Education Commons^™

A Phenomenological Study Describing The Lived Experiences Of Fire Chaplains With Clinical Pastoral Education (Cpe) Training Within The Federation Of Fire Chaplains’ Organization, Chaplain Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of fire chaplains with CPE training who used CPE competencies when caring for firefighters. The foundation of spiritual care was based on the ten identified competencies used in CPE. The gap addressed in this research was the lack of spiritual care training for fire chaplains. Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s model of companioning served as the theoretical foundation guiding this research. This model of care emphasized a human-centered, heart-based approach, including active listening, empathy, and the practice of presence, which were essential components for fire chaplains providing spiritual care. This …

Distraction Or Tool? Exploring The Relationship Between Social Media And Practice Habits Of Collegiate Music Students With Adhd, Marianne Nicole Mills

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the relationship between social media use and the practice habits of collegiate music students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While social media platforms inspire collaboration, creativity, and educational resources, they also introduce potential distractions and barriers to initiating practice sessions, especially for students with executive functioning challenges. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework, five applied music students at a small, private college in Florida participated in semi-structured interviews and kept reflective practice journals for six weeks. Findings indicated that social media served as a dual-purpose influence, supporting learning and community while also increasing procrastination, …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Music Teacher Efficacy In Elementary Grade-Level Music Inclusive Classrooms Based On Special Education Training, Stanley N. Harris Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study aimed to determine whether there is a significant difference in overall teacher self-efficacy scores between rural and urban elementary schools and between music educators with and without formal special education training. This study is important because teacher efficacy directly impacts teachers’ engagement in learning with students with special needs. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature on teacher efficacy by examining differences between music teachers with formal special education training and those without such training who teach in inclusive classrooms. The sample included 146 music educators from rural and urban elementary schools who teach students with …

Health Behaviors Of First-Generation College Students Affected By Acculturation, Angel Camacho Castro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative narrative ethnographic study was to understand how acculturation affects health behaviors and wellness of first-generation college students at a state university on the West Coast of the United States. The theory guiding this study was social constructivism theory, proposed by Lev Vygotsky, who claimed behaviors are constructed by social interactions around social settings. This research focused on how students navigated the changes in inherited cultural values of health behaviors and wellness practices affected by mainstream and college cultures. The dissertation investigated challenges first-generation college students faced in an environment that often conflicted with family values …

A Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Veterans During Their Separation Transition, Nereida Valentine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the phenomenon of the lived experiences of U.S. veterans’ during their transition into civilian life across all military branches. The theory guiding this study was Schlossberg’s 4S theory on adult transitions, this theory identifies what factors influence how veterans adapt to their transition into civilian life. Data analysis was led from this central research question: “What are the lived experiences of veterans’ and their academic readiness during their transition into civilian life?” The methodology used was transcendental phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of 12 participants and how they adapt …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of Rural Elementary School Teachers’ Stem Education And Training Development, Jack W. Owens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience rural elementary school teachers receiving STEM education, professional development, and training to provide high-quality STEM education to students at rural elementary schools. The theory guiding this research study was Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory, which promotes autonomy, competence, and relatedness; when these factors are present, thereby teachers’ motivation and effectiveness in teaching STEM are enhanced. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of rural elementary teachers concerning their preparedness to teach STEM subjects? This research study used a transcendental phenomenological qualitative design. This …

Students Drive Instruction: Play-Based Learning For School Readiness, Sheri L. Showalter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the perspectives of integrating play with standards for promoting executive functions in kindergarten in two different schools in Japan. For this research, the integration of play with standards is defined as directed goals and expectations from governing schools/districts while still allowing child-centered, hands-on, collaborative play in kindergarten. The theory guiding this study is sociocultural theory. The central research question is: How do teachers implement developmentally appropriate activities that support executive functions for school readiness in two different kindergarten programs in Japan? This multiple case study explored the challenges and successes …

