Digital Commons Network^™

Examining High School Special Education Teachers’ Experience Implementing Social-Emotional Curriculum In Public Schools: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Trisha Rae Dorsey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study examined the experiences of high school special education teachers implementing social-emotional learning in Capitol County Public Schools, guided by Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The study explored how professional development, teacher self-efficacy, institutional support, and perceived student outcomes influenced social-emotional learning implementation. A transcendental phenomenological design examined the shared experiences of 11 teachers using interviews, follow-up surveys, and document analysis. Three themes emerged: (a) instructional practices and social-emotional learning integration, (b) implementation experiences and challenges, and (c) perceived student outcomes. Participants identified positive teacher–student relationships, behavioral modeling, and embedded SEL instruction as essential to implementation, while professional …

An Analysis Of Artificial Intelligence Systems On The Teaching Of Music Improvisation, Composition, And Instrumental Pedagogy, Carter K. Murphey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced a significant boom in the first half of the 2020s and has significant implications for the fields of music composition, music production, and music education. AI Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT are frequently used sources for students on a wide range of academic subjects, and can provide in-depth, well-informed and eloquently written explanations in a matter of seconds. Music generative AI programs such as Suno and UDIO can almost instantaneously compose and produce musical recordings from word-generated prompts from users. Noise cancelling AI software such as Moises can create isolated instrumental tracks from …

Exploring How School Leaders Support The Academic Resilience Of Foster Youth: A Case Study, Melissa Gasser Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the resilience of foster care students in Oklahoma public schools. The study was guided by Garmezy’s resilience theory, which highlights the critical role of resilience in helping children recover from past trauma and thrive in academic settings. The central research question was: How do school leaders nurture academic resilience in foster children? This study was conducted using qualitative research methods. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, physical artifacts, and journal prompts. The data first underwent analysis through open coding, followed by a round of axial coding and finally selective coding. Informed …

Forbear That Wicked Cant: Malthusian ‘Zero Sum’ Theory, Eugenics, And World Population Control, Aidan Grogan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation traces the history of an idea: the “zero-sum” theory of human nature and humanity’s relationship with the natural world that lies at the core of the Malthusian worldview. Grounded in the belief that life is a ruthless struggle over scarce resources and that human beings are destined to reproduce beyond the earth’s “carrying capacity,” Malthusianism provided the key intellectual foundations for Darwin’s theory of evolution, which later informed the rise of eugenics. Although eugenics lost much of its scientific legitimacy and moral authority after the Holocaust and the Nuremberg Trials, many American eugenicists and eugenics organizations remained committed …

Timothy Baptist Church Of Amherst, Virginia, And Technology, Christopher L. Groom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The contemporary local church faces a critical crossroads, challenged by a widening gap between traditional ministry approaches and today's digital-native world, resulting in decreased engagement and relevance. This research tackles the urgent issue of ecclesiastical stagnation in a highly connected society. When the local church and technology strategically unite, they can dramatically shift the church’s path from static tradition toward active, missional innovation. Embracing digital tools will transform preaching from a localized, one-dimensional event into a rich, multi-layered homiletic experience that enhances message impact and clarity. By intentionally using these tools, the church can reach a wider, more diverse audience …

Teachers’ Lived-Experiences Enacting Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Temy Nguyen Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching practices during the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards for science teachers at comprehensive high schools in one district in California. The theory guiding this study was Prochaska’s and DiClemente’s theory on the transtheoretical model of change to understand the phenomena of teachers’ pedagogical decisions in the classroom as they transition to enact culturally responsive teaching (CRT) because of the NGSS. Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Piaget’s social constructivism theory were the educational theories that served as a backdrop for teacher …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Exploring Middle School Special Education Teachers’ Experiences In Their Undergraduate Preparation Programs, Alfredia D. Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceived effectiveness of undergraduate educator preparation programs for special education teachers in middle schools in central Georgia. The theory guiding this study was transformative learning, as proposed by, which explored adult learning and the ways individuals reflected on experiences to shift their perspectives and develop new understandings. The central research question asked: How did middle school special education teachers perceive the effectiveness of their undergraduate preparation programs in relation to their current teaching responsibilities? This transcendental phenomenological study included 10 middle school special education teachers in central Georgia. Data were …

