Digital Commons Network^™

Preschool Availability In New Hampshire Public Schools, Eileen Elizabeth Murphy, Tyrus Parker, Carrie Portrie, Jess Carson

Carsey Publications

In spring 2024, researchers at the University of New Hampshire undertook data collection to better understand the landscape of preschool offerings in New Hampshire’s public schools. School districts provide preschool using a variety of models based on local needs. All public school districts must provide access to a free appropriate public education for preschool-aged children with an identified disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B. Children identified under IDEA Part B have an Individualized Education Program, or IEP, to support their learning. Some districts receive Title I funding to include preschool opportunities for children who are …

Multiracial Congregations: Transformative Or Status Quo?, Michelle Dodson

Dissertations

This dissertation aims to begin to clarify whether Protestant, multiracial churches are in fact challenging racism and, if so, how. To this end, my study turns its attention to social engagement. What role, if any, do these churches play in their larger social contexts? Are they socially engaged in ways that challenge racial injustice? Do they foster this type of social engagement in those who attend? These are some of the questions this study begins to answer. This is an ethnographic study of four congregations in Chicago, IL. Through a careful study of each congregation’s racial discourse and their understanding …

A Womanist Narrative Ethics Of Survival: An Exploration In African American Meaning Making, Lashaunda Janeice Reese

Dissertations

This project creates a womanist narrative ethics of survival framework using literary analysis, sociological and theological comparisons, and reflections on moral dilemmas in fiction and history. Steeped in the African American woman’s experiential perspective, this framework provides an alternative viewpoint through which to examine and analyze ethical issues arising in the context of marginalized bodies. Integrating the Christian faith, the history of chattel slavery in the United States, and the expanding field of African American literature and literary theory, this work posits that fiction provides a rich platform to work through thick moral dilemmas, affording a concrete ethical framework to …

Rebuilding Risk Assessment Tools And Evaluating Their Effect On Recidivism In Illinois, Cristina Penate

Master's Theses

This study seeks to examine the relationship between alternative measures of criminal history and recidivism in a cohort of convicted individuals released from prison in Illinois between 2010 and 2015. The current study expands on prior research by examining the relationship between prior criminal history and recidivism using alternative measures of both to account for potential bias resulting from differential policing activities that may lead to convictions. Traditionally, risk assessment instruments have relied on an individual’s total prior convictions for any offense and any re-arrest after release from prison. The current research developed a more nuanced measure of prior convictions …

Understanding Teachers’ Responses To Parental Demands In The Midst Of Competing Responsibilities, Kathryn Battafarano

Master's Theses

This study builds upon a plethora of educational research and focuses specifically on middle school grade level teachers. I predominantly utilized qualitative interviews to understand how teachers respond to parental demands; these answers were supplemented by some quantitative data about their schools. The study configures information about teachers’ school environments and requirements, teachers’ interactions with parents, and how teachers deal with parental demands in relation to other demands and requirements. Effort was made to investigate how teacher experience, teaching style, and subject matter as well as school type (e.g., socio-economic makeup of the school) and school location influence parental demands …

Strategic Awareness And Its Impact On Organizational Readiness For Change: An Analytical Research Into The Automotive And Equipment Manufacturing State Company, Iftikhar Abdhussein Kataa, Hadeel Kadhm Saeed

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The search aims to detect the impact of strategic awareness with its dimensions (awareness of customer service, sales/promotion, product/service, competitive environment, as well as administrative/coordination awareness) as an independent variable on organizational readiness for change with its dimensions (appropriateness, management support, change efficacy, and personal benefits) as a dependent variable. The following questions summarize the main problem of the study: "What is the effect extent of strategic awareness on organizational readiness? and What is the application level of the concept of strategic awareness in the industrial sectors of Iraq?", to reach an actual model that fits the Iraqi environment for …

The Strategic Intelligence And Its Impact On Crisis Management, Azhar Sadiq Hussin, Mohsin Rashed Musaheb

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The main purpose of this research is to diagnose the role played by strategic intelligence through its five dimensions (foresight, systematic thinking, future vision, motivation, and partnership) in enhancing organizations' crisis management capabilities. The research problem highlights a lack of awareness regarding the importance of utilizing strategic intelligence in addressing crises faced by organizations in practical settings. Therefore, the significance of this research lies in providing a set of mechanisms that contribute to addressing this issue. Additionally, the research aims to achieve several objectives, including diagnosing the application of strategic intelligence and crisis management within the studied organization. to achieve …