Black Women Special Educators And Burnout: A Phenomenological Study, Whitney Patrice Collins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand Black women special educators’ experiences with burnout while working in Georgia, public, K-12 schools. The first theory guiding this study was Black Feminist Thought, as it provides an understanding of Black women’s unique experiences in the workplace due to the intersectionality of their race and gender. The second theory guiding this study was Maslach’s multidimensional theory of burnout, as it provides a framework for understanding burnout in the workplace. The central research question explored how Black women special educators describe their experiences with burnout in Georgia public K-12 schools. This …

A Qualitative Case Study On Leadership And Organizational Dynamics In The Adoption Of A Learning Management System In Higher Education: A Post-Positivist Approach Using The Technology Acceptance Model (Tam), Ashley Hudson Tharpe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this flexible design, qualitative, single case study was to explore the process of a learning management system (LMS) transition and the perceptions of administrators, course designers, and faculty during that process at a higher education institution. The study focused on understanding perceptions of LMS adoption, using the technology acceptance model as a conceptual framework. Three research questions were used to address the problem by providing insights into the procedural, relational, and strategic elements of LMS adoption. Data was collected through 30 semi-structured one-on-one interviews, 33 reflective journal responses, and multiple institutional artifacts related to LMS migration. Six …

Demographic Factors And Approaches Used Impacting Emotional Regulation And Social Emotional Development Of Elementary Students In Ontario, Tatiana Tait

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A child’s education is crucial in their life and development given that it aids in the skill and knowledge development necessary for lifelong success. Schools play one of the biggest roles in their life, teaching them numerous academic skills, as well as many important life and social skills. Given the importance of schools, and the many schooling options available, evaluating how different types of schools contribute to a child’s social-emotional development and emotional regulation has potential applications within the educational realm in terms of curriculum and how teachers foster these skills in students. The present study sought to gather qualitative …

Understanding Public School Montessori Teachers Who Align Their Methods Of Teaching Reading To The Texas Reading Academies: A Phenomenological Study, Christian T. Mcglory

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of K-3 public Montessori teachers who must align their methods of teaching reading to the Texas Reading Academies. To advance reading achievement for students, teachers must implement evidence-based instructional practices. The theory guiding this study was Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development. The central question for this study was, “What are the experiences of public Montessori teachers who provide reading instruction to students and incorporate reading comprehension strategies through the implementation of Texas Reading Academies?” The data collection process included interviews with 16 teachers who provided reading …

Navigating Privilege And Power: The Lived Experiences Of Ivy League Administrators In Promoting Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion. A Hermeneutics Phenomenological Study, Alize Roberson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of university administrators in Ivy League institutions as they promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. For the purpose of this research, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion is generally defined as the practice of facilitating inclusivity for students of color. This study is guided by the conceptual framework of culturally responsive pedagogy, which informs the research design, data collection, and analysis. These elements are essential and deserve recognition and understanding in their educational experience. The implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies at Ivy League institutions is explored through …

Examining The Perceived Self-Efficacy Of Governing Board Members Of Charter Schools In Florida: A Qualitative Holistic Case Study, Donald Toy Williams Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, holistic case study was to examine the perceived self-efficacy of governing board members in charter schools in Florida. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory, which explains how personal beliefs, behaviors, and environmental influences shape an individual’s and collective governance self-efficacy. The central research question guiding this study was: How does the self-efficacy of governing board members in Florida charter schools influence their governance practices? This study used a qualitative, holistic case study design and purposeful sampling to select governing board members from charter schools across Florida. Data were collected through …

Artificial Intelligence Use In Educator Pedagogy In Higher Education Institutes: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Rebecca L. Fuller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to discover the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in pedagogy as the lived experiences of educators at higher education institutions. The theory guiding this study was the self-determination theory by Ryan and Deci 2017. The central research question is: What are the lived experiences of educators in higher education who use GAI tools in their pedagogy? The participants were 10 educators, at least 25 years old, from four-year higher education institutions in the United States who had used GAI tools in their pedagogy in the last year. The methodology is …

The Homeschooled Student Athlete And Their Transition To College: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study, Michele Marie Sandon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover homeschooled student-athletes’ lived experiences as they transitioned to the rigors of academics, social settings, and athletic life at NCAA and NAIA institutions in the United States. This study was guided by Tinto’s integration theory, which offers insight into how college students experience academic and social integration. The central research question asked: What was the homeschooled student-athlete’s experience in transitioning to college? This qualitative study used a transcendental phenomenological design to examine those lived experiences. The data was collected from a purposeful sample of eleven homeschooled student-athletes through semi-structured interviews conducted …