Comparative Analysis Of Metabolic Vulnerability In The Standard American And Carnivore Diets Using The Mvx Plus Biomarker Panel, Susan E. Fitzgerald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Poor diet is a leading cause of mortality, contributing to an estimated one million deaths in the United States and eleven million deaths annually worldwide, with diet-related chronic disease accounting for approximately 85% of U.S. healthcare spending. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is widely recognized as causing systemic inflammation, while the carnivore diet is under-researched with unknown long-term effects. The purpose of this cross-sectional secondary analysis was to examine the impact of these two dietary patterns on metabolic vulnerability using the Metabolic Vulnerability Index Plus (MVX Plus), a multidimensional biomarker panel that quantifies systemic inflammation, metabolic malnutrition, and metabolic resilience …

School Counselor Morale: A Phenomenological Study On School Counselor Morale In The Post-Pandemic Era, Courtney J. Spradlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the patterns of school counselors morale for K-12 public school counselors in Metro Atlanta. The theory guiding this study is phenomenological theory founded by Edmund Hesserl as it explains the philosophy behind lived experiences of people. These lived experiences can include: day to day experiences, trauma, life-changing events. Specifically, for this study this theory supports studying the lived experiences of school counselors in their day to day roles. The following questions are addressed in this study: How has school counseling changed since the pandemic? What is the current level of job …

The Revelation Of The Pre-Incarnate Christ: A Canonical Exposition Of The Gospel Of John And The Old Testament Witness In Fulfilling God’S Eschatological Promises, Robert R. Coon Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation researches how the Gospel of John presents Jesus Christ as the eternally pre-existent and ontologically divine Logos, fulfilling Israel’s scriptural patterns of divine presence, revelation, and glory. Employing a canonical-critical and prosopological approach, the study demonstrates that John’s Christology is best understood as the culmination of Old Testament theophanic witness rather than as a later theological innovation. Through focused exegesis of the Prologue, key theophanic texts, and the Gospel narrative, this work argues that the Logos is not merely a functional agent or literary symbol, but the personal subject in whom God’s self-disclosure reaches its historical and eschatological …

Interstellar Faith: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Christian Reconciliation With Uaps And Nonhuman Intelligence, Christian Pedersen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher examined how Christian leaders interpret, respond to, and navigate questions surrounding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) and nonhuman intelligence (NHI) within their theological and ministerial contexts. Despite growing cultural and governmental attention to these phenomena, little empirical research has explored how Christian leaders engage these questions pastorally or theologically. Using a transcendental phenomenological design informed by Moustakas (1994), the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve Christian leaders across multiple traditions. Analysis produced ten major themes organized around three research questions addressing theological interpretation, pastoral ministry, and lived experience. Findings revealed a participant group marked by intellectual humility, theological seriousness, …

Learner-Centered Pedagogies In A Secondary Choral Classroom, Bobby Matthew Reidling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research is to develop practice-informed recommendations for integrating learner-centered pedagogical approaches within secondary choral education. Secondary choral instruction has generally been organized around teacher-centered rehearsal models in which teachers retain primary responsibility for musical and instructional decision-making. While teacher-centered approaches remain widely used, learner-centered models described in broader educational literature have been less frequently examined in ensemble-based choral contexts, particularly regarding their alignment with the collaborative nature of choral instruction. This study is guided by the following research question: How can learner-centered pedagogical approaches be integrated into secondary choral classrooms to support student participation, engagement, and …

A Qualitative Case Study Exploration Of Secondary Educators' Implementation Of Multicultural Education In A Public School District, Chiquita Apollos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to discover how multicultural education influences teaching practices for secondary educators at Achieve School District in the southeastern United States. The theory guiding this study was James A. Banks’ multicultural education theory, as it provided the framework for implementing the histories, customs, and perceptions of ethnic minority and racial people into the curriculum. The central research question was: How does multicultural education influence the teaching practices of secondary teachers in the Achieve School District? Data were collected through individual interviews, observations, and journal prompts. Thematic analysis of the data revealed multicultural education influenced …

Navigating Mental Health Stigma And Disclosure Among Black Males On Social Media: A Qualitative Study Guided By Stigma Management Communication Theory, Kendall Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health stigma in the Black male community is a significant topic worth further investigation within the field of communication. Few current studies go into depth on the subject of mental health stigma, with the aim of understanding how communication is impacted by stigma. This work fills that gap. This qualitative research study sought to explicate the varied strategies employed by Black males when navigating disclosure in social media spaces. Stigma management communication theory is the guiding theory used to illuminate the communication choices made by Black males that shape their experiences. Factors such as racism, historical medical maltreatment, and …