The Role Of Employee Empowerment In Achieving Strategic Excellence: Exploratory Search On A Sample Of Workers In Several Departments Of The Baghdad Mayoralty, Wadhah Ali Hussein, Feras Mohammed Ismaeel

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

This research paper aimed to determine the role of employee empowerment through three dimensions (independence, delegation of powers, and training) in achieving strategic excellence in a number of departments operating in the Baghdad mayoralty, as the employee empowerment strategy is considered one of the strategies of great importance that organizations need at the present time. With the technological and cognitive acceleration witnessed to bring about positive changes in its work, its existence requires organizational components provided by administrative leaders that are able to influence employees and direct them towards achieving success and excellence. The main research problem was represented by …

Using Focus Groups In Delphi Method To Conduct Participatory Research: Implications For Extension, Yulia Lamoureaux, Julia Van Soelen Kim, Vikram Koundinya

Journal of Extension

In this article, we describe an innovative way of using the Delphi method with community stakeholders. We modified the traditional Delphi method by conducting three consecutive virtual focus groups in combination with anonymous surveys at the end of each round. Focus groups provided a safe environment to exchange perspectives, express divergence of opinions, and explore areas of agreement, while surveys allowed the opportunity to express opinions anonymously. Extension practitioners can employ this innovative approach to the Delphi method to facilitate knowledge exchange, discussion, and dialogical consensus-seeking in an interactive focus group setting to gain more nuanced qualitative results.

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis And Infanticide, Diana Barnes, Jerrod Brown

Forensic Scholars Today

The reproductive years are a time of tremendous psychological vulnerability for women, with psychiatric admissions occurring more around childbirth than any other time in the female life cycle. In rare cases, some mothers have been known to commit infanticide. When a mother takes the life of her infant anytime in the first year postpartum, which is referred to as infanticide. One mental illness that may precipitate acts of infanticide is postpartum psychosis, which is characterized by disorganized thinking, mania, insomnia, depersonalization, hallucinations, and/or delusions. Such delusions may drive mothers to take the lives of their babies out of fears about …

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (Fasd): Safety Considerations For Caregivers And Professionals, Barb Clark, Jerrod Brown, Nikki Freeman, Anne Russell

Forensic Scholars Today

Acquired as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a set of disorders characterized by physical, cognitive, learning, and behavioral impairments. One of the most challenging aspects of this condition is that people with FASD often struggle to make safe and appropriate choices. This article highlights safety factors that can be implemented by both caregivers and professionals. Consideration of these factors may reduce the likelihood that some people with FASD will come into contact with the criminal justice system.

Overview Of Forensic Mental Health Practitioners, Jerrod Brown, Mario L. Hesse, Samantha R. Lee, Janina Wresh

Forensic Scholars Today

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of forensic mental health services for the criminal justice practitioner who may not be fully familiar with the roles and responsibilities of mental health practitioners within the criminal justice system as well as the resources they provide. Given the influential role of mental health in the rehabilitation process, specifically as it pertains to the process of reentry for incarcerated individuals, mental health practitioners can serve as a valuable resource to those within criminal justice populations as well as other professionals within relatable fields.

The Status Of Women Leaders In Government – Utah Counties: A 2024 Update, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Organizations increasingly thrive when both men and women hold leadership roles and work together. This is true not only in Utah’s businesses, but also its government organizations, such as state legislatures, city councils, and state and local bureaucracies.¹

American democracy is based on the concept of representation.² Governments mirror this idea by encouraging agencies to employ a workforce that shares the demographic characteristics of the community it serves.³ In fact, the presence of a diverse public workforce “implies equal access to government positions promoting empowerment and connection with government in diverse communities, [and] can also signal the …

No. 05: Pandemic Precarity And Food Insecurity Among Zimbabwean Migrants In South Africa, Godfrey Tawodzera, Jonathan Crush