Use Of The Casper Test As An Admissions Test For Predicting Academic And Clinical Performance In Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists: A Predictive Correlational Study, Barbara A. Acord

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, non-experimental, predictive correlational study examined the extent to which CASPer test scores predict academic and clinical performance among student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs). Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) provide over 80% of anesthesia services in the United States, showing the importance of effective admissions processes to identify candidates most likely to succeed academically and clinically. Traditional admissions criteria in nurse anesthesia programs largely prioritize grades and may underrepresent non-cognitive attributes associated with student success. A convenience sample used a medium effect size, power of .8, and alpha level of .05, with G*Power calculated to be 85 participants 2nd …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Social-Emotional Learning Of Special Education Middle School Students, Stephen Thurman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the influence COVID-19 and related shutdowns had on middle school special education students' social-emotional learning based on teachers lived experiences at a middle school in north Georgia. At this stage in the research, the influence COVID-19 and related shutdowns had on middle school special education students' social-emotional learning was generally defined as how student social-emotional learning has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The theory guiding this study was social cognitive theory, as this theory closely aligns with the topic of the importance of social-emotional learning and how students attain social-emotional …

Research Week 2026 Program, Scholarly Communications

Liberty University Research Week

Program booklet for Research Week 2026.

Biting Hurts: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Childcare Stakeholders’ Experience When Toddlers Bite In North Texas, Sarah Elizabeth Borszich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of participating in decision-making responses following biting incidents for key childcare stakeholders at licensed childcare centers in Northeast Texas. At this stage in the research, lived experiences of participating in decision-making responses following biting incidents were generally defined as integrated processes, perceptions, or actions taken by childcare stakeholders when engaging in decision-making after a biting incident in a childcare setting. The theories guiding this study were social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) and sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978). The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of …

The Experience Of Coptic Orthodox Youth Concerning Morals Taught In Public Education, Peter S. Endrawis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of Coptic Orthodox youth concerning moral education taught in public schools. There were four research questions this study answered: 1) How do Coptic youth describe their experience of navigating moral teachings in public schools? 2) What meaning do Coptic youth ascribe to church tradition based on their experience in public schools? 3) How do Coptic youth describe their worldview concerning faith based on their experience in public schools? 4) How do Coptic youth describe their worldview concerning spirituality based on their experience in public schools? The theory guiding this …

Disability Laws: An Instrumental Case Study Exploring Staff Capacity To Support Incarcerated Juveniles With Disabilities In The Mid-Atlantic Region, Jennifer L. Howarth Mira

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to explore how juvenile detention staff are prepared to understand and comply with disability laws when working with incarcerated juveniles with disabilities. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social learning theory as it suggests a person’s environment can be directly influenced by themselves or by others. The central research question this study investigated was: How are juvenile detention staff prepared to understand and comply with disability laws when working with incarcerated juveniles with disabilities? This qualitative study included 11 staff members employed in mid-Atlantic juvenile detention centers with at least six …

The Lived Experiences Of Remote, Part-Time Faculty Members With Transformational Leadership: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study At A Private Christian College In Appalachia, Edward Christian L. Chicko

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of remote, part-time faculty at a private Christian college in Appalachia as they encountered transformational leadership in their professional roles. Faculty morale was defined as the emotional, psychological, and professional well-being of faculty as shaped by their perceptions of institutional leadership in a remote teaching environment. Guided by transformational leadership theory, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, this study examined how leadership behaviors influenced faculty engagement and institutional connection. A transcendental phenomenological design was used to examine participants’ lived experiences. Purposeful sampling recruited 11 …

High School Teachers' Perspectives On Using Assistive Technology To Support Students With Disabilities In The Southern United States: A Single Instrumental Case Study, James N. New