A Christ-Centered Approach To Ai-Assisted Sermon Preparation For Cedar Grove Community Church, Andrew Michael Poe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping nearly every sector of society, presenting both opportunities and ethical challenges for Christian ministry. Amid this technological shift, many pastors, Bible teachers, and lay leaders experience ethical uncertainty about the appropriate use of AI in expository preaching and teaching. This Doctor of Ministry action research project developed and evaluated an eight-week training designed to equip the teaching team at Cedar Grove Community Church with a Christ-centered approach to AI-assisted sermon preparation. The purpose of this project was to provide biblical, theological, and practical guidance enabling communicators to leverage AI responsibly without compromising ministerial integrity …

Building Sustainable Ministry Through Leadership Development: Evaluating A Biblically Grounded Leadership Model, Christopher David Brisco

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many churches face declining participation, leadership fatigue, and inadequate succession planning, often due to a lack of intentional, structured leadership development systems. Although research indicates that mentoring, leadership training, and supervised ministry experiences strengthen leadership capacity and organizational sustainability, many congregations struggle to implement leadership development models that effectively integrate biblical principles with strategic organizational practices. This researcher examined the implementation and effectiveness of a biblically grounded leadership development model within The Church of the Redeemed of the Lord in Baltimore, Maryland, a multigenerational church with diverse ministry departments that provided an appropriate context for evaluating intentional strategic leadership development. …

Calling And Capacity: A Study Of Turnover, Performance, And The Moderating Role Of Leadership Support In U.S. Faith-Based Nonprofit Smes, Robert M. Frazier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The U.S. nonprofit sector is a vital part of the national workforce and social service infrastructure. Within this sector, faith-based nonprofit SMEs must sustain mission impact while often operating under limited staffing, informal role structures, emotional labor, and significant leadership demands. The purpose of this fixed-design quantitative correlational study was to examine the problem of high turnover and reduced performance in U.S. faith-based nonprofit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study measured emotional exhaustion, role ambiguity, turnover intention, perceived organizational performance, and perceived leadership support and tested whether perceived leadership support moderated the relationship between emotional exhaustion and turnover intention. …

How Stress In Pastors May Contribute To Their Resignations, Roger Allen Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Throughout history, congregations have connected with and sought guidance from spiritual leaders. Spiritual leaders develop methods and teachings to aid congregants; however, these leaders often don’t receive the care they give others. Are they not also part of the congregation? It is often assumed that a leader has it all together, but this is not always true. There are many instances of pastors leaving their calling prematurely, although the reason is not always defined. General reasons are often expressed to ease the contention between members or prevent hurting their feelings. Regardless, the result is the same, and there is an …

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Of Secular And Christian-Based Correctional Operations: Exploring The Impact On Recidivism, Reintegration, And Spiritual Transformation, Cullen B. Burch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study examines the effectiveness of secular versus Christian-based correctional programs in reducing recidivism among offenders and enhancing reintegration outcomes. The primary purpose is to explore perceived limitations of secular correctional methodologies, given observed challenges such as rising recidivism and limited offender transformation. In contrast, Christian-based programs, grounded in biblical principles and spiritual transformation, are posited to foster meaningful change among offenders. The study focuses on the perspectives of formerly incarcerated individuals who participated in secular and faith-based initiatives while incarcerated in Texas. Data collection is exclusively qualitative, involving semi-structured interviews with these formerly incarcerated individuals and a …

The Word Of Faith Which We Preach: Perspectives On Core Doctrines Of Word Of Faith Theology, James Clifford Crew

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Primary Research Question:

What are the distinctive core doctrines that are officially recognized and universally taught within the Word of Faith movement - as distinguished from some common aberrant or excessive popular teachings - and are these core doctrines biblically and theologically defensible as orthodox teachings within the broader scope of the universal Christian Church? The research problem is a glaring gap in the literature characterized by the general absence of a clear delineation between official core doctrines and controversial popular teachings that are neither officially codified in its doctrinal statements nor universally accepted and taught within the Word of …

Predictors Of Academic Performance In First-Year Bsn Students: The Role Of Emotional Exhaustion, Alcohol Use, And Resilience, Jennifer Nerius

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The first year of nursing school can be academically demanding and emotionally challenging as students adjust to rigorous coursework, clinical expectations, and professional responsibilities. Understanding factors that influence student well-being and academic success is important for supporting students during this transition. The purpose of this quantitative longitudinal correlational study was to examine the relationships among emotional exhaustion, alcohol use, resilience, and academic performance in first-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students. Guided by Resilience Theory, the study explored whether resilience was associated with emotional exhaustion and alcohol use and whether emotional exhaustion, resilience, and alcohol use predicted academic performance. …