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

This policy brief highlights the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Zimbabwean migrants living in South Africa, with a particular focus on food insecurity and economic precarity. The pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities within the migrant community, many of whom rely on informal, low-wage labour sectors for their livelihoods. The survey conducted in 2021 among Zimbabwean migrants revealed widespread unemployment, drastic income reductions, and severe food insecurity, primarily driven by pandemic-related restrictions and the resultant economic contraction. Zimbabwean migrants, a significant proportion of whom work in South Africa’s informal economy, were disproportionately affected by the lockdowns and mobility restrictions. The …

The Rattler (Volume 113, Issue 1), St. Mary's University

The Rattler (Previous issues)

Founded in 1919, The Rattler is the student voice of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. The newspaper documents campus life, academic and social issues, student opinion, and local and national events as they relate to the University community. Content typically includes news articles, editorial commentary, arts and culture coverage, sports reporting, and advertisements.

The Roddey Mcmillan Record - September 5, 2024, Winthrop University

The RMR 2020-2029

The Roddey McMillan Record (RMR) is Winthrop’s monthly multicultural student publication. The RMR has been a significant voice of the minority population of the Winthrop comunity since its creation by Gail Harris in April 1986. It promotes awareness and understanding of issues concerning minorities for the prosperity of the entire Winthrop community. The purpose of the RMR is to shine light on the many diverse cultures at Winthrop, focusing on issues, concerns and happenings of those who represent the multicultural community on campus. The Roddey McMillan Record is named after Dr. Cynthia Roddey and Atty, Sheila McMillan. Cynthia Roddey was …

Identifying The Challenges That Hinder Research Productivity In Academia: Evidence From Somaliland And The Way Forward., Khalid Jama

Theses and Dissertations

In any nation, research is the primary force behind innovation and progress. It contributes to the Economic growth, global competence, and social progress. Research productivity is highly valued in the scientific community. Scientific community research is regarded as the key factor determining academic recognition, financial support, and academic recognition. Nonetheless, the output of research faces difficulties in many sub-Saharan African nations. This study aims to understand what limits the research publication in Somaliland. The study adopt a mixed methods approach to understand and analyze the main reason behind the research and publication limitations in Somaliland’s higher education. Individuals from various …

Racial Attitudes And Perceptions Of Government Response During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Implications For Public Health Strategies., Man Hung, Jeremy D. Franklin, William A. Smith, Carlos J. Crespo, Evelyn U. Ezikwelu, Jerry Bounsanga, Martin S. Lipsky

Institute on Aging Publications

This study explored whether opinions about the government's role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic vary based on demographic characteristics and racial beliefs. We hypothesized that opinions about the United States (U.S.) government's response to COVID-19 would differ based on an individual's characteristics such as age, race, and racial beliefs.

Abstract Middle School Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs About Administrative Support And Online Teaching During The Covid-19, Alexandra Lee Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the spring of 2020, a South Georgia school implemented distance learning due to COVID-19, with little administrative support for the teachers for online instruction. This quick transition may have impacted teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs about teaching online. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore middle school teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs about online instruction and the impact administrative support may have had on these beliefs, while teaching remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was rooted in Bandura's self-efficacy theory and Venkatesh's Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. The research questions investigated how administrative support and experience …

Racialization’S Influence On African American Male University Attrition: Is It Culture Shock Or Is There More To The Story, Joseph M. Butler

Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the influence of racialization on the attrition rates of African American male students in predominantly white institutions (PWIs). The study examines whether these students experience cultural shock or face more profound systemic challenges. The research explores how African American men navigate and perceive their college environments by employing Critical Race Theory and DuBois' double consciousness. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews, demographic surveys, and document analysis to view these students' experiences comprehensively. The study focuses on four religiously affiliated universities, highlighting the intersection of race, identity, and institutional culture and revealing patterns of isolation, …

Assessing The Role Of Psychological Self-Sufficiency And Organizational Factors In Achieving Economic Self-Sufficiency Among Low-Income Populations, Alanna Jeeyoung Shin

Dissertations

Low-income populations in the United States face complex challenges amid persistent high levels of poverty, income inequality, and child poverty (OECD, 2023; OECD, 2024; Smeeding & Thévenot, 2016; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023b). Influenced by neoclassical economic theory and human capital theory, work-first initiatives like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) focus on fostering individual change by enhancing employable skills (Kim, 2010). These programs predominantly emphasize personal responsibility as a strategy for reducing poverty. However, multilayered barriers remain that hinder the achievement of economic self-sufficiency (Hong et al., 2014). To challenge the prevailing approach focusing on the individual level, …