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative single instrumental case study was to examine the perspectives of high school teachers in the Southern United States on using assistive technology (AT) in the classroom to support students with disabilities. This study was led by the technology acceptance model (TAM), which emphasized how teachers perceived the usefulness and ease of use when adopting technology into their classrooms. The central research question was: How do high school teachers in the Southern United States describe their experiences with using assistive technology to support students with disabilities in their classrooms? This qualitative study used a single instrumental …

Dual Enrollment Pathways For High School Students: A Qualitative Case Study Exploring Perceptions Of Students And Teachers Participating In A Dual Enrollment Pathway In Mercer County, Wv, Danielle Nicole Farmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the student and teacher perceptions regarding a dual enrollment pathway program in southern West Virginia, known as the Level Up program, which originated from West Virginia Legislature House Bill 2005, and its impact on the postsecondary decisions of students who completed one of the pathways. The theory guiding this case study is Carl Rogers Child Development Theory, as it explains why students challenge themselves to take dual enrollment courses and put themselves in more rigorous academic situations. The central research question is how a county-wide dual enrollment program influences the …

The Experiences Of Service-Learning From The Perspectives Of Physician Preceptors: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Claudia Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of supervising medical students for physician preceptors at service-learning sites in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The theory guiding this study was the experiential learning theory, posited by Dewey and refined by Kolb, concerning service-learning and undergraduate medical education. This study explored four research questions presented to physician preceptors to examine the barriers to implementing service-learning requirements at medical schools. These questions stemmed from the central research question: What are the lived experiences of supervising medical students for physician preceptors at a service-learning site? This research …

Evaluating Pathways Into Health Care Among Healthcare Students In Virginia, Olivette Burroughs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate gaps in healthcare training that lead to healthcare access inequalities and the role of the pathway programs' effectiveness in the pathway process in Virginia. The problem addressed in this study was to assess how healthcare education pathway programs impact access to care in rural and underserved areas of Virginia. The study used the qualitative health belief model by Hochbaum, Rosenstock, Kegeles, and Leventhal to examine pathway program participants' beliefs and perceptions, and the grounded theory by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, to establish theoretical relationships. The rationale for the study was …

The Lived Experiences Of South Carolina Public School Teachers On The Effects Of Servant Leadership On Teacher Retention: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Victor P. Rockhill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of secondary teachers in South Carolina with servant leader traits and their effects on teacher retention. The conceptual framework for this study was Robert Greenleaf’s servant leadership, as phrased by Van Dierendonck’s five traits of servant leadership, which have a positive effect on teachers’ retention. The central research question was: How do public school teachers in South Carolina describe the effects of servant leadership on teacher retention? This study used Moustakas’ Modified van Kaam method to arrive at the essence of the phenomenon by analyzing the data …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Resilient Special Education Teachers In Jamaica, Carlene Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of resilient special education teachers in Jamaica. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman's cognitive appraisal theory, also known as the cognitive appraisal theory of stress and coping, as it is related to how special education teachers appraised and coped with stress. What did appraisal and coping look like in the lived experiences of resilient special education teachers from Jamaica? Given the nature of a transcendental phenomenological approach, which focuses on describing a phenomenon, this approach was suitable for this …

Associate Degree Nursing Students’ Lived Experiences With Simulation: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Jamie O'Connor Florez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of prelicensure associate degree nursing (ADN) students related to skills acquisition and workplace readiness through simulation-based learning at community colleges in California. Skills acquisition and workplace readiness were defined as students’ perceptions of their ability to competently perform nursing skills and prepare for entry into the healthcare workforce. Guided by Kolb’s experiential learning theory, data were collected from 13 ADN students through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and reflective journaling and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis.

Three themes emerged: varying emotions from excitement to feeling overwhelmed; experiences of collaboration and unprofessionalism …

Educators Lived Experiences With Burnout: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Leiaje Sidberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of burnout for high school teachers in an East Coast city. The theory guiding this study was Polidore’s resilience theory, as teacher retention depends on competence and longevity. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of burnout for high school teachers? Ten educators participated in interviews, focus groups, and reflective journaling. Data were thematically analyzed to identify shared meanings in their experiences. Four major themes emerged: causes of burnout, manifestations of burnout, needs related to burnout, and developing resilience. Participants described diverse causes of …