Perceptions Of Pursuing Elementary Music: An Examination Of Music Educators' Career Choices, Elise N. Luce

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A growing shortage of music educators leaves school districts with the unfortunate options of cutting music education programs or placing un- or under-qualified staff in those positions. There is a gap in the literature on the personal, professional, and external factors that influence music educators’ career decisions. This qualitative, constructivist grounded theory study addresses the gap in the literature by examining music educators’ perspectives on their career decisions. This study employed focus groups, interviews, and journal prompts to gather data from 26 music educators in the U.S. A theory grounded in the data suggests that personal, professional, and external factors …

Cultural Fidelity: An Exploration Of Oral Tradition And Its Role In Preserving Cultural Identity In Nigerians Of The Diaspora, Veronica L. Graham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Oral tradition is a dynamic communicative practice through which diasporic individuals construct meaning, transmit memory, and sustain intergenerational belonging. Against the backdrop of cultural displacement, linguistic adaptation, and identity negotiation, this study examined the role of oral tradition in preserving cultural identity amongst Nigerians of the diaspora. It also interrogated how oral practices—often considered antiquated or informal within Western paradigms—function as enduring technologies of cultural continuity. Guided by multi-generational voices that reflect the evolving nature of oral expression across diasporic contexts, the findings of this study indicate that oral tradition remains a powerful mechanism through which diasporic Nigerians preserve cultural …

Exploring Phonics Instruction For Students With Dyslexia: A Phenomenological Study Of Special Education Teachers’ Insights And Approaches, Jennifer Nicole Tuthill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of elementary special education teachers who implemented multi-sensory, evidence-based phonics interventions for their students with dyslexia at public elementary schools in suburban Northern Virginia. The theoretical framework for this study was Bottom-Up Processing Theory. It was important to note that foundational reading skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, and fluency are necessary building blocks for comprehensive understanding, especially for students with dyslexia. These students were identified as having a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) in reading with characteristics of dyslexia, based on federal and local evaluation criteria. The …

The Lived Experiences Of U.S. Army Leaders Transitioning To Civilian Educational Leadership Roles: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Emily M. Cassner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of transitioning into civilian educational leadership roles for U.S. Army leaders at educational institutions throughout the Southwestern and Eastern United States. Guided by Goleman’s emotional intelligence theory, this study addressed the lack of transition mentorship by examining the lived experiences, motivations, transition challenges, and existing support programs for these leaders. Utilizing a qualitative, transcendental phenomenological design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, reflective journals, and artifacts. The findings revealed four central themes: identity reconstruction and loss of purpose, leadership style adaptation, emotional intelligence as a developed competency, …

Chemical Safety: From Toxic Ignorance To Intelligent Testing, Andrew Rowan Dphil

WellBeing News

Nearly three decades after concerns were raised about the lack of safety information for high-production-volume chemicals, significant progress has been made in both chemical data collection and testing technologies. This article explores the scale of the chemical safety challenge, the limitations of traditional animal testing, and the growing role of artificial intelligence and New Approach Methods (NAMs) in delivering faster, more human-relevant, and more efficient chemical risk assessments.

Website: Home, Zhiqu Lu, Likun Zhang, Lei Cao

Gulf Research Program Data Sets

No abstract provided.

Website: Latest Results, Zhiqu Lu, Likun Zhang, Lei Cao

Gulf Research Program Data Sets

No abstract provided.

Website: News And Events, Zhiqu Lu, Likun Zhang, Lei Cao

Gulf Research Program Data Sets

No abstract provided.

Normative Dualism And Parallel Institution-Building: The Case Of International Commercial Dispute Prevention And Settlement Organization (Icdpaso), Kun Fan, Xiaolei Han

International Law Journal

As China rises as a global power, it confronts an international legal order historically shaped by Western actors. In response, China has adopted a dual strategy: engaging with existing institutions while building “parallel institutions” to advance its influence. This paper examines the International Commercial Dispute Prevention and Settlement Organization (ICDPASO) as a case study of this strategy and analyzes how China seeks to reshape international dispute resolution. Drawing on original empirical data—including 85 interviews with arbitrators, users, officials, and legal experts—this paper provides the first comprehensive analysis of ICDPASO’s strategic motivations, governance model, dispute resolution mechanisms, and user perceptions. We …