing demographic of law students and offers collaborative learning as a potential solution. Specifically, this Article argues that incorporating collaborative learning and fostering a sense of community in legal education are essential for developing well-rounded, practice-ready attorneys. Through an analysis of the legal education’s …

November 19, 2025: Vol 105, Issue 9, The Herald

The Herald

The top story for Wednesday, November 19, 2025 was "SGA unanimously votes to expand use of flex dollars."

Who Cares For The Forgotten Parent? The Overlooked Grief Of Non-Birthing Parents In The Nicu, Ron Ryan Bautista

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This research presentation examines the experiences of loss and emotionality of the non-birthing parents in NICUs, where most of the conventional support structures address themselves to birthing parents. Using a phenomenological research method of semi-structured interviews and applying thematic analysis, this research gathers the motivational and granular experiences of the non-birthing parents, who are often left emotionally drained and encouraged to suppress their emotions for the birthing partner. Best practices are called for that emphasize emotionally supportive programs and services that recognize all parents as individuals who may need help coping with the demands of parenting. According to the study, …

Bias-Based Bullying Among Middle Eastern & North African Students: Potential Protective Factors, Nadeen Alshakhshir, Barbara Mcmorris, Hana-May Eadeh

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Bullying victimization among school students is associated with negative psychosocial experiences such as anxiety, depression, and sometimes suicidality.^1,2 Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) students experience bias-based bullying in schools at high rates compared to other non-minority groups.^1,3 Although much research focuses on this phenomenon, few studies explore the possible protective factors that buffer the effects of bias-based bullying among this specific group of students, such as religious participation and certain developmental assets. Religious participation is associated with less depression and anxiety symptoms among Asian American students.⁴ Developmental assets of empowerment, social competence, and positive identity enable …

The Antelope, University Of Nebraska At Kearney

The Antelope

No abstract provided.

State Of Ohio Adversity And Resilience (Soar) Study Protocol: A Comprehensive, Multimodal, Family-Based, Longitudinal Observational Investigation Of Risk And Resilience In Mental Health And Substance Use Disorders, Chris Flask, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction Deaths related to drug overdose and suicide in the USA have increased 500% and 35%, respectively, over the last two decades. The human and economic costs to society associated with these - €- deaths of despair' are immense. Great efforts and substantial investments have been made in treatment and prevention, yet these efforts have not abated these increasing trajectories of deaths over time. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and highlighted these problems. Notably, some geographical areas (eg, Appalachia, farmland) and some communities (eg, low-income persons, - €- essential workers', minoritised populations) have been disproportionately affected. Risk factors have been …

’We Are Teachers Too’: Reclaiming Professionalism In Early Childhood Education From Within, Vicky Bamsey, Lewis Fogarty

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

The professionalisation of Early Childhood Education and Care(ECEC) has gained international prominence due to its role infostering children’s lifelong learning and contributing to societaleconomic growth. This paper explores professionalism in the ECECworkforce in England, focusing on tensions between policy, qualificationsand the experiences of early years educators. Drawing oncritical pedagogy and Bernstein’s pedagogic device, we explorehow power dynamics and inequalities have led to the deprofessionalisationof early years educators, positioning them assubordinate to teachers in compulsory education. Through narrativeinquiry with 15 participants, we highlight the challenges andopportunities for early years educators to reclaim agency, fostercriticality and transform their professionalism. The findings highlighta …

Chair-Led Departments Resolution, University Senate

University Senate Actions

Resolution for Chair-led Departments (2025)

Measurement-Based Mental Health In Adolescents, Ayzia Taylor

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Measurement-Based Care (MBC) is a data-driven approach that enhances mental health management by enabling real-time feedback and treatment adjustments. Through validated screening tools integrated into clinical workflows, MBC provides standardized measures of symptoms and progress, helping clinicians make evidence-based decisions tailored to individual patient needs. This approach fosters collaboration between clinicians, patients, and caregivers, ensuring patient-centered care and improving engagement and treatment outcomes.

MBC advances evidence-based practice (EBP) by using validated screening tools to identify symptoms, track progress, and refine treatment goals. Tools such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 provide actionable insights that guide decisions for both pharmacological and therapeutic …