Request Strategies Used In Instant Messaging In Whatsapp Groups (Wags): Portraying The Pragmatic Competence Of Efl Students, Nawras Rahim Abourahim, Nunung Suryati, Yazid Basthomi

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This study aims to investigate the request strategies used by students and their lecturers through Instant Messaging (IM) in WhatsApp groups (WAGs). This study used a qualitative research design to analyze the language used by students and their lecturers in WAGs. The data was collected through the analysis of WAGs conversations between students and their lecturers. Previous studies have extensively argued that students are less polite language users when sending texts to their lecturers, and the current study sought to examine the politeness strategies used by the students. The data analysis was carried out in the light the theory of …

Structural And Functional Correlates Of The Sleep-Suicidal Ideation Association, Jolynn Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Each year, about 800,000 individuals die by suicide globally, affecting millions more. Mitigating suicide risks by targeting modifiable factors such as the sleep disturbances of insomnia and nightmares, which are prevalent and linked to suicidality is important. This study investigated the structural and functional brain differences related to sleep disturbances and suicidality, with the anterior cingulate (caudal and rostral), insula, middle frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate, thalamus, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex as seed regions. Participants had no history of suicidal ideation (NSI; n=43) or suicidal ideation within the past two weeks (SI; n=25). Measures for analyses included the Insomnia Severity Index …

Kenyon Collegian - September 5, 2024

The Kenyon Collegian

No abstract provided.

Civil Leadership For Vibrant Communities: Building Bridges Through Deliberative Dialogue, Victoria Solomon, Jessica Beckendorf, David Kay

Journal of Extension

Polarization is increasingly impacting Extension’s work in communities. Extension has untapped potential to address division and lack of civility by building civic infrastructure and skills for constructive dialogue. We describe a pilot program that began as a one-off event and grew into a series organized by University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension in partnership with Braver Angels, a national organization applying research-based skills to building bridges. We report on the series structure and content, its goals, and the impacts on participants. We suggest that Extension has the mission, capacity, opportunity, and responsibility to engage in skill-building for Public Issues Education.

Re-Fashioning The Field: On Gender And Computer Science, Jessica Nash

Discussions

No abstract provided.

Volume 52-2 Complete Issue, Steven M. Schnell

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 52-2 Complete Issue

Increasing Public Participation In Municipal Solid Waste Reduction, Elizabeth J. O’Connell

The Geographical Bulletin

Municipal solid waste (MSW) presents environmental, social, and economic problems. Enlisting the public in reducing MSW has proven to be difficult in a variety of cultures and economies. Although the waste diversion practice of recycling is well-known, other waste minimization behaviors remain unknown and unpracticed by the majority of the population. There is room for improvement in waste minimization and waste diversion participation. This paper examines research into what motivates and what hinders participation in waste diversion and minimization practices by drawing out the common factors found in a wide spectrum of studies. Fear of the actual and perceived dangers …

Adaptive Strategies For Phd Candidates To A Changing Academic Environment: Diversification And Time Management, Kirby Calvert

The Geographical Bulletin

The confluence of an increasing emphasis on ‘deliverables,’ rising numbers of PhD candidates, and waning employment opportunities presents significant challenges for prospective and incumbent PhD candidates. I identify two coping strategies for adapting to this changing environment: 1) diversify the set of theoretical leanings and methods to which you are exposed during your PhD experience to alleviate some of the concerns around employment opportunities by making your knowledge and skill-set marketable beyond the walls of academia; and 2) streamline your teaching, learning, and research duties to minimize the impact of these formal academic duties on your personal life and completion …

Maintaining Sanity In Graduate School: A Brief Commentary On The Significance Of Informal Networks, Amanda Fickey, Erin Pullen

The Geographical Bulletin

Graduate students often feel pressure to succeed not only as students and instructors, but also as published authors, engaged service-oriented community members, and researchers. As the scarcity of tenure-track positions and the general downturn of the economy become increasingly disconcerting, we often feel it necessary to sacrifice personal relationships and friendships to focus on making ourselves more competitive as we prepare to enter the job market. In this reflective essay, we consider the ways that we have discovered to navigate these day-to-day struggles, focusing primarily on the significance of informal networks. Although the authors have formed their own informal